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Comments
Not a problem with my HID's . They work great and then some ! Best lights I've ever had !
Oil change is one of the cheapest preventative measures you can do for your vehicle . It will prolong your engine life and save you $$$ in the long run . I only use synthetic oils in all my vehicles . I change my oil religiously every 6,000 miles or less . Not a single one of my vehicles or previous vehicle I know of have had any engine problems . One vehicle had 240,000 miles , compression was still very good, valves were smooth , and engine was as strong as when I bought it . I don't trust anyone who says to go 7,500 miles between oil changes on regular "Dino" oil , unless they want to see you for a engine re built every 100,000 miles . I will admit the newer engines have better cylinder rings , valves , cams , etc. , so you might get a 150,000 miles before your engine re built instead . My 2cents,
keep oil changing and you'll keep going .
For those who are interested . Still can't find a front end mask . Infiniti does not carry them . Colgan Bra Co. still does not make one and Stongard is still a " leave a message and I'll contact you" type deal . I will still keep looking and post if I find anything .
Just a note : Had a Rx330 guy look at my FX45
the other day . Said he loved the 20" rims and the aggressive look . Stated also he wished he knew more about the FX before he bought the RX330 . Poor advertising by Infiniti ????
In these engines it actually STOPS good wear. So any engine parts where tolerances are designed to seat-in during the first few thousand miles do not and they can damage other parts.
You have to design the engine from scratch using materials and tolerances have been adjusted to suit the very very small wear characteristics.
If you wait and then change it will undoubtedly lengthen the life of the engine.
Also as the breakdown of synthetic is predictable and not influenced by burning effects, you can safely extend the change periods.
I just finished 60,000 miles in an ML430, with oil changes at 13050, 27300, 41700 and 55800. I never had to top off the oil, it ran quietly and very quickly even when I returned it off lease.
Basically when it told me to get a service.
my 2c
Just $85 at a New Mexico Jiffy Lube with Mobil 1. I supplied the wierd copper drain plug gasket. Be sure to pick up some at the dealer. Usually, I change the oil myself, and Mobil 1 is about $4 a quart at Costco.
It takes 7 quarts for the FX45, and the filter adds some but doing it yourself keeps it under 40 bucks.
As far as break-in is concerned, modern cars with their tighter tolerences don't need extensive break-in. The FXes have moly-coated pistons. Many cars run Syn as factory-fill. In fact, your warranty is toast if you put Dino oil in.
It's a new world but some people can't adjust. Every jet engine since 1947 has used Syn oil. Dino oil oxidizes and burns too easily (low flash point).
Modern auto engines run alot hotter than the old days. Radiator hoses don't seem to last as long and that may be the reason.
My opinion is always going to be biased as I , own one .
Please check the second page of this months GQ magazine and also the promotional Lexus DVD9 available for free from the website ). That should clear your misconceptions.
Infinity has a long way to compete with Lexus in this segment, specially with RX hybrid and HPX to follow. HPX ,IMHO does not any way seems to be designed for females .
If at any time, I feel I need speed thrill and a sports based wagon/sedan, I will seriously think about Cayenne or an M5 rather than a PT cruiser on steroids.
You will probably recieve minor upgrades and refinements on the 2004 at little additional cost. And losing a years resale value when we are so close to the new models is silly.
I know that one of the changes to the 2004 is improvement in the passenger seat hight to accomadate shorter drivers. And there have been some minor mechanical problems and a serious recall that will have been addresed.
So if you can be patient and order your new 2004 in August with the exact options you want without eating the year of depreciation.
There may even be some new fun color choices.
Best Regards
http://4wheeldrive.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http/fubini.swarthmore.edu/%7EWS30/CNWReport.html
As far as HPX is concened .Please check out the car 's pictures specially interior which is unique in the car industry and absolutely does not resemble FX in any way.The pictures of HPX are now available on quite a few website.
Lexi are for people who want status of a bmw but the reliability of a toyota, so what it drives like mush and acceleration can be mesuared by a sundial.
