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Infiniti G35 vs. Acura TL
Just wanted to get your opinions about these 2 sedans. Here's what I think so far:
G35 has AWD version coming out and it'll handle in snow better. It has better color selection.
2004 TL is an Acura and has better reliability record. I would buy the car loaded with options and the Acura would be less expensive. Lumbar support is better and there's a bigger trunk. Acura dealer is much closer to my house.
Thanks for your feedback.
G35 has AWD version coming out and it'll handle in snow better. It has better color selection.
2004 TL is an Acura and has better reliability record. I would buy the car loaded with options and the Acura would be less expensive. Lumbar support is better and there's a bigger trunk. Acura dealer is much closer to my house.
Thanks for your feedback.
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This discussion has been closed.
Comments
In any case, I think both the G and the TL are solid choices. Styling is subjective, so that's totally up to you. Interior quality of materials seems to be better in the TL. Interior dimensions are very similar. If you're looking right now, you'll have to pony up the MSRP ($33,200) for the TL. As time passes the TL price will come down. A similarly featured G35 (MSRP $34,100) can be had for about $31,500 right now. Both are good deals.
I've test driven both. The G35 felt a little more sporty and more fun to drive, the TL felt a little more luxurious.
Also, you say that the reliability for the TL is better. I consider transmission failure a major problem....which the TL has had but the G35 has not. Hopefully, this problem has been fixed with the '04.
The performance of the G35 is better as well but the TL has a nicer interior.
And two other big factors: (1)the Infiniti depreciates faster than a rock sinks to the bottom of the ocean and (2) Acura reliability far outlives the Infiniti 5yr 60 warranty
Any proof of this midnightcowboy?
My impression is that the 0-60 times will be very similar, neither has a clear edge. The G35 definitely has an edge in handling though.
Acuras traditionally have had better resale than Infinitis. But the G35, at least so far, has solid resale values.
The only things that the TL clearly outshines the G35 in is quality of interior materials and the stereo.
I personally like the design (both exterior and interior) of the TL over the G35, but that is a purely subjective matter.
I've got brochures on both cars. The G35 trunk is 11.8 cubic feet with a full size spare. The 6 cars on the lot that I saw all came with this. The trunk is 14.8 cubic feet "when" the car comes with a temporary spare. My guess is that this temp spare may be a rare feature since I didn't see a single sedan on the lot with one. The rear wheel drive really cuts into the trunk and the trunk isn't as efficient as the TL because of the wheel wells. A set of golf clubs would have to be layed diagonally or placed through the pass way into the back seat. The TL has an efficient 12.5 feet trunk and a 45" golf club fits "rear wheel to rear wheel".
I've noticed in the postings that people have reported transmission problems with the Acuras. That disturbs me a bit. Consumer Reports makes no mention of these troubles. It gives the Acura TL one of the highest reliability ratings. I realize that anyone can get a lemon no matter what brand one buys, but certain makes increase the likelihood of this not happening. The TL is one of the "CR Good Bets". I've owned 3 Toyotas and 2 Nissans and they've all been great cars. CR does list some Infinitis and Nissans equally favorable. The G35 is too new to rate for reliability. I realize that CR isn't the only source but I tend to give them more credibility because they don't accept advertising. I've often wondered how influenced "Car and Driver" (and other magazines)writers are by very large advertising dollars the car manufactures are spending with the magazine.
A couple days ago, I saw the first TL on the road, going the other way. At first I thought it was the TSX, until the rear end showed up in the mirror. Didn't Acura think of giving the two cars distinguishable front ends?
I think the G35 is the sportier of the two, but the TL will probably be sporty enough for all but the most daring drivers. The added weight of an AWD system may hinder the G35's acceleration and fuel economy. On the other hand, it should give the G an advantage in foul weather.
If you are looking for a mostly practical car, I'd go with the TL. If you're looking for a toy, the G35 is probably the better choice.
BTW, is there a story behind Acura changing its nonenclature (dropping the 3.2), yet again? I'd appreciate a link if you do.
Yes...I have noticed that all cars for a particular make/brand do appear to have the same or "VERY" similar front end (grill).
