REALIABILITY OF G35 & Q45 COMPARED TO LS400

[STUFF4SALE112]

THINKING ABOUT BUYING A G35 OR A Q45 02 & UP. JUST WONDERING WHAT IS REALITY COMPARED TO SOMETHING LIKE A LS400?

WHAT IS THE AVERAGE COST OF KEEPING UP THIS KIND OF CAR?

WHAT IS BAD AND GOOD ?

ANYTHING ELSE I NEED TO KNOW

[torbach1]

This isn't from my own experience, but rather from reading about this.

There are very different cars. From a fun to drive perspective, the Infiniti's will be significantly more fun to drive. However, as far as I know from Consumer Reports, the LS400 is the most reliable car on the road, and while Infiniti is pretty good reliability wise, not all of their cars are in the league of Lexus LS reliability or even close.

Regards,Tamir

[telcoman]

THINKING ABOUT BUYING A G35 OR A Q45 02 & UP. JUST WONDERING WHAT IS REALITY COMPARED TO SOMETHING LIKE A LS400?

WHAT IS THE AVERAGE COST OF KEEPING UP THIS KIND OF CAR?

WHAT IS BAD AND GOOD ?

ANYTHING ELSE I NEED TO KNOW

Stuff4sale112

My previous vehicle was a 92 Lexus ES300 5 speed manual that I had for almost 14 years. It was very reliable but eventually the clutch went and shortly after that a stuck caliper had to be replaced. Repairs on the Lexus are $$$. Since we drive to Florida occasionally I decided it was time for a new vehicle. With 44k miles now on my G35 I am very pleased with it. I like it much better than my previous Lexus. IMHO you are making a couple of errors.1- You are attempting to compare $35K to $40k vehicles with vehicles in the $60k range2- By focusing on used 6 year old vehicles you may be setting yourself up for needed repairs as you'll have no way of knowing how well the previous owners took care of their vehicles.

The cheapest way to have luxury vehicle is to find one that suits you. Buy it new to your specs, keep it for 10 years or more and take good care of it. Negotiate price agressively and pay cash if you can.Do your own simple maintenance such as oil & filter replacements.Just my opinion

Telcoman

[Cali 2 Balti G]

The car I got rid of since buying my G was a 1995 Lexus LS400 - purchased off lease in 1998 with 64k miles (previous owner did all required maintenance including timing belt at 63k). When I sold it the car had 155k on it - no major mechanical problems - I replaced starter, timing belt (I always replace timing belts in my cars at or around 100k) other than that just the regular routine maintenance. The only problem I had with the car was the radio display backlight workedoff and on, mostly off. Car had been hit a couple of times and the kids beat in the inside a little - but I still was ultimately able to get 10k for it. The Lexus LS are running up 200k-300k or more and still ticking. There definitely is a difference in the build quality of the LS400 and the G35 (can't speak for the Q). Everything from the paint on down is quality with the LS.I don't see nearly as many older Q45 running on the road as I do Ls400s. Either way you want to have a plan for maintenance or at least the means to get it done. Doesn't have to be at a dealer - there are also good indepent shops as well. I've primarily used independent shops for maintenance on the LS - so that saved me money.The car is one piece - how you maintain it is the other. I think the G35 reputation is pretty good - major complaints being brakes and audio.