Background:

Time to replace the 96 Volvo 850R Wagon

We have had 5 front wheel drive Hondas and I currently have an S2000.

My desire to get another FWD drive just is not there.

I really like the G35x

My wife drove G35x, TL and ES330.

Where we are:

To my surprise, she wants the TL

Looking for input:

Any comparison thoughts between the G35x and the TL would be appreciated.

Has anyone put Nokian WR tires on to replace the Bridgestones?

 

Drove both.
Didn't like interior of G35! Also, thought it was over-priced.
For the same $$$, you can get Acura TL with NAVI + DVD-Audio stereo.

 

I, too, am not a big fan of FWD, but the TL is such a big win in every other category that I went for it anyway. The torque steer is slightly annoying, but I can deal with it; the rest of the package more than makes up for it.

 

Are you under some mistaken impression that you think you have and decision making left?

You said that your wife test drove them and wants the TL.

What other questions are there?

(PS, It's a great car and certainly not a bad decision. But GET THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM!)

 

YUP TL WITH NAVI.....

 

Everyone has their own preference for cars. I like 330i, but it provides less features and interiors in crowded and snowy Northeast. 04TL seems to be the proper vehicle in all aspects of what I need, and I could enjoy more stuff from 04TL rather than the engine, handling, and reputation from BMW. I even save some $$$ for the better investment in the future.

G35 is a good car, but most of ppl here wouldn't like its interiors, and G35 coupe apparently has the better look.

Are u talking about G35 AWD, which seems to be a fine car to drive...

I believe G35 should be fun to drive. (If I buy compact-size or mid-size of RWD, I'd prefer to get BMW-like handling. G35 is not reaching to that level yet.) G35 has AWD feature. (it's the first year technology for his sport sedan... I guess)... I really don't know what else G35 has is better than TL & other cars...

If you're not sure what you need and you get plenty of time to think it over, why not to get 05TL?

 

I can sympathize with your desn. I just bought SSM/QUartz/no navi a week ago. This is primarily my car and replaces a 1998 Volvo S70 (the successor to your 850). The Volvo was "ok" and I put 112,000 miles on it in 7 years, but I essentially paid the same amount of money 7 years later for the TL and it is SUCH a better car in every way.

As for the G35, I drove that, the BMW 325, 330, x5 and 530, the Lexus RX330, GS300 and ES330. The BMW products drive phenomenally, but are way overpriced for what you get. The Lexus products are high quality but aside from the RX, have little or no pizzaz, drive like Cadillacs, and are generally boring. I REALLY WANTED to like the G35 and frankly was going to buy one, until I drove it. It handles well, but the paint on both demo models was already chipping and there were scratches all over it, and the interior was horrendous and should be on a 15,000 car, not a $33K car. It also rides poorly in my opinion.

I came very very close to buying a 325 2003 end of model year on deep discount, but I'm so glad now I didn't. The TL has more storage, better build quality, more features, more room (more like 5 series), unique new styling (3 series is redesigned next year), bigger engine, better interior, stereo, technology than anything in the class.

Hope this is helpful, coming from a former Volvo owner. Never again for me on Volvo.

 

I hate to sound like a commercial, but I'm glad my wife drives a Volvo.

She has an S-60, got a great deal on the lease (they are so heavily subsidized) and it is built and drives like a tank (the way she drives, she needs it).

I'm happy 'cuz I get to have the next new car (wich will be a TL) to drive around in style in while she plays tank commander.

 

Thanks for the replies.

They are very "to the point"

Yes, the G35x is the AWD version.

I drove the TL today and it is quite nice.

One local dealer will give me $1500 off on a Nav car and another will give me $2295 off a Nav car (though Nav is the way to go for me.

It is amazing that this car is so good for the price.

The Volvo was around $37K out the door eight years ago.

The only issue is that after reading about the tires, I did find them to be fairly rough riding. Maybe some LM-22s for winter would be the way to go.

 

clutchcargo,

I have had several Hondas/Acuras. (Latest before '04 tl was a 2000 3.2TL) I stupidly got rid of the 2000 TL for an Audi A4 3.0 just because I wanted a manual transmission. (Looked at several other Manual cars before I bought the Audi)

Got rid of the '02 Audi about 6 months ago. Fun to drive, but very finiky (Noises, creaks, climate control baked me out of the car....Dealer couldnt resolve.)

Anyway---Im happy to be driving a 04 6 Speed TL again....

Why am I babling? I drove both G35's (Coupe and Sedan) I had NO EXCITEMENT when driving them. Interior noise was annoying, especially in the coupe. The coupe had a sweet sounding exaust WHEN OUTSIDE the car, but inside it drove me NUTS.....G35 Clutch was PAINFUL to push down, and there were so many vibrations through the drivetrain.

