cstreet

I am about 2-3 months away from getting a new ride. I was set on waiting for the 06 TL changes and getting an 05 or 06 TL depending on what's new. Then the other day I stopped by the Infiniti dealer and checked out an M35. I already did the G35 vs TL comparison and the TL was the clear winner. The M35 is slightly more money but it is a great car and makes the decision for a TL harder now. Did anyone else look at the M35?

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96 Porsche 911
96 Saturn (Daily Driver)

TheTriads

I thought there's M45, so they're making M35? I thought it was G35

cstreet

I think the M45 is more well known but they have an M35, M35x (AWD), M35S (Sport), M45, and M45S (Sport). The M35 has the same engine as the G35.

ThaShef

I personally think M35 and TL are in different class, I think TL offers a lot for the cost, but M35 is a great car too, thats my personal opinion.

crazymjb

The M is a great car, still not as sporty looking though. If you do get it at least get the AWD, or the M45.

mark 3M bra man

If you want to compare, then compare the M to the RL, not TL. Different class of car. Sure, it will be nicer, but $15k nicer??? I do not think so.

Lister00169

The prices for an M45 when equipped like the TL, will run over 45K (rough estimate). It is more line to compete against the RL and the GS400 from Lexus. Still, the M45 is mad sexy. I sat in one when I was looking at G35s. I agree that it's not as sport as the TL, but it's styling is quite fresh and clean. If you have the money to get it fully loaded and don't want an RL <--key point, then get the M45 .

crazymjb

Also has rear wheel steering, which will greatly improve handling. But I think the SH-AWD is close competition to that. The M is loaded with tech, but at that price Id be looking at the GS430

tims1448

I looked at both cars as well, right when the M came out this spring.

The posts here are correct, the M is a FANTASTIC car, however it is in a different class. I opted for the A-Spec w/ everything, which ended up to be 40K. A comparable M35 was about 46-48, however if you get an M, most consider the M45. W/E you do, it is a great car, I have driven both. Dollar for dollar, features for price; however, I think the TL is the best car out there.

CBRTLS47

couldnt agree more

mio

M35 is much more expensive than TL, rite?

M35, Luxury $ 54,800

M35, Luxury, Technology Packages $ 61,300

M35x, Luxury $ 58,300

M35x, Luxury, Entertainment Packages $ 60,500

M35x, Luxury, Entertainment Packages, Premium Package $ 65,800
(Canadian dollar)

and TL is $41000
TL navi is $44800
(Canadian dollar)

cstreet

I was looking at an M35 (non-sport) + Navi only for around $40-41k US, MSRP is around $42k. The tech and luxury packages don't really interest me.

03TL-S

They are in totally different classes. M35/45 is in the same boat as the GS300/430, E class, 5 series, RL, etc. But if i had to choose between the m35 and the TL, id definitely get the M35. That is one hot car! When i see one on the road, its an eye catcher.

TomTLR

The base M35 RWD is $7k US more than the TL w/o nav ($40,1 M35 RWD, $33,1 TL without navigation). The M is a little bigger than the TL overall, so the 10 extra horses in the M compared to the TL is not going to make it faster, even though it'll have an edge in handling while turning with it being RWD.

Even with the M35 being more money, it still lacks a few features (but could be added as options) that are standard on the TL: HID headlamps, heated front seats, and XM radio.

EZZ

The M also has features that the TL doesn't offer. You can play DVD movies on the Nav screen as one of the options and you get bluetooth, dvd-a, mp3 capability and 14 speaker stereo system. Completely different class and it is reflected in the price. If you can easily afford both, why even go TL?

crazymjb

The RWD contributes less to the better handling the the RWS, which I believe is a first for a sedan.

Yakuza70

A couple months ago I took a test drive in an M45 sport. All I can say is WOW! The fit and finish, technology, handling, and POWER were absolutely stunning. Of course, you PAY for it too. I was considering getting an M35 Sport but with all the goodies I wanted, it still came out to around $50,000 msrp - $15,000 more than the TL w/Nav. The ONLY difference between the M45 sport and M35 sport is the engine. Although it wouldn't have the power of the V8, the V6 still puts out plenty of power. The Nissan 3.5 VQ engine is arguably the best V6 made. I had one in my '02 Maxima so I know first hand how good this engine truly is. One big negative for me was it does not come with a manual transmission.

Like the others said, the M35/45 is in another class than the TL so it's difficult to compare the two. However, the TL does compare favorably technology and gadget-wise considering it's about $15,000 LESS.

If you can afford it, I'd go for the M35 sport but get all the gadgets and gizmos -technology package, journey package, premium package. Overall it's a superior car to the TL IMHO but at a hefty price. The TL is still better deal "bang for the buck".

TomTLR

I was just stacking up what you would not get in a base M35 with no options compared to the TL with the $7k price difference between them. But how many people would settle for a base M35 with nothing else on it anyways? Not a whole lot. There is plenty extra standard on the M35 that surpasses the TL, but that's how it should be as they're not the same class. Like you said, if you can easily afford either one, probably go with the M. The M is a great car too from what ive seen, the interior is very sharp, the exterior is nothing breakthrough, but with the sport package, those 19" wheels really help the look. If you get one loaded with all those options you stated and then some, you're going to get a superior vehicle for sure, but be prepared to spend in upwards of $60k. And if you can afford that no problem, don't bother with a TL unless you want to save some money to have a tennis court built in the backyard of your colonial estate.

