Mike_TX

Oops! You're right. The Z is indeed on a different platform. The Maxima shares the FF-L platform with the Quest minivan, Murano and Altima. How could I get a minivan and a sports car mixed up?

Thanks for the correction -

Mike

winstrolvtec

Sorry, I know im off topic but which issue of R&T was it in? Must have missed it.

PeterUbers

iTrader: (1)

Yeah, Monte is right ... i should remember to include my sig in my posts...

For the person who made the comment about the TL having usable torque... get inside an '03+ automatic Maxima and tell me what you think of the torque outta that 3.5L engine... it's awesome.

Torque is a beautiful thing...

PeterUbers

iTrader: (1)

Overseas, the TL is called the "honda inspire" ... i guess you couldn't justify what you're saying in Japan, eh?

mbwmn

my girlfriends' 2003 altima se v-6 doesn't come close to the torque/horspower of the tl. plus, w/out vsa it becomes almost undriveable whenyou're aggressive in wet conditions

boltjames

In Japan, they cut the skull of a monkey open and eat its brain while its still alive. They can call the TL whatever they want over there as things are different......the Honda Legend is a luxury car in Asia. Matt Damon is still a star and Cheryl Ladd is a famous recording artist.

BJ

TL_6SPD

2003 Altima V6 would kill a TL in a drag race. You can get the 5spd running high 13s to low 14s stock due to its weight. Autos are low to mid 14s.

PeterUbers

iTrader: (1)

you strike me as the kind of person that needs to justify your $35k by convincing yourself that the Acura marque is an exclusive luxury marque --

EZZ

Nah, couldn't be. Acura brand equity is pretty weak for a true luxury marque. Same with Infiniti and Cadillac. The brands that hold the most panache are BMW, MB, Porsche, Audi, and Lexus (I won't even include exotics). Someone who wants a status symbol car doesn't buy an Acura (as others have reiterated time and time again, "best bang for the buck"). They buy "true" luxury Marquees, not second rate Japanese Luxury marquees.

BLEXV6

Firstly, let me say that the Maxima is ugly as sin from every angle. Now you know where I am coming from, and IMHO, this is the 2nd generation of Maximas that are ugly. Prior generations were excellent looking cars.

That said, is there even any competition to the Maxima? Perhaps the Avalon, or Pontiac Bonneville. Certainly for me, I only buy Japenese nameplates and I do not see any direct competiton. If I was prepared to buy an Accord I would not shell out the extra dough for the Max and if I wante the TL, I would not consider the Max. That said I love the Altima.

boltjames

There are two luxury brands that mean anything:

Mercedes Benz
BMW

Then there are a bunch of luxury brands that offer better value, but only a fraction of the perception of high-class:

Acura
Audi
Lexus
Volvo


Lastly, there are confused brands that really don't know what they're trying to be and who their audience is:

Infiniti
Jaguar
Cadillac
Saab

However you'd like to slice it, Nissan is not a luxury brand. Timex may make sturdy and dependable watches, but they're not Rolex.

BJ

boltjames

No, I don't need validation from Nissan owners that my car is produced by a luxury brand. I do, however, need to set the record straight when trolls show up trying to put the TL down in class just to make their Accord wannabe vehicles appear to be of a higher status. That's not right.

BJ

RTDyer

Nissan sucks as a rule. BMW and MB are overrated with the price to prove it. Toyota/Lexus is boring to the Nth degree. ACURA is the thinking man's ride - if you believe in critical thinking.

RTDyer

You are a salesman's dream. You buy into all of the BS!

TL_6SPD

OMG man you are so freaking stupid. Lexus and Infiniti are OVER ACURA in Luxury PERIOD. Acura is catching up and doing very well I might add. But if you think Infiniti is not with Lexus or Acura you are a dumbass. You REALLY MAKE ALL THE TL OWNERS LOOK BAD ON HERE. Why do we waste our time on this guy? Just BAN HIM!

Oh yea, btw, I owned a Audi, and it had a better interior than the TL did. And I own a G35 compared to the Audi, it isn't bad at all.

Mike_TX

Dude. Don't get your back up. (And I'm not a troll, if you were referring to me).

Drive your car, enjoy your car, love your car, be proud of your car. But the world is full of cool cars, and it's also not right to get overly caught up in one brand and call everything else crap. Besides ... if you keep an open mind, you might even find more cars to love and be proud of!

Mike

TL_6SPD

IF WE GO BACK AND READ ALL THE THREADS, you started putting down the G35 first and started all the bad commnets about the G35. You STARTED IT. You always start it. TL and G35 owners were doing fine in this thead before you spewed your bs again.

TL_6SPD

Oh yea, per BJ terms, TL is gods chariot. It's gods gift to automobiles. Nothing beats it, nothing compares as long as BJ owns one.

