Today, I visited 3 dealers and test drove three cars. This result is purely subjective so please don't feel offensive if you dont feel the same way.
(This is my first time buying a new car, test driving, and dealing with dealers )

Before going in, Z was my pick even though I knew it was not so practical cuz I thought this will be my only chance to get a non-practical car.

Nissan 350Z Touring 5AT
Lexus IS300 E-Shift
Infiniti G35 Coupe 5AT

Exterior Design: Z > I > G

Interior Design: G > I > Z

Performance: G > Z > I

Raw Power: Z > G > I

Adrenaline Pumping: G > Z > I

Space: I > G > Z

Luxury Factor: G > I > Z

Cool Factor: Z > G > I

Price: I > Z > G

Features: G > I > Z

Noise: I > G > Z

Handling: G > Z > I

Price/Value: I > G > Z



Nissan 350Z

Pros:
- Very charming & sleek looking
- Super-fast
- Kind of reasonable price

Cons:
- Cheap interior
- No trunk space
- No rear seats
- Expensive
- Not as good dealer support, no loaner car service


Infiniti G35

Pros:
- Super-luxurious interior
- Nice leather seats
- Very tight seating & controls
- Head-pulling performance
- Sunroof
- Great sound system
- #2 Dealer service in USA
- Relatively spacious back seats & trunk

Cons:
- Most expensive (may not be able to get sunroof & Bose speakers)
- Somewhat ugly but unique


Lexus IS300

Pros:
- Great looks
- Luxurious interior
- Nice leather seats (even non-leather felt good)
- Okay performance
- Cheapest among 3
- Great APR @ 3%
- Good sounds system
- #1 Dealer service in USA
- Most spacious back seats & trunk

Cons:
- Slower than others
- No sports feeling
- No more head-turner
- 3 years old model

This result could have been different if I had different sales reps for each dealer.

I visited Nissan first, and the sales rep who was supposed to meet me was not there. So someone else took me to the test drive. This was my first time driving high performance car so I was very careful. 350Z felt very heavy - steering was stiff (the sales rep told me all sports cars are designed that way) and the acceleration was not so great (but it was because I did not dare to press gas as hard as I could.. I was afraid, I admit.) After test driving, I looked at the interior very carefully. Having no rear seats were okay, but trunk space was just too small. What's up with "Z" pillar inside the trunk? Is it some kind of stablizer? If it was not there, Z could have been my pick. The interior design was okay. I could live with all the plastics - they did not look cheap - looked decent to me. But the limited trunk space killed me. I needed some space to put in some luggage back for frequent airport trip. The dealership was full of people and ran out of all brochures for "Z". Had about 5-6 Zs in stock. The sales rep did not even bother to ask me "are you going to buy one today?" He allowed me to feel comfortable and just hang out and see without any pressure.

Then I visited Lexus dealership. Not as busy as Nissan but most of them were old and looked for higher end level cars. Inside of IS300 was instantly more attractive than 350Z. I liked metalic gas/brake pedals. The instrument panel was small but nice and more sports like than 350Z but hard to read at first. Seating pose was okay - nothing spectacular but the fabric felt good. So I drove it a bit and stepped on it when highway was empty but it was not as fast as Z (even though I did not press Z as hard) - but it was surely fast enough. I didn't get to experience much of handling.. (neither with Z) After the driving, I was shown to other IS300s in stock. They had about 6 of them and one of them had really nice metalic silver, looked really really attractive. And I found out that the car I just drove did not have leather but some special cloth. I think I would like that cloth more than Z's leather. This sale rep was dying to make a deal with me. Lexus had special 3% APR & the price is pretty good. I thought IS300 had the best value. If my testdriving day wad ended here then I could have bought this silver one (I drove sleek blue color). Also I liked uniform key (key and control in one form rather than key & key chained control). Trunk space was not as spacious as Camry but it had the biggest one among three. IS300 was very very quite even though I was pressing hard, which I liked.

