G35 or TL

[Mani]

Originally posted by: Dacalo
TL is superior. Better interior, more features, and more refined.

This is coming from a G35 coupe owner.

If you're looking for quiet, features, and to stroke your dash, I'm not sure why you bought a G35. It's a car you buy for the engine, handling, chassis, etc. but don't want a 2-seater with zero practicality. It gives you enough luxury features to keep your comfortable but it doesn't pretend to be a true luxury car. There is no superior/inferior here, these are two very different cars appealing to different audiences.

Anyways, to the OP: Chances are, your GF cares about features, quiet, nice looking interior, etc. in which case the TL is probably a better choice. Most of the girls I know that bought a G bought it for the looks. That said, if she really appreciates the difference in driving feel between the two cars or feels strongly on AWD, the G will give you 80% of what the Acura does featurewise, with the key differentiators being voice activation on the nav and better Bluetooth implementation.

By the way, I'm a G35 owner that has driven the TL extensively (girlfriend is shopping for one too) and my personal opinion is the TL's interior is nicer overall but the car doesn't touch the G35 on handling, overall feel, and fun. Even though some magazines report the TL being slightly faster, it definitely doesn't feel faster. And I'm a bit biased on this but the conservative me-too styling of the TL didn't do anything for me compared to the G - which differentiates itself really well while still looking great. 3 years after I bought this car and it still gets stares and thumbs-up.

 

[johnjbruin]

Own an 04 G35s - highly recommend it since the new ones have a better interior. I do like the @$$ on the 04 though.

 

[kcthomas]

the TL's are pretty sweet looking but they are not very distinct. to a point they look just like old 3 series/A4's/(dare i say...jetta). plus from the front it looks like a pontiac or something. never driven one though. I think the G35's look more original and have nicer curves, its more rounded. from the front it looks awesome. even the ones without the aero package look pretty sweet, although they look more luxurious than sporty.

I have an 04 G35 6MT (bought it last month). The only thing i dont like about it so far is you gotta pay 400 bucks to replace the center console if you want to put in an aftermarket stereo, and the "premium bose upgrade" is crap.

 

[Muadib]

Originally posted by: kcthomas
the TL's are pretty sweet looking but they are not very distinct. to a point they look just like old 3 series/A4's/(dare i say...jetta). plus from the front it looks like a pontiac or something. never driven one though. I think the G35's look more original and have nicer curves, its more rounded. from the front it looks awesome. even the ones without the aero package look pretty sweet, although they look more luxurious than sporty.

I have an 04 G35 6MT (bought it last month). The only thing i dont like about it so far is you gotta pay 400 bucks to replace the center console if you want to put in an aftermarket stereo, and the "premium bose upgrade" is crap.

What are you replacing it with? I want to upgrade the sound in my TL, but I'm not going to change the head unit. I was looking at JL audio Cleansweep unit to do it with, but I have no idea what speakers I'm going to use.

 

[OS]

As already mentioned, the TL has a bit better toys and amenities, better nav, bluetooth. Also the rear seating is a bit bigger in the TL.

As for the TL, FWD and torque steer, i haven't found it to be such a big problem. And the G35 on stock tires supposedly has a tendency for the rear to suddenly break out under hard driving/cornering.

 

[kcthomas]

Originally posted by: Muadib

Originally posted by: kcthomas
the TL's are pretty sweet looking but they are not very distinct. to a point they look just like old 3 series/A4's/(dare i say...jetta). plus from the front it looks like a pontiac or something. never driven one though. I think the G35's look more original and have nicer curves, its more rounded. from the front it looks awesome. even the ones without the aero package look pretty sweet, although they look more luxurious than sporty.

I have an 04 G35 6MT (bought it last month). The only thing i dont like about it so far is you gotta pay 400 bucks to replace the center console if you want to put in an aftermarket stereo, and the "premium bose upgrade" is crap.

What are you replacing it with? I want to upgrade the sound in my TL, but I'm not going to change the head unit. I was looking at JL audio Cleansweep unit to do it with, but I have no idea what speakers I'm going to use.

as of right now im not replacing with anything. its silly to pay 400 bucks to put in a 2-3 hundred dollar head unit. i might just replace the speakers some day but not now

 

[zoiks]

I didn't know that you could change the center console. I have a 2003 sedan and I was looking for putting in one of those pioneer GPS units.

 

[Alkesh]

Originally posted by: Muadib
Looks like the G35 is a chick car.

:thumbsup:

 

[Muadib]

Originally posted by: kcthomas

Originally posted by: Muadib

Originally posted by: kcthomas
the TL's are pretty sweet looking but they are not very distinct. to a point they look just like old 3 series/A4's/(dare i say...jetta). plus from the front it looks like a pontiac or something. never driven one though. I think the G35's look more original and have nicer curves, its more rounded. from the front it looks awesome. even the ones without the aero package look pretty sweet, although they look more luxurious than sporty.

I have an 04 G35 6MT (bought it last month). The only thing i dont like about it so far is you gotta pay 400 bucks to replace the center console if you want to put in an aftermarket stereo, and the "premium bose upgrade" is crap.

What are you replacing it with? I want to upgrade the sound in my TL, but I'm not going to change the head unit. I was looking at JL audio Cleansweep unit to do it with, but I have no idea what speakers I'm going to use.

as of right now im not replacing with anything. its silly to pay 400 bucks to put in a 2-3 hundred dollar head unit. i might just replace the speakers some day but not now

You should look into Cleansweep for yourself then. It runs about $400, but you won't have to replace your head unit, as it will be used as a pre amp. I had a similar unit by a company that's no longer around in my 97 Explorer. The sound was superb, and the kick that I got from coworkers when they heard the Ford sound was priceless.

 

[Muadib]

Originally posted by: zoiks
I didn't know that you could change the center console. I have a 2003 sedan and I was looking for putting in one of those pioneer GPS units.

There's nothing that can't be done to most cars today. You just need the cash, and someone to do it. Checkout that mtv show, Pimp My Ride. What they do with junkers is amazing.

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: Muadib

Originally posted by: kcthomas
the TL's are pretty sweet looking but they are not very distinct. to a point they look just like old 3 series/A4's/(dare i say...jetta). plus from the front it looks like a pontiac or something. never driven one though. I think the G35's look more original and have nicer curves, its more rounded. from the front it looks awesome. even the ones without the aero package look pretty sweet, although they look more luxurious than sporty.

I have an 04 G35 6MT (bought it last month). The only thing i dont like about it so far is you gotta pay 400 bucks to replace the center console if you want to put in an aftermarket stereo, and the "premium bose upgrade" is crap.

What are you replacing it with? I want to upgrade the sound in my TL, but I'm not going to change the head unit. I was looking at JL audio Cleansweep unit to do it with, but I have no idea what speakers I'm going to use.

I'd check out the acruazine forums. The TL ELS sounds system is actually very good and you could just do some speakers and an amp and maybe work with the sub. That way you'll maintain all the control/DVD-a/XM capabilities of the current head unit.

 

[InlineFour]

easy. g35 couple with the 6-speed brembo package FTW.

 

[Sheepathon]

Where the hell is the poll?

 

[moks78]

Originally posted by: Dacalo
TL is superior. Better interior, more features, and more refined.

This is coming from a G35 coupe owner.

Yup, I agree with you. I have a G35 coupe and wifey drives an O5 TL. I drive the G for short distances but takes the TL when we have to go farther away.pic.:camera:

 

[adwilk]

I've owned a g35, went to an rx8 all in a few months and now i'm a proud owner of a Pontiac G6 GTP... far more car for the money.. mine is fully loaded and an absolute blast to drive... I got the six-speed so it has plenty of muscle... Its my wifes car and i think with the addition of ONSTAR, its the best sedan value for around 30. She loves it..

 

[Muadib]

Originally posted by: spidey07

Originally posted by: Muadib

Originally posted by: kcthomas
the TL's are pretty sweet looking but they are not very distinct. to a point they look just like old 3 series/A4's/(dare i say...jetta). plus from the front it looks like a pontiac or something. never driven one though. I think the G35's look more original and have nicer curves, its more rounded. from the front it looks awesome. even the ones without the aero package look pretty sweet, although they look more luxurious than sporty.

I have an 04 G35 6MT (bought it last month). The only thing i dont like about it so far is you gotta pay 400 bucks to replace the center console if you want to put in an aftermarket stereo, and the "premium bose upgrade" is crap.

What are you replacing it with? I want to upgrade the sound in my TL, but I'm not going to change the head unit. I was looking at JL audio Cleansweep unit to do it with, but I have no idea what speakers I'm going to use.

I'd check out the acruazine forums. The TL ELS sounds system is actually very good and you could just do some speakers and an amp and maybe work with the sub. That way you'll maintain all the control/DVD-a/XM capabilities of the current head unit.

That's why I want to use the Cleansweep, as I have no intention of replacing the ELS headunit, and it will make adding separtate amps easier.

 

[spidey07]

Personally I think the ELS system is VERY good.

The only thing it could use is more power and a larger sub. You can actually tell that it is tailored to the driver. Sit in the passenger side sometime and you'll notice it is different.

That's what would be difficult with doing after market stuff with it. It is already so well balanced that I'd be hard pressed to mess with it. Don't know if there is built-in EQ on it or not though nor do I know where that EQ/phase would be happening.

 

[JulesMaximus]

I'd go with the TL. I think it looks better than the G35 sedan and most chicks aren't going to care whether a car is FWD or RWD. Acura does have the better NAV system and the Acura is a really nice car. Fit and finish are top notch.

Having owned two 3 series BMWs and judging by the recent quality problems BMW is suffering from I wouldn't even consider a BMW.

BTW-I have driven all of the cars being considered here.

 

[LtPage1]

Drive them and see which you like more.

 

[thirdeye]

I'd vote for the TL. I love mine

 

[jaedaliu]

Originally posted by: LtPage1
Drive them and see which you like more.

this is the only thing that matters. Test drive the model you want from the dealer, and let him know that you want to take it out for half an hour to see how it feels. Park the car, get out, walk around, pop the trunk, put in some luggage, whatever. A 3 minute test drive isn't going to tell the girly which she really likes. If the dealer doesn't want you to take it, find another dealer or talk to the sales manager and let them know you're a serious buyer.... if it holds up against the other car. If they still refuse, walk.

Oh, and I don't know how it is in Monterey Park, but driving 40 miles on the 405 every day I see 4x more g35s than bmw 330s. /shrug