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Comments
My trade is nothing special... just a loaded 00 Accord EX w/ 180,000 miles.
KBB gives me something between $3,700-$5,000, but I'd be happy with anything over $3,000.
I just want it out of my garage, not that I'm telling them that.
:P
I have tons of paperwork in hand for making my final numbers on delivery day.
I'm a nightmare buyer for salesmen.
I bring things like flashlights and pressure gauges and it takes me over an hour to review a new car upon delivery.
With my 04 TL sitting outside getting ready to be turned in (I lease), and a new G35S sitting next to it, I figured I would share my 2 cents.
G35 is completely in a different league than the TL...even the S. I'm a big Honda fan (05 s2K and 05 Pilot), but it's night and day. Even the stereo is better..although no DVD-A. If you're looking for a roomy car that rides smooth, get the TL. If you want a sedan that can run with an S2K and fit 5..with the highest tech of any car (On board hard-drive...radar cruise (Spectacular)...bluetooth key...etc, G is the only choice. IS350 is too soft and expensive(Although VERY fast and gorgeous interior), 335 way overpriced and spartan interior...the choice is clear. Don't make a choice without driving one of these..that's for sure.
Anyone getting one...tech package for 1K is best game in town. Rearview camera (Worth the price alone), active front lighting, and radar cruise..all for the price of a sunroof.
Making matters worse..TL is due for redesign..which means instant depreciation.
Just my two cents...THANKS ! !
Consider the results of the recent test at Willo Springs:
First place: Acura TL Type S 1:36:67 sec
Second place: Lexus IS350 1:38:24 sec
Third place: Infiniti G35 1:38:67 sec
http://clublexus.com/forums/showthread.php?t=275963
This is the second ( most recent) comparo where the G has lost to the TL-S. I give more credibility to the test at Willow Springs because it was the same driver, same day, same track, same conditions and the TL-S and G35S both were in manual tranny without the performance tire option.
The G was redesigned for MY 07 and it sure looks good. The interior's design, ergonomics and materials are far superior to the prior generation. The re-designed G should be more advanced than the dated TL. When the next TL comes out ( in MY 08- speculated) G engineers will have to go back to the drawing board again. It's a cycle that I personally enjoy watching because we all benefit.
The TL's interior/exterior although dated still look better than the G IMHO of course.
I was actually shocked to read those times previously...but you really have to drive one. No question Hondas are great...and somehow they got a fwd car to handle well. I actually cross shopped the orig G vs the 04 TL...No comparison, TL far superior...AND cheaper. I do love the "Leap-frog" game they play...and we all truly benefit. Prob with TL is they can't have it to get too good..or slow-selling RL will sell even slower. FYI, I had n 03 TypeS prior to the 04 (Crashed, unfortunately)...so I really am a HUGE honda fan ! ! I think if you drive the G, you might conclude the same. Larger IS350 with better front end feel (Still shocked by it's lap time), and I might have gotten that..WHAT AN INTERIOR ! !
P.S. If I want lap times...I hop in the s2K ! !
BTW, I have driven the G35S and it still hasn't convinced me to let go of the TL. Personally, if the next generation TL does not deliver I am looking at the 535i or the 550i w/ the manual tranny and the sport package. I dread the I-drive and that's why I so despirately want the 4G TL to deliver.
It still shuts down the stereo volume until the call is over, so it's working just like the other systems out there.
I don't drive my car on the race track and could not care less what these cars do out there.
I've had TL loaners on 5 occasions now, including the Type-S. Having the luxury to drive these for an entire day was great and yes, very enjoyable... but it was a forgetable experience once I drove the G.
I understand what John is saying.
Acura builds a solid car, and the TL is a fantastic ride.
For the money, the base TL is probably the most bang for the buck.
But for my driving style, roads I drive, options I enjoy, feel of the road, sound of my stereo, the TL didn't hold a candle tot he 07 G... IMO.
I went to the Infiniti dealer a couple months back thinking about trading my 06TL in on a G35 if the 07 redo was desireable. I liked the redesign except for the one thing. The cockpit IS STILL TOO SMALL! Narrow, confined, my left knee rode the door panel. Didn't even have to test drive it.