Come On the HPX is original... Yeah and I guess microsoft invented windows and DOS too huh.
The RX is a nice soft vehicle with places for purses, cell phones and the like. The FX is a perfomance machine that can accelerate with BMW sedans and brakes like corvettes and porsches. I test drove the RX330 and the rx300 before that. Even my wife said they were to girly for her.
I know Jbaumgart has both I don't mean to disrespect the vehcile but they are not comparable they are car based and cost about the same and are made by japenese companies the comparison ends there IMO.
http://www.mcarsweb.com/lexus/hpxf.jpg
by the way ,I am a non smoker.But if it happens in a year ,you will need to smoke what you intend to( :P), as I am not sure how much will you get ,from trading in your FX.........
Take it easy
Let's get it right, please by squack
Chic: Rhymes with geek. Homonym of sheik.
n. stylishness, elegance
v. cleverly stylish
adj. stylish, elegant
"The RX 330 is very chic."
"Chic people drive it"
on the other hand...
Chick: slang for a young woman
"The RX 330 is not a chick car, it's a chick-magnet."
"Chicks dig the RX 330 and the manly men who drive them"
Good luck.....
tidester, host
From one Lexus ( LX 470 ) owner to another ... Thanks for leaving this site !
P.S.: My FX45 is tops in it's category !
When I take my LX470 in for service
@ Lexus , they give me a RX300
for a Courtesy Vehicle . I also test
drove the RX330 ( could have got
a better deal due to Lexus repeat
buyer program ). Didn't like either
one for all points made above and
before .
P.S.S.: Not all Lexus owners are this rude.
Most respect everyone opinion and
WILL ADMIT WHAT IS A BETTER
VEHICLE IN IT'S OWN CATEGORY !
M5 ?
tidester, host
To me, traditional SUV's are the compromise, as they accelerate slow, handle sloppy, and brake poorly. Just because I have a small family, and occasionally tow a 2500 lb boat, does not mean that I should have to "compromise" and drive an overweight SUV daily. Sure they do have the ability to go "off-road", but I NEVER do that.
Actually, I have been using my '92 Acura Legend for all of these duties (including towing the boat!) for the last 5 years without a problem, except I'd like more cargo capacity. In my next vehicle, I do not want to give up the performance of a car, just because I'd like a little more room and increased towing capacity. The FX fits my needs perfectly.
That is my point, a traditional SUV allows me to fill it up with a load of 12 foot 2 by 4s. Haul on 18' ladder on the roof, or carry my 2 kids, wife, and 3 of the kids friends - all buckled in. (Piling in 7 people is the norm around my house). Or tow up to 7,000 lbs. I already have a performance car, that gets between 24 and 29 mpg. For me a SAV, cross-over SAV, car based SUV or the ilk is a huge compromise. My daily driver won't carry heavy loads, a SAV won't either. Our family likes having vehicles, out of which one is a heavy duty hauler. However, I could see myself in a nice big station wagon.
Again I recognize there are people who, if the manufacturers will build it, they will buy it.
The FX wasn't intended for everyone. I LOVE mine and like the fact that it is still unique. I like the feel of taking a corner without the feel of tipping over. I don't need to haul 7 people, 12 ft 2x4's, 7000lb trailers or 18' ladders. If I did, I wouldn't have an FX.
Do you suppose there is a bit of jealousy from those who need to haul all that big stuff around, that their large SUV doesnt look or handle as good as an FX???
1) The fx is just so cool and other than an s80 excutive or 04 Jag vaden plas no other car has all the features of the fx (dvd, nav, laser cruise, 20" wheels etc)
2) I live in texas. In my 300M I see nothing as I am bombarded by full size SUV's I see more hummers than civics down here.
3) Saftey. With all these SUV's down here I don't want to be in a crash with one and me and/or my family is in a sedan. Size does matter in a crash.
