So a buddy of mine works at Nissan and just got a 2005 Infiniti FX35 with tech package and 17000 miles in and he can get it to me for the same monthly payment that I currently have on my 2004 Maxima. My trade in will cover the payoff balance (well, almost, plus an additional 1500) and I have been drooling over the FX since it came out. But I love my Max...Radiant Ember (orange) with the Burnt Orange interior, Trenz grille and navigation. Smile everytime I see my car in a parking lot. But it is an Infiniti. Just wanted to ask what the general consensus was on whether I should make the trade.

 

Fx.........!

 

Being 7'1" tall which car will fit you better? I like them both, is the FX all wheel drive? What color is the FX? Pics?

 

go with the fx. id buy it for the awd and the pure awsome sound of the exhaust. sounds really bad ***.

 

Is it possible to take it out on an extended test drive, a week or so and then decide

 

Having driven both (in fact...uhh...look at my sig =P) I can EASILY tell you to drop your 6th gen and get the FX.

The overall refinement of the FX makes the 6th gen pale in comparison. Everything inside is whisper quiet, you are completely taken away from the environment around you. Driving this car in Manhattan is especially awesome, just because of that refinement. The seats are so comfortable and so is the car. I'm 6'1 and I get in and sit in the car without any issues. I also have a burnt orange interior in my Diamond Grapphite:



but Infiniti calls it brick. Mine is also a fully loaded 2005 with all of the tech. package goodies. It'll out handle the 6th gen any day of the week, and it's very quick to boot. It's got tons of low-end power, and the top-end ain't so bad either for a 2-ton SUV/crossover. There are minor little things to get used to in the car, but overall...the FX is far more of a car than the 6th gen.

Oh and of course there's both cars values...the Infiniti is one of the leading brands in residual value and that is directly because of the G35C, M35/45 and FX35/45. Nissan on the other hand...well...the fact that I could buy Nissan's flagship sedan (or even the 350Z) for under $20k now in about 2 years says a lot.

Get the FX. Take it from someone who's considered the 6th gen heavily but decided to buy his 5th gen out of lease instead.

 

Do those button on the side of the drivers seat work? They look like they are fake.

 

im pretty sure them buttons are to adjust the seat, but anyway i would deffinately go with the Fx, it sounds to hot when it takes off

 

so what''s your reasoning behind why you need an SUV? no one can answer which one would suit your needs more. the rest is just opinion. Test drive it and think will you utilize its features, enjoy the drive, and will it be worth the extended payments.

 

Yeah, those buttons work.

The FX is a nice car; but for being an SUV, it doesn't haul much. FX35 isn't all that quick, especially AWD on 20's. Depends on your needs.

 

The FX is nice that's what I want to get my wife soon, that is a big decision. But what Nismo said is correct, whatever suits your needs. I love my Max for sure but if I needed an SUV I'd go there over a Tahoe or something in that category...
Good luck, would hate to see you go!

 

All depends on your needs.

I have never owned an SUV, and do not think they are very attractive. I know the FX35 gas mileage will not be as good as the Maxima, especially considering the more powerful engine and more than half a thousand pounds of added weight.

In spite of the considerably heavier weight, I did not see much more room in the FX than is in the Maxima. In fact, the FX35 drives more like a sports car than an SUV. It also had the same uncomfortably wide turning radius of the Maxima.

Both the Maxima and the FX35 are solidly built, and recommended by Consumer Reports. I personally felt the interior of the Maxima felt roomier. And, although seeing out in all directions from within the Maxima is only slightly above agerage, it is easily better than from within the higher-silled FX35.

The reality is that noticable exhaust noise becomes very annoying to me while on long trips, and I consider it to be a deal-breaker. If the very noticable exhaust noise of the FX35 is a 'positive' for you, then my practical opinion is not what you need to hear.

 

crossroads huh ? take a left onto Infiniti Street and dont look back !

 

I have both and you cant compare them side by side.. totally different beast..
i love my MAx 04 and Fx35 05...

