1st Test-Drive tomorrow

B

boosted4runner

Member
Hi All,

So the wife has talked me into looking for a new car (for her).
We've been Toyota-only for the last 14 years (lifted Toyota 4WD's).
We originally were going for a 2007+ Camry - then found out about tranny issues.
We then looked at 2006+ Accords - and found a long list of problems.
We then found the G35 - and read all the reviews. I fell in love with Infinity - what seems to be old-Toyota reliability (I hate new Toyotas. It seems reliability has gone out the window).
My wife then found a this:

2003 Infinity FX35 AWD 75K mi perf package - $16K.
It seems to be priced very well for what you get (correct me if I am wrong).
I have read all the reviews/consumer comments - and I feel good about this vehicle.
We meet with the seller tomorrow - so wish me luck. :wink:
 
Thanks!!
I've been searching this site, as well as every other FX35 opinionated on-line comments I could find - and it seems pretty much everyone loves these?

My main concern is reliability. I have 2 other Toyota's that require frequent attention (nature of wheeling 4X's) so I am mainly looking for a vehicle I never have to worry about.
Would the FX35 be it?
I can tell you nearly everything that will go wrong with a 96-2008 4runner or Tacoma - from 0-150K miles.

Isn't there any certain mileage range where these FX35's require attention?

For example - 95.5-2004 Tacoma's -
Nearly every one of them have "dash rattle" at 30K+
In manual tranny's - the clutch master will go out at 80-100K.
Clutch - between 115K-150K
Fuel Injector - 80-100K
CV boots - 80-90K
Starter - 100-115K
Rear-rear u-joint, every 50-60K

You can pretty much 95% guarantee the above problems in the Tacoma.
Isn't there ANYTHING of this sort for the FX35 that all owners have experienced?
Also - is there any MAJOR maintenance costs related to the FX35?

Another example V6 Tacoma/4runner owners don't realize - that at 80K and 160K you need to do the Timing Belt/Water Pump - which the Stealership charges $800 for. (or do it yourself for $200 - but it is a decent days work).

Anyway - just kind of looking for more maintenance info on these - and I'm not finding much. Not sure if everyone just doesn't want to admit they had issues - or these truly are bullet proof?:err:
I'm hoping for the latter!!! :laugh:
 
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Hey there - welcome to IS.

I've got 110K miles on my 04FX and haven't had any failures, besides the odd light bulb. Over the last two years I have started modding, so a lot of my components have been replaced.

With your continued searching, I'm sure you'll find a couple of common issues - but most of those issues are specific to particular year/generation of FX.

Squeaking brakes during reverse (no performance problems)
03-08 black dash "bubbles" - TSB, automatic extended warranty to 8 years.
Around 85K miles, some hub bearings start to go
OEM tires SUCK BALLS. Sorry for that - just hate them so much. (Goodyear RSAs)

I wouldn't call these cars bullet proof, but my only point for comparison would be an 87 Toyota Camry, a 97 Jeep Grand Cherokee, and my own FX. The Camry was bullet proof. The FX blows the Jeep out of the water in more ways than just repair record. I've just got to say that in general yes, the FX is pretty damn dependable. Based on my past two years here on IS, there just haven't been any widespread failures of any particular part or system.
 
the twin turbos on our fx start to wear out at 100k miles. But in all honesty, for the most part the fxs have been very reliable. No above average report of problems compared to other cars.

boosted 4 runner? nice. By any chance are you on ih8mud forums? My brother has a lx450(FJ80) and we just started getting into the off roading scene hehe. that thing is solid as a rock and no matter how much abuse we put it through, runs like a champ
 
Awesome!! Thank you all for the responses - good to hear.

pmanliu - yea, the wife is currently driving the 96 4runner with the 3.4 v6 S/C with all URD fuel mods, itp valve body, geared, locked, F/R bumpers, sliders, 35's on beadlocks. It hauls balls to the trails - handles it's own, then hauls balls home. :biggrin:
She's not too much into the off-road rigs though. :frown:
I think IH8mud is the only one I'm not on - LOL...I'm on Pirate4x4, TTORA, and Yotatech.

The FJ80's are awesome!!! I TRIED to talk my wife into one - she wasn't having it...LOL..

Well, we test drove the FX35 today - I like it a lot. My wife likes it even more - and the seller was very firm on the 16K price. I made a 15.5 offer - so we'll see where we end up. The exterior was in good shape - the interior hadn't been detailed. I'd have to thoroughly go through it and clean her up nice. We'll see what the seller says tomorrow!
Trevor
 
i'd say look for a low mileage car if reliability is a concern. if its already @ 75k miles then make sur the 60k maintenance is done, otherwise you'll need to do them yourself or pay $$$ @ the dealer.
 
Yea, the seller said that the 60K was done at the stealership and he has the docs to prove it. I'd look for a low mileage car - but it seems they don't build them like they use to?? Every Honda Accord/Toyota Camry review I look up stinks.
There aren't any other decent looking cars out there. Besides the G35 - but my wife only liked the 2007+ body - which is an entire different price range. :)
 
Stick with your 15.5 offer. 16 is good if you love it, too. Where are you located and looking? Some regions have higher or lower pricing (a little bit).
I can't think of any vehicle that would be considered to have bullet proof dependability. I put 300k miles on a Camry and 200k miles each on 2 differrent Accords. Since falling in love with my FX, I don't think I'll ever go back to either of them. I've owned several other cars/trucks as well and made many people jealous