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Comments
Bones
I'm the one that posted and actually I don't believe I am wrong. The Section 179 write off gives you accelerated depreciation ONLY; it doesn't incrase the total you can write off. And you are subject to recapture if you don't own the vehicle long enough to fully depreciate it.
If you accelerate $30K of depreciation, over three years what is it worth at today's interest rates? ( Hint: at Money-Market rate of 2% it's $1836).
SO, do you want to go out and buy a more expensive car because you can save $1800 approximately? The savings are eaten up by the increased cost. i say, buy for what you want, not for the tax code.
I was there for approximately 3 hours and noticed that the 3 Infiniti FXs had very few people congragating around them. There were 2 FX35s in white and silver and one FX45 in Black. I love the stling and the FX may be simply geared to a very individualistic clientel. They also had two G35 coupes which seemed to be popular with the attendees.
The new BMW X3 was also at the show and to my eye was very cheap looking. Especially the interior which reaked of cheap plastic. The 3.0 engine started about $36,000 with the options quickly moving the price into the stratospere. There did not seem to be much interest in the new SUV.
The biggest attention getters in the show were the new Mazda RX8, the Nissan 350Z, the Scion products from Toyota, the Mercedes AMG SL, the exotic car display featuring the new Lamborgini Gayordo, ( spelled wrong ), and the Bentley GT.
It was great to see that there was virtually no price increase for 2004 and the nice refinements to the 2004 model. Hopefully Infiniti has also addressed the complaints regarding thin paint, rattles, squeaks, and other minor annoyances.
It was tested twice, though, since the driver frontal airbag deployed late. A recall to adjust the airbag deployment software is looming:
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has evaluated the crashworthiness of the FX in two 40 mph frontal offset crash tests into deformable barriers. In the first test, the driver frontal airbag deployed late, with the result that high forces were recorded on the dummy's head, indicating the likelihood of head injuries. This led Infiniti to modify the frontal airbag deployment characteristics on models produced after September 10, 2003. Also, Infiniti will initiate a service campaign to modify at its cost vehicles produced earlier. The Institute tested a second FX with the modified driver airbag, and the airbag inflated much earlier. Ratings of the FX are based on the results of the second test, except structural performance is based on both tests. Head restraint and bumper designs are evaluated separately.
"INJURY MEASURES: HEAD ACCEPTABLE Measures taken from the neck, chest, and both legs indicate low risk of injuries to these body regions. However, head acceleration was high when the dummy's head bottomed out the airbag and struck the steering wheel, indicating the possibility of head injury."
This seems like a description of a problem with early firing of the airbags that according to IIHS was fixed in the second round of testing. Any ideas?
head acceleration was high when the dummy's head bottomed out the airbag and struck the steering wheel, indicating the possibility of head injury
That quote seems that more consistent with an airbag firing late rather than early?
Make : INFINITI Model : FX35/45 Year : 2003
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number : 03V476000 Recall Date : NOV 07, 2003
Component: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
Potential Number Of Units Affected : 24300
Summary:
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE FRONT BRAKE CALIPER MOUNTING BOLTS MAY NOT BE ADEQUATELY TIGHTENED. THIS COULD RESULT IN THE UPPER MOUNTING BOLT COMING LOOSE AND FALLING OUT.
Consequence:
IF THIS OCCURS, IT WOULD ALLOW THE CALIPER TO ROTATE ON THE LOWER MOUNTING BOLT AND CONTACT THE INSIDE OF THE ROAD WHEEL, RESULTING IN NOTICEABLE NOISE AND VIBRATION. IF THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO BE DRIVEN IN THIS CONDITION, THE LOWER MOUNTING BOLT COULD ALSO COME LOOSE AND FALL OUT, RESULTING IN SEPARATION OF THE BRAKE CALIPER FROM THE MOUNTING BRACKET. THIS COULD DAMAGE THE BRAKE HOSE TO THE CALIPER OR DAMAGE THE ROAD WHEEL, CAUSING AN AIR LEAK FROM THE TIRE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy:
DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THE FRONT BRAKE CALIPER MOUNTING BOLTS TO ENSURE THAT THEY ARE SECURE. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JANUARY 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT INFINITI AT 1-800-662-6200.
Notes:
CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION’S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
I think that the units affected have a build date of November 2002 to July 2003. Darn, those Infiniti assemblers don't tighten bolts very well. First, loose bolts in the tranny and now, loose bolts in the brakes. Oh yeah, the airbag ECM recall also due to the IIHS crash test.
