I just went to drive and talk to Infiniti about the M35x. Great car, loved it. The interior fit and finish is a little nicer on the Lexus 300 awd GS, but the M is more fun to drive. I thought their leasing terms were crazy. I leased a car a few months ago, that was more expensive for way less then they want. What are the going leasing deals that you are seeing around the country? I live in New England. I asked them for No cap cost reduction, 15K, 39 mo, Loaded with premium package, and they wanted about 900 per month. I recently leased a near 60K dollar lexus for 2K down and pay 650 a month for the same terms. Infiniti can't (or doesn't wish to) touch that.
No contest, the CLS wins. Don't get me wrong, I own and love the '06 M. Both are new cars and their reliability, resale, etc. are yet to be established. Judging by past performance, the Infiniti is more likely to be reliable and with lower maintenance costs. The Mercedes CLS has considerably more prestige, status, and presence, but that does not include such things as interior headroom. The Infinti is more of a value leader. As mentioned by "lexusguy", I believe you are way off on their price differential.
In summary, IMHO, they are in truly different categories and not really comparable. Your dilemma though is one I wouldn't mind facing.
Actually the E would be the MB I would be comparing to the M35 or 45. We looked at the CLS while at the dealer to test drive an E350. I really liked the exterior styling of the CLS but my wife hated it. There's no doubt that it will turn heads. The back seat, however, is a joke - not useable for anything but short trips or kids IMHO. Practical transportation is not a term I'd use with the CLS.
If you're looking for a head turner then the CLS is a good choice. On the other hand, if you're looking for value, driving pleasure, and reliability the M would be my choice.
As an aside, it is interesting how much emotion plays in to the car buying process. The posters in this forum generally seem to be more objective than most. The worst case I know of where emotion overwhelmed objectivity is a guy that I worked with several years ago who had narrowed down his new car choices to a Jaguar and a Jeep Wrangler. He eventually bought the Wrangler because he "wanted something that would hold up through all of the potholes on his way to work." It boggles the mind.
Answering lease questions is nearly impossible unless you provide the MSRP, the actual sales price and the money rate - none of which you provided. Dealers can hide lots of profit in a monthly payment - make sure they tell you what money rate they are charging. You need to know all of these to figure out whether you're getting a good deal or not. Would you take out a mortgage without knowing the amount borrowed and the APR?
The Infiniti Financial Services (IFS) money rate for 15K, 39 months is 0.00175 (59% residual) with security deposit of about a month's payment. Sometimes the worksheet says 1.75 but it's the same number. Without the security deposit the money rate increases to 0.00190. Dealer's often mark this up to increase their profits - but's it's negotiable.
A M35X with the Premium Package has a MSRP of $53,510. If you paid this and decided not to pay a security deposit, the lease would be $724.19 plus tax using the base IFS numbers. With a security deposit the payment drops to $711.43 plus tax.
Just leased mine last week. Assuming credit not an issue, you're dealer may have been sticking it to you. I'm in the sixes with a 39 month lease- noting down- sticker over 50.
I am somewhat disappointed that my Nav system can't give me route direction to my 8 year old house in a subdivision. It also is lacking in preloaded info on restaurants, shopping, etc.
I have contacted Infiniti asking whether the software could be obsolete. The car is a week old.
Thanks for your help. This MSRP you gave was the same as the vehicle I was looking at. The dealership was not willing to negotiate. I have perfect credit, and have a history with Nissan-Infiniti Financial (have leased two nissans from them). So there sould also be some sort of Nissan-infiniti customer loyalty discount. Which they said was already worked into the price. I guess they are not interested in making a deal. Too bad, the dealership was dead, and they have lots of cars on the lot.
$53,519 MSRP negotiated selling price of $51,000 39 Months/15K miles, no security deposit and nothing down - always go for the smallest possible drive-off - just first month's payment, acquisition fee and licenses. negotiated money rate of 0.00190 - that's what IFS offers
Monthly payment is $655.06 plus tax (don't know what tax rate to use)
Looks like your dealer wants full price plus added interest income - ask him what kind of family vacation you are paying for.
---------------------- I have my decision down to the above mentioned cars. I am aware that some people may think they are not equal but I think the Infiniti has great value but I love the new MB coupe design (I dislike the MB interior however, as Infiniti interior much nicer). Any thoughts about the two? MB seems to be" more prestigious" and very "different" but Infiniti has many "bells and whistles" that are appealing. Also the MB is about 10g more then a fully loaded M45. Which will turn heads more? Any input would be appreciated! ----------------------
Your question is one I’ve thought about quite a bit lately, since the only cars I’ve been considering are the same. And I thought I was the only one anywhere to be comparing these two. As others have said the price difference is much greater than you thought. But for me the issue is not so much bang for buck, as it is total enjoyment and satisfaction.
Here are the issues as I now see them:
CLS 500 Clearly wins big in head turning and prestige. Issues which really do count IMO.
M45 IMO wins big in EVERYTHING else. - Performance. Reviewers have gone consistently gaga about the cars absolutely perfect engine, transmission, suspension, rigidity and handling. OTOH, I’ve seen numerous reviewers complain about the CLS “intelligent” transmission screwing things up big time. - Electronics. M’s navigation, electronics and sound are really the best in the industry and incredibly cool. The MB nav, electronics and sound have always been average to very poor IMO. Voice control on the M is much better. M is just killer in so many ways. I love the one click access and easy visibility of every possible control, and bluetooth for MY choice of phone as opposed to the CLS’s limitation to the ONE MB phone. Also, I personally prefer XM and MB has only Sirius. - Reliability. My wife’s CLK has had numerous annoying problems, which really gives me some contempt for MB. My Q has been just about perfect for three years. Of course, this has been well documented elsewhere. - Space: You’ll never get more than 4 people in a CLS, and they’ll have MUCH less space than in an M45. The M's space, like everything else is really best in class.
What it really comes down to for me is: Do I want a girl friend who gets ALL the stares when we walk into a room or do I want a girl friend who’s actually way more fun in the bedroom, way more fun to be with, and is a very good looker in her own right.
I think I want the latter but I’m still working on it.
I negotiated with my dealer to have to work done through a local audio shop. Basically, they put in a "Y-splitter" into the audio lines that run to the jacks in back of the console and ran new lines into the center console. The 3 jacks (RCA) were put in the front wall of the center console near the top. They also spliced in a new 12-volt receptacle. It is in the front console new the bottom. THe only problem was that when they replaced the center console, the "fins" inside cut the new wiring. It had to be redone (no extra cost but more time and headache). I had the dealer take care of this so each time the dealer had the car, I got a free loaner.
