And enters the yelling person. You knew it was just a matter of time.
This should be fun!
The G35 offers all of what you want in a car normally, including a 6-speed shift it yourself option. At a lower price than either Lexus or BMW. Plus its a damn good looking package, with numbers to match.
Problem is, they still don't screw them together very well, and furthermore, they still try to get away using Nissan-grade materials in what is supposed to be a luxury car. Don't get me wrong, the G35 clearly is a driver's sport sedan, but it just isn't my cup of tea.
The Lexus I feel offers a better long term investment, given reviews etc on reliability of the respective models, historically and so on. It is also faster than the BMW, offers a fairly robust manumatic transmission (which I find myself having fewer problems with every time I drive my dad's car) which more people will appreciate because even I get sick of rowing my own gears in stop and go traffic. I also think it has better styling than the G35 or 3 series.
When you've got enough money to buy cars like these, do you really think people are looking into the long-term? Most of the people are going to buy or lease them for three years, dump them, and get a new one. Its just how the world works these days. On the transmission note, its kinda a pointless argument, as you can get the manual, slushbox (which is exceptionally good) and the SMG on the 3-series. I like being able to choose, and thats something I can't do on the Lexus. On styling, I'd select
none of the above, as that title goes to the '08 CTS.
Last is the 3 series, which most every car magazine puts at the top of the list of sport sedans. It has heritage, prestige, and a name with it. Its European and offers a manual. Reviewers claim you feel more connected with it, etc. But alas, those when they are driver for fun. On the days where you are not, I would prefer less distraction from the road surface, and they all seem to be obsessed over it (and just a bit biased). That, and its the priciest option last I checked, and I'll bet it would cost the most to maintain and run.
I haven't had a lot of expirience with the current E90 3-series, but I did spend a lot of time with the E46, and as far as I'm concerned, thats about as good as it gets. The road surfacing is never distracting, and the feedback is indeed what is necessary to understand your car. Of course, people who've never driven a German car aren't likely to understand it all, but going between they and the Japanese and American rivals, they just seem so "sterile" (the Americans are getting better). It is by no means a "bias" to demand a sporty drive, a comfortable ride, and a setup that actually allows the driver to connect with the car... In my opinion, EVERY car should be like that.
But let me be honest for a moment here on pricing; It wouldn't make a lick of difference to me. I know that I'm buying the best car I can for the money, and thereby I'm happy to do so. Buying a BMW requires knowledge that parts are going to be expensive, insurance sure as hell isn't going to be cheap... Its all part of owning a German car. But, like I mentioned before, you buy them with the warranty for a reason, and then dump them off afterwards. "Crazy" people like me then proceed to buy the used BMW, Audi, Mercedes, etc models and pay out the ass for parts and service, and why?
Because they are vastly superior cars, no matter what the price difference may be. You pay for what you get, and by most measurements, the BMW is the cream of the crop.
...But, when GM gets on the Alpha chassis cars by the end of the decade, I'm probably going to be more likely to get one of those over the German or Japanese offerings. Cheaper prices, powerful engines, smart transmissions, increasing reliability and quality. With Holden on board, we know they're going to be great products...
Back on the topic originally at hand before this detracted into the usual bash Toyota trend
The Cabrio and Coupe should work well in the market, especially if they take the coupe or cabrio platforms and make cheaper Toyota models with them, even if they just get the 2.5 liter engine. I can see nothing but good coming of this. And I think both model ideas look good, though as others said, the proportions on the coupe seem off. Consider this - the magazine is distorting the imagine a little do to its binding.
They've been talking about the Coupe for a while, and it does make sense. I've been seeing an increasing amount of 3-series coupes these days, and I'm pretty sure that the new Audi A5 will sell well. Lexus wants a piece of the coupe pie, and its no surprise... But it is a market that will get crowded quickly, as Cadillac should be joining for 2009 with the CTS, I wouldn't be surprised to see a Lincoln coupe by the end of the decade as well.
...The Cabrio is what it is, and the 3-series has a pretty tight grasp on that as well. The Audi A5 should make for an interesting drop-top, but class-standards like the C70 and 9-3 still do things right as well... Plus, the new 9-3 is on the way, and that should prove to be quite good with the new chassis and available AWD.
We'll see I suppose.
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