Sedans - Infiniti G35 vs. Acura 3.2 TL vs. Lexus IS300

"Lynn" wrote in news:6G%vd.34532$ snipped-for-privacy@newssvr13.news.prodigy.com: [cut]

All the TL info you could want and more at tl.acurazine.com

I test drove the G35 sedan and the IS300 this summer.

The G35 is a very nice fairly large sporty luxury sedan with a powerful engine, emphasis on the luxury, although some interior appointments detract from the luxury image. I think it is awkwardly styled. The IS is a sports sedan with a weak/poor mileage engine, excellent handling, a slightly stiff suspension and is on the small side. It's a boy-racer that needs another 50 hp to really work well. My guess is that the next iteration will get that power. The car books all say that the TL has too much power for FWD, you get torque steer, but is otherwise excellent. (I would not consider FWD on any sports sedan, so I never looked at it seriously.) If Honda put AWD on it, it would probably be the pick of the bunch. It's alooker, for sure.

You might also consider a lightly used BMW 330i in this price range. Would have lots of warranty left, plenty of room inside, best handling of all of them, great resale, good looks, and ample power. With the new Bangleized

Wait for the IS replacement and you might end up with the best of the bunch if Toyota gets serious about making a really great sports sedan.

FWD is appropriate for very small cars where interior volume is at a premium. FWD puts basically all of the work of steering and propelling the car on just two tires and that is just too much in the case of a sports sedan and not a swell idea with large sedans. You end up with mild to severe understeer being unavoidable, plus, if the thing has any real power, torque steer where you have to fight the car for control under hard acceleration. RWD drive cars have an enherent handling superiority over FWD cars and it is insurmountable. FWD is better on snow, but no better than RWD with traction control and snow tires or fresh all-season tires. (I speak from a decade plus of experience in snow country with both types). I understand that in Europe the normal course is to have summer tires on your car in non-snow months and put on snow tires when needed. The concept of all season tires is a U.S. thing that has not caught on there.

Most, if not all, sports sedans have a console, so a flat floor is of no benefit in front. It is of some benefit in the back, although many FWD cars have a tunnel to run lines and wiring through, anyway.

You simply throw away too much of the joy of driving with a FWD sports sedan or sports car. They have never been very popular and never will be for exactly that reason.

Did you actually go drive a BMW before you wrote that? Because what you wrote makes zero sense. It just "ain't so".

Traffic came to a stop at the highway exit and a small truck following me couldn't stop, avoided my car by passing me on the right and over a pile of hard snow. His truck slowed down and momentarily tilted enough to brake the rear windshield of the car just ahead of me. The truck driver was French the other English . The English was hugging the French and shouting "You save my life" !!! Doesn't make sense to me but it's true. He, involuntarily, saved MY life.

Vlad

Or even RWD, to differentiate it from the Accord.

And put a V8 into the RL.

J.

The fellow that taught me the most about driving pounded one rule into my head...that was "if you think you can just make it... you can't...so wait a bit longer". It does seem like the quality of drivers has dropped in the past decade...they seem to have far less understanding of physics and the forces involved in getting a couple thousand pounds of steel and plastic going...and perhaps more importantly...stopping. Perhaps we should try and get good driver's education back into high schools as a required subject? Regards Dave Mundt