Pardon if this has already been posted but I haven't seen it specifically when I've browsed casually.

I've looked at several cars in the same class as the TL recently, BMW 3 series, new IS 250 and 350, G35, heck even a loaded Accord. But what did You seriously consider and compare to the TL and why did or didn't you choose the TL or another model?

The trick is it has to be in the same class. So no 5 series, M's, or Porsche Caymens.

Of note I've been a TL fan since introduction but do not have one quite yet. I'm a lifelong Honda fan and 4 time and current Acura owner. I am on the edge of my seat and almost ready to buy one in March, but I want to compile a competitive list of what else is out there that I might have missed and I'd like to see what "other" cars might be considered or humilitaed in comparison.


TIA

some people also compared the S60 and the S60R (in some states its cheaper).....then some people compared it to the maxima....but i think what most people compare the TL too is the the 3 Series....and the new IS250....the G35 is basically in a league of its own....but the TL took the cake because its so great....but if u can afford the IS350...i would go for that...because IMO it offers everything the TL has...and more...and its similair set up mixed with a TSX twist....and then you get Lexus's reliability which is top notch. so you don't really lose...but thats just my opinion. but if the IS350 came out before the TL...i would have gotten the IS350 over the TL....good luck with ur purchase

I can't stand Lexus. It feels like every person in Plano drives one.

And BTW, I did compare the TL to the 5 series and got the TL.

I was looking at performance cars actually, like mistubishi EVO and sub WRX. Ended up with the TL becuase it was just such a nicer car overall and still quick.

Funny how many people post about this same topic, but am I the only one who when looking to upgrade the existing ride just goes to the next "higher" model on the Honda/ Acura lineup?...I never once considered any other manufacturer, just looked up what was higher / better than the RSX-S and the TL came up...what will I do when I end up with the RL?... ( BTW, the NSX is too impractical)
So I to answer your thread, nothing.

RL is next on my list.....

trying to talk my wife into an MDX......

But to answer your question 1GreyTeg, I didnt test drive any other car. I test drove another members TL and went and traded my CL in...

I'd guess because many of us looking to buy the car come here looking for opinions from people who have the car. Hopefully based on more than just it's looks and or what it can do from stoplight to stoplight.

I think you actually might just be in that minority.

To many of us that sort of reasoning doesn't make sense when you are going to shell out more than $30,000 for a new car. Competition tends to breed a better mousetrap. To each his own but that is not competitive shopping when you limit yourself within one brand/manufacturer. Brand loyalty is one thing but blind loyalty is another and not something I'd be proud to admit personally.

I'd suppose you'd have to define practicality and then go from there but again the NSX and RL don't fall into the same class as requested originally. And I'd guess the NSX would be even less practical since it's production has ceased already.


Wow.

Ok, so what sold you the most? Was there anything in particular? Or was it just the whole package? You already owned a CL so you were already in a similar class albeit 2dr , what in comparison did the TL provide for you over the CL or was it just the newer body style?

TIA

What do you consider to be the class definition? Is it price (with equivalent loading), HP, size, or FWD/RWD,AWD? This makes a big difference.

I'm responding again to give you my reasoning behind my previous answer since it appears that quoting my every response has givien you a "different" impression than my actual logic behind buying Hondas in general:
1) Blind loyalty ...no Sir, I researched other vehicles ( didn't test drive them) and none fit my driving style or need, most 30K cars are rear wheel drive Lexus, Mercedes and BMW's and the car I buy is my daily drive being on snow, sleet and rain I newed front wheel drive.
2) Honda's are great to work on and having had had them almost all my life I'm used to doing all the scheduled maintenance myself ( something I can't do with other manufacturers as I have helped other guys from work with their cars).
3) Wow ..yes exactly what I said when I drove the TL so why would I bother to look any further.
4) 30K ....I traded my 2002 RSX-S and I got $16K for it and had 38k miles try that with another 3 year old car...and being a loyal customer my TL w/out Navi and manual was $29,000...how about them apples...
I hope not to start another "one of those insulting thread" that go back and forth, but to give you my

The G35 sedan was really the only competition for the TL when I was looking to buy. Decided on the TL for many reasons, but basically it was a better blend of sportyness and practicality.

Thank you, now that actually made sense. I appreciate the time it too you to answer as such

First Id like to say, great questions.

