[BK]

Interesting. I tested a TL 6MT when I was looking at cars, and it drove very, very similarly to our Accord V6 with AT. Not a bad driver -- and fast, too -- but too much like what I already have, so it immediately was out of the running for me.

The 330i I tested felt a lot more solid, less "floaty." The speed and accelleration felt about the same, but it was more engaging to drive. The G35 I tested felt very similar -- both felt a lot better to me than the TL.

As for the GTI, I'm a little surprised to hear it beat a G35, but I'd attribute it to poor technique by the G35 driver, too. I tested a GLI (the Jetta body equivalent), which was a lot more fun than the TL, and quick (lots of torque) but it felt not as fast as the other cars once you got to highway speeds. At lower speeds, it was extremely peppy.

All in all, I was not overly impressed with the TL. It gets great reviews, but it wasn't for me. It could just be that I'm ready to drive something different than a Honda.