Ken1997TL

How is the 1st gen TL worse in the interior than the 2 gen TL? Because in terms of materials, it is actually better. Styling is subjective so whatever floats your boat.

Considering the fact that I've owned a '97, '03 and '05 TL, I would venture to say i'm the closest thing to an 'expert' when it comes to comparing the 3 models.

And before you bother retorting, keep in mind that the 2nd gen TL dropped in price by over $5,000 between 1998 and 1999 models. It wasn't just the fact that it switched from being built in Japan to Ohio, there are noticeable cost cutting measures.

MyCarIsntInMyWifesName

I drove a 2.5TL before decided against a new vehicle at that time. In addition I spent much time behind the wheel and in the passenger seat of two other persons' 1Gs so I'm but a wee bet less an "expert" on this matter.

The entire dash buttons and plastics and switchgear, for example, are cheaper. That same getup shows elsewhere. Impressive by its own standards but certainly not in the league of any succeeding TL or the 7G+ Accord.

Ken1997TL

Which switchgear? Which buttons? Be specific.

Because they are for the most part carried over to the 2nd gen TL.

MyCarIsntInMyWifesName

The entire audio region, for one. There are pictures of both interiors on the last page.

If we're not going to agree, we might as well put this to rest before it overwhelms what is a thread not about the 1G at all, much less the 1G vs 2G.

Ken1997TL

The audio headunit plastic is lower quality, I will give you that. The number (8 vs. 5) and quality of speakers are however better in the 1st gen TL. All the 1st gen TL needed was an amp.

MyCarIsntInMyWifesName

OP, are you considering the Infiniti I? The I30 and I35 are nice. I had an I30 for less than a year before it was totaled. I liked it, but can't really vouch for its reliability based on how short a period I owned it.

Heated rear seats!

Aman

From what I hear, the turning circle is bigger than the Accord's, which is already pretty damn big. Lord knows I already have a hard time parking that thing.

Eoanou

With the exception of the shift knob/assembly and the steering wheel the prior generation Accord had a nicer looking interior.

Eoanou

Someone hinted to the 02-03 RL on the first page, and I would have to agree that should be the car of choice. 3.5L V6 motor which felt like it had a good amount of torque. The car accelerates to 80 rather quickly and then acceleration is dimished thereafter.

It has the four speed automatic transmission with no sport shift, it was a reliable transmission. My family has gone through 3 of those each with 100K+ miles of that generation without any issues. I think that would be a very worthwhile purchase.

Aman

Just my opinion but I think those RLs are kind of dated. They're hard to tell apart from a 1G TL at a glance, and those things went out in 98.

cjTL

iTrader: (2)

I've only read the first page but I personally think you'd be much better off not searching high and low for a car with navi. The interface will be stale and slow compared to what you can get today. Just get a TomTom or Garmin and it'll work MUCH better. As for choice, I'd go with the Type-S.

Shift_Acura

I vote for Mazda 6/ Ford Fusion.(they are likely to be more reliable than the TL and maybe even the Accord)

If your picking between Accord V6, TL, Altima V6 and Maxima....then I vote 5.5 Gen MAxima!

F23A4

The I35 is on my radar, as is the 5.5G Maxima. I'm leaning away from the I30 mainly because my wife's cousin (who lives nearby) just picked up a 2000 I30....besides, I'd have to go back to the VQ35 fold if I do Nissan/Infiniti.

Good suggestions but the wife (and maybe me to a much lesser degree) feel as though the former would be a step down from the latter.

F23A4

LINK

Waltah

iTrader: (3)

th eonly thing bad with the 03 TL is the transmission being a ticking time bomb and there is no fix for it. even a rebuild is a ticking time bomb. thats why we got rid of our 02 TL-S. id say go for the accord with a manual trans if you are worried about that. but IMO.....id rather be driving the 02-03 TL-S then any accord. we owned our 02 TL-S from 70k miles to 130k miles.....not a single issue. nada. so it was a great car for us.

pimpin-tl

Hmm, we have had I30s too, but heated rear seats was not a option on them. So I don't get how you got heated rear seats.

Waltah

iTrader: (3)

rear heated seats? why

03bl AC k CL

i would vote for the v6 accord in 6 speed manual. The 03-05 accords had the same transmission issues the the tl had. ( i apologize if that was discussed on a previous page, i didnt read through the whole thread )

juniorbean

iTrader: (5)

As proven by the link F23A4 provided you, plus your choice of a car with a glass tranny... you may want to read the entire topic before replying

MyCarIsntInMyWifesName

It might've been available on the updated 2002 I35 variation. I know at least from 2003-2004 they offered it.