The CL as a whole really impressed me on many levels. Even though I didnt have a type-s I still loved it. I never had any serious issues with it. I took care of the car and it took care of me.

When I drove my buddies TL (shalinz for those who are wondering), I could tell right away how much faster it was. The interior just blew me away. It didnt have Navi and thats probably a good thing cause Im sure if I had seen it I wouldve have wanted that as well. lol!!. The main thing that the TL provided for me that was over the CL was the four doors, more room in the back. Nobody could ever really fit in the back of the CL, well except my daughter and that got unerving at times.

Based on my experience with the CL I never even considered going with another car maker. The TL IMO was the best choice for me and combined with the unparalleled service that I received from my dealership over the past three years made my decision that much easier.

Entry level luxury sport sedan between $30,000 to $35/$37,000.

Lower end is:

TSX
Altima

Median is:

TL
G35
IS250
325
A4
Maxima
Accord?

High is:

Higher optioned 325
330
IS350
A4

Etc, please feel free to add any to the list not previously mentioned.

That's something my grandmother would drive.

HAH! well Im not getting any younger my friend....

Prior to my TL purchase I test drove the following: Infinity G35 and G35x, Volvo S60 and S80, Subaru Outback, Saab 9-5, BMW 3 series, and of course the TL, which was the easy winner. Second place went to the G35x; however, I don't know if I could have tolerated that awful interior for several years.

Cars I considered:

Land Rover H3-HSE
Lexus GS300
Audi A3
Alfa Romeo 156GTA (until I realized they don't sell Alfas in North America anymore, unfortunately)

I saw a Maserati Quattroporte the other day in a nice charcoal grey though, and maybe I should have taken a look at that first. Oh well...

I was considering:

Infiniti G35
Volvo S60
Lincoln LS
Jaguar X-Type
Cadillac CTS
Mazda RX-8
Nissan Maxima
Nissan Murano

The Jag, LS, and Caddy disappeared from the list pretty quickly; the interiors of both the Maxima and the Murano just weren't up to expectations. The RX-8 was not practical enough for my needs, and equipping the Volvo at anywhere near the level of the TL drove it way too high too quickly. That left the G35 which is a really fine car and was pretty much #1 on the list until I SAW the new TL.....and once I sat in and drove the TL....the list was down to just 1.

Makes sense.

I spent a bit of time today shuffling through Infiniti's, Lexus, BMW's & Acura's sites building and comparing the cars equally. The Lexus is very good to look at and the IS350 looks to be a kick a55 setup but once you go there it's around $40,000. So Of course the BMW came into play but again equipping it even semi equally and it's in the $39,000 range for a 325, not even the 330 for Gods sake The list got shorter and came down to the same 2 as you, the G35 and the TL. and actually were very close in price, seperated by maybe $100. But then looks came into it. From the exterior the Acura looks more aggressive and youthful, something maybe us over 30 chaps are drawn to for the wrong reasons but I digress. The interiors again were both plush when I've sat in them and fondled all their insides but the G35 still seems like an "older" persons car and not quite sporty enough for my tastes.

I think the test would be to drive them back to back to get a good feel in comparison. Maybe toss in a 325 Beemer just to see how life could be.

Be grateful that you didn't make a mistake like the X-type Jag. I've driven one for work several times and it's just a Ford in semi Jag clothing. Slow to respond in every way and feels heavier for it's size than it should, and more cramped than a 70's Honda CVCC.

I drove a bunch of stuff but settled on the TL because I decided I didnt want to jump to the 50k category. (Really the TL is only slower than cars in that class, same features)

m45
s4
g35 c and sedan
3 series
m3

Just wasnt enough incentive beyond speed, to go spend the money for an m3 or s4. The m45 was nice, but I had no interest in spending 58k on a sedan that I only want for spring, summer, and fall.

I like the Jaguar X type, but its too small and noisy. The S type is better, but still noisy. My wife had a Lincoln LS V8, nice, fast, better handling than the TL, lots of nice features, rain sensing wipers, auto headlights, nice looking, and hers was totaly trouble free, but its not my cup of tea, plus it go an average of about 15 mpg.

The Passat was nice, I liked it better than the TL, its not sporty, but nice, its got a lot of good things about it, heavy metal, great paint, great leather, loads of
extras, but like all German cars (for the most part) its not reliable at all, endless problems.