The iPod playlist does not show up on the LCD. When the iPod is plugged in, you have to select DVD and then AUX from the CD-DVD selector. This only works as an audio pass-through to the car's sound system (and amplifier). I have a high quality mini-plug to RCA cable (Belkin, Monster, etc). WHen I am using the iPod, I keep it on the seat, console, cup holder. There is a space under the center console top door, near the latch, that the cable can pass through while the console is closed. Works well enough for me.
I would love an interface where the iPod playlist could be seen and controlled through the DVD LCD screen but it does not seem to exist (not for Infiniti). If you have any better solution, let me know.
P.S. Lexus does not have capability. The only way to get an iPod to connected directly, is through an FM transmitter. Definitively subpar compared to a direct line-feed solution.
funny you should compare the two vehicles to girlfriends... i was thinking the same thing yesterday after driving the A6 4.2 and bmw 545 (and after driving the gs300 and m45 last weekend).
for me, the 545 is the serious headturner (looks great, drives awsome) , but the interior is a turn-off, kind of like a knockout date who chews with her mouth open or picks her teeth in public.
my opinion is that the lexus and audi are better choices, good (not excellend) in most categories. i know this is a m45 forum, and i apologize in advance, but the 45's interior (too much emphasis on the controller and surrounding plastic buttons) is like the she-thing you wake up with after drinking too much.
---------------------------- I am somewhat disappointed that my Nav system can't give me route direction to my 8 year old house in a subdivision. It also is lacking in preloaded info on restaurants, shopping, etc ----------------------------
Sorry to hear about your NAV issues. Let me share my experience.
I've extensively used NAV from Infiniti, MB, BMW, Lexus, GM Escalade, Hertz NeverLost, and TomTom. And have additionally researched many others. I find that every single one is always missing SOME streets, and some POI's. However in all my experience, Infiniti's is the best in the industry in just about every way. It's map detail and accuracy compares very favorably to every one of them, as do it's points of interest. The M's Nav also beats them all royally in voice command, general flexibility, depth of features, display detail and precision, and many other criteria. It's one of my top 5 reasons why I prefer Infiniti to other cars in general.
I know that doesn't help much when you can't do what you need to do. Some times a map data base may actually have your street but be unable to locate it for a couple of addressable issues.
- First question. When you're showing the NAV map and driving on the street by your house, does the Map show you on any street, and does it have any name for it? Try choosing "where am I" to see if it knows where you are. If you had been trying to find your home using "street address" it could be failing for many reasons.
Generally, when you can't find a street in the system you should try the following: - Do you have the correct region/state/city? (There's a chance that this could be your current problem.) - Try a street name with and without spaces i.e Foxhill vs. Fox Hill, I've seen systems that actually had street names but were listed with these kinds of errors. - Try with or without prefixes or suffixes. i.e. North Lane street could be found in some systems searching for Lane and others for North Lane With Infiniti systems usually you would exclude a prefix when searching (though you'll see it the candidate list), but in any system, some streets could potentially go either way. - Try with and without City, some systems have had some streets in the wrong cities in border line situations.
-------------------- The interior fit and finish is a little nicer on the Lexus 300 awd GS, --------------------
Just for the record, that's an opinion with which many disagree. Several posters on one of lexus forums have found the fit and and finish to be lacking, with obvious misfits and irregular distances around the nav screen buttons. USA today found many of the lexus controls inconvenient to get to and hard to read, and Detroit News gave the nod to the M over the GS in interior. Personally, I greatly prefer the M's very readable controls with instant access to every function. I also find the GS interior to be more minimalist with the M's having much more character.
Of course this is a matter of taste, with which reasonable people can disagree.
I'm about ready to purchase a M45 with most of the options in Honolulu. Where do you live? Do you think the dealer in your town will sell the car for 3000 - 4000 less than the MSRP? Shipping to Honolulu from west coast is $899
I have another quick question about the Nav system. It looks to me like you can't use voice commands to set an intersection as your destination or to set a city center as your destination. Am I right or am I missing something? Thanks.
-------------------- my opinion is that the lexus and Audi are better choices, good (not excellent) in most categories. i know this is a m45 forum, and i apologize in advance, but the 45's interior (too much emphasis on the controller and surrounding plastic buttons) is like the she-thing you wake up with after drinking too much. --------------------
Have no concern, I will defend to my death your right to express your extremely poor taste.:)
-------------------- my opinion is that the lexus and Audi are better choices, --------------------
Regarding your comparisons check out these reviewer comments:
The USA Today says "The Audi would have been impressive but for time spent recently in the Infiniti M35x. and that The Infiniti M is the new standard in the category. "
------------------ It looks to me like you can't use voice commands to set an intersection as your destination or to set a city center as your destination. Am I right or am I missing something? ------------------
Unfortunately, you're right about that, but IMO and by most reports the M's voice command and NAV nonetheless beat all competitors.
I Like your numbers drtravel. That is much more in like with what I felt the vehicle should lease for! Now I just have to try to convince the dealership to go for it. Thanks! Ps: I'm lucky...I have no sales tax in my state!
Pete, I'm on your side in this argument, but I recognize just how subjective all of these comparisons really are. For example, there have been a number of M enthusiasts on this forum that hated the bourbon interior, whereas the bourbon and overall interior styling and tech features are what knocked my socks off at the Detroit auto show when I first saw the M. My salesman asked for a backup interior color and I told him it was bourbon or I'm back in a BMW--that's how strongly I felt about the issue.
I turned in a BMW X5 and had some reservations about not going back to BMW, and in some ways (road noise, feel and stereo sound in particular) I'm not sure the M is the equal of the Bimmers, again, from my subjective standpoint. Conversely, after extensive research and test driving of essentially all of the serious class competitors (excluding the Cadillac, which I do not consider to be a serious class competitor), the M was standing alone at the end. The runner up, and a fairly distant one, was the 530. The interior was just OK and the iDrive is a joke. In the end analysis, the M was just way more car for less $$$, and I wanted all wheel drive.
At any rate, the Lexus GS was the first car i drove. My immediate reaction to it was, "this is all you've got?" Very pedestrian interior styling, and not much sexier on the exterior. Of course, consistent with the Lexus way, everything was of the utmost quality, etc., but the car did NOTHING for me.
As for the Audi, it was too little for too much--that simple. Nice car, beautifully styled, but not worth 10-12k more than the M. Also, again, the M's interior can't be touched, IMHO.
What's my point? I'm not sure....sorry for the stream of consciousness ramble....
That may be stream of consciousness, but it's the kind of post I most enjoy reading here: Personal reactions to hands on comparisons, from someone I agree with. I am perfectly willing to admit that I more enjoy reading posts written by people I agree with. Although I can also enjoy debating with folks that I don't agree with.
Being a retired software developer, I'm really into software and technology, such as NAV and electronics. Infiniti's lead in this area was one of the things that first attracted me to the brand.
I think that our only difference is that you seem to be saying you like the M in the value comparison more than the absolute comparison, where as I'm fully taken by the absolute comparison.
As for color, it really is absolutely subjective, and of course can't be debated. But, just for the record, I really like the bourbon myself. Regarding the GS interior, that too is of course subjective, but I personally completely agree with your "pedestrian" characterization.
This is one interior that seems to polarize people. I also saw it at the Detroit auto show (it had more people around it than the other M with the wheat or stone interior--I can't remember which). I have it with the black exterior. Interestingly, almost every male who sees it says it looks great and is very rich (without prompting). It is usually the first thing commented on.
My wife and daughter, however, immediately expressed concern (they love the car, though). They say it looks like pumpkin (I say tobacco--although probably not as dark as typical "tobacco leather"). Obviously, since I am married, I am not showing off the interior to other women to see if there is truly a gender bias.
BTW, I have commented in the past on Verizon and bluetooth (Motorola V710). I may have been too hasty based on what I have read since then. I am going to give it a try (but I will be sure to test it fully before the 15 days are up for the full money-back guarantee). I know Verizon is being greedy regarding transfer of files and pictures and that the phone book cannot be transferred, but it may be that all other functions (phone number display for incoming calls is the biggie) might work. I will let you know. If anyone else knows what does and doesn't work, let us know.
I was in Ingolstadt taking one of six factory tours (5 in English) over the years -- since this is Headquarters, Audi has a customer delivery facility and a model display facility.
This one time, the model display facility had one of every Audi made in Silver with a Caramel interior. The next time I bought a new Audi, I tried (unsuccessfully) to order this combination. I figured "if I am willing to pay a premium for this combination, they would sell it to me." Wrong assumption.
This year, for the first time ever, I asked my local dealer if they would configure a new A4 with the Panther Black Pearl with the Amaretto interior -- the paint option alone was $2,500. I passed and further expanded my search for more cars (from all over).
The color thing, all by itself, was not the reason I finally went with the new M35X -- I ordered a Liquid Platinum (Diamond Silver from Audi) with Bourbon (Caramel or a cousin of Amaretto from Audi) -- the salesrep (the INTERNET salesrep) asked me if I had actually personally seen the Bourbon interior.
Something about this interior must be quite controversial.
Audi, to this very day, is THE master of the interior -- and were I a competitor of Audis, I would make certain I purchased sample Audis just to see how its done.
Unfortunately, I agree that, while the Audi A6 is a great car, one that I would certainly not reject (with some conditions) -- but I do agree with the previous post: the new A6 is not price competitive with the Infiniti "M." But part of the reason for this impression is that to rival the features, function AND performance of the M35X in an Audi A6, it is imperative that the A6 be configured with the 4.2, since the M35X engine is certainly more potent than the Audi 3.2 and almost as potent as the 4.2. Then, if you equip the M with Journey and Technology, you soon realize that a more or less comparable Audi 4.2 shoots to OVER $59,000.
And, one last observation, true through the A6 2004 model year -- every new model should provide equal to or greater than the performance of the previous generation (within the price point). The outgoing Audi A6 2.7T S-Line, @ ~ $49+K was quite able to "keep up with" the M35X, the incoming A6 3.2, however, cannot keep up with its almost identically priced older sibling.
Audi produced a stunning car, with a class leading interior (in fact IMHO they have for years) that just doesn't seem to have remained true to its history. The new phrase "it is better to lead than follow" [sic] is a great phrase -- yet this new A6 in many ways does "follow" (rather than lead) the previous generation A6 (in performance and value to name two characteristics) and while still striking in design and quality (again IMHO) Audi has apparently "allowed" several other Premium Performance brands (notably the Infiniti M's) to not only "catch up" but in some ways begin the process of passing them [Audi] by.
The new Infiniti, at this point of inflection, seems to be the leading candidate for the phrase "it is better to lead than to follow."
I just saw the new CAR magazine with a pictorial and write up on the new Lexus IS -- although somewhat derivative in style (looks a bit like a Pontiac in the same way that the BMW 5 looks like a Pontiac), is clearly going to give "the Germans" some stiff competition.
The new M's being what I look at as a serious first effort (at creating a car that would appeal to us German Car mavens) probably could also use the phrase "you ain't seen nothin' yet."
Upcoming M's, Lexus models, Acura models, even are poised to seriously challenge the Germans (and I am certain some will argue they already have -- indeed since I put my money down for the M after almost 30 years of Audis, I perhaps "represent that remark") -- of course all this competition will most likely continue to improve the breed (perhaps even the US manufacturers will not simply react but respond to this competition.)
I had thought Audi was seriously poised to make this new A6 "the breakout car" -- instead what they have done is create a great car that is essentially unable to lead the pack but is quite competent to be a "member of the pack."
The Bourbon interior, from my history with Audi is an example of Infiniti out Audi-ing Audi.
My street is in the map data base. When I get a mile or so from home, the system announces that I will have to refer to the map as route directions are not available. Obviously I know how to get home, but I feel a little less secure in relying on the system when going to other locations in my area.
My Audi A^ lease just ended and I'm now in an M35. My experience with Audi was superb. I switched because suddenly (except for the A8) they are totally unwilling to deal on a lease. They are currently advertising a tempting deal on an A8, but there are none around that meet the price criteria.
Another advantage the M35 has in a lease (either through Infiniti or others) is that it's a 2006. The residual on a 39 month lease is 60%, much higher than Audi.
I'm (so far) very satisified with my Infiniti, although I probably would have gotten another Audi if they showed any willingness to be competitive.
I finally got rid of my 2002 530i and picked up an M35 (Journey/Tech) yesterday. Internet purchase with approx. $2,500 off and fairly painless. I went through the Edmunds contacts and got good response in the SoCal area.
Any opinions on the extended Infiniti warranty (cost and negotiability)? I will drive at least 15,000 miles beyond the standard warranty allowance. I spent over $7,000 on the 530 after the warranty expired in less than two years. The 530i was my fourth BMW and may be the last.
As a non-techie I find the manuals overwhelming. Once I get through them I'm looking forward to driving.
Getting $2500 under MSRP on an internet purchase which was painless? Can you fill me in on where and how? I am trying to pull the trigger, but I am fighting for $1500 off which I prob won't even get!
----------------------- My street is in the map data base. When I get a mile or so from home, the system announces that I will have to refer to the map as route directions are not available. Obviously I know how to get home, but I feel a little less secure in relying on the system when going to other locations in my area. -----------------------
I've occasionally seen that behavior on some systems. My sense is that it comes from having an incorrect street detail in the map data base which, as is, provides no full path to the destination. That can sometimes be a result of street changes that have not yet been fully reflected in the data base.
