Maxima - Passat - Acura TL

[ballmode]

What is the best FWD V6 wonderboat/luxo barge?

Also include the Toyota Avalon for discussion

 

[Arkaign]

Maxima for the space, TL for the electronics/interior, Passat doesn't really rate against those two imo.

 

[DVad3r]

My vote goes out to the TL or the ES 350.

You should also consider a Toyota Avalon.

 

[merlion]

I'd agree. The Passat doesn't belong with those two imo.

I just turned in an '09 TL off lease last month. Also drove a rental Maxima for a week while on vacation about a year ago. Absolutely no complaints with the TL in the three years I had it. Completely trouble free.

After driving the Maxima, it is a fair comparison, but I'd still take the TL over it.

 

[KentState]

TL since you can get AWD. I think the looks of the Maxima are better.

 

[manimal]

Max if you want sporty spice. TL if you want posh spice. Passat if you want eurotrash- er spice

The passat isnt a bad car at all. The other two to me are just better.

I agree with Kent that the max is the best looking of the three.

 

[exdeath]

Double post

 

[exdeath]

You should also consider a Toyota Avalon.

+1 for the FWD "Lexus" with an interior the size of a minivan and almost 300HP. Maxima is just a commuter car, not a lux barge.

 

[Dr. Detroit]

Lets not forget about the Ford Taurus & Buick LaCrosse. Nothing wrong with a Lincoln MKZ either.

http://www.caranddriver.com/compari...-hyundai-genesis-lexus-es350-comparison-tests

Maxima's are on huge Discount here - as much as $6 - $8K off MSRP.

 

[Doppel]

Maxima's are on huge Discount here - as much as $6 - $8K off MSRP.

Not sure how nissan is doing it. I can lease a Maxima right now for $240/month with only $1500 out of pocket, or if i was to roll that $1500 into the payment it would be about $285/month without money down (other than regular taxes and bullsh*t fees). This for a $33,000 MSRP car, it's pretty effing cheap.

 

[ballmode]

The maxima sorta like the avalon is in a pickle.

You have the same motor in the altima just a bigger car but you spend more. If you wanna spend that much you could get yourself into a G35 sedan.

With the Avalon it's only selling point is the space of the car. It's essentially a bigger camry and you are borderlining the price with the entry level Lexus

 

[ballmode]

Back in the 90's all japanese sedans mainly had a 4 cylinder. It wasn't until the 2000's when they started really selling the V6 versions of the accord/camry/altima that's when cars like the Maxima/Avalon really didn't make much since in my opinion.

 

[nitrous9200]

The last gen TL is a great looking car, the Maxima looks enormous (bulbous, even) and has a silly CVT and the Passat...well if VW reliability is as bad as people claim, then I wouldn't have one.

 

[ElFenix]

The maxima sorta like the avalon is in a pickle.

You have the same motor in the altima just a bigger car but you spend more. If you wanna spend that much you could get yourself into a G35 sedan.

it's had that issue ever since ghosn decided that it made more sense to stick a 4 banger in the maxima and rename it altima. that's been a decade now. saved the company.

 

[Howard]

it's had that issue ever since ghosn decided that it made more sense to stick a 4 banger in the maxima and rename it altima. that's been a decade now. saved the company.

The Altima doesn't get a heated steering wheel, though.

 

[GoatMonkey]

I have a 2006 TL, it's really pretty good to drive and own. Looks good, good handling, reliable, decent size back seat, lots of nice electronic toys for its day.

My parents have a 2008 Avalon. It's really a completely different class of car. The Avalon is a great interstate cruising car. If you want to be comfortable on a long trip it's a great way to go, but it's not very exciting to drive. The TL feels like a sports car in comparison with an Avalon.

I drove a 2010 TL loaner car. It was still nice to drive, but felt a little more isolated and softer than the old TL. The paddle shifters worked well though. The 2012 TL has much improved styling, still not as good looking as the old ones, but at least it's not ugly.

I think the Passat now competes more with cars like the Malibu. It's made for size in its class now. It's not a bad car, but I would absolutely take a TL or Maxima over it.

I wouldn't get a Maxima now because they use a CVT in it.

