My friend is looking at two cars, both around $20,000 and with 50,000 miles.

2004 Acura TL and 2004 Infiniti G35 sedan.

Does anyone have any knowledge on these cars that may influence her decision? I thought I remember hearing the trans on the Acuras are weak.

Any info is helpful. Thanks!

The auto trans on some of those FWD Acuras from that time frame are downright unreliable. Manual is fine.

To me, it comes down to this, the TL is FWD, the G35 is RWD/AWD. I also look at what the cars are based off of, the TL is a honda product, might even be based off the accord? The G is a 350z sister. I'd personally get the G35 coupe instead of sedan, but that'* for my own reasons.

Acura has a good interior, the G35 is decent, but the newer ones are definitely nicer.

Does he want performance, mileage, etc out of it? The Infinity will definitely be better on a Sunday cruise through a twisty road, on an auto-x course, etc...

This is also my price range, I saw a G35 next to a GTI I test drove, and was offered a drive, but the interior on that one was somewhat funky, and it was a sedan without any sporty body add-ons such as spoiler. I'm sort-of looking at 1-2 year old cars with low mileage and still zippy and fun., I've all but settled on the GTI myself.

Did they improve the TL trannies since? I mentioned to her that the transmissions were a weak spot, she said she thought they had made them better by 2004. She was told that by someone apparently.

Thanks for the info Jason.

G35. Hands down.

TL is just a lousy Accord knock off, esp if its the prev body style. If its the newer TL body style, its a tougher choice.

Nissan > Honda, so G35 > TL

I'd choose the G too. I let her know that. She LOVES Acuras though, especially the TL.

The TL is almost $4000 more than the G35 which is surprising.

2004 TL with 48K = $23,700

2004 G35 sedan with 50K = $19,999

I told her to talk them down at least $3000 on the TL. She'd probably put down $3500 on the car too.

NO question then hands down the G.

I also test drove a Newer X-type Jag at that dealer as well. 3.0V6, AWD, LOADED to the hilt, touchscreen navi, two sets of wheels, $18k same age/miles as those two. It was great, but again, not quite the sporting car I'm looking for, and mileage wasn't good.

Has she driven them yet?

No, she still needs to test drive. I told her to 'get on' the TL to see how the tranny felt. Then check brakes, tires, anything to get the price down.

check it out http://tl.acurazine.com/forums/
I have a crush on the 2004+ TL'*.

Ah, the 2K4 is the 3rd gen TL...well then.

You may be crushing on it because it looks a LOT like the 2000+ Bonneville.

G35 all the way. The VQ can stand up against anything Honda can put out, and it has a LOT more torque than the Acura. The interior of the G35 is also a lot better IMO, and it'* a lot better looking. No matter what he'* looking for in a car, G35 all the way