one of my cousin is buying a brand new car and he asked me for any advice and i told him to hold on cuz i wanted to ask here cuz couple of u guys probably knows better which one is better...key points r POWER, HANDLING, AND BETTER FUEL ECONOMY and obviously LOOKS.....so which one is better then i can show him this thread at the end so he can make his mind and buy some good car......my vote goes to 09 MAXIMA.....thanks

This could be a close one. Both are very excellent vehicles, and both come from the same corporation. A lot will depend on the preferences of your cousin.

(Editing 12-16-08 2PM - Obviously I let my mind wander to the G37. We all know the TL is by Honda's upscale line Acura.)

Both are FWD, which is good. There are many more advantages with FWD than with RWD, although some drivers still prefer the old RWD setup.

If he insists on an older-style tranny such as a manual or shifting automatic, the choice is already made for him - the TL. If he is ready for the future, the redesigned CVT in the '09 Maxima is getting very good reviews from open-minded testers. A few here actually rave about it. But every person is different, and he will need to make this decision. He should definitely drive a CVT before buying one; they are different.

Another biggie is styling. This is a very subjective area. For me, the TL styling is now very long in the teeth, and I find the new wierd heavy chrome grille ugly. But the next person may like it. I love the fresh and aggressive new '09 Maxima coke-bottle styling, but some folks do not. Your cousin needs to see both these cars IN PERSON before deciding.

As for handling and power, I considered the '08 TL to have an edge over the '08 Maxima. The '09 Maxima has definitely improved in power and especially in handling. But I'm feeling the '09 TL may also have improved in those areas. Until shown otherwise, I would assume a slight edge here is still with the TL, although both are excellent performers.

(Editing 8-26-08 2PM - Based on Mick7's report of testing by Edmunds, the '09 TL gained weight, and did not improve zero-60 time. I now suspect the '09 TL handling did not improve either, and the Maxima and TL may be even in acceleration and very close in handling.)

Interior room has long been an area where the Maxima held an edge over the TL. I haven't been inside an '09 TL yet, so can't speak as to whether the TL has closed this gap somewhat. Of course there are some drivers who like the same tight quarters of the TL that others found cramped.

As to fuel economy, lots of figures may be bandied about, but I feel we have yet to get a real grasp on what to expect. Both require premium fuel. Just taking a shot, I would guess the '09 TL might scrape out one mile per gallon over the '09 Maxima at lower speeds, but that the CVT would give the Maxima a fuel effieciency edge in higher-speed/freeway-type driving. Two early '09 Maxima drivers here obtained 30 and 32 MPG on long freeway trips. I will be surprised if the new TL can do that well on the freeway.

(Editing 12-26-08 2PM - The added weight of the '09 TL may keep its fuel economy even with the Maxima at low speeds, but clearly behind the CVT powered Maxima at freeway/highway speeds. If we are talking about the AWD version of the TL, then the edge in fuel economy goes to the Maxima at all speeds.)

I would tell your friend that he needs to visit both his local Nissan dealer and his local Infiniti dealer. Many prefer Infinti's service, but I have had a much better relationship with my particular Nissan dealer (after having had less favorable experiences with other Nissan dealers). Infiniti dealers are more likely to give loaners (luxury brand), but Nissan dealers are more likely to be nearby when you need them (lot more dealerships).

There are so many plusses and minuses, but the reality is that your cuz should be very happy in either of these excellent and very dependable rides. In today's lose-lose world, it is really nice to have a win-win choice.

POWER- TL
HANDLING- TL
FUEL ECONOMONY- MAX
LOOKS- DEPENDS ON WHO IT IS, THIS IS CLOSE. TL FAILED ON THE REAR END

Maxima looks cheap on the inside IMHO. The TL far precedes the Max.

If price is not an issue the TL(black, to hide the rear end more) is probably the play IMO.

I love the looks of both. But I think of Star Trek every time I see the new TL grill. lol.

lol, Maxima vs. G35?

TL hands down imo if you're not counting price, it's a luxury vehicle vs a econoclass vehicle...

From Edmunds...."In our testing, the '09 front-wheel-drive TL cranked off a 6.7-second run to 60 mph (6.4 seconds with 1 foot of rollout like at a drag strip). Because of its additional weight, the higher-performance, higher-horsepower all-wheel-drive TL SH-AWD model is no quicker and indeed returns identical numbers."

Throw in 26 buttons on a "high tech" center panel and the looks of a buck-toothed, squashed smiley face and to me the Maxima looks real good comparatively.

