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Acura TL vs Infiniti G35 vs BMW 330xi

247 messages,  Last post on Aug 15, 2007 at 1:38 PM

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What is this discussion about? Acura TL, Infiniti G35, BMW 3 Series, Sedan

Messages Page 24 of 26

#222 of 247 Re: TL vs G35 [bearvp] by habitat1

Aug 01, 2006 (8:05 am)

Replying to: bearvp (Jul 31, 2006 12:51 pm)
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.
 
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.

#223 of 247 Re: TL vs G35 [habitat1] by bearvp

Aug 01, 2006 (9:33 am)

Replying to: habitat1 (Aug 01, 2006 8:05 am)
I understand that different tires come on the navi vs non-navi models. Are the Michelins on the navi models any better quality than the Bridgestone ones you guys have? On my budget I am looking for a 2005 or 2006 once the 07's come out and it is pretty hard to find a manual trans TL out there. I'd like navi, but it is not a must for me since I bet I would use it less than 5% of my driving time. I am pretty sure that given the quality of build for Acuras buying a couple years used isn't a problem. I am trying to stay away from 04 TLs since it was a redesigning year and usually those are trouble spots.
 
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.

#224 of 247 Re: TL vs G35 [bearvp] by habitat1

Aug 01, 2006 (2:01 pm)

Replying to: bearvp (Aug 01, 2006 9:33 am)
I have a 2004 6-speed w/ navigation. When I bought, there was no difference in tires between navi and non-navi models. All automatics got Bridgestone Tourenzas. The 6-speed had an option for "HPT" (high performance tires), which, for an extra $200, replaced the Bridgestone Tourenzas with much better Bridgestone Potenzas. I'm not sure what they are using currently.
 
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.

#225 of 247 07 G35 Sedan will have 306 HP..and look like this.. by boiko

Aug 02, 2006 (6:12 am)

http://www.capitalnews9.com/content/headlines/?SecID=33&ArID=187147
 
306 HP - was just announced..

#226 of 247 2007 TL ? speculation by g35coupe1

Aug 05, 2006 (9:28 am)

http://www.boston.com/cars/news/articles/2006/08/05/type_s_as_in_sinister/

#227 of 247 Re: 07 G35 Sedan will have 306 HP..and look like this.. [boiko] by factfinder

Aug 07, 2006 (1:29 pm)

Replying to: boiko (Aug 02, 2006 6:12 am)
Oh yea! I'm trading my 05 in for an 07.
 
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!

#228 of 247 Re: 2007 TL ? speculation [g35coupe1] by factfinder

Aug 07, 2006 (1:33 pm)

Replying to: g35coupe1 (Aug 05, 2006 9:28 am)
0-60 in about 5 seconds! Yikes!

#229 of 247 Re: TL vs G35 [bearvp] by goodegg

Aug 08, 2006 (8:39 pm)

Replying to: bearvp (Jul 31, 2006 12:51 pm)
Get the TL. Fun to drive, 32 mpg highway, looks better, priced lower, less aggrivating issues (check out problems and solutions on this board for both cars and you'll see what I mean), MORE ROOM (I felt a bit cramped in the G35), better standard electronics (Hands Free Link for bluetooth phones,etc.) and American made! (doesn't hurt to pump our econonmy)

#230 of 247 Re: TL vs G35 [leadfoot6] by avs007

Aug 12, 2006 (8:45 am)

Replying to: goodegg (Aug 08, 2006 8:39 pm)
Get the TL. Fun to drive, 32 mpg highway, looks better, priced lower, less aggrivating issues (check out problems and solutions on this board for both cars and you'll see what I mean), MORE ROOM (I felt a bit cramped in the G35), better standard electronics (Hands Free Link for bluetooth phones,etc.) and American made! (doesn't hurt to pump our econonmy)
 
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.

#231 of 247 Buying Used by bearvp

Aug 12, 2006 (5:04 pm)

So I am still thinking about an 05 TL as my car of choice right now. I just test drove a 2003 BMW 330xi and it felt alot better on the road than the TL, but the interior was pretty skimp on a $30k car. I don't have the money to buy a brand new car and obviously a Japanese car will hold its value better than a German one, but I just wanted to see what people thought on this...is there a huge difference over an 04 TL and an 05 TL? Consumer Reports says 04 is a trouble-spot year for the TL bc of the redesign and they rate the body integrity pretty low for that year. I figure if I wait for the 07 TL to come out I will be able to find a cheaper 05 with navi for the same price as an 05 is currently. Does anyone have an opinion on a solid reason to get an 05 over an 04 other than it just being a year newer? Thanks.

Messages Page 24 of 26

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