MT says TL is boooring

[260hp]

This may have been talked about but I was pleased to see Motor Trend summing up the differences of the G35 and the TL. Stuff I think we've all known for awhile:

The TL is "Attractive, competent, nicely priced and booooring.... the TL has many of the elements a G35 posseses save one: passion."
And it goes on to call it an "Accord Grande"!

The TL seemed like it might be good competition for the G for awhile but now that the initial excitement after it's launch has settled down, it's becoming clear that Acura missed their mark.

[TwiBlueG35]

I say TL is between ES330 and G35 sedan.

2003 Infiniti G35 sedan Twilight Blue/Willow, 5AT, premium, sunroof, winter, HIDs, Navi, dark tint.
.

[DwnUnder23]

Those new TL's look like Pontiac's, especially the exhaust tips they look like they're from the older GTP's. IMO the best looking sedan from Acura is the TSX, but too bad they only come with a 4cyl and are so slow.

[kysrsoze]

I drove my friend's TL and it's very nice on the inside/pretty good looking on the outside. It's pretty fast, but it is not that exciting. The acceleration of the car is extremely smooth, almost to the point where you can't feel the shifts. I had it up to 100 and it was fairly smooth, but the handling isn't all that great and the ride is really bumpy. My sport suspension feels more supple and much more confident compared to the TL.

He keeps on insisting there really isn't any difference in performance between the two (sigh) and that the Bluetooth, navi, et al make it a superior car. If it makes him feel better, I guess I'll let him think it.

BTW - he HATES it when I call it a Honda.

04 Sedan 6MT | Diamond Graphite/Graphite | Premium

[J_P]

I've always said the TL is boring. It's attractive, reliable, safe, fast, & has a nice interior but its handling leaves a lot to be desired.

The TL isn't even in the upper echelon in handling among luxury sport sedans. It's funny how the C-Class & X-Type are maligned for their handling while the TL is credited w/ "excellent handling for a FWD car" (which actually means worse handling than even "bad" RWD handlers like the C-Class). I don't want a car that handles well for a FWD, I want a car that handles as well as the best RWD luxury sport sedans. The TL isn't even close.

Consumer Reports rated the ES300's & I30's handling equal or better than the old TL Type-S in a 2000 comparo. That's right, the ES300 & I30 did as well or better than the TL Type-S in CR's handling tests.

The old TL was based off the old Accord, the new TL is based off the new Accord. The new Accord, despite often winning comparos, usually is behind the leading family sedans in handling ratings (in those same comparos where it wins the overall comparo).

[kailep]

Now, be careful...your friend can call our G is a Nissan!!!

Hey but, the TL is based on a $18k Accord while our G is based on a $30k Z

2004 G35s 6mt, Tb/willow, prem pkg, Nismo aero body kit, 3M clear bra

[MOTOP]

Very valid point.


As far as calling us Nissan - I'm all up for that. I'm Nissan Skyline, they are Honda Accord.

***04 G35s 5AT/Sport***
***04 Volvo XC90 T6***

[GeoBau]

He may call it a Nissan, yes. But there's no direct corrolated model in the Nissan lineup. It even uses an entirely different frame AND is RWD. The Honda/Acura's are built on the same frame, same drivetrain, same everything but eccoutrements. Now THAT is a similar lineup.

G

2003.5 Black w/ Willow G35s
Premium / Sport / Aero / Winter / Navi / XM / Tint
Z-tube, Pop-charger, Borla True-Dual Exhaust, Eibach Pro Kit, GroundingGear

B.A.S.T.A.R.D Squad

[F23A4]

Or you can leverage that by asking: where's your TL built? Japan or US. ;-D j/k

That said, I've driven both the 04 TL and 04 G35S. Both are sweet in their own ways and both were 5AT. With a 5AT, getting the G35S/X is a no brainer. There's not enough torque in the TL to produce any lowend performance through a 5AT. Coming from an 02 Maxima, the TL's lowend was pretty disappointing.

On a side note, the G felt more solid than the TL, IMO.

2002 Maxima SE (auto)
- Trust Tower Strut Bars
- Falken Ziex ZE-512s (definite mod)
- Cattman Y-pipe

Best time to date: 14.725sec@93.04mph w/60'-2.169
Englishtown - 9/7/02 (Stock setup)

[EZZ]

"He may call it a Nissan, yes. But there's no direct corrolated model in the Nissan lineup. It even uses an entirely different frame AND is RWD. The Honda/Acura's are built on the same frame, same drivetrain, same everything but eccoutrements. Now THAT is a similar lineup"

Actually, the 350Z has the same chassis, engine, etc... as the G35 and FX series. So yes, you do drive a Nissan =)

04 Coupe Auto/DG/Prem/Nav/Perf

[bsgoren]

Hey, I love my 4-door 350Z! ;-)



'04.5 G35-S 5AT Black/Willow - Prem, R. Spoiler, Navi, Sport Wheels, Alum Pedals, Tint, Z Tube, K&N, Coupe Midpipe

[kailep]

Like Motop said
We are driving a NISSAN SKYLINE. It is one of the best sports car of all time.
The TL is based on Honda Accord. It is one of the best family sedan of all time.
The TL is pretty nice, my friend got one but I prefer the overall performance over a nicer interior

2004 G35s 6mt, Tb/willow, prem pkg, Nismo aero body kit, 3M clear bra

[GuyLegend]

Who cares about calling them Hondas or Nissans.

They are Acuras and Infinitis and they should be compared on their merits.

Legend in Time

[ColdFusion]

lol geobau. Almost every nissan/infiniti has a VQ engine though one more powerful than others. No need to bash acura

[GeoBau]

I'm not talking engine- I'm talking everything on the car but. We don't use the same EVERYTHING.

G

2003.5 Black w/ Willow G35s
Premium / Sport / Aero / Winter / Navi / XM / Tint
Z-tube, Pop-charger, Borla True-Dual Exhaust, Eibach Pro Kit, GroundingGear

B.A.S.T.A.R.D Squad