Not much else out there that I like the looks of, most japanese cars really turn me off with their style, inside and/or out. The wife and I could agree on the TL, we both liked the looks, and both wanted the manual transmission.
And its quiet and smooth, and reasonably comfortable to drive.
Over the last few years, we test drove lots of cars, volvo's, bmw's, all the Jaguars
the passat, the lincoln, the buick lacross, the avalon, and others.

If I was buying a car today, I might look at finding a used S type with the manual
transmission, the wife would look at the ford 500 (yuk!).
So we would still end up with the TL.

Brett

I considered/drove the following before deciding on the TL (in this order):

- Audi A3 & A4. A little smallish for me, but that little 2.0L turbo is fun!!
- BMW 330i - Both E46 and E90 platforms. Honestly... $36k for an '06 330i and no toys?!?! WTF????
- Chrysler 300C. Great engine, but really wasn't impressed with the interior.
- Infinti G35 sedan (Didn't want another coupe - I came from an Integra). I've never been a fan of the Nissan interior... Everything feels 'cheap' and doesn't look like it will wear very well, but this is just my opinion.
- Acura TSX. Wanted more power and more room, but a fun little car.
- Infiniti FX35. I don't really have a use for an SUV-ish vehicle. Just really like the styling of the FX.... Again, the Nissan interior turned me off.
- Lexus IS300. I needed a new car and couldn't wait for the IS350
- Subaru WRX STi/Mitsubishi Evo VIII. Decided that I wanted a 'grown-up' car, but these two are a BLAST to drive!!
- Pre-owned 5-Series/TLs/RLs/MDXs/GS430s. My parents never bought used cars... They always said that you were buying someone elses problems. This has always stuck with me, although I have entertained thoughts of a pre-owned M3... I just can find my color combo - White/Cinnamon, SMG, 19" M-Spokes .

I'm very happy with my choice... The TL has been a great all-around car. Sure, I wish that it were RWD and had more low end torque, but I could probably find something I wish those other cars on my list had if I owned them.

I am looking at the new TSX (well, when it is available) to TL. There is enough improvements from the 05 model to be worth considering.

I am a VW Passat owner. The new Passat (especially the VR6) is nice, but we decided to switch away from VW because we had problems with local dealer service.

Some people are really happy with their dealer, so you should look into Passat VR6 (unfortunatle, mt VR6 is not available yet). A4 is nice as well, but I decided not for the same service reason.

After my Honda started having (minor) problems at 269,000 miles, I came to the conclusion I would stick to the honda family of cars. Of course, by then my car was a POS, but I miss not worrying about buttheads in parking lots or minor dings. Those worries were far behind, unlike now with my 2nd. Gen. TL.

I test drove a '02 RL and '04 RSX. The RSX was bare bones with no amenities, and the RL requires gray hair and a hat w/feather in the side. Since I drive so much, I didn't bother with anything more sporty than the TL.

What year Pasat?
Lots of things to watch out for with those cars!
You would have to be mad to get a first year model in a VW, and I think most
who get a VW are crazy anyway.
To top off VW's reliability position (34th out of 37 brands), the new cars are VERY
restricted in what you can get, bare bones only if you pick a manual transmission..

If you want to find one of the (rare) good dealers, look on the 1.8t.org web page,
they list dealer quality. My local dealer was at the bottom....


Brett

RSX type s
g35 coupe
evo MR
WRX STI
legacy
tiburon
X-runner
RL
RX-8
S4
TL


wanted to try
IS350
CTS-V
GTO

was almost certain I was going to end up with
evolution MR

TL wasn't even on my list

New to the forum. Though I've been reading for a few weeks, this is my first post.

I compared the TL to the following:
Toyota Avalon - very nice but felt too much like a Buick
Infiniti G35 - liked this a lot but nervous about rwd during Colorado snowstorms
Volvo S80 - too expensive and dubious repair history
Nissan Maxima - bought the TL to replace my 97 Maxima - keeping this for my son to drive though

My son was the one that kept telling me to drive the TL. Once I did, I fell in love with it. It had a nicer interior, better sound system, and didn't feel like a large car.

She hasn't seen the Spoon RL/Legend then. If she has, that's one kick-azz grandma you have.