OK I have owned 3 , yes 3 3G TLs. I had an 04 non-Nav for 22 months, got sick of rattles and wanrted NAV so got an 06. Then gas went nuts and i dumped it. Had remorse over that stupid move then got an 07 in December 06. As a goof I put my TL on craigs list to see if I could get decent money for it and I got a buyer within a day. Regular nav-TL with 10K on it and got $31,500, not bad considering I paid essentially invoice for it. So now the delemma. I am thinking about a Type S. I really love the car, except I hate the red guages and display (for XM and temp). I also tend to flip cars in 18-24 months, so the question is, I know we don't have crystal balls, but those that have owned 2G and 3G cars, did you see your resale dive when the new body (3G) came out? If the 09 goes SH-AWD I have to beleive the price will go up $2K-$4K and that shoud help 3G resale. I like the new G35, awesome ride with killer sound system, but basically its sucks gas like a siphon and would make the TL look economical, and is a little smaller, but since it is the current body for next 4 years its resale should hold up ok for now. Or do I go option 3 whcih is get another navi-TL and start my depeciation/ wear and tear clock all over, considering they are clearing 07 TL out for invoice or less. Just looking for some opinions, not flames.

 

Yikes..that's a tough decision. I also flip cars like it's my job. I had an 04 TL that I basically drove for free for a year, then bought a G35 coupe, owned it for a month sold it for more then I paid for it...then went and put $22k down on a TL-S....It will be a year in November and I'm already itching to get out of it. I've been thinking and I've decided to keep it..just because I only owe $14k on it and there isn't going to be much difference in the 08' TL-S. I've decided to wait to see what the 09' has to offer and I think by then my car will still have a lot of equity in it. If I were you, I would wait for the 09', just because it will have a significant amount of changes compared to the 3G TL. Just my 2 cents!

 

how the hell do you pull even on cars after a year..and make a profit after a month of driving..i should prolly be buying my cars in VA and having them shipped here...lol

Oh..and to the OP..i would wait for some definitive specs/pics on the new 09s..but thats just me

 

Haha, I don't know - guess i've been lucky? I sold my 04' to carmax, and my G35 to a private buyer off of craigslist....needless to say he didn't know much about cars..or buying them!

 

Yeah and what is making it hard is the Infiniti guy is offering me a G35 Journey with Premium and Nav for $34K + tax and such, might be a $500 doc fee on that, but he also said he won't squabble over a few hundred and the Acura place is down to $34.9K (Invoice) on the Type-S, again with a $500 doc fee. I do love competition, the Acura dealers know they have a dated car now and are really eager to move inventory. Very comparable cars, except G35 does not have the backup camera, but does have superior Audio and 30GB drive, the TL-S is a bigger car has the backup camera and does sip a little less fuel. And even with a 4 year old body style I must admit the damn TL is still one hot and sexy looking automobile! Oh and the G35 hopefully does not have that damn fading dash that each of my TLs have had within 6 months!!

 

get the TL-S

 

Not to bash Acura, I have owned 3. But as I read these forums vs. G35 forums I see many more people that went form TL to G35 than other way. Also I see more that test drive TL-S then G35 and opt for G35, I assume these are harder core drivers since the G35 is more a real drivers car. I do love the balance of the TL overall, still deciding. I see a few extra posts that seem to lead me to think the TL-S may be more trouble prone than TL?

 

The G35 is a bucket..... its not a real drivers car its a flashy 350z, a porsche is a drivers car, a ferrari, a NSX those are all drivers cars......a G35 is not....

 

I test drove the G35 many times before I bought my TL-S. If it was a choice between the G35 and a base TL, I would have chosen the G35.

But then Acura came out with the TL-S and it was love at first sight. Almost 5 months now and I am still in love....

 

Yeah I am liking the TL-S and going to dealer tomorrow to see what they have. I like the Silver, but hate the 2 tone seats, black and silver, prefer all black. Have you had any issues with yours? I am wondering about the Brembro's I heard they wear faster and have issues, noisey?

 

Well maybe, but those are more exotics, I was referring more to mainstream or cars for the masses. I do love the way the TL sticks, never drove a car so planted on the road, even the G35 feels twitchy and loose.

 

Maybe you should consider the 335i. It's a bit pricey, but I hear it drives very well.

 

Go for the G35 or even the G37 , you can always come back to Acura after the 09 redesign..Try something different.

 

From a person who had only driven honda's... then was blind sighted when the 350z came out (which I bought)... then the tl-s came out the month after I bought my z.... lets just say I went for a test drive of the g35 since the z lacked trunk space... z and g no major difference except for the rear view mirror (on the g you can actually see)... but when I went ahead and test drove the tl-s... lets just say I began depressed with the z and the lack od umph vtec had put on my brain...

Vtec is the reason why as soon as I crashed in the rain in the z... I went to the acura dealership and picked up the only tl-s they had....

5 months into my purchase and I have no regets...

