In the market for a manual RWD sedan, preferably under 150k, preferably under $10k, and preferably Japanese. (Not going to buy Euro stuff, no matter how much you try to convince me of their ultimate driving abilities.)

That checklist pretty much just leaves me with two options: 5spd IS300 and 6spd G35 sedan.

Anyone owned one of these before? Pros/cons? Likes/dislikes? Hidden costs beyond routine maintenance? Any particular years or options to avoid? Anything else to watch for?

Thanks in advance.



...Also, does anyone want to buy a super clean '98 Prelude SH?

9/29/2014 11:04:31 AM

The infinity is bigger and may even get better gas mileage....

The is300 is better in every other aspect.

I was cross shopping these two when I said "fuck it lets just get a new car with a warranty"

9/29/2014 11:37:43 AM

Quote :

"The infinity is bigger and may even get better gas mileage.... The is300 is better in every other aspect."

Yup, pretty much what I've determined thus far.

The IS300's exterior looks better, its interior looks better, etc... but the G35 has a more powerful engine with better MPGs and a better transmission. So it's a tough call.

9/29/2014 11:45:13 AM

IS300

GS is fugly

9/29/2014 11:55:38 AM

drive both and go from there

9/29/2014 12:20:26 PM

^ That's also going to happen. I just wanted to know if anyone here had experienced or heard of any major problems that I should try to avoid.

9/29/2014 12:51:25 PM

G35 has an extra gear and shifts smoother stock... The 5 speed I think is more reliable tho.

The only reason I decided not to get the is300 is my dumbass would drive it for a year and try to shove in a supra engine/trans.

G35s require proper maintenance to be reliable.

The is doesn't lol.

[Edited on September 29, 2014 at 2:22 PM. Reason : .]

9/29/2014 2:21:48 PM

NMSJ

9/29/2014 3:11:18 PM

Fuck obdii cars. Go old school or go home (broke)

9/29/2014 3:21:49 PM

Meh, OBDII cars can be perfectly reliable.

Also, I have to do this... 330i ZHP!!!!!!



I’ll give you $10 if you do it.

9/29/2014 3:33:17 PM

9/29/2014 4:12:09 PM

Hahah, good try, Ahmet.

And yeah, if I'm going to own four vehicles, I think I'm allowed to have one that's OBD2.

9/29/2014 8:47:06 PM

I'd say IS300, but it gets awful gas mileage considering it is relatively light I6 medium sized sedan. I think official figure is 18/22 or something like that..

im going to try to convince you to buy a $10k e90 330i only made in 2006. All day long for $10k with 100k. in comparison IS300 and G35 are garbage.

9/29/2014 10:20:47 PM

I always wanted an IS but the whacko first-gen wagon never had a third pedal

9/29/2014 10:32:32 PM

I've had an IS300 and also a fourth gen 2007 G35s Sedan. Both manual.

IS300
pros:
Bulletproof engine and transmission
Straight six
Cheap parts
Lots of aftermarket support (too much actually)
It's actually a very small and light car
cons:
It's SLOW
The fake suede seats fall apart. Non suede seats are out there but hard to find.
Common failure spots are heater core, cd player and the rubberized coating on the dash can get nasty

Fourth Gen G35s
pros:
WAY faster
Seats held up better
More modern/bluetooth
cons:
Reported oil consumption issues
My brother ruined the synchros but got a new tranny under warranty
Rotors frequently warped

If I were given the option for either car for the same money I'd get a 4th gen G35. I'd take a IS300 over a 3rd gen G35 because I hate the orange dashlights.

9/29/2014 10:49:17 PM

I, too, vote for the 2006 E90 330i

9/30/2014 9:01:53 AM

I don't know anything about the bimmer really... i thought the later aluminum motors had some reliability issues but i'm by no means any expert.

If you can get an E90 i think it would be dumb not to unless there is some looming mechanical issue with them that costs a fortune to fix. The other cars i'd consider dated in design already but the e90 i would not.

I've heard more than one instance of g35 transmission carnage.

And imho the is300 looks and feels old but i still love the darn thing.

[Edited on September 30, 2014 at 1:10 PM. Reason : .]

9/30/2014 1:10:28 PM

Quote :

"i thought the later aluminum motors had some reliability issues but i'm by no means any expert. "

no issues with n/a e90. crankcase is made from Mg and Al, but only on 330i. they did have some issues with valve ticking, but that's minor.

id agree that front end of IS300 to this day looks good, not to mention that motor will survive apocalypse.

9/30/2014 4:54:52 PM

I've owned a 2003 g35 coupe 6mt, 2005 is300 manual, and 2007 g35 sedan auto. Out of the three, the 07 was my favorite DD. The 03 coupe was fun, really fun, best of the three. The IS was slow, no torque, no feedback, just not a fun car to drive. Seats suck, interior scratches way too easily, if it sits in the sun and you touch the dash, it smudges. I bought the IS for a commuter and kept it I think 3 months.

9/30/2014 9:04:22 PM

My last car was an '05 IS300. Currently in an e90. In some ways, I still miss that IS300. Strongly recommend. Strongly.

10/3/2014 6:01:29 PM