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Also the GPS does not allow you to enter a new destination pt while the car is in motion. I understand that this might be distracting for the driver but if I have a passenger then why can't she play with the GPS while I'm driving. Does anyone know if there is a way to disable this rather heavy handed 'protection' feature? Thanks.
When you say "cargo area protector", I was thinking of the rubber mat that protects the fabric area.
Infiniti already slapped us by allowing FX35's to upgrade to the sport pkg. and basically look like a FX45 and now it seems aftermarket is doing the same ! FX35 owners : please, don't be offended .... just making a point .
Same Answer: a restrictive exhaust system. The G35 Sedan had an aerodynamic but simple system.
Both vehicles need a "true dual system". That's a pipe going back from each exhaust manifold, each side having it's own cats and mufflers.
Look underneath the new 2005 G35 Sedan when out. It's up to 277hp from 260.It's mainly improvement in the exhaust and probably a little in the intake system.
Stillen has a new system for the FX, and it's priced at $1200+. I asked a sales advisor if he could send me a photo of the system but he said not possible. I won't consider it unless I know the design details.
I have a local quote from a performance exhaust shop here in SoCal. For $600, I would get a larger diameter single pipe, exiting into a larger Camaro muffler with the stock twin pipes.
Not a big improvement, but the FXes main problem is snaking around the AWD system.
You might have to give up some ground clearance to have a less restrictive system.
2004 Midsize Luxury V8 SUVs Comparison Test
Steve, Host
I didn't buy my 45 for towing capacity, third seat/group transport or commodity hauling.
Off-road ability? Ha! I live in San Diego. My tires will never touch dirt.
I bought my FX because it's the lightest vehicle with the highest HP for the least money.
And since car manufacturers have forgotten about limited slip differentials, and I was tired of having traction control intervene and ruining my fun, I figured having 4 wheels do the work would add to the performance equation.
No, I don't lust after the heavier and slower Cadillac and BMW.
Those truck frame tanks are just too heavy for street fun. I love blowing off X5s,Cay Ses,and GM SUVs of all types.
And how did Edmunds get that slow 0-60 time? Almost all the mags have beaten that time. I guess they forgot to unhook the trailer again.
As far as cornering goes, the stock all-season tires are not the best and they are very pressure sensitive. If inflated to factory specs at 32psi, I think they tend to roll on their sides excessively.
The Caddy and BMW are nice, but not that performance-oriented. Nice is Nice, but I like Outrageous and Radical.
Waiting for the FX56 here in SoCal.
I call Coleman Infiniti in Bethesda, MD and offer $1000 under invoice on an 04 FX35. The manager immediately laughs, then starts screaming about how I offended him. he tells me how ridiculous I am for even asking.
He goes on to say I must be desperate because I called all the way from Virginia (this proves his ignorance as Bethesda is 10 miles away from Arlington, VA)
He continues saying NO ONE in the entire country got that deal, and everyone on this website is a LIAR.
He told me that he already has 05s (3 of them) and the 04s will not last. (more proof of his ignorance because if the 04s were so valuable, why would Infiniti have to give him a $1500 incentive?)
This was totally unprovoked by the way. i just said "hey, don't get offended, if you have to say no- just say no" and politely hung up.
stay away.
so... 10 minutes later another salesman called me, saying that he overheard the manager screaming into the phone, and that was the assistant sales manager. he said he called the actual sales manager and guess what "just for me they will do the deal for $1000 under invoice"!!!
Talk about good cop/bad cop. So I guess now I'm supposed to feel special that I got this great deal and they came to my rescue from the mean assistant sales manager.
I have $500 under invoice from Rosenthal in Vienna, but not in a color I want. They deny any knowledge of the $1500 incentive. (why do they do that when it's obvious I know about it?)
The dealer in Alexandria offered $500 over.
I would hate to buy from them, but they have exactly the color and interior I want (black/willow)
The base configuration:
MSRP Price: $36,640
Invoice Price: $33,736
Target Price: $32,640
For technology and touring package they want $39840 which is approximatelly invoice for that configuration.
It was different however a few days ago and could be different for your zip code.
So I went to the ol internet and used the Infiniti website to search a different way.
Instead of checking local inventory by putting in MY zip code, I put in the zip codes of various dealers and checked THEIR inventory.
Then I negotiated via internet with the sales manager at that dealership on that particular vehicle by vehicle #.
After locking up the deal and doing the deal 100% over the internet, phone and fax, I went to the dealership and picked up the car and drove it home. I could also have had it delivered to my door for about $650. The freight would have been paid for in monthly payment savings in about 3 months.
It was half way across the country but worth it.
Here in San Diego, a $50k FX45 is chicken feed for IT yuppies, but in Dallas, Texas, they need 50k buyers (houses there still sell for a third to a half of what they do here, and wages are much lower).
