Infiniti: G35 vs. 330i sedans why did you choose one over the other?

"GRL" <NET> wrote in message
news:supernews.com...
I have a short list for manual sport sedans that is down to a new 2004 G35
(Premium, Sport, and spoiler packages) sedan or a nice late model 330i sedan
(Premium, Sport Packages). They are basically equipped alike.

Have driven both, like both, but am torn between the two because each has
its advantages. Both make me smile wide. Neither has a dealer nearby.

For example, the G35 would doubtless be a bit less troublesome, has a better
gear shift, is new, is a bit quicker, is noticeably roomier inside and in
trunk space, and is not a BMW (remember the how do you tell the difference
between a BMW and a mosquito joke?)

The 330i is more tossable, handles a little better, has a better clutch
action, looks a bit nicer (not Bangle-ized), is a BMW (lower depreciation,
snob appeal), gets better mileage.

OK you folks who were in a similar position, which did you choose and why?

Surprising thing in looking at used 330i's is how few manual models there
are available. There are loads of automatics, on the other hand. A BMW
dealer told me that his dealership only sells about 5% of their new Beemers
with manuals. Virtually everybody buys automatics. For the "ultimate driving
machine" that is very surprising. Makes me think that lots of BMW customers
buy the brand (prestige) and not the car.

No way is an automatic is as much fun to drive as a manual, in my view. Poor
saps buying all those automatics are missing a lot.

(Manual G35's are hard to find, too.)


GRL
"It's good to want things."
S. Barr (philosopher, poet, humorist, chemist, Visual Basic.Net programmer)

wot no M3? ;-)

 
sedan 
better 
Beemers 
driving 
customers 
Poor 




So should you buy a handsome, beautifully handling, classy car that makes
you feel good, brings a smile to your face at weekends, you will look
forward to driving every day, and that people would lust after, or a lardy,
Japanese mainstream wallow-barge with little or no desireability,
absolutely no lust factor and third rate looks - oh, and which has the
appropriate depreciation to match its
aspiring-to-be-a-sub-lexus-which-is-toyota-trying-to-be-a-merc image?

Tough choice!

Regards

Snoop

- - - - - - - -
2001 Alpina B10 V8

Well said.

Seems some would prefer to share psychobabble about their choice vs. simply
acknowledging said choice and paying with depreciation. BTW...I love my
steptronic.

Michael

'00 540i (said steptronic)
'00 328Ci (5 speed)
'75 2002A (mmm another automatic)


"Snoop" <spam.me.ok> wrote in message
news:4158081b$0$20251$dial.pipex.com... 

On Mon, 27 Sep 2004 07:35:22 +0100, TonyK wrote:
 
A manual is more fun, but it can be a PITA in stop & go traffic. The BMW
automatics are pretty darned good, and the later ones with Steptronic give
you a good bit of the performance of a manual with the advantage of being
able to leave it in auto or sport mode, where appropriate.

If you think it hard to find a 330 w/manual, try looking for a 525 or 530
with a manual trans...

--
The instructions said to use Windows 98 or better, so I installed RedHat.

The replies about them from owners made them less attractive for me, a
non-speed-racer type. Also, hard to find ones that are affordable with good
warranty coverage remaining.

GRL

"TonyK" <org> wrote in message
news:de... 
sedan 
better 
Beemers 
driving 
customers 
Poor 
programmer) 

No kidding. You are right. Looked a little for"hand-rowed" 530i's and the
pickings were really slim.

- GRL

"Jim Levie" <net> wrote in message
news:net... 
there 

Looks are a matter of taste, and you are welcome to your opinion.

As far as driving fun, you are so wrong about the G35 that there is no pint
in arguing with you. You clearly never drove a G35. The car book editors who
drive more cars in a lifetime than you or I will drive in a lifetime and who
are very familiar with 330i's rate the two very close, with the G35 usually
winning on price.

You sound awfully threatened by the G35. Try to remember that they are both
just cars in the end.

- GRL

"Snoop" <spam.me.ok> wrote in message
news:4158081b$0$20251$dial.pipex.com... 
G35 
has 
in 
difference 
depreciation, 
why? 
there 
lardy, 

What nonsense. Don't know where you live, but here in SoCal ALL these
cars are a dime a dozen. And they're all fine automobiles, to each his
own. Me? I drive a 2003 Evo. Still have only seen a handful of others
on the road in LA (not that there aren't more, just you don't see
yourself at every stoplight like you do most others). And believe me,
with that ridiculous ironing board bolted to the trunk, I spot 'em when
they appear... ;-)

Dan

Snoop wrote: