Infiniti G25 - Smart idea or neutered wannabe manufacturer cash in?

[StageLeft]

To me it is more exciting to work a smaller engine hard and use handling to maintain speed through corners than having a big engine that you can't open the taps on public roads without looking like a fool or being reckless.

There is certainly something to be said about that.

I find cars these days are generally overpowered and becoming more so. As traffic becomes more congested and handing out speeding tickets becomes easier due to technology the ironic thing is cars can go faster. More and more the performance stats of one's car are just for bragging rights in their garage to be honest. I saw a nice M3 yesterday and heard the engine as the guy gave it a little gas but frankly that car is like having a well bred stallion serve as a horse among other regular horses giving slow rides to tourists.

Now instead of channeling tech advancements into awesome gas mileage, we have 300hp family sedans. But are people any happier than when they had 200hp? No, they're just used to a different standard

Are we really happier now than when we had 20" TVs and 13 channels? Probably not, you bring up a good point but one that extends beyond cars

 

[ponyo]

It's never fun to downgrade. That's why ignorance is bliss. After tasting steak, it's hard to go back to rice and beans.

 

[Throckmorton]

There is certainly something to be said about that.

I find cars these days are generally overpowered and becoming more so. As traffic becomes more congested and handing out speeding tickets becomes easier due to technology the ironic thing is cars can go faster. More and more the performance stats of one's car are just for bragging rights in their garage to be honest. I saw a nice M3 yesterday and heard the engine as the guy gave it a little gas but frankly that car is like having a well bred stallion serve as a horse among other regular horses giving slow rides to tourists.Are we really happier now than when we had 20" TVs and 13 channels? Probably not, you bring up a good point but one that extends beyond cars

I'm definitely happier now with bigger TVs

 

[Bignate603]

It's never fun to downgrade. That's why ignorance is bliss. After tasting steak, it's hard to go back to rice and beans.

There are plenty of people that would never even notice that the missing power.

 

[TheAdvocate]

http://www.caranddriver.com/news/car/10q3/2011_infiniti_g25_sedan-official_photos_and_info

HAH!

Increase of 1 MPG city/highway.

OK WTF... no way I would buy one now.

 

[KIAman]

My personal issue with the G35/37 is also one of their strengths: the VQ engine. My brother owns 07 G35 coupe so I get to drive this thing once in a while and every time I have the same impression. The engine makes the car NOT feel luxury at all.

The vibrations and the tractor sounds it make is almost embrassing except to a ricer crowd.

Now if the VQ25 has balancing shafts or anything to make the engine sound gasoline rather than tractor, then that would be a big selling point for me if I were looking for "cheap" luxury.

And also, badge buyers don't buy Infinity. Infinity is a compromise to BMW and Mercedes without the inflated price premium.

 

[exdeath]

The G35 is faster than the low end BMWs and Mercedes that badge shoppers end up with anyway.

And I reiterate, badge buyers do care about power because it has to be better than everyone else's. Otherwise they wouldn't be revving and cutting off cars that have 15 hp less and generally being posers.

 

[Throckmorton]

1mpg better? Nevermind...

 

[KIAman]

And I reiterate, badge buyers do care about power because it has to be better than everyone else's. Otherwise they wouldn't be revving and cutting off cars that have 15 hp less and generally being posers.

I disagree. In my experience, badge buyers are money conscious enough to get the cheapest deal with a badge and overlook better performing cars in its class for the same money. Most badge buyers can't distinguish between model numbers and those that do, simply debadge their cars. And thus you see the gloat of MB C300 (compared to C350 and C63) BMW 328 (compared to 335 and M3), Lexus IS 250 (compared to IS350 and IS-F).

To reiterate, a badge buyer will buy a $37K BMW 328 which will underperform in almost every performance category (except fuel consumption) compared to an Infinity G37 for $35K because of the roundel.

 

[PhoKingGuy]

I disagree. In my experience, badge buyers are money conscious enough to get the cheapest deal with a badge and overlook better performing cars in its class for the same money. Most badge buyers can't distinguish between model numbers and those that do, simply debadge their cars. And thus you see the gloat of MB C300 (compared to C350 and C63) BMW 328 (compared to 335 and M3), Lexus IS 250 (compared to IS350 and IS-F).

To reiterate, a badge buyer will buy a $37K BMW 328 which will underperform in almost every performance category (except fuel consumption) compared to an Infinity G37 for $35K because of the roundel.

There's a lot of truth to this, ESPECIALLY if you live in an affluent area.

 

[exdeath]

I disagree. In my experience, badge buyers are money conscious enough to get the cheapest deal with a badge and overlook better performing cars in its class for the same money. Most badge buyers can't distinguish between model numbers and those that do, simply debadge their cars. And thus you see the gloat of MB C300 (compared to C350 and C63) BMW 328 (compared to 335 and M3), Lexus IS 250 (compared to IS350 and IS-F).

To reiterate, a badge buyer will buy a $37K BMW 328 which will underperform in almost every performance category (except fuel consumption) compared to an Infinity G37 for $35K because of the roundel.

They still care about power when that 328 and C300 has slightly more power than everyone else's Kia, etc., is my point.

 

[KIAman]

They still care about power when that 328 and C300 has slightly more power than everyone else's Kia, etc., is my point.

Don't bash the KIA

 

[exdeath]

Don't bash the KIA

I don't need to bash Kias, I don't have a 328, C200, etc :awe:

 

[PhoKingGuy]

I don't need to bash Kias, I don't have a 328, C200, etc :awe:

To me, theres no point in buying the lowest rung of the BMW/Benz/Audi ladder. A FWD A4? whats the point, you might as well just get a Passat CC and be done with it.

You can load a 328i to north of 40k, hell if you add in basics it balloons to almost 36-38k, at that point you might as well just get a 335i for another grand and actually have a fun car to drive.

Don't even get me started on the C300, I test drove one of those for kicks and its almost IS250 slow, or feels like it anyway.