Maxima - Passat - Acura TL

[tfinch2]

08 tl

 

[exar333]

Passat will be a good car until you hit 50k miles and it goes to crap. I would suggest either the Maxima or the TL. If you want new, get the Maxima. If you want used, get a previous-gen TL. Both are great choices.

 

[Stifko]

No love for the Passat eh? I would rather have the VW instead of the Japanese offerings.
The Passat is available with a turbo diesel and gets over 40MPG easily.

 

[LakerGod]

How reliable is the TL compared to the Maxima? Would it cost more to maintain, repair, etc.?

 

[evident]

How reliable is the TL compared to the Maxima? Would it cost more to maintain, repair, etc.?

many parts are interchangeable with the accord. so you can def find parts cheap.

 

[ballmode]

My buddy takes his TL to the honda dealers for basic stuff so its cheaper instead of going to the acura dealer

 

[master7045]

I had an Acura for a few years and would take it to the honda dealer for fluid changes all the time, much cheaper. This was when I was living in an apt and didn't have the space for tools.

 

[DVad3r]

Pretty off topic but.

How does a 2012 305 hp TL SH-AWD stack up to the new Lexus GS?

I'd love to see a head to head...

 

[ballmode]

That tl is a dark horse

It really has no competitor. I almost compare to the BMW 330 zhp
It's a niche car. It isn't the best in its class stat wise but provides a better driving experience

If you are one of the luck 5-10% sold with a manual please cherish it

 

[ballmode]

Specifications:
Drive Type: Front-engine, all-wheel drive
Transmission Type: Six-speed MANUAL
Displacement (cc/cu-in): 3,664/223
Redline (rpm): 6,700
Horsepower (hp @ rpm): 305 @ 6,300
Torque (lb-ft @ rpm): 273 lb-ft @ 5,000
Steering System: Electric-assist speed-proportional rack-and-pinion power steering
Suspension Type (front): Independent double wishbones, coil springs, twin-tube dampers, stabilizer bar
Suspension Type (rear): Independent multilink, coil springs, twin-tube dampers, stabilizer bar
Tire Size (front): 245/45R18 96V
Tire Size (rear): 245/45R18 96V
Tire Brand: Michelin
Tire Model: Pilot MXMXM4
Tire Type: All-season
Wheel material (front/rear): Cast aluminum
As tested Curb Weight (lb): 3,842


Test Results:

Acceleration
0-30 (sec): 2.1 (2.4 with T/C on)
0-45 (sec): 3.7 (4.3 with T/C on)
0-60 (sec): 5.7 (6.3 with T/C on)
0-60 with 1-ft Rollout (sec): 5.4 (6.0 with T/C on)
0-75 (sec): 8.3 (9.1 with T/C on)
1/4-Mile (sec @ mph): 14.0 @ 99.0 (14.5 @ 97.2 with T/C on)

Braking
30-0 (ft): 29
60-0 (ft): 120

Handling
Slalom (mph): 64.6 (63.8 with T/C ON)
Skid Pad Lateral acceleration (g): 0.87 (0.79 with T/C on)

Sound
Db @ Idle: 41.3
Db @ Full Throttle: 77.6
Db @ 70 mph Cruise: 62.4

RPM @ 70: 2,900
(FROM EDMUNDS.COM)
http://blogs.insideline.com/straightline/2011/05/il-track-tested-2012-acura-tl-sh-awd.html

The thing is overpowered, but I think for the money it is a great car you just gotta compromise. When I mentioned that 330 ZHP, it only had 230 hp, yes the G35 sedan had 50+ hp on it but it still gave great steering feedback and the throttle was very responsive (not S2000 responsive, but quick)

If I had to get a IS350 AWD, A4, 335xi, comparable C class with awd, or the G37x, I would choose the Acura TL SH-AWD ONLY if it had a 6sp manual


if you asked me the same question back in 2004/2005, I would have said BMW 330i ZHP over, TL/G35/C300 any day of the week.

 

[Aikouka]

I like my VQ35-equipped Altima. I considered both the Maxima and the Altima when buying a car, and the Altima seemed to have more room for the driver. Although, this was in 2007, and the Maxima didn't get refreshed until 2008.

The Altima is getting refreshed for the 2013 model, and honestly, I think it looks good. That's mostly because it looks like a miniature Maxima. I like how the newer Maxima looks. The current Altima is okay except for the headlights.

EDIT:

Oh, and the new Altima has a heated steering wheel.

 

[Doppel]

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.

Bad luck; his experience contradicts most Maxima owners, including those polled by consumer reports. It's been a reliable vehicle for many years. Ride is more subjective, so I can't speak to that.

I more or less hate VW as a brand and their reliability is definitely below the Maxima or TL.

The TL is from Acura--a luxury brand. The Maxima is a Nissan. Normally one would compare TL with Infiniti G-series.

many parts are interchangeable with the accord. so you can def find parts cheap.

True. Those parts that can't be interchanged will be more expensive, and even some parts that can be interchanged will cost more if purchased from Acura and badged as such!

I like my VQ35-equipped Altima.

It's also very, very close to as fast as the Maxima. The latter has 7% more power but 5% more weight; essentially the same power train. Bought at the right time, from the right dealer the V6-equipped Altima is an excellent bargain when looking at its size, reliability, performance. Also runs on 87 vs the Maxima's recommended 91. Makes me wonder if most of the difference in HP between the two is simply tuning without little or no physical differences...

 

[master7045]

The one thing I can't stand about Altimas is the rear lights. I think they look so out of place on that car. It makes it look ricer, like a teenager spent 150 bucks on a set off ebay. The 2 door Altima rear lights look so much nicer and "mature" to me.

 

[SniperWulf]

The 2012 Azera is pretty nice. My co-worker just bought one. Much nicer than I thought. Drives pretty good too

 

[Aikouka]

It's also very, very close to as fast as the Maxima. The latter has 7% more power but 5% more weight; essentially the same power train. Bought at the right time, from the right dealer the V6-equipped Altima is an excellent bargain when looking at its size, reliability, performance. Also runs on 87 vs the Maxima's recommended 91. Makes me wonder if most of the difference in HP between the two is simply tuning without little or no physical differences...

I'm pretty sure my Altima says I'm supposed to use premium gas with it; however, I haven't seen or no heard any reason to actually do so. I ran the car for years with 87 octane and switched to 91 just to test it out. I've been running 91 for the past few months with no difference... except for less money in my wallet.

The one thing I can't stand about Altimas is the rear lights. I think they look so out of place on that car. It makes it look ricer, like a teenager spent 150 bucks on a set off ebay. The 2 door Altima rear lights look so much nicer and "mature" to me.

I agree about the lights, and it's the only thing that I don't like about my car. Although, I was trying to point out in my previous post that the 2013 Altima does not have the silly looking lights.

http://www.nissanusa.com/all-new-altima/?next=home_page_pfa.2013_altima.micro

It actually looks like a Maxima.

 

[master7045]

I agree about the lights, and it's the only thing that I don't like about my car. Although, I was trying to point out in my previous post that the 2013 Altima does not have the silly looking lights.

http://www.nissanusa.com/all-new-altima/?next=home_page_pfa.2013_altima.micro

It actually looks like a Maxima.

I agree w/ you on the 2013. I really like the look of it as well. Much better than the outgoing model IMO. It finally looks like a grown up car all around. Now that I think about it, you could describe the outgoing model design a mullet. Business in front, party in the rear.