cob3683

of the Tahoe. Haven't had any problems, I just miss having a car and I really don't use the space at all.

So yesterday I went on a few test drives and narrowed it down to 4 choices:
-New G35
-Old G35 coupe (not a fan of the G37)...if I can still find a new one
-Acura TL
-Audi A4 2.0T

Any owners want to chime in with problems/experiences thus far? I usually do not have an issue narrowing down the car decision and going with it but this time isn't that easy.

Acuraluvr

iTrader: (2)

you got a new 07 tahoe? just asking, what type of mileage do you get?

-New G35 - better performance drive than tl
-Old G35 coupe - only choice on the list if you want MT
-Acura TL - imo best crusier and sleeper on the highway
-Audi A4 2.0T - i dunno... probably would only buy if i lived in snow/wet areas

Crazy Bimmer

No 328?

cob3683

The 328i is nice but the cheapest one I would go for is $42,250. At that price I would just fork down an extra $8,000 and buy the 335i I really want.

The Infiniti's are appealing to me because I get supplier pricing, just not entirely sure that I like them more than the Acura/Audi.

phil2

a5?

gdubb

Man I think your going to killed on the trade in.

My friend has a 07 LTZ Suburban that was close to 46k and they tried to trade it in last month and the highest offer was 35k

mattg

ouch

cob3683

If I get rid of soon it won't actually be too bad. The Tahoe was $48,500 and I bought it just a shade over $40,000 (supplier + $2,000 cash back). It should be worth anywhere from $33,500-$35,000 (depending on the dealer).

cob3683

Nice car...too much. I am looking to spend no more than $37,000.

stright-(paint)balling

how about a Benz C300 sport?

INSPIRE 32V

iTrader: (1)

i's take a 08 TL-S

LuvMyTSX

I've heard & read those are "meh" at best. It just got last place out of 4 in a recent C&D comparo, too (C300 or 350 I can't remember, Caddy CTS, G35, 328i, respectively).

LuvMyTSX

Me too.

Shoofin

The Infiniti MT's in both the G35 coupe/4dr suck ass..

Wisc Badger

ill sell ya my 8 month old TSX 6mt navi

kinda thinking i should be driving an rdx or x3... or something with AWD at least like an a4 quattro.

Soccer_playa1579

dude that new Audi a6 in Red is freakin amazing.. =)....

Crazy Bimmer

How about a used S4?

cob3683

Nah...nothing used. I'm a new car only snob.

Had a bad experience with the only used car I ever owned and promised myself that I would never buy another one again.

is300eater

shocked? Nah... I was more shocked when you got it 6 months ago...

what about the new CTS?

Wisc Badger

i'd go bimmer if you've got the $... that 335i is bad ass and if you can get the xi awd then youre covered for the winters too. you can get nicely equipped one with the sport package and some toys for like $44k

phil2

wait for the 2008 a4

oonowindoo

44k = 48k OTD..... that is 10k over his budget.

is300eater

once again... why must people suggest cars waaaaaaaaay over the OP's stated budget?

TheMirror

I have no idea. Its the same sort of thing when people ask what kind of PC to buy, and folks chime in that they should buy a Mac.

TheMirror

My girlfriend has a 2007 A4 2.0T 6AT. Excellent car, but its had a couple of issues. It fried a fuel pump relay that needed to be replaced, and also had an electrical issue that needed sorting out. Other than that, its a great car.

If you go that route....or any German car route.....a factory extended warranty is MANDITORY if you plan to keep it past the standard warranty period.

-Mirror

cob3683

Appreciate the response. That has been my biggest holdup with the Audi. Gorgeous car though.

