G35C/'04 Acura TL pix
#46
#47
Re: G35C/'04 Acura TL pix
After driving the 04 Acura TL 6MT sedan for about a half hour, here is my take (plusses and minuses) on each of the sedans:
04 G35 6MT Sedan:
==============
+ Great exterior. Sure to get heads turning.
+ Superb engine.
+ Great handling.
- Grabby clutch and difficult MT (don't give me the lame excuse that it is because of a powerful engine).
- So-so interior. Other than the average quality and fit/finish, I think the drivers seat in the sedan is poorly designed. I have broad shoulders, and I just cannot get comfortable in the back rest of the drivers seat (my shoulders fit well in the coupe's seat though).
Overall: I think Nissan developed a great engine, then designed a super sleek body (both sedan and coupe) to go with it. At the end, the seem to have run out of time (or money) and simply slapped together the interior without too much thought.
04 TL 6MT Sedan:
=============
+ Interior quality and fit/finish that is befitting of a luxury car.
+ Ergonomics and electronics are outstanding.
+ Powerful yet quiet engine
+ Smooth clutch and slick MT
- Average exterior looks
- Front wheel drive handling (could be a plus in snow areas).
Overall: Honda definitely designed this car from the inside-out. I get the feeling every interior panel was well thought of before being put into place. The TL 6MT is so much smoother to drive compared to the G35. It is quiet up to about 3500 RPM, then you start to notice the growl (not a loud roar, just a deep muffled growl). It in fact felt peppier than the G35 6mt sedan, and torque steer is very controlled.
04 G35 6MT Sedan:
==============
+ Great exterior. Sure to get heads turning.
+ Superb engine.
+ Great handling.
- Grabby clutch and difficult MT (don't give me the lame excuse that it is because of a powerful engine).
- So-so interior. Other than the average quality and fit/finish, I think the drivers seat in the sedan is poorly designed. I have broad shoulders, and I just cannot get comfortable in the back rest of the drivers seat (my shoulders fit well in the coupe's seat though).
Overall: I think Nissan developed a great engine, then designed a super sleek body (both sedan and coupe) to go with it. At the end, the seem to have run out of time (or money) and simply slapped together the interior without too much thought.
04 TL 6MT Sedan:
=============
+ Interior quality and fit/finish that is befitting of a luxury car.
+ Ergonomics and electronics are outstanding.
+ Powerful yet quiet engine
+ Smooth clutch and slick MT
- Average exterior looks
- Front wheel drive handling (could be a plus in snow areas).
Overall: Honda definitely designed this car from the inside-out. I get the feeling every interior panel was well thought of before being put into place. The TL 6MT is so much smoother to drive compared to the G35. It is quiet up to about 3500 RPM, then you start to notice the growl (not a loud roar, just a deep muffled growl). It in fact felt peppier than the G35 6mt sedan, and torque steer is very controlled.
#48
Re: G35C/'04 Acura TL pix
If any of you are in the SoCal area, stop by your local Acura dealership to see this car in person, especially with the factory sports package. I've been by Metro Acura in Montclair, and the car they have in the showroom is simply breathtaking.
If you view life from an artistic perspective, everything is beautiful.
If you view life from an artistic perspective, everything is beautiful.
#49
Re: G35C/'04 Acura TL pix
Here is my take on the subject. I have a G35C 6MT right now but interested in getting a 4 dr.
I looked and test drove a new TL and am very impressed with it. The interior quality and layout is what the G shoud be - no cheap plastics - real aluminum. DVD-audio system beats our Bose hands down. The driving although not as good as a rear drive is certainly the best FWD that I have driven. Up here in Canada it is not a bad thing. Unless you are driving 10/10 all the time you will not notice too much difference in everyday handling. Besides look at all these features - bi-xenon lights - with projector lights - D2S bulbs that so many people with G's want, outside rear view mirrors that tilt down on both sides when reversing - can be cancelled, much better sound insulation with thicker glass and using thinsulate for noise reduction, dual exhaust -square tips recessed into bumper (nicer than in our sedan), power lumber support, speed sensing windshield wipers, more intuitive ***** for radio - on/off is large round button with volume control nearest the driver - not like in G hard to find, larger tires than in our sedan - 235/45-17 - performance tires on 6 speed, beautiful 18" optional wheels, navi system with bluetooth handsfree system that can automatically connect with bluetooth cel phone, voice commands in English and French in Canada, touch screen system rather than joystick.
So there are a lot of features for the money. The only advantage of our G is that it drives a little better - the steering is a little more precise but the TL is quite close. When cruising at 120 kph (75 mph) tach shows only 2200-2300 rpm so I think that gas consumption is better. Also brake life is probably better. Engine is very smooth and poerful with 270 hp and 238 lbs-ft torque - lower than 260 lbs-ft in G. Not sure how it compares at the wheels.
It is a close competitor and also in Canada pricing is very competitive - G35S with premium package (sun-roof, memory seats, etc.) is $42,100 + 1250 Frt + PDI. TL is $40,800 + 950 freight + PDI. Navi in G is $3400 and in TL is $3200. So you can see that TL will give our G's competition as to best value for the money. Let us hope that this competion will force Infiniti to upgrade their interior and provide some of the features that are on many of our wish lists. Maybe - for 2004.5 or 2005??
I looked and test drove a new TL and am very impressed with it. The interior quality and layout is what the G shoud be - no cheap plastics - real aluminum. DVD-audio system beats our Bose hands down. The driving although not as good as a rear drive is certainly the best FWD that I have driven. Up here in Canada it is not a bad thing. Unless you are driving 10/10 all the time you will not notice too much difference in everyday handling. Besides look at all these features - bi-xenon lights - with projector lights - D2S bulbs that so many people with G's want, outside rear view mirrors that tilt down on both sides when reversing - can be cancelled, much better sound insulation with thicker glass and using thinsulate for noise reduction, dual exhaust -square tips recessed into bumper (nicer than in our sedan), power lumber support, speed sensing windshield wipers, more intuitive ***** for radio - on/off is large round button with volume control nearest the driver - not like in G hard to find, larger tires than in our sedan - 235/45-17 - performance tires on 6 speed, beautiful 18" optional wheels, navi system with bluetooth handsfree system that can automatically connect with bluetooth cel phone, voice commands in English and French in Canada, touch screen system rather than joystick.
So there are a lot of features for the money. The only advantage of our G is that it drives a little better - the steering is a little more precise but the TL is quite close. When cruising at 120 kph (75 mph) tach shows only 2200-2300 rpm so I think that gas consumption is better. Also brake life is probably better. Engine is very smooth and poerful with 270 hp and 238 lbs-ft torque - lower than 260 lbs-ft in G. Not sure how it compares at the wheels.
It is a close competitor and also in Canada pricing is very competitive - G35S with premium package (sun-roof, memory seats, etc.) is $42,100 + 1250 Frt + PDI. TL is $40,800 + 950 freight + PDI. Navi in G is $3400 and in TL is $3200. So you can see that TL will give our G's competition as to best value for the money. Let us hope that this competion will force Infiniti to upgrade their interior and provide some of the features that are on many of our wish lists. Maybe - for 2004.5 or 2005??
#52
#53
#54
Re: G35C/'04 Acura TL pix
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
djreinx
Engine - Electrical
3
12-10-2015 01:48 AM