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Infiniti G35 vs. Acura TL
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Comments
Most enthusiast magazines have picked the G over its competition, and specifically over the TL primarily due to it being RWD (better handling) and having more grunt at the bottom of the rev band. Another common complaint about the TL is the torque steer that every publication has experienced.
If RWD and torque steer (more so in the stick) is not a priority, then the TL does offer a great value.
?? OK value is to each his own. I prefer the willow leather and industrial look of the upgraded console for the premium package. It's a far cry from the base G with black on black. In any case the accord is great - thats why the TL doesn't sell 20k a month - you get TL quality in the accord - its a problem not a solution for honda with dropping overall sales.
When the rush of my intake hits my ears and the thrust only VQ offers pushes me into the leather harder than rowdy roddy piper, the accord interior seems like a joke all over again. Apprently not all of us find the G interior, which is in the ENTRY lux class to be so bad. Purple Passat lights/guages do not an interior make! IF you want medoicraty with a nice interior the audi impresses much more than any honda.
You may be right about torque steer, but not about handling, in most road tests TL scored close or better than G35, and CR rated number one over G35 and 330. What they complaining is not handling, it's "RWD feel".
I don't think TL has grate pick up even previous model. My friend has G35 coup 6MT with performance package. It's obveosly faster than my 2002 TL S, but he could not change lane in front of me until about 65MPH. In fact we were realy close in the firs gear.
Romance novels...not yet but social security may have us working into our 90's so perhaps in 2054 I'll start a new career.
Saying it another way the TL is $7K more than the base G, which has all of the same handling characteristics of a loaded G.
"ut he couldnot change lane in front of me until about 65MPH. In fact we were realy close in the firs gear."
It's about going in turn at a fast pace, where the road is rutted and pegging the gas. That's what separates the G from the TL.
As far as going into a turn at a fast pace where the road is rutted and pegging the gas...that is where drivers separate themselves, not the cars.
Edmunds lists the G35 starting at $27,950 and the TL is listed as $32,650. That works out to $4,700. I don't argue that isn't a significant some of money.
If you don't care about the additional standard features on the TL that are not included in the base G35, then the G35 is a better deal. However, if like me, you wanted all of the items that the TL came with as standard, the TL ends up being cheaper than a similarly equipped G35 ($32,650 vs. $33,550 not including destination charges).
I wonder how many base cars are available on dealer lots? I remember when I was looking for an IS300 about 3-4 years ago, I had trouble finding any available with the cloth interior here in St. Louis, Missouri.
Jeff
If the road is smooth and one doesn't give it gas. Not a knock on the TL, only a limitation of FWD.
Different lines in and out the corner, same time.
Personal preference for having the rear end hang out doesn't necessarily make that the end all for everyone and having the rear end break loose is not balance, it is a loss of control. Balance would be NOT having the rear end or front end break loose.
As is always the case.. to each their own in the way they have fun with their cars.
RCTENNIS are you with the state police or NHTSB? LOL
ok overengineering is not a great term. FWD has advantages but they cant seem to make up for the fact that when you push the gas it makes the weight shift back to wheels that do nothing.
I wont dog the FWDers for more than they deserve but a greatly engineered FWD is never better than a greatly engineered RWD. For handling anyway
- Actually, in the Auto versions, Car and Driver rated the '03 TL ahead of the G35 in "Waiting for a Bimmer Beater" (should make KDShapiro happy).
Yet with manuals, the G35 w/ sport beat the '04 TL. The TL was faster though, had as good, if not better skidpad numbers, and was one of the quickest, if not quickest of the group through the avoidance manuevers, posting a faster speed than the G35.
Wow, that's a lot of thinking!!!
Why own a 270 hp car if were not going to drive it the way it was made to be driven?
Horsepower doesnt have anything to do with handling but how fast your car is.
BTW why did you buy the car?
But I'd venture to say that the buyers who buy G35's and even TL's would know the difference, and would frequently push the car to sufficient limits where it would make a difference. These are part "performance" sedans, after all.
By that logic, 95% wouldn't know the difference between TL and Accord. 95% wouldn't know the difference between Accord and Civic...
Now if I commuted between San Jose and Santa Cruz on highway 17, that's where one can do some spirited driving. I have no doubts that many drivers (even me!) could tell the difference between the TL and the G35.
I never said there wasn't a difference between FWD and RWD. What I said (and I'll rephrase to make it clearer) is that the typical driver in typical driving situations (e.g., daily commuting) is not going to notice the difference. No doubt there's a difference between the TL and the G35 but probably as much due to suspension and steering geometry as to FWD/RWD.
Since we seem to be arguing about opinions, which are by definition always correct, let's just end the discussion and move on. Thanks.
Seriously though, drove both cars back to back (actually, it was the G35 coupe). The G35 felt more stout, but the TL did feel more light and agile, steering was quick which was appreciative between lane changes.
In hard cornering though, you will notice a difference when the FWD drags the rear wheels around the turn, while the RWD drives through the turn.
Mariner7, do you own both? cuz I do. If you cant tell the difference, what can I say! You dont even own a TL or an accord.
Buy a car that suit your needs. If you need to go into a corner at more than 70mph and accelerate as fast as you can, buy "perfect handling" car(but pls do that at fantasy race track) otherwise it would be a waste of money. Think again!
C&D ranked TL 3rd and Acura has been known to compete with all best RWD cars. TL/TSX is the only FWD to be compared with all RWD cars. Why? Dont they know its a FWD car?
TL's handling is not the best(but one of the best) but overall TL is always a better car(not the best). Even TSX a FWD car can outpace 14 325i (RWDer). Why? drivers matter not FWD or RWD.
Are you saying that all camry/accord/ES drivers are having difficulty in driving into a corner? :-)
Making the TL sounds unable to handle a corner, to me doesnt make any sense. Peace :-)
I know there's a difference between TL and Accord, just as there's one between G35 and TL, as many TL fans try to deny!
BTW, Honda's recalling 600,000 V6's because of transmission. Beware!
http://www.hondanews.com/CatID1000?mid=2004041436013&mime=asc
If there should be a recall, Honda usually mail car owners immediately.
I have a 7 years old accord, I hope there will be a recall to replace its engine. lol :-)