If it's any comfort to you, after 40,000 miles on Q45, with a NAV a system made by the same MFR, but not as good as the one in the M, I can say thats never once happened on my Q. This leads me to believe, that you'll not likely see many recurrences of that behavior. OTOH, if you do see that happen from time to time at other locations, I'd suspect there would be a faulty part that can be replaced or repaired.
Jeff at Santa Monica Infinti was very straightforward although they may have got some back with the extended mileage lease. I should have been more aggressive regarding the lease but it was so much better than the 530i lease and I was glad to have the exact car I wanted. I didn't have much luck with the Costco plan or showroom salesmen. In fact all of the Infiniti showrooms I visited seem to do everything to destroy the shopping experience with hordes of desperate salesmen.
bought a 2006 m45 sport with tech/journey/dvd options. Blue with stone interior. It is by far the best car I've driven. I have/had a twin turbo supra, lx 470, landcruiser, two celica gt-s, and dropped off my LS 400 when I bought the M$%. Furthermore, my brother works for Toyota in design and I can order any toyota product at invoice. The M 45 is just a superior vehicle. And a value.
Great analogy Pete! Still trying to decide about MB CLS500 vs Infiniti M45. I like "new models" which includes both, as well as sporty,classy looking cars but I also want good performance and reliability! My biggest hang-up is the "prestige" factor of Infiniti.....do most people feel it is "2nd rate" compared to the other luxery brands? We all work hard for our money and I want to spend wisely, but I also want to "feel" great about what other people think as well!! Difficult,emotional decision....any thoughts about the Infinity brand/appeal? Many thanks to all!
Just traded my 2000 MB S430 for an M45 Sport. A few thoughts: -For prestige, it's hard to beat MB. If image is really important to you, score points for the CLS. No one else can judge the importance of this for you. -I went to the MBUSA web site and "built" a CLS500 with equipment comparable to my well equipped M45. The price came out to about $75,000, so the posters who said these cars are in very different categories are correct. Generally, a $75,000 car is going go have more prestige than a $55,000 car, regardless of make. There also will be fewer of them on the road. -I would have bought another MB except for their frequency of repair ratings, especially with brand new models. Even my local Mercedes dealer says there were lots of problems with the E class (which the CLS is based on), although he claims they have been corrected. Have to add that I was very happy with my S430 and with an SLK 320 I have, and plan to get an SLK 350. -The CLS is an unusually beautiful car while the M is just OK IMHO. However, the CLS has a very limited back seat. My wife really disliked the interior layout which pretty much eliminated the CLS from consideration for me. -Based on my test drive of the CLS as well as driving the E320, I think the MB cars have a smoother ride while the M45 Sport is more sports car like. -Infiniti's electronics/bells and whistles are ahead of Mercedes and (hopefully) more trouble free. -My experience with MB is that they treat customers extremely well and stand behind their products. No experience with Infiniti yet, but I bought one assuming they would also provide great service.
Pete--I'm with you on the overall comparison as well. I guess my only point was that getting the car I wanted the most for less than the others I considered made this even more of a no-brainer.
True enough re: the bourbon. I test drove a black on black M35 and my wife hated the interior. Her comments while we were driving the car seemed to unnerve my salesman a bit--perhaps that helped me get a better deal in the end. The salesman stated that he used to sell Lexus cars and women seemed to prefer them, while men seem to prefer the Infinitis (for example, I have noticed that anytime you see an FX on the road, it's a man driving it; anytime you see an RX330, it's a woman).
My wife did a 180 when she sat in my new M with the bourbon. She loves the car and thinks it is extremely comfortable, thoughtfully designed and extraordinarily tasteful. Interestingly, every person I've shown the car off to has loved the analog clock, of all things. I have always liked the trademark Infiniti clock myself, but I continue to be surprised at the type of positive effect that small, low-cost feature has on the average person.
Doc, about the V710--I live in Michigan, and I've been with Verizon since they bought Cellular One or Airtouch in 1995, whichever carrier preceded Verizon. I have always been happy with Verizon service, but have lamented the company's lame selection of hardware. Now that Verizon is scamming the consumer by disabling advertised functions, and charging more for less than the other big carriers, I am hell bent on making a change. My thought is a might wait a couple of months (since I've read that a variety of cool new phones will be coming out, and that none of them will be offered by Verizon), then move into a Cingular phone, since my understanding is that Cingular supports the full contingent of Bluetooth capabilities. For one, i think uploading the address book from your phone to the M is a huge feature--simply making and receiving calls isn't enough.
Anyway, I am a bit apprehensive about leaving Verizon but the proprietary crap and the company's "screw you Mr. Consumer" attitude have all but sealed the deal for me. What are your thoughts on other carriers?
I finally pulled the trigger and bought the M35x yesterday...In a terrential downpour no less.
While I didn't get it for the $1,500 over invoice that I had been aiming for, I managed to close the deal for $47,849 ($1,967 over invoice) so not bad all in all, and to be honest, well worth it.
Need to go back to the dealer this week for the following, because I couldn't bear to wait: Splashguards, Spoiler, and Tints (yes, included in the price above.) My only issue is that the fog lights are not working, so hopefully it's not a big problem.
I would really like to thank you regulars in here like mark, lexusguy, docnukem, so on and so forth...really every single one of ya. Researching and discussing here on Edmunds has been EXTREMELY helpful in every imaginable aspect of the car buying process. Edmunds is a resource no car buyer should be without.
Anyway, the car is awesome, getting a lot of stares, already caused a few cases of whiplash I'm sure. The only compromise I made was getting XM instead of Sirius, as I would have had to wait anywhere from 90-110 days for a car equipped with it (sirius), and I was simply not willing to wait that long. Hell, I couldn't wait a day for the spl guards, spoiler and tints, 110 was out of the question. Besides, by then the streets will be choc-full o' Ms, as it seems every print and online publication known to man is just gushing and guffawing over the car.
It's definitely nice to be one of an elite few....for the moment.
I believe Cingular probably has the best support for Bluetooth--at least from what I have read, there have been the fewest complaints and the best support. I do like Verizon's coverage and their CDMA network/technology. Correct me if I am wrong, but the GSM service is a variant of the somewhat less advanced/secure TDMA (although I believe it is probably necessary for anyone with frequent trips to Europe).
That was my plan, too--change to Cingular when my contract expired in August. If I can get Verizon to stand by their 15 day pledge (with reversion to my original contract if I am dissatisfied), I figure there is little risk.
I call only a few numbers from the car, so I don't need to transfer a huge phonebook. I also don't use a PDA (yet); the lack of transfers between the phone and a PDA is not a huge issue. As I feel most cell phone cameras are a joke, I never plan on even trying to send a photo to my computer. That's why I have a digicam.
Anyway, this is getting a little off-topic.
Do you notice any gender preference for the bourbon interior? I only have a sample of two females (which is far from statistically significant).