I thought maybe I was being extremely picky, but when I drove the 04 Tl again, I KNEW it was the right choice. Its just silky smooth, and sounds/feels so much more refined...

Finally....I notice you live in Brookline, MA. (I live in Brookline, NH) How come you dont like FWD? I will say I have noticed torque steer with mine, but I kind of like it!

I bought mine at Sunnyside Acura in Nashua NH.---You probably have a dealer closer than that, but I like those guys. Go see Dan Weier if you want....He was my salesman.

 

Hi gvahe,

The joy of my rwd s2000 is the issue.

For the most part, I would say it is a balance thing.

The way the 04 TL tracks the road speaks to the improvements Honda has made compared to my Volvo.

I spoke with Sunnyside today and they offered a comparable deal on a black/gray navi car. I want a blue/gray. They seem like nice folks.

 

Did you talk to dan?

Good luck. If you test drive both the G35 and the TL, please let me know what you think....

Good luck. Im always finding excuses to "Go to the store"

(Taking my 4 year old bowling in a bit....)

 

I know that this isn't gonna change your opinion...

But take a look at the black in direct sunlight, and you'll see the blue specs in it.
On the other hand, the blue has too many sparkles for my liking...

Good luck with whatever you buy.

-=Nick=-

 

You should at least drive the S60R. I went from Acura to Volvo in June and have been pleased so far (I know, it's early). Besides, a Volvo dealer would give you more for your 850 and there's loyalty trunk money on the S60R's right now. If you want (need) an automatic, definately skip the R's - the slush box sucks.

 

Nickpoore,

The black is a great color. I was hoping for a change from my current color.

After my local dealer sold the Blue nav car yesterday, I called the dealer with the Black nav car (Sunnyside and I spoke with Kris) and that was gone as well.

I went to the local shop (Acura of Boston) and took an in stock non Nav car (blue on quartz).

They gave it to me for $30,900 with the all season floor mats thrown in. I will be happily on the road Friday.

Again, I would have preferred the Nav but the price difference between cars was about $3,000 due to market conditions. Plus I would have to wait a month for a Nav car.

Has anyone taken the tire protection package. It looks like a good deal for $299 ( I ruin one PZero a year on my Volvo)?

Barry,

I drove the S60R whan it came out. The steering was sad, the clutch was awful but the motor was nice. The auto version is toned down on torque. I also am afraid of that suspension. When you see one on the highway, the toe in seems to be adjusted as the car goes over bumps. I would think, long term, those cars are going to be a headache to own.

 

I have the V. Steering's fine but could use a bit more feedback. Clutch is about the same as an S4 I drove last week - the uptake takes a bit of getting used to. I love the suspension and haven't had any issues and I drive the car pretty hard. Tires are wearing perfectly so I don't think there's any toe or camber issues. You're absolutely right though, this isn't a car I'd keep after the warranty expires. You're even more right about the GT, it sucks and makes the car no faster than a T5. The 6-speed has really close ratios and is a blast though.

 

Picked the car up this morning.

What a great vehicle!

Thanks to you folks for the info.

Acura of Boston was an absolute pleasure to work with.

I stopped by Sound In Motion to talk about adding video in the headrests.

Has anyone don this yet for an 04?

 

clutchcargo....congrats on the new TL. Enjoy!

I test drove the exact same cars as you did and wound up with the TL as well. Only had mine for 2 days, and I'm still drooling.

 

Congratulations. Blue/Quartz? It should be the great combo.

Enjoy it.

 

Finally added a few low resolutions shots of the car with its neighbor in the garage, the S2000 (in the gallery).

I ordered a set of factory wheels today and a set of LM-22s.

By next weekend I should be ready for winter.

 

I wouldn't pay even $.01 to protect the Turanza EL42's.

Mike

 

I normally don't fall for this stuff but I did take this "policy" after my dealer swore they would replace/repair a rim even if I hit a curb... Dealer informed me that they call it a "pothole" issue and take care of it. They also said that if I replaced the tires, using the stock rim and specifications, they will still honor the policy. I got it for $199 for 5 years coverage. (About $140 more than a normal road hazard would cost you, though would not cover rims, alignment etc..)

In the big scheme of things I hope I never have to use it.... But then again, it may pay off in the long run. Short story causing me to get this policy... - Put 4 new tires on the wifes Suburban on a Thursday, decided against the $12/tire road hazard. Saturday we took off for Iowa from Dallas. She hit something on the road just south of Kansas City... Found myself at the local KC Goodyear shop one hour later paying another $230.... That $48 road hazard was looking really good at that point

Damn the luck!

Lovin the TL, quit dislike the tires....


Smitty

 

Protecting the rims is a different story. Hope you got that in writing!

Mike