So get this. I get a generic auto survey in the mail a few weeks ago put out by a company called Synovate. I fill it out and return it, then get called last week if I would be interested in coming in for an in person auto test drive and get paid $150 cash. I said sure. I show up today for the test drive and they barage me with tons of survey type questions and preferences on the type of car I drive, etc. Then we get to the test driving part. We go out to the parking lot and right away I figured out what this survey is about. There were 6 cars in the parking lot:

Audi A4 1.8T
Acura TL
BMW 325i
Lexus IS250
2006 Infiniti G35
2007 Infiniti G35!!!!!

I couldn't believe. I think most of the other people who were there for the survey didn't even know what car that was. They asked us a ton of questions about each car's exterior and interior, then we took each one out for a short test drive. We didn't get much drive time in the cars but the first thing I noticed right away about the 07 G35 was the extra HP was very noticable. The new car was much quicker than my 05 G35x. The new interior is awesome. Much better then the previous version (IMHO). It does look alot like the M. The detail in the washi texted aluminum trim is very cool. There's a new push button start and the automatic shifter was a little easier to use. They also moved the seat positioning buttons to the regular place between the side of the seat and door. The new gauge cluster is nice (no more orange numbers, ugh.)

If anyone in the DC area wants to see the new car, the survey is being conducted one more day (Thursday 6/29) at the Hilton Washington Dulles off Rt 28. I think they're running them all day from 7am to 8pm. The cars are just sitting there in the parking lot in front of the hotel (they blocked off part of the parking lot). You probably won't be allowed to get too close to the car because there were security people there but you could catch a glimpse of the exterior.

 

Nice!

 

Wow! thats awesome.

you should've taken some pics! even though its probably illegal.

 

They specifically said no cameras or cell phones allowed during the evaulation. They also said no friends or family were allowed to attend.

 

Did you wet yourself in the car? Now that would be a thrilling experience. I'd prolly have someone hand me a napkin for sure

 

The bottom line question is: Out of all these cars, which one was your favorite? Try to be as unbiased as possible...

 

Of course the new 07 G35 was the best. I have to say the new Lexus IS250 was pretty nice also. I was surprised at how lame the Audi was. There was no power at all and the interior design was pretty plain compared to the Infiniti and Lexus.