I think the Maxima is nicer looking inside and out compared to the new TL

 

nah, this still looks more sportier and more luxury at the same time...

 

look at the stitching in the TL vs Maxima, also compare the Steering Wheel, and the Instrumental Gauges, inside door panels, BIG DIFFERENCES... location of the AC vents also suck IMO (nissan and infiniti)...

 

I agree with you that the stitching wins over the Maxima, but I absolutely HATE the fact that the TL has all that plastic garbage near/behind the shifter. It just looks cheesy/cheap. If it had the nice burlwood style trim like the Maxima, I'd like that much better.

In all fairness, though, I'd definitely go for the G8 before I'd buy either of them. I'm far, FAR from a GM fan, but that car is done well, and it will still have a warranty long after both of those since GM is 5 years/100K.

Big Mack

PS: If the poll was still open, I would have voted for the raccoon, but only because it seemed so lonely.

 

gauges in maxima don't look any better than that of a corolla...
the shifter is also taller in the Maxima, more sedan like... TL has nice short shifter, giving it more sportier look and feel...

 

TO me the TL looks like an Accord. I'd rather my non luxury car look like an Inifniit than my luxury car looking like an Accord. That said it is well built and even with 5000 buttons its still a nice place to be in. Both are well done to me.

 

that's funny, yet you still drive Lexus (instead of Toyota)....

 

Most professional reviews that I've read say the CVT ruins the Maxima. It's critical because if a manufacturer built a car that I fell in love with, and could afford, yet, had a CVT, I wouldn't buy it.

 

Maxima for me. Every time I see one on the road I get a little lust for it. I have the opposite reaction to the new TL because I remember how it used to look and I just think "what a shame". And I've not liked the interior of the new TL since day one. Everything about the car is just over the top IMO, except the performance which, despite all the anger and edge Acura put on the styling, lacks bite.

 

I agree 100%.

You are trying to be funny but fail.. Show me a Toyota with a similar interior please? My point it the TL interior is too much like an Accord which is doing it wrong. Maxima is very much like an Infiniti, doing it right.

 

Not if you drive it halfway sensibly. Nissan has some of the best CVTs on the market today. I've been impressed with each one I've sampled, especially compared to some past CVTs. The new CVT in the 2010 Subaru Legacy/Outback is also impressive.

 

The CVT in the Maxima I rented was simply awesome. I absolutely loved it. Noawadays manufacturers are fitting aggressive fast shifting transmissions in most cars, with more and more gears, and they produce rather violent jerks while shifting, and many times the shifting and RPM holding patterns are too agressive for relaxed driving. With CVTs however you have none of these jerks and harsh shifting patterns, yet they react as fast if not faster than most regular transmissions. I hope CVTs find their way into all cars.

 

problem with cvt is loss of torque. Or at least thats what I have read

 

Not on the newer ones with multiple-driving-ranges and paddle-shifting. Nissan's and Subaru's newest CVTs are excellent. In fact, the 6-speed CVT on the new Legacy/Outback makes the non-turbo 2.5L H4 engine perform like the former 3.0L H6 (the effect of about 40 more ft-lbs. of torque). I had a chance to sample one a few weeks ago.

 

I've driven numerous 09 Maxima's with the CVT and absolutely love them. I'd go for a Maxima in a heartbeat- they are awesome cars. I drove a buddy's 09 SV sport/tech/pano roof this weekend and it was a blast! I too hope that CVT's find their way into more cars.