GS300 or Infiniti M35x or Infiniti G35x

This should be easy. If you loved the handling of the Bimmer, then get
either Infiniti. The M will have a nicer interior, but not be as quick as
the G. Either will be a better handler than the GS. If you love comfort and
reliability above all else, get the GS, but don't expect a driver's car.

- GRL

<[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]
> After having had two BMW 5s and an Acura MDX, I'll soon be ready for a
> new car. The 5s were fine, but even though the latest version has an
> AWD option, I don't like the styling. I want AWD, but don't need the
> bulk of an SUV, the expense of replacing SUV brakes or the cost of
> fueling an SUV. I've narrowed down the choices to the three models
> noted above. I like the quiet of the Lexus GS and the apparent value
> of the G35x, which is close to the GS in interior room, but may offer
> far better value. Whether the M35x offers enough more for a higher
> price remains to be seen. I'm looking for the best overall package at
> a monthly lease cost under $725 (nothing down, 36 mos.) I may or may
> not get the built-in navigation system, but would add few options. All
> suggestions greatly appreciated.
>

Yes, and BMW reliability will not match either Lexus or Infiniti. It's
a trade off. A pity, too, because if Toyota got serious about building
a driver's version of the GS, there would be no point in buying a
Bangle-ized 5-Series...except for the die-hard Bimmer-heads who have to
have those twin kidneys in front. They, Toyota, blew it with the new
IS350, too, even more unfortunately.

I don't know what you mean by "faux-prestige". Lexus as a brand has
earned real prestige...and it has it. Infiniti, less so, because they
got off to a bad start and never quite recovered. The new Skyline will
help change that.

You want to read about "faux prestige", go read some of the messages in
the BMW forums from long-standing Bimmer-heads who have had enough with
BMW lack of reliability and are bailing out.

- GRL

On Sat, 24 Dec 2005 00:19:51 UTC, "nopcbs" <[email protected]>
wrote:

> Yes, and BMW reliability will not match either Lexus or Infiniti. It's
> a trade off. A pity, too, because if Toyota got serious about building
> a driver's version of the GS, there would be no point in buying a
> Bangle-ized 5-Series...except for the die-hard Bimmer-heads who have to
> have those twin kidneys in front. They, Toyota, blew it with the new
> IS350, too, even more unfortunately.
>

It is a real shame about Lexus' new models. It seems that either they
just don't know how to build a driver's car, or they simply gave up
and went back to their zone of comfort. My '02 IS300 stick shift may
not have had the sophistication of the 3 series, but it definitely was
an honest attempt at a driver's car, is reliable, and cost $5000 less.
The present 350 is kind of blimpy looking (although the new 3-series
isn't exactly beautiful either), doesn't have a manual transmission,
costs pretty much the same as a 3-series now, and is in general more
of an old man's car than a driver's car, even if it does have 306
horsepower. I wasn't looking for a new car before the model launch,
and I'm definitely not looking now. My plan is to wait out this model
cycle, and hope that the next series is better. If I had to buy today
I'd probably look at the Infinity, which will probably be more
reliable than a 3-series, comes with a stick shift, and still manages
to undersell the IS and Bimmer by 5000 bucks, although it's no good
looker either. Maybe there's an advantage to the buyer when the whole
car company doesn't get off to a good start.