1st generation FX35 vs FX45

T

Tangerine

Member
Looking for an FX (getting rid of 2 cars) and was wondering about the reliability on these cars. One of my car is a G35 so I am familiar with the VQ35 and how they need a new valve cover which was a PITA to replace. Does the FX have that defect? I know the 06+ had the updated interior but honestly the difference doesn't matter to me that much. I would be aiming for an FX45 AWD with tech package if not then an FX35 with tech will suffice. What are their common issues?

Other cars I am considering would be the Lexus LS430 or the LS460, E65 745i and Porsche Cayenne. Anyone have any inputs on those cars?

TIA
 
there's FX's rolling around with 200+K miles with no issues. The car is very reliable unless you get unlucky, but that can happen with any manufacturer or car.
 
Tangerine said:
Other cars I am considering would be the Lexus LS430 or the LS460, E65 745i and Porsche Cayenne. Anyone have any inputs on those cars?

TIA
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That's a pretty eclectic choice in cars. You're either going full luxury or a SUV cross-over that's considerably smaller in terms of interior space. What are you looking for? are you trying to get into something larger that can accomodate 4 adults or just looking for a utilitarian transport with some guts?

The LS is going to be as reliable as an Avalon. The E65 is a great ride but will cost you in terms of maintenance unless you're a DIY'er. The Cayenne is just a Toureg with a spruced up motor, so it's as reliable as a P-Car will be.

If you're looking for reliability coupled with a smooth drive, go with the Lexus. If you want a fun drive with the cockiness of being a D-bag, go with the BMW. The Porsche and Infiniti are a toss-up for how much interior space you need.
 
yoogene said:
That's a pretty eclectic choice in cars. You're either going full luxury or a SUV cross-over that's considerably smaller in terms of interior space. What are you looking for? are you trying to get into something larger that can accomodate 4 adults or just looking for a utilitarian transport with some guts?

The LS is going to be as reliable as an Avalon. The E65 is a great ride but will cost you in terms of maintenance unless you're a DIY'er. The Cayenne is just a Toureg with a spruced up motor, so it's as reliable as a P-Car will be.

If you're looking for reliability coupled with a smooth drive, go with the Lexus. If you want a fun drive with the cockiness of being a D-bag, go with the BMW. The Porsche and Infiniti are a toss-up for how much interior space you need.
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Nice write up :)
 
Thanks for the help, I'm still wondering on the common issues. Been browsing and saw this post

infinitiscene.com/forum/showpost.php?p=119275&postcount=17

Seems like it is common to have issues with the brakes? Dash/seat bubbling and hub bearings? My G have given me more issues than my C class I traded it in for, I had to replace the valve covers, get the windows reset, then replace the BCM most of which were apparently common issues for the G35. I really didn't expect that

yoogene said:
That's a pretty eclectic choice in cars. You're either going full luxury or a SUV cross-over that's considerably smaller in terms of interior space. What are you looking for? are you trying to get into something larger that can accomodate 4 adults or just looking for a utilitarian transport with some guts?

The LS is going to be as reliable as an Avalon. The E65 is a great ride but will cost you in terms of maintenance unless you're a DIY'er. The Cayenne is just a Toureg with a spruced up motor, so it's as reliable as a P-Car will be.

If you're looking for reliability coupled with a smooth drive, go with the Lexus. If you want a fun drive with the cockiness of being a D-bag, go with the BMW. The Porsche and Infiniti are a toss-up for how much interior space you need.
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:biggrin: yeah, I just can't decide. I am looking for a vehicle with a decent size trunk and enough room to fit 2 baby seats. Safety would be #1 priority right now.

I called up my local BMW asking for service quotes and it is ridiculous. Had experience with MB C, E and ML and expect it to be costly but damn.
 
yoogene said:
...

The LS is going to be as reliable as an Avalon.
...
The Cayenne is just a Toureg with a spruced up motor, so it's as reliable as a P-Car will be.

...
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Those are pretty drastic comparisons. The LS430 shares almost nothing with the Avalon (LS430 is a rear drive V8 and in fact earns higher reliability ratings than the front drive V6 Avalon), and the Cayenne/Touareg comparison is sort of like saying "an S4 is just a Jetta with a spruced up motor"... Not quite.
That said, I would still liken the Cayenne's reliability to that of the Touareg before I would liken it to that of any Porsche car. At least it shares SOME important parts with the Touareg...
 
two kids and trunk space... I suggest you go with Lexus, it's a boat ride with big boot and higher safety standards. Reliability is not a question and maintenance cost won't kill you. GL with your search.
 
tchuck said:
Those are pretty drastic comparisons. The LS430 shares almost nothing with the Avalon (LS430 is a rear drive V8 and in fact earns higher reliability ratings than the front drive V6 Avalon), and the Cayenne/Touareg comparison is sort of like saying "an S4 is just a Jetta with a spruced up motor"... Not quite.
That said, I would still liken the Cayenne's reliability to that of the Touareg before I would liken it to that of any Porsche car. At least it shares SOME important parts with the Touareg...
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I like making artificial assumptions :rofl:


When i made the comparisons for the LS vs Avalon, it was merely to point out that they're both Toyota's. Bottom line; the luxury brand has little to do with what the actual vehicle's reliability; the engine and drivetrain are all Toyota based, which is the point i'm trying to make here. Hell, even when I sat in an LS and I IMMEDIATELY felt like i was in a Toyota.

Avalon interior:
lk_07avalon_interior.jpg

LS430 interior
01ls430_int1.jpg


It just wasn't impressive for the original MSRP on the car. Sure, you get a reliable luxury cruiser with lots of pseudo wood trim, but it still looks like that $15k corolla from the drivers seat. Needless to say, i think the newer Avalon is rather impressive and would be hard pressed to spend the extra money on the LS if i didn't care about the exterior design and RWD.


Maybe it's from driving something from Nazi Germany, but I like to think the Germans spent a little more time on the interior to make it feel like a luxurious car...even if the reliability suffers a bit. As an FYI, the B6 A4 shares more with the Passat platform than the Jetta, but it's all from the same overarching company anyways, so a spruced up Passat would be more along the lines of an S4 :laugh:

For the Cayenne vs Tourag debate, the porsche utilizes a typical VW V6 motor, but with VVT and a couple little things here and there. The V8's are a completely different animal from Porsche; the 4.5L's are either NA or Turbo'd, both with their consequential pros and cons, and as reliable as Porsche motors go. What I'm getting at is that the Cayenne is more towards Porsche reliability than VW due to the drivetrain and electronics, even though they all fall under the overaching VAG enterprise.

So to the OP, in summary of my dissertation, i think a wagon would be perfect for your needs. Something along the lines of a E63 estate or a 535xi wagon or a A6 3.0T avant...any of these would be perfect for the standard household with 2 adults and 2 car seats.

Mercedes-Benz-E63_AMG_Estate_2010_1.jpg
 
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As much as I love my FX, I would have to advice you not to get one . It's just going to be a hassle with the two car seats in the rear, don't think it's comfortable enough.
 
yoogene said:
It just wasn't impressive for the original MSRP on the car. Sure, you get a reliable luxury cruiser with lots of pseudo wood trim, but it still looks like that $15k corolla from the drivers seat. Needless to say, i think the newer Avalon is rather impressive and would be hard pressed to spend the extra money on the LS if i didn't care about the exterior design and RWD.


Maybe it's from driving something from Nazi Germany, but I like to think the Germans spent a little more time on the interior to make it feel like a luxurious car...even if the reliability suffers a bit. As an FYI, the B6 A4 shares more with the Passat platform than the Jetta, but it's all from the same overarching company anyways, so a spruced up Passat would be more along the lines of an S4 :laugh:

For the Cayenne vs Tourag debate, the porsche utilizes a typical VW V6 motor, but with VVT and a couple little things here and there. The V8's are a completely different animal from Porsche; the 4.5L's are either NA or Turbo'd, both with their consequential pros and cons, and as reliable as Porsche motors go. What I'm getting at is that the Cayenne is more towards Porsche reliability than VW due to the drivetrain and electronics, even though they all fall under the overaching VAG enterprise.

So to the OP, in summary of my dissertation, i think a wagon would be perfect for your needs. Something along the lines of a E63 estate or a 535xi wagon or a A6 3.0T avant...any of these would be perfect for the standard household with 2 adults and 2 car seats.
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It is me or does the Avalon interior look better/newer? I wouldn't buy the LS new but the used ones are sooooo cheap =)

I was doing research on the Cayenne and alot of people complain about the V6 for being very sluggish and the fuel efficiency wasn't worth it. And also they have transmission issues (they were built by Japanese??). Do you have more information about the V8 motors particularly the one that went into the S model? You seem to know more about these things than me.

Besides the common issues mentioned there isn't anymore I should worry about right guys?
 
Tangerine said:
It is me or does the Avalon interior look better/newer? I wouldn't buy the LS new but the used ones are sooooo cheap =)

I was doing research on the Cayenne and alot of people complain about the V6 for being very sluggish and the fuel efficiency wasn't worth it. And also they have transmission issues (they were built by Japanese??). Do you have more information about the V8 motors particularly the one that went into the S model? You seem to know more about these things than me.

Besides the common issues mentioned there isn't anymore I should worry about right guys?
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I don't know much about their transmissions, but I can say that you can expect a gas-guzzling SUV with any of the 3 engine choices. You're right about V6, and their V8 models aren't really meant for touring...It's a Porsche, remember? Stomp on the pedal and GO!

My research with the FX has shown that it's as reliable as a rock. My old Toyota 4Runner was simply the easiest vehicle i've owned and ran great no matter what i did to it. I hear the FX is similar in terms of drivetrain, but hell, any issue is going to be easy to fix because of the popularity of the VQ motor (if you so choose the 35).

If the Murano stimulated my blood in any way, i'd probably consider it over the FX, but the Murano just makes me flacid.

tchuck said:
I've driven a few newer Volvo's lately, one of which was a V70 wagon, and I was really disappointed in pretty much every possible way.
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lulz, i gotta say the same. For the price you pay for a Volvo, you would expect a little more of everything in their cars, but it's surprisingly lacking.
 
yoogene said:
I don't know much about their transmissions, but I can say that you can expect a gas-guzzling SUV with any of the 3 engine choices. You're right about V6, and their V8 models aren't really meant for touring...It's a Porsche, remember? Stomp on the pedal and GO!

My research with the FX has shown that it's as reliable as a rock. My old Toyota 4Runner was simply the easiest vehicle i've owned and ran great no matter what i did to it. I hear the FX is similar in terms of drivetrain, but hell, any issue is going to be easy to fix because of the popularity of the VQ motor (if you so choose the 35).

If the Murano stimulated my blood in any way, i'd probably consider it over the FX, but the Murano just makes me flacid.




lulz, i gotta say the same. For the price you pay for a Volvo, you would expect a little more of everything in their cars, but it's surprisingly lacking.
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Thanks, thats a bit relieving to hear about the FX being reliable.

How do you like the Blaupunkt's mp3/DVD player? I had it on my old car, very good until it intermittently stops working when it overheats :laugh:
 
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