Well I have had my G35C Auto for about six months now and I thought I would give a comparison since many people have traded the CL-S6 in for the G35.

Engine- Both engines are very good,but in different ways. The is hard to compare since the G coupe is my first automatic. The G has a very nice push in the 4-5K mark and does loose some steam at the top end. The CL, which in my mind lacked a little low end power had the great VTEC pull. I miss that. The CL revs more willingly then the G. Basically the G has better low end and midrange, but the CL revs quicker and has the bonus of VTEC. ADVANTAGE: EVEN

Tranny- Again hard to compare, but the G auto is a nice piece for an auto. The sport shift is pretty good but not great. It toke me some time to get used to the CL clutch. My old RSX was easier to shift day in and dau out. The CL tranny seemed stubborn at times, but an overall nice feel. The G auto will rev up to the redline pretty easily without using the sportshift. ADVANTAGE: EVEN

Acceleration: Very similar zero to sixty in real world driving. From 5-60 I think the G is faster and os faster on the highway. Again to close to call a true winner. ADVANTAGE: EVEN

Interior: The CL-S has a much better feel, I like how the G gauge cluster moves up and down with the steering wheel. Other than that CL-S has it beat as far as looks and feel quality. ADVANTAGE: CL-S

Seats: I like the sporier feel of the seats in the G. The CL-S seats are comfortable, but lack the support of the seats in the G. I don't mind the controls on the seats either. ADVANTAGE: G35C

Handling: Sorry G35 easily, no comparison. ADVANTAGE: G35C

Ride: Again this depends on what you like. I only have the 17' inch wheels and the ride is more rough in the G than the CL-S. Over medium bumps and potholes the G is slighty harsh, but sporty. The CL offers a more refined ride. I like the firmness of the G, but it can be a little rough at times.
ADVANTAGE: EVEN

GAS Mileage: CL-S hands down. I have only averaged over 20mpg once in the G and it was all highway. The CL-S fared well in city driving when I had it. ADVANTAGE: CL-S

Looks: Depends on preference, but I prefer the look of the G. Clean lines and sportier looking. ADVANTAGE: G35C

Rattles: Always a concern when geting a new car. The CL-S was pretty much rattle proof for me. The G is also pretty solis, but the glovebox has developed an annoying rattle when cold. The CL did the same thing when I first got it, but went away. ADVANTAGE: CL-S

Brakes: Both have a very different feel. The G stops on a dime, but the brakes can be touchy. The CL had average brakes in my mind, nothing wrong with them, but nothing special as far as brake feel. Seemed to react slow at times. ADVANTAGE: G35C

Paint: I had an ABP CL-S and never had any paint issues, the G is white and have not had any out of the ordinary issues. ADVANTAGE: EVEN

Audio: CL-S hands down. I do not have the Bsoe in the G and it does not sound very good. The CL-S had a pretty clear sound in my opinion. The G lacks clarity and took me some tme to find the perect settings. ADVANTAGE: CL-S

Overall both cars are superb values in my mind. I miss having a manual tranny bad. I just can't get used to the auto. My next car will be a manual for sure. Although if I had to get an auto in any car I am glad it was the G. It does a good job of smooth shifting and manual mode is pretty solid compared to similar cars in the same price range. I would give the edge to the G35 just because I prefer the looks of the car and it offers a sportier feel. The edge however iwould be very slight since the CL-S 6 speed is such a great car. If Acura can get it together and bring something out to compete with the G35C I would come back.

 

You, basturd. You've had 2 of my dream cars. Just kidding nice write-up. I'm getting a manual maxima or cl-s manual when I finish school. Hopefully some boost too. Just don't compare your ride to a 99 cl 2.3 manual b/c I'll get depressed.

 

Why did you get an automatic G35??? especially if you had a 6 speed CLS?
Automatics are a waste of such good engines in these cars IMO..

 

well said, but under extreme measures and conditions, that is if the same amount of $$$$ were spent to mod them. BOOst comes to mind ,...........................i think the G35 outperforms the cl-s

 

I know my 350Z R is a LOT quicker to 60 than my auto CL. Pulls harder from down low in a linear fashion to redline. Don't know how it would stack up to a manual CL but I suspect, it wouldn't be much different.

 

I got the auto due to cost primarily. The manual is harder to find and for some reason the auto industry is headed in the direction where a manual tranny actually costs more. I must confess I love the fact that the G has held it's value so well and I forgot to mention how great the exhaust sounds.(stock) However, the CL-S was so well eqipped for the price it is crazy. The CL-S was an excellent value in my opinion. I actually got the G for less than the CL, but the sticker was higher on the CL. Either way you cannot go wrong with either car. I have an 04 G and I know the 05 interior is much better in terms of feel and looks.

 

You forgot the RWD advantage of the G (if you ever take it to the track.) Unless, of course, that's grouped in with handling. Nice review! If the two cars were available back in '01 I would have went G all the way!

 

I just got a ZR at the end of 04, the engine pulls very differently than the VTEC in my CLS. I like the VTEC when it kicks in, but that 3.5 had more linear torque through the band. Both are 6MT BTW...

One advantage of the 350 ZR over the G35 (which I was also looking at) - the top comes down

 

why did u chose the auto on the G

 

Nice review Adam.

If we could mix things up a bit here's how I would want them:
G35/w/aero body, CLS engine and 6 speed tranny, RWD, CLS interior.

But thats just my thinking.. I would rather have the manual transy.

Congrats on the G though. Both great looking cars.

- Andy