Finally, I arrived at Infiniti. I got there 1hr earlier than my appoinment so I had to wait for 10min or so for my sales rep to come. Meanwhile, I looked inside & out of G35 Coupe and Sedan (I became more comfortable to dealer atmosphere, I guess). The inside was 95% identical to Z's interior setting but with better materials so was much more sleeker. I really felt that Infiniti was luxury brand and Nissan was regular brand. G35 also had non-uniform key (seperated key & key chained control) & the pedals were plain rubber-looking - kinda disappointing, especailly when compared with IS300. I tried to seat in rear. I am 6-1, 180lb - it was okay but my head was touching the rear glass. I think smaller person will fit well & could have 3 adults for long trip as well. (if he/she was sitting diagonally) Trunk itself was about the same size as Z but without the "Z" pillar, it was way more spacious - not large but just enough. I liked the First Aid kit that I only saw from BMW (in my personal experience) but I couldnt understand why the rear arm rest(?) was so low and only covered with thin plastic. Finally, I was taken to test drive - and the sale rep first drove around showing "awesomeness of G". He was very cheerful and seemed to know a lot about the car and the series. Seemed like he also owned one as well. He was showing me how to use tiptronic & downshift and accelerated super fast, pulling my head back for the first time today. I was REALLY impressed at this moment. I bet 350Z could do this as well, if not better but the sale rep did not bother to tell me or show me. As a matter of fact, he did not feel like 350Z was really muscle car - just regular sports car, nothing special so I was slighly disturbed. Anyhow, He also showed me how to reach 0-60 in 5-6 seconds when he was entering semi-highway, and tightness of the car by making sharp turns at high speed. Frankly I was really scared but was impressed even more. So finally it was my turn to drive - and the seating setting was pretty unique. Somehow Z seating felt like regular car but seating in G was somewhat more special - I can't describe why. The car was fast and agile, and with assist from the sales rep (telling me when to speed & stuffs that I couldnt dare before) I was able to feel the capability of G. The sound coming from Bose was really good - but didnt have CD to try it - just radio. Sun-roof was large, another good point. When we came back to the dealership, he told me why not take one today - I told him that i am not ready (plan to buy in 1-2 weeks) and he did not force me to make purchase, which I really appreciated.
(There was no M/T for G35 in stock at all)

Both Lexus & Infiniti sales reps were willing to let me take the car without paying anything today - which seemed odd. (I didnt even bother to bring my checkbook cuz I knew I wouldnt buy one)

So, in overall, I liked G35 Coupe the best. The exterior was not as attractive as Z but I liked its uniquness & nice butt. IS300 has the best value with speical APR and already lower price. Both G35 & Z are so popular but it seemed like I could get $1000 off MSRP but it was still $2~3k higher than IS300. I will probably get G35C in a week or two. Not totally sure yet..

This wraps up my test driving experience. It was not as bad as I anticipated. Dealers were reasonably nice.. I know this is very subjective but any helpful tips or advice will be highly appreciated! (like corrections on 350Z especially..)

I bet by now most of you 350Z owners are like "what is he talking about! 350Z is not like that" or "what does he know? he only drove AT" etc, etc.. But I am also disappinted cuz I was not able to enjoy 350Z to its full potential. If I test-drove as last one, the result could have been a lot different.. Please do not take this as "anti-350Z" posting.<P ID="edit"><FONT class="small"><EM>Edited by KPZerone on 08/02/03 08:53 PM.</EM></FONT></P>

 

Interesting assessment. I have to say I disagree on a few things, most notably looks, but looks are subjective. I do agree that the driving experience in the G was the best of the 3 (I tested all 3 as well) from it's plented feel to the exhilarating trip to 60 and beyond. I probably scared my salesman half to death blasting onto freeway onramps and gunning it around hairpin turns.

 

That's the first time I've ever heard anybody call the G35 coupe ugly and rate the IS300 better looking than the G coupe, but everybody's entitled to their own opinions.

 

hey check out my IS300 i am selling if you want an IS that turns heads, and I think it will be in your price range...

http://www.cardomain.com/id/lex2569

 

i think you are pretty right on the money here, i have not drove two other cars, but i am sure that Z has as much if not more "head pulling" power as the G, but i think and not because i own one, but G's exterior are one of the best around, it trun heads everywhere i go, every time, i do mean every time i pull into the gas stations, i get bunch question about the car, yes G are more expensive than others but it worth every cent, during last meet, we drove up to mt.hamilton, boy i tell ya, the car handles wonderfully, i have not idea that a car can trun at that speed with sterring wheel truned at such odd angle.

i dont think you can go wrong with either Z or G, just depends on your needs or wants,G has just bout same performance as the Z but has two more seats, bigger trunk, more luxurious, better warranty, not as boyish as Z , and Z dont come with a moonroof, which is one feature that i really really wanted!!!

which Infiniti dealership did you visit? hopefully you didnt go to redwood city, cause they will add $2000 for a lo-jack system, have they qoute you a price yet, bought my at Marin Infiniti in san refael, they give me 500 off and highest for my trade, give them a call and see what they can do for you...good luck

03.5 coupe 5AT DG/G premium,performance

 

Thanks for all the inputs!

