Why did you guys buy the 05' G35 sedan over 05’ TL?

[jhan1102]

Hey guys. I am new here and wanted to ask you guys some questions.

I am having a very difficult time deciding between 05’ G35 sedan 5AT w/ Navi. Vs. 05’ TL sedan 5AT w/ Navi.

*Before people chop my balls, I am a manual owner converting to auto due to bad traffic commutes. Also, I can’t buy 2drs because I got pulled over for going over 145 mph. =) hehehe

I know you guys all shopped around before you took your babe home, but what made you decide G35 over TL?

How many of you Navigation owners think it was worth extra $2000? Do you guys really use it all the time? Or is it “I have it and you don’t” kinda thing?

One thing I like about TL is the advance Navigation system. They have touch screen while G35 is a knob controller?

Tell me what you guys went through…..

[jasonj75]

My reason for passing on the TL (just put in my order for a 6MT) came down to two things...

1 - FWD
2 - Driving experience too isolated

I felt like I was driving a fancy Accord. BEAUTIFUL interior, excellent NAV, but booring to drive.

If I was looking just for a commuter....I don't think there would be any doubt...TL, but I was also looking for a replacement for my recently wrecked M3 sedan. No way a TL could step up to that task.

I don't have my car as of yet so I can't tell you what I think of the NAV, but there isn't any doubt it'll be worth the $$ particularly living in DC. I wish I could have the touchpanel in the TL, but I would rather compromise on the NAV than on the drive.

My .02

[dholly]

Originally Posted by jhan1102

I can’t buy 2drs because I got pulled over for going over 145 mph. =) hehehe

Lol, at 145mph I doubt any L.E.O. is gonna be sympathetic just 'cause you have an extra set.
Of doors that is, not b@lls!

[chenga]

The cars on my shopping list were: G35, CTS, 325i/330i, IS300.

FWD was the reason I didn't look at the TL. Then again not many people live up in the mountains like I do so FWD usually isn't a huge turn-off. Plus how cool is it that I drive my G35/Skyline on Skyline Blvd (CA State Route 35). =P

My buddy has an '04 TL and the interior is nicer, but it's not as though the G35's interior is bad. (Especially not with the changes that the '05 sedan has)

If you want navigation, buy it. The TL's system is better, but you can't pick and choose hehe. You may want to check out http://www.digitalwheelz.com if you really don't like the Infiniti nav system because the guy has created a really slick aftermarket installation setup.

My advice: If you don't mind FWD, buy the TL. And if the TL still comes with those awful Turanzas, then replace those tires ASAP. If you buy the G35 like I did I'm sure you won't be disappointed either. Both are nice cars.

[fxg35rida]

Both NICE cars!!!! I actually waited for the TL to come out before I bought my G.Test drove it.Interior is nice, bluetooth is tight. Only reason why I didnt get the TL is the FWD that made me feel like I was driving my 00 Accord with a lots of HP and IMO Honda is too GENERIC! So, basically it's all on you. You can't go wrong with your choice! Good luck!

[IOSPro]

After a long comparison of both, I settled on the G. Here's why.

TL hurt my back. Test drove it 8 hrs. Never could get the seat to not hurt my back and I NEVER have any back problems otherwise.

ELS radio had no high volume and bass was really weak below 100 Hz.

FWD and torque-steer

I really like the TL, the looks, etc. Just not gonna buy one.

[jhan1102]

I have driven both, and I am still not ready to decide on which car to buy. So far, I got a good deal in Los Angeles area: 05’ TL auto w/ Navigation for $33,500. This is way better then some internet offers.

05’ G35 sedan AT: From the outside it looks very elegant. (I am use to the back now) Redesigned front, and interior showed an improvement over the previous models. I really think the design compete with luxury in mind.

Inside: Intelligent key is an awesome feature. I wasn't really use to the “simple” interface layout, but I got use to it. I really didn’t like the orange odometer lights like the BMW.
Power tilt and telescoping steering wheel was nice, front seats were very comfortable, and reclining rear seats were comfortable but the headroom was too low towards the end.
Seat memory location is little hard to reach, and wished it were positioned on the door like TL. Trunk space was much smaller than TL. Navigation system was bit harder to use with the control knob. Wished it were a touch screen like TL. No voice controller, nor Bluetooth options. Mp3 option was plus.

Drive: I drive 2001 Accord Ex V6. So, RWD was an awesome experience for me. Took off like a rocket. You could really feel the 270lb-ft low-end torque. Exhaust sounded awesome, and the car handled like a rollercoaster. It took every corner just the way I want it. The 280 hp was more than enough to pass some slow moving cars. I give an A+ (I had a fat smile during the test drive). I also enjoyed the Driver-adaptive 5-speed automatic. What a difference it made.


