This has been the question for me for the last several months, can not
decide. I want to replace my commuter (currently a dressedup G20)
in a few months and narrowed down to 2 cars. Acura TL or Infiniti G35 sedan.

Both priced about the same, G35 is a tad more. I think I would be happy
with either one.

What should be the deciding factor? FF vs FR? I don't care to drive
spiritedly on this car. Interior? both are pretty nice for its price.
Fuel economy? both are about the same mpg... cosmetics? Both can look
nice with very few bolt ons. Both dealers have nice sales staff and
service...both very local. Both local dealers have ample inventory of the
color I want... Both have a nice waiting lounge, but the Infinit dealer
is part of an elite automall where they sell Porsche, Bentley, Benz, BMW, etc.
and they have an awesome coffee machine...should that be the
deciding factor?

Any suggestions?

 

I like the G35's alot. I have seen some of the Infiniti sport packages on them...very well done. Wheels & spoilers look very tasteful. Especially like the blue color (not sure of the name)

 

No question about it. G35.

 

G35 without question!! a friend of mine had a 2001 TL and she drove the crap out of it and the tranny was totally shot! i've driven loaner G35s with lots of miles (Dad has an I35) and another friend of mine has a G35X (AWD) he loves that car, and no driveability problems at all. wait a little longer maybe and see what Acura does about maybe a TL Type-S, that may be nice enough to get my vote.

 

G35 for sure.. I was "this close" to buying the coupe when I came across this slightly used Mini S and ....

 

I like the aesthetic of the TL over the G35, however both are excellent automobiles.

 

Thanks for your responses. :smile:

My Infiniti dealer loans out G35 sedans while my G20 gets serviced. I think
its their way of 'appetizing' me to get me thinking to buy a new Infiniti.

I liked the G35's overall handling and interior. The SAT was a little
too computer controlled even though in manual mode..so I think I am going
to need to take the TL for a long test drive to see how that AT's
manual mode functions. That might be the deciding factor.

Appearance wise, I think the G35 sedan will stick with me longer than the
TL. I liked the TL as soon as it came out... I just hope I don't loose that
appeal quickly.

 

I checked out a couple dealer lots over the weekend, but most G35 sedans
out here (Chicagoland) have a lot of options pre-installed on them and
cost $35K-39K.

The cheapest one I could find was going at $33K... so considering the
price, the TL might be more in my range.

The only thing I plan to do on the commuter is lowering springs, 18",
front/rear swaybars, and front lip spoiler (front bumper if G35).

 

The G35 is certainly more of a "Drivers car", but the TL ain't too shabby either. I still like the look of the lines (particularly the trim-line going from the turn-indicator) on the TL. Tho the G35 coupe is tres' cool

Unless you get the AWD G35X, tho, the TL will certainly be better in the winter.
Being in Chicagoland, as a commuter, that could become an issue...

TL appears to be a bit larger inside, if thats an issue for you...

 

There are several people running G35 sedans with AWD at local autocrosses here, and nobody can believe the performances they are putting in... The only mods most of them have are aftermarket tires like Azenis and the like.

 

I believe the deciding factor should be what made me buy my first car. Do they have Donuts? Saturn had donuts, honda didn't.

But, then again, maybe that's not a good idea.

 

If outright performance is not a priority (the G35 sedan is better) then for the money the Acura TL is worth a very serious look and long test drive.

For passenger comfort I would go with the TL. If you commute alone then a basic G35 would be my vote.

 

TL. easy decision for me having driven both. Acura *still* makes the best navigation software on the market. The audio quailty of the sound system is great, the drive and ride quality is quite good. A little high on the torque steer but hey, so is the MINI. The tranny issues are related to the older model, no the 04's. I know b/c I had a 2001 TL and I run www.acuraworld.com - come check out our 3 rd gen TL forum to see what other people are saying about their rides

 

Alittle change in direction, but I test drove the G35 Coupe 6MT today,
and I think might do that instead. :smile:

There's not much cargo space, but the interior is large enough to
carry 4 people no problem...also, the electronic seats that pull up
automatically for the rear passengers when they get in/out is a
nice touch. This will make putting my future baby boy in/out of its
infant seat very easy.

I know the price is much higher than the sedan, so will still need to
work out prices, but my wife's OK (got approval) with me spending
a little more so it might all work out. more next week.

 

Another toy! G35 is an excellent choice!

Since the delivery of 2 new cars last month, I've totally neglected NAM and have been surfing on RennTech forum instead.

 

I am not a fan of the G35 looks (specially 4 door model) but the G35/350Z platform is light years ahead of anything Acura currently sells in the market.

Keep in mind that the current Acura TL rides in the same Honda Accord platform which makes for an excellent family car but a somewhat clumsy performance sedan.

The TL is an Accord with a bit of better suspension, looks and interior but essentially the same boredom yawn fest.

The G35 is a sports car platform, RWD, 50/50 weight distribution, the whole 9 yards.


No comparison there!

 

Thanks for the comments!

Cooper4us- I kinda too agree that the TL's more of a looker than actual performance...but my intention is (was) to use this next car as a commuter
so wasn't really looking for high performance.

the thing about it was that I didn't know getting in/out of the G35Coupe's
rear seats was so easy until I actually tried it. My pregnant wife said she
had no problems getting inout even with her big ol' belly.

Dave- 2 new cars??!! Please explain. :smile:
Well, I bought the G35 coupe 6MT today. It's an 04 so it has the
Bembo brakes. The 05's don't have them but will offer with 295hp....which
Im sure I can get my 280hp around there with simple bolt-ons if needed.

Already paid for... will take delivery in about 4 more hours!!! :D :D :D

 

Congrats!

 

Congrats on the new car! :smile:

As for me, the more I modified the MINI, the more I crave for hp. So....., finally lost control and adopted the twins 2 weeks apart. The IB MINI unfortunately got demoted and kicked out of the garage.

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...he/index1.html

 

dave- hahahahaha!!! dang!

That's quite a collection. My MCS's is safe and sound for now.

Thanks hafid and dave. I drove the G home and it was a blast.
Still in break-in so haven't taken her over 4k RPM, but the torque
is nice and linear. Clutch engagement point is a little on the high
side, but no problem. I think Im going to get the factory lip for
it and that's probably all im going to do for now. perhaps next
year I can get some cool wheels and might lower it just a smidge...
but the ride is pretty comfy and firm so I might just leave it
like that.

Ken

 

That's not so sad! Excellent choices, glad to see you went double up on the Turbos! Congrats!!

 

You must be a multi-millionaire.

 

Sorry, Ken! I didn't mean to hi-jack this thread. :smile:
I just hate to park the MINI outside, but for now I don't have much of a choice.
Now, I'm just a poor car nut who is totally out of control!

 

Ken...sounds like you made a nice choice there. Congrats! What are the stock specs on the G35 Coupe? Love the Brembos on that car BTW....post pics!

 

dave- no prob!


dandp - thanks! Its a 3.5L 6 cylinder 280hp, sharing the same front
midship rear drive platform as the 350Z. Its a pretty big car if you ask me,
but feels small when driving. Interior space is plenty and I will post some
picts over the weekend. :smile: Im expecting my lip spoiler to arrive early
part of the week, so that'll be my first bolt-on. (and probably last for a
while...no more dinero. hehe).

I need to find a beater car now...for like $3k... so that I don't have to
drive my MCS or G in the snow.