I took my cousins TL our for a spin today.. I figure both cars (tl and max) are in the same category - so I wanted to see how I thougth a TL would rank.
First impressions: The seats - very plush, almost like your sitting in a sofa - not my thing. To add to that - they felt kinda old man-ish. While the max's leather seats we know arent the best in the world - they still felt more suited for a vehicle. Also, I felt that the 5.5 gen interior is more esthetically pleasing. I'm not sure if its the coutour of our dash's or if its something else, but...5.5gen FTW on seats and esthetics! One thing that definately got my attention - the woodgrain in the TL. Now, I'm not sure if its actual wood - or just a plastic with the wood look to it, but it is definately a notch up from out wood grain 'stickers' in the max. Just the harder feel to the wood makes a huge difference. Up next - the stereo. We all know what the 5.5gen bose stereo sounds like. Lacking bass - tweeters that can hardely produce sufficient higher frequencies... The stock bose on the TL is by no means top notch - but it absoultely owns the bose stock in our cars. Much more bass present, midbass was killer compared to our own - and you could turn it up much more without discomfort from muddy bass or ear bleeding tweets. Second last - performance and suspension. As you know the 00 tl is a 3.2L. I know I have read somewhere that the 5.5 gen is 1.4 seconds quicker down the 1/4 mile than the 00 TL. After driving the TL I'm not sure this is true - but I would love to put it to the test! (Will post when it happens ). The suspension is very soft on the TL - but it suits the old man appeal. One thing I noticed and wished of on my car - no suspension noise over bumps!!
Last - overall exterior look. The TL is a a little long for my liking - and has a older crowd type of styling. I definately stock vs. stock the max has a more agressive looking front end, and overall stance.

to sum it up - 5.5gen MAXIMA F T W !!

btw...this is all a comparison to a 2k2 SE Auto

 

lmao, there is no comparison. In power, the 5.5 gen not only has more power but a more brilliant engine with more torque and 6MT which is not even optional on the TL that year. as far as features and inside interior, the TL is pretty nice, I like the body as well but my choice hands down is the maxima.

 

5.5 no doubt, the Maxima has a much more sporty appearance (which most of us prefer here) and a bit quicker than a 00 TL, both have good interior but the Maxima just look sportier. Now an 02/03 TLS is more on par with the 02 Maxima as far as accelleration goes (no its not 4 sec quicker down the 1/4 than an 00 TL but its about 1 sec which is a few car lengths).

 

And a quick update...

Had a chance to take the two up against each other..you guys are right..
the tl has NOTHING on the max in terms of performance

 

If it was a type S then it would have been more interesting.

 

I agree with Monte and Nmex: The TL-S is more in line with the 5.5G where the TL-P is more in line with the 5G in terms of performance. Although I think the 5.5G should be able to edge out the TL-S from a standing start, the win will not come as easy as with the TL-P.

That said, the 2G 3.2TL (Type S and non Type S) is one of my personal favorite 'sports' sedans. I have rented the TL-P on several occassions and have enjoyed the driving experience thoroughly. (Had been able to secure a TL-S for a sub-$30k price back in 02, I might have been posting here as a TL-S owner and not a 5.5G owner. )