Given that I am planning on getting a 2k2 SE 6speed max, I thought that I would give the TL-S type a shot. It has nearly identical specs and nearly identical cost to a fully loaded Max. Here is my opinions:

TL Pros:
* Nice build quality
* I like the front end looks better
* Probably better reliability and resale value
* Nicer seats
* Stability control
* More status (better reputation)

Max Pros:
* Wow! That engine is awesome. Even though the TL has 5 hp more, the max feels much more responsive. Press the gas pedal and away you go. The TL feels like there is a turbo lag.
* Max has more head, shoulder, hip and leg room in all seats even though the car is shorter and narrower.
* Some elements of the styling is better (in my opinion).
* More unique styling. You know that it is a max at a glance. You have to find the name plate to figure out that it is an Acura.
* You can get the Max stripped at ~$7k less than the TL, but with the same engine, handling and performance.

Overall, for myself, the Max wins.

 

Smart move testing the waters between the 2 camps before committing. Now it's time to sign that dotted line.

 

They r both nice cars....
I don't know if the TL-S is more reliable then the 2k2 Max... go to the TL-S forum. There are many complaints about the transmission being jacked. And I have a friend that works at an Acura dealership who confirmed this.
The block in the 2k2 Max is pretty reliable. It is the same block that was in the 99' or 2k Pathfinder if I am not mistaken... well tested and reliable.

 

I considered this car briefly but without a MT its out of the question. Too bad as Acura makes a very good MT for the RSX-S.

 

check out the bimmer 3 series if u want sumthing similar to the TL and the max

 

G35 More affordable than a 3-Series and more powerful that a 3-Series.

 

 

Even fully loaded the 2k2 Maxima is a couple grand less than the TL-S.

Be sure to check out CarsDirect.Com for real $ numbers.

Jim

 

A co-worker and I test-drove each others' cars last Friday (her 2K2 TL and my 2K2 Max). The Max has a great interior, but I think I like the TL's a little better. The Max has great head-snapping acceleration off the line, but the TL has better mid-range acceleration (comparing it to turbo lag is a good analogy ... it take a second for that power to kick in but when it does ... WHOOSH!). The Max SE has a better suspension, but the TL has a better ride.

They're pretty close cars. I was impressed with hers and she was impressed with mine. But for several thousand less, I got the better deal!

 

If I could afford it, I would get the 330xi. That is $40k. Even the cheapest new bimmer is the 325i with fake leather and no options is $29k. At $24k, a SE 6 speed seems the better deal to me.

 

I started out looking at a 330i but comparably loaded to a 2k2 SE it was a full $12+k more. Better handling but smaller interior/trunk. RWD vs. FWD, etc. Still doesn't add up to $12k.

The Acura TL-S is very close in price to a comparably equipped 2k2. Just no 6 speed.

 

Dude, G35, 260 HP, 260 Lb-Ft, Starts at $29K with leather! 10% more interior space than a 3-Series, much more HP than similarly priced 325, better handling than the Max, you can't go wrong with this car.

 

Does it have MT?

 

The G35 will only be available in AT when it's released this March. In the fall, Infiniti will release a coupe version with rumored 280HP, AWD, and 6-Speed MT (the 6-Speed is definite, the 280 is still up for grabs since Nissan doesn't want this car to steal the lime-light from the 350z). At roughly the same time, Infiniti will also release a MT version of the sedan. This car will rock.

 

Thank god for the manual tranny option, huh?

 

oh man, this dude has a TL and a Max, he's both the enemy and the friend at the same time....

 

But it's good u stuck with nissan.......you won't regret it...the max is MAX, the TL is well, i dunno...

 

I almost went for the Type-S. No stick is a big issue for me. Also, the low end torque is very "not there" like with the Max. The motor is good as it is a Honda motor and they van build them well, but I really wanted this 6 spd with the HP. Plus the ability to increase HP with parts is much better then with the Acura.

Everyone keeps talking about BMWs. Yeah they are OK, but the 3 series is just like any car. My boss has a 2001 328. Nice car, he has already paid it off and wants to sell it and get a VW or something else. He said the car is not worth the extra cost and definitely not worth the Lux, Tax. I think that says a lot.

Good luck on the car buying dood.