I'm currently driving a 2003 Infiniti FX45. However my cousin recently lent me his 2004 Acura TL and I must say I'm impressed. It saves plenty of gas while giving pretty decent horsepower. I'm debating whether or not to switch from the FX45 to the TL and I was wondering if any of the forum members would be so kind enough as to give me a couple reasons why the TL is better than a FX45 and why all the forum members bought their own TL's.

 

From perspective of a city dweller who commutes alone, never goes off road or in snow, but has a spouse and two kids to drive around on weekends:
SUVs are too big, too much weight given the interior space, slower and worse gas mileage than a car using same engine (i.e. generally inefficient) and have handling deficits compared to a sports sedan. Instead of the FX45, I would have gotten an M45, or a G35 for less $$, an E-class instead of an ML, a TL instead of an MDX, etc. My spouse wants an RX (ugh!) to replace our Odyssey at some point; I prefer an ES (same chassis and engine) or an IS (same engine, faster, less space) if it were solely my decision.

 

It really depends on what type of driving you enjoy, what are important aspects of a car to you?

For some people an FX45 might be a better only car (AWD, larger cargo with the seats folded).

If you like the FX45, you might be happier with a new 07 G35 over the TL. G35 has a little more of the sport side of the sport-luxury equation.


I switched from an 06 BMW 330i to a new 07 TL Type S because it was a smooth, comfortable car for daily driving with nice power, handling, big space on the inside, tons of toys.

 

Whyd you get the V8 engine on the FX if youre worried about gas? Youre gonna be saving yourself a little money as well though, my friend has an FX45 I think he paid around 55 fully loaded as compared to the TL's 34 thousand and 39 thousand respectively (prior to Aspec). If youre happy with Infiniti get the 2007 G/M, depending on what youre looking for and the funds youre willing to invest. The 2007 G35 sedan is supposed to run high 13 quarter miles

 

Looks, value, balance of HP and economy (I average >25MPG). When I got mine in 05 the TL was really a lot of car for the $. Plus I love the way it looks and drives. Since I an not a fan of SUVs nothing like the FX would have entered my mind. Can you live without the extra space and in a sedan without a fold-down rear seat? That's probably your biggest question. Plus you will be driving around in a really great looking car instead of that "bat mobile" thing you're in now (j/k)

As far as snow is concerned, my TL with 4 Blizzaks on it will run circles around your FX if it still has stock all seasons. Except for really deep snow of course since ground clearance does count for something.

 

I think everyone has pretty much covered the basics. However, definitely consider what Adobeman stated above about less space and the non-folding rear seat. If you are used to having the ability to haul stuff without worrying about space, you may find the lack of a folding rear seat AND less space annoying.

I personally loath SUVs and hope to never need to own one. However, when I went from an Accord to the TL, it did find it slightly annoying (emphasis on "slightly") that it didn't have a rear folding seat. I still don't get why Acura did that. I can't imagine that a folding rear seat would adversely affect handling or the interior look. Of course, I don't haul much other than my wife, a computer bag and an occassional guest in the rear seat in the TL. I use the Civic for anything requiring a folding seat; which is rare.

FYI, the gas mileage on the TL is pretty decent. I average about 23-24 mpg commuting to work everyday with spirited driving thrown in here and there. Of course, my wife's 2000 civic averages 39-40 mpg, but it is obnoxiously slow!

One other thought, if you don't completely hate your FX45 and the cost of gas is not getting on you last nerve, why not wait until 2009 and see if the redesign tickles your fancy? If you need to replace the FX45 due to some issue or you just hate driving it, then definitely go for it. I really like my 05 TL and the 07s are nice (especially the Type S / 6MT). Just a thought. Good luck on your decision.

 

Thanks for such positive feed back. I also currently own a 2006 Mitsubishi Evolution MR which has been moded completed and extremely (extremely meaning I have a 2.3 Liter stroker with a full port and polished head new retainers and valve springs 1150 cc injectors and for those who are familiar with turbos a garrett GT4088 tuned with a motec stand alone). So going fast isnt really the issue. I just really want to save more gas commuting from work (which is like a decent 20 miles each way) and picking up the kids (which is already troublesome with the FX because man they move around alot). Would you say that most of you are happy going to a TL from what you previously had?

 

As I said, I am pretty happy with the TL. It replaced a 2003 Accord. My wife wanted to try an automatic out for a while. We had it for about 8 months and decided that it just wasn't for us and sold it. The TL has been really nice thus far. The interior, navi and bluetooth are pretty sweet. I use the bluetooth all the time. I will most likely keep in for at least a few more years. At that point, I will see what they do with the TL in 09.

 

I was actually thinking of getting an FX45 instead of the 06 TL. I should be asking for reasons to change over to the FX45 from a TL :P haha

I actually compared both cars. I found that the FX was a bit big for my liking. It also was a little silly that I drive an SUV alone. Furthermore, I didn't like how it guzzled more gas (at the time, gas was 1.15 a liter (which is like around 3.9 US a gallon).

Also, I felt the interior of the TL was a little nicer.