One last drive in the FX...

[Mellofello808]

I have a tradition right before I sell or trade in a car. I give it one last flogging up in the hills above the city. Said goodbye to the fx35 today, and took it out for a last spin.









It was getting dark, and I realized I had never taken any pictures of it. So here we are. I thought I would share.

This SUV was really ahead of its time IMO. Styling wise, give it a more modern infotainment system, and it could be a 2016 vehicle. No one ever believed me when I told them it was a 2004. At the same timeI really loved the oldschool combo of a meaty v6, rwd, and sticky 20 inch Yokohama tires. It really handles the twisties way better then it has any right too.

Unfortunately it started to develop problems. Even at a pretty low 86,000 miles it had a timing chain issue, and needed new motor mounts, struts etc. I was unaware since this was my gf car. Once I found out it was time to dump it.

I sold it to a very wealthy guy who flew over from another island just to get it. He has a 2015 fx37 or whatever they are called now. He said that he actually missed his first gen so much that he was willing to take mine on even after I disclosed all the problems. I'm glad it went to another enthusiast and he texted me tonight that he ordered a mountain of fresh parts that should arrive before it gets to Maui.

All said and done I would still recommend people shopping in this price range to check these out. For $6-10k there really aren't many SUVs that compare for on road fun. You could probably find a clean x5, Or ML but they are total basket cases by now. For the money nothing will get you grinning like that VQ singing as you charge the next corner in a big suv that is light on its feet.

Anyways /CSB. Thanks for the good times fx35.

 

[ocal21]

What are you getting to replace this fx? With the sceneries that there is in Hawaii I'm surprised you never took pics. You would be able to constantly have ROTM every month

 

[Cruiser]

Nice commentary with a tinge of fond regret parting it away. Thanks for sharing.


Sent from my iPhone

 

[Mellofello808]

What are you getting to replace this fx? With the sceneries that there is in Hawaii I'm surprised you never took pics. You would be able to constantly have ROTM every month

I have yet to take any good pictures. Hopefully I don't wait until the day I sell it this time.

2006 BMW wagon with panoramic sunroof on m3 wheels.

I have already done a bunch of mods. I love wagons, and they are extremely hard to find. When this one popped up I grabbed it.

Total slug compared to the fx, but hopefully will get better then 10mpg [emoji23]

 

[ocal21]

Not bad, is that your old fx in the back photo bombing the pic of your new car?

 

[MonacoJoe]

I have an '04 as well that I bought brand new. Life was grand in it for the first 50k or so and then what I call quality issues started to crop up, mostly after the warranty was done. What history do you have on your former '04? After the initial onslaught of issues, some I fixed some I just let slide like the catalytic converters, she has done very well since. I was so disgusted at the time when they all happened that I was tempted to trade but in the end decided against it. Now I'm at 189k on the odo and am hoping to cruise at least until 200k or more.

 

[wlvrn97]

Really enjoyed reading this...thx for sharing. I agree the FX is still one of a kind....even after all these years.

 

[porkandbeans]

Cool story and glad the FX will live on.

 

[jbaker1121]

your buyer is right.. sometimes I miss my first gen.. good luck with the new car

 

[wlvrn97]

your buyer is right.. sometimes I miss my first gen.. good luck with the new car

Jbaker....what exactly do you miss about your 1st gen?? I'd love to know why...I have been contemplating trading mine in
for a 2nd gen for years...really was going to 2 times but always decide to just keep & mod it more lol.

 

[jbaker1121]

Jbaker....what exactly do you miss about your 1st gen?? I'd love to know why...I have been contemplating trading mine in
for a 2nd gen for years...really was going to 2 times but always decide to just keep & mod it more lol.

It depends what you want. I upgraded instead of putting the money into mods. I was planning to go TT on my first gen. Instead, I went with the FX50.
The 2nd gen is more luxury in feel and fit & finish. Still has the sporty side to it, but I feel the first gen is overall sportier and just different. It was ahead of its time when it came out. 2nd gen feels heavier and more solid, but it takes away from some of the sporty soul of the first gen. I don't miss the lack of power though

If your goal is to continue buying small mods with hopes to make power, I suggest you save up and go forced induction, or just go for style and handling mods and enjoy the car. If you really want more power, it's FI or go for the 50.

 

[Von Jot]

Sad to say goodbye to such a beautiful creation as the FX. But... I'm currently in the process of selling my 2008/01 FX35 too, because of the very sparse support options over here in Europe, the high costs and, yes, the simple fact that my wife is too afraid to drive this car! In her opinion it is far to long/wide/heavy for her so she lacks confidence.
Because of my physical condition i am partially wheelchair bound, so there are times i can't drive myself...
So we have ordered a new, smaller SUV (Suzuki Vitara 1.4S Turbo) the we both can drive.

If it only wasn't so hard to get a decent price for the car.... Decisions are hard to take sometimes!
Good luck to you!

 

[wlvrn97]

It depends what you want. I upgraded instead of putting the money into mods. I was planning to go TT on my first gen. Instead, I went with the FX50.
The 2nd gen is more luxury in feel and fit & finish. Still has the sporty side to it, but I feel the first gen is overall sportier and just different. It was ahead of its time when it came out. 2nd gen feels heavier and more solid, but it takes away from some of the sporty soul of the first gen. I don't miss the lack of power though

If your goal is to continue buying small mods with hopes to make power, I suggest you save up and go forced induction, or just go for style and handling mods and enjoy the car. If you really want more power, it's FI or go for the 50.

Cool...thanks for the input. Actually going FI as we speak lol....getting stillen stage 2 installed now and then will upgrade to stage 4 shortly after.
I just can't stop modding this thing