Infiniti G35 vs. Cadillac CTS vs. Lexus IS350... the COMPARO to end all COMPAROS!!!

[nd 4 holden spd]

OK, as an 18yr old I will go to a Lexus dealer, ask if I can borrow a car for a day, find a non-existent autocross (seriously I've never heard of such an event in my area before) and take thrash the demo for an hour or 2. Then end up in jail like the bloke who took an Accord Coupe for an 8000km "test drive".

 

[Prosthetic]

OK, as an 18yr old I will go to a Lexus dealer, ask if I can borrow a car for a day, find a non-existent autocross (seriously I've never heard of such an event in my area before) and take thrash the demo for an hour or 2. Then end up in jail like the bloke who took an Accord Coupe for an 8000km "test drive".

So since you can't get one yet your going to trash it?

Makes A LOT of sense.

 

[McLaren]

OK, as an 18yr old I will go to a Lexus dealer, ask if I can borrow a car for a day, find a non-existent autocross (seriously I've never heard of such an event in my area before) and take thrash the demo for an hour or 2. Then end up in jail like the bloke who took an Accord Coupe for an 8000km "test drive".

If you've never driven one, then where is your support to say the computer does everything for you?

Seriously, some of you might want to drive these cars with these computers because if no one told there was a computer in it, I highly doubt you'd ever tell the difference unless you started messing with the settings.
The IS is a car near the top of its game. You couldn't tell there was a computer in this car at all if you drive it around a track for just 10 minutes.

Lexus offered me the experience, and I could already tell through its tiny course this car was a sports car. It goes through turns, brakes, & accelerates like a sports car should. And it just feels great to drive. So forget the fact it has a computer in it. That shouldn't be making your decision anyways.

 

[nd 4 holden spd]

But if you mess up it will intervene, then how can you possibly hope to get better? It may have only felt good to you because of these computers, you just said you couldn't notice it. So they've masked the car's faults with computers.

 

[Joey D]

Computers on a car isn't a bad thing, I have one on the Cooper and it helps me from going head long into an oncoming car during poor weather or if I have a lapse in judgment. I'd rather learn and not have a crashed up car.

 

[McLaren]

But if you mess up it will intervene, then how can you possibly hope to get better? It may have only felt good to you because of these computers, you just said you couldn't notice it. So they've masked the car's faults with computers.

If a car is going to mess up (esp. the IS), the computer is not going to help correcting it much without your input. Besides, you're not going to know the computer is there unless you're purposely trying to mess up. I've driven my old 3 in the same manner and the IS responded the exact same way. So, unless the IS is that bad it needs computers to make it respond the same way my old 3 did, again, I doubt you'll know the computer is there.

 

[nd 4 holden spd]

That's what I'm saying, maybe the IS does need a computer to help it. This is after all Toyota's first real sports car since the Supra right? And all of sudden they go from making Camrys to a BMW 3 series matcher......... Sounds like the computer is fixing the chassis's problems.

PS- I agree that computers are good for safety but not for a driver's car.

 

[Gil]

I don't know what some of you are talking about.
In the comparo that Road and Track did of the G35, CTS, and the IS350...
The IS was judged to be the sportiest of the three.
The G35 was "middle of the road" because it straddled the fine line between enthusiast car and near-luxury sedan.
The Caddie was a very close third place.
In a couple of years the CTS could be a true contender. Hell it already is.
Add a "V" to that CTS and it becomes quite a bit different. A good bit more expensive but possibly worth it....

Plus, used ones seem to be fairly reasonable. The least expensive one in this neck of the woods was not too old, not too many miles, and was under $20,000. Thats for a CTS not a CTS-V.
No CTS V's for sale around here...

Also for kicks and giggles, I could go for a Volvo C30.
But by the time I get all the options I would want, I could come close to buying a very nice, lightly use 2006-2007 G35x Sedan.

Damn, The G35 wins again!

 

[Joey D]

What about the MR2? Celica?

 

[YSSMAN]

*sigh*

Panties are wound up awfully quick these days...

I seem to recall giving the IS credit on occasion, but it just isn't my thing. Too much crap in there to make it worthwhile, a bit too "artificial" for my tastes. Of course its quick, chalk that to the lower weight and smaller size...