Bottom line is do what is in your price range. For vehicles $35k or less, the TL is at the top of the charts.

california-usa

Exactly...comparing the TL with the M is like comparing a Nissan Maxima GLE with a Honda Civic DX. Compare it with the RL...not the TL.

SilverCL225hp

Size-wise they are in the same class, both mid-sized sports sedans. But price-wise I think TL is a class lower than M35, which should be compared to TL's big brother - RL. Anyways, if you want lots of gadgets in a car, get the TL, because the M with the same features as TL would drill deeper into your pocket. But if you want real sports sedan performance, sorry to say, RWD is the only way to go, not FWD or AWD. Lookwise, it is very subjective, I personally like M more.

Tajam

The M is a beautiful car, very well made. Inside it is bigger than GS and the RL.

I test drove RL, M35, and the GS430. I thought M>RL>GS. GS had this really annoying bump at the driver's side.

I would take the M over the TL, if you dont need to save money.

mickey3c

Well it looks like if you need to save money get the tl... if you can afford the cake, you get the M. I drove the 45 and its a sweet ride.

VelfarreClubber

Buuut who has the best resale value?

mickey3c

Probably not acura !!!!

tyrael

Which model year GS did you drive? Was it the newly released model?

AcuraVic

I guess I'm the only one on this post that goes for looks. I think the TL looks better thant the M anything. Don't get me wrong, the M looks good, the back end is a little fat, but not ugly. The TL looks great. I considered the M35 until I saw it in person, never even drove it. I would pick the Lexus GS over the M. Sure, the M probably performs as good or better than the TL, but its bigger and not as nimble as the TL.

According to Motor Trend, the M45 does the quarter in 14.1 @98.8MPH, M35, 14.7 at 92.8MPH, Auto TL, 14.8@94.4MPH. All 05 cars tested. Looks pretty close.

The M45/M35 is faster in the quarter than the GS430/GS300, by about 3 tenths of a second (GS430 14.5@95.5).

Good luck with your choice. Its a great time to be a car shopper !!!

F23A4

Speaking of which....Link

Gadgets

From the reviews posted comparing the M45 and the GS430, they all mentioned how much the stability control in the GS butted in when trying to drive the car to its limits. To them the M was much more fun as VDC was much less intrusive. Both are very nice looking cars though.

mio

the back end is weird~

vtecracer

Why does everyone keep telling the poor guy that the TL and M35 arent in the same class? Who cares? The point is that he is trying to decide between buying a TL or M35, not an RL or GS or whatever. Price wise the TL and M35 are in a different class. But features wise, they are similar which is probably why he's debating between the two and the price difference.

I would say go for the TL. You'd be saving a lot of money, it looks better than the M35 IMO and 90% of whats available for the M35 you get standard on the TL. The only thing that would probably make or break the deal for you is RWD vs FWD vs AWD, a couple more inches of room and price difference.

Tunerman

You can't compare the two cars. The TL is entry level, while the M35/M45 is pure Luxury/Performance. The M35 blows the TL away in every catagory period.

It's better to compare the RL vs M35. Like the TL to the G35

Tunerman

Not as sporty looking? What you smoking?!?!

Tunerman

That is standard on the M35. LOL.

Tunerman

Not Acura these days..

ndabunka

The TL has a SIGNIFICANTLY higher resale the older model M45, PERIOD. The newer M45 is MUCH nicer and I even considered moving to it to get a little more interior room. Some idiot on here quoted M45 vs. TL performance specs. .. Hello, the TL is a 6-cly, the M45 is an EIGHT cylinder. Do-ah! I would HOPE the M45 can "keep up". But that's kind of the point here anyway, isn't it. The TL comes FULLY LOADED for a retail of $35K. The M35 (see, use the same 6-cyl for comparison) similarily equiped (tech and performance are REQUIRED in order to get Navi, higher end stereo and Bluetooth) cost just under $50K. The M45 with the same feature set is about another $8K over that. Add to this the fact that the Infinity M-series cars are more closely matched to the RL and GS-series carss and you quickly realize that these cars are targeted at two different market segments. The M-series is a larger mid-sized car with pricing similar to it's competitor $50K. The TL is matched to the Infinity G-series (in size, performance, etc) or the Lexus ES-series (not much competition there) with similar sizes and price points. The M is a nice car (either engine) but the $15K premium is reflective in EVERYTHING. The FINAL point is.... Decide what you want and then deterine if you can afford it and then BUY IT. Do NOT lease it. If you can't afford to buy it, you CERTAINLY can't afford to rent it (even a chimp knows that renting FOR LIFE is not smart).

Tajam

I drove the new GS330.

mickey3c

The tl has a lower resale compared to the G... that is the comparison that should be made...

F23A4

I assume you're talking about performance because the ES has the TL beat when it comes to interior comfort, which is the ES' forte.

elsensei

? You must mean the GS300? There is no GS330 (at least not yet)

Or was it the ES330?

youngTL

No, it has a lower resale than the G35 coupe. It has a higher resale than the G35 sedan, at least where I live. Go buy yourself a G35 if you haven't already and leave us alone.