 

-->fx<-- Ftw!

 

I always thought an FX was a girls car. Not quite big enough for a man or off-road but it looks like it wants to, and not quite car enough to disguise that it's a tiny truck. But I'm biased for sure, I've never known a man to own one. Of the 4 that I've been in, a woman was the pilot. But, I could see why the choice would be difficult, both are very nice cars. Of course the FX is a lot more money, and you get what you pay for. If you can keep the payments the same, there wouldn't be too much more to question!

 

ok your payments may be the same, but how much longer in terms? Also consider the fact that gas will suck, Its about the same size in the inside, also how many miles do you have on ur 6th gen? But if i were you id prob go for the FX, i love the sound plus its pretty hot, but as stated above ive never really seen any guys own it as there primary car..

 

It's up to you. Do you really need an SUV? Is the FX35 a particularly useful vehicle? Will it cost you any less to own over the next several years?

Personally I'd stick with the Max. You don't know it's history - it doesn't take a whole lot of miles for someone to mess up a car. If you already have a beautiful car as it is, why would you change it?

Additionally, I don't find SUVs appealing. The FX35 isn't very good at off-roading. I can't see too many people loading up their Infiniti (or Cadillac, Lincoln, or Lexus for that matter) SUV with firewood or stone for a saturday morning project. It weighs a lot, uses a lot of fuel and doesn't handle that well as compared to a sedan.

I'd like to buy an Infiniti soon, myself. I'd much rather get a G35 Coupe, but that's just me.

 

that is so pimp, i tried trading in my max for a new one, but they couldn't get me the payment i was looking for.

Plus an Fx35 will smoke a max cause Stillen makes a supercharger for it. A blown Suv thats awd, can u beat that.

 

jrh273, your comment, "I have been drooling over the FX since it came out" makes a very strong statement. Despite the wonderful virtues of the Maxima, it seems you really want the FX. If you trust your buddy and the deal he claims he can offer you, buy the FX. Life is short!

 

Get the FX - I would and it would definitely get pimped out...

 

If you can go almost sideways on the deal, it might not be bad. But like others have said, you only mention "same payment" If it's the same payment but stretched to 60 months vs 48 + $1500, that might be one crappy deal. Just looking at the payment is NOT the way to research a deal.

 

While it's not a 12 second monster, mid-15 sec ETs in a 4300lb SUV is DEFINITELY not slow neither. But if speed is needed, VQ35DEs on the FM platform have a lot of potential in the performance aftermarket including a few forced induction options.

Trading a 6G for an FX is a no brainer. IMHO, $1,500 dp is a small price to pay for a measureable step up in ride.

 

I too wanted an FX... Ended up with a 6th and a Murano. We're happy with both.

 

go with the FX

 

I must agree with the threads that indicate, It depends on your needs, both vehicles have different characteristics. The FX feels great on the road and is rock solid quite. My sister-in-law and husband came to my crib for the New Years Holiday and brought their FX45, he let me drive it the whole time he was here. I loved it, however when it was all said and done, I could not wait to get back in my Max and hit it!!!

Total respect for the FX and he has the Hot A$$ brick interior with DVD NAVI also.









My brother in law was drooling over my engine though...

 

No one said anything about the MPG. FX vs. Maxima ....which one will burn more gas? FX of course and this could be major drawback, especially if you drive a lot. Gas will not stay at $2/gal for very long.

 

The FX45 is so painfully fast. 0-60 in 5.5 seconds in an SUV is insanity to me!

 

The same extra bit of money you spend on gas on the FX is the same money you'll spend (if not a lot more) fixing up random things to go wrong in the 6th gen a few years or even months from now. And of course, again, the FX will retain its value ten times better than the Maxima.

 

My buddy just bought an 05 Fx 35, I drove it for a day.....love the Max but the FX is my next car.
But then again if you love the sound of the FX, slap a SP2 on your Max....at there you have it.
I sold cars for some years, do your math... you have a car that is 2 years into being paid off(assuming you bought it exactly 2 years ago) How many years will you finance the FX for...Add up what you have paid so far plus what your going to pay and see if its worth the differece. I hope that made scense.

