All,

This is my first post on the forum. I'm choosing between a G35C, Acura TL, BMW 330Ci, and Audi A4. I currently drive an '02 VW Passat GLX. I don't care so much about the coupe/sedan thing, but I am not a fan of the G35 Sedan styling. I know you are all pro-G35C, but what one thing about the car could you tell me that I couldn't find out from reading the car magazines? I'm asking the folks on the Acura TL board the same question.

Thanks in advance for the information.

 

Overall performance is better than any car u mentioned.
That includes 0-60, braking, Handling. etc..
But 330 ZHP is equal with G coupe in any category in my opinion.

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wats ZHP?

 

ZHP is the 330 Performance Package with about 10 extra hp and stiffer suspension i think.

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all of those cars have very different persnalities i guess its your preference. If you live in the northern states i would get the A4 3.0 Quattro with the ultra sport package, but if your more of a family man get the TL and sport go for the 330ci or g35c.
The TL and A4 have really nice interiors and the TL is a better deal. if your looking for speed the 330ci and g35 should put down similar performance numbers.
You should really test drive all the cars first and see what fits you better.

 

Esquire: it's good to know that there is another attorney out there who is interested in the G. That said, I bought my 2003.5 G35 coupe 6MT with Nav and Aero. The car rocks. It still gets attention everywhere I go including the courthouse. It's a great car with fantastic performance and styling. Mine (knock on wood) has been very reliable with no problems.

That being said, the car has some drawbacks. It's a coupe so trunk space is minimal. It's rear drive, and you definitely need snow tires. I struggled last winter without them. Lastly, the car has a decent amount of road noise over harsher pavement. That is the worst thing about the car, but not enough not to buy it.

My friend bought a TL, and that's a nice car with all the techno gimmicks. Problem with that car is torque steer off the front wheels.

BMW 330i: Too cliche and everyone and literally their mother has one. Not worth the $$ in my opinion.

A4: No torque off the line. Quattro is great in the snow, but it's not a performance car. Also, Quattro makes the steering feel vague and artificial.

Go for the G, especially if you are getting the 6 speed manual.

 

I wasn't aware you could get 10 more ponies with the sport package, that must be new. When I was looking at the 330i last year, the sport package was upgraded tires and suspension. Same HP as the standard model. Anyway, I have an 04 A4 and it's a very nice car. Performance wise, not even close to the G coupe. Interior of the A4 is nice and the ride is superb. Not to mention AWD. My .02 worth.

 

ZHP is called the Performance Package and its been out for about 2 years now I think. Adds a few grand to the price, though. There are soooo many 3-series on the road, especially in my area. Kind of a turn-off, even though they are still great cars. The 330i is pricey, I don't think you could find it under $40k.

TL is front-drive and auto tranny. Forget it. The A4 is pricey too, unless you get the base 1.8 engine, but if you did that, it would be slow!

The G is the best value, but the price keeps going up!

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Gonna order a 2005 DG 6MT Coupe soon!

 

The TL is also available as a 6MT, but most reviewers have been very critical of its torque steer. Some have theorized that the AT version may be preferable for that reason. My brother has an A/T TL, and it does have considerable t/s, but not enough to break the deal for him, given all the other cool things the car has. For me, the driving experience of the G35C seals the deal over all the cars you mentioned. I test drove the 330ci and while it's undoubtedly a great car, I found it a bit soft and unexciting compared to the GC. My brother used to have an A4 which felt very heavy to me handling-wise. Very nice car otherwise though.

Drive them all, and pay particular attention to the differences in the driving experience of each car. If the G coupe's doesn't compel to choose it (like it did for me) then one of the others may be a better choice.

 

You're right about the ZHP, it does add 10HP! My bad. I did get the 1.8T A4 for my girlfriend. She wanted AWD for our winters up here so she's happy. Gets up and goes when the turbo kicks in but it's slow off the line big time.

 

Well i guess i can really comment on this for you:

I currently own a 2004 Audi A4 and a 2004 G35 Coupe.
We had a 330i, which is pretty much the same as the 330ci.
and I traded my 2004 TL for the G35 coupe.

I sold my 2003 Caribbean Blue G35 back last summer to buy the new Acura 2004 TL with Navi. Its a great vehicle, but dont expect to purchase it for its handling or its speed. The car is quick, but the torque steer and wheel spinning just wasnt cutting it for me. THe navigation system is awesome. The bluetooth i really didnt care for. I then started missing the G35, so i sold the TL and bought a 2004 G35 and did everything to it.

The Audi is a great car, love it, but that focker is so darn slow..

Teh BMW is a great machine, a little overpriced for what you get, but great nonetheless.

So if it were up to me again, it would be between the G35 Coupe and the BMW.
The TL is out of the running and so is the Audi.

Stillen Stage 2 Supercharger, Stillen Front Bumper, Stillen Carbon Fiber Hood, Injen SES Cat-back Exhaust, Injen Cold Air Intake, 19" Axis Hiro Anthracite, Clear Corners

 

GreekJim,
I don't get it.....you say you have a G35 but then you say you traded your TL in for your G. Did you get another G after that too?

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Gonna order a 2005 DG 6MT Coupe soon!

 

opps, fixed my post... sorry.

Yeah i sold the TL and went back to a 2004 G35 coupe. Theres no comparison between the two.

Stillen Stage 2 Supercharger, Stillen Front Bumper, Stillen Carbon Fiber Hood, Injen SES Cat-back Exhaust, Injen Cold Air Intake, 19" Axis Hiro Anthracite, Clear Corners

 

The 330ci is a nice car, but its exterior looks, while great, aren't really distinctive. It looks like ... well, a bimmer. The Audi A4 doesn't do much for me. I like the TT a lot, though.

The TL has a bitchin' interior. The NAV is incredible. The exterior looks are quite good, probably one of the nicest 4-doors I've ever seen. It's really a great car.

When I was buying ... I really, really like the looks of a 350Z. But I didn't want a two seater. I need a certain level of practicality out of a car. I also wanted a little more luxury. The G35 coupe was the perfect fit for me. While I really like all of the technology in the TL, the G35 Coupe is just more fun for me. I guess that's about the only way I can put it.

-- Rob

 

Forget the A4 and get the S4, if you're down with 4 doors. I'd avoid any 3-series besides the M3, especially since its due for a change anytime.

The G35 has sweet exterior styling, but the overall build quality is pretty cheap, especially the interior. Keep that in mind. There's a reason that such a sweet car only cost around 35-40k. I know we're all biased for the G35c since that's what we chose, but the car is far from perfect, as is any car.

Black / Black 2004 GcoupeMT. Premium. Splash Guardz.