Just to clarify one thing: I am not saying that G is ugly in any way - I said it above but I did not mean ugly ugly. I myself turn my head whenever I see G35, Z350. I used to turn my head for IS300 but now I got used to seeing it so not anymore. I just meant I *personally* like I's face more than G's face. If IS300 was not way cheaper than G or Z, then it will go out of window but since it's cheaper with better APR, it became better choice for me..

I went to Frontier Infinity in San Jose. I found one dealer who's offering 500-1000 off MSRP so I am trying to see if any dealer is willing to go down a bit more.

Yes I acknowledge that I did not explore the full potential of Z - I should give it a fair shot again but for the practicality, I think I will still go with G.

 

Geat review KPZ. I know where you are coming from. I tested these myself and coming from my previously owned trucks and sedans the 'true sports car' thing was a a whole different animal for me. Another I tested was on '03 Mercedes SLK. It's retractable hard-top to convertible thing was very nice though the two-seater thing sucked. It was used with only 7k miles on it but that didn't bother me so much. My problem with it was it's acceration. It was the low end of the SLK's, I don't remember the model. It was responsive and handled great but to me it felt like I was driving my old '88 Honda Prelude from years back. A great car in it's era BTW!

Anyway to make a long story short, for me it got down between the Z and the G. To me the Z had a more masculine, pure sports look but then again the G looked sport yet refined and sophisticated. For me at 6' 2" I felt cramped in the Z and it seemed a rougher ride (though still fun to drive). The G was more fun to drive than the Z to me because I was more comfortably seated. That and the more luxury feel, I could give a crap about the interior plastics critics talk about in either the G or the Z, I'm quite happy with my G!

 

Thanks for your insights, Robd1 and limeg35.

Yeah driving performance car for the first time overwhemed me pretty big time when I first drove Z.

I definetely had the most fun with G, big thanks to the sales rep - I guess. Hopefully, I can join your league pretty soon

 

when i hear is300, i think over priced corolla...but thats just me

 

Cool review. Just like others, I could disagree with a couple of things, but everyone is entitled to their own opinion.
My the way Infiniti is now number 1 in service, Lexus is number 2 with three other car companies. I posted a link to it in this forum. I forgot if it was Motor Trend or Car and Driver. One of those magazines.

 

From what I hear the IS has a tight backspace leg room

 

<blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr>

Nissan 350Z

Pros:
- Very charming & sleek looking
- Super-fast


<hr></blockquote>

Super-fast?? I wouldn't call any of these cars Super-fast. They may have been considered Super-fast in 1982, but these days they're just "fairly quick". Just IMO, of course, but I consider super-fast to be 12 seconds in the quarter or faster. Everyone could have their own different definitions though.

Anyway, good review - I don't agree with some of your points, but different opinions are what keeps things interesting.

2003 G35C, 6MT, DG/G, Aero/Nav/Premium
2002 Corvette Z06, Electron Blue/Black

 

Good review, enjoyed reading it.

As someone pointed out, Infiniti is actually #1 in dealership service for 2002. And I think Saturn was 2? and Lexus 3rd. I don't have the link or printout in front of me, but I do know Infiniti is #1. And so far, I agree. I've taken my car in twice, and they've been fabulous - and they always give me a nice Infiniti for a loaner car, too.



- 03 Bril. Slvr Coupe, Aero & Wheel Pkg -

 

Cool, thanks guys. I've posted this review in 350Z forum, and the response was not so welcoming, but it was anticipated

Anyhow, I really didnt know that Inifiniti had such a good service until the sales rep told me Inifiniti was the 2nd behind Lexus.. I guess he had older info than you guys! He also did not know about the rotor and brake problems that have been posted from time to time here.

 

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