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12 Posts
My G37 lease had three months remaining and I have been driving various cars as I look for a replacement.
My last five vehicles have been 325, 328, M35X, G37 Convert, Q50S (the only reason I mention this is for comparison purposes).
I drove the 330 and A4 back when I chose the M35. I went with the M35 at that time because it was the most bang for the buck by a large margin. I recently drove the 335 and S4 prior to choosing the Q50 (I briefly considered the ATS and CTS but I just don't like the hard lines vs the curves of the Q). I really didn't want another infinity but here is why I chose the infinity over the other possibilities (again).
I really liked the audi's and I think they handle the best but they are not visually appealing, at least to me. The S5 looks good but I need 4 doors and the A7 is great but too expensive for a second car.
The 3 series is the benchmark but I was really surprised when I sat in the 2014 335. The interior reminded me A LOT of my first 3 series from the early 2000's. It has been updated but it was too similar for my tastes.
The Q was not the best in any one particular category but in totality I found it superior to the competition. Exterior and interior styling are great. Once you start to add options it just keeps getting better when compared to the audi and bmw.
As far as comparing the Q50S Hybrid to my G37 convertible, there is almost no comparison between the two. I don't know if it is the torque or the 300-400lb difference in weight but the Q is noticeably quicker.
The seats in the Q are awesome. I didn't have the sport package in the G, but the Q sport seats are great.
The bose sound system is a lot better. I have Harmon Kardon Logic 7 in a different vehicle and I believe that is the best sound system I have experienced in a car but the new bose system is great. The bose in my g37 had a lot of bass and lacked the clear mid and highs. The new system has much clearer mids and highs. I have played multiple different types of music in the Q and the sound is great.
I started with a bias/concern about the steering. I have no problem whatsoever with the steering at this point. I have changed the mode from light to standard and standard to sport. I don't really like the light setting but the standard and sport are great. What they might lack in feedback they more than make up for in response.
I have read about some poor hand-off's between the battery and engine. I have experienced the following...
Engine to battery is seamless.
Battery to engine under brisk acceleration is seamless and a lot of fun!
Battery to engine under normal acceleration is seamless.
Battery to engine under light acceleration sometimes causes a stutter. I have felt it when hovering around 20 mph when the car decides it needs to charge the battery or add some hp. I felt the same exact stutter when I was driving a MB loaner that had an econ mode. It would shut down cylinders while idling and then restart those cylinders causing a very slight stutter. This wasn't a hybrid, it was just a small vibration you could feel during startup. I have no problems with the hand-off in the Q50.
The brakes are going to require a learning curve, I just can't bring the car to a smooth stop. I don't know if the brakes are modulating as a result of the hybrid charge but I will get used to it.
Overall, if you are moving from a G into a Q you will be extremely happy. This is a huge leap forward and a much better vehicle. If you are shopping for a small/mid size sedan you have to drive the Q. It is the best looking in my opinion, the interior is in another league, the value is high when compared to the other cars with similar options, and we haven't even exploited the convenience/entertainment value of the apps.
I'm a happy Q owner.
My last five vehicles have been 325, 328, M35X, G37 Convert, Q50S (the only reason I mention this is for comparison purposes).
I drove the 330 and A4 back when I chose the M35. I went with the M35 at that time because it was the most bang for the buck by a large margin. I recently drove the 335 and S4 prior to choosing the Q50 (I briefly considered the ATS and CTS but I just don't like the hard lines vs the curves of the Q). I really didn't want another infinity but here is why I chose the infinity over the other possibilities (again).
I really liked the audi's and I think they handle the best but they are not visually appealing, at least to me. The S5 looks good but I need 4 doors and the A7 is great but too expensive for a second car.
The 3 series is the benchmark but I was really surprised when I sat in the 2014 335. The interior reminded me A LOT of my first 3 series from the early 2000's. It has been updated but it was too similar for my tastes.
The Q was not the best in any one particular category but in totality I found it superior to the competition. Exterior and interior styling are great. Once you start to add options it just keeps getting better when compared to the audi and bmw.
As far as comparing the Q50S Hybrid to my G37 convertible, there is almost no comparison between the two. I don't know if it is the torque or the 300-400lb difference in weight but the Q is noticeably quicker.
The seats in the Q are awesome. I didn't have the sport package in the G, but the Q sport seats are great.
The bose sound system is a lot better. I have Harmon Kardon Logic 7 in a different vehicle and I believe that is the best sound system I have experienced in a car but the new bose system is great. The bose in my g37 had a lot of bass and lacked the clear mid and highs. The new system has much clearer mids and highs. I have played multiple different types of music in the Q and the sound is great.
I started with a bias/concern about the steering. I have no problem whatsoever with the steering at this point. I have changed the mode from light to standard and standard to sport. I don't really like the light setting but the standard and sport are great. What they might lack in feedback they more than make up for in response.
I have read about some poor hand-off's between the battery and engine. I have experienced the following...
Engine to battery is seamless.
Battery to engine under brisk acceleration is seamless and a lot of fun!
Battery to engine under normal acceleration is seamless.
Battery to engine under light acceleration sometimes causes a stutter. I have felt it when hovering around 20 mph when the car decides it needs to charge the battery or add some hp. I felt the same exact stutter when I was driving a MB loaner that had an econ mode. It would shut down cylinders while idling and then restart those cylinders causing a very slight stutter. This wasn't a hybrid, it was just a small vibration you could feel during startup. I have no problems with the hand-off in the Q50.
The brakes are going to require a learning curve, I just can't bring the car to a smooth stop. I don't know if the brakes are modulating as a result of the hybrid charge but I will get used to it.
Overall, if you are moving from a G into a Q you will be extremely happy. This is a huge leap forward and a much better vehicle. If you are shopping for a small/mid size sedan you have to drive the Q. It is the best looking in my opinion, the interior is in another league, the value is high when compared to the other cars with similar options, and we haven't even exploited the convenience/entertainment value of the apps.
I'm a happy Q owner.
Post some pics!