4) No sedan (except maybe M5) has the curb appeal of the FX. and only a handful are more competent performers all around (0-60, braking, skidpad etc)
So this way I will have a vehicle to haul people and stuff. and a vehicle that fits my family as is and is fun as heck to drive. Just chomping at the bit till the armada comes out. Have already driven an expedition for a weekend and it is very impressive for what it is (acceleration is a tad sluggish) but worried about depreciation and reliability and hoping nissan will improve on what the Ford offers.
I don't remember the last time I needed to do any of these. If one does haul 12 foot 2 by 4s all the time, then maybe a pickup truck is better? However, if once a year is the frequency, then I think renting a hauler at the local U-Haul would be cheaper? That's what I did when I loaded 80 boxes of laminate flooring, which by the way, might not even load into a 7-passenger fullsize, traditional SUV. But I could be wrong.
My point is not about the FX per se, but I'm wondering how many times manufacturers are going to develop and market niche vehicles like the FX/X5/Cayenne (although the Cayenne is supposed to be a real off-roader) that gets very little gas mileage above and beyond real SUVs with much less utility. The FX may be a nice piece of automotive engineering, but I'm wondering when the auto manufacturers are going to come to their senses and stop trying to make these gas-guzzling vehicles into rocket ships. Ford, Dodge, BMW, Porsche are all guilty. Now back on topic.
BTW if you think I'm rambling you are more than welcome to hit the CTRL-ALT-DELETE key on your computer when you come to my posts.
crikey - I do a lot of my own work around the house. Hauling heavier than usual cargo and/or a lot of passengers is the norm for me.
That explains a lot. A full-size SUV, even a pickup truck, would be the best for someone like yourself, the avid do-it-yourselfer. Nothing wrong with that. And since you already have it, a full-size SUV gives you the best of both worlds -- hauling capacity as well as ample passenger room.
Your profile doesn't fit the target audience of the FX. For someone like myself and the other FX owners, it's the perfect vehicle. It has enough utility and passenger room while it provides exceptional performance and safety. I, for one, bought the FX for its safety features, not its performance abilities. I could've bought a Volvo XC90 or Acura MDX, but I felt that the FX offered more value and reliability (as with the MDX) with exemplary performance as a bonus. Unfortunately, most of these gas-guzzlers provide the best passenger protection, compared to other gas-thrifty vehicles.
So, it wasn't really a matter of if they build it, they will come, it was more of What took you so long?
Enjoy your projects, I'm sure they keep you busy.
I personally cannot believe all of the "soccer moms" driving full size SUVs that they can hardly see out of. They are sold on the size aspect of "safety", yet largely sacrifice on the visibility and maneuverability factor of safety - after all, the best accident is the one that is avoided altogether.
I also do a lot of home projects, but instead of dirtying up my $35,000+ vehicle with building materials, trees, and mulch, I hook up my $200 1000 pound 4 x 8 utility trailer. I use it around 2-3 times a year, and the other 362 days, it stands upright against the back wall of my garage. The real beauty is that I can tow it around my yard with my garden tractor, and I really don't care if I scratch it! Anything bigger can be delivered for less than the cost of a tank of gas in an Expedition.
tidester, host
This vehicle is not targeted at the SUV crowd. I would think it is aimed at people like me who love their sporty cars but as they age and expand they need a more comfortable ride, are tired of vision being obstructed by all of the SUVs on the road, want performance and have never really liked the look of most "sports" sedans.
To me the choice is the G35 Coupe or the FX. The FX was more comfortable and the performance was not significantly differrent.
For most people the Highlander, Pilot, RX330, etc are all perfectly good choices for their lifestyle. I don't think the FX is aimed at them.
We can discuss why do they make an extended cab ? Or why do manufactures make 4 doors on a them ? Etc...... Some may say these are not a pick-up truck but do they fill a niche for some buyers ? A Station Wagons , when they first came out was it a niche vehicle? In the 80"s , was the Suburban a niche vehicle ? Had vans back then and Jeeps too. Was the Suburban a "cross-over" ?