EDIT: I Googled it briefly and turned up many links of both owners discussing it as well as professional writeups or whatever terminology you prefer. A sample:

http://www.topspeed.com/cars/infinit...35-ar1670.html

http://forums.maxima.org/infiniti-i3...ted-seats.html

Still didn't find what year that feature was added to the Cold Weather Package.
Why not? It was meant to be somewhat light hearted, but why ask why? Did you WANT the power in your TL? The sportier suspension? WHY? See....

MyCarIsntInMyWifesName

Personally I don't think the 6 or Fusion were remarkable until their redos recently, thus out of the price range in discussion.

Aman

You could probably get a 6G Max, or even a 1G G35 in your price range. I find Nissan/Infiniti products depreciate a fair bit quicker than Toyota and Honda.

F23A4

WannabeG

I35. They are bullet proof. Solid motors and trans, and probably one of the best bang for the buck cars you can buy.

Luxury, Power, and Comfort on a car that can be had for sub 10k with less than 100k miles.

Shift_Acura

I would still take those over an 02-04 Altima.

One thing I want to mention about the 5.5G Max or I35 is that they have horrible gas mileage and they have a Huge turning radius and also torsion beam rear suspension.

STRAN

iTrader: (1)

Accord.

F23A4

Having owned a 5.5G for four years, I wont say it has horrible gas mileage; it just wont go anywhere near the 30mpg that the AV6 is capable of. It does have the turning radius of a cargo ship though but, that's not a deal breaking attribute.

MyCarIsntInMyWifesName

If you wanted something like the 1G 6, it's small enough that I'd personally just get into a VW Jetta VR6 of that time.

Having driven a loaded one of those at the time (GLX or GLI or something, don't remember), I was stunned at how good a car at that price range could be. It felt basically as nice as the then-fresh A4 for a lot less coin.

VW electrical systems are spotty at best though.

JD23

The 1G 6 arguably handles better than the Jetta and will have lower maintenance costs. For an older, high mileage car, that is a major consideration.

MyCarIsntInMyWifesName

That's why it's down to opinion, as I eluded to. For some (like me), the VW's significant NVH and interior advantage is worth the maintenance premium. For others, it is not.

F23A4

While shopping a car for my daughter, we came across a low mileage Jetta 1.8T (MkIV). Although I've always held major concerns about the electrical problems that seem endemic in German cars, I figured I'd go for a test drive. FATE: It broke down during the test drive due to electrical problems. That said, I'd consider a 6 WELL BEFORE I would ever consider any VW OR Audi.

Pure Adrenaline

iTrader: (2)

Buy my '03 TL-S.



In all seriousness, I would go for the TL out of those two choices. But I'm biased because I've had my '03 TL-S for 7.5 years now. Still love it.

vas25tl

Dated > tranny problems IMO.

I had a tough time choosing a car back in January and ended up buying a 02 RL with 127K miles on it - all maintenance records up to date. Haven't looked back - no better car for the $ IMHO.

vas25tl

I30/I35/Maxima's are nice but the turning radius on those things

I had an 02 I35 for a month and I hated driving that car. It was bumpy, seats were uncomfortable and you can barely turn anywhere.

silver3.5

given the 2nd gen. TL-S transmission problems, i would still own one over a comparable generation V6 accord or maxima/i30/i35. to me, the best looking accord generation was from 1994-1995; everything else after that is just plain ugly. maximas/i30/i35 are nice cars but nissan cars in general are just cheap. the quality of the leather, dash, door panels, metal, etc...always seem a step behind honda and toyota.

Willie3.5

Accord all the way. I love my 2G, but the accord is a better choice.

YeuEmMaiMai

2003 accord and 03 TLS use the same basic POS transmission. Both are prone to failure

YeuEmMaiMai

the 2nd gen TL got the 5at for 2000 and up as it was only the 1999 that had the 4at. Those things were crap until they were updated by honda with new differental bearings, relocation of the cooler to be external, and 2nd/3rd gear increased clutchpack lubrication, and the 2nd gear fix, The 5at used afterwards is just a design disaster and even though it has been updated, it's still not good.

UA5runner

glad to hear that, my 03 tl type is 5,000 away from 200,000 still runs like a champ. any certain problems you encountered with yours after 200,000

MTEAZY

VQ35 burns too much oil. Try 04 RL