My girlfriend's Gallant is just a tick under 200k and she's looking to upgrade. Her budget is around 14k and we have basically narrowed it down to 2 choices.

05 Nissan Maxima ($11-13k)
265HP
255TQ
20/28


05 Acura TL w/ Nav (13k+)
270HP
238TQ
20/29


The TLs come with Bluetooth, leather, and sunroof standard.

The Maximas are a bit cheaper but no bluetooth and we both prefer the looks of the TL. They are both front wheel drive pigs, we know.



I know there are some former TL owners here, any former Maxima owners? Any other suggestions?

 

I had an 05 TL, base motor, nav, auto. It was OK. It had bunches of torque steer, lousy visibility out the rear. Make sure you choose quiet tires, I had a set that was deafening. But it was good on the highway and compfy. The Black interior made the car so hot that the a/c could barely keep up, the A/C blew very cold, but the big front windsheild and black interior made it an oven. Nav was great.

edit: rock solid reliable too

 

I have always liked the looks of the TL, especially that generation. The Maxima, not so much. The brand new ones look better, but still not that attractive IMO. I'd go with the Acura.

 

TL all the way! Reliable, fast, look great, great highway fuel economy and better optioned.

 

TL fuel economy, especially on the highway, is quite good. Maxima's have never been very fuel efficient. Torquey, but not very efficient. Probably gets 18/25 or so. I think the TL can peg 30mpg on the highway. Otherwise both are good cars although the TL will probably hold its value a little better than the Maxima. There are very few "average" people that wouldn't consider a used TL.

 

Coming from a Max family but not having the 05 generation, we've loved all the Maximas we have owned. I'm pretty sure sahtt is wrong on the Max MPG as well, they'll be comparable with the TL. The Max also will take regular, the TL will need premium, if that is a concern, and the Max has a bigger tank so longer trips. I'd look at the TL as the sportier car, but not as spacious. I'd expect both to be pretty reliable. This being a Honda board, I think you'll get more Honda pro comments, but I think with either, you'll have a good car. So select the one you like best.

 

This is like comparing lumps of vanilla ice cream. If you like the way the Acura looks, just get one.

Only thing I might do is look for an RL in that price range, or an Infiniti, for rwd.

 

As a past Maxima owner ('00 and a '01), I'd skip the '04-'08 generation. The coin slot was a bad idea, the car overall just looks cheap and will quickly become a forgettable body style. the '09-current have a much nicer styling, better gearbox, nice interior...

If those are your two choices, TL.

 

Is the coin slot that fixed sun roof thing?

 

Yeah we were trying to find an RL or G35 in that price range but most of them are pretty high mileage.


The Maximas sunroof does indeed look like a coin slot.