05’ TL sedan AT: From the outside it looks freakin’ awesome. Gotta love that slick, sporty design. Design does appeal more towards edgy, younger, sporty type of person. It screams saying “I AM FAST & COOL!!!” But little concerned about how HONDA tries to apply similar design style to all their car line-ups. I understand why people are referring to TL and over priced Honda.

Inside: I don’t know if I was use to seeing the “simple” G35 interior, but it was little too busy. So many little buttons filled up the console area. The Seats were little too big for my body, and was little uncomfortable. Blue odometer looked cool, but I was getting little lost into the background darkness after little while looking at it. I don’t know about many of you but since I drove an Accord for the past 4 years, and the interior seemed too plastic. Spacious front, rear, trunk spaces were good, but I didn’t like the plastic hard cover behind the driver & passenger seat. (Looks cheap!) Touch screen Navigation system, and Voice control, Bluetooth systems were REALLY cool!! Reminded me of the Knight Rider. =) (Do you guys still play with this system everyday?)

Drive: Since I drive an Accord, I couldn’t help comparing to my FWD Accord. I’ve also noticed on WOT, car seems to slide to the right side a little. Why does it do that? I didn’t really feel the TL’s power until upper RPM, and comparing to G35, it seems weak. On the freeway drive, the car didn’t accelerate the way I wished it did. Does anyone know if TL pulls away harder than G35 on open road? Over all, the shift was a lot smoother than G35. The riding comforts were little harder, but Cornering was little softer than G35. I would get the rear sway on this if I got the car.


Conclusion: I love how G35 drives and handles, but I love all the little technology built into the TL. Since I am still split, I am going to stop thinking about both cars for a month. Then I will Test-drive TL first, then G35 again to see which will be my next car. Mean while, please give me some more driver’s feed backs.

[rbichara]

Can you afford a new Acura RL ? That looks sick with AWD and 300HP
It would solve your dilema
But as a G35 Coupe driver, I have to say go for the G,
it' a more fun drive

[chenga]

Actually the G35's trunk is biggerthan the TL's trunk by 3 cubic feet as long as you don't get the full-size spare. Does the TL come with a full-size spare or a space-saver?

My trunk has tons of room though with that little mini-spare in there. 14.8 cubic feet is more than my old Lexus LS400 had back in the trunk!

[jhan1102]

I also have to buy the Nissian Murano, so I can only buy either TL or G35 at the moment.

[gq916]

RWD babyyyyyyyy

[jhan1102]

I want it. Just little more researchin' on Snow and Rain. I'm in Cali. so snow is not the problem, but rain is. I go ski once a year so I just want to know if chains will help.

thanks

[DOHCtor Dan]

the 4wd G35 coupe is not bad too if you're worried about so cal rain. I chose the 6mt coupe just cuz it performs and looks better than the TL. navigation-wise if you do decide to get it you should definitely get the stock nav for either of the two cars. i'm having a hella of a time trying to find a nav unit that will work perfectly and look flush with the stock console. happy hunting.

[raven6mt]

Originally Posted by jhan1102

Inside: Intelligent key is an awesome feature. I wasn't really use to the “simple” interface layout, but I got use to it. I really didn’t like the orange odometer lights like the BMW.
Power tilt and telescoping steering wheel was nice, front seats were very comfortable, and reclining rear seats were comfortable but the headroom was too low towards the end.
Seat memory location is little hard to reach, and wished it were positioned on the door like TL. Trunk space was much smaller than TL. Navigation system was bit harder to use with the control knob. Wished it were a touch screen like TL. No voice controller, nor Bluetooth options. Mp3 option was plus.

I've heard several complaints about the seat memory buttons...I'm not sure if this applies to the '03-04 sedans, but with the '05 you can tie the unlock button on your keyfob/intelligent key to a seat memory. Unlock the car with your fob and the seat moves to the memory position you assigned to your fob. A very neat feature.
I also am quite pleased with the mp3 playback now, moreso since I found that the system plays .wma files as well.
I am not sure how the trunk space compares to the TL, but I have been very impressed with the depth of the trunk and the size of the 'opening' when you are loading it. I have two child seats with very large bases and I can easily fit both of them in the trunk plus lots of other stuff.

[Mr_A]

The only cool shit about the TL is that it has bluetooth and the side mirrors adjust in reverse.
Other than that it's front wheel drive and it handles like a boat. (those are cons). The shifting is kind of... long as well.