I do not like this industry trend. Each car should have its own "grill". Yes I realize there are some differences...but...in most cases...not many. A similarity would be alright...but what I have seen goes way beyond being similar...
Commenting on an Earlier Message...shown below:
Have you seen all the new Nissan models? They all have the same front end AND similar-looking interiors. Or Mercedes. Or BMW. Or Cadillac. Or Volvo. Or Toyota. etc, etc, etc, etc, It's the industry trend. They call it brand recognition. Like it or not.
The trunks of the G35 is much bigger than the trunk of the TL when neither has a full size spare. The G35's trunk may not have that much more useable space, given the shape.
Reliablity: I drive and Acura and have been driving Honda products for years. All of my vehicles have been ultra reliable. So, I do trust Honda/Acura. But, the data don't lie with regard to the Infiniti. The G35 is likely to be hyper-reliable too.
Handling: I'm not sure the G35 will handle better. That is just an assumption based on layout (RWD vs. FWD). But, Consumer Reports complained that the G35 suffers from excessive oversteer which makes handling tricky at the limit.
Last issue - ride quality: Honda has never been able to negotiate ride handling compromises. They have vehicles that ride well,and vehicles that handle well. But, they haven't produced many vehicles that do both. I think that drivers are going to find that the base version of the G35 (without the sport package) rides a lot better than the TL, but handles about as well.
Right now, it's fairly easy for me to see differences between the TL and TSX. Probably because I've seen so many pics and gone over some of them with a fine tooth comb.
So by comparison, Honda models are pretty darn distinquishable.
I did not have a chance to drive the G, the dealer was closing for the evening (6:00 p.m. on a Friday). I doubt I will go back for a test drive based on the interior of the car.
As for exteriors, my personal feeling is that the G is quite a bit nicer. A full year after its debut, the look still appears modern and fresh, especially from the front and side. As for the TL, there's not much that sticks out and says..."look at that cool car".
I think the TL is proportioned better, though the lines of the G35 sedan are more daring. Therefore I think the TL will weather better as the car grows older. The G will attract more attention today. The conservative in me would pick the TL, but I can still appreciate the G.
The 04tls has a beautiful interior and alot more toys. I havent driven one yet, but I plan on stopping by and checking it out for the fun of it. I'm not sure how much that great handling on the g does for me in my day to day commute -- but if I'm ever on a twisty and can open it up, its sheer smiles the whole way.
Seeing as I'm a tech gadget freak, I'd probably go for a tls as the toys I could use more the superior handling -- since i'm just stuck in traffic most of the time anyway.
Either way -- enjoy.
Normaly RWD handles better than FWD, but we are talking about two different cars. I don't think there is enough reviews to tell that G35 is a better handling car that TL.
No review needed. The kind of balance that is achieved in a RWD is not available in a FWD. When you leave the apex of a turn, only RWDers benefit from the front to rear weight transfer as the driven wheels of course get better traction...the opposite of FWD.
TL is gorgeous and handles just fine but if you are REALLY into handling, there is no point of comparing these 2. Great handling can mean the car is not rolling or diving. To others it means great precision and speed with which one can blast out of that apex with the rear sliding out just enought to point the car in the intended exit angle.
And the TL just hit the radar screen for car #2...still behind the more functional murano (not my decision).
- If that is the case, then the Ford Crown Vic. should out-handle an Acura RSX any day of the week!
We can get into this debate, but there is much more to handling like overal weight, wheel and suspension set-up, stiffness of the car, wheel-base, etc.
With this being said, I would not jump to the conclusion that the G35 outhandles a TL sedan. Heck, in Grassroots Magazine, they compared a Subi WRX, a BMW 330i, and an Acura RSX-S with the same exact tires, and the RSX-S outhandled the 330i.
"0-60 in the 04 TL 6-Speed has been reported at 6 seconds flat. The automatic option will take a few tics off that."
Automatics are typically about a 1/2 second or so slower.
I drove both the manual G35 sedan and an auto TL and the TL seemed more refined and quiet, not slower.
