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The FX 45 has more torque but I am not dissappointed in the power of the FX 35 at all. In fact I think it's quick in traffic; pleanty fast enough for around town. My summer driver is a supercharged 2.7 Boxster (0 to 60 5.2) so it's not like I'm comparing the FX35 to my mothers old sedan.
Things for Infinity to improve: (Now that I've had the car for a few days.)
Outside mirrors should be antiglare/self dimming just like the inside mirror. Other manufacturers do it.
There should be an option to have all doors lock at a preset speed.
Those are nitpicky items though and I am very satisified with the vehiicle.
Roll
How can I keep the dealers from going on the test drives with me? That's annoying. I'm guessing it's because I'm young and it's obvious from my license that I'm in the military. (translation: they think I can't afford it)
And anyone heard about the QX56? Is the pricing supposed to be like the QX4? When is that big boy supposed to be available?
As far as taking the car for a drive yourself, ask the dealer about a BCC (Borrowed Car Agreement). My local dealer let me take a car for a couple of hours on one.
Thank God my 45 has "manual" locking.
Also, the other poster is correct about Enterprise having them for rent. They are mostly for use as service loaners but if you call your local offices they should be able to get one for you to rent for a day or two so you can give it a real test drive without a salesman.
So far (10,800 miles) the Infiniti ownership experience has been great!
It just seems (based on the amazingly cheap plastic interior) that the X3 is WAY overpriced, even if the ride was good. Also like nearly all first-year German SUV's (Merc M, VW Toureg, and the X5 before it) that the X3 will surely be much less reliable than the FX.
The vehicle is listed as a truck by my insurance company and motor vehicle. That is OK with me, since if they ever classify it as a sport car, insurance would be expensive.
DVD my kids enjoy. Wife drove it part of the way and was extremely impressed by the ease of handling and power. Getting on the highway is a breeze.
NAV system is simple to use as well as the other controls. Average about ~20 miles per gallon on the trip as per the computer. Knowing the tire pressure is must feature.
It is geared towards performance and get it. No issues to report.
My FX45 "bugs":
1. wind noise from drivers side mirror
2. rattles and creaking sounds in driver door
3. cruise control some times does not engage to hold speed constant (even at over 50 mph)
4. headlight angle control wheel buzz noise (rattles)
5. turn signal a little on the loud side (this is a nit, but it still is annoying).
6. some of the menu-navigation design is awkward, and the requirement to respond to the system EACH time you start your car is a real pain - but I understand the legal reasons.
I do love this car, but Infiniti seems to have some rattle/creaking problems with their doors and "roller/wheel" switches on many models - I had same problems with a 2001 QX4.
The headlight roller switch is making more and more noise, so I may have to take it in for repair even though it apparently requires disassembling a lot of the dash - which can lead to new noises.
By the way, Infiniti is FANTASTIC with their service to try to fix noises and other problems, but it is costly for me wrt time (it usually takes several trips to the dealer to solve a rattle problem).
Thanks for any comments.
#2 If I lean on the dor in a turn it makes a slight popping noise but if there is no pressure on it it is fine. Have not had it looked at.
#3 If you have the Tech package and it was raining when you try to engage the cruise. ICC will not engage if your wipers are on passed int. I thought my cruise was busted on a long trip until I read the manual and figured this out. regular cruise will engage no matter the wiper speed.
#5 I like this you are less likely to leave them on. I also tend to take advantage of the bose system a lot so I usually don't even hear it.
#6 there is a bypass posted on another forum for being able to use the nav while driving. but the "I Agree" screen is there to stay sorry to say.
Is the interior properly luxurious for an Infiniti??
Thanks
The two cars are VERY different dynamically. I would really suggest driving both. If a quiet, soft ride is your thing then go for the Lexus. If you like performance and handing then go for the Infiniti.
The closest thing to a problem has been one very small crack in the windshield, which was repaired before it got out of control. Other than that, one great vehicle.
Outstanding handling, more than enough acceleration for me, and it still turns lots of heads!
Some of the leftover FX45s, sans Tech, are going out close to the 40k mark. That's a deal compared to almost anything else, especially from a performance standpoint.
I would have more miles but I am only allowed 15k per year since I leased. I am actually considering buying an 04 and trading my 03 so I can do the nav-tv mod and the nav while moving mod and a couple others. I'm waiting for grubbs to do another vpp special in the spring and if it makes sense I might go for it. However with them splitting out the DVD of the tech has made it about 1k more expensive than last year.
Crikey- My wife also loves driving the FX. I had to get her another car so I could ever see some wheel time
I'm almost there.... close to 17K now on my 45Tech. A couple of minor fixes early on & the ECM airbag thing but other than that I am very pleased both with the car and the service. A guy in a Navigator grilled me this morning in a gas station and it's such a pleasure to be able to say that yes, I tried the Cay, X5, RX330, MDX, etc. & after 6 months I still think I got the best vehicle for my needs.
I drove the Subaru WRX, RX330, FX35, and FX45, and my choice was the FX45. RX330 lean to much and dive when stopped hard. The RX330 appointments are tad better than the FX45. WRX was just basic AWD car with power, handling, and limited options. FX35 exhaust rumble is a bit louded than the FX45. When priced for a loaded FX35, it came close to the price of a loaded FX45 (after bargaining). I have a light foot, but when my foot gets heavy, it responds. The AWD works extremely well. You really can not tell when it it engaged.
Ok, "X" marks the grey wire looking at it while laying in front of the passenger seat looking at the connector plugged into the Navi unit.
000000000
000000000 = Wire location in the grey connector. (___)=no wire there.
0X0___000
"X" is the only grey wire in the large grey connector.
OK, I realize this may sound a little involved, but it took me less than 10 minutes & that included running the wire under the console. You can splice a wire into the circuit & mount a small toggle switch anywhere to make this work.
Good luck.
my mind if I should get the AWD or the RWD.
I live in Northern New Jersey.
Thanks for your thoughts and advise.
Would love your observations as you've seen/driven both.
It turns out that the Philly/B'More/DC area doesn't require it as of 1996. The EPA reports that you can experience as much as a 3% reduction in mpg if you are using it, depending on the formulation..... fyi
The Milwaukee area that I live in has been on the oxygenated gas since 1994 and is still on it.
Some of the authors cited a very uncomfortable ride, cheap build quality, cheap looking interior, poor value for the money, only 10 percent less in cost then the X5, cheap looking bumpers, etc. I saw the new X3 at the Orlando car show and IMO I have to agree with the recent automotive articles regarding the downscale appearance. And I do not own the Infiniti but am considering purchasing it. The X5 is a very attractive vehicle and if you can afford the extra 10 percent by all means go for it.
And by the way the the new X3 is not made in a BMW factory. It is contracted out to another manufacturer because BMW does not have the current capacity to build the vehicle. It would have been more attractive to me if the X3 were priced about the same level at the entry level Land Rover starting around $25,000 which is commensurate with the new X3 style.
So many great choices.
You have to take it out for a test drive. I don't know if these authors were in pre-production vehicles, but the vehicle I tested had a ride, finish, quality and price that are on par with a 3-series (given the fact this is a SUV/SAV and not a sedan for the handling). In addition it is a smart looking vehicle. I certaintly wouldn't spend a plugged nickel on any vehicle that had "very uncomfortable ride, cheap build quality, cheap looking interior, poor value for the money". But in fact the vehicles I saw at the dealer did not fit these negative descriptions.
But of course you vote with your dollars.