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Acura TL vs Infiniti G35 vs BMW 330xi
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Comments
Yet another reason to buy the G over the TL & 3.
http://www.alg.com/deprratings.aspx
Using that line of thinking BMW is #1 in the Luxury Brand Residual Value Rankings, Infiniti is #6. Just another reason for leasing any BMW over any Infiniti.
Also the 330 has 5 stars depreciation, while the G35 has 4 stars.
I thought we were just talking about the 3 Series, and the G35 ? And yes both have excellent residual values, so if you looking for a car with great residual value both are a excellent option...
I wonder how the new G37 Coupe will hold up to this car, having the 335CI equipped with a Twin Turbo Inline-6 300HP / 300 LB-FT TQ. I'm sure that the G37 will match, if not overpower those numbers, but I'm almost willing to bet the G will be more hefty, and gas mileage will be poorer, since Turbo's are more effective at power output to gas consumption, one of the main reasons SAAB invented them. Anyway I don't understand why the 35 had to become 37 ? BMW has the 325 with a 3.0ltr engine. Can't wait and see what goes down, and what to buy ! !
Seems like this person invented the jet turbine in the 1920's/1930's. The use of turbos in cars is just another adaption of outside technology being brought into the automotive world.
http://www.cwn.org.uk/heritage/people/whittle/biography.html
But turbochargers in and of themselves have been on engines since the 1920s.
http://www.turbolader.net/en/content/history_turbocharger.htm
The 335i should be very potent and much more balanced then the G37, while the new M3 should run rings around everything. You could add a blower to the M3 and make it into an M5.
0-60 times.
Having enough torque, too, cannot be overstated. The BMW 3 series and TL are running about 50 lbs-ft. of torque behind the G. Torque is really what gives the driving experience.
The G is also extremly thirsty. With premium approaching 3.50/gallon, thirsty cars hurt one's pocketbook.
You need to try G35 if you are shopping around.
Can't compare with Acura because I've never driven it.
I think you are wasting your breath on factfinder. I submit two pieces of evidence:
Item #1, his statement: "Torque is really what gives the driving experience."
Item #2: He drives a slush box.
The G35 is a decent car, but I think the above two items of evidence should tell you that his definition of "driving experience" and yours (or mine) is worlds apart. I would submit that anyone that voluntarily drives an automatic "sport" sedan (oxymoron aside) isn't likely to appreciate the finer points of handling, steering, braking, and obviously, the control and enjoyment of a precise short throw manual. To each their own, I guess.
But there are so many more stop lights than there are tight ess turns to weave in and out of. So the buttery thing leaves your hands greasy more often than not.
And most of us can't fit comfortably in a 3er.
Most of us don't drive *your* car.
Of course if winning a stop-light race is your thing, you should go for it.
I didnt look at the BMW ( didnt want German).
The only negative is that i am only getting only about 15 miles per gallon...
good luck
Andrew
The G is an overall stronger package--power, handling & looks. Infiniti melted these 3 attributes together quite well.
"If gas prices are a concern, get a hybrid. People who buy these cars should be able to afford the gas without crying about it."
I'm glad you like the G and also glad you like paying the price at the pump. In the application of the G I'm not sure where the hp advantage really translates into an advantage of the car overall against the BMW. In the class the G is in hp isn't the end all and it's a thirsty car.
As you say the BMW is a little smoother and the G has a little more horsepower, but that's it.
I also test drove a 300 SRT8 which is 425/420 hp/Tq and has the Bembro brakes. My take was this was a fast, well performing car but way less refined than the foreign competition. We won't get into gas mileage because as you say, you should know what you are getting into up front. I think some folks might expect too much from 1 vehicle which are designed for ever more specific modes of getting around.
this is my first post on this forum. Having leased a 2004 BMW 325I with sports and premium packages with smg transmission and now owning a 2005 G35, loaded with manual transmission for four months, I thought I should compare the two cars for anyone looking to buy one or the other.
Although both cars are marketed to the same audience, I find them completely different. The G35 is much larger feeling and driving wise except for the drivers position in which there are several ergonomic issues, that make the driver feel a little cramped. Left shoulder, left knee and right knee bump into areas of the cabin that never were an issue in the smaller 325I. Drivers seat controls on right seat bolster are a real issue if you are over six feet tall. See other forums on this subject but you have been warned here. Otherwise your family will thank you for buying the g35 as mine has when it comes to their comfort.
However, I guess I should start off by saying right away that I miss the BMW a lot. Most important isuue in a sports sedan should be to me anyway how it handles. It handled perfect. No comparison to the G35. I really felt one with the road. The g35 feels heavy in comparison and the way over-active stability control that kicks in a lot when I drive around a corner is a pain.
G35 engine is much more powerful, duh!, but has a lot of vibration that you feel through the clutch and gear shift knob. Clutch is a little heavy and requires a little to much attention to itself when letting it out to shift smoothly. However, to be fair,the SMG in Bmw was fun for awhile but stay away and stick with BMW's excellent manuals.
Sports LUXURY sedan. Bmw has less bling appeal on the surface but offers way more. Things missing or not quite right on the g35 are no night light on the shifter, no day running lights, cigarette lighters turn off when car is off, seperate key fob on manual in 2005 anyway, no auto door lock when car starts, lots of squeeks in my car anyway, right center armrest on manual is useless, high beem color is off, low beems are not the small round type so the light pattern is not so hot, auto A.C. is not as sensitive to cabin temperature, key remote is not adjustable as in open all doors or just the drivers. There is more but you get the idea.
To summarize, the G35 just doesn't feel very sporty or luxurious to me after two years with the 325i, just larger and a little less money. This may sound stupid but it has no soul or anything passionate about it. The BMW was really an ultimate driving machine.
Hope this helps.
