hemants

As I said. The AWD G35 sedan coming this fall will put an interesting twist into the decision process for those looking for sports sedans at that time.

vandy786

They gave it their best shot though.

SCWells72

Until the G35 was released, the TL-S was the car I would recommend to my friends and family shopping for a sedan in the $30-35K range. However, at this point I wholeheartedly endorse the G35. The availability of a manual transmission, the extra features (dual-zone climate control, reclining rear seats, pop up/down navi, etc.), RWD (and forthcoming AWD) configuration, extra torque, etc., won me over.

I still prefer the interior of the TL-S to the interior of the G35, but there are aftermarket matched real wood packages that fix that up pretty well, and the items I noted above just push the G35 over the TL-S.

I'll be interested to see how the new TL drives with the manual tranny, especially if Acura puts AWD on it at some point.

garylee55

I got rid of my TL-S after the two tranny failures and got a G35 sedan...and it is...or I should say...was a sweet ride. When the FX came out, I HAD to have one of those, so I traded the G35 for an AWD FX35...now talk about your sweet ride!!!!!

andrewsky

Sorry Gary, but I would change that last line to,"Now talk about a waste of money!"

No offense

garylee55

Why is that?

vandy786

Man, give gary some credit. You can tell he loves cars with a passion, hence all the trade-ins. As for the FX35, I saw an orange one today. Looked kinda funny but I thought it looked impressive. He wanted to give me a run but I was with my sister and had the AC on. What color is yours gary? And how fast are those things?

VolkRacing

Man, while I was at the dealer signing my papers for my G coupe...I sat in a fully loaded FX45, yeah I admit they look a little funky, but man were they nice...stickering at $52k!!
But had it's crazy 20" wheels, some tech package ( I think it's pretty much the entertainment package w/ all the flip down screens and such...not sure) Almost wanted to just jump into one of those and go home...but didn't feel like plopping down another 12k at the moment, and besides the real reason for me wanting the g coupe was for the styling and the 6-speed anyway.

But I wouldn't mind an FX

SCWells72

I REALLY like the FX! The FX35 is obviously more practical and seems to be the best compromise of sportiness and comfort based on reviews, but you have to love the engine and 20" wheels on the FX45 (well, assuming you buy into the FX to begin with!).

Maybe when my 4Runner decides to sleep with the fishies I'll look at a used one...

garylee55

I got the Brilliant Silver color with a willow and black interior.

I didn't get the 315 V-8, but I did get the 280 HP VQ engine...and it is f-a-s-t...but probably the best thing is the handling in these things. It is incredible how you can whip in and out of corners and not even feel anywhere near like you're going to flip! It just digs in and hugs the curves! And the growl from the exhaust is cool too! People just about break their necks turning their heads in the rush hour traffic though...a couple of scary instances...but always a thumbs up!

Oh, and the 20" wheels are part of the Sport Package that you can get on the FX35...and that's what I got. I opted not to get the tech package though, so I got it for under $40k.

Man...I don't care what you think of it just from looking at it...but, just go drive one, and there will be no question in your mind!!!

hemants

I almost bought an FX but for a big vehicle it sure is small.

I'm going to stuff my TLS trunk full of our usual gear and drive to the Infiniti dealership to see how much I can fit in the FX without compromising the rear view. I'll post pics.

garylee55

I wondered how long it would take you to chime in...

THE FX IS NOT AN SUV CARGO HAULER!

hemants

"THE FX IS NOT AN SUV CARGO HAULER!"

Actually it can haul a lot of cargo with the rear seats folded down.

But for someone who needs passenger room and more cargo room than a sedan without sacrificing a sporty ride, the FX may be a bit tight.

SCWells72

But that's equally true of the FX's primary competition like the X5 as well. Heck, with all the seats in their normal positions, the X5 has virtually no cargo space!

The FX is a crossover, not an SUV.

hemants

The X5 is a joke. No utility and handling doesn't compare to a 5 series sedan.

What exactly is the purpose of a crossover? Isn't the MDX considered a crossover? Or the RX330? Is that a "crossover"?

SCWells72

Valid point on the MDX and RX330. So is the Volvo V70 XC since it's kind of a wagon, kind of an SUV. I'm not sure there's a clear definition of a crossover other than to say that it's a "mutt" of many purposes. In the MDX/RX330's cases, that means car-like ride quality with SUV-like cargo space, ride height, etc. In the X5/FX's case, that means sport sedan-like ride quality with SUV-like form factor, albeit shortening the cargo space in the rear to better accomplish the "sport sedan-like" ride quality.

Good question, though...