Like I've said before: If we would have included the 335i, I'd be all over that...

 

[McLaren]

That's what I'm saying, maybe the IS does need a computer to help it. This is after all Toyota's first real sports car since the Supra right? And all of sudden they go from making Camrys to a BMW 3 series matcher......... Sounds like the computer is fixing the chassis's problems.

PS- I agree that computers are good for safety but not for a driver's car.

What do you mean since the Supra? Lexus has been making the IS before the Supra even went out of production, and even then, the first gen. IS was a pretty good car. I highly doubt that in the 3 years between the Supra's death and the new IS, Toyota was suddenly incapable of building a car capable of competing with BMW....

 

[YSSMAN]

One could argue that the previous IS wasn't all that good of a BMW competitor (yes, I drove both of those generations), but it depends I guess. I did enjoy that car, I haven't had much time with this one... From what I've read and seen/felt in person, I'm just not all that "wowed" by it.

 

[nd 4 holden spd]

If you count the IS200 as a sports car then fine, I see it more of a boring pile of scrap. I thought Supra died before the 21st century? This IS with its V6 hs only been around for a year or 2 right?

 

[McLaren]

If you count the IS200 as a sports car then fine, I see it more of a boring pile of scrap. I thought Supra died before the 21st century? This IS with its V6 hs only been around for a year or 2 right?

The IS200 wasn't. The IS300, though, was a very good car.

However, despite how good or bad either car was, those years without a sports car doesn't mean Toyota couldn't build a BMW competitor if they wanted to.

 

[nd 4 holden spd]

I see, so Suzuki could build a BMW contender too could they? I think that the real out-of-blue surprise wll be the LF-A, this IS might be good, they had better hope it isn't the computers making it good.

So does the IS-F have these computer aids? If it doesn't obviously the chassis is capable I guess.

 

[Prosthetic]

I see, so Suzuki could build a BMW contender too could they? I think that the real out-of-blue surprise wll be the LF-A, this IS might be good, they had better hope it isn't the computers making it good.

Any company could build a car to compete with BMW... But I doubt Suzuki would ever do so since they make cars affordable and small usually, which is a GOOD thing. I think what we should say here is can BMW make a car better then the Swift for cheaper? Never going to happen.

So does the IS-F have these computer aids? If it doesn't obviously the chassis is capable I guess.

The IS-F is extremely capable, if it's anything that it's rumored to be then Toyota would not have to worry about BMW. Since BMW doesn't really make anything extremely fast. And seriously if your saying that BMW's have less computers then Lexus your forgetting the whole I-drive system.

EDIT: Before I get flamed about the M3, M5, M6 being fast, yeah there fast but there are a lot faster cars for the same or less price, so there out.

 

[McLaren]

I see, so Suzuki could build a BMW contender too could they? I think that the real out-of-blue surprise wll be the LF-A, this IS might be good, they had better hope it isn't the computers making it good.

If Suzuki wanted, they actually could. All it takes is time, money, and thought for a major manufacturer to build a car that enters into the upper market. The reason Suzuki wouldn't though, is because it simply isn't worth the money because they know they can't compete.

However, your statement is a bit different. Unlike Suzuki, Toyota can do it because they have the experience. Toyota does compete in Formula 1, and has built numerous JGTC/Super GT monsters that can out run a LeMans car. With that knowledge, Toyota could easily develop a supercar, which is exactly what they have done with the LF-A. Just because Toyota builds a new sports car after 3 years without does not mean they can't do it successfully.

So does the IS-F have these computer aids? If it doesn't obviously the chassis is capable I guess.

I wouldn't know. But if it's anything like the IS, it'll probably be impossible to know if the aids are working if the car is driving like a car without computer aids.

 

[YSSMAN]

However, despite how good or bad either car was, those years without a sports car doesn't mean Toyota couldn't build a BMW competitor if they wanted to.

When was the last time Toyota actually wanted to build anything sport-related?

The LF-A? Sure, I love it, but I keep wondering when exactly they'll get around to doing it...

 

[McLaren]

When was the last time Toyota actually wanted to build anything sport-related?

The LF-A? Sure, I love it, but I keep wondering when exactly they'll get around to doing it...