The FX is the same in this way . It fills a niche between the SUV utility and the Sports car speed, agility, and Tech . I like being in this niche because you can''t categorize me (yet). I have the best of both worlds and maybe this is hard for some to understand .
I had had sedans since the earth cooled, had never needed a truck or real SUV and thought they were too big and/or too slow, and my two boys wanted the DVD player for the few trips we take each year. They also can't live for long without their Gamecube.
My other vehicle is a 1996 Volvo station wagon, capable of hauling 7 people or 2 with a 4 x 8 sheet of plywood or drywall with the rear seats down. Even an S10 or Ford Ranger has a problem with that.
I also wanted better performance than the X5 or ML320 and they got real expensive in their performance variations.
I checked out the FX45 here in San Diego but the dealers could not get one in Diamond Graphite with Tech without a long distance trade. They also wanted to make some money on the lease and were quoting me over $840 a month with $2500 driveaway for 15k and 39 months.
Riverside Infiniti had the color and the Willow/Black interior I wanted but not the deal. Evidently, here in SoCal, where 50k is no big deal, the FX is in big demand and it's take it or walk.
So I started chatting with Danny at Grubbs, the GM, and Ralph the Sales Manager, and Mike the F&I man.
Sold me the exact FX45 I wanted, in stock,listing at $52,700, for a cap cost of $48,459, payments of $735 per month with $2500 driveaway. I don't think they made a dime on the financing.
I could have had them ship it to my door for about $600, but I had a family reunion in Nebraska the next week so I drove the Lincoln to Dallas, transfered the luggage to the FX, and they locked my LS in the back lot for 10 days at no cost and even washed it when I came back to drive both home.
No surprises when I got to Dallas and Grubbs, just signed the lease agreement, put the $2500 down on the Mastercard,loaded the FX and drove off. No pressure, no wasted time, no add ons. They even threw in McGard wheel locks (a good idea with those 20" wheels).
The car got nothing but stares, comments and questions the entire trip. The FX is pretty radical for the Midwestern area. A yellow H2 is old hat compared with the FX.
Got about 19 mpg for about 500 miles but a lot of this was break-in and learning how to use the adaptive cruise control, which can reduce your mpg if you have the wrong technique.
I got miles of smiles. I don't mind the "popcorn popper" ride (as 1 mag put it) because it has no body roll which I cannot stand. C&D tested the roadholding at .87g, which is higher than my LS. The 0-60 is 6.3, which is faster than a new V-8 LS. So I got my Sports car, and the cops think it's an innocuous, slow SUV.
If 0-60 and g forces don't mean anything to you, then get the Suburban. 97% of SUV owners never go off the road, and I never will.
The FX is an urban assault machine. I've already had a # of people try to race me and I always can show them my tail lights if necessary.
The FX is testosterone on wheels. I'd probably have more fun but Premium is $2.00 a gallon here and a heavy foot can cost you more than just gasoline. Luckily, the AWD puts all the power to the ground so our local donut afficiandos won't be writing tickets for exhibition of speed, littering or excessive vehicle noise with the FX.
The FX is a unique vehicle that defies definition. One word that does not define the FX but applies to almost all other SUVs is "appliance". The FX's purpose is not to carry everything and everybody. It's mission is to carry a few lucky people to their destination in style, luxury, and speed without boring practicality.
Applicants for the position of FX driver should expect dynamic forces not unlike those at Six Flags. The meek shall not inherit the FX.
The best candidates are technically oriented and not afraid to experience real driving excitement. Leave the rolling coffins to the rest of the driving population.
I'm right there with you! I don't want to give up ANY of the performance, just because I want a little more room!
What pulled me into the FX was it's uniqueness.
The wife couldn't drive a manual with ease. I was bored with cars, and the G35 has a problem with the BLSD system being impossible to turn-off. I figure that AWD solves almost all traction problems, and the FX45 is almost as fast as the G, and alot faster than my LS. The G35 is also 20 hp down from the G Coupe, and I feel that will be remedied soon (Nismo Exhaust).
