andrewsky

Why did you buy your TL-S over the G35?

goldendragon576

Because the G35 wasn't out yet when I bought my TL-S. But after test driving the G35 I'm glad I went with the TL-S. I didn't like the inside of the G35 and it was just one of those cars that I just didn't feel comfortable in. Like my dad's RX300, I hate driving that car but love my MDX!

Twenty03 Type-S

Well, if you price the G35 with all the standard features of the TL-S it should come pretty clear how much more money the G35 is with "options" that come standard on the TL-S.

The TL-S is a better value for the money IMO.

andrewsky

Oh, really. I didn't know that it was that much cheaper. That's cool!

Twenty03 Type-S

I should qualify my post... here in Los Angeles I couldn't find a G35 under $33k.

You might do better where you are at.

hemants

The G35 is nice but I have some issues:

1. i need FWD or AWD for Toronto winters
2. interior is somewhat boyish, TLS is classy
3. stock wheels are hopelessly over-offset on the G35 (mind you with BBS wheels the G35 looks great)

To be honest, the G35 wasn't around when I bought but I still think it would be a tough call.

Now if they came out with an AWD sedan that looks more like the G35 coupe then I'd hit it!!!

Monte TLS,MAX

The guys are correct with the base G35 you dont get alot of the standard features of the TLS or the Maxima. To get one loaded my my Max or TLS it would have been 34k to much IMO.

jdone

Nissan cars always look cheap,especially interiors, no matter how much they cost. Hondas always look like they cost more than they really do, especially the interiors.

r10apple

I went and looked at one (they weren't available when I got my TL-S) to see if it was worth trading.
They wanted over $36,000 for the model with the options I wanted and the interior was not up to par.
It drove very nicely, handled great and had gobs of torque. Overall, I wasn't as quick as my TL-S (post mods) and didn't have all the aftermarket support I wanted to add some stuff. Finally, the cost and interior did not make it worth while. Maybe in two years after they change the interior fit, etc a little and the price comes more in line.
I really want a RWD or AWD car and the G35, IS300 and A4 are all on my list in 2 years...

LiQiCE

I dunno, I personally dont like the looks of the G35 Sedan. I think the G35 Coupe looks nice.. but even though they look similar, there's just something about the G35 Sedan's ass that makes me cringe.

I think I may have gone the G35 Coupe route if I had the $$$ and it was available for sale when I bought my TL-S.

But, I'm very happy with the TL-S, not even thinking about trading it in like so many on ACL are doing with their CL-S's.

CSB01

I was very keen on the G35 Coupe when it came out. I didn't like the sedan, but the coupe looked really cool.

Subsequently I drove one. The inside is very cheesy, typical of Nissan. Very cramped interior if you're over 6 feet. It was a quick car no doubt about it, but I found the shifter a bit clumsy.

Just not the car for me. I think I'll stick with my TLS for now.

Lycos

1. Looks: I fell in love with the TL with the 2002 upgrades. And I just like the looks of my TL-S much better than the G35 (only my little opinion). I also think the TL will age extremely well (like all Honda/Acura cars). The G35 may look trite 5 years down the road.

2. Value: Best value for the money out there and great resale.

3. Price: I live in the Seattle area and I did look at the infiniti. There is one, read one infiniti dealer in WA state. To get the G35 with options comparable to the TL-S was almost 36k.

4. Reliability: I've had many Hondas and they've never let me down. I do think this tranny thing is a bit overblown.

5. Love, just love that engine. It's amazing. Sure the G35 has gobs of torque, but it's not as silky smooth and refined. Honda engines are really something.

I could go on, but bottom line, there was no better car for the money, nothing came close: A4, Saab 9-3, 3-Series, etc.

ferizzo

I agree with everyone here that the G35s is a damn good car but there were a few things I like about the TLS a little more. I live in NE so winters can be harsh so the FWD vs RWD was an issue. Price was another. I am not a big fan of the interior in the G. I do like the G exterior and even the rear has grown on me but I disagree that the TLS is Bland. I love the look of this car! And the main reason I picked the TLS over the G was that the G wasn't quit out yet, although I knew about it. Didn't get a chance to drive it till after I had bought the TLS. Great car but didn't make me think I made the wrong decision.

kennelm

The October 2002 C/D had a bake-off, where the TL-S placed 3rd (1. 330i 2. A4 CVT 3. TL-S 4. G35).

Comments re: TL-S engine:

...the best V-6 in the group: potent mid- and high-range punch, quick to rev, sewing-machine smoothness from idle to redline, and an "I-mean-business" growl at wide-open whack.

Oh. One other thing. C/D loves the tranny:

The only conventional automatic more likely to select the perfect gear under trying circumstances is the BMW's.

Drunkenmin

I like G35 and all but when u start comparing them there is big difference. THinka bout it. G35 has 280hp and 270lb torque with RWD and it's a DOHC. And TLS is 260hp and 232lb torque with FWD and SOHC. And G35 runs around 14.3 with 6speed manual and TLS runs 14.9 with Sportshift. And they only have 100lb difference in weight and .6seconds in 1/4 mile. Don't you think G35 should be alot more faster than that. with that much more advantages of having RWD and DOHC engine. And also has more power and lighter than TLS. And you gotta be the perfect with the manual in order to get 14.3. so i think G35 is kind of crap compare to the TLS. If TLS had the spec of the G35, TLS should run easily 13's.

