FYI, an article from Automobile Magazine making reference to their November 2002 cover stating "Shock! BMW Beater - The Infiniti's new G35 Sport Coupe does the unthinkable" and the article was comparing the new G35 Coupe to the BMW 330Ci...

Here's the quote from: http://www.automobilemag.com/feature..._second_place/

"It's no surprise to us that the Infiniti G35 won Motor Trend's Car of the Year competition. (We went with the Nissan 350Z, reasoning that there wouldn't have been a G35 if there hadn't been a 350Z.) Both the coupe and sedan have taken our staff by storm, causing some serious upheaval in competition with the mighty BMW 3-series. We called the G35 coupe a BMW beater on a recent cover that BMW would prefer to forget about altogether. Fair enough. But Tiger Woods got beaten a couple of times this year, too. As the vote flip-flopped, the G35 coupe walloped the 3-series, but the justifiably venerated BMW sedan came back with a decisive victory in the entry-luxury class. Calling the 3-series long in the tooth is ludicrous, but it's true that this is the absolute toughest pedestal upon which a seasoned veteran must teeter. Duking it out in the streets is a fleet of fabulous cars—some new, some freshened—as evidenced by the photos on the previous page. BMW has not only pulled off a tricky win with the 3-series, we can thank them for inspiring so many companies to take their own shots at greatness."

 

If the G37 doesn't beat BMW 335i Coupe this time around... we'll just have to wait and see if the G39 (or whatever the next gen after this upcoming one is called) beats the umm... next gen BMW coupe. I'm sure that for many many years Infiniti and BMW will battle it out with their 3-series. Competition creates better cars for us!

I'm sure BMW is longing to win against the G37 since they lost last time and there was a lot of press about it considering that Infiniti defeated a BMW with their first production of the G35. To me, when I read the reviews I'm going to be primarily looking at the handling, feel, interior and exterior design, and overall driving experience of both vehicles. I can care less about speed since "I want my MPGGGGGGGG... I want my... I want my... I want my MPGGGGGGG" (sorry the Toyota slogan came up in my head) and a higher % of my survival in a car.

 

I think C&D already wrote the reivew before hand. The test drive part was just for fun.

 

I think that Infiniti cars are very beautiful vehicles both inside and out that are just at amazing prices. The interiors are much better than BMW's (the BMW 3-series interior is horrible) and I personally like the exterior designs a lot better.

G series (2007 G35 Sedans and G37's interiors are exquisite) > 3 series
M series > 5 series
FX series > X3 series
QX series = X5 series (exterior for X5, interior for QX)

It really disappoints me that a lot of people put Infiniti as more of a value > luxury brand when being compared with other luxury brands because to me... Infiniti's are more luxurious than several other brands in both looks and options/technology (BMW for sure). If Infiniti would only come out with an amazing flagship that competes with the likes of the Lexus LS, Mercedes S-class, BMW 7 series, Audi A8, and umm... I feel like I'm missing one. I personally think that the Lexus LS and Mercedes S-class are beautifully crafted cars. The 7 series and A8 need updates.

Does anyone else out there feel that Infiniti is getting the "bad" end of the stick when it comes to the word of "luxury"? or am I the only one? heh. Overall, I think that Infiniti is a great luxury brand that is just of great value too (not overpriced).

I'm just mentioning all of this because I've noticed these kind of conversations not just from this forum, but from some others (Lexus and BMW) where Infiniti is sort of put as like a last resort when luxury comes into question and it bothers me. I don't know... maybe I'm just interpreting differently?

 

Yup. I don't need some fat, lazy C&D employees telling me what to buy. I like the G35 better than the 3 series and no overpaid magazine editors are going to make me change my mind.

 

I agree 1000%, but this is how I see it.

Anytime BMW has an advantage in any one area - let's say steering feel - then it's "hey, you get what you pay for !". If they are worse in any one area - let's say reliability or interior qulity/style - then it's "You're not buying a bmw for (fill in the blank). Your buying it for (steering or refinement)". No one wants to accept that BMW falls short in alot of areas. Now, if the 3-series was the same price as Infiniti, then I'd understand. Each car has it's strengths and weaknesses. But at this point, compared to the new Infinitis, they have a worse interior and last generation technology. Should we knock BMW down and not call it a luxury car anymore?

They claim they still own refinement but I don't see it. I drove the new sedan and the 335 and they both drove nice to me. If anything, the new G has a more pleasant tire setup in terms of noise.

 

i dont know how M > 5 series. i am having a very hard time digesting that

 

If you're having a hard time digesting that, then that's fine, it's your own opinion. I personally believe that the M looks better than the BMW 5 series.

 

Ahhh.... that's so true. I've seen that so often in the Lexus and Bimmer forums.

 

1. This is not a styling thread. It is a thread dealing with the "overall" car.
2. Do you buy a car to look at, or to drive?
3. If you are only interested in styling/looks, please buy a model.

 

1. I'm the one who started this conversation about looks, luxury, and style. I don't know where I mentioned performance, handling, or driving experience.
2. I buy a car primarily on looks than how it drives. Why would I buy a car that I think looks terrible but drives well? If it matters... the M does drive very well. Car and Driver put it above the 5 series in a comparison test in 2006 if that means anything. The M looks great and drives great.
3. What does a model have to do with a car? lol

 

looks is completely subjective. let's not get stupid like the magazines are

 

I know.

 

Comments like "Who cares about looks" is exactly the type of language I was talking about in my last post.

Personally, I think the 3-series and the G are both good looking cars (coupes) - but to say who cares about looks? C'mon. And, yes, looks is about the overall car. Just like interior, technology, reliability. That's the point of what we are saying.

 

You could care less? So you're saying you care?