I had a 2002 before I bought my G and the driving experience in the G is so much more fun! Before the G, I had no idea what torque was; the TL gives you a gradual build up of power with no real excitement. Also, turning left or right from a stop and sliding your rear-end out with your 260 hoses, is not something you can EVER experience in a TL.... I feel sorry for TLers....

P.S. I'm not hating the TL... great car in every aspect, maybe better than the G in many aspects, but WWD....


<font color=red>chinee</font color=red>
03.5 G35s

 

I don't think there is any appreciable difference in straight line acceleration times between the two cars -- the magazines are all over the place. Nobody seems, however, to mention the October '03 Automobile article that clocked the G35 6MT at 5.6 secs for the 0-60 (same as the Evo in that test). Perhaps it was because that comparison test compared apples and oranges, and perhaps because the G35 (despite dominating in the performance categories) was mystifyingly rated third behind the Acura TSX and BMW 325i!! It was poetic justice when the TL suffered a similar fate (coming third behind the G35 and the 325i) in the March '04 Car & Driver comparison test!
In any case, both cars are compelling values in the near luxury category, albeit with slightly different flavors. If you like refinement and luxury more than driving excitement, the TL is your car. If you prefer the opposite, i.e., value sportiness and driving involvement over creature comforts, the G35 makes more sense.
Enjoy your ride, whichever you choose!

2003.5 G35 Obsidion/Black Leather Luxury Sedan 6MT with Premium, Winter, and Aero Packages

 

Do you plan on going to the track a lot? If so, you might want something that's faster. But if you want something that's fast to drive on the streets only than get the G35x. AWD will help big time on the streets. Take it from a guy who races a lot at the track and on the streets, it takes a lot of attempts to get a Manual Trans to launch right. But if it's AWD or 4WD it makes it a lot simplier, especially on the streets. It took me 30 runs to get a sub 2.0 '60 foot time with my '97 Supra TT BPU and only 1 try to get sub 2.0 '60 foot time in my '91 3000GT VR-4 AWD.

 

it's 300 lbs heavier.

 

My advice would be to set the numbers aside and test drive both vehicles. It would really be unfortunate if you decided on a car based solely on numbers published in magazines.

Mike
04 G35x Sedan 5AT DG/G

 

A,

Don't forget the most important thing the TL has going AGAINST it -- the F word. Its front-wheel-drive... Ugh.

Q