I think a measured objective comaprion would show the TL to be equal to the G35 in handling ang that is the auto. I think the manual 6-spped TL will outhandle the G35.
Now back to the program...we are comparing 2 similarly weighted (g is lighter I think) vehicles with similar power and similar suspension stiffness and rigidity. The G is not a crown vic or a 330 so I think it will outhandle the TL. A 330i with run flats should lose to a rsx at least in curves - It's at least 600# lighter. Crown vic doesn't have the same level of sophistication in the suspension that G or TL have..All else equal, RWD will outperfrom FWD. If the acura has something on the G is will have to come from the powerplant as the suspension would have to be quite surperior to G's which is all aluminum and very advanced - just like the TL.
There must be some mag comparo that will put these two throught the paces together on same track..lets see what happens....
It's big, roomy, cheap to maintain and Chevy is willing to outfit a version for cop fleets.
Those two cars were wonderful but the G35 has superior handling being that it is rear wheel drive. The G drives in a way that no front wheel drive will. I will never go back to front wheel drive again. The G drives like a sports car and the handling is so positive and sure, this makes for a more enjoyable trip. It is nice to have the drive wheels divorced from the steering. Front wheel drive is always a comprimise.
Am 73 years old and have owned many cars. The G35 is by far the best car I have ever owned. Am so satisfied that I can think of no car that I would rather have, expect to keep the car for a very long time. My G also has every option including xenon lights and navigation gps, wouldn't do without these functions. Am sure the Accura is also a good reliable car but I wouldn't think of having one instead of the G.
Paul
- Car and Driver, Motortrend, and Road and Track, compared the old TL-S with the G35 sedan. In all three, the TL-S was very close to the G35 sedan.
Picked TL-S over G35:
Car and Driver
Picked G35 over TL-S:
Motortrend
Road and Track.
The TL-S and the '04 TL both have LSD in the front which helps compensate for that - "huge RWD advantage" (paraphrasing). Heck, C&D even said the TL-S "felt like a RWD vehicle" with the added Limited Slip Differential!
In other words, just because one car is FWD and the other is RWD, even in the same class, this does not mean that the RWD is superior in handling to the RWD (case in point, the base CTS vs. the TL-S, both with Manual since you want an in-class example)
Did you mean the '04 TL? The TL-S didn't have an LSD. Only the CL-S came with that.
Honda helped create the mainstream acceptance of FWD so I'd expect them to stick by it for a while longer than most and since 80% could care less it may never matter to the lurking consumer. But as the wise 70 something man above me said "It is nice to have the drive wheels divorced from the steering. Front wheel drive is always a comprimise." It's simply an axiom of physics.
Chrisboth - By the same token, RWD is always a compromise. As a design, FWD tends to be lighter, more fuel efficient, cheaper, and better in foul weather.
On the whole, I expect that the G will prove the more adept at at-the-limits-driving. But the '04 TL sounds more than capable.
Lighter - what is the acura weight. The sedan I drive is weights in at 3400 or so. I got the coupe beat on weight. It's actually unsprung weight that matters to the suspension (most directly) and the aluminum design and weight reduction from other area are one reason the G.
rocks. THis car has a wheelbase longer than a 5 series and weighs less than a 3. Weight is not an issue with G.
Fuel effeicent - get a prius if your worried about spening dough on gas..we have the cheapest gas in the non arab world. not a good argument for a sport sedan forum.
Cheaper - the G is cheaper
better in foul weather - hey one out 4 in this comparison aint bad. I drove it in 4 inches last winter and had no problems but it's no quattro or FWD for sure.
As far the GF car - i owe her since she bought the house and she's more than juat a GF - I call her my statutory wife.
As for the weight...
'03 CL-S auto = 3510 lbs
'03 CL-S manual = 3446
'04 TL auto = 3582
'04 TL Manual = 3489
The TL is a fine handling vehicle. Probably one of the best handling fwd sedans I've driven. But limited by fwd nonetheless. I'm not knocking the TL. I prefer the design of the TL over the G. In fact, if I were in the market, I'd choose the TL over the G. But as far as handling goes, I'm just calling it like I see it.