But go with the FX...

 

I too test drove the FX35 and it was nice, which I could have swung the FX45. But driving on the 20s with the V6, really did not impress me regarding the power. Also, the car drove rough with the 20s and was loud each time I hit a pothole. Finally, the guy wouldn't come down low enough for me. So instead, I went to the Nissan shop and bought my wife a Nissan Murano, fully loaded and I bought my Max SL. We love both cars. The Murano is no slouch. I have the SE with the manualmatic. It gets up and goes. I also think it rides better with the 18s on it. So, we have the best of both worlds. Any choice you make won't be bad, they are both great products.

E

 

What makes you think the FX will be more reliable or less maintenance intensive than the Maxima? By virtue of the more complex 4WD drivetrain alone, the FX is more likely to be more maintenance intensive.

 

If not the FX45...............Get the Max.

 

I appreciate all of the advice. I think my major concern now is just reliablity of the Inifiniti. I know they are great cars and the engine is based off of the Maximas engine but in 2.5 years I have had no (knock on wood) mechanical issues with my car save replacing the rotors at 14000 miles (under warranty). I have been dealing with the same dealership since I bought my Maxima and gone to them for the entire maintenance schedule (I know, I know, I am getting ripped off) and I have been friends with this guy for a long time so I hope that they would not try to rip me off (sounds naive, I know) if the car has problems.

I do drive a lot, 41 miles to work one way, and on Philly roads which aren't the most forgiving, but I am tall and getting in and out of the Maxima can be a little cumbersome at times. Not that the FX is that much higher, but it is a lot easier to get into. And the leg room is great. That and I am currently single and an Infiniti would increase my marketability (hahaha)!

Once again I appreciate the advice and I told my friend that I stop by on Monday and let him know. I will keep you posted.

 

Between then and now I would see what numbers you should get on the FX and on your car. Dealers will try to take advantage of whoever will let them. I would see www.kbb.com for your car and for the FX. If you are sliding over in payments I would have to look at that again. Make sure 1+1=2. Looking at a retail FX I see 37310 with standard equip... and the Max? low 20's Trade in? I am thinking that he wants you in this car plus $1500 for 72 or 84 months... Otherwise the numbers are off... Is your Max paid off? or are you upside down in it?

 

If you're looking to step up in performance, wait about year and a half for the Infiniti GT-R (Skyline) to debut in the U.S., and you'll look back and laugh at this thread and every previous Nissan/Infiniti we've ever known. Some made reference to FX's being "chick-cars"... well in Japan, the 350Z is a chick-car (which is why they stuck with the name Fairlady-Z), so that doesn't say much for the Maxima. Performance-wise, the FX35 is not a step up from the Max, unless creature comforts are most important to you. An FX45 with AWD is a decent step up, but not worth twice the price of a Maxima. The GT-R is supposedly going to start at the high 40's, which is already a better price than the FX45. Not bad for a car that will OWN M3's.

 

I need to knock on some wood or something, but what makes you think something will go wrong with a 6th gen? Ive had my 4th gen for 7 years and nothing big. Stop bashing just compare. FX no doubt is a great car and of course will keep its value but a maxima is no Junk bait either, it holds its value very well. I have been in the used car business my whole life and every time i ran across a maxima compared str8 up to a camery or accord of similar V6 engins the max always cost more WHOLESALE. This is mid-atlantic. Maximas are in very high demand used and just for example before i bought my new 6th gen i was looking to buy a 5th gen used wholesale GLE 2002 with 43,000 miles with frame damage going for 15k at the private dealer auctions so on the lot that thing would go for about $18k. Give me a break dude, lose value PLEASE!

 

Hight 40's?? i here 60's for the turbo

 

60's!!?? Well the fact that it's going to be badged an Infiniti (always overpriced), you're probably right.... those fockers...

 

More like $70k for the top of the line version