I like the I35 much more, it feels much more solid, more gadgets, better MPG and it feels faster.
And most of all, no tranny worries, I plan on keeping the I35 till atleast 100k, I got 40k now ... got the extended elite warranty and now Im set.

 

Nice! I'd never have figured that the I35/Maxima front-end would actuall feel more "solid" than the TL's. I'm sure it feels faster, it's at least 200LBs lighter. Well, i like what i'm hearing so far!

 

You have no idea man, compared to I35 (Japan) ... the TL (U.S) feels like it was made in China.

 

My i've driven my buddy's 2003 TL. Obviously much better than my beat up 97 maxxx
I'm thrilled to hear how much you like the I35 better!

Hah, isn’t it funny how they started building "premium" sedans like the TL and the new maximas in the US and watched their quality decline?

 

i usually put it up when i park only because one side of the sunshade move up and down when i go over a puddle a lil and it makes me nervous that i might bend something so i put it down. i used to drive with a lil cardboard piece wedged so it wont move but then my dark tints and sunshade make it impossible for me to where im bacxking up at night.anyway the sun shade kick *** and the first toy i show off to anyone i that come in the car for the first time. that make the car feel a lot more luxery.

 

When I bought my 02 I35 with 32K miles on it I was extremely upset when I learned that it needed a new throttle body, throttle position sensor, and ABS sensors. I did not buy it from an Infiniti dealer, but it did still have the 36,000mi Infiniti warranty so it was all fixed for free (although the dealer tried to screw me around and didn't want to fix ANYTHING).

Shortly after I got everything fixed, the lights in the heated seat buttons in the center console stopped working one at a time. Recently, my driver seat memory has stopped working and will not remember seat positions.

Also, one big issue I have with this car is the crappy turning radius. An RV towing a school bus can make a tighter circle.

End rant.

 

Thankfully all of that is covered under the Infiniti Elite Extended Protection Plan or whatever it is called.
And a provided loaner, so no problems.

 

lol, those are some SERIOUS issues

 

i had to check in here.... im a former maxima owner, now an 02 tl type s owner... and still lurking on maxima.org (always will love maximas haha)

anyway regarding tranny issues, if the transmission has been replaced after february of 2005 the transmissions have been revised and have no known reported issues (at least on acurazine.com) i had mine replaced at 70k and am now about to cross 100k with no issues whatsoever with the car.

i too looked at an 02 i35 before picking the tl, but honestly the tl was better styled (in my opinion) performed better and felt less 'old manish' (no offense i35 drivers!! i still do like them lol)

heres my tl for fun:

 

Sorry buddy, but that is a lie ... even the revised trannies are failing, they havent fixed the problem at all .. untill very late 06 to 07 models.

Not only that, not all Acuras are covered till 109k miles for free
replacement, only certain VINs fall into that range .. and if your VIN doesnt fall into one of the covered ones, have fun spending 4 thousand dollars for a new tranny.

I have had an 03 TL-S (I posted few pics before) before I got my 04 I35 ... and the I35 just blows it away in every aspect, quality, craftsmanship, features, comfort ... even speed, not to mention it picks up and takes off much faster.

And I find it funny you say it looks "old manish" .. I couldnt disagree more, if anything the I35 looks much more sexier then the TL .. the TL design is generic, and Ive seen tons of old ladies and grandpas riding the TL's.

Anyways, to each their own ... I am glad I got rid of my TL for the I35, the best move I did.

 

each their own is right. wasnt comin on the maxima forums to start a fight, and i wasnt expecting overwhelming support either just thought id shed some light on the situation... like i said i like i35s but the tl just did it for me (mainly the color i have helped my decision. i like being diff and i didnt see too many Aegean Blue Pearls on the road)

I35 from my understanding and research (i looked them pretty regularly when car shopping 2 yrs ago) is a solid car. cant go wrong with either choice. and as far as the vin range you are right. certain later 2003 models are not covered. just curious as to where you have heard of the updated (post feb 05) ones failing in the 2nd gen tl's?

anyway, not trying to drag this thread completely ot like i said i mainly lurk here (because i DO like maxi's and i30/5's) but i had an absolutely horrible experience with my 2000 maxima in terms of reliability, but i will not pass judgement, because i do know those cars are solid in their own right guess i just picked the wrong one :-/ . anyway to the OP good luck with your purhcase.


oh and to CruisinI35... you cant possibly say it handles better can you?! haha ive driven both and i will have to say both are not great handlers but the tl feels a lot more athletic... and pickup does feel stronger in the I and alsoi drive my father's 05 maxima on occasion so in there too it feels stronger, but at highway speeds punching it the tl seems to just take off a lot easier.