Looks are subjective. I could never get past the grille though the rear is almost as ugly. I realize a lot of people say the same about the Maxima, so taste can vary.

ok went to the dealer today and tried new 09 Maxima...GOD FACE RIPPING...it has pretty crushing acceleration...haven't tried the new TL yet...

If it was the 2008 Acura TL-S, I would take it over the 2008 and 2009 Maxima. But the new TL is just ugly. I am sorry but the rear is unacceptable.

I would take the 2009 Maxima over the new TL for sure.

light what do you mean theyre from the same corporation? acura is mfgd by honda not nissan

i just looked at the new tl on their website.......UGLY.

I saw the new Ack but I think the grille is horrendous, one Mag described it as a Guillotine (hope I spelled it correctly) but I don't see it that way.
The back is ugly as well, inside the Ack is very well done and it has 300hp which makes it more powerful than the Max.
I think the TL will handle slightly better but the Max will do better on the highway as far as MPG in the long run, I got an average of 32 mpg going from SA to my house.

OMG!!!! BobXX caught this very quickly, and now rteenie is also aware of my major slipup. It isn't as if I don't know the difference; my son has driven nothing but TL Type 'S' for six years.

Of course, as BobXX suggested, I had my mind on the new Infiniti G37. Back when I was in my early seventies, I would not have made such a stupid mistake. Senility is a terrible thing.


Now that we have heard from Mick7 about Edmunds testing of the TL, and seen their elapsed times and heard about the weight added to the TL, I withdraw my previous statement giving the power edge to the TL. The TL and the Maxima could now be very close.

I have an 03 Maxima and an 05 Acura TL so you could say I'm a Maxima/Acura enthusiast. I personally along with several other 3G TL owners really dislike the look of the 4G TL. The interior is very nice but as far as the exterior...I hate the huge *** grille.

I did just test drove the 09 Maxima 3.5SV with Sport/Tech/navigation packages and all I can say is wow! The interior on the new Maxima is very very nice also. I have NOT test the driven the 09 TL SH-AWD yet though, and I dont think I really want to. As far as fuel economy and looks I definately say 09 Maxima but I as far as power and handling I would say TL.

Light

Not to worry about the mistake. Hell, I'm only in my early fifties and often forget things that happened days earlier.

The advice that you have provided over the years more than makes up for this simple blunder.

The TL is horrid, if you build the TL with the Tech package and add on all the crap i got for my Max, your over $43K, jump up to the SH AWD and wow you get 10 more HP then a 09 Max and AWD, big wow! not to mention your SOHC VTEC ( VTEC naturally aspirated turbo lag ), the Max has better chance in the bigger picture if you add on power with its engine and it doesn't look like crap either. I would get a TSX over the TL, lighter, and your could make it way faster with the money you would save VS. buying a TL not to mention looking better.

IMHO, the Maxima satisfies your "key points."

09 maxima 3.5
290 hp 6400 rpm
261 ft-lbs. 4400 rpm
3579 lbs.

09 acura TL 3.5
280 hp 6200 rpm
254 ft-lbs.5000 rpm
3726 lbs.

maxima wins!

WOW! Are those stats for real? If so, then that certainly explains the fairly weak elapsed times the '09 TL turned in during Edmunds' testing. Not that elapsed times are that critical; I have always felt elapsed time was well down the list of important things. But that was one of the few areas I had always felt the TL had an edge over the Maxima. But no more.

the new TL is ugly as ****! LOL, but drive them both man, it's really down to your cousin, but being someone who has the 09 Maxima, I absolutely love it, no regret at all...

On a budget? the Max wins (trust me), money not an issue, get the SH-AWD TL. Personally, I couldn't stand the looks of the 09 TL and bought my wife a SV/sport Maxima.

09 honda accord 3.5
271 hp 6200 rpm
254 ft-lbs. 5000 rpm
3616 lbs.

09 maxima 3.5
290 hp 6400 rpm
261 ft-lbs. 4400 rpm
3579 lbs.

09 acura TL 3.5
280 hp 6200 rpm
268 ft-lbs. 4800 rpm
3726 lbs.

08 infiniti G35
306 hp 6800 rpm
254 ft-lbs.5000 rpm
3532 lbs 3704 lbs (awd)

09 acura TL 3.7 awd
305 hp 6200 rpm
273 ft-lbs. 5000 rpm
3986 lbs.