The local dealer here treats me great, despite losing the sale big time.
So don't just shop the local dealers.My dealer in Texas is all set up to do "out of state".
In fact, famous for it.
Warranty voiding? Computer malfunction? Has anyone checked with Infiniti about this?
of course the murano doesn't have a v8 option or handle like the fx but is he right or wrong.
i am visiting my local infiniti dealer later today to see the fx45 again. i live near nyc. should i expect $1,500 to $2,000 below invoice if it is a good deal? and '05's are going near invoice?
thx!
The Altima, Maxima, Quest and Murano ride on a different front wheel drive based platform.
A 2wd FX will be RWD while a 2wd Murano would be FWD.
Also the murano uses a cvt tranmission and has lower HP/Torque numbers than an FX that has a 5 spd auto trans.
These two cars are not the same. They do share some interior items (radio/nav/climate control) and the both used the VQ engine but really that is about it.
However all that being said if you are not a real enthusiast I would suggest the murano as this year (05) you can get all the same features found on the FX minus the I-cruise and Lane change system unless you are opting for the FX45.
Open note:
Anybody else a little upset that the Murano has trickled down all the technology in the FX save the two mentioned above. I think for 06 the need to differentiate the FX a little more by maybe adding MP3 compatibility, Bluetooth and Voice Reconigtion. All these will be available in the new M series.
Did you get your tires yet?
How are they?
I live in Michigan, but we don't get a large amount of snow here. Should I be looking at snow tires? How does the FX-35 really do in the snow?
Drove to Milwaukee for Thanksgiving and encountered a sleet storm. Car drove like it was on rails, never lost any grip. My wife asked me if the car had switched to AWD mode and I had no idea. Any way to know when the AWD system kicks in?
Also, I have read all the posts here about the FX in snow and its a mixed bag. I have the 20 inch wheels which are described as "all season" and am hoping that they will do fine in the unexpected snow storm. The roads I travel on are generally plowed (or being plowed) so am hoping to avoid buying winter rims and tires. Any recent experiences in snowy weather with the 20 inch 2004 wheels?
Grazie, Jon B.
Infiniti on the national level won't do much unless they start getting a boatload of complaints.
Steve, Host
Dealerships are reimbursed for all warranty work they do (time + materials), so it would confuse me if a dealership thinks it is doing so well it can actually turn away paid work. So in other words, I personally wouldn't worry about bringing my Infiniti to another dealership for repairs, even if I had not purchased the car there.
Of course, I tend to be the type who refuses to accept anything less than stellar service... So perhaps I've been treated well in the past because I tend to come across as heavy-handed. I guess they'll never tell me. :-)
I am also looking at a 2005 GMC Envoy loaded which will only cost me about 34K which is what I am leaning toward right now if Infiniti is not willing to deal?
Thanks,
Bryan
at a recent oil change at the dealer, i was told that the front disks are warped and need to be resurfaced. evidently this is not a warranty issue. this is considered natural. this is the first luxury car i have ever owned with this issue. i live 9 miles from work and the rest of the mileage is highway mileage. i have not had to brake hard for anything. i called the 1-800 # and i was told that the disks are made with a weaker metal. this is not good. after asking some mechanics i was told this " Today’s rotors are made to be lightweight and relatively inexpensive. Assuming nothing else is wrong, resurfacing, or “turning down,” your rotors is only a temporary fix.
If the rotors warped at full thickness, how are they going to hold their shape with 10% or more of their weight mass gone?
We believe the only time you turn down rotors is when you need to resurface for new friction. Resurfacing should not be needed at 20k miles."
infiniti is happy after taking my money and i am left a frustrated consumer.
Has anyone else had this problem?
thanks
Maintainance on my Infiniti runs less than it does on my Honda Pilot. I am on the 3750 schedule and have paid roughly $36 for the oil change services. $65 for oil change and tire rotaion. and my 15k service was 200 (my pilot 15k service is 250) and included new air filter, in car micro filter, tire rotation, brake adjustment, and oil change. Each service has included a loaner and a car wash and vacum. All in all I may have spent 500 in maintenace in almost two years. Not too bad.
Everything was fine before I had my car in for service a month or so ago when they discovered "metal shavings" that were causing a short and several dashboard lights to come on. Since then things have been weird. The gas gauge seems to drop really quickly the first 100-150 miles per tank and then slows over the next 200 miles or so. That never happened before.
My mileage seems to be getting much worse and the onboard calculator (Distance To Empty) has really been acting strange. I just filled my tank and it says 335 miles to empty when it normally reads 400 or more. I've tried switching between Premium and Regular grades with no differences other than slight performance changes.
Do you think my computer might have gotten fried during the diagnostics? I have not had the car back since then, but might take it in next week if this keeps up.
The car seems to run great, but this gas thing really has me bugged. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks.