Comparing to the 09 TL, could the 08 M35X justify its $50K price tag?

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Old 09-30-2008 | 10:01 PM
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Comparing to the 09 TL, could the 08 M35X justify its $50K price tag?

As I am looking at the 09 TL, I am doing some comparisons with similar sedans.

The 08 Infiniti M35X comes very close to the 09 TL SH-AWD in terms of its body size and engine size etc. However, if you price out an M35X with the Technology Package and HID (yes, you have to add extra $$$ for HID!!! Who do they think they are? BMW? LOL), then the price jumps up to $50K easily.

Considering the TL SH-AWD's price tag of $43K, could the M35X really justify its much higher price? Is there something much better about the M35X that I am not aware of?

BTW, 0-60mph for M35X is 7 seconds. That seems to be quite a bit slower than the 09 TL SH-AWD...
Old 09-30-2008 | 10:13 PM
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Eh, not really. I was never a fan of the looks of either car, but the interior in the TL is miles better than the M.
Old 09-30-2008 | 10:14 PM
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for some reason the rear lights of the new M35X is horrendous
Old 09-30-2008 | 10:15 PM
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I never liked the "desk" look of the dash in the M.
Old 09-30-2008 | 10:18 PM
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I hate that too! LOL

Originally Posted by Blazing GT
for some reason the rear lights of the new M35X is horrendous
Yup, I hate the rear lights of the M35X! It looks like an even uglier version of the Avalon LOL

Regarding the dashboard, I am not a fan of that desk-like design either... it looks very old school GM to me...
Old 09-30-2008 | 10:19 PM
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Have you given the new G35xS a try? If you're looking for straight-line acceleration, that car takes off quite fast. Better yet, wait a little and look at the upcoming G37 sedan.
Old 09-30-2008 | 10:29 PM
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I've never liked the exterior of the M, particularly the rear end.

Looking at the interior on Infiniti's site, I can say I'm not a fan of that, either.
Old 09-30-2008 | 10:44 PM
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M35X > 09 TL (aka Acura Epic Fail)
Old 10-01-2008 | 12:27 AM
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i would take the m35 any day over the 2009 TL... that car is amazing. IMO you cant compare the two
Old 10-01-2008 | 12:33 AM
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The 2008 refresh makes the Infiniti M tail lights much much better. I agree that the 06-07 Tails looked HUGE but the 08 tails, and the overall car in general look awesome.


Old 10-01-2008 | 12:38 AM
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The M35 interior is nicer than the TL IMO, as it should be since it is a class above.
It's also RWD based, as opposed to the FWD biased TL. The M35 applies 100% power to the rear wheels until slip is detected.

M35 > TL
Old 10-01-2008 | 12:40 AM
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I still love Acura.

Acura > Infiniti for me.
Old 10-01-2008 | 01:55 AM
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You gotta compare the TL to the Infiniti G series. The M series is in a different class.

TL > G. But, M > 09 TL, IMHO.
Old 10-01-2008 | 02:05 AM
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Originally Posted by SeCsTaC
The 2008 refresh makes the Infiniti M tail lights much much better. I agree that the 06-07 Tails looked HUGE but the 08 tails, and the overall car in general look awesome.


Thats a completely decked out M45-S....you're looking at 60k+
Old 10-01-2008 | 07:47 AM
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Originally Posted by ostrich

Considering the TL SH-AWD's price tag of $43K, could the M35X really justify its much higher price? Is there something much better about the M35X that I am not aware of?
Old 10-01-2008 | 09:35 AM
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Originally Posted by ostrich
As I am looking at the 09 TL, I am doing some comparisons with similar sedans.

The 08 Infiniti M35X comes very close to the 09 TL SH-AWD in terms of its body size and engine size etc. However, if you price out an M35X with the Technology Package and HID (yes, you have to add extra $$$ for HID!!! Who do they think they are? BMW? LOL), then the price jumps up to $50K easily.

Considering the TL SH-AWD's price tag of $43K, could the M35X really justify its much higher price? Is there something much better about the M35X that I am not aware of?

BTW, 0-60mph for M35X is 7 seconds. That seems to be quite a bit slower than the 09 TL SH-AWD...
what are you talking about? not only are HID's standard, but on the M35X adaptive headlights are also standard

http://www.infiniti.com/m/models.html

http://www.infiniti.com/m/packages.html

The TL should be compared to the G35X, the M35 is a bigger car and more luxurious. Not that I have sat in or driven a 09 TL, but its hard to get past the exterior styling.
Old 10-01-2008 | 09:45 AM
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Originally Posted by iTimmy
The TL should be compared to the G35X, the M35 is a bigger car and more luxurious. Not that I have sat in or driven a 09 TL, but its hard to get past the exterior styling.
Actually, size-wise, the new TL is pretty much the same size as the RL, which was already comparable in size to the M35 so I could see people cross-shopping the two if they are looking at a particular size of sedan.

Won't disagree with you about the styling though...
Old 10-01-2008 | 09:53 AM
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Originally Posted by CGTSX2004
Actually, size-wise, the new TL is pretty much the same size as the RL, which was already comparable in size to the M35 so I could see people cross-shopping the two if they are looking at a particular size of sedan.

Won't disagree with you about the styling though...
Are we talking interior or exterior dimensions? Last time I drove a M it felt HUGE inside as where I don't recall that feeling in a TL. Now that I think about it my father's 08 Accord feels pretty HUGE inside too
Old 10-01-2008 | 09:57 AM
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Originally Posted by iTimmy
Are we talking interior or exterior dimensions? Last time I drove a M it felt HUGE inside as where I don't recall that feeling in a TL. Now that I think about it my father's 08 Accord feels pretty HUGE inside too
Both, if I am remembering the numbers correctly. The new Accord is actually a pretty good indicator of the size, I would imagine.
Old 10-01-2008 | 10:00 AM
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Honestly, im not sure if i can even justify paying $42k for a TL when the RL is just a little more.

Im willing to pay more for a Japanese built car. Same goes for the M35x.
Old 10-01-2008 | 10:21 AM
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Originally Posted by psteng19
The M35 interior is nicer than the TL IMO, as it should be since it is a class above.
It's also RWD based, as opposed to the FWD biased TL. The M35 applies 100% power to the rear wheels until slip is detected.

M35 > TL
You make it sound like the TL's AWD system is the same as a Lexus RX350. Whoopidy freakin do, the M35X has a RWD bias AWD system. The TL has SHAWD which pretty much kicks all AWD systems ass when it comes to cornering.

I like that this thread even exists. When I was selling Acuras, no one ever compared the M35 to the TL, it was only compared to the RL because of size, power, and platform similarities (I think the exterior length difference at the time was .1"). Now that the TL gained SHAWD and a bit of size (not sure if I personally like the extra size) it has moved up class for competition. It's like the Sugar Ray Leonard of cars, a welterweight that isn't afraid to battle the heavier competitors.

I had mentioned in a previous thread that the TL with SHAWD could really help it battle the G35X in the snow belt states but it looks like it can actually move up in class to take on an even stronger (read more expensive) competitor.

People had said that a 42K TL just couldn't sell. If it offerers the features of a car that costs $8000 more it's gonna have a fighting chance for those who put value as a top priority.
Old 10-01-2008 | 10:24 AM
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Why not just start one topic comparing the TL to all the different cars instead of starting multiple for each vehicle you're comparing?
Old 10-01-2008 | 10:28 AM
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Originally Posted by jjaber06
thats a completely decked out m45-s....you're looking at 60k+
+1
Old 10-01-2008 | 10:37 AM
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Originally Posted by Crazy Acura
Honestly, im not sure if i can even justify paying $42k for a TL when the RL is just a little more.

Im willing to pay more for a Japanese built car. Same goes for the M35x.



I also try to buy something made overseas
Old 10-01-2008 | 06:04 PM
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LOL if TL competes with M35/45 then what does RL do? 7 series ? now that is funny.
Old 10-01-2008 | 07:43 PM
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Go check the facts yourself, please

Originally Posted by iTimmy
what are you talking about? not only are HID's standard, but on the M35X adaptive headlights are also standard

http://www.infiniti.com/m/models.html

http://www.infiniti.com/m/packages.html

The TL should be compared to the G35X, the M35 is a bigger car and more luxurious. Not that I have sat in or driven a 09 TL, but its hard to get past the exterior styling.
Before you dispute anyone, please check the facts yourself. The M35X does NOT include HID or adaptive headlights, which are OPTIONAL for the M35X. The M35 does have these features as standard, but not the M35X. I don't know why Infiniti did that but that's how it is. Click on the link that you provided yourself and read the small print.

Oh, and with the 09TL now measuring 195" in length, it is pretty much the same length as the M35X which is 194.1" long. Well, please check the facts before you dispute.
Old 10-01-2008 | 07:50 PM
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Thank you!

Originally Posted by black label
You make it sound like the TL's AWD system is the same as a Lexus RX350. Whoopidy freakin do, the M35X has a RWD bias AWD system. The TL has SHAWD which pretty much kicks all AWD systems ass when it comes to cornering.

I like that this thread even exists. When I was selling Acuras, no one ever compared the M35 to the TL, it was only compared to the RL because of size, power, and platform similarities (I think the exterior length difference at the time was .1"). Now that the TL gained SHAWD and a bit of size (not sure if I personally like the extra size) it has moved up class for competition. It's like the Sugar Ray Leonard of cars, a welterweight that isn't afraid to battle the heavier competitors.

I had mentioned in a previous thread that the TL with SHAWD could really help it battle the G35X in the snow belt states but it looks like it can actually move up in class to take on an even stronger (read more expensive) competitor.