Looking forward to 09 coupe tl? Of course I am... but I won't get rid of my baby tl-s... I rather have 2 cars then let someone enjoy my front wheel drive g/z/bmw killer...

The backup camera is alright but honestly you can put a backup cam on anything (ambulances at my job, presbyterian hospital, have backup cameras)

I think the only car I would choose over the tl-s is something at double the value... guys can say they've had issues with theirs and how the dealership doesn't take care of them... but honestly the only reason my tl-s isn't the love of my life is because my gf picked it out... and I love her more lol... if it weren't for her I'd be driving an rl... and I have no regrets everytime I step on the gas on a curve, I am in the lane I entered the curve when I exit... on the z the front was in the lane... but the back seemed to always wanted to slide...

Tl-s number 1 fwd car bar none...

 

Get the G35, I can't justify paying over $30K and still get an econo car driveline. I would lose the journey and go for the sport.

The G35 is a flashy 350z? How is that a bad thing? Still better than a flashy Accord, wouldn't you agree?

 

Totally agree. The G35 has some nice features, but in the end if you're going to get a car with a backseat that small - get a 2 door.

*

 

The 335i manual, sport is a Rocket. Manual, sport pkg leather=$44k.

 

Ok those who would chose a g or z over a tl have no idea how poorly made nissans are

 

I have only put 8,000 mi on my car, so it is not a long term test, but I have had no problems other than 2 flat tires from nails. I have been very happy with the service at Rallye Acure when I got the tires fixed. By the way. Love the TPMS. It gave me early warning both times and I avoided driving on a flat or worse getting a blowout at speed. This will be a requirement on all my future cars.

The only problem so far with the Brembos is the amount of dust they generate. don't know how long they are expected to last but they have been smooth and rattle free.

I'll keep my and hope I didn't jinx myself.

 

yeah the brake dust is definitely a problem... My rims look black after a couple days... kinda nice for people to think I have black rims (then when I get out the car wash) "dude you have new rims nice"

 

not really i would take a flashy accord over that bucket anyday, cause at least i know when my warranty is up my car will still last.....

 

While looking for a new car, I test drove the G35, the Mazdaspeed 6, and a few other things. If your looking for sporty the Mazda is it.( If your looking for shitty, buy the Lexus IS250. )The Mazda will totally blow the doors off a g35. ( a Big Wheels will blow the doors off a lexus) Its not even close. And it can be had for almost $10K less. If you dont mind ugly, buy the Suburu WRX Sti, now that's a fast car, but be prepared for Daewoo drivers going "damn that things ugly".

The Acura on the other hand is a really good blend of luxury and sport. Is the G35 faster? Sure, does it have better options? nope. Is the Mustang even faster, for less money? Hell yea. If you like the feel of driving a really fast ambulance. If you want a sports car, buy a sports car. If you want a sedan thats comfortable, but still pretty sporty, and has one of the best records for reliability on any car available, buy the TL.

 

YAH, that about sums it up. I would get the TL-S. If you want a sports car, 335i manual.

But Nissan, Infiniti are not the same quality as Acura. Cheap IMO. G35 sedan, YUK. Its AN EGG CRATE.

 

wrong G35 is heavier bulkier and slower

 

Probably a tough decision with small pluses and minuses here and there. Have you considered the IS350? It won a recent comparison with TL-S and G35 in R&T. The Acura came in 2nd. Infiniti last. Yes, the TL-S is fwd, but in this test it beat the G35 in BOTH skidpad and slalom, and beat the IS350 in skidpad (and was very close in slalom). You don't keep cars very long, but the G is in the first year of it's redesign - could be trouble prone - like the 2009 TL could be when it's introduced...

 

Without including the 335i, the IS 350 is really a quick very good handling car.

Its definately worth checking out if you don't need a back seat, 4" less leg room

the a TL. I really don't care about rear leg room. I am going to see whats on the

Lexus lot this morning. I love sunny Sundays. Nobody around to bother me.

When I get my next car in about 18 months it will be tough. It will be a toss up

between the next gen TL, BMW 135i, 335i, Lexus IS 350. Notice NO Nissan

products on MY LIST. No thanks Nissan. IMO.

 

well the bemma 135i will be one crazy cooper

 

You might be correct, although Consumer Reports lists better 1/4 mile times for the G35, that is not necessarily the whole story. I am going purely by ass feel, and although my ass is a finely tuned instrument (like a tuba). I recognize it's ability to determine automotive speed might be limited.

 

The TL has much better build quality then the G35, thats why i chose the TL..and I like the body design compared to its competitors...

