OT: Infiniti FX Series

As my P-Car is in the shop for 3 weeks (new rear quarter panel), I rented an Infiniti FX 35. This thing rocks, even with the 6-cylinder it's plenty fast and feels better than any truck I've ever driven by far. It's not the most plush vehicle interior-wise, but it's no slouch either. I know it's no Cayenne, but does anyone have much experience with this thing? My girl's 330ci comes up on lease in a year, and I'm thinking maybe this would make a great 2nd car, sort of like a Cayenne at half the price?

well, the point is... it's not a truck.

Right - it's built on the same platform as the G35s, and the Nissan Altima & Maxima as well. This shared platform has advantages for the vehicles, since it keeps costs lower and allows their lower-end cars to be structurally more rigid than anything in its class. It also has the benefit of giving their FX series a more sports-car-like feeling. But I'd like to know if anyone has one, or considered one along with a Cayenne purchase. Ultimately I'll make up my own mind after test-driving everything, but I highly value the opinions on the Rennlist's members and your advice is always well-heeded....

ZeeZee, yes, i did consider the FX45 before i got the Cayenne S. i also considered Lexus RX330 & GX470 as well. don't get me wrong, the FX is a great car (Infiniti's proved themselves in the recent years). i love the styling, power, exhaust note... but i dislike the interior quality, the trunk space and the huge blind spot for the rear. b4 i made my final choice, i did ask myself what do our family really need. we needed a car that has decent space to carry whatever needs to be carried. car has to be sporty. ya ok... 75% better be a Porsche but honestly though, the Lexus would be the second choice because it has more space. i'm not forgetting VW Touareg. i think that's a good choice too.

I've had an FX 45 for almost 1 year and 13K miles. Love it. Fast, 17mpg average, great Nav, good sound, good brakes, looks good, IMHO. To get a comparable Cayenne S would have been nearly 20K more and frankly, preferred the FX over the S in on road driving and looks. FWIW. Van

I think I recall this being discussed ad nauseum in the Cayenne forum. Search for "cayenne AND FX-45" and see....

i was not impressed with the FX45 speed, as it lacked higher rpm kick, and when at road speed's it seemed noisy, as compared to the Cayenne or tourag, but that was just my opionion, my wife shares the same, and would gladly have spent an extra 20k just for that, which i then replied, just get a slightly used one then

I have a FX35 for over a year with 20k miles and love it. I drove the Cayenne and it does not even as good as FX or even the look. FX drives like a sports car.

Yeah, I'm liking it a lot. Definitely a polarizing vehicle. You either love it or hate it, I guess. Anyway, should make a good possibility when we start looking for new rides...

Love the looks of the FX cars, SUV's, SAV's, whatever you call them. I see more and more everyday on the road. Love the looks....did I say that I love the looks... When my wife and I are in the position to buy a SUV, it will be a tough decision between the Cayenne/Touareg and the FX....

I purchased an FX35 and drove it for 3K miles in about 2 months. I replaced it shortly thereafter. Pros I loved the styling and interior. Nice features and seemed well built. I have owned 3 Nissan/Infiniti's in the past and drove them hard for 50K to 130K miles so I'm sure the FX would last. Cons Small, really small. Other than the seating for 4 or 5, the trunk space is very limited. When I went out of town for Thanksgiving, I had the entire rear full of luggage and bags in both of my kids laps. I should have researched the size before I purchased. Gas, it eats it. I replaced the FX with a Toyota Sequoia. The Sequoia, with the V8 gets better milage... Towing, it only tows 3,500lbs, pretty limited if you need that. Seat, I'm 6' and weigh 200lbs. The seat controls are on the surface of the seat on the right side. I found that irritating sometimes as my right leg sat on them. Suspension - I have the sport package and it was pretty stiff, make sure you like that in a daily driver... All that being said, I'd still have the car if it was just a bit bigger or my kids were a bit older. I really cool ride. Roy

I am beginning to think that FX vs Cayenne is analogous to Passport 8500 and V1. Both great and you either love one and you hate the other or like both but for different reasons. Looks: I liked the FX's styling at first, but now the more I see it the more I get sick of it - as for the Cayenne, wasn't too fond of the looks at first (only from pictures) and now can't remember why I thought so. Performance: Haven't had a chance to drive the FX yet, but I am guessing if you can't tell the difference, then you should probabaly be driving the FX. I probabay shouldn't be breaking my post down like this because I don't really have much to say. Oh analogy to the Passport and V1 comparo - I would think if you drove the 2 back to back maybe there would be no difference, but I'm guessing if you drive the Cayenne for a while and go to the FX you will miss the Cayenne. Damn, I am bi-assed.

Interesting - a co-worker (woman) said, 'Nice Minivan' today. Hmmm...

Guys, I just drove an FX45, albeit only for 20 min, and I wasn't that impressed. They haven't magically solved the high CG issues. And it really is no bigger than a midsize car. And it can't go offroad, really. So what is the point again? I can understand sacrificing CG height for offroad capability, or size, or towing rating. But the FX doesn't seem to offer these. IF I end up buying an SUV this year to take advantage of the tax break, I'm probably down to the Touareg TDI or Cayenne S as my choices.

I have my FX 45 for a year now and after 14k miles I would honestly say that I enjoy aspects of it. It's styling is radically different, the gadgets and stuff with the Tech package make the ride extra fun. The Nav system is flawless and the rear camera fixes any issue with a blind spot(at least when backing). Mine scoots hard up 120 mph with no problem at all. For a fairly heavy vehicle I am impressed with the performance. coming back from L.A. last month I had the chance to run for about 25 miles with an Audi A6 4.6?? I guess the guy thought he was going to run all over me but, after chasing my *** for that long he gave up. The torque on the FX pulled up the hills stronger than my 996. Plus, the FX is nimble enough to toss around. It sticks to the road. Bottom line is get the car that turns you on. They are all good but, different just like us. Good luck!!!!!!

Well, I have a big confession to make. I'm taking a delivery of a Cadillac SRX this weekend. Before the flames, let me tell you what I needed. V8; 3rd row seats; On Star or equivalent. My choices were an ML (no way), and the Cadillac. It's fairly heavily discounted and has about 310hp & Tq. With the magnetic ride control it's a very flat ride. 18" tires; Nav, and all the other goodies. What the hay, it's a 30 mo lease, so we'll see. Really needed the On Star and 3rd row.

one more

last one (obviously no off-road capabilities...