TL type S

[SeanMax]

Test drove this car and am very impressed. Anyone else have any experience with it?

[gang$tarr]

no stick shift, bah!

[dcdomain]

I hear it's getting a 6-speed this fall!!! =D From AutoWeek or something, forget the exact magazine.:smoker:

[DVSNCYNIKL]

I test drove it. Very smooth and comfortable ride. But for some reason I felt cramped in it. I like how responsive it was.

[croz]

My buddy bought one 7 weeks ago and I loved it soooo much I bought one 5 weeks ago. i find the car extremely comfortable. I was @ the Sacramento drags a couple of fridays ago and there was a 2002 TL-S turning 14.7 to 15.2's I think that's pretty Impressive.... Don't you ???

[rtryrktrx7]

So far I have been very happy with it. I have a few complaints though. Number one, I wish it was RWD, and didn't have so much wheel well gap. The stereo could be better, and the paint appears to be pretty thin. I've noticed that it chips easy. Other than that ie's great. Here's a pic of mine.

[SeanMax]

I thought this car had a lot of great things going for it, but agree with rtryrktrx7 about the stereo. I have a Bose system in my 95 Max and I thought it sounded better even without the subwoofer because of the high front mounted tweeters. I also wasn't crazy about the styling, especially the resemblence to the Accord.

Since I made that original post I put a deposit on a BMW 3 sedan, but decided to wait for the 2002 model, which won't be available until the end of the year. I just may check out the 2002 Maxima though which should be arriving in dealerships very soon. Like the TL-S it is a lot of car for the money.

Sean

[croz]

:badass: OK ! So the tunes are better sounding on the GXE than the TL-S... But no matter which one you decide on it still won't keep up with the TL-S, with a 6.2 sec 0-60, and a Quarter mile time of 15.1sec @ 97mph. Yes I drove the GXE, and was impressed with it's Torque, I found the interior a little more cramped than the TL-S, What sold me on the TL-S was in order of Importances. #1.-the Mileage figures, (which @ 1500 mls, I'm already getting 27.6 mpg ) driving 75-80 mph on California freeways. #2- the ergonomics, #3- The ride and handling, (on the same road the TL-S had a little smoother ride and handled on our ratty ol (California) slow lanes. #4-Acceleration and general seat of the pants prowlest (these babys really get up and scoot) and last but not least (are you ready for this) The cleanness and tidyness of the engine compartment. When I opened the hood on the GXE all I saw was wires here and there, unloomed wire terminals clipped to the intake area. I don't know I've waited 20 years to buy a new car and this one really fits me. I guess that's why theres so many car manufactures, Theres a car for everyone. Mine still happens to be the fastes in it's class... CROZ

[gang$tarr]

Maxima GXE 0-60 in 6.2s?? you're joking right?

[croz]

Hey Gang$tarr Read it again or log on to http://www.edmunds.com/reviews/compa...8/article.html
The Maxima didn't even make it in the running. They tested the TL-S, BMW 330i, Cad Catera, Inf l30t, Lexus is 300, Lincoln LS V-8, Mazda Millenia S, Merc C320, and the Volvo S60.All against each other and which one do you think came out on top...Check it out for yourself..... CROZ :toothless

[bigbadboss101]

The Maxima wasn't there because it is classified as a family sedan instead of entry level luxury, which the I30t is.

I would rank them from bottom to first in this order:

9 Millenia
8 Catera
7 Lincoln
6 I30T
5 C320
4 S60
3 IS300
2 TL-S
1 BMW

Mercedes is pricey for the performance. I30t probably soft/non-sporty.

A similarly equipped Max is about $3g less than the TLS, which is about $2g less than the IS300, which is probably $3g less than the 330i. All these cars are a good package, although I don't think much of the Caddy and Mazda here. When you talk about 0-60, an older modified Mustang, or a late 80 modded Civic can beat any of these straight line. But as a total package usually you get what you paid for.

The TL-S has better straight line performance than the BM, and has more room. Great bang for the $. The BM is the ultimate driving machine.

[SeanMax]

I read that Edmunds review, they basically picked the TL-S over the BMW 3 by a hair, basically due to it's lower price. If you read between the lines you can tell they still liked the 3 better overall. I don't deny the TL-S is a great car and great value.

I did like the TL-S engine compartment, I do my own oil changes and they made that very easy to do with the layout.

The 02 Max that I would get would be the SE, not GXE. It will have an updated VQ series engine to 3.5 liters, 255 hp and 246 ft lbs. of torque. The TL may beat it by 5 hp, but it has less torque, and this engine has been called the best V6 ever made by Ward's for the last 7 years.

You probably can't go wrong with any of these cars, it comes down to intangibles sometimes. I really like the German driving feel of the 3, and love the styling. I think the Harmon Kardon stereo in the 3 is inferior to Bose though.

Sean

[croz]

Bigbad, In case you haven't noticed the BM is an Icon.... Plain and simple..! I would love to sport a BMW.. but to get the same package, Features, and still less performance, I would have to spend $38,K - $45,K... I don't think sooooo... Talk to anyone who's owned or owns a Acura, of any style, and they'll tell you they haven't spent a dime in 150,000 miles.(I'm banking on this) as I still own an 85 jetta GLI, 78 Cutlass, 81 Bronco. So I guess I'm either very confused or very unprejudiced... CROZ. SEE YA IN THE FAST LANE>>>>

[SeanMax]

Less performance? Go drive one and I doubt you could honestly say that. And you don't have to spend 45k.

BTW, BMW sales are up by like 25%, far higher than all the Japanese brands, some of which have actually been down, that tells you something too.

Sean

[croz]

:rocket: All I want is the most bang for the buck..!!!!
Add it all up. MSRP = $33990.00 + $645.00 Dest charge. 5sp auto w/OD and steptronic $ 1275.00Premium package = $2900.00 and that still doesn't get you Xenon head lights ($500.00) Silver, Titanium Metallic paint $475.00, Dual heated frt seats = $500.00 side impact air bags $385.00 and you still only have HP 225; Torque 214. Come on guys. If I had that kind of money to piss away I'd Probably just have a car built. I'm not really pro anything, you guys are the ones who started this debate.. I think a Beamer or Mercedes is a rich guys Camery. With the Mercedes C320 coming in at HP 215; Torque 221; EPA City 19; EPA Hwy 25 and only rated # 5. At least the BMW 330i came in just under the TL-S @ # 2 (YES YOU GUESSED IT THE TL-S WAS #1) BECAUSE OF THE $$$PPPRRRIIICCCEEE$$$.. At least give me credit for doing my home work.. I feel as my friend who also owns a TL-S that we did get the most Bang for the Buck and Edmonds agrees...