EmuMessenger

The TL Navi is hands down much better than the G35. Although, the Accord/TSX navi is far superior to the TL.

No memory seats in the G coupe and also no power recline, if my memory serves me right.

The G does have awesome Brembo brakes!

y2ks2k

I like what the G35 stands for and I would have bought one over my Tls if it were not so abolutly but ugly. Im choosing to sell my TLs and get an Sti whne they come down in price (Yes, I will remove the wing)...

Average Jose

Guys i was reading consumer reports and it states the g36 0-60 time is 6.8 and the TLS is 6.5. How is that possible if the g35 has the Z's engine(this is what i thought i heard, i may be wrong)

LiQiCE

You're talking the G35 Coupe now with 280/270, which does run around 5.5 sec 0-60, and 14.2 @ 100mph 1/4 mile (C&D April 2003).. I'd imagine its geared to be faster from 0-60 (and all that torque probably helps too) ...

The G35 Sedan only makes 260hp/260 ft/lbs. Still numbers wise its better than the TL-S, but according to C&D (May 2002) it runs numbers similar to the TL-S (0-60 is 6.2, 1/4 mile 14.9 @ 96mph)..

I do admit the TL-S #s are pretty impressive when you compare it to the G35s... and considering the G35 is a 3.5L DOHC.

The CL-S 6spd is just as impressive too, putting down a 5.9sec 0-60 and 14.6sec @ 98mph 1/4 mile ... All from the same engine, just different tranny

Gotta wonder what the TL-S/CL-S would run with a tuned 3.5L DOHC Honda engine in there! Although even with the 3.5L upgrade on the car, it runs some pretty damn impressive numbers... I think typeR was running somewhere in the high 13s, which would be enough to best the G35 coupe at that point.

vandy786

I know several people with the G35 and 2002/2003 Maxima SE. I found it interesting that in the automatic versions of both cars, the transmission has to be manipulated to downshift at certain speeds. This problem exists even after their hesitation ECU fix was applied. It's no wonder that when I catch a Maxima off guard, the driver is never able to catch up and keeps loosing ground. Now from a stop, that's another story.... gobs of torque and RWD in the G35's case.....

Onerastaman

i went with the TL-S for value and aftermarket tuner support

cats2cars

I made a conditional deal on TLS A spec with delivery to be in about 2 weeks. This unfortunately gives me time to second guess my decision. I looked at a G35 sedan today and although I don't absolutely swoon with desire when I see the car it is attractive enough. That aside, some observations were;

Pro's :

Smaller car - more tossable in corners.

Quite well planted at highway speeds.

The steering seemed more communicative.

Quick car.

6 speed manual transmission.

You can purchase aftermarket performance parts from the dealership I went to which means you could do a great deal of modifying and they would still honour the warrenty.

Cons :

Price - The dealers don't seem to be willing to
negotiate much on sticker.

Smaller car - Interior room is noticeably tighter than the Tl
especially the back seats.

Less trunk room.

The bottom line for me was that although the G35 is an attractive (I would have to do something about that front grill though), athletic vehicle that has the manual transmission I desire. With the dealerships being unwilling to give any kind of discount and Acura being fairly generous in this area, Acura won my business.

My beefs with the TL are a lack of a manual transmission, no telescoping steering wheel and no fold down rear seats. (I don't think the G35 had that either)

Dollar for dollar I believe you get more with the Tl than you do with the G35.

Pauli

I would have gotten the G35 (when I got my TL-S this past March) if it were within $1500 of the TL-S. Interior on TL-S is slightly better and gas mileage is significantly better, but the G35 is RWD, has alot of torque, has much better brakes, and handles better (sport package). I think the G35 looks great and comes in some fantastic colors. If I were in the market for a manual tranny, I definitely would have gotten the G35S MT.

vandy786

I think a used G35 would be a good investment for a second car. They don't hold value nearly as well as TL's do.

malibu1

Doesn't it always come down to price in the end??? Unless you have money to burn, and if you did you wouldn't be on this forum, you would be in your Ferrari right now. So what it comes to is the TLs has more bang for the buck, period. You can certainly overlook the front drive, thin paint, etc. for a lighter payment every month. True?

VTEChump

Drove both, performance wise the G35 is better (RWD, more torque, 6speed).

But with comparable features my TL cost me $28,500 versus
over $33,500 for the G35, plus infiniti stiffed me on my trade (98 CL).

And the $5000 I saved is already spent in mods(TEINs, 19s, Icebox, OEM body kit.....:p . Somethin I couldn't do had I got the G... I'd Rather have a modded TL-s than a stock G35.

1SICKLEX

The former yes, the latter

kchao2000

Well... the G35 didn't available when I purchased TL-S. Also there are too many "options" need to add for a G35. I consider TL-S is really fully loaded.