That's beside the point. Fact remains, Toyota doesn't have to have a sports car on the market to be able to build a BMW-competitor.

And obviously they wanted to build something sporty when they brought in the new IS, and GS430.

 

[nd 4 holden spd]

I read about the LF-A, and the top Toyota execs don't want it because a high powered car might lack reliablity. As for the Bimmer building a cheap car, no, and GM build faster cars than the M3/M5/M6 for less money. That's why I love GM.

 

[McLaren]

I read about the LF-A, and the top Toyota execs don't want it because a high powered car might lack reliablity. As for the Bimmer building a cheap car, no, and GM build faster cars than the M3/M5/M6 for less money. That's why I love GM.

High Powered cars and reliability haven't been complements since the 80's.

And GM may build faster cars, but they obviously don't drive as smooth or are as nice in quality or comfort.

 

[nd 4 holden spd]

Fast cars aren't meant to be smooth and comfy- otherwise you're not driving a true sports car. Some cars are sporty and comfy but those aren't purpose built sports cars like say a Corvette.

 

[McLaren]

Fast cars aren't meant to be smooth and comfy- otherwise you're not driving a true sports car. Some cars are sporty and comfy but those aren't purpose built sports cars like say a Corvette.

That definition is not true at all. Porsches are faster, more comfortable, and just as affordable. And yes, a Porsche is as much a sports car as the Corvette.

 

[nd 4 holden spd]

The Corvette needs are whole different suspension setup to a Porsche whose engine is behind the rear wheels.

 

[McLaren]

And what difference does that make? Your so called definition isn't true.

 

[nd 4 holden spd]

OK then, you win. But I certainly won't complain if my sports car has a stiff suspension. It is to be half expected. And even a "comfy" sports car lacks ride quality compared to a luxury car or family car.

 

[Bram Turismo]

*sigh*

Panties are wound up awfully quick these days...

I seem to recall giving the IS credit on occasion, but it just isn't my thing. Too much crap in there to make it worthwhile, a bit too "artificial" for my tastes. Of course its quick, chalk that to the lower weight and smaller size...

Like I've said before: If we would have included the 335i, I'd be all over that...

Don't get me wrong, I didn't try to flame you or anything. I just can't understand what you mean with "too much crap" when you turn off the traction control, there's your fun right there. Would you rather take your 300 hp bimmer with no computer controll at all on a journey through wet roads? I'd thank God I'd have computers to controll me not crashing when I push the throttle a little bit too far

My point is, every single car today has computers, when you can turn off traction controll for some powerslides, why can't a car be fun? Besides, I've never heard of someone powersliding their way through town at 100 mph to work everyday...

 

[YSSMAN]

I hold a personal preference to cars that are stripped down with as few little thingamajigs that go wrong... The MX-5, is just about as perfect as things get when it comes to stripped-down performance.

Understandably, it is a luxury car and there are going to be an overwhelming number of gizmos and dodads in any model (the Cadillac and Infiniti do not escape this issue either), but more often than not, there are outstanding cases at which a good amount of tech can be thrown in that is unobtrusive and overall do not overwhelm the senses.

I get in a BMW and I automatically feel connected to the car... From my seat, to the gear lever, to the steering wheel. With the Lexus, well, I just feel like I'm in the car. My inputs go in, and the car decides that it wants to do 91.437% of them.

Lexus has done a good job of programing the car to make it rather quick for the everyman, but that just isn't as satisfying as having to work to make it right. This is generally why I prefer older BMWs and even the older IS over the current models, feel a bit more real in the end.

 

[McLaren]

Lexus has done a good job of programing the car to make it rather quick for the everyman, but that just isn't as satisfying as having to work to make it right. This is generally why I prefer older BMWs and even the older IS over the current models, feel a bit more real in the end.

This isn't meant to offend, but have you actually gotten to drive the IS350 through a decent set of roads at a good pace?

 

[YSSMAN]

I've sat and touched, but never driven. The last IS I drove was an early IS300 with the slushbox (cool shifter buttons and all!). I do find it highly implausible that they'd toss the keys to an IS350 to 21 year old who's in the market for a $17,000 car.

The opportunity to drive older models were because of friends/family, the 328ci being the benchmark car I've had for years on most accounts.