Just picked up my 2006 M45 Sport , Liquid Platinum with the Bourbon interior. My last 2 new cars have been silver also , but with black interiors. I found it very distinctive and different. Could care less if someone thinks it's feminine , but I have to say my wife LOVES it !! Still trying to figure out all the options , very nice car with plenty of power !!
Congrats Rich! I hope to be joining you soon with a Blk/Blk M35x with spoiler.
What do the splashguards look like? I can't find a pic anywhere.
Also, how hard was it to get the price you got? I am having difficulty getting a deal on the car-- I can get $1000 below MSRP- and nobody ever talked about tints or anything. How did you get the deal, and what region of the country can you get that deal, if you don't mind my asking?
---------------------- do most people feel it is "2nd rate" compared to the other luxery brands? ----------------------
I personally don't feel that the prestige factor is second rate. People are generally very impressed with my 2003 Q45. In fact I feel like I get more attention with my Q, than I did with my previous LS430. Additionally, The M keeps getting such knock out reviews that its prestige can be expected to continue growing rapidly. JMHO.
---------------------- I also want to "feel" great about what other people think as well!! ----------------------
An unusually honest statement.
I feel the same way, and I'm not all that proud of it. Nonetheless, I do feel that way.
I also want to take some pride in the intelligence of my decisions. I know that if I get a MB and end up with numerous trips to the shop, or if I feel frustrated with the NAV system etc., I'm damn well going to feel like an idiot for having made that decision.
Take a look at the navigation data map from Zenrin, the makers of Infiniti's Nav system. Some areas of the country don't have full route data for streets down to the residential level. Here is the link
i will be ordering the m35x sometime in july but i cant stop thinking about it from now. I will get blk/blk tech/journey package. Has anyone seen the M with a spoiler? If so how does it look...Also, how do the chrome wheels look in person? Being a 27year old in NY the sportier the car looks the better. thanks for any input
hey lawdawgmi, that was a great post. I enjoy messages like those the most.
I really like the Bourbon and greatly prefer rosewood to aluminum. I’ve yet to see the two together, and have heard broadly varying comments on the blend. Some folks have said they think it looks terrific, and others absolutely hated it.
Of those who like the bourbon in the first place, and have seen it with the rosewood, what’s your reaction to the two together?
Took my first test drive on Saturday of the M35 (both the sport and non-sport).
If the sport model I drove is typical, it had way too much road feel. It felt like continuous bumps. Maybe it was the tires because the "bumps" were very uniform. Tire pressure showed 30, 33, 32, 33 (left to right...front to back)
The non-sport was very smooth, but I prefer the look of the aluminum trim and the 19" wheels which come with the sport.
So...I will definitely have to drive the sport model again.
Rear View Mirror - I like the journey package, but be sure to check out the difference in the rear view mirror. The journey package comes with a different rear view mirror than the basic model (no option package). The mirror on the basic is larger and gives better visibility, but it does not come with compass.
Exterior colors IMHO...
Liquid Platinum - I was very disappointed...thought it really looked good in pictures, but in person it looks like a basic silver...nothing special. (The celestial silver on the Acura RL beats the liquid platinum hands down).
Crimson/Red - IMO it needs to be lighter or brighter
Diamond Graphite - again just a basic gray color...nothing special
Blue - ok, but nothing special
Black - looks good (as always...usually)
Ivory Pearl / White - This color looked very good on the M35.
Apparently a price increase is coming on May 1st. This is for all Infinitis including the M. I'm not sure how much, but they did this around this time last year, and it was a few hundred bucks.
After going back to the infiniti site, i found the aero kit under the accessories options. I think its awesome especially, if you want to make the car look sportier. I think its perfect. Has anyone seen it? thanks
Comments
In summary, IMHO, they are in truly different categories and not really comparable. Your dilemma though is one I wouldn't mind facing.
If you're looking for a head turner then the CLS is a good choice. On the other hand, if you're looking for value, driving pleasure, and reliability the M would be my choice.
As an aside, it is interesting how much emotion plays in to the car buying process. The posters in this forum generally seem to be more objective than most. The worst case I know of where emotion overwhelmed objectivity is a guy that I worked with several years ago who had narrowed down his new car choices to a Jaguar and a Jeep Wrangler. He eventually bought the Wrangler because he "wanted something that would hold up through all of the potholes on his way to work." It boggles the mind.
The Infiniti Financial Services (IFS) money rate for 15K, 39 months is 0.00175 (59% residual) with security deposit of about a month's payment. Sometimes the worksheet says 1.75 but it's the same number. Without the security deposit the money rate increases to 0.00190. Dealer's often mark this up to increase their profits - but's it's negotiable.
A M35X with the Premium Package has a MSRP of $53,510. If you paid this and decided not to pay a security deposit, the lease would be $724.19 plus tax using the base IFS numbers. With a security deposit the payment drops to $711.43 plus tax.
Hope this helps
I have contacted Infiniti asking whether the software could be obsolete. The car is a week old.
Any one else with similar issues.
$53,519 MSRP negotiated selling price of $51,000
39 Months/15K miles, no security deposit and nothing down - always go for the smallest possible drive-off - just first month's payment, acquisition fee and licenses.
negotiated money rate of 0.00190 - that's what IFS offers
Monthly payment is $655.06 plus tax (don't know what tax rate to use)
Looks like your dealer wants full price plus added interest income - ask him what kind of family vacation you are paying for.
I have my decision down to the above mentioned cars. I am aware that some people may think they are not equal but I think the Infiniti has great value but I love the new MB coupe design (I dislike the MB interior however, as Infiniti interior much nicer). Any thoughts about the two? MB seems to be" more prestigious" and very "different" but Infiniti has many "bells and whistles" that are appealing. Also the MB is about 10g more then a fully loaded M45. Which will turn heads more? Any input would be appreciated!
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Your question is one I’ve thought about quite a bit lately, since the only cars I’ve been considering are the same. And I thought I was the only one anywhere to be comparing these two. As others have said the price difference is much greater than you thought. But for me the issue is not so much bang for buck, as it is total enjoyment and satisfaction.
Here are the issues as I now see them:
CLS 500
Clearly wins big in head turning and prestige. Issues which really do count IMO.
M45
IMO wins big in EVERYTHING else.
- Performance. Reviewers have gone consistently gaga about the cars absolutely perfect engine, transmission, suspension, rigidity and handling. OTOH, I’ve seen numerous reviewers complain about the CLS “intelligent” transmission screwing things up big time.
- Electronics. M’s navigation, electronics and sound are really the best in the industry and incredibly cool. The MB nav, electronics and sound have always been average to very poor IMO. Voice control on the M is much better. M is just killer in so many ways. I love the one click access and easy visibility of every possible control, and bluetooth for MY choice of phone as opposed to the CLS’s limitation to the ONE MB phone. Also, I personally prefer XM and MB has only Sirius.
