So, my hunt for a sport, luxury, AWD sedan has lead me to these 3 front runners.
All seem to be similar in price for a 2005 or 2006 model. All are around 300 or over horsepower (assuming northstar in the STS4), all are sporty, very nicely done inside, and well I have never driven an STS4 or G35X, so assuming they are nice to drive, I have a tough choice here.
If it were you, which would you chose and why?
**there is only one true love in my life... and my girlfriend has learned to live with it**
G35. I have been in a lot of these cars and I have never once complained on anything about the car. The only thing I would pick over it but just because i like them so much is the Acura TL. I love both the TL and the G35's body lines. With the G35, the power is always there. Its smooth, hard accelerating, beast. And the luxury is just awesome.
I'd pick the Caddy STS. Have you checked out the old Licoln LS's, I think they had an AWD option. They were made off the Retro Thunderbird platform so whatever performance goodies are available for that should bolt on the LS.
I was also looking for a luxury sport sedan a year ago (RWD though, not AWD).
The only STS I'd consider is the STS-V. While the STS4 is somewhat sporty, its more like grandpa's sporty. I'd like to drive it on occasion if my parents owned it. If that's what you like though, cool.
The only 300C I'd consider is the SRT version. Besides that, I just find the 300C to be terrible.
The 3G TL is a very nice car, but didn't come in AWD for that year. And even if it did, remember its a FWD car with the occasional AWD, instead of RWD with AWD support.
I was seriously considering buying a G35 sedan (and would have if I hadn't bought something else). It's a nice car, feels good, and you can find a lot of them for good prices. I don't think you could get the 6MT on the X model, which is good because those models had engine oil consumption issues (and subsequent full engine replacement). Don't forget the AWD really is only on when you're first accelerating or during slip I believe. Besides that, it stays as RWD. The X model is also slightly more difficult to mod suspension wise (if that's what you're after). When I test drove a G35 RWD, I thought it was a nice car, seemed a little softer/floatier when compared to the coupe. Also, the 05-06 models are definitely nicer than the 03-04.
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- Sold my beloved J in April 2010 -
Driven both a 2003 g35 and a 2006 300c. While you feel like a high roller in the 300 the g35 just seems to tickle you more. MUCH more sportier and the handling is responsive.
My vote goes to the G!
Viper98912 wrote:I was also looking for a luxury sport sedan a year ago (RWD though, not AWD).
The only STS I'd consider is the STS-V. While the STS4 is somewhat sporty, its more like grandpa's sporty. I'd like to drive it on occasion if my parents owned it. If that's what you like though, cool.
The only 300C I'd consider is the SRT version. Besides that, I just find the 300C to be terrible.
The 3G TL is a very nice car, but didn't come in AWD for that year. And even if it did, remember its a FWD car with the occasional AWD, instead of RWD with AWD support.
I was seriously considering buying a G35 sedan (and would have if I hadn't bought something else). It's a nice car, feels good, and you can find a lot of them for good prices. I don't think you could get the 6MT on the X model, which is good because those models had engine oil consumption issues (and subsequent full engine replacement). Don't forget the AWD really is only on when you're first accelerating or during slip I believe. Besides that, it stays as RWD. The X model is also slightly more difficult to mod suspension wise (if that's what you're after). When I test drove a G35 RWD, I thought it was a nice car, seemed a little softer/floatier when compared to the coupe. Also, the 05-06 models are definitely nicer than the 03-04.
AWD means more to me then first accelerating, and I will never mod this car, so mod support is a non-factor.
Ya, if I go for a G35X, it will be 05+.
**there is only one true love in my life... and my girlfriend has learned to live with it**
Eternal wrote:I say G35x but I'm bias
How come?
**there is only one true love in my life... and my girlfriend has learned to live with it**
Gutty96 wrote:Eternal wrote:I say G35x but I'm bias
How come?
I had bought one and loved every minute of it but later returned it due to it ultimately being a bad deal (before 30 days). I had a 06 sedan
stay far away from the G35 , id put in a class with a AWD SUV , gas mileage will be very similar
I am partial to GM so I would say the STS. I worked on Nissans before and could never recommend a Nissan/Infinity product. Based on what my buddy (service advisor in a Chrysler dealer) has told me, stay away from Chrysler right now.
