Hello everyone. I am currently in the market for a new car and I have narrowed my choices down to a G35 Coupe 6mt and a 2004 TL 6mt. Now the differences between the two are the obvious 2door and 4door as well as rwd and fwd. I have driven both cars and I must say the G35 exterior and 18" rims look amazing but the interior is not so great. While the TL interior is nice, the 17" Rims and exterior is bland. Though this is a G35 forum, please try to post your unbiased opinions on the both these cars b/c as of now I am really torn between the two. Also I live in VA and this past winter, it has snowed tremendously for a couple of day. Now this is not the typical winter here in VA, but the thing that concerns me is that the car I would get is going to be my daily driver, and I would be keeping this car for awhile. So basically how is the G35 being RWD in the snow? Would Snow Tires solve the problem during Winter? This is my main concern as I have seen a Lexus GS with all the VSC and traction control just slipping and sliding trying to make a left turn going uphill. Thanks

 

This question has been asked several times since the 04 TL came out. Here's what I wanted when I bought my 04 G sedan. I wanted a beautiful looking car, that had good performance, was RWD and that didn't just "blend in" with the Accords, Camrys & Passats out there. I live in Chicago so we get snow too, RWD with VDC, some decent winter tires and a little caution solves that issue for me. I've owned several other RWD cars and for me this is the way too go. The TL is nice, but very bland..it's FWD, it will display torque steer under hard accelaration and IMO this car just "blends in". If the TL had been RWD? No, if Honda had been a tad more adventurous with the styling, maybe..but not in it's current guise.

 

Wait for the 2005 G35 - there is a major interior upgrade redesign in the work. If I were you, I would wait. If you are from the NY area, I heard that the 2005 models will be unveiled in the NY auto show in April.

2004 G35C 6MT DG/Gr/Prem/NAV/A.Pedals/C.Corners/Polk TW/C.Bra/PIAA/Grnd.Kit/Rebadged [img]/w3timages/icons/cool.gif[/img]

 

I have to say that I can't say too much about the TL because I have not driven nor have I even sat in one. I have seen them on the road, and have to say that their styling is nice at first but has failed to grow on me.

In regard to the coupe. I think the RWD makes a huge difference. The RWD, steering, handling characteristics of the car are very impressive. I have driven front wheel drivers my whole life including Maxima, Passat V6, Volvo 850, new Honda Accord 4 cylinder. The RWD has become so important in my opinion that you can't pass it up. Combine that with the feel and handling of the car, and it is amazing to drive.

As for the exterior, I continue to stare at the car out the window, as I walk away, etc. I love it.

In regards to handling in the snow: I live in Saratoga Springs, NY and it snows a lot. I live on a small street that doesn't get plowed well, and neither does the apt driveway. I have winter tires and wheels and the G is perfectly adequate as a daily driver in these conditions. The stock tire package is horrible in the snow though.

 

I recently purchased my 6 MT Coupe and I love it. Living in Philadelphia the weather is tricky but the snow tires are more then adequate for the 20 days (at most) of heavy snow that you have to endure. No TL bashing here, I really like the way they look but I think that the coupe styling is just much more of a head turner. My previous car was a Benz CLK320 and although the interior was obviously more luxiourious, I think the frequent knock on the G35 interior is a little overstated...it's not great but it's not terrible. It's obviously a personal prefernce thing but I got the G and never looked back. You can't go wrong either way so enjoy.

 

I drove both several times till I decided to get the G35 Sedan 6MT. The TL is a great looking car inside and out. The one thing it has not going for it right now is FWD. Also there have been MANY complaints on quality issues from tires, to interior pieces falling apart, to rattles and windows being scratched. The G35 isn't having that many issues so its a bit more reliable personally and more fun to drive. You won't get much of a discount on the TL compared to a G35. The G35 handles much better than the 60/40 weight of the TL, but the TL isn't bad. G35 beats it in all catagorys still.

I personally have been reading the TL forum, and they have been bad mouthing the G35 since the new one came out like nothing else. They are very biased. VERY. So I would take what they say with a grain of salt. Alot of the people in these forums are more mature than over at the TL forum.

 

One other thing on the G35 interior..

The G35 is also a great looking car. The interior is fine. It has good and bad reviews also. I personally love my interior and so has everyone else that has sat in it. It doesn't make you feel cramped like the TL does.

 

If I were interested in the G35 sedan vs a TL, then my answer would be easy-- I'd take the TL in a heartbeat. I think it's a better looking car than the G35 sedan and has an incredible interior with all the latest technology. Performance seems to be too close to be an issue.

However, I'm a fan of the G35 coupe and have no desire to own a 4-door TL. It's just such a nice car- love the styling, the 18" wheels w/Brembos, the exhaust sound is intoxicating etc...

Consider this: If you're a younger guy, go ahead and get the G35 coupe 6mt. Why? Because cars like the TL will probably end up being in your future when you have a wife/kids. The time for a sporty coupe might just be right now, so why waste it on a FWD 4-door?

