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Comments
I remain curious as to what the FX means to Nissan/Infiniti. So far, the sale numbers are not that strong but maybe that's ok. Certainly if you want to keep the "WOW" factor up, then you will limit the amount of vehicles you make available. But I also know there are a fair number of FXs that tend to sit on the lots--so I don't know. IMHO, marketing the FX as only a crossover SUV alternative misses the mark. I would also tout it as a "sports sedan" alternative thereby garnering interest from both SUV and car buyers.
Not a criticism of the vehicle, just the marketing strategy. But hey, what do I know?
I think Nissan/Infiniti only targets to sell 30K units a year. I'm not sure what the target numbers are for the RX330, I'm sure it's more since it is Lexus' #1 seller. I know the MDX targets around 60K units a year and it seems that Acura is right on track to sell that much.
PSB1013: I also enjoy the distinctiveness and exclusiveness of the FX. Owned a 3 Series BMW before and just like the X5 I saw more and more on the road as the WEEKS went by. Finally, got fed up when I saw teenagers driving the car. Thought of buying the '03 M3 but felt the same thing will happen (Salesman at local BMW dealership agreed and tried to sell me a M5, to much $$$ for me.). FX was designed for a select market , 30 to 40 year old guys and I think they hit the mark . Concur on the Limit The Number comment also !
P.S. A couple of years ago I went and checked out an RX300, which I didn't care for so I didn't even bother to tell my wife about it (knowing that she probably would have wanted that model too, but I would be somewhat disappointed as the driver on family trips and errands). I think Lexus did a good job making the new vehicle quite a bit sportier and more appealing to men, while still retaining some of the qualities that women seem to appreciate as well. But with the FX Infiniti made no such attempt to please the ladies, or even mainstream buyers for that matter. But they sure hit the bullseye for what I was looking for!
1. Vehicle A is better than Vehicle B. Difficult to compare ,even though they fall under the same umbrella , still a lot of difference.My comments are going to be biased in this regard.
2. Vehicle B is produced in less quantities, likely in case of FX . However even though the target sales may be low but they are not out of stock at any dealership and are abundant .
3. Vehicle B has poor marketing stratgies , Do not believe as Infinity has been a leader in marketing their products.
4. Vehicle B does not meet the need of masses and caters to a specific group of purchasers. Highly likely that the new contemporary design does not please everyone and there is a select group of people as in this discussion board, who love the speed and other features.
5. Vehicle B is more expensive therfore only a certain group of people can afford it .Do not believe so .
6. Vehicle B is relativley new model therfore people are hesitant in investing and trusting the long tem reliability. To some extent........ .
7. Company making the two Vehicles have different reputation.. Do not think so......
The reasons could be a combination of the above and others . I know most of you would want to have low number in sales to preserve the uniqueness .It 's nice to be unique and less common as most of you guys like and have stated in your messages.
Just wanted to know what your thoughts are and any other inputs.
And please guys do not get upset ......so no angry remarks ......
1. Vehicle A is better than Vehicle B. Difficult to compare ,even though they fall under the same umbrella , still a lot of difference.My comments are going to be biased in this regard.
IMO, it's hard to say that the RX330 is better than the FX35 and vice versa. I say this because it seems the vehicles may have different goals -- the RX being more of a family-oriented vehicle while the FX is pretty much a sports-oriented vehicle with added utility. So, different strokes for different folks?
2. Vehicle B is produced in less quantities, likely in case of FX . However even though the target sales may be low but they are not out of stock at any dealership and are abundant .
With less production but still high dealer inventory, it would seem that the FX does not appeal to the general population. It could also be that since it's a new vehicle (and a radical one at that), buyers are likely not ready to take a chance of getting one yet. Hopefully, once more FX's are on the road, this hesitation would change.
3. Vehicle B has poor marketing stratgies , Do not believe as Infinity has been a leader in marketing their products.
I have seen less commercials of the FX than the RX. I think Infiniti can do a better job at marketing. Lexus seems to have more advertising dollars.
4. Vehicle B does not meet the need of masses and caters to a specific group of purchasers. Highly likely that the new contemporary design does not please everyone and there is a select group of people as in this discussion board, who love the speed and other features.
Exactly...I think that people are more concerned with abundant cargo space and 7-seating rather than performance in an SUV. That's why the Acura MDX, Honda Pilot, Volvo XC90 are also popular.
