Test drove the Infiniti FX35: my observations.
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,774
Likes: 1
From: Socal
Yet another car review by your friendly car-holic. 
I drove the FX35, 2WD version with the sport package. Freeway time and on surface streets.
1. I LOVE how this car looks. I guess its a love it or hate it-Im totally sold. The curves just do it for me. Which is funny, considering my S2000 is pretty angular.
2. The seating position is very nice. The ability to move the entire gauge cluster (350Z style) is a plus, the wheel is nice and chunky, and I was able to adjust the seat to fit me perfectly. I like the view out over the front also. You sit fairly low in the car, so your view immediately over the front bumper is somewhat impaired. The seats were not height adjustable. But they were comfortable, and I liked the leather.
3. The 300 watt Bose 11 speaker audio system performs as expected, which is to say, very well.
4. The dash is nice. The clock is always a nice touch, and thearmrest can be adjusted specifically to get your right hand close enough to the shifter so that youre not constantly reaching for the shifter while in tiptronic mode.
5. Speaking of tiptronic, I like the fact that it has this feature. Usefull for holding a gear going up/down mountains, etc.
6. Ive battled this engine before, when I drove the Z. The same engine I called "unremarkable" in the Z, performs very well here. This is a nice, quiet, efficient and reasonably powerful engine. No outstanding heroics, no fun and games. Just solid linear thrust. In this guise, its a perfect fit. It has a louder exhaust than your average SUV, which Im not too sure about. Then again, its designed to be a "sporting" suv.
7. The suspension: OUCH. I think Im getting old. I keep driving these cars expecting a soft ride and get shocked. Seems like a lot of carmakers are setting the S2k suspension as a benchmark, or something. Then again, this car has the sport suspension, and the blinging 20inch wheels. The ride was extremely choppy on the freeway, with small bumps and expansion joints felt directly in the cabin. Road noise was fairly high as well. But you gotta pay to play, I guess.
8. The sports suspension does have its positives, though. This SUV is the most point and shoot "truck" Ive driven. The steering is well weighted, and responsive to small inputs. I like it alot. But the Goddamn ride is just too stiff.
9. Space. Or lack thereof. Its not a very big suv. It doesnt have the boxy proportions, so the trunk space is smaller than you would think. But the cabin is spacious, yet cosy. Plenty of room for me to sit behind myself (Im about 6 '2) comfortably.
10 . Verdict? Im buying one.
Im going to go for the Diamond Graphite FX35, 2wd (I dont need the awd, I know how much off-roading this car will be doing). I will get the premium package (leather, blah blah blah) but will pass on the sports package. If I can find a set of stock 20 inch wheels (the non sport package comes with 18s), I may give it a shot and see how the ride is with the lower profil tires and the softer springs. But I have a different car if I want to scream around corners. This car is to haul stuff, and it fits the bill beautifully.
I drove the FX35, 2WD version with the sport package. Freeway time and on surface streets.
1. I LOVE how this car looks. I guess its a love it or hate it-Im totally sold. The curves just do it for me. Which is funny, considering my S2000 is pretty angular.
2. The seating position is very nice. The ability to move the entire gauge cluster (350Z style) is a plus, the wheel is nice and chunky, and I was able to adjust the seat to fit me perfectly. I like the view out over the front also. You sit fairly low in the car, so your view immediately over the front bumper is somewhat impaired. The seats were not height adjustable. But they were comfortable, and I liked the leather.
3. The 300 watt Bose 11 speaker audio system performs as expected, which is to say, very well.
4. The dash is nice. The clock is always a nice touch, and thearmrest can be adjusted specifically to get your right hand close enough to the shifter so that youre not constantly reaching for the shifter while in tiptronic mode.
5. Speaking of tiptronic, I like the fact that it has this feature. Usefull for holding a gear going up/down mountains, etc.
6. Ive battled this engine before, when I drove the Z. The same engine I called "unremarkable" in the Z, performs very well here. This is a nice, quiet, efficient and reasonably powerful engine. No outstanding heroics, no fun and games. Just solid linear thrust. In this guise, its a perfect fit. It has a louder exhaust than your average SUV, which Im not too sure about. Then again, its designed to be a "sporting" suv.
7. The suspension: OUCH. I think Im getting old. I keep driving these cars expecting a soft ride and get shocked. Seems like a lot of carmakers are setting the S2k suspension as a benchmark, or something. Then again, this car has the sport suspension, and the blinging 20inch wheels. The ride was extremely choppy on the freeway, with small bumps and expansion joints felt directly in the cabin. Road noise was fairly high as well. But you gotta pay to play, I guess.
8. The sports suspension does have its positives, though. This SUV is the most point and shoot "truck" Ive driven. The steering is well weighted, and responsive to small inputs. I like it alot. But the Goddamn ride is just too stiff.
9. Space. Or lack thereof. Its not a very big suv. It doesnt have the boxy proportions, so the trunk space is smaller than you would think. But the cabin is spacious, yet cosy. Plenty of room for me to sit behind myself (Im about 6 '2) comfortably.
10 . Verdict? Im buying one.
Im going to go for the Diamond Graphite FX35, 2wd (I dont need the awd, I know how much off-roading this car will be doing). I will get the premium package (leather, blah blah blah) but will pass on the sports package. If I can find a set of stock 20 inch wheels (the non sport package comes with 18s), I may give it a shot and see how the ride is with the lower profil tires and the softer springs. But I have a different car if I want to scream around corners. This car is to haul stuff, and it fits the bill beautifully.
Spammer
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 4,398
Likes: 1
From: Partwhoresville
I actually drove the FX45
i wouldnt settle for less. What is the point of the FX35? save a few bucks. The FX45 definately makes good power. Slap on a ricey exhaust and you could open up another 15HP on the V8. The tiptronic is a bit delayed, just like all Japanese tip trannies, but it certainly handles well for a fat pig. I think it will give the porsche SUV a good run for it. The power is there on this SUV. It seems to accelerate like a sportscar.
My recommendation is the FX45 if you have 50K to spare!
i wouldnt settle for less. What is the point of the FX35? save a few bucks. The FX45 definately makes good power. Slap on a ricey exhaust and you could open up another 15HP on the V8. The tiptronic is a bit delayed, just like all Japanese tip trannies, but it certainly handles well for a fat pig. I think it will give the porsche SUV a good run for it. The power is there on this SUV. It seems to accelerate like a sportscar.
My recommendation is the FX45 if you have 50K to spare!
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post