DrivebyTLS-03

The FX looks so gay, like a raised hard-top miata with 20's

hemants

I agree and I see the point. But I am not convinced that the FX delivers on the sweet spot of utility/performance.

eg. Slalom times (best proxy for real world sporty handling)

G35 Sedan 65.6 mph
X5 61
FX45 61
Murano 60.7
Honda Odyssey 59.4

See what I mean?

garylee55

You are rude...on so many levels...not to mention, visually impaired. :p

Monte TLS,MAX

Its not my cup of tea FX35/45 either I would much rather have a Murano(I like the styling much better than the FX) if I was looking at that type of vehicle. To each his own!

garylee55

Drive them back to back...phew! Viva la diference!!!

DrivebyTLS-03

I disagree, I feel im rude on only the third level because the second is too proper and the fourth is too much, I didnt mean to offend your pink miata nor your musical preference of Liberace it just turned out that way didnt it..... I could just picture you now driving along in your Mini Cooper saying "I just need the power of the PT Cruiser" but like dude above me said "To each his own"

Oh and im not visually impaired, I just happen to like wearing blue-blockers..... huge Ray Charles fan

1SICKLEX

For the price I'd get a GX 470 cause it has TRUE off-road capability. WHo needs a fast SUV? Who needs a SUV with no room? To flip over faster? I am not a big fan of basically raised station wagons. 540 wagon or A-6 wagon anyone? I guess the "cool" factor has to play in, but your only cool to other soccer moms and dads. I gotta give Infiniti Marketing credit concerning the FX though. Shame they can't pull the same stunt on the M45.

To each his own, I'd rather a slow, boxy, true SUV, than a slick, fast SAV.

And the TL-S shares a lil luxo and a lil sport while the G35 is no-luxo and all sport.

phatratpak

who'd have thought this thread would've gone this long and ended so lamely... hehe

hemants

"For the price I'd get a GX 470 cause it has TRUE off-road capability. WHo needs a fast SUV? Who needs a SUV with no room? To flip over faster? I am not a big fan of basically raised station wagons. 540 wagon or A-6 wagon anyone? I guess the "cool" factor has to play in, but your only cool to other soccer moms and dads."

I happen to agree, particularly on the safety issue. But unfortunately, you and I are a minority and the SUV/SAV image is engrained into the public (just like Jerry Springer I guess, people want it!).

There's no reason why Infiniti or Acura couldn't build an AWD TLS or G35 wagon that would be faster, better handling, and carry more cargo than the FX. But then there would only be two buyers

garylee55

Hey 1sicklex, long time, no speak.

Just a couple of points. I don't think u can get a GX 470 for $36k (AWD FX35 w/sport package at VPP of $36k). You really don't need the V-8...and I get plenty of utility and have used my FX to haul things that certainly wouldn't have fit in my G35! I don't think I will ever drive anything fast enough to roll it, but you just have to go test drive an FX...it is too much fun too drive!!!

Also, you might want to read this blurb about the new Lexus:

http://www.imakenews.com/autospies/e...e000162832.cfm

2003 tl-s

Fast SUVs make as much sense as slow sports cars, but both are still made and sold. If the public will buy it, I see no reason why the auto manufacturers shouldn't build it. That is the beauty about the auto industry - there are so many choices for the consumer. Who would want to go back to the one-size-fits-all world of the Model T anyway?

AudiS4gasm

The FX45 is growing on me, Im begining to really like the thing. Exactly how fast is it? Like 0-60 and quarter mile, if there are such numbers out.

VQ35DE

Per Car & Driver:
0-60: 6.3 seconds
1/4 mile ET: 15.0 sec @ 93mph
skidpad: .87g (remarkable for an SUV)
70-0mph braking: 160 feet (once more, remarkable for an SUV)

Outside of a Cayenne, no other SUV can touch it (performancewise).

Peace

galfert

I thought this tread was about comparing the TL and the G35. You guys are way off topic here.

garylee55

ANd you just moved it even further off topic...oops...so did I...oh man, will it ever end? :p

1SICKLEX

See that is my thing. There is no such thing as performance wise for a SUV. It's a foot off the ground. It's heavy and runs like a NFL linesman.

The FXs are good SAVs/SUVs, I am they will be solid in quality, they look different and will make owners happy but not performance cars.

The link, I think it's the fact people are pissed it (GX 470) did not meet the 6,000lbs criteria for the tax break, people bought em and are pissed. That and I think some of these new Lexus owners are quite frankly idiots.

Anyway, in a SICK way, I like the Cayenne. But it's just personal preference, I'd get a SUV first over a SAV.

jdone

I drove home today next to a very, very red one. I can't decide if it looked cool or strange and fugly.