As for your snow concerns- FWD is inherently better in the snow than RWD for sure..... but with a decent set of snow tires, even RWD cars get around in the snow very well these days, especially with traction control.

 

But in the Sedan you get more goodies that make it a closer bargain to the TL. Power seats for one. FYI. I think the Sedan looks just fine, it gets alot of comments. The coupe looks like a 2 door coupe. It looks sharp as well.

 

G35 6mt coupe versus the TL 6mt ...

Interesting ...


How old are you?
Are you a business man?
What do you look like?

Wondering about those questions? No i'm not hitting on you. I think the TL is more of an older look that fits an older target market. (which is not actually true because I believe Infiniti and Acura share similar target markets with Infiniti's being just a little bit older). But this is just my thought so just listen.

If you want something that's older and more conservative then get the TL. If you want to look BADASS and have a car that's going to get attention and it looks sporty too get the sports coupe. TL you're going to blend in with the other sedans and other cars. Sports coupe you'll stand out. I think that's where your choice lies....

2004 Ivory Pearl Sports Coupe

 

I totally agree with Hitman's suggestion on what to consider:

AGE:
"If you're a younger guy, go ahead and get the G35 coupe 6mt. Why? Because cars like the TL will probably end up being in your future when you have a wife/kids. The time for a sporty coupe might just be right now, so why waste it on a FWD 4-door?"

NEEDS:
That's the very reason why I'd choose the G35c over a TL since I'm still young (no wife/kids yet). On the other hand, if you are an older person (with wife/kids) or if you always have more than 1 passenger in your car most of the time, then the TL might suit your needs better. My first car was a 4 door but I rarely used all 4 since I usually just drive with 1 passenger. When I hang out with friends they normally use their own cars.

FEEL:
Try to test drive (or even just sit inside) both of the cars again and play with the gadgets, instruments, etc. and see which one makes you smile (feel good) the most.

ERGONOMICS:
One thing I like about the G35c is the retractable Nav. I like the idea of being able to hide the Nav screen when not in use. I hate having a big bright screen on the dash all the time especially while driving at night. Just too bright for my eyes. Figure out which car suits your driving habits/feel the most.

PERFORMANCE:
Don't even compare their performances. They're pretty much neck and neck. You really won't notice any differences in performance unless you'll take them to a track. In the snow however, I'd have to say the TL will drive better (specially on uphills) but then again, how often does it snow in your area anyway?

There, I hope I helped. Good luck on your decision!!!

 

Im sorry but the TL definitely looks a hell of alot better than the G35 Sedan. I cant stand the look of the sedan. I think its plain ugly. Thats why I drive a coupe! But even though you are comparing the g35 coupe 6mt to the TL 6speed. I would say go witht he TL is you want to be in a "luxurious" car. THe TL definitely is way more comfortable inside and is a hell of a lot better ergonomically than the G35's are. I even think they look bad-*** on the exterior. I have driven the new TL and it is a show-stopper. I might even trade my coupe in on one...hmmm..nevermind i dont think i would go that far. But all in all the TL is a bad-*** true luxury car. IMO the g35's really arents luxurious at all. the interior arent elegant whatsoever, just alll plastic and space-agey..the TL is Real Real Nice inside! my .02!!

"Dont start none, won't be none"

 

I have a 2000 tl and a 2003 G35C both AT
the tl is great with Bridgestone LSH all seasons.
snows on the g and it handles winter just fine.
not sure if the coupe would do as my only car. if you can only have one the tl is more practical, that 2 golf bag thing only works if you have sunday bags not my Rodney Dangerfield bag.

so tl=more practical, best value
gc=more fun, more looks, more unusual, more fun, better looking, did i reapeat myself yes it need to be repeated.

really it depends on your needs, my first car was a 67 mustang no trunk but who cared.

 

Where in VA do you live? I live in Tysons so they're usually pretty good about clearing the roads. But in slush and light snow, I haven't had any problems so far, even with the summer tires. I'm just very cautious, and luckily I don't have any hills to deal with.

I think you just have to follow your heart. I personally don't like the look of the new TL - I prefer the older one. Four doors was not important to me, and I also prefer RWD, and thus I got the coupe.

Hopefully some of the other issues people have mentioned here (need for more passenger room or serious concern about driving in weather) will make the decision easier for you. Otherwise, I don't envy your decision.

One last thing - why not consider the AWD Sedan? I know they don't make it in MT, but...

gunga

 

Well if you say that, I wouldn't waste your money on the TL and get a loaded Accord since its the same car and you get basically the same options. The TL looks just like the accord from the front in some cases. The TL is a sharp car, but also the G35 C and S are unique and are sharp as well. The TL is not that comfortable as you think. It's not a TRUE LUXURY CAR, its entry luxury. TL had alot of plastic too. hmmmmm.