People had said that a 42K TL just couldn't sell. If it offerers the features of a car that costs $8000 more it's gonna have a fighting chance for those who put value as a top priority.
Thank you! I am not sure why many people keep saying that the new TL SH-AWD should be compared with the G35X. I think that the old TL should be compared to the G35 but now with the 09 TL SH-AWD growing in size, getting better engine output, performance and luxury features, it surely is a direct competitor to the M35X. Not the M45 but the M35X for sure.

When people say that the M35X is more luxurious than the 09 TL with Tech Package, I wonder what makes it so? I don't seem to find luxury features in the M35X + Technology Package that you can't find in the 09 TL with Tech Package. I feel that it's a case of people using their emotions and perception to judge rather than comparing the facts.
Old 10-01-2008 | 08:21 PM
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Originally Posted by oonowindoo
LOL if TL competes with M35/45 then what does RL do? 7 series ? now that is funny.
I think the general consensus is that the M35X is a much sportier car compared to the RL which handles very well but is still a little "soft". The RL can compete with the offerings from Mercedes and Lexus who are also soft. The TL was a sportier platform than the RL from the start so the addition of SHAWD just takes it to a new level. From a luxury performance stand point, it may be more prepared to battle with Infiniti at Infiniti's game.

It's not that the TL with SHAWD was really designed to compete with the M35X, it's that it can steal a few M35X customers with the value angle. It's more of a collateral damage.
Old 10-01-2008 | 08:33 PM
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Originally Posted by ostrich
Before you dispute anyone, please check the facts yourself. The M35X does NOT include HID or adaptive headlights, which are OPTIONAL for the M35X. The M35 does have these features as standard, but not the M35X. I don't know why Infiniti did that but that's how it is. Click on the link that you provided yourself and read the small print.

Oh, and with the 09TL now measuring 195" in length, it is pretty much the same length as the M35X which is 194.1" long. Well, please check the facts before you dispute.

I misread the link, that is shocking because HID's are standard on the G35, seems odd that its not standard on the M.

I guess the obvious choice is don't buy the M35X if you don't like it, what do you want from us
Old 10-01-2008 | 08:44 PM
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Just get the new TL.

The end.
Old 10-01-2008 | 09:13 PM
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Originally Posted by ostrich
Oh, and with the 09TL now measuring 195" in length, it is pretty much the same length as the M35X which is 194.1" long. Well, please check the facts before you dispute.
Good of you to look up the specs. How about the M being about 5-6 inches wider and having more passanger and storage space than the TL or the RL for that matter.

And for the record, the G35 has similar interior space as the TLs.

So, really, are they in the same class? Car length is not the only or most important spec.

I really think if you are to compare cars, then the TSX or TL should be compared to the G. NO comparison in the case of the TSX. The TL base is IMO, also not as good as the G35.

The TLs may be a good comparison to the G35S or the M35. I think the M35X is a really nice car. And I can afford $800 more for HID's if I'm spending that much for a car.

The M45 is DAMN better than the RL.

I may be biased though. Although I like some aspects of the TL/TLs, I just think the Infiniti line appeals to me and my taste more.
Old 10-01-2008 | 09:15 PM
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Oh....and I will take the Infiniti tail lights over the Acura grill any fucking day.
Old 10-01-2008 | 09:55 PM
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what does IS350 compete with? TSX?

They are the same length

My G37S has more features than most of the 5 series and E class. Does that make G37S more luxury than 5 series?
Old 10-01-2008 | 10:05 PM
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^^^^

Everyone has an asshole....sorry, I mean opinion.
Old 10-01-2008 | 10:14 PM
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I'd rather over pay for a M35 than be seen in public with a 09 TL
Old 10-01-2008 | 10:57 PM
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Originally Posted by oonowindoo
what does IS350 compete with? TSX?

They are the same length

My G37S has more features than most of the 5 series and E class. Does that make G37S more luxury than 5 series?
in terms of size, yes.

but in terms of price and power, it's closer to the TL than TSX, in my opinion.

the IS250 is probably the better comparison for the TSX.

and for that reason, i think most consumers and reviews will compare the IS350 and G with the TL.

and i believe the M35 is a closer competitor to the RL as well.

oh, and i've always been a fan of the M, inside and out. the rear took a bit getting used to, but it's a handsome car.
Old 10-02-2008 | 08:17 AM
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^^^^



Maybe we just need an "Acura vs Infiniti vs Lexus" thread. With a poll.
Old 10-02-2008 | 09:00 AM
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Just go buy a new TL and quit making all these threads...
Old 10-02-2008 | 10:18 AM
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agreed with what others have said... M35x should be compared to the RL, not the TL.
Old 10-02-2008 | 10:53 AM
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It's funny how the ES completely fell off the cliff when comparing to anything other than a camry



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