New (Used) Car Pick

[highlife]

I'm sure this has been done to death on OOT but I am looking for a new car and wanted to get some advice from all the gearheads out there.

I am thinking about either a 3-series BMW, Infiniti G35 or a Lexus IS300. Will be getting around an '03 or '04 model.

Whats the best choice out of those models? Or is there something better in the same price range? (20-28k). The only major requirement is that its 4-door and not american.

[SL__72]

Given the price range and date range I'd get a g35.

[astroglide]

these are really cars that people buy for totally different reasons. almost everybody here is going to suggest the g35. i would get the lexus despite it driving slushier than a 3 series if i wanted something in that class of car. hyper-reliable, good resale, a less standard. i'm generally opposed to the idea of an entry-level "nice" anything (e.g. boxster, baby benz, etc) but it's a much milder case of it with the 3 series. anyway lexus just makes really good stuff. they're pushing a lot harder with their newest models in terms of fighting the germans.

[chisness]

the is300 seems very wannabe to me

[highlife]

is there something in the middle/high end "normal" japanese lines comparable to the three cars I listed?