 

This is by far the hardest car decisoin I have ever had to make. I owned 3 TLs for a reason, their styling, and build is amazing. But the new G is a nice car, it is a bit smaller, but it is so refined compared to the 1G G35. The G35 interior is nice, I love the sound system. The TL navi whlie a bit simplein it presntaiton is bigger, crisper and seems a bit easier to use. I think Acura build quailty even if in USA, ma be a tad better that Infiniti, but the 07 G feel really well built. I know of I buy a G it will be "current" for next 3-4 years, while TL will be out dated by 09 TL. I guess if the 09 TL goes SHAWD that the 3G will retain a decent resale. I love the TL-S seats, but hate the 2 tone. I can do without the red guages, but they grow on me in athe 2 test drives I have done so far. I'm not sure how well the G35 will hold it's resale value.

 

I just don't like Infiniti. IMO. I would rather have the IS 350 over the G. But if FWD doesn't bother you the TL-S is a great car !!! If I was you, I would wait until the next gen comes out. But if you can't wait, get a TL-S with a MANUAL. Much more fun then the auto IMHO...

 

Well I made my decision, I picked up my 08 TL-S 3 days ago. It honestly was a tough decision, mostly becasu eI have owned 3 other 3G TL's. The deal was sealed when they offered my an 08 TL-S for $400 over invoice. Sure I coudl have gotten an 07 for $500 under invoice, but with the way I flip cars this one will have better resale in 12-15 months when I go to flip it. Also this is the last year of the 3G and until I see the 4G I don;t want to have regrets. I am afrraid the 4G will either see a substantial price bump or I won't liek the styling. Fromt he spy shots I don't liek the hump for the navi like the MDX has, I prefer the dash styling of the 08 Accord or G35 where the navia is sweep in. Sure I get in my brand new 08 Type-S and I feel liek i am right at home and not even driving a new car, but it is still an awesom machine with styling that is holding its own after 4 years! One thing I have notced as I have owned a few TLs and driver afew 07 G35s is that Acura's build quality and fit & finish is not up the G35. Every G35 I drove (some right off the truck) were tight, and all seams, doors and panales were tight and fit perfectly. Acura you always fiond a panel of door slightly out or somehting and even my 08 Type-S from factory has the headliner not attached right, sagging and such, so it will go to dealer in a few days. The G35 was a nice car, but the TL from the outside still is hot.

 

You should give us all lessons on how to 'flip' cars without losing your shirt.

Good luck with your 08.

 

The TL is a desirable car and I sold my 06 after 8 months and about 10K miles for $30,500 and my 07 TL at 8 months and 11K miles for $31,500. Considering I paid like invoice for botht he 06 and 07 thats not bad. It has to do with your frame of mind. Some woudl argue I lost money on both, maybe a little. But I look at it as a perpetual lease. Leasing for me is out as I do over 17K miles a year so a lease woudl be as much as a buy. I have always had car payments sine 1992 (went 1989 - 1992 without any) then you just need to sell and buy to your target payment. I usually fully finance the car so I don;t have any out of pocket expenses. And sure if I held them long I woudl build up more equity in them and have more toward the next purchase and I do that sometimes, but when I want to flip I can and do usually with little or no out of pocket expense. I will say that last year I decided to let my payment go up $100 a month after about 6 years of where it was, figured it was time for a cost of inflcation adjustment and cars are more expensive now than the $30K I paid for an I 30 in 2000 and now I'm buying cars that are $36-$38K. The great thing about the TL as I said is it is a highly desirable car. The TL also retains more resale value that many other cars in this class, even more that Honda's beloved Accord. Many people will gladly buy a <1 year old car with 10K miles to save $3K-$5K in their minds. Some of these people either are stretched credit wise or are not the types to negiotate hard deals to save that much on a car so they are comparing my resale to MSRP of the car. My 08 TL-S was $36,138, (invoice + $400) that is $2700 under MSRP so in 8-12months if I go to flip it they will be comparing it to a $39K car that I'll be asking $33K for so they will see it as a $6K savings to get a slightly used car. I also take excellent care of my cars. The guy that just bougth my TL had looked at several others and coudl not belevie the condition people were showing them in, mine looked showroom new basically. I look at my cars almost as a hobby too, so hobbies cost a little money, I buy them to enjoy them and if I can swap out every 1-2 years I will. I owned 04 non-navi, 06 naiv, 07 navi and now 08 TL-S and in the middle there had an 07 Camry Hybrid (momentary lapse of reason).

The Camry was interesting, I paid $29K, drove is 5 months and took a killing becaue of an accident, only got $21,500 on trade, but then got $2500 dimished value from insurance and $2600 from feds on a tax credit, so essentially the car cost me maybe $500-$1000 to drive for 5 months, less than my car payments totaled for those 5 months.

 

Wow! I never had that experience. Before buying my TL I've owned five Nissans since 1995. Very few problems with my three Maximas, even less problems with my wife's Murano and our 350Z.

 

I'm in your boat. Maxima's have been in my family since 1992, 7 total. The VQ engine is rock solid. The build quality has been great also. We have never had any major problems, trans etc

I am in the market for an Acura now simply b/c I love the styling. But the Nissans IMO are great cars,esp Maximas.