I'm gonna say G35 as well. I worked on them from the day they came out until about 10 months ago. AWESOME cars! The older ones are getting cheap enough now that I hope to get a 6 speed sedan to play with soon.
Ever consider a subaru lagacy GT... I think these cars get overlooked alot. awd, turbo, manual trans. basically the same engine as the sti, and has lots of power potential. Im looking at picking up a subaru forester xt this summer.
Nowhere to get a Subaru serviced around here. No interest in a manual tranny either.
**there is only one true love in my life... and my girlfriend has learned to live with it**
G35x for sure. Buy far the most luxurious and comfortable one of the bunch.
The best thing for you would be to go test drive all of them.
Lots of love for the G35X, I am going to have to drive one I think.
I drove a 300c for a week a couple years ago in BC, and LOVED it. So, it is still kind of a favorite to me. Are there any really major issues I should know about?
There is one about hour and 20min away I want to go look at.
2005 300c AWD
**there is only one true love in my life... and my girlfriend has learned to live with it**
Test Drive a g35 even if its not the X and I swear to bejesus you will want to buy it.
Are the 04 G35X really that much lesser then the 05+? They can be had for thousands cheap with similar kms.
**there is only one true love in my life... and my girlfriend has learned to live with it**
Gutty96 wrote:Are the 04 G35X really that much lesser then the 05+? They can be had for thousands cheap with similar kms.
The interiors on the pre 05's are not as good. They updated the interiors drastically on the 05+'s
Major issues with a 300C? Yea, it's a Chrysler.
And the 05-06 G35 is definitely much nicer inside than the 03-04, thats why you can get them cheaper.
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- Sold my beloved J in April 2010 -
But I AM cheap!
Is it really worth $5-8k more for an 05+
**there is only one true love in my life... and my girlfriend has learned to live with it**
Gutty96 wrote:But I AM cheap!
Is it really worth $5-8k more for an 05+
I believe that is a question you have to find out. Drive em'. Personally, I hate that the pre 05 exteriors ground effects are flat black.... yuck. Of course you can paint them body color, but WTF
1800ccS13 wrote:Ever consider a subaru lagacy GT... I think these cars get overlooked alot. awd, turbo, manual trans. basically the same engine as the sti, and has lots of power potential. Im looking at picking up a subaru forester xt this summer.
Gutty96 wrote:Nowhere to get a Subaru serviced around here. No interest in a manual tranny either.
It still blows my mind that you're up north & have no Subaru support! Dime a dozen I tell ya... I wouldn't have it any other way. They soooooo fit what you're looking for, it's a shame to exclude based on lack of support, but I totally get ya on that.
Anyhow, I just wanted to point out that they do come in automatic as well
I'd personally stay away from a 300 due to very cheap feeling, ugly interiors, but I have only been in, not driven your choices above. I would hop in a G35x if given the chance!
stargrrrl wrote:1800ccS13 wrote:Ever consider a subaru lagacy GT... I think these cars get overlooked alot. awd, turbo, manual trans. basically the same engine as the sti, and has lots of power potential. Im looking at picking up a subaru forester xt this summer.
Gutty96 wrote:Nowhere to get a Subaru serviced around here. No interest in a manual tranny either.
It still blows my mind that you're up north & have no Subaru support! Dime a dozen I tell ya... I wouldn't have it any other way. They soooooo fit what you're looking for, it's a shame to exclude based on lack of support, but I totally get ya on that.
Anyhow, I just wanted to point out that they do come in automatic as well
I'd personally stay away from a 300 due to very cheap feeling, ugly interiors, but I have only been in, not driven your choices above. I would hop in a G35x if given the chance!
Alrighty then... I just thought i might recomend something you may have overlooked. And most of them are auto's. but are availible in a manual. But if you have no subaru dealer close by ii guess thats outta the question. where you from anyway?
300c = JUNK
anything with a northstar = JUNK
so i guess your stuck with the G.
