I have to choose between these two cars as to which i am going to get and i would like to hear people's opinions who have experience with both cars to give an honest comparison between the two. I know they are different cars but im looking more along the lines of fun to drive and comfort affordability to run and other things that are not quite as obvious. So its G8 GT VS. 2008 Acura TL with nav.

G8: RWD V8 with 361hp and 385lb-ft via 6-spd auto moving 4000lb
TL: FWD V6 with 258hp and 233lb-ft via 5-spd auto moving 3600lb

For anything else, I'd need a test drive.

Are you talking Type-S with the 3.5L or the base with the 3.2L?

Also:

One is $33-38K the other is $30-33K

More telling engine specs:

TL 3.2L: hp 258 @ 6200rpm Torque 233 @ 5000
TL 3.5L: hp 286 @ 6200rpm Torque 256 @ 5000

G8 6.0L: hp 362 @ 5700rpm Torque 385 @ 4400


One is decent power for the weight at higher RPMs i.e. not really exciting unless you like screaming engines.

The other is great power with more weight but with more low end grunt i.e. kicks you in the butt when the light turns green.

My personal preference has always been low end torque when it comes to performance. It's more usable in everyday situations.

Have driven the 3.2 TL days at a time, the G8 20 minutes…I like both but two way different cars…FWD is way different than RWD with high Tq…hard to write a comparison as the cars are so different…I like RWD and not having front end heavy FWD eating up the tires…you can control how much you eat up the rears on the G8…near 50/50 of G8 better

New TL coming in September, should compare better to G8 as may have SH-awd and some more hp/tq… but will still be a 60/40 car with fwd domination….if you want a car to slam and put 20s on, the TL…TL-S is over priced and over rated…

If you want to handle (rwd 50/50 is just plain better at handling than fwd 61/39) and enjoy the joys of tq, the G8…I felt the brakes were better than the TL and the 6sp A/T smoother…G8 gets going much quicker …ride is controlled with out being harsh…TL especially the S can be rather harsh with low suspension travel….I am going G8…may put the F-3 suspension on a GT after checking out the GXP ride.

Other stuff: Acura is know for the nice interior but the TL forums report rattles after a few 1000 miles…Women seen to like Hondas and the TL…guys usually go for the RWD hp/tq…???? just drive and choose…simple

I have driven both fairly extensively, Dad has 2006 TL with nav, I have GT.

TL pros: Excellent nav and interior, still has decent power when needed, 6M available if desired.

GT pros: Can't argue with 100 more HP, better auto trans, RWD so much more buttoned down on high speed corners, sharper styling IMO.

Comfort was about equal to me, both have good supportive seats for long trips. Affordability does not go strongly one way or another, TL requires premium fuel but gets a bit better mileage. I have had more fun in my GT than in his car, but the TL is no slug either. Go test drive them.

I have been in my friends tl a few times and will add this...the gt puts you in the center of the car,even though its high,you feel like you are "IN" it.The Tl to me,feels like you are up front and on top of it.Very comfortable,but much different driving experience.

Reminds me of an amusing occurance to an acquaintance.

He has a TL, and had to make a light turning left. So he gunned it, and lit up his inside front instead of clearing the Xsection. A cop waiting in the cross direction didnt think highly of that move. Net result: Ticket for exhibition of speed :-)

FWD FTL if weather allows.

You have never had an easier decision. Welcome to the G8 club!!!! :pir_flag:

Thanks for all the replies. On paper I do like the G8 alot more which is why i had to ask about the less obvious things. The G8 is bigger, more powerful and to me looks a lot nicer than the TL. Not to mention it's cheaper. I have made my decision!

not even close....G8 in every category except resale value

One of my co-workers owns an Acura TL and his first response after driving in it was "man it has so much more room than my TL!" That was important to me. Maybe not as important as having 75HP more at $9K less, but it was important.

1) TL interior material quality is a bit better, but not that much.
2) The screen has navigation available.
3) We won't know resale value on the G8 for a while, but the Acura will most likely win that category.

Other than those, the G8 wins in every category, IMO.

Pontiac G8 > Acura TL

/thread.

How do you think gas mileage compares? I know the G8 GT gets around 16 mpg on regular fuel. The TL requires premium un-leaded and gets 19-20 mpg tested. Even though the TL gets slightly better mpg does it cancel out against the G8 GT since the G8 uses regular while the TL uses super high octane fuel?

How do you think gas mileage compares? I know the G8 GT gets around 16 mpg on regular fuel. The TL requires premium un-leaded and gets 19-20 mpg tested. Even though the TL gets slightly better mpg does it cancel out against the G8 GT since the G8 uses regular while the TL uses super high octane fuel?

I'm avg'ing 17 around town even with a lead foot. Although, I am using premium fuel. But, I doubt that's adding to my gas mileage.

When I lay off the aggressive application of the right foot, I can avg 18.5 to 19 over a tankful in a mix of city and a 2.5 mile stretch of highway.

The worst I've seen was a little over 16 with a lot of rush hour and hard driving trying to get through traffic. Oh yeah, and a thumping of a Charger R/T over the span of three stop lights.:gr_devil:

I almost bought a TL when the current model debuted but was really turned off by it. The dynamics and ride are terrible, the interior and build quality are much shoddier in person than in pictures, and it's lack of refinement for a luxury marquee pretty much killed it.

You'd have to drive both and decide for yourself what you prefer.

My brother has a TL, and I've driven it. He went with me to test drive a GT and he said he liked it better then his car.

I agreed. :drool:

Don't get me started on the TL, I had an 04 for 3 short months, lots of problems. That said, I still talk to my old service rep and he told me they still have way more problems with the TL than they should, especially since it is in its final year of production.

You should remember that too, that the car you buy now will be outdated in 6mo when they intro the redesigned 09 TL.

Just a quick suggestion - how about a separate "versus" topic, perhaps under Community? I've seen that on other boards, like the Cadillac Owners Forum. I think I've seen G8 vs G35 and vs BMW, and vs Acura TL, maybe others. With both V6 and V8 offerings, the G8 "versus" is very wide, and I can see it becoming a favorite subject.

Just a suggestion --

Barry

I had a 2002 TL-S for a 3-year lease. The first transmission broke at 6K miles and was replaced (10 days driving a complimentary rental).

Then 3 more transmissions broke before the lease was over.

I am staying away from Honda/Acura now.

The 2009 TL is supposed to come with SH AWD and the 3.7 engine with 300 hp. Should be a nice car.

http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/12/rumormill-2009-acrua-tl-to-come-in-2-flavors-gets-awd/

you wont regret it.

A well equipped TL Type S will cross 40k easy OTD.

A Fully equipped G8-GT will touch 35K?

GM has comparable warranty. upto 100k miles.

The TL is nice, but GT is so much more power, so much more space and the TL will be :quoties: refreshed :quoties: with a whole new drive terrain soon.

Get GT and a nice and save yourself abt 7K tahst good enough for 1750 gallons of Fuel. that 'll take care of the MPG issues, if any.

I had a 2002 TL-S for a 3-year lease. The first transmission broke at 6K miles and was replaced (10 days driving a complimentary rental).

Then 3 more transmissions broke before the lease was over.

I am staying away from Honda/Acura now.

My best friend is on his 4th

The 2009 TL is supposed to come with SH AWD and the 3.7 engine with 300 hp. Should be a nice car.

http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/12/rumormill-2009-acrua-tl-to-come-in-2-flavors-gets-awd/

If their transmission can handle 300HP.

I had a 2002 TL-S for a 3-year lease. The first transmission broke at 6K miles and was replaced (10 days driving a complimentary rental).

Then 3 more transmissions broke before the lease was over.

I am staying away from Honda/Acura now.

You must be dreaming this transmission crap! A car that is highly endorsed by Consumer Reports couldn't possibly have that much wrong with it!:gr_jest::gr_jest::gr_jest: Not laughing at you ruski, just the thought of one of CR's vaunted wondercars being a mechanical POS!:laugh:

The 2009 TL is supposed to come with SH AWD and the 3.7 engine with 300 hp. Should be a nice car.

http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/12/rumormill-2009-acrua-tl-to-come-in-2-flavors-gets-awd/

ohh coool yet another technological crutch for an underpowered car. They could combine it with the soon to be 7 speed nissan transmission. Then you could have two technological crutches and still get your ass kicked by a pushrod v8 :burnout:

you wont regret it.

A well equipped TL Type S will cross 40k easy OTD.

A Fully equipped G8-GT will touch 35K?

GM has comparable warranty. upto 100k miles.

The TL is nice, but GT is so much more power, so much more space and the TL will be :quoties: refreshed :quoties: with a whole new drive terrain soon.

Get GT and a nice and save yourself abt 7K tahst good enough for 1750 gallons of Fuel. that 'll take care of the MPG issues, if any.

Actually, I'm getting price quotes on a Type-S for $33k.

I too am comparing the two cars. Yeah, the G8 is faster and bigger, but the interior quality of the Acura is better (it will only be a matter of time before all of the rattles come to the forefront for the G8), along with the all of the bells of whistles you get with the Acura it's a toss up for me too at this point.

It really depends on the what lease rates I can get from the credit union. Both look good with neither trumping the other in my book.

Then again, I also test drove a Vette today as well, which is just the cat's meow. Was also impressed with the HHR SS.

And finally, I hit up the Audi A6 too, which was nice, but I can't get use to CVTs for the life of me.

You must be dreaming this transmission crap! A car that is highly endorsed by Consumer Reports couldn't possibly have that much wrong with it!:gr_jest::gr_jest::gr_jest: Not laughing at you ruski, just the thought of one of CR's vaunted wondercars being a mechanical POS!:laugh:

There are such things as lemons. Even with the highest rated cars, not all are perfect. And I can assure you somewhere there is someone who owned one, that will tell you he/she'll never own another one.

I have to choose between these two cars as to which i am going to get and i would like to hear people's opinions who have experience with both cars to give an honest comparison between the two. I know they are different cars but im looking more along the lines of fun to drive and comfort affordability to run and other things that are not quite as obvious. So its G8 GT VS. 2008 Acura TL with nav.

Go test drive both and see which one you like better. Since the G8 is so new, they probably won't let you take it home for a day, but that shouldn't be a problem with the Acura.

My mother-in-law has an Acura, and it is a VERY nice smooth running car. And she has had very little trouble out of it.

Either car would be a great choice, just gotta decide what's best for you.

I have a TL Type-S home with me for 24 hours to test drive (no an option with the G8). It's an impressive vehicle. Sure, not as fast or quite as big, but the interior is better, although not quite as much as I would have thought. It is quick enough to get in trouble. The ride is on par with the G8, although more quiet at highway speeds. The steering is heavy tooling around a parking lot, but great otherwise. The features do blow the G8's away. Nav, XM, backup camera, bluetooth, better speakers, etc.

Now, up to this point, it's really just a matter of tradeoff . . . do I want more balls, or do I want features . . . well, that's what I thought until I worked out the lease numbers with my credit union . . . the Acura absolutely puts a shotgun to the face of the Pontiac at this point. The Acura can be had for around $33.5k at this point. I got the G8 GT down to $29.1k. Now through a credit union that doesn't pay sales tax, it worked out to:

G8 GT
2 year lease @ 15k/yr = $637/mn
3 year lease @ 15k/yr = $522/mn

TL Type-S
$512/mn
$482/mn

Those are with 4.9% as an average number.

I'm leaning towards the TL at this point. The G8 was in the lead of the many cars I had driven up to this point, but the lease rate blows.

Dude..You really cant compare a Acura TL and a G8...its like apples and oranges. Instead of the TL get a G35 at least you will have more fun in a rear wheel drive car!!

Dude..You really cant compare a Acura TL and a G8...its like apples and oranges. Instead of the TL get a G35 at least you will have more fun in a rear wheel drive car!!

Ah . . . I like what I like. :dunno:

I've driven everything from an Audi A6, to the G8, to a Vette, to a HHR SS.

I'm not shopping for a particular body style, or price point, just what I like. Really though, if I wanted to limit myself to price point and body style, it's really only the G8 and Charger/300, which sucks for having choices when you're talking about dropping 30 large on something.

Ah . . . I like what I like. :dunno:

I've driven everything from an Audi A6, to the G8, to a Vette, to a HHR SS.

I'm not shopping for a particular body style, or price point, just what I like. Really though, if I wanted to limit myself to price point and body style, it's really only the G8 and Charger/300, which sucks for having choices when you're talking about dropping 30 large on something.

The Acura TL-s is nice, good features, luxury finish, and resale. The new CTS is nice also, give those a look. If you really want performance, wait for the GXP. Other than that, quite a few cars are in play with the G8. Good luck.

did you end up getting the TL-S?

i'm looking at used 07/08 TL-S and was about to get one, then looked at a G8 and am confused... :)

i love the power of the G8 but like the luxury of the TL. sure, TL n ot as fast, but it's a n icer car to drive.

i have a boxster for weekends, so having somethign that hauls ass is not necessary, but sure, it's fun.

If you deal w/bad weather, you might want to look at a TL. Also, if you buy a TL, at least get one with Nav..or at least get a TLS...otherwise- go with the GT and buy a beater for the winter...

I love both. 04 TL and a G8GT. I like both, the acura has a much better interior...i like real brushed aluminium vs fake plastic made to try to look like brushed aluminium. It handles decently but as others have said, it feels very front heavy.

The TL is the daily driver, the G8GT is the for fun car. Youll get a lot more looks in the G8. TLs are pretty commonplace.

I'm here with the non-technical, Mr. Obvious response. The current TL is an ugly beast. Just a scary, forced, school-of-Edsel design. My opinion is that a vehicle has to pass the eye test first and foremost before moving on to "Round Two". I have no particular love/hate for Honda/Acura products, but the new TL would not look good in my driveway or my garage & therefore the other aspects of the car are of little interest to me. Just my opinion.:barf:

That generation of Acura and Honda V6 did have auto tranny problems, but the current generation uses a different tranny and should have not tranny problems.

Wow, this thread was - for some insane reason - bumped all the way from April '08.

That generation of Acura and Honda V6 did have auto tranny problems, but the current generation uses a different tranny and should have not tranny problems.

And *everyone* know it, except of course, Consumer Reports.

Why is it that, to this day, they all recieve a bright red "far above average" rating, year after year after year?

Perhaps there is a flaw in their information gathering, which is to simply ask buyers of the magazine about "thier cars" and not bother checking weather or not the subscribers of the magazine actually owns the particular cars that they're reporting on.

Perhaps they convieniently "forget" about all those transmission replacements, in order to save face about purchasing such an over-rated, overpriced, unreliable car?

Perhaps, allowing the reader to fill out info for four cars is too many. How many surveys do you figure are sent back with less-than "Acura"te :) information. I'm sure this occurs (both pro and con). How many surveys get sent back to C-U reporing the reliability about cars they don't even own? It's not like they check....