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Comments
This is probably not a large market although I applaud Infiniti for taking the risk and producing such fun product. We know that the FX is not the most practicle of the sports utes in its class.
The Lexus has 17 more cubic feet of storage space that the FX for the same price option for option. You also have better resale value and qualtiy on the Lexus.
But the Infiniti is just so much fun. I will probably order the 2004 when they correct some of the initial problems.
But then have to look at the new BMW X3. What a great time to be in the market for a new vehicle. I would not want to be an American car manufacturer right now with all of their problems, ( pension liabilities, hight debt, lack of competitive product, etc....)
I agree, but it's awesome for a used car buyer like myself!
On the x3 I believe it will be no comparison to the fx. The x5 already gives up space and performance to the FX I don't think the x3 will be much competition. It is more in the land rover freelander and turbo forester class.
The new X3 is supposed to have ample storage space, much more that the X5 with a very reasonable price tag. The price range is supposed to be $31,000 to $37,000.
And of course you have the BMW prestige with good resale value.
Then again the FX is simply a stronger styling statement with probably better quality?
I've owned a 300zx for 10 years, I like cornering performance.
How significant a difference is it between the 2?
What is the breakdown rate of adding an additional axle?
What about cost of repairs of the extra axle?
How much extra boost do I get for acceleration from the AWD?
The advantages of either in LA crazed traffic?
regarding the pricing. I got the deal at Infinity dealer in Concord Calfornia. Don't have MSRP in front of me but will get back to you. Out the door with Tax, Title, Delivery etc etc at just over $45K for the FX35 Diamond Graphite Tech Package, AWD Roof rfails and splash guards.
OCncerning the navigation system I figured out that you canpt hafve the true north heading in the birdseye view only the plain view. It was an excersice in futilty.
Yes it is a stronger styling statement, no doubt. But I think the X5 has more overall panache. I'm not a fan of Infinitis/Nissan new styling direction.
It's difficult to confuse the FX with anything else.
The new Maxima, however, is a mess.
clpurnell/bmwslayer
I whole heartedly agree! I've looked at the Lexus; It is very nice, and definitely will appeal to a far broader market than the FX. But the FX has been by far my biggest automotive surprise of the last several years. If you are a performance car enthusiast who needs some utility, I highly recommend trying one.
While casually looking at some G35 Coupes on a dealer lot, I took a peak at the FX just to see what it was like. The interior turned out to be far nicer and roomier than I had imagined, and I was kind of digging the muscular shape of the exterior with the long hood, and those big 20" meats. While admiring it, a sales person came out and told me that if I liked the G35, I should try out the FX, so I obliged.
MAN, that thing was fun! The chassis handling and braking was outstanding, and even with just the V6, it really scoots. Sure, it's not made for off-road use, lacks a third row seat, has somewhat small cargo capacity, and can only tow 3500 lbs., but for my needs, it is PERFECT!
I've been (unhappily) looking for a mid-size SUV for my wife which would allow me to carry the family, and tow my boat, but we've never cared for their driving dynamics. The FX has proven that I can have my cake and eat it too. It's NOT for everyone, but for a select few, it is the ultimate combination.
I do have one big SUV that has lots of room and seats 7. During the winter here, it was great as it gave a feeling of security driving through 12-15" of snow with AT type tires. During one of the worst winter storms, an idiot plow operator, plowed me in up to my bumper. I put it in reverse and backed it up over the mound like it wasn't even there. I've piled 7 with a lot of extra stuff everybody had room. I can see the utility in this vehicle and am willing to pay the gas. I can't see these in-between vehicles that sort of seat five that sort of have a higher ground clearance with bigger tires. But I know other people do like them as there is a market and they do sell. Good luck with your vehicle.
It's getting more and more blurred out there in the car world. I think this topic originated in Wagons until it got moved to SUVs.
Steve, Host
Both are great vehicles, but they are different (I did get the performance package to get some say!)
It is definitely unique and aimed squarely at the enthusiast who needs more room than a typical car can offer. The general public need not apply. As I've stated before, the select few who get into an FX for it's virtues will consider it the ultimate vehicle, while others will never quite understand it. Simply look at the "consumer ratings" for the FX models, currently at 9.3 - higher than just about every other vehicle with over 10 votes, and you will read from people who actually own an FX, and feel that it is outstanding combination.