So the G may be in my future.
I never wanted a heavy truck or SUV. To me, an H2 would be like trying to move a boat anchor around. Besides, the FX gets more looks. No one tries to outrace an H2, but it's almost too common to be at a stoplight next to some guy who thinks he can beat this odd looking SUV. Of course, few can beat 6.3 with AWD. And no worries about getting a ticket for having poor traction and burning rubber. You can settle things in the first 50 feet in the FX. It's that quick off the line. Some SUV!
I've given up on SUV comparisons. Hey, if you want 20" wheels, you have to get a little altitude. And it doesn't seem to reduce cornering g's, since the polar moment of inertia is so centered and low compared with even the X5 and ML. Way lower than a Tahoe.
The FX is tomorrow's sports car. If the WRX or EVO had 20" wheels and a V engine, it would have to be taller also.
I've tried to find it's cornering limits and unlike the LS, I can't get it to slide out it's rear. Hey, the FX doesn't have to.
The FX is a new paradigm. And very few people understand this. Anything new causes people to characterize and associate with the familiar. The FX looks as bold as it's unique performance. I call it an urban assault vehicle because that's the FX niche. It's hard to drive it like a granny car. It begs me to use the wow pedal.
This car is the automotive equivalent of an E-ticket ride at Disneyland or being at Six Flags. Even at 55, I like to feel the dymamics of the drive. There is something honest about your car communicating with you. Most drivers want a car that is a mobile cocoon, isolating them from the physics of movement. I call this the "rolling coffin" syndrome. Some people die at a real early age. It shows in their choice of car.
The FX is one vehicle you have to qualify for. It was not made for anybody and everybody, but those that know will find a match in this vehicle.
It's like finding a long-lost lover. I've had this car since June 10th and I already have 5500 miles on it. I'm only allowed 15k a year on my lease, so my pennance will be to drive the wife-unit's Volvo station wagon until the 4th month is up. BORRRRINNNGGG.
The FX is for drivers who know the difference between an appliance and a car.
All others buy overweight, underpowered SUVs.
By the way the ride loosens up nicely as the miles are put on I have 6000 miles on mine and speed bumps are handled smoothly and the ride has settled down nicely while not loosing any handling ability.
To extend that thought, I did not have great appreciation for how Infiniti is packaging options and color combinations. I would liked the nav system, but have little/no interest in the other components of the tech package that drive the cost to a level that is ridiculous if all one wants is the nav. I realize this is not just an Infiniti trend, but they are refining the concept to some kind of black art. And the brochure (unless I was given the wrong one) provided almost no mention of the existence of the FX35, except on the spec pages. Admittedly, these are small irritations, since I really liked the "vehicle" (don't know what to call it) in every way. I wasn't sure about the quality of some of the pastic - particular in the area adjacent the window switchgear, but the more I drove, the less I cared.
I had a 1st generation Q and had great experiences with Infiniti customer support/service. I note that only because I also went to the VW dealer to take a look at the T-Reg. Nice Audi-like interior, but I was made to feel like I was sitting in a Fabrege egg. No test drive, no interest in scheduling one, and no real sales interest period. Did he think if I sat in the driver's seat long enough, I'd just buy it? I'm trying to imagine how that translates to the service experience. VW might want to remediate their sales staff - there's just too much competition in this segment now.
This got longer than its worth. Sorry. I'm going back to read the old posts before I ask questions that have been previously addressed, but if anyone - particularly in the Baltimore area - can provide purchase price/lease experience, I'd appreciate it. Thanks
Also, I have found no squeaks or rattles. After having a Passat, I am still prepared to hear some rattle or squeak going over bumps. I am always surprised how quiet the vehicle is. After having a VW and experiencing the dealer service, I would, at least based on my experience, not buy another product from VW.
You are right about the brochure. It is almost like the FX35 is an afterthought.