So why did you get rid of the 325i? Was it only a 24 month lease?
Back in 2004, I considered the G35, 330i, and Acura TL, all with 6 speed manuals. I felt the same way you did/do about the G35. The TL is obviously FWD limited, but it actually felt lighter and more responsive, with a much smoother revving engine than the G35. The 330i (w/ performance package) was my top choice for handling and driving dynamics, but was a tough fit as a family sedan compared to my outgoing Maxima. I went for the TL figuring it gave me the best combination of size, sportiness, refinement and luxury. Faortunately part two of my plan to get a sports car was completed last fall with a 911S Cab. And it even holds our wholee family, so the TL is getting a little dusty at times.
Can someone tell me if the TL has zenon head lights? Does anyone know the warranty for an Acura TL. I use my car in business and drive ~20,000 miles/yr. Which is better for ride and economy?
Yes, the TL has bi-xenon (HID) headlights with a 4yr/50k miles warranty.
You must drive them both as extesively as possible to make your best decision.
Good luck, have fun and let us know which was the best car for you.
'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...)
From my research and test driving both cars I have found that the interior of the TL is superior to the G35, minus the poor quality of leather in the TL. I am not a huge fan of the auto tranny in the TL as it seems to not shift fast enough when I want it to. The G35 is more fun to drive, but the interior does not seem any better than a regular Nissan. Also, I will have semi-poor road conditions to contend with in the winter and I would have to spring for the X version of the G35 while the FWD of the TL would be fine.
If anyone owns either of these 2 cars could comment on the lasting quality, interior quality (especially the leather quality), winter handling, automatic transmission performance, ground clearance issues for the TL, and overall "It" factor for each I would appreciate it. Thanks
If you live in a snow belt (I'm in Boston area), the TL with the standard tires will not be great in the snow. The larger footprint of the Bridgestone's on my TL combined with the fact that they are just not good in the snow has presented me with some challenges the past couple of winters. If I was using the TL to head to ski country, snows would be mandatory. I won't be a repeat Turanza EL42 customer...
I, too, considered (among others) the G35 and the TL and here is why the TL was the winner for me vs. the G:
Better styling both inside and out.
Better materials and layout of the interior.
Smoother, quieter ride (coming from a Chrylser 300M, great car btw, I wanted quieter...)
Better mpg.
FWD vs the added weight/complexity of AWD.
I enjoyed the Infiiti's power and handling. But I lean towards the luxury side of the luxury/sports sedan equation.
Good luck, let us know which turns out to be the best car for you!
'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...)
My TL 6-speed shifts just fine. Nice short throws that are nearly as precise as my former S2000 and much better than the G35 6-speed I tested in 2004. But I am also not at all impressed with the performance of Acura's automatic transmissions. They fall well behind BMW and Mercedes, and even Infiniti and Lexus, IMO. We would gladly have paid extra for a TL style 6-speed in our MDX, had that been an option.
I've heard every excuse why people claim they need an automatic. Most are lame. My wife and I have each been driving 30+ years, live in traffic unfriendly DC and still, with the exception of the MDX, neither of us has ever owned an automatic. If wives can take up golf and tennis, they sure as hell can learn to drive a stick. Heck, my youngest daughter could shift my S2000 from 1st to 2nd and back from the passenger seat when she was 5 (with her left hand). She would tell me when when to push in the clutch. We never went over 20 mph, but that's beside the point.
Unless you have a physical disability, you really ought to consider the TL 6-speed. In addition to a manual transmission, it has exceptional Brembo brakes and a sportier suspension that makes it tighter handling. Just don't order the high performance tire option. The Bridgestone Potenza's are great on dry pavement, but a bit squirmish in the snow.
Do you two have any problems with the low clearance issue? Some reviews have said that they scrape their TLs on the pavement when going up abrupt inclines and on curbs.
I found large dealers in DC had at least 1-2 6-speeds to test drive. My small hometown dealer had to order a 6-speed (in reality, swap allocations) to get a navi in my exact color choice. But it only took a few weeks. They are in western PA, within a couple hundred miles of the Acura factory in Ohio at whcih the TL is ade, so that may have helped.
I don't have problems with low clearance over speed bumps or up and down ramps. You can't drive your wheels right up to a 7-8" high concrete wheel stop in a parking lot, but I think that's the case with almost all cars today. If the front apron on the TL is any lower than my 1995 Maxima, it's only by an inch or less.
Regarding the 2004 model, I have 23,000 miles on mine and have a couple of friends that have 35,000 and 40,000 miles respectively. I am not aware of any new model bugs, so I wouldn't avoid the 2004 model year, if that gets you what you want at the right price. My 1995 Maxima and 2005 911 were also first model year redesigns without any problems.
306 HP - was just announced..
To address the TL and G35 shopper, take CR's advice. If you want luxury with a little sport, get the TL. If you want performance with a little luxury, get a G. 306 ponies are bound to kick something!
Better electronics? The G35 also has bluetooth hands free. The G35 also has things the TL does not, like power tilt/telescoping steering wheel with memory, keyless/intelligent locks/ignition, MP3 support, RDS Display on radio, etc.
Dave
I had the G for about 8 months now and never had any problems with the key. I think the problem is minimal. People don't know how convenience it is until they have it.
Mine is 5 months old and no problems to speak of.
Yes, there is a known issue with the codes in the fob getting scrambled if you allow your fob to sit directly on your cell phone and the phone receives a call... but this is being corrected and we should all have new keys by the end of Sept.
This is my first car with a keyless ignition and with my experience so far, I hope all of my future cars have the option as well.
1. Insert key
2. Turn key
Thank goodness we're getting rid of this bit of mechanical Rube Goldberg-ism. I hear there's something called I-Drive that greatly enhances the driving experience too!
:P
'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...)