I'll leave you with this quote I like from Ron Kiino in February's Car and Driver:
"After driving the FX45 and carefully looking at it from every angle, I tried to think what it reminded me of. The car that came to mind wasn't a sport-utility vehicle or a station wagon or even a sports sedan. It was the BMW M coupe (my apologies to worshippers of the roundel). Both vehicles stand out like chukka boots next to Nikes. Both are fast, stiff, and grippy (the FX more so than the M!) and can stop from 70 mph in Porschelike fashion. And neither makes any qualms about it. These are sports machines that somehow make unattractive appealing. If you don't like how they ride or look, then get the hell out—just leave me the keys."
Thanks for the generous sentiment, though!
Good luck in not believing in luck.
What kind of philosophical mumbo-jumbo is that?
On second thought, never mind.
However, to say that the FX does not have utility is wrong. In fact, I just finished hauling a bombe chest very similar to this and had no problems making it fit.
On a previous errand, I bought about 16 boxes of laminate flooring plus 2 boxes of the installation kit and the FX swallowed it without any problems.
And over the weekend, I bought a children's set of table and chairs + bench, easel, wall hangers, and a couple of bags of groceries. And on this trip, I had the whole family with me. I did not put anything on the roof rack since everything fit in the cargo area.
The utility of the FX depends on how one uses it. I would not haul a ton of mulch, soil or trees in it (I would actually have this delivered). But for the little odds and ends, it works flawlessly.
Note to self: Why am I buying so much stuff??? Hmm...
Probably the same mumbo-jumbo, mostly mumbo, that is going now.
Stupid question, maybe your manual leveler is set to 3, i.e. focused downwards? Since you've had the factory engineers look at the car, I assume this not to be the case. I always have mine set to 0.
Going to drive all weekend....
They do put more light on the road, but it is just a different lighting pattern than a conventional headlight.
The brights is another story.. you can see forever with those on!
On another sour note, does anybody out there think the service intervals are too frequent? My Porsche required oil changes at 12000 mile intervals, not 4000. Of course, they specified Mobil 1 oil. My dealer gave me some BS about why Infiniti requires old-fashioned mineral oil and very frequent service intervals (and they are not covered as in BMW and Audi).
40% of a can of Dino oil is additives to counteract all the bad characteristics of mineral oil. Synthetics, on the other hand, are built molecule by molecule to do the best job. Regular oil has either asphalt or paraffin and attracts water.
Any synthetic oil is superior to Dino oil. The best are Mobil 1 and Amsoil. The least "synthetic" is Castrol's Syntec, which is only a modified Dino oil, but even it is better than Dino oil. But at Castrol's price, you can buy a "real" synthetic.
Costco sells Mobil 1 at a great price.
One of the reasons that European schedules are longer is that their gasoline is more refined and has less sulfur, as BMW found out after replacing U.S. engines some years ago due to excessive ring/wall wear.
It's not worth it to do changes at 7500 and more. The oil still lubricates, but even Synthetic gets dirty at the same rate.
Dino oil is toast after about 4000 miles. The viscosity improvers (VI) that make the oil thinner when cold and thicker when hot (opposite of Dino oil's natural chacteristics) are resins with the ability to go through just a limited # of temperature cycles. After about 4k, that chemical soup, with water added from combustion,sulfur and other gasoline contaminants, hardly looks or behaves like Dino oil anymore.
At least synthetic resists water and fuel contamination much better than Dino oil, which has an affinity for both. Try washing Syn off with just plain soap and water. I have to use laquer thinner.
Syn oil also has much better temperature resistance. Dino oil cooks off near the top piston land, creating coke that eventually makes the top ring fail to expand. This is the #1 path to eventual engine failure.
Coking is the #1 reason turbos fail. The bearings cook Dino oil and go bad, especially after the engine is off and the oil pressure goes to zero. You would have to be crazy to run a turbo with Dino oil with its low "flash point".
Syn oil is the best investment you can make for your car.
There is absolutely no comparison with any other SUV that can be made. And don't sell its offroad capabilities short. You didn't get a good test drive if you think that.