I chose the FX because of it's safety features -- it has everything that the Volvo XC90 has except for the Roll Stability Control. With its slightly lower ground clearance, the rollover risk is decreased siginificantly compared to the MDX and Pilot. Don't get me wrong, though, it will still rollover but not as likely as other SUVs. I also chose it because it is a great value (IMO) and is readily available. I'm not the type who orders a car at MSRP and waits months to get the vehicle. There are so many choices out there and it doesn't make sense to me to pay full price and wait.
Now, having the performance of the FX is a really good bonus.
5. Vehicle B is more expensive therfore only a certain group of people can afford it .Do not believe so .
I think the FX is priced right and can be cheaper if the buyer is a good negotiator.
6. Vehicle B is relativley new model therfore people are hesitant in investing and trusting the long tem reliability. To some extent........ .
Yes, I think this may be a factor. See answer to #2.
7. Company making the two Vehicles have different reputation.. Do not think so......
Well, they kind of do. Toyota is known for reliability and quality, but not necessarily performance. And more people are concerned about reliability and quality. Nissan kind of dug itself a hole by producing lack-luster products in the past due to cost-cutting measures. However, Nissan's turnaround is blowing everyone away. IMO, they currently have more exciting products in their line-up than any other Japanese manufacturer. The only other manufacturer that is getting my attention is Subaru.
Thanks,
If the residual is higher than the market in 3 years, then don't buy the car. You are protected!
By the way, I'm going from San Diego to Dallas in a couple days to pick up my new FX45 Tech/Diamond Graphite.
No one around here could touch the Money Factor and the low Cap Cost Reduction (driveaway).
How about $734 a month for 39 months/15k a year.
Every dealer around here had none in stock, one didn't want to dealer trade and they all wanted way over $800 a month.
The way Grubbs does E-Commerce makes almost every dealer look like they are still in nursery school.
I'll have to vary my speed for the break-in. I want to buy an oil filter at the dealer (probably hard to find at an auto parts store and have the oil changed on the way back).
We looked at all the colors at the dealer here. The off-white and Golden Sand were not that flattering to my wife, and I usually go for white. Both the LS and my Volvo are white.
But my 13 year old liked the Silver and wife liked the DG and I thought the B16 was a little too dark for our sunny clime. I bet the DG will be hotter than white, of course.
The DG and a couple other colors are premium priced. Another drawback with metallics is that they are hard to "touch-up". I'm glad the FX bumpers are higher than most curbs. Keeps the scrapes down.
Here we have two companies called Bumper Express and Bumper Medic. They do an incredible business in repairing scratched bumpers.
In short, the DG seemed to be a flattering color for the FX, considering it's shape. My wife thought the Ivory reminded her of an ambulance (she's an R.N.).
As to the 35 vs. the 45, a lot of reviews favor the balance of the 35. It accelerates briskly around town and one of my high bucks clients got a 35 and loves it. He also has a MB 430 and a new Mini Cooper S.
The FX is hardly an SUV. It's more like a different looking station wagon. My Volvo 960 wagon has more utility. It just doesn't go and corner like an FX. Most cars don't.
Vive La Difference!
That said, I have decided to hold out a couple of years for an FX in the mid to upper $20 range instead. I would love to own the car today, but at this point in my life, I feel that I should be stashing money away for my daughter's college fund, and my retirement, instead of more vehicle depreciation.
For those of you leasing right now, with intentions of 'moving up' in a few years, enjoy and take good care of my future Cheetah!
You are really renting the car.
Of those 3 components, two are really quite fixed. State sales tax and residual (depreciation) are not negotiable or set by the dealer.
Most leases are done by Infiniti Financial Services. They set the residual value, and for the FX it is probably around 51 or 52% on a 36-39 month lease.
The dealers vary only on the negotiated price (Capitalized Cost or Cap Cost) and the profit on the money factor (interest charged on the money borrowed to buy the car). That's why you get the variation in lease amounts.
Try a quote from Grubbs. Unlike my local dealers, who quoted $840 a month with a high MF, they beat that by over $100 a month.
In the end, it all boils down to the total monthly payment and the money down (driveaway). Mine was $2500 and $734 a month on a FX45 with Tech Package. This is calculated at 39 months and 15k a year. The actual selling price is inconsequential.
Being self-employed, I can write off 80% of my lease payments. The residual value is also inconsequential. I just trade it in for a new one at the end of the lease. If the car is worth less than the residual, IFS takes the hit when they dispose of the car.
Buying a 3 year old car that is off lease is not a bad deal. New cars typically lose 30-33% of their value the first year, and 50% after 3 years. You do really pay for the new car smell. In my case, Uncle Sam helps a lot.
