How does G35/G37 Sedan Compare with Acura TL

[consultant1027]

I'm really interested to here some honest opinions from people who have owned both the Acura TL (04-08) and the G35 or G37 sedan, or at least people that have spent time in both? I'm pondering a purchase (used) of either one.

I've researched and test drove both. I like the ride in the G37 a bit better (I would get the AWD), the Type S is a little harsh, but the stereo and seats are a bit better in the TL. I'd prefer AWD and a 7-spd but for the mileage I'm looking for it will really push my budget to the edge. Type S can be had for about $3K less with same miles and similar options. If the price were the same, I'd get the G37x. But that is with a BIG assumption the G37's are as trouble/hassle-free as the Acura/Honda and Lexus/Toyotas of the world. I'm not as concerned with HP as I used to be when I was younger so the 328 versus 286 isn't a big deal, especially considering the TL is lighter. They are actually very close as far as acceleration.

I'd love to hear your 2 cents.

[zozoka1212]

Well there are few things to consider. TL has the FWD till 2010. But the new TL is something what people have to get used to.

For some reason Acura never been able to estabilish themselft in the luxury game. I personally like them but always missed something out and just dropped them from the shoping list.

If you look at the reliability on Trudelta

It actually sas the 08-09 G did better than accura TL. How true is that well don't know.

You can't really go wrong with either one. Both great cars. The G feels more of a sport car even the AWD version. They based on the RWD.

[joe603]

I considered the TL years ago...but then I found out it was FWD. The new design is terrible IMO. If they didn't screw up the exterior it would have been a serious contender for my latest purchase. (AWD version of course)

So, if you like the newer style, and don't mind the HP difference, it is a decent car.

[Poyzinous]

I think this is the 3rd thread with this exact title...
But anyway, The TL is interesting, but it would be best to drive both around and see which one feels better. I'd never ever own a h0nd@ product, so I'll always say no...

[BryanWSD]

Having owned 2 TL's (an '02 and an '04), and driving an '08 and '10 before getting my '10 G, I can tell you the driving experience is not really comparable.

If you want a luxo Honda Accord that is extremely reliable and excellent customer service (at least with my local dealer), get an Acura. The tech gadgets are awesome, voice recognition actually works, the paint and sheet metal is pretty good (vs. the ultra scratch and ding prone G) and the cars are pretty comfortable. The 04 - 08's definitely look and drive better than the new FUGLY beast that is the '10 TL.

But for daily driving, some things that really stand out on the G are RWD, the power delivery is MUCH better on the G engine (Acura's have zero low end torque), and the G seems to be a more quiet ride. The G is also just more fun to drive on twisty roads and to push to the limit. Also, I HATE that Acura doesn't make a 6 or 8 way adjustable driver seat on the TL - it's a minor but annoying cost cutting measure. Both cars get very good reliability ratings.

One more note - the '08 G's have a 5 speed transmission vs. 7 on the '10, and from what I've read, don't get very good gas mileage (~22 MPG on the freeway). The '10 is better, I actually got 27 MPG on a recent freeway trip. Acura on the other hand is pretty good with MPG - not BMW good, but it's good.

I don't really know that one nameplate (Acura vs. Infiniti) carries more cache' than the other, at least in my opinion.

[suby01]

since you said 04-08.
this is what sold me in 07 when i was comparing the g35x to tl s. the tl still comes with a cassete player while the g comes with a compact flash drive and a 10gb hard drive. that alone just showed how outdated acura was. as the rep was explaining all the great things about the car i just kept staring at the tape deck. then in the middle of the conversation i just said. well thank you for your help. the infiniti is a better buy for $1000 for me at the time. he said but we have this and this and i said yes and you have a tape deck, are you going to supply TDK tapes with the purchase? he was mad i smiled and left.

thats my story.

[joe603]

That was one reason I wanted at least an 05 when I bought my G35 coupe...03-04's had a tape deck

[LuckyLuke]

Hi!

[SVTCOBRA]

flashback to 2005ish
Drove a 2001 Pathy 4x4 & SVT Cobra.
Wife drove a 2002 Pathy 4x4
Wife wants TL...I want her to have 05 G35
Wife drives TL and G35 back to back on extended drives.
Luckily, I married a women that DRIVES a car as opposed to steering it from point a to point b. (she used to own a car that had a screaming chicken on the hood....)
I was ready to pull the trigger on the TL, she decided immediately after driving the G that the G was her next car! I was like
Since then, I traded my pathy for a 05 Sedan, then for a 04 Coupe and her 05 Sedan for a 08 G35X.

Also, have seen several TL owners post here saying they were disappointed in the way the TL interior was holding up and they traded for a G.

[Poyzinous]

G POWER!!!

[kmckis1029]

just the fact that the TL had less power and FWD based AWD, it lost my vote when i was looking at should i get another G or get another brand of car, the 2010 G37x resold me on why i liked my 2005 G35x. now i'm a repeat buyer...

but i will say check out the Pontiac G8 before you buy anything if AWD is not needed.

[soul_hfk]

in 07 i test drove both the TL and a G35x to me the TL isnt in the same class as the G maybe the new TL has closed the gap but i didnt even look when i trade in the 07 on my 2010

[Tim30250]

When I was shopping for a car last year, I was comparing the G37, 335, A4, CTS, and IS350. The TL didn't even get any consideration because I could simply not step into something that looks as ugly as it does each morning. I'm usually not driven by appearance alone, but that TL is one hideous creature.

[busterbrown]

When I was shopping for a car last year, I was comparing the G37, 335, A4, CTS, and IS350. The TL didn't even get any consideration because I could simply not step into something that looks as ugly as it does each morning. I'm usually not driven by appearance alone, but that TL is one hideous creature.