VolkRacing

Well....
I own both cars...
Well I have an 02 TL-S w/ navi... and an 03 G35 Coupe 6-speed (just picked her up friday night)
I guess it's like comparing apples and oranges since one's a coupe and the other a sedan....

But I'll let you know what I've noticed....
The TL-S...an awesome value (minus the crappy tranny). You couldn't ask for more....moonroof standard, Leather standard, HID standard, etc. etc. I still love this car, but w/ tranny problems and such...disappoints me in that aspect. But overall Build quality...the TL definitely has a nicer, more classy interior, and the Navi is way easier to use. Also this car's trunk is relatively huge, but I guess it's really not fair to compare that to a sports coupe.

The G35 Coupe is just fun fun fun and did I mention FUN? OH my I was all smiles driving this monster home Friday night. The stock exhaust sounds sweet. The 6-speed is fun to drive, the throws are relatively close, and the car handles pretty damn well for a stock car. Suspension feels stiffer than the TL-S does stock to Stock. Getting on the sweeping freeway onramp, this car just stuck to it. And boy, the torque is just flat out nice. I have yet to push it over 4k rpms, but man, in any gear you can feel the power. The power delivery is extremely smooth, and quite honestly the back seats were a little roomier than I expected. The pop up navi is kinda cool since you can hide it away when not in use, and the navi's got a built in trip computer and fuel economy status screen. The materials used for the interior feel a little sub quality, but I didn't really buy this car to gripe about the interior... so party on for me. One big gripe about this car was, to have it even comparable to the TL-S, I had to throw on the navi package ($2000), and then when you get the navi,. they force you to take the Premium package for $2250 (Homelink, Moonroof, 2-way climate control, Bose Stereo, etc.) most of which was standard on the TL.

Kudos to Acura for making the TL-S a nice respectable performance sedan w/ many features as standard. That was the main reason why I bought the TL-S. and Kudos to Infiniti for making such a damn sexy car....I had 5 people honk at me today and give me a thumbs up and several kids do a double take as I drove by, 2 girls hang out their window to tell me they love my car...and everybody and their mothers at my church asking for a ride around the block, including my pastors LoL. I shoulda charge $10 a ride, I'd be rich. This was all probably within a span of 1-2 hours of total driving time.

Sorry So Long....

arlan

g35 is 5k cheaper and trany is bulletproof, go with tl if you have extra 5 k and 200k tranny warranty

VTEChump

huh? 5k cheaper?, what dealer is this, If the G35 was 5k cheaper I would have one.

vandy786

Buy a used G35 next year and it will be $20k cheaper. Lol.

y2ks2k

I agree with the suspension, its made to be a little sporty but "keep that luxury" feel. I find that my TL with ZR tires, performance springs (not dropped springs), REALLY comes around as far as perf goes. Just taking the stock tires of alone is a massive improvement. People don’t realize how bad the stock tires really take a bite out of the handling of the car. I think with this setup, the TL can surpassed the stock handling perf of the G35 even with FWD. I don’t think there is much that can be done about the TLs's horrible brakes though...

Then again, the TLs would need a 6 speed to.

Type S Lady

Hated the inside, and after adding the "extras" out of my price range

VolkRacing

Yeah I hear ya...the stock tires are HORRIBLE on the TL. With my H&R sport springs, comptech sways and the Bridgestone Potenza S-03's the car was pretty darn nimble and agile for such a big car. And the tires I feel are one of the TL's worst enemies... But then again I don't plan on leaving the G's suspension stock either...probably some coilovers and some 19's in the near future...The wheels I want haven't been released in a 19 yet but I believe they plan on the end of the year... And you're absolutely right on the brakes...after going from the cushy TL brakes to the brembo 4 pistons on the G...I almost crapped my pants stopping so fast...and smacked myself since i need to break the brakes in as well...

VQ35DE

It's obvious they weren't representing.

VQ35DE

With 25hp/24lb-ft less than your G35C (not to mention FWD), I can also fully relate your comment.

What I love about the VQ35DE's power delivery is how much pull you get @ just 1/2 throttle.

PeterUbers

iTrader: (1)

I dunno about you guys .. if I lived in a part of the country where it NEVER SNOWED... i would never buy a front wheel drive car again .. but I don't, i live in chicago .. and can't afford a fleet of different cars... i.e.. I can only drive one car.. and I need that car to do many different things: 1) perform, 2) haul ass, 3) ski thru the snow in the winter...

The Type S does all of that ... and still looks cool, and handles pretty good.. end of conversation for me.

The G35C is awesome times 100 .. but not in the snow .. so that ended any further thought about that particular car.

VTEChump

Ditto....I really hate FWD, but I have no choice...Although I've heard the G is alright in snow with good winter tires...

VolkRacing

Yeah if I had to deal with snow, I'd make sure I had at least another car along with the G. But fortunately for me...it hardly even rains here in so. cal. But the cool thing about where I live...
I can drive an hour and a half if I want snow, and drive like half an hour if I want the beach, not to mention like 1/2 an hour to major amusement parks But then again I'll probably die before all you others due to massive smog inhalation and environmental fallout. It's sad when you can't see the snow capped mountains due to the nasty smog here.



I Concur! The car is so easy to drive because the power and torque is always there!