 

I'm sorry, but I don't see how a car (TL-S) with 260HP/232TQ weighing 3,558LBs can feel "faster" than a car (I35) with 255HP/246TQ weighing 3306LBs.

 

No point to argue anymore, each person will like their own car

TL and I35 are both solid cars each with their own pros and cons.

 

I wasnt arguing (I have better things to do then argue online), just pointing out some facts since I have owned both cars.

 

same here nobody was arguing just discussing... like i said i like both cars obviously i am a bit partial (as reflected by my decision of which car i purchased)

but other than that i respect everyone's opinions on here i like this site which is why i still lurk... i just felt like chiming in for once... good luck to the OP with your purchase.

n im sure crusinI35 will agree no feelings have been hurt .

 

This is just a discussion with facts based up the experience of the people that have owned both of them. Thank you very much for all your inputs!!!

 

Since I've owned both of these cars, I thought I'd put my 2 cents in.

IMO, the I35 is better than the TL-S, in quite a few ways actually.

I owned an '03 3.2TL Type S for 3yrs, and now own an '02 I35 for over a year.

I35 beats the TL-S in the following ways:

Japanese built, vs. US built.
Better fit and finish.
Better quality of materials, especially interior.
Way better engine. No timing belt to change, far more torque, much more enjoyable powerplant.
Stereo sounds better, more bass, and has RDS.
Heated rear seats, rear sunshade, and compass.
Better gauges, electroluminecent (sp?)
More back seat space, and fold down rear seat. TL-S back seats are non-fold down.
I35 feels tighter on the road, far less squeeks and rattles... mine has none to speak of.
I35 is faster off the line, and has more torque.
I35 is some 300lbs lighter than the TL-S.

TL-S beats the I35 in the following ways:

5 speed auto vs. 4 speed. This would be a serious advantage if the TL's tranny wasn't plagued with failures. I35 tranny may be old tech, but it holds up well, and shifts smooth and flawlessly.
Independent rear suspension vs. I35's multi-link.
HID headlights are brighter.
Slightly better on gas, but not by much.
Slightly better turning circle, but not by much. Both are lousy in this department, and the I35 feels like a bus in tight parking lots.
If it wasn't for the TL's tranny woes, I'd bet the TL would be slightly more reliable than the I35.

Other considerations:
The Infiniti brand seems to carry more panache than the Acura brand. People always seem more impressed by an Infiniti than an Acura, not sure why.
There are far less I35's on the road than TL's. I see that as a bonus, other's may not.

In the end, after driving both cars for a long period of time, the I35 comes up as a clear winner in terms of driving enjoyment. You feel like you're driving something better than average. The TL was good at everything, great at nothing... just a good all around sedan, which kind of made it boring. Again, just my impressions.

Joe.

 

Everything you just said points to the car being recently flooded. Sensors, TB, power seat memory module, etc etc those things don't like to be soaked...

Every so often on other forums I was on, I'd see people chime in about how bad their recently purchased, low miles "Camry" or "Accord" is acting up. The story sounded just like yours, recently bought and bam, all of the sudden every electrical part is going haywire.

It's been flooded.

 

i will agree 100% on the i35 stereo being a lot more refined than the tl's... which is why i completely changed it out

You really cant go wrong with either car, but if you want absolutely no worry about tranny failure (which like i said is for the most part covered by acura... i had mine covered with no problems my car was done within a day and a half and got a fresh wash ) go with the i35... if you want a slightly sportier 4 door sedan with a timeless design (mainly when equipped with the oem body kit) you really cant go wrong with the tl

i think everybody can agree though drive them both it really is a toss up and is based solely on preference... you can go on acurazine.com and pose the same question over there and many have chosen the tl over the I35. i know of some former acura owners also buying an i35 instead an vice versa.

so like i said go out and drive them, and be knowledgeable about the common issues with each car before hand.

 

Thanks again guys. I'm actually giving the 2005 G35x a 2nd look.
(If i can find one for $20K, otherwise, the I35 fits)

The 280HP with AWD combo is definetly a category in itself
(aside from an 05 SUBARU LEGACY GT )

 

Check the MPG on those GT's. They are in the low teens, mid-high teens if babied. Subaru had to add Si-Drive which allows the engine to be de-tuned for better MPG in 07 (I think 07 or 08).

 

I also must add that the leather seats in the I35 feel much more comfortable and made of better quality leather then the TL's in general.
Everyone who sits in my car says that.