AcuraVic

I have to agree with Blex. The current Maxima is a ugly car. I have always liked the Maxima in previuos versions. They are a steal as a used car. Those Nissan/Infiniti designers are a little edgy with some of there designs. Like the Q45 thing. It looks like the '6000 SUX' in the original Robocop Movie. :sqnteek:

apwalsh

Why do you have an analogy in almost every one of your posts? I'm sure you can get your point across easier not talking like you are a first grade teacher. Although depending upon who you're talking to on here, it might be the only way.

Now as far as Maxima vs TL, they are both great cars. I would have to say that these cars are competitors as far as market share for a 4 door, sporty family car in the $30 - $35K price range. I don't think either Nissan or Acura intended to be competing with these models, but that's what consumers are doing.

Nissan is definetly not a "luxury" brand, and any fool can tell that by walking into one of their showrooms. The idiots in there look like they are auditioning for Boiler Room 2. That doesn't mean that they don't make one hell of a car.

apwalsh

I disagree. And I don't need to call you stupid either. Lexus, Infiniti, Acura ... all the same shit really. Lexus and Infiniti offer a few more models, but the vehicles at comparative pricepoints all have similar engines, features, and build quality. Lexus and Infiniti have just been adopted by more wanna bes that Acura has.

EZZ

I've never bought a BMW or Mercedes so kiss my a$$

I find it funny that people praise the bang-for-the-buck the TL provides and get so defensive about Acura not being as prestigious as BMW

boltjames

Hmm.....according to your profile:

TL_6SPD 2004 G35S, 6MT, Premium, Sport, DG
Mods: Z-TUBE | K&N Panel | 20% tint

Did have deposit on a 04 TL 6MT, but cancelled.

Born 1955

Conclusions:

1. 49 year old men do not use the word "freaking" in a sentence.

2. 14 year old boys who wish they owned a luxury car, do use the word "freaking' in a sentence.

3. Someone who chose a G35 over a TL after placing a deposit on a TL is certainly biased and has a bone to pick with Acura.

4. Someone who chooses a MT car with lots of sports modifications is hardly an expert on what constitutes a 'luxury' brand.

5. If you want to live in a fantasy world where Infinity is the perceived equal of Lexus and Acura on the luxury scale, good luck to you. Hate to break it to you, but there is no Easter Bunny, your dad is the Tooth Fairy, the Loch Ness Monster was a hoax, and the Bermuda Triangle contains no alien spacecraft.

6. You can cry and shout all you want but ultimately you'll come to realize that no one supports your ridiculous G35 claims in the TL forum.

7. Go to bed. You've got a spelling test and a geometry quiz at school tomorrow, remember?

BJ

ljwobker

I think Acura has specifically placed the TL right in the middle of the non-luxury brands and their luxury equivalents. I don't think many people would contest that your average Audi/Lexus/BMW/Infiniti are more luxurious than the TL. However, I very much doubt that most people would argue that the TL is more luxurious than the Honda, Ford, Toyota, and Nissan competitors. I drive a 2000 Maxima, and it was the best $23k you could ever spend on a car. (This was before the Altima became a Maxima in sheep's clothing).

I think Acura is very nicely positioned in a somewhat-niche market: they're incredibly attractive to people who want a "pseudo-luxury" car without spending the 45 grand you'd need to get a Lexus 430 or a 5-series Bimmer or an A6, but they're clearly nicer than anything you can get from an Accord/Maxima/Taurus(gag!)

From my recent research and looking around, I almost bought an A6 until a friend twigged me onto the TL, and now I'm about to buy one. I thought about the G35, but couldn't handle the looks. I think for most people the choice is pretty clear: if you're willing to live with a front-wheel drive automobile, there's nothing better out there than a TL.

--lj

boltjames

Have to differ here, big time.

Have you sat in your 'average' Audi, Lexux, BMW, or Infinity?

Audi: Volkswagon starkness, hard seats, lack of rich materials. We're not talking A8 here. We're talking A4 or A6.

Lexus: Their interiors are nice, but certainly not superior to the TL. About the same. Offset by the unattractive exteriors, but we're talking luxury here so that's really about the interior.

BMW: Please.....if you're talking about the 3 don't bother. If you're talking about the 5, it certainly comes closer, but the leather seats (if you can afford them) are uncomfortable and the interior is straight out of a 1985 7 series. There's no imagination.

Infinity: Well covered......terrible. Suited for a Maxima, not a supposed 'luxury sedan'.

BJ

winstrolvtec

Dont forget that the TL is one of the only cars in its class that's fwd, and it's not stopping me from getting one and didnt stop the close to 70,000 who already bought the car. The TL is selling just as well if not better then its competition. What I find funny is that no Infiniti, BMW, Audi, Lexus, Caddi, or MB could ever sell half as well with a front drive as Acura has, in one of the most competitive categories of automobiles, whith "all" worthy competition offering superior drivetrains.

winstrolvtec

Dont forget that the TL is one of the only cars in its class that's fwd, and it's not stopping me from getting one and didnt stop the close to 70,000 who already bought the car. The TL is selling just as well if not better then its competition. What I find funny is that no Infiniti, BMW, Audi, Lexus, Caddi, or MB could ever sell half as well with a front drive as Acura has, in one of the most competitive categories of automobiles, with "all" worthy competition offering superior drivetrains. As for the Maxima, im surprised Nissan has room for it between its altima and infiniti line up.

jjsC5

BJ, As if you haven't already lost a lot of credibility on this thread, your comments here, especially about the Audi have pushed you over the edge. Audi has the nicest interiors made. And if you think that this is just my opinion, read every road test written on any Audi the past several years. EVERY comparison test - regardless of what they are comparing the car to, raves about the interiors as being the benchmark for any class of car. And Lexus interiors are not superior to the TL? Sorry, but they are.

It's nice you love your TL so much, but if you want credibility, you have to be more objective and realistic.

TL_6SPD

Wow, I made one mistake. But you make 100s in your posts so far. You can't even spell Infiniti right. lol

If you look at the JD POWERS, seems Infiniti is right under Lexus. And Acura is 4-5 down the list. So how can you say Infiniti is not near Lexus or Acura? I would say Acura is not near them. And this is a FACT not a BJ lie.

TL_6SPD

The new B6 A4 body was the benchmark of all interiors. It was rated that way. It had the best interior design of any car and its seats by all means were not hard like VWs. You are just way overly biased for the TL. And you need to grow up.

And now your saying Lexus interiors are not superior to the TL?! Omg kid. You again have no clue what you just said.

Aquineas

Doesn't matter, because I've got a bigger penis. That's pretty much what this thread has deteriorated to.

boltjames

Nice way to end the thread.

BJ

RAdams

I spoke too soon.

apwalsh

The new Audis definetely have the best interiors, but not a few years back. Seemed very bland to me then. Lexus on the other hand, doesn't really move me (Talking about new IS, LS & RS models) as far as interior goes. It's definetly nice, but I'd have to say that I think the TL's interior is nicer right now. I'm sure Lexus will blow the TL away with it's next interior re-design though. Well, maybe not blow it away....

KobeCow

i guess the M3 and S4 are next on your list to bash.
-have you seen the quality of materials on an A4/A6?
-Yes, current 3 series interiors are way outdated, but these are "driver's" cars and not luxury cruisers.

-i owned a 2002 maxima and after the headlights got stolen, i decided i will never buy a Maxima. the only pluses were the NAV and the awesome torque (unfortunately in the front wheels)

KobeCow

i currently have a B6 A4
interior is simply the best.
though i admit the seats are a bit "firm"
unfortunately its a slug off the line.

when i sat in the TL, i liked the real aluminum, nice seats and roomy interior.

1SICKLEX

Dude your lucky a valet pays any attention to you. You drive an Acura. Acura=value. If you go to:
Clublexus
MB World
Bimmerforums

You will realize that people that buy Acuras like value. You will realize that Acura makes no car BETTER than the 35k TL
Lexus majority lineup is more expensive than the TL
Benz and BMW have most of their cars more expensive than the TL
Acura focuses on cars UNDER 40k. Similar to Nissan, Kia, Toyota, Daewoo
If you had any friends of stature, if you owned a business, if you were not 18 years old you would realize Acura is simply not even mentioned in the breath as BMW, Benz, Lexus.

Luxury and Value=

I am not saying Acura is junk. Acura is a very solid carmaker. But if your current flagship since 1999 has been a worse car than the TL, what kind of luxury is that.

1SICKLEX

The Honda Legend is compared to the Toyota Camry and Nissan Maxima in Europe. If you've been there.

AcuraVic

Hey Sicklex,
I'll have to disagree with you on your rant. Valets park my TL up front right next to the BMW, Benz, and Porche. People from all walks of life from bank presidents to day laborors ask me to stop and 'give a tour' of the TL. I own a 02 530I sport also, and i'll tell you the BMW shines when driven hard, which is not most of the time. The TL shines in the regular driving most of us do daily. My BMW friends say the TL is the best looking, best driving, best all around car to come along in a long time. It is set to be one of those cars that 'transends time' like the 91 - 96 Acura Legends. Only time will tell on that.

1SICKLEX

It was a shot at BoltJames. I do think the TL has that Acura Legend aura. It's a focking great car. PERIOD. Just not Jesus's chariot like BoltJames says.