gregtomash

First my situation: I have 2000TL and am going to sell it or trade it some time next year before warranty expires, at about 92k - 94k. I've been through two transmission changes - last one at 48K. 32K later it's just fine - knock on the wood... And here is my question to you guys who had 2Gen Acura before ... Loyalty aside, honestly - is 3Gen such a great improvement in every area? I've been driving 3Gen as a loaner twice, last time "2005" and wasn't impressed that much. No doubt it’s a nice car! But interior wise I like mine better and think it's more refined. And I expected more from a car with 45HP more than mine... I understand that it was a loaner and maybe had 87 gas in its tank, but still... Have you really been at awe when you got out of your 2Gen and climbed into the 3rd for the first time? Appreciate your response!

cM3go

I think you posted this in the wrong forum, moving to 2G

patrick

I test drove the 3rd gen TL auto, and I was not impressed. The interior, bluetooth, sound system...it all rocks. But the performance was something that didn't make me feel "I gotta have this". Sure it drove fine, but there was something lacking that I can't place my finger on. To be honest, I love my TL-P just fine and would not trade it in for 3rd gen. If I change cars, it could be the G35 sedan.

gregtomash

cTLgo - please move it back to the 3rd Gen forum. If you read it carefully, you would see that question is addressed to the 3rd Gen guys!

cM3go

doh, made a mistake, I'll have it moved back, long day

patrick

JackSprat01

I'll be the first to admit that if I already owned a 2g I sure as hell wouldn't have wasted the cash on a 3g, but I even more certainly wouldn't trade it for a fugly G35 either!

gregtomash

Yes, I was thinking about G35 too, but they have that ridiculous package that comes with the Navi and makes it a 5K option! And I want Navi!

fast-tl

Do we know each other? Seriously, I was bent on trading my 112K, recalled tranny TL-P/Navi with a 3rd Gen. Then I finally tested the G35. Holy smoke! Performance is awesome with a REAL 280hp, not the re-measured 258 of the TL. Anyway, I'm still on the fence, deciding whether I prefer the TL's technology (Bluetooth, Voice activation, better navi, DVD-A) outweighs the G35's RWD, performance and technology. After the G35 test drive I drove the 3G TL again, and there was something vague missing. I was charged after driving the G35, I was "This is pretty nice" after the 3G TL. OF course, either is much improved over my 2000 TL-P. I'd driven the 3G TL before the G35 and was in love with teh performance and new features. The G35 altered that impression.

Oswald Vater

I had a 2000 TL. The lease was set to expire in June 2004. When I saw the 3rd gen there was little doubt that it would be my car of choice. I loved the new interior/exterior and 45 extra horses weren't bad either, but I don't drive that hard for the power to make much of a difference. I did the obligatory test drives of the TL's competition but nothing could beat the bang for the buck the new TL offered. I was able to get out of my lease 3 months early and ended up with an 04 the very same color combination (WDP/parchment) as the 2k. To make a long story short, the 3k is a much better car in most every way than the 2 gen was.

fast-tl

That may be, but it's about a $2000 difference between G35 and TL even after you add NAvi and the premium pkg to the G35. Factor in longer warranty on the Infiniti (4/60 bumper to bumper and 6/72K on powertrain) and better performance. There's a $2000 difference,right? The G had reclining rear seats, power tilt and telescope steering, not offered on the TL. So the money difference isn't higly significant.

fast-tl

Hard to disagree with any of that. You can't go wrong with either car; but deciding which of the nuances better suits your needs is tough.

Saran

I had a 2nd Gen TL ('99) w/Navi which was totaled when someone rear-ended me. I was looking for a replacement 2nd Gen but wound up getting a 3rd Gen/Navi TL after the dealership agreed to work with my low-ball offer. Am I happy I got the upgrade? Absolutely. I love the techonology and gadgets, love the increased power, love the looks. Would I have traded in my 2G for a 3G? Probably not. It had 115k miles but was still running like a dream, and in fantastic mechanical and cosmetic condition.

But my hand was forced. Like you and patrick, the first time I got into a 3G, I wasn't blown away. But now I couldn't live without. I guess the short stints in the loaner didn't really give me time to appreciate all the nice upgrades of the 3G. I was never as passionate about my 2G TL as I am with my 3G. I haven't looked back since.

P.S. Performance wise - my perspective is: I use the car as a daily driver. It doesn't bother me that I can't get under a 6.0s 0-60mph or a 14sec 1/4 mile. Let people say what they want about G35s and 330s. It holds up well enough, and it's still a hoot to drive every single day .

patrick

LOL! We think alike eh?

Road Rage

I have driven my sister's G35, and to me it is far more maxima than infiniti, where the TL has managed to move the other way - farther from an Acford than it used to be (and I have owned multiple 2G's by the way). 2000, 2001, 2002 type-s

The gauges are garish (like my 1987 626 Mazda), the interior colors/materials - awful. It had some good midrange ballz, but the street tests I have seen do not show much if any performance advantage. And since I did not buy the tL to be a sporty car, just a great daily driver, I do not miss any "edge" that may be missing.

The 2G was too close to an Accord, and the styling of the 3G is just so much better.

neuronbob

I moved up from my 2002 TL-P non-navi as soon as the 2004 TL was released into the wild in October 2003. I did so purely because of the tech features and in part to correct the error I made in not buying the navi with the first TL. 36.5k miles and nearly two years later, I'm still reasonably happy with the car.

fast-tl

Are you confusing the G35 (front-engine rear drive) with the I35 (front engine, front drive based on the maxima.) They're two very different cars. I'd never own an I35 since it IS more Maxima than nfiniti, but the G35 is a real 4 door sports car. AGain, I thought I was a slma-dunk repeat TL owner, but the G speaks to the former Z28 owner in me, with it's power and rear-wheel drive. I would miss the TL's gadgets, but I usually swap vehicles every three years, so by then the TL should be even better!

The shame is that my 2000 TL-P w/Navi is still an entertaining car to drive, and I love TO drive it. It's just time for a change after 113000 miles , even to a different brand. To the original poster, I say be sure to drive the competition. you may still find yourself with a new TL.