iTimmy

I have a new G and while I like it, I don't love it. Its a good car, don't get me wrong, and I've had no problems with it, which is always a concern for first model year cars. It just isn't a "drivers car," the engine is good, though a bit more lower end torque would be welcomed. I just think its too heavy and while its ride is stiff, it doesn't handle good, it has too much body roll and its just not confidence inspiring to take a turn spiritedly. Perhaps if I had a sport model it would be better, but I still think its hard to overcome physics, the mass of the car is just too great. The steering is nice, very responsive with above average feedback(in particular for a Japanese car), the steering wheel is the best feeling steering wheel I've ever owned. The interior is good for a car in its price range, its very intuitive and the controls all feel very solid, of course you can nit pick about not liking the aluminum trim or the leather, but no car is perfect for everyone, I personally think the interior is a large improvement over my TSX, which in turn I thought was better then the first gen G. Interior space is not great, if I had a child, this car would be a huge PITA, the trunk has a very small opening and no fold down rear seats. Rear seat room is limited for adults that are above average size, and down right uncomfortable for tall people. The stereo is fantastic, the car is great in winter and it is a solid, "good" car but its not perfect. Styling, both interior and exterior is so subjective I won't comment, you either like it or you don't, very few have luke warm feelings about it. Since your coming from a large SUV, make sure the trunk and rear seat configuration will work for you.

Even though I had a some what major problem with my TSX towards the end of my ownership and the dealership did nothing to help I think that the TSX was a better car all around. It was a much better value and I felt it was more fun to drive, it was more tossable and "fun to drive." It certainly wasn't as fast in a straight line, but I bet on a small twisty track, or AutoX my TSX would out perform my G despite the 100+HP handicap. Not only did my TSX feel better going through the twisties, it also road smoother and gave the driver more confidence. I kept the TSX for about 3 years, which was the longest I've ever kept a car and the infiniti is about a year old and I am talking to a dealership about trading it in, it bores me already. Honestly, if I could go back in time and do it again I would probably have got another TSX.

I agree with who said the manual G's are crappy, because they are, they are better then they used to be, but still far from good and the auto tranny is really good.


With that said if it were between a 328i and a G35, I would take the G, same holds true with a comparably priced lexus or audi. I think in its price range its the clear choice for getting the most for your money. Though I think I could have lived with less, saved money and been no less happy.

WdnUlik2no

Other than the TL. I've also had a G35 coupe. Its a fun car, but the engine had to be replaced at about 6,000 miles. I'm not sure what they said the problem was, but I started noticing a terrible scraping sound when accelerating. I took it in, and they just put something in the car to monitor the oil level for about 3,000 miles. After 3,000 miles, I took it back in and then they told me the engine needed to be replaced. It was under warranty so I was good. If it wasn't under warranty the cost would have been over $13,000.

iTimmy

I think your engine problem is pretty isolated, much like my manual TSX tranny problem - you can't really hold that against all of them. If it were common, like Acura auto tranny's then its another story, but as far as I know the VQ engines, in particular the new VQ35HR is bullet proof.

WdnUlik2no

yeah, I'm pretty sure it was isolated; just wanted to let the OP know of my experience. This was the first issue I've heard with the G35, unfortunately I was the one who had to experience it.

csmeance

I would go with a new 08TLS, or G35, both are sporty and in the price range. If you care more for performance, opt for the G35, if you opt more for a better balanced car with a good interior and power, opt for the TL-S. The TL I have gets good gas mileage and also has not had to many issues, just some rattles. The G35 to my knowledge has horrible MPG, but that may not be true for your driving style. I would go with the TL-S, best bang for the buck and it can be picked up for around 36K OTD after your discount.

achenator

I hear you on the Tahoe. I bought my wife an 07 in May. It is an LTZ, loaded to the gills, stickered for $50,300. Nice vehicle, but driving it does not excite me one bit.

cob3683

Appreciate the responses guys.

I'm going to hopefully have this settled over the next couple weeks. If it strings out too long I am going to have to add the G8 to the list and the last thing I need is a more complicated list.

nokiaman

^^Throw in a 135i in there too!

DAYTA

Agreed. I've driven both the old G35 coupe and the new G37 in MT forms, and their gearboxes were absolutely atrocious. There is still unacceptable levels of vibration that come through the shifter in the G37, and the throws are long and notchy.

I really hope this trend doesn't carry over into the new GT-R's, otherwise I'll have to look for another replacement for my TSX down the road...

charliemike

I drove one. Complete and utter disappointment.

Fibonacci

Interesting perspective. Time for another TSX!

joerockt

You can get an 08 TL-S easily out the door at that price.

is300eater

so, no response to the the 08' CTS I mentioned before... You're not feelin' it?

cob3683

Sorry, just saw it.

I like the new CTS...just not really what I am looking for. I may up the budget a little bit and go drive the C300/C350 though.

Just so fucking confusing...