- Reliability. My wife’s CLK has had numerous annoying problems, which really gives me some contempt for MB. My Q has been just about perfect for three years. Of course, this has been well documented elsewhere.
- Space: You’ll never get more than 4 people in a CLS, and they’ll have MUCH less space than in an M45. The M's space, like everything else is really best in class.
What it really comes down to for me is: Do I want a girl friend who gets ALL the stares when we walk into a room or do I want a girl friend who’s actually way more fun in the bedroom, way more fun to be with, and is a very good looker in her own right.
I think I want the latter but I’m still working on it.
Pete
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Hmm -- Freudian slip?!?
The iPod playlist does not show up on the LCD. When the iPod is plugged in, you have to select DVD and then AUX from the CD-DVD selector. This only works as an audio pass-through to the car's sound system (and amplifier). I have a high quality mini-plug to RCA cable (Belkin, Monster, etc). WHen I am using the iPod, I keep it on the seat, console, cup holder. There is a space under the center console top door, near the latch, that the cable can pass through while the console is closed. Works well enough for me.
I would love an interface where the iPod playlist could be seen and controlled through the DVD LCD screen but it does not seem to exist (not for Infiniti). If you have any better solution, let me know.
P.S. Lexus does not have capability. The only way to get an iPod to connected directly, is through an FM transmitter. Definitively subpar compared to a direct line-feed solution.
for me, the 545 is the serious headturner (looks great, drives awsome) , but the interior is a turn-off, kind of like a knockout date who chews with her mouth open or picks her teeth in public.
my opinion is that the lexus and audi are better choices, good (not excellend) in most categories. i know this is a m45 forum, and i apologize in advance, but the 45's interior (too much emphasis on the controller and surrounding plastic buttons) is like the she-thing you wake up with after drinking too much.
OK ladies.... your turn.
I am somewhat disappointed that my Nav system can't give me route direction to my 8 year old house in a subdivision. It also is lacking in preloaded info on restaurants, shopping, etc
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Sorry to hear about your NAV issues. Let me share my experience.
I've extensively used NAV from Infiniti, MB, BMW, Lexus, GM Escalade, Hertz NeverLost, and TomTom. And have additionally researched many others. I find that every single one is always missing SOME streets, and some POI's. However in all my experience, Infiniti's is the best in the industry in just about every way. It's map detail and accuracy compares very favorably to every one of them, as do it's points of interest. The M's Nav also beats them all royally in voice command, general flexibility, depth of features, display detail and precision, and many other criteria. It's one of my top 5 reasons why I prefer Infiniti to other cars in general.
I know that doesn't help much when you can't do what you need to do. Some times a map data base may actually have your street but be unable to locate it for a couple of addressable issues.
- First question. When you're showing the NAV map and driving on the street by your house, does the Map show you on any street, and does it have any name for it? Try choosing "where am I" to see if it knows where you are. If you had been trying to find your home using "street address" it could be failing for many reasons.
Generally, when you can't find a street in the system you should try the following:
- Do you have the correct region/state/city? (There's a chance that this could be your current problem.)
- Try a street name with and without spaces i.e Foxhill vs. Fox Hill, I've seen systems that actually had street names but were listed with these kinds of errors.
- Try with or without prefixes or suffixes. i.e. North Lane street could be found in some systems searching for Lane and others for North Lane With Infiniti systems usually you would exclude a prefix when searching (though you'll see it the candidate list), but in any system, some streets could potentially go either way.
- Try with and without City, some systems have had some streets in the wrong cities in border line situations.
Pete
The interior fit and finish is a little nicer on the Lexus 300 awd GS,
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Just for the record, that's an opinion with which many disagree. Several posters on one of lexus forums have found the fit and and finish to be lacking, with obvious misfits and irregular distances around the nav screen buttons. USA today found many of the lexus controls inconvenient to get to and hard to read, and Detroit News gave the nod to the M over the GS in interior. Personally, I greatly prefer the M's very readable controls with instant access to every function. I also find the GS interior to be more minimalist with the M's having much more character.
Of course this is a matter of taste, with which reasonable people can disagree.
Pete
I'm about ready to purchase a M45 with most of the options in Honolulu.
Where do you live? Do you think the dealer in your town will sell the car for 3000 - 4000 less than the MSRP?
Shipping to Honolulu from west coast is $899
Thanks.
my opinion is that the lexus and Audi are better choices, good (not excellent) in most categories. i know this is a m45 forum, and i apologize in advance, but the 45's interior (too much emphasis on the controller and surrounding plastic buttons) is like the she-thing you wake up with after drinking too much.
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Have no concern, I will defend to my death your right to express your extremely poor taste.:)
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my opinion is that the lexus and Audi are better choices,
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Regarding your comparisons check out these reviewer comments:
The USA Today says "The Audi would have been impressive but for time spent recently in the Infiniti M35x. and that The Infiniti M is the new standard in the category. "
They also say that the "Infiniti M35x did, in fact, feel sweet in all circumstances and was better to drive in every meaningful way than other cars in the category," that the M is what the BMW should have been and that the Lexus GS falls short of Infiniti M.
The M was also vastly preferred by Car and Driver in their 8 car sports sedan comparo, Motor Trend with their GS430 vs M45 comparison and their March V6 comparo where the M won, beating Audi, BMW, jaguar, and MB, as well as by the Detroit News which said "The M is a standout over the GS in just about every way"
But hey, you're entitled to your opinion.
It looks to me like you can't use voice commands to set an intersection as your destination or to set a city center as your destination. Am I right or am I missing something?
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Unfortunately, you're right about that, but IMO and by most reports the M's voice command and NAV nonetheless beat all competitors.
Pete
Thanks!
Ps: I'm lucky...I have no sales tax in my state!
DVD-Audi
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Hmm -- Freudian slip?!?
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I thought it was quite appropriate, coming from Mark.
I turned in a BMW X5 and had some reservations about not going back to BMW, and in some ways (road noise, feel and stereo sound in particular) I'm not sure the M is the equal of the Bimmers, again, from my subjective standpoint. Conversely, after extensive research and test driving of essentially all of the serious class competitors (excluding the Cadillac, which I do not consider to be a serious class competitor), the M was standing alone at the end. The runner up, and a fairly distant one, was the 530. The interior was just OK and the iDrive is a joke. In the end analysis, the M was just way more car for less $$$, and I wanted all wheel drive.
At any rate, the Lexus GS was the first car i drove. My immediate reaction to it was, "this is all you've got?" Very pedestrian interior styling, and not much sexier on the exterior. Of course, consistent with the Lexus way, everything was of the utmost quality, etc., but the car did NOTHING for me.
As for the Audi, it was too little for too much--that simple. Nice car, beautifully styled, but not worth 10-12k more than the M. Also, again, the M's interior can't be touched, IMHO.
What's my point? I'm not sure....sorry for the stream of consciousness ramble....
That may be stream of consciousness, but it's the kind of post I most enjoy reading here: Personal reactions to hands on comparisons, from someone I agree with. I am perfectly willing to admit that I more enjoy reading posts written by people I agree with. Although I can also enjoy debating with folks that I don't agree with.
Being a retired software developer, I'm really into software and technology, such as NAV and electronics. Infiniti's lead in this area was one of the things that first attracted me to the brand.
I think that our only difference is that you seem to be saying you like the M in the value comparison more than the absolute comparison, where as I'm fully taken by the absolute comparison.
As for color, it really is absolutely subjective, and of course can't be debated. But, just for the record, I really like the bourbon myself. Regarding the GS interior, that too is of course subjective, but I personally completely agree with your "pedestrian" characterization.
Pete
My wife and daughter, however, immediately expressed concern (they love the car, though). They say it looks like pumpkin (I say tobacco--although probably not as dark as typical "tobacco leather"). Obviously, since I am married, I am not showing off the interior to other women to see if there is truly a gender bias.
BTW, I have commented in the past on Verizon and bluetooth (Motorola V710). I may have been too hasty based on what I have read since then. I am going to give it a try (but I will be sure to test it fully before the 15 days are up for the full money-back guarantee). I know Verizon is being greedy regarding transfer of files and pictures and that the phone book cannot be transferred, but it may be that all other functions (phone number display for incoming calls is the biggie) might work. I will let you know. If anyone else knows what does and doesn't work, let us know.
This one time, the model display facility had one of every Audi made in Silver with a Caramel interior. The next time I bought a new Audi, I tried (unsuccessfully) to order this combination. I figured "if I am willing to pay a premium for this combination, they would sell it to me." Wrong assumption.
This year, for the first time ever, I asked my local dealer if they would configure a new A4 with the Panther Black Pearl with the Amaretto interior -- the paint option alone was $2,500. I passed and further expanded my search for more cars (from all over).
The color thing, all by itself, was not the reason I finally went with the new M35X -- I ordered a Liquid Platinum (Diamond Silver from Audi) with Bourbon (Caramel or a cousin of Amaretto from Audi) -- the salesrep (the INTERNET salesrep) asked me if I had actually personally seen the Bourbon interior.
Something about this interior must be quite controversial.
Audi, to this very day, is THE master of the interior -- and were I a competitor of Audis, I would make certain I purchased sample Audis just to see how its done.
Unfortunately, I agree that, while the Audi A6 is a great car, one that I would certainly not reject (with some conditions) -- but I do agree with the previous post: the new A6 is not price competitive with the Infiniti "M." But part of the reason for this impression is that to rival the features, function AND performance of the M35X in an Audi A6, it is imperative that the A6 be configured with the 4.2, since the M35X engine is certainly more potent than the Audi 3.2 and almost as potent as the 4.2. Then, if you equip the M with Journey and Technology, you soon realize that a more or less comparable Audi 4.2 shoots to OVER $59,000.
And, one last observation, true through the A6 2004 model year -- every new model should provide equal to or greater than the performance of the previous generation (within the price point). The outgoing Audi A6 2.7T S-Line, @ ~ $49+K was quite able to "keep up with" the M35X, the incoming A6 3.2, however, cannot keep up with its almost identically priced older sibling.
Audi produced a stunning car, with a class leading interior (in fact IMHO they have for years) that just doesn't seem to have remained true to its history. The new phrase "it is better to lead than follow" [sic] is a great phrase -- yet this new A6 in many ways does "follow" (rather than lead) the previous generation A6 (in performance and value to name two characteristics) and while still striking in design and quality (again IMHO) Audi has apparently "allowed" several other Premium Performance brands (notably the Infiniti M's) to not only "catch up" but in some ways begin the process of passing them [Audi] by.
The new Infiniti, at this point of inflection, seems to be the leading candidate for the phrase "it is better to lead than to follow."
I just saw the new CAR magazine with a pictorial and write up on the new Lexus IS -- although somewhat derivative in style (looks a bit like a Pontiac in the same way that the BMW 5 looks like a Pontiac), is clearly going to give "the Germans" some stiff competition.
The new M's being what I look at as a serious first effort (at creating a car that would appeal to us German Car mavens) probably could also use the phrase "you ain't seen nothin' yet."
Upcoming M's, Lexus models, Acura models, even are poised to seriously challenge the Germans (and I am certain some will argue they already have -- indeed since I put my money down for the M after almost 30 years of Audis, I perhaps "represent that remark") -- of course all this competition will most likely continue to improve the breed (perhaps even the US manufacturers will not simply react but respond to this competition.)
I had thought Audi was seriously poised to make this new A6 "the breakout car" -- instead what they have done is create a great car that is essentially unable to lead the pack but is quite competent to be a "member of the pack."
The Bourbon interior, from my history with Audi is an example of Infiniti out Audi-ing Audi.
I appreciate your feed back.
Another advantage the M35 has in a lease (either through Infiniti or others) is that it's a 2006. The residual on a 39 month lease is 60%, much higher than Audi.
I'm (so far) very satisified with my Infiniti, although I probably would have gotten another Audi if they showed any willingness to be competitive.
Any opinions on the extended Infiniti warranty (cost and negotiability)? I will drive at least 15,000 miles beyond the standard warranty allowance. I spent over $7,000 on the 530 after the warranty expired in less than two years. The 530i was my fourth BMW and may be the last.
As a non-techie I find the manuals overwhelming. Once I get through them I'm looking forward to driving.
My street is in the map data base. When I get a mile or so from home, the system announces that I will have to refer to the map as route directions are not available. Obviously I know how to get home, but I feel a little less secure in relying on the system when going to other locations in my area.
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I've occasionally seen that behavior on some systems. My sense is that it comes from having an incorrect street detail in the map data base which, as is, provides no full path to the destination. That can sometimes be a result of street changes that have not yet been fully reflected in the data base.
If it's any comfort to you, after 40,000 miles on Q45, with a NAV a system made by the same MFR, but not as good as the one in the M, I can say thats never once happened on my Q. This leads me to believe, that you'll not likely see many recurrences of that behavior. OTOH, if you do see that happen from time to time at other locations, I'd suspect there would be a faulty part that can be replaced or repaired.
Pete
Still trying to decide about MB CLS500 vs Infiniti M45. I like "new models" which includes both, as well as sporty,classy looking cars but I also want good performance and reliability! My biggest hang-up is the "prestige" factor of Infiniti.....do most people feel it is "2nd rate" compared to the other luxery brands? We all work hard for our money and I want to spend wisely, but I also want to "feel" great about what other people think as well!! Difficult,emotional decision....any thoughts about the Infinity brand/appeal?
