Test drove 2011 G37x and IS350 AWD

[fecurtis]

Originally Posted by atxgt3

That's interesting, I had a 2008 G35S that I loved, put almost 80k miles on it without a single issue. Looked great, drove great, interior was nice.

I then bought a 2008 IS350 as a dependable daily driver and I realized quickly that I didn't like it much. The interior felt cheaper than the Infinity, it was less fun to drive, it felt more fragile, the technology was completely outdated even compared to contemporary cars. It was also tiny, although I could fit two kids with big Britax seats in the back so it is possible.

But for me having owned both, the clear winner in my book was the Infiniti. The Lexus really felt cheap to me.

Yeah I had a 2007 G35S and loved it as well. I also had around 80k miles with no issues. My mom bought the car off me before I got the F30 and now the car has around 110k miles on it, still runs fine and is in great shape.

I test drove an IS350 back in 2007 (including an E90 335i as well) before deciding on the G35S, my sentiment is pretty much identical to yours, aside from the kids part.

I just found the IS350 very boring to drive. I also drove an IS250...I do not understand nor can I fathom why anyone would want one of those. I think a Civic could accelerate quicker.

[Kolyan2k]

Originally Posted by g2BMW

+11 ^

Except for the ISF, rest of the IS line up are boring, interior is not bad but too soft. And the rear seat, dunno why they have it.
G37 has good engine, fun to drive and reliable even early models, so it should be good. Thing is the G cars are detuned a little from the factory, especially the throttle, so you need to floor it to get the fun factor out. The back seat has enough room for a rear facing baby seat. Get the RWD, its about 250 lbs lighter than AWD.

335i has a good torquey engine but mundane interior. And back seat is ok but not that roomy. Reliability is not the greatest.

I am/was shopping for ISF. It aint easy to find what you looking for, for the price you want to pay. Many are overpriced and dealers sell them for many many months. IS350 RWD are hard to find too....at least here, forget about F-sport, and forget about picking a color you like. So I figure whatever comes on the market 1st I will buy that. It might be better to have nice clean low miles IS350 then some beat up ISF thats been cleaned up and detailed by dealer, plus you save at least $10Gs going with 350

The ISF I was looking at is still for sale in another state now, going 9 month without owner, pricing was from 42k to 34k+change, now listed at 38k i think. My offer was $33k back then.

Another thing about IS350s.....most ride on crap all-season tires stock and most dont have sport suspention, so accelaration and handling are crap. If I ever get one, summer tires, sport susp, Fsport sway bars will be a must. As far as engine goes, last magazine I read, reviewer said its the only V6 engine that feels as good as BMW I6

[Kolyan2k]

Again probably a stupid move to sell S2k and get IS350, but 5 years on the same car is tough. Its an amazing car, still puts smile on my face and depreciation is none-existant lol, Lexus is gonna fall like a rock

[Kolyan2k]

Quote from mag on ISF vs F-sport

"So, does an Lexus IS350 + $12,000 worth of performance enhancements = an IS F? Almost, but not quite. The 416hp V8 engine does provide a noticeable bump in getup over the 306hp V6 and the fact that the car was specifically track-tuned as a performance monster gives it the nod. But that said, the components provided in the F Sport offering for the IS350 are so solid and the underlying vehicle so good, that the confidence-inspired drive and enjoyment factor is almost parallel. The Lexus F Sport line is a tremendously comprehensive and high quality offering of the most requested and effective aftermarket add-ons. They even have an aftermarket-like vibe with their overstated styling. And being able to source performance parts and have them installed directly from the manufacturer complete with the full warranty is definitely a nice option."

[atxgt3]

Originally Posted by Kolyan2k

As far as engine goes, last magazine I read, reviewer said its the only V6 engine that feels as good as BMW I6

To me it doesn't feel anywhere close to a BMW I6. It drives more like a souped up Honda. The engine sounds whiny and insubstantial. The traction control cuts all power the minute it detects a tiny amount of wheel spin. With my driving style it was actually dangerous to drive because I would pull out from a light and try to accelerate and end up having no power at all while other cars were approaching quickly behind me. It's a pretty peppy car but something feels "off" about the whole experience.

[Kolyan2k]

Originally Posted by atxgt3

To me it doesn't feel anywhere close to a BMW I6. It drives more like a souped up Honda. The engine sounds whiny and insubstantial. The traction control cuts all power the minute it detects a tiny amount of wheel spin. With my driving style it was actually dangerous to drive because I would pull out from a light and try to accelerate and end up having no power at all while other cars were approaching quickly behind me. It's a pretty peppy car but something feels "off" about the whole experience.

Tracktion, accelaration, and handling depends on tires alot, even F-sport models come with touring. They say tires is the best mod you can get for any car ))

Traction control itself has 3 modes, on, off, and in between, plus that normal/sport/snow button that might (or might not) reflect on the way traction acts. I read it does change for snow setting, not sure about sport

[atxgt3]

Originally Posted by Kolyan2k

Tracktion, accelaration, and handling depends on tires alot, even F-sport models come with touring. They say tires is the best mod you can get for any car ))

Traction control itself has 3 modes, on, off, and in between, plus that normal/sport/snow button that might (or might not) reflect on the way traction acts. I read it does change for snow setting, not sure about sport

I had mine set to sport all the time because the car felt pretty lethargic without it, but then again I always put every car I own in sport mode the minute I start them. If I remember correctly I could turn the traction control off but it came back on automatically after not very long, it was only off temporarily.

[Kolyan2k]

Originally Posted by atxgt3

I had mine set to sport all the time because the car felt pretty lethargic without it, but then again I always put every car I own in sport mode the minute I start them. If I remember correctly I could turn the traction control off but it came back on automatically after not very long, it was only off temporarily.