That was basically what I was looking at, with the exception of the IS350, which was too small for my needs.
My wife liked the looks of the CTS, so I started there. The center counsel on the CTS stuck out too far, to where my leg was uncomfortably pressed against it while driving. I take long trips so I try and picture what the car will feel like after several hours behind the wheel.
I didn't like the 4 cylinder turbo in the Audi.
I was tempted with the 335i, even though I had owned a 540i for 4 years and had nothing but problems with it. After reading about the problems with the high pressure fuel pump and the fact they had run flats I nixed the 335i.
Would not even consider the TL, because of it's styling.
The G37 was the only car that filled my needs. It looks good. Has high content, It Is comfortable, fast and handles great.
Much more dependable then the German cars and roomy enough to fit 2 average sized passengers, in the rear seat, if needed.
It was also priced a lot lower, which wasn't a deciding factor but was a nice plus.

[joe603]

When I was shopping for a car last year, I was comparing the G37, 335, A4, CTS, and IS350. The TL didn't even get any consideration because I could simply not step into something that looks as ugly as it does each morning. I'm usually not driven by appearance alone, but that TL is one hideous creature.

That was basically what I was looking at, with the exception of the IS350, which was too small for my needs.
My wife liked the looks of the CTS, so I started there. The center counsel on the CTS stuck out too far, to where my leg was uncomfortably pressed against it while driving. I take long trips so I try and picture what the car will feel like after several hours behind the wheel.
I didn't like the 4 cylinder turbo in the Audi.
I was tempted with the 335i, even though I had owned a 540i for 4 years and had nothing but problems with it. After reading about the problems with the high pressure fuel pump and the fact they had run flats I nixed the 335i.
Would not even consider the TL, because of it's styling.
The G37 was the only car that filled my needs. It looks good. Has high content, It Is comfortable, fast and handles great.
Much more dependable then the German cars and roomy enough to fit 2 average sized passengers, in the rear seat, if needed.
It was also priced a lot lower, which wasn't a deciding factor but was a nice plus.

well said!! I considered all those cars too with the addition of the 09 G8 GXP.

[RichardnVA]

I had an '06 TL that I had for three years and traded in for my 09 G37x. I really liked the TL and never had any problems with it. I wanted a solid, reliable family commuter that had performance and some luxury amenities and that's what I got with the TL. The TL is good, but it very bland. There's really nothing really exciting about the car, especially when you start to compare it to the performance and handling of the G. I also looked at the Audi A4 and hated the turbo 4. I had an A6 before my TL and the A4 was too small and underpowered imho. I'm not sure if you're considering a model with Navigation, but if you are then Honda has a big advantage over Nico. The Nico NAV units lock almost all controls when the vehicle is in motion, almost defeating the purpose of having an in car navigation system. I understand the safety aspects of locking out the controls while driving, but Honda does not and their safety record seems to be okay. I've had my G for about a year now and so far no problems. As stated previously the TL did get better gas mileage, but the G is more of a performance car so that is a trade off you have to decide on. Good luck!

[james t kirk]

When I was in the market in 05, the TL was only available in FWD.

Since I live in Toronto, where there can be some harsh winters the fact that the TL was not avaialbe in AWD immediately eliminated it from contention and I bought the G.

Now, in 2010, the TL IS avaiable in AWD, however, it's so ugly that I would never even consider it. I don't know how Hondas and Acuras are selling now with that rediculous make-over, however, they are not for me. (They remind me of some sort of space shuttle from a cheap sci fi movie from the 80's.)

I liked the styling of the last generation of TL's, but the latest is silly looking.

[exit9]

When I was in the market in 05, the TL was only available in FWD.

Since I live in Toronto, where there can be some harsh winters the fact that the TL was not avaialbe in AWD immediately eliminated it from contention and I bought the G.

Now, in 2010, the TL IS avaiable in AWD, however, it's so ugly that I would never even consider it. I don't know how Hondas and Acuras are selling now with that rediculous make-over, however, they are not for me. (They remind me of some sort of space shuttle from a cheap sci fi movie from the 80's.)

I liked the styling of the last generation of TL's, but the latest is silly looking.

Amen.

[SleepyMonkey]

I don't know how Hondas and Acuras are selling now with that rediculous make-over, however, they are not for me. (They remind me of some sort of space shuttle from a cheap sci fi movie from the 80's.)

I liked the styling of the last generation of TL's, but the latest is silly looking.

That thing looks crazy - the front of it reminds me of an evil clown for some reason!

[joe603]

yuk...the only thing worse than the front is the rear!!

[CougarRed]

There's a reason why the G Sedan and M Sedan kick butt over the Acura TL and RL.

Just like there's a reason why the Acura MDX and RDX kick butt over the Infiniti SUVs.

If you're not on novocain (i.e. a Lexus wannabe) and you want a high end, reliable sedan out of Japan, go Infiniti. If you want a high end, reliable SUV and don't like Lexus, go Acura.

[soul_hfk]

i think u have that wrong Acura doesnt have anything in the same class as the QX and the EX-FX are crossovers.

[RichardnVA]

Acura does have the new ZDX. I haven't seen a real one, but it looks like it might have potential.

[Poyzinous]

the vehicle as a whole is hideous, lets agree on that.

[audtatious]

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/com ... ison_tests

^^^ comparison

[Poyzinous]

Before reading the article in the link Matt posted, know this:
Whether a BMW is included in the comparison or not, Car and Driver will always award them a Victory.

[audtatious]

Which is exactly what they did.

[kmckis1029]

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/com ... ison_tests

^^^ comparison

why wont they just put Infiniti in front of BMW? "two points" really? then the article complains about the BMW and praises the G37?