While I have not driven the stock 20 inch tires in snow, I have heard from others that they manage OK but are not great. This is typical of any "all season" tread but when you combine it with a lower profile, more performance-oriented tire it will always be a compromise over what a dedicated winter tire will provide.
One other bonus of the taller, 18 inch winter tire is that they really help smooth out the bumps better especially in winter when the roads become a little rougher and the car's components become stiffer. Plus your more expensive summer tires will last that much longer if they are not being used 4 months a year.
Whcih snow tires do you use on your FX and how much did you pay for them.
Thanks.
For peace of mind and safety reasons I also purchased a set for my wife's car, an RX330. Same brand but due to sizing/availability her's are WS-50's in a 235/55-18.
On another subject: I made an appt. to have the ECM airbag reprogrammed and the dealer was well aware of the recall but they had not heard anything about the front caliper bolt announcement referenced in an earlier post....FYI.
Krodren
You have to program each remote to the seat memory (1 or 2) then when you open the doors the seat will hold those presets otherwise it will go back to whatever the last position was. Luckily my wife and I are of similar height so I have only programmed my settings. As I recall you must set all your presets store them in one of the memory settings and then hold your remote close to the seat to program it. I do not have access to my owners manual maybe someone else could help you out more with the specifics. I am also assuming this is the same for non tech cars as I have the tech package.
to set the memory of the seat, steering wheel/instrument cluster and sideview mirrors...
1.set everything up to your liking
2.with the key turned to the "on" position
3.press and hold the set button for a count of three
4.then press and hold button 1 or 2 for a count of three
now to link the memory (1 or 2) to the keyless remote...within 5 seconds of setting the memory, press and hold the unlock button on the specific remote.
good luck
I live 75 miles from the dealer. I must take the vehicle back for a warped hatch, a defective airbag, and an unattached brake rotor which can kill me & my family if I apply the brakes !
Two hours gettng there, Four hours repair, two hours to home -- for each defect. My dealer hasn't heard about the airbag & brake thing yet !!
MAKE ME AN OFFER !!
Duffer7
I've had all these things(except brake caliper) done to my FX and while it may be a Pain to have them done I wouldn't sell my FX over it. What you gonna buy instead a BMW or Touareg?? It is a first year model and will have some problems but all mine have been fixed and I love my car.
The air bag and brake caliper bolt are recent issues, so the dealers may not have all of the info just yet. Both of these should be able to be completed in under 30 minutes together. If you are worried about "an unattached brake rotor which can kill me & my family if I apply the brakes", (actually it is a caliper bolt that may not have been correctly torqued), have a local mechanic inspect the caliper bolts on the front brakes - or if your handy, check them yourself.
As far as the hatch goes, have the dealer order a replacement, and have all (3) issues completed together.
If all else fails, maybe I'll buy it, but only for cheap - it's got a lot of problems!
Final question (remember it's non-tech pkg): Do I have to push the 1 or 2 button every time before I turn the key? Or--aha!--does the keyfob only work on the seats when I use it to unlock the door? Meaning I'd have to push a button if I got into the car when it was unlocked?
I'm a little dissappointed I can't have the door locks set to lock automatically when I reach a predetermined speed. Service tells me none of the Infinity models have that capability.
Love the car so far, and it seems the 60 series tires do soften the ride just a bit. :-)
Roll
How does the FX45 compare? I didn't want to be getting that far up there in price, but I don't want to spend $40k+ and not be thrilled.
I almost want to go back and drive another one. Maybe there was something wrong with that one. I'm so disappointed. I also noticed that the seats are a little narrow. Too bad... so sad.
How does the FX45 compare? I didn't want to be getting that far up there in price, but I don't want to spend $40k+ and not be thrilled.
I almost want to go back and drive another one. Maybe there was something wrong with that one. I'm so disappointed. I also noticed that the seats are a little narrow. Too bad... so sad.
The FX45 is quicker than the FX35 for certain, but you may have to go with the 450 hp Cayenne Turbo to approach your mighty Tundra.
Good luck....
Oh BTW I'm 6'2" & weigh 240 & the seats fit me perfectly fine. Too narrow you say, hmmm.
gibo- You gotta be kidding. Drive another one that's bs that it needs to be broken in. I'd find another dealer too if they are telling you things like that.