This is all part of the design life cycle.
It's expected that the G35 sales will peak & then fall off.

Look where the IS300 sales are/have been the last couple of years.
Now they're going to take off.

 

It always comes down to the $. For $42k for an IS350 and $44k for a 330i you can get an M35. Hell, you'e pushing M45 territory. I don't know many people that would take a 330i over an M35.

 

$42k is the fully loaded price with nav and everything. Lexus promises the base car at under $35k..(probably $34,999).

 

I'll bet $34999 is for the IS250.
Even if the stripped IS350 starts at 34999, with a few options like nav, prem pkg or other options; you are talking 42k to 45k ttl out the door.

 

I bet if you go to the dealership they won't even have 1 IS350 without options. They will be all loaded and cost $42K+. I don't know this myself, but people on the Lexus board said thats how it goes down in most Lexus dealerships. Some won't even let you order a car without options with out a dealer markup. crazy.

 

Why would you have to pay a few thousand more for an M35? I saw one with a final price of $41,800 at the dealership. My jaw nearly hit the floor when I saw what a bargain it was.

 

There is a review of IS350 in the Road&Track that came today. It is not exactly highly favorable in my opinion. It seems less sporty than the G and will be a lot more expensive (estimated). See what you think.

 

First of all the IS350 has more power than the 05' G's, but you have to think about it. Your spending roughly $42K on the IS and around $34K on the G, that's an $8000 difference. They estimate the IS350 as having 300-310 hp at the crank, the G has 298. If you put $8K worth of engine upgrades into the G you could have well of 370hp at the crank... Thats around 310hp at the wheels, If you make the prices the same of both models then the G would smoke the IS... plain and simple.

 

I really like the new IS350 so I have nothing against it. I'm not crazy about the transmission choice and the fact you cannot turn off the driving nannies but it's still a sweet ride. If you can get one with same standard options as a G35 for $35k msrp, then that's impressive. That means you should be able to score one cheaper with negotiating. It will still be more expensive than a G35 but not that much. I hope it does well so the next G35 will be that much better.

 

Couldn't find a review of the IS 350 in Road & Track, but Motor Trend has a write-up on it this month.

The reviewer for MT didn't like the IS 350's computer "nannies", as they have been called.

All in all, the stock IS 350 is faster than the stock G. I guess that will annoy those G owners who need to drive the fastest in class, but it doesn't bother me at all.

I'll pocket the extra cash and buy hockey tickets or something.

 

Amen!

 

4 Liters, Wider Lower And Projectors...also A 6speed Auto. That Would Even It Out To Todays Standings.

 

I think efficiency and gas mileage will have to play a bigger part in future models rather than power and performance.
I too am hoping that this can be done with bigger more powerful engines, but if we don't get a grip on crude consumption, my guess would be that the trend will be toward smaller more fuel efficient engines (again- )

C.

 

Gsedanman, I agreed with you 100%. Even with 260hp from my 04 sedan, I am very happy with it. I am not a weekend racer like some of you. It has plenty of power and some bragging right with my friends. If somehow Nissan can improve about 3 to 5 mpg and keep the same power, it can attract a lot more customers.

Also, about Road & Track, I just received my issue and the 0-60 is only 6 sec. Car & Driver got 5.1 sec. I know the ambient conditions, traction and driver skills and other variables can contribute to the different in acceleration. But .9 second seems like very inaccurate. I guess we need to wait for more magazine tests or actual time from some of you who are going to race some IS when it comes out.

 

If they changed the gearing a bit and lightened the car up a bit they could get better performance...