Could be right, I am sure you can turn it off completely, but half way might only work at certain speed. I really have no clue how it works on Lexus or BMW. I only play with it a little on my S2000 because LSD really helps traction anyway

All this could be an issue with tracking a car, for spirited driving I bet tires can change alot if your traction kicks in while diving. (I haven't noticed on wifes 350 by the way, but then again I haven't pushed it hard due to body roll)

[Kolyan2k]

Interesting, with USD being so strong lately cars in Canada seem to be dirt cheap....Anyone imported before ? I know there is 2.5% fee....but does dealer do all paperwork for US customs ? What about manufacturer warranty, is that valid in USA ?

[Bbb34]

If you decide to import from Canada, just keep in mind that packages/options across different brands don't always exactly match. For example, "premium" package of one brand in US might not be exactly the same in Canada, so you have to do your homework on this. Not sure about fees you'd pay to import, can't help with that sorry. Dealers in my area these days are paying better money for trade in on certain cars (pick up trucks from what I hear) than in the past, weak Canadian dollar enables them to sell these in US and move their new stock in the process.

[eluded]

Give her an STI

[Kolyan2k]

Originally Posted by Kolyan2k

Well I found a nice 2-gen IS350 F-sport for myself, a bit overpriced due to the fact that it's almost impossible to find F-sport around here but its very nice and low miles. If we agree on price, might pick it up soon and sell my S2000 that I've been driving for 5 years now.

It's not ISF that I wanted, but its $10k cheaper and rare, less maintaince too. For some reason German cars don't attract me any more due to reliability I guess. I can easily pick up another 335i or maybe even e92 M3......I don't know, something just don't feel right maybe its my age.

I would say F-sport + summer tires + sway bars should take care of most body roll / floating of my wife's IS

IS350 got sold for a high $25k which is $2k above KBB private party. Its weird because local Lexus dealer couldnt sell that ISF with warraty for several Gs lower the same KBB PP, basically was giving it away for true Trade-In value.

350 was like this:

[BEM-S4]

Are the sight lines on the current IS better than the older one? Got mom
a 250 and the blind spots on that thing were a bitch.

[Kolyan2k]

Originally Posted by BEM-S4

Are the sight lines on the current IS better than the older one? Got mom
a 250 and the blind spots on that thing were a bitch.

Have no clue, I am looking at 2nd Gen, 2014+ are 3rd already

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by Kolyan2k

Have no clue, I am looking at 2nd Gen, 2014+ are 3rd already

Ok so remind me it went IS 200/300 and next gen (that you're looking at) was the first 250/350? I'm trying to remember what year she had. The MB Kompressor sedan was a 2003, so this would have been 2006 or 2007 that she had? You may be one ahead of me but one behind current. Anyway the one she had was a BITCH to see out of, at least based on my height and driving position and whatnot. Nice car just something to be mindful of. I didn't notice when we test drive it early AM and empty roads wasn't really looking in my mirrors much.

[Kolyan2k]

Originally Posted by BEM-S4

Ok so remind me it went IS 200/300 and next gen (that you're looking at) was the first 250/350? I'm trying to remember what year she had. The MB Kompressor sedan was a 2003, so this would have been 2006 or 2007 that she had? You may be one ahead of me but one behind current. Anyway the one she had was a BITCH to see out of, at least based on my height and driving position and whatnot. Nice car just something to be mindful of. I didn't notice when we test drive it early AM and empty roads wasn't really looking in my mirrors much.

2006-2013 is the 2nd gen 250/350s, 2008-2014 for ISF

[imyopusha]

Originally Posted by Kolyan2k

Yeah I went to Infiniti 3 times. When I bought M3, I looked at G35S (I think thats what it was back then), M3 won me over by a mile oubviously. Then again looked at A4, G37S, and 335i, neither me or my wife liked G37S out of those 3 (bought A4 and then 335i). And I gave it last chance 6 month ago, same thing.....everything is cheaply made, cheap plastic, cheap leather with wear marks as early as 20k miles...As far as drivability and reliability, well Infinity has some more perforamnce over Lexus (unless you get F-sport), and I did read some horror stories with G37 reliability....maybe early models, have no clue

Most people agree that Lexus quality even beats BMW as well.

I had a 2010 IS350. It was a really good car. Not great but reliable understated and relatively quick on the lower end. I got an F30 335i af that and it was a night and day difference in pretty much ever category. For your wife, though, the IS350 is perfect. I tested t G37 , thought th IS350 was much better all around. If it's for the wife, I don't think she will be needing the extra HP.

[Kolyan2k]

Originally Posted by imyopusha

I had a 2010 IS350. It was a really good car. Not great but reliable understated and relatively quick on the lower end. I got an F30 335i af that and it was a night and day difference in pretty much ever category. For your wife, though, the IS350 is perfect. I tested t G37 , thought th IS350 was much better all around. If it's for the wife, I don't think she will be needing the extra HP.

Acceleration wise I think 350 and 335 should be about equal no? Maybe 335 slightly quicker. Handling, yes, most 350s have no performance suspension or tires on them....even F-sport package running on some OEM touring tires that are extremely poor according to Tirerack.
If going with regular 350 I was thinking KW V3 suspension, both F-sport swaybars, and summer tires

[Kolyan2k]

Checked out '11 ISF today.....drove 3 hours to look at it and buyer didnt disclose that it was all repainted most likely due to accident thats not seen in autocheck. Big thanks to who ever painted the car and done such a shitty job, could see it with a naked eye. I would feel sorry for a person who actually buys it....