Consider a part-time income in MLM or some kind of self-employment. Then the monthly net cost of a lease is really low.
Even if you are a corporate slave, a lease payment is less than a purchase payment. That's why a huge % of luxury cars are leased.
Actually, I need a larger lease payment than on an FX45. But what would my clients say if I showed up in a twin-turbo Cayenne?
Judgment day: As Goldmember would say: Toyt, Very toyt, like a tiger! We are EXTREMELY impressed with this vehicle! Go test drive one as soon as you can. The power and handling of the FX will BLOW you away! Extremely comfortable even though other reviews say the suspension is too stiff. Trust us, it’s NOTHING like the harshness of the sport version of the BMW X5. Now THAT’S stiff and uncomfortable! If we were making the choice between a BMW X5, Mercedes-Benz ML, Porsche Cayenne, VW Touareg or Lexus RX330, the Infiniti FX45 would be our choice, hands down. When we drive it, the question that keeps popping up in our minds is: Are sedans becoming obsolete? Its combination of price/performance/styling is on a different level than the others. As soon as they come out with a more aggressive lease program, we suggest you give it serious consideration.
One last note: If you can’t afford the FX45, don’t hesitate to buy the FX35 we’ve driven it and the six cylinder engine is outstanding.
'21 Dark Blue/Black Audi A7 PHEV (mine); '22 White/Beige BMW X3 (hers); '20 Estoril Blue/Oyster BMW M240xi 'Vert (Ours, read: hers in 'vert weather; mine during Nor'easters...)
Bear in mind that I am in PA and as anyone knows who have been here, our roads are, how shall I say, not smooth.
In mixed driving on the PA turnpike and around the suburbs I covered all but long distance driving.
I am also comparing with my current ride, an ML430.
Pick up from a standing start was a big difference, both cars had about 25 miles on it. the FX45 was smooth and the car feels light and nimble. The Cayenne pick up was not as smooth, but the Cayenne felt much quicker.
Cornering the Porsche was a dream, like on tracks, the FX was OK but the C of G felt much higher and roll was present.
The manual change on both cars we good to use but the steering wheel controls on the Cayenne made it easier to use and get used to.
Both cars were very stable (bad weather here this week) the Cayenne felt "safer", more solid in the rain on the turnpike.
The FX engine was the less obvious of the 2, you are always aware of the Cayenne's note. I think this is designed.
On a stretch of street on my regular commute that had been scraped for re-surfacing the FX was painfull, like driving over small speed bumps very fast, the Cayenne went over them without any noticable anything, noise or vibration.
The audio system were comparable but the Cayenne sounded better (to me) I think because the Porsche is much quieter in general from the point of view of windnoise and roadnoise.
Rear visability is bad in the FX, reversing into my garage was a nightmare, not just directly back but the rear quarters are invisible. I did not like that at all.
On the Cayenne it was OK, not as good as the ML, but the folding mirrors were very usefull, will save me a bunch (so I am not good in this area, 3 ML mirrors since 99.)
Let me say that I love the FX, but I am now in love with the Cayenne, its a much better vehicle, as I suspected, and with the dealers really dealing I am ordering one on Monday.
No Contest I'm afraid.
Sorry.
The leases are in the 780-900 range depending on options
there are lease deals thru June at Porsche
Sorry to disagree, the Cayenne handles MUCH better, the 0-60 time may be faster, it does not feel that way tho
Lastly, everything was a option and it added up $$$ ! To be honest , I did not test drive one so I really can not comment on the feel and handling of the Cayenne S. Reading comments from other experts , some say wait till the VW version comes out and save the $$$. Agree that the Cayenne TURBO is the best out there for city driving SUVs but if I had to spend the 90 grand plus , I would own the sports car version . Maybe, I'm bias now that I own the FX45 but I did check out the Cayenne S and for looks (inside and out) the FX beats it hands down . My 2 cents.
Also have you read anywhere that the new Lexus (called HPX, I believe) is a definite go? I saw the drawing of it in this month's Car & Driver, and it certainly does bear a strong resemblence to the FX; in fact, C&D even joked about the similarity. I did not hear though that Lexus has definitely decided to produce this vehicle(?).
I do not think the FX will be an oddity in less than a year. I remember when I got my ML430 there we few around and I had to struggle to deal with its shape being away from the then norms. Now just look around and the basic shape has been repeated many times.
This high wasted look seems to have a retro appeal which I like myself, rather than the low waste large glass area designs of the recent past.
I read that over the next 5 model years there are 61 new models being launched, it would be interesting to keep these notes and revisit them in 08.