Many thanks to all!
-For prestige, it's hard to beat MB. If image is really important to you, score points for the CLS. No one else can judge the importance of this for you.
-I went to the MBUSA web site and "built" a CLS500 with equipment comparable to my well equipped M45. The price came out to about $75,000, so the posters who said these cars are in very different categories are correct. Generally, a $75,000 car is going go have more prestige than a $55,000 car, regardless of make. There also will be fewer of them on the road.
-I would have bought another MB except for their frequency of repair ratings, especially with brand new models. Even my local Mercedes dealer says there were lots of problems with the E class (which the CLS is based on), although he claims they have been corrected. Have to add that I was very happy with my S430 and with an SLK 320 I have, and plan to get an SLK 350.
-The CLS is an unusually beautiful car while the M is just OK IMHO. However, the CLS has a very limited back seat. My wife really disliked the interior layout which pretty much eliminated the CLS from consideration for me.
-Based on my test drive of the CLS as well as driving the E320, I think the MB cars have a smoother ride while the M45 Sport is more sports car like.
-Infiniti's electronics/bells and whistles are ahead of Mercedes and (hopefully) more trouble free.
-My experience with MB is that they treat customers extremely well and stand behind their products. No experience with Infiniti yet, but I bought one assuming they would also provide great service.
My wife did a 180 when she sat in my new M with the bourbon. She loves the car and thinks it is extremely comfortable, thoughtfully designed and extraordinarily tasteful. Interestingly, every person I've shown the car off to has loved the analog clock, of all things. I have always liked the trademark Infiniti clock myself, but I continue to be surprised at the type of positive effect that small, low-cost feature has on the average person.
Doc, about the V710--I live in Michigan, and I've been with Verizon since they bought Cellular One or Airtouch in 1995, whichever carrier preceded Verizon. I have always been happy with Verizon service, but have lamented the company's lame selection of hardware. Now that Verizon is scamming the consumer by disabling advertised functions, and charging more for less than the other big carriers, I am hell bent on making a change. My thought is a might wait a couple of months (since I've read that a variety of cool new phones will be coming out, and that none of them will be offered by Verizon), then move into a Cingular phone, since my understanding is that Cingular supports the full contingent of Bluetooth capabilities. For one, i think uploading the address book from your phone to the M is a huge feature--simply making and receiving calls isn't enough.
Anyway, I am a bit apprehensive about leaving Verizon but the proprietary crap and the company's "screw you Mr. Consumer" attitude have all but sealed the deal for me. What are your thoughts on other carriers?
While I didn't get it for the $1,500 over invoice that I had been aiming for, I managed to close the deal for $47,849 ($1,967 over invoice) so not bad all in all, and to be honest, well worth it.
M35x, Journey, Tech, Splashguards, Spoiler, Blk/Blk, Rosewood.
Need to go back to the dealer this week for the following, because I couldn't bear to wait:
Splashguards, Spoiler, and Tints (yes, included in the price above.)
My only issue is that the fog lights are not working, so hopefully it's not a big problem.
I would really like to thank you regulars in here like mark, lexusguy, docnukem, so on and so forth...really every single one of ya. Researching and discussing here on Edmunds has been EXTREMELY helpful in every imaginable aspect of the car buying process. Edmunds is a resource no car buyer should be without.
Anyway, the car is awesome, getting a lot of stares, already caused a few cases of whiplash I'm sure. The only compromise I made was getting XM instead of Sirius, as I would have had to wait anywhere from 90-110 days for a car equipped with it (sirius), and I was simply not willing to wait that long. Hell, I couldn't wait a day for the spl guards, spoiler and tints, 110 was out of the question. Besides, by then the streets will be choc-full o' Ms, as it seems every print and online publication known to man is just gushing and guffawing over the car.
It's definitely nice to be one of an elite few....for the moment.
That was my plan, too--change to Cingular when my contract expired in August. If I can get Verizon to stand by their 15 day pledge (with reversion to my original contract if I am dissatisfied), I figure there is little risk.
I call only a few numbers from the car, so I don't need to transfer a huge phonebook. I also don't use a PDA (yet); the lack of transfers between the phone and a PDA is not a huge issue. As I feel most cell phone cameras are a joke, I never plan on even trying to send a photo to my computer. That's why I have a digicam.
Anyway, this is getting a little off-topic.
Do you notice any gender preference for the bourbon interior? I only have a sample of two females (which is far from statistically significant).
I hope to be joining you soon with a Blk/Blk M35x with spoiler.
What do the splashguards look like? I can't find a pic anywhere.
Also, how hard was it to get the price you got? I am having difficulty getting a deal on the car-- I can get $1000 below MSRP- and nobody ever talked about tints or anything. How did you get the deal, and what region of the country can you get that deal, if you don't mind my asking?
do most people feel it is "2nd rate" compared to the other luxery brands?
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I personally don't feel that the prestige factor is second rate. People are generally very impressed with my 2003 Q45. In fact I feel like I get more attention with my Q, than I did with my previous LS430. Additionally, The M keeps getting such knock out reviews that its prestige can be expected to continue growing rapidly. JMHO.
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I also want to "feel" great about what other people think as well!!
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An unusually honest statement.
I feel the same way, and I'm not all that proud of it. Nonetheless, I do feel that way.
I also want to take some pride in the intelligence of my decisions. I know that if I get a MB and end up with numerous trips to the shop, or if I feel frustrated with the NAV system etc., I'm damn well going to feel like an idiot for having made that decision.
Pete
Zenrin nav map
It does appear they improve coverage with every release.
hey lawdawgmi, that was a great post. I enjoy messages like those the most.
Of those who like the bourbon in the first place, and have seen it with the rosewood, what’s your reaction to the two together?
Pete
If the sport model I drove is typical, it had way too much road feel. It felt like continuous bumps. Maybe it was the tires because the "bumps" were very uniform. Tire pressure showed 30, 33, 32, 33 (left to right...front to back)
The non-sport was very smooth, but I prefer the look of the aluminum trim and the 19" wheels which come with the sport.
So...I will definitely have to drive the sport model again.
Rear View Mirror - I like the journey package, but be sure to check out the difference in the rear view mirror. The journey package comes with a different rear view mirror than the basic model (no option package). The mirror on the basic is larger and gives better visibility, but it does not come with compass.
Exterior colors IMHO...
Liquid Platinum - I was very disappointed...thought it really looked good in pictures, but in person it looks like a basic silver...nothing special. (The celestial silver on the Acura RL beats the liquid platinum hands down).
Crimson/Red - IMO it needs to be lighter or brighter
Diamond Graphite - again just a basic gray color...nothing special
Blue - ok, but nothing special
Black - looks good (as always...usually)
Ivory Pearl / White - This color looked very good on the M35.