Lexus IS350 -OR- BMW 330I (For wife)

[Triji]

I drive a 04' G-35 and I love it, I will drive it until 07 when I will be in a GT-R or a M-3...

I am in the process of looking for a new car for the wife, her 93 GS300 is going to be handed down to our son and she has wanted a new car. We test drove the IS350 and that thing is FAST but we could not get over how "cheap" the interior came off for a 40k+ car. With the options we were looking at at came close to 43K. The back seats are not as bad as we thought they were going to be (space wise) and trunk was decent.

The 06' BMW 330I has great interior, a larger trunk, and handles GREAT but not as fast as the IS350. The BMW we were looking at was about the same price as the IS around 43K.

Who has thoughts on these two cars as comparisons?

Triji

[Picus]

Funny, I'm in sort of the same situation, but I wanted to trade-in our 330i on an IS350. The 330i is out of warranty soon so out it goes. Here's my take on the two.

The IS350 is currently overpriced. I would not pay msrp+options pricing for one. The msrp is actually ok, but the options pricing and allocation is screwing it all up. You're practically forced to buy ~$5k+ in options just to get things like HIDS. Weird. That said, if you do get the sports/lux package it's a nicely loaded car. I think the inside is much too small - I'm about 6 foot, 170lbs and I had to tilt the seat back so as not to hit the roof (model with moonroof loses 2"), the shoulder and waist room is also a little tight, and the rear seats are almost absurdly small given the cars exterior dimensions (larger than the 330i, g35 etc...). I didn't mind the quality of the interior materials.

The drive is pretty much what you said - fast. I'm not sure if your wife minds the fact that its handling is very sterile with almost no feedback and really light steering feel. VDIM is also an issue, however if she is like my wife she likes light steering and a floaty ride, and likes the idea of VDIM saving her butt.

Overall I was left disappointed. The cars only real redeeming quality, imo, is the engine. Interior space is too cramped, the layout is weird, handling is weak, no manual, pricing on options packages is way too high and the cars allocation is currently a mess.

On the 330i - I liked our '02 330i a lot, and I like the '06's a lot too. Good space inside, good kick (of course not as much as the IS), but much better handling and way more fun to drive. Interior is pretty decent, and you can price them out a la carte, just ditch the options you don't want. If you want to save some cash you can do ED too. 4 years maintenance is nice, they hold their value well... BMW is better from a reliablity standpoint than people make out, too. Downsides are "worse than Japanese" reliabilty (my car had electrical problems in the first 2k miles that were fixed under warranty, but the fact remains they still happened), price premium on bimmers, questionable exterior styling (I like it), and only ok power compared to is350 or g35 etc..

Question - are there any other cars you're looking at? What are your/her requirements? More sport or more luxury?

RE: my wifes car - as you can probably tell I decided against the IS350, and am now in negotiation on an Acura RL. The price discounts on those are almost sinful. It's a $50k msrp car that got eclipsed by the M45, but they're going for $40k, which is just nutty. I was answering a thread here a few days ago and mentioned the RL, then kind of got myself interested in it, did some research, went out and drove one, and now am about $1000 on a trade in away from buying one. It isn't as fast as an IS350, and it doesn't handle as well as the 330i, but it's a nice mix of both, plus way more luxurious than either, and AWD. Just a thought.

[da mayor]

i drive the IS250 adn IS350 and wasn't impressive -- felt like a overpriced Toyota Corolla. The BMW is the same thing but with a better suspension. If you need the space get the G35x

[Deang35c6]

I saw a black M35 with sport on the road yesterday...beautiful car! Did you consider?

[Triji]

our requirements as far as sport / luxury are (for me sport because I will drive it as well, she likes the luxury) so the BMW with the Luxury package would work out here.

She does not like the styling of the G35 Sedan and this will be "her car" I love the G35 (I have the coupe) but unfortunately the sedan is out.

The M35 is awsome, we have not test driven it yet.

The Acura RL is an interesting thought at 40K.

I can't get that darn BMW's interior out of my head. It was actually stunning and the 06 VS the 05 is a WORLD of difference as far as interior room goes. The dasboard is now more open and there is alot more room up front. The trunk was HUGE and I could put a couple of bodies "or golf bags" in there with ease. I also like the 50/50 weighting and it felt like it was on rails.

We also looked at a caddy (for a breif second) and did not like the styling (to boxy)

I think the IS350 is out, the sales guy could't even tell us pricing on the one we were interestd in. He said he had to have one on the lot before he could price it with the options we wanted. I called BS on him and told him I could price it out for him if he had internet there. He did not like that too much (LOL) and then he found his little "cheat sheet" and somehow pulled prices out of his butt amazingly.

So far the BMW is way out in front on our list, I am just concearned with the reliability factor I have heard so much about. I admit that I do not have any personal expeirence on this though.

We will test drive the RL and the M35 before we make our final decision this next weekend.

Triji

[giddyup69]

Originally Posted by Triji

...
The Acura RL is an interesting thought at 40K.
...

where did u see it for 40k? the cheapest i've seen is 49k$us and that's starting!

[Picus]

Sounds like you liked the BMW a lot. I know how you feel - regardless of the trash talk they're often the target of it's hard to deny they know how to make a sports-car for the people. RE: reliabilty, you know how that goes, you can luck out or get bad luck. The deal with BMW is that they have a bad rep that I feel is largely undeserved in this area. Check it out.



So ya, they aren't Lexus or Infiniti, but they're still well below the industry average (even though they're right next to Ford!). I just think a lot of the old horror stories people here are sticking around, which is why it's hard for companies like ford, bmw, chrysler, gm etc.. to get rid of that unreliable stigma. I mean, look where Nissan is on that list. :/

Originally Posted by giddyup69

where did u see it for 40k? the cheapest i've seen is 49k$us and that's starting!

They're going in California for 40-42k regularly, same with some north eastern locations. People are having them shipped from Cal to neighboring states the deals are so good. A few guys over at acura zine have mentioned 40,100-40,500 in the last couple weeks. I saw two in upstate NY listed for $41,500 and $42,600 respectively (the 42k one had different wheels). So ya, it depends on location. FYI it costs about $800 to ship a car from Cal to Denver, to give you an idea.

[limeg35]

Yes, you can get a RL for 42.8k without haggling, I am sure you can get bit more off if you walk into dealership and seriously about buying it, and RL have EVERYTHING, all wheel drive, NAVI, one of the better factory sound system out there, way roomy than IS or 330I but its performance isnt quit up to other cars...M35 seem to be a good alterntive, but it can get pricey if you add some packages.

[Triji]

Well, today I put down a deposit on a E90 2006 BMW 330i Premium Package, Sport Package, Cold Weather Package (wanted the pass thru in the trunk), Sat Radio, Sparkeling Graphite w/ Grey Interior. My wife will be the proud owner of a new car in a week!

It is a really nice car and I am glad I did it for her, now for the hard part... Keeping it a secret from her until her B-Day!!!

Triji

[limeg35]

congrats, I would never thought I would said this, but 330i is great choice, when compare with IS350...she is gonna be suprised.

My wife just picked up her new Bimmer--took 8 wks to get w/nav---her car is crazy smart--! I-drive is amazing, comfortable and roomy, quiet and handles superb-Sparkling Graphite with Tan leather, voice command, bluetooth,keyless--amazing...She loves exterior--The new body style has more room etc...but it just doesnt do it for me...just not sexy enough IMHO..Overall the new 3 series is an AWESOME CAR at a fair price IMO

[C7Performance]

Lexus reliability is unbeatable. Anywas congrats on the pickup!

[EZZ]

Originally Posted by C7Performance

Lexus reliability is unbeatable. Anywas congrats on the pickup!

Totally agreed. The only thing on par with lexus reliability is its relentless pursuit of boredom. Lexus = the yawn

[Picus]

Congrats Triji.

[Triji]

Thanks Picus, thanks all...

And I agree Lexus is a very reliable car but the IS350 just did not get the juices flowing. I can almost use the word "bland" to discribe it. The BMW is a striking car and you can not mistake it when one pulls up behind you. The only thing about the 330i that I am not crazy about is the rear 1/4 from the C-Pillar back. Other than that it is an awsome machine...

Now I have to wait until the Skyline comes out so I can decide between that and the M5 for my next ride... I need to start saving now because this car is hittn the account harder than my G did.

Triji