How about a Hyundai Genesis V6 sedan? It's not FWD, but you can get a good deal on a used V6 Genesis and it definitely fits into the luxobarge category.

The 2013 Ford Fusion might work for you too when it comes out soon. I think it looks like a winner, at least until I hear otherwise when the first reviews get posted.

 

[Safeway]

I just attempted to price out an Avalon. I don't have MS Silverlight installed and I was redirected to this alternative website. Wow, straight out of 1995:

http://www.gstbuildyourtoyota.com/buildyourtoyota/buildyourtoyota.asp

 

[PhoKingGuy]

Had a new passat as a rental this weekend, pleasantly surprised, not that bad at all. Save for the stupid 2.5 engine its better than the Fusion.

 

[exar333]

Had a new passat as a rental this weekend, pleasantly surprised, not that bad at all. Save for the stupid 2.5 engine its better than the Fusion.

Yeah, the 2.5 is gutless. Prety decent mileage on it, but it is especially bad with an AT.

 

[GoatMonkey]

I just attempted to price out an Avalon. I don't have MS Silverlight installed and I was redirected to this alternative website. Wow, straight out of 1995:

http://www.gstbuildyourtoyota.com/buildyourtoyota/buildyourtoyota.asp

It probably is. From the file extension it's probably really ASP Classic. I haven't used that since 2001.

 

[sjwaste]

Passat and TL are mid-size, but in different classes, and the Maxima is closer to a full size (the Altima being the mid-size offering).

The TL is a little higher end than the Maxima and Passat. If you wanted comparables, the TL really competes A4 and G35, not the Passat and the Altima/Maxima.

Start with how big a car you want, and then decide if you want "near-luxury" as the TL is billed, or if you're okay with optioning out a Nissan or VW.

Personally, after dealing with some costly repairs on my wife's Passat, and absolutely horrid dealer support - including letting a lot of things go until the warranty ran, even though I kept bringing the car back for the same issue - I would never again purchase a VW. If Audi has the same dealer network/support protocol, I'd write them off too.

My father has a recent model Maxima. It's really nice, but it's a lot larger than the TL. He actually was deciding between those two cars, but he wanted the bigger car more than he wanted the features of the TL.

I wanted a TL when I was shopping for our newest car. However, AWD was a requirement, and the TL with that option was unjustifiably high - I ended up with a fully optioned Outback 3.6R and enough money left over to get another car when my wife's sick of fixing the '04 Passat.

 

[DVad3r]

The maxima sorta like the avalon is in a pickle.

You have the same motor in the altima just a bigger car but you spend more. If you wanna spend that much you could get yourself into a G35 sedan.

With the Avalon it's only selling point is the space of the car. It's essentially a bigger camry and you are borderlining the price with the entry level Lexus

More space = more luxo barge like car. If you want mad smoothness that's the way to go, and the Avalon is called a poor mans Lexus for a reason.

Plus you also should take reliability into consideration. Toyota is a reliable car. My dads 1992 Camry I4 has 540,000 km. My 01 ES has 188,000 km and going strong (nothing broke yet aside from routine maitenance "knocks on wood").

Avalon isn't just a bigger Camry, it's got more sound insulation, more features, smoother ride, bigger, etc.

I would not get a Maxima. Nissan has iffy reliabity. I have a buddy who has a 03 Maxima and he has had tons of problems with it. Not to mention the car really has a poor ride.

My second choice after an Avalon or ES350 would be the TL. I would scratch the Passat out unless you are getting the TDI for efficiency.

Another car to consider is a Ford Taurus.

 

[KentState]

If I was considering an Avalon or Maxima, I would give the Buicks a serious looking. I know it's a "old person's" car, but so is the Avalon from what I've seen.

 

[senseamp]

4DSC

 

[drbrock]

TL all the way. I have a 2004 TL that I love! My friends parents have a 2009 or 2010 maxima and I would take my TL over it everyday of the week. The TL has luxury and def better perception to outsiders. I would rather pull up in a TL than a Maxima is most situations outside of the track. Before I got the TL I always thought they were overhyped Accords but there is a serious difference between the two. The only thing that sucks is the premium gas requirement but if you can afford a new TL you probably don't care about premium gas.

Good luck with your purchase.