Originally posted by Fmr12B:
Why? basically an Accord with an extra 30HP................

For the money you spent ($33K) you could have gone RWD with better handling in the name of G35.

Not a fan



eh, an accord with 30 extra hp, an avail. manual tranny in a 4-door body, bigger brakes, bigger wheels/tires (incl. avail. performance tires as an option in lieu of the std. all-seasons), HID's, dvd-audio stereo, bluetooth, acura dealer service (in my experience, that alone is worth the $$ - ymmv), better warranty (4/50 vs. 3/36 as i recall), better looks.....i daresay the new TL is MUCH improved over a loaded accord and well worth the ~$6k price premium.

i'm inclined to agree w/ rara on the G35 - the coupe is just downright gorgeous and has an equally sweet exhaust note, but the sedan just doesn't have the same panache to it. the front end is more awkward than sleek, and the taillights and rump in general just aren't as nicely executed as with the coupe. now, if i could bring myself to soil the looks of the coupe with a yakima roof rack i'd probably be tempted to trade my jeep and miata on it just for the looks and sound and slightly-above-average performance.

with that said, RWD is something i would rather have as well (no real weather worries here in the south) and so am more inclined toward the IS300 and 3-series, but the features and refinement of the TL coupled with my dealer's service (based on my RSX ownership experience) are almost enough to sway me toward accepting the FWD platform.

as of the moment, i'm hoping (dreaming?) to be in a position to trade my jeep on a 330i performance package next summer/fall and (hopefully) keep the miata, but we'll see. whatever i do 4-door wise, though, the TSX, upcoming jetta 337/20AE special edition, IS, TL, 3-series, and who knows what else will all stay on my very eclectic not-so-short list...

blake --former CSVT owner-- MINE: 2002 jeep grand cherokee limited 4x4 - stone white/taupe HERS: 2005 acura TL 5AT non-navi - satin silver/quartz GARAGE ORNAMENT: 1962 chevy C10 fleetside pickup - tan/rust