09 infinti G37
328 hp 7000 rpm
269 ft-lbs. 5200 rpm
3581 lbs. 3791 lbs.(awd)

nissan wins!

I used to be a huge fan of the ACURA line until they designed the 09 model ahhhhhhh.... I have to say that this is the ugliest version they have ever come out with and I am so glad I got my sexy MAX!!!

thanks for opinions guys my cousin bought 09max without even telling me, he jus went and bought it lol.....he tests drove that day too and after he bought it he was liek ''TL CANT BE FASTER THAN THIS''...lol.....u guys can carry on the debate anyways

MAXIMA ----> torque monster

Glad your cousin went with the Maxima.

If he got the TL so many people would have been blinded by it's FUGLY-ness...

Slightly OT (I can't post new threads yet)... when I test drove the 08 TL, the voice commands really impressed me. I could say things like "temperature 75 degrees" or "fm 93.3".

But with the Maxima I can only seem to turn the systems on/off... like "climate control on" or "fm radio" (or something like that). Is there a way on the Maxima to actually dial in a temperature or radio station through voice command? Without this I've found the voice controls to be pretty much useless. It's one of my only complaints about the Max.

OMG. the tl look MOTHER FUGLING FUGLY.
to tell you the truth i like the older tl model over the 09 max. but this new tl belongs in the bottom of the ocean.

Acura folks are realizing they made a bad design mistake on the rear of the new TL, and a worse one with the grille. I have never seen so many TV ads for a car as I have in recent months for the new TL. Going a step further, adding big pounds to the '09 TL without adding enough power to even match the '08 TL in accelleration may also come back to bite them. I STILL haven't seen one on the road. Not good for Acura.

I found my answer... http://forums.nicoclub.com/zerothread/335907.

In short, only Canadian Nissans seem to have the expanded set of voice commands.

Ive seen one, and it was horrendous!

Tthe new tl is ugly..front looks like the back n shyt.. the tl b4 lookd cool..

it's true the TL looks like a can opener from the front maxima looks good in every way period..............

finally someone who thinks like me...i think the front and back look the same on the TL its like a big civic...honda doesnt have a clue on what they are doing and it looks like it got so fat that it needs the extra power...and i doubt the 3.5L TL is faster then the maxima because it looks like its 1000pounds heavier the 3.7L yeah then thats another story but then again its another engine displacement.....


Silly rabbits dont get a honda...

Oh no.. the TL isn't faster than the MAX.. i almost bought the Acura, but he lease deal sucked, the car is ugly now and it's heavier! He bought a great car! The Max has one of the nicest rears on the street now!
Flared fenders, massive exhaust tips, nice shape overall!

2004 6MT TL Owner

I have owned 2 Acura TLs. A 2000 and a 2004. The 2009 TL was simply too ugly for me to consider spending so much money on. I am very pleased with my 2009 Maxima SV Premium.

The first time I saw the '09 TL grille, I thought maybe that was a 'test' car, and the real grille was being disguised. Sadly, I was wrong. The TL is a fine car, if you ignore the looks. Unfortunately for the TL, most buyers of upscale or performance cars care about looks.

Nice move, Chicken Daddy. Nothing wrong with the '00 and '04 TLs, but time marches on, and this '09 Maxima seems to be marching right in step.

There's no such thing as a great deal on an ugly car. Expect a "refresh" for 2011 MY with the Acura.

def. the 09 Maxima was a step in the right direction. I think all around it's the best Maxima to date! Offer it in a manual for the people that want that with RWD and the GT-R Engine in a Type R package and we'll really have something !

Glad you put the winkie! Equipped the way you suggested, we would really have something all right. But it would not be a Maxima. It would be an Infiniti of some sort, as that is the RWD sedan area for Nissan.

Nissan gave the Maxima a manual for a quarter of a century, and during the last ten years of that time, dealers could not give the manuals away. Now that Nissan has moved the Maxima from 'the affordable blah blah blah . . .', intending to sell 100K copies a year to 'the upscale blah blah blah . . .', hoping to sell 70K copies a year, there will not be a manual option in the Maxima's future. Nissan understands they would probably sell less than 1K manual Maximas per year, and developing, certifying, and assembling anything but a luxury vehicle for that small a sales target would be an economic disaster.

But a little (or big?) fairy (or elf?) who reads this board regularly, but seldom posts, has talked to a Nissan person who says Nissan now has the assembly line changes available to turn out AWD Maximas. Maybe the 2011 half-gen could mean big changes for the Maxima?