When I drove home in my TL I realized, again, why I chose it over the G. Room. And of course a great interior.
I guess it depends on the shape and size of the driver.
My wife had a 2000 Honda Accord EX and although it was a great car, I couldn't drive it. My right knee hit the center console and it was super uncomfortable.
I wanted the TL and after numerous test drives, I found that my legs were not comfortable unless I sat further back, and then I couldn't reach the steering wheel comfortably, causing shoulder aches.
I'm 6' but I have long legs. Even with my long legs, the G just fits me perfectly. It's not what I would call small or confining, as I'm not into that feeling of being trapped.
For me, it's like sliding into a perfectly sized glove.
Both are great cars, and just like a good pair of jeans, fit is important.
I'll also add that I have been less than happy with the stereo in my 06 MDX, as the subwoofer compartment vibrates badly both inside and out, and not while cranking the music.
Even with my daughter's movies, the plastic compartment vibrates enough that I can hear it from the front seat.
Acura has had it in 5 times before claiming that it's working as designed.
The 07 TL's are now also suffering from subwoofer vibration.
The G's stereo, I had high hopes for, and so far, I have not been disappointed. It sounds fantastic, and as the speakers break-in, it's only gonna get better.
I also love how I can listen to a CD and by the time I've finished the second track, the entire CD is ripped to the hard drive. Just as fast when not listening to it at all.
I can rip CDs while listening to XM, FM, IPod, Music Box, Compact Flash, or a cd in the 6-disc changer as well.
Very nice system.
John
This is the one feature that I miss from my '99 Chrysler 300M and really wish the TL had, the ingress/egress feature. Even though the '05 G had it, overall the '05 TL was still the car for me.
'21 Dark Blue/Black Audi A7 PHEV (mine); '22 White/Beige BMW X3 (hers); '20 Estoril Blue/Oyster BMW M240xi 'Vert (Ours, read: hers in 'vert weather; mine during Nor'easters...)
The TL has it all over the G in the highway MPG dept.
My loaner was getting 36 (07 Base TL)on the highway, where my G is in the very low 20's. The Tl Type-S also did well, but not as well as the base.
City driving, the TL is pretty comparable to the G.
Mine is not broken in yet and summer fuel may also help.
The extra few bucks a year are worth it in my opinion.
Small price to pay for this goofy smile I can't get rid of, but it's painful at the same time.
(Just don't tell Al Gore... I'll need to buy some of those Carbon Offset Points) :P
Oh, and John, the TL steering wheel is tilt and telescopic but unfortunately it isn't powered. That's a really nice feature to have especially if more than one driver uses the car. It's hard to remember your exact fav steering position once it's been changed. And the feature that pulls the wheel up and in and the seat back upon shutting down the car is sweet too. Most of the Bimmer guys would hate this feature but if you've got long legs it's like a cherry on a sundae - you don't need it but it sure is delicious.
One thing I am anxiously awaiting for in this segment is a power rearview mirror that ties into the memory settings. That would be supreme to be able to have the car memorize all your driving position settings.
One last thing, that built in hard drive on the stereo sounds like a sweet feature. No more filling up your storage compartments with jewel cases that rattle around just to have a select set of CDs on hand. Just take your entire music collection with you when you travel. Very nice. And I'm sure that functionality cannot weigh more than a few pounds. Heck an iPod can hold 4 gig and weigh less than a half pound! All those weight pundits can put that stuff in their pipe and smoke it.
The G comes out a little further, adding to the perfect fit for me and my stretched out legs. :P
Anyway....sorry for the long post ! ! God I love cars...and I will be test driving hte new TL as SOON as it's out! ! !
Maybe it's time for a change.
I actually kinda wish they would design it so the engine shuts off when you go out of range. For 2 reasons: Minimize the chance someone can jump in your car and drive off; and also prevents one from inadvertently leaving the engine running after parking (even though others have commented this happening should be quite remote).
The G beeps at you if you leave the engine running, get out and close the door. Anyone who forgets to shut their car off after parking it should surrender their right to drive in the first place, as they're most likely dealing with a lack of brain cells.
I do agree with the distance idea though.
It would help those who are car jacked.... although that has never happened to me (Knock on wood)
It's VERY common in parts of South Africa. Crime is so bad there, that you can get flame throwers installed on the sides of your car to avoid jackings.
Maybe the G could come with Flame Throwers in 08? :P
The only time I would need my keys and leave the car running is when it's warming it up in the am and I forget something. NJ gets cold ! ! Since I am lucky enough to have a private drive, HOPEFULLY I'm safe. I wonder if there is any sort of time limit or anything for the car running without a key in it's range.
I'm on the fence for a new Viper system.
They have some now with remote starters (with 1 mile range).
The systems allows for a plug-in GPS tracking add-on, which will page you if the car moves anytime you're not in it.
And with the remote starter, you can kill it from the remote as well.
I'm sure you didn't mean to be nasty, but to elderly drivers, that may not be too far from the truth, nor would they find it that funny.
So do you only lead the crusade against comments that could be stretched to be a jab at the elderly? do the burnouts, diseased, mentally challenged, accident victims or all the other reasons people would have low brain cells need to find their own crusader?
Did you read that part of my post? I didn't think anybody with a full complement of brain cells would interpret that to mean I was accusing him of taking a jab at the elderly.
I find your attitude quite disrespectful to the elderly, and to the disabled. And I'm neither. But, hey, if that makes you feel better about yourself....
I leave the forum for a few hours and all heck breaks loose.
It's my comment that started it, no offense meant at all.
I love the elderly, hope to be one someday, but I never said elderly.
As Pat rightfully suggested, moving on.
Anyways, John... I did do research on the remote starter and how it integrates the keyless ignition.
Infiniti can install a remote starter which uses your existing intelligent keyfob. Hit the lock button twice and the car starts. If you haven't already noticed, that little fob has a pretty good range. WAY better than my Acura fobs.
You do need to buy an additional keyfob from Infiniti, and with programming, costs approx $150-. They install it in a lockbox, inside the dash. It allows the remote starter to interact with the car's ignition, but a thug would not be able to break in and start your car.
Problem with the Infiniti remote system is that it's approx $700-$800 installed, and the Viper is almost the same cost, but also includes additional security the basic starter does not offer.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I think I left the iron on. Running late, I was so busy blow drying my hair in the bath tub that I got distracted.
:P :P :P
Dream on!
I have an 06 MDX and the fobs are just plain awful.
The paint scratches so easily, even with only one key on the fob, it looked 10 years old after only a few months.
And the range is super poor. To the point where we need to be within 5 feet of the car and pointing the fob at the vehicle.
I brought it in and Acura said it's a known issue, and I had a new receiver installed (behind the glove box)
Since the repair, it's worse than ever before.
Sometimes, it doesn't work at all.
The G's range is fantastic.
The TL-S cannot out-handle a G and it certainly can’t out-run it either. The TL-S might out-handle an IS350, but it certainly can’t run with it.
Another confirmation that "auto-enthusiasts" magazines are written by marketing departments and intended for anyone except the auto-enthusiasts. :confuse:
The Type-S is not going to outrun, or out handle the G35S.
Why did they bring in a sport model against a base model?
Dunno :confuse:
Oh boy, here we go again. I guess the G fan club is blaming" advertising dollars" AGAIN whenever the G loses a comparo. Happened first w/ the 3er and now this.
Actually, the king of "drift" is the one who drove all 3 vehicles- look him up- I'd say his qualifications speaks for itself and he's an enthusiast.
Get over it.
Oh wait, it's all a huge conspiracy or Honda must be paying or the G wasn't feeling good that day...
Please confirm for me- as far as models are concerned for the G (MY 07) is the manual tranny only available in the sport model or can you get it in other models e.g. journey?
I ask you because you just got one. Thanks.
Same for the shift paddles, if the Auto is chosen.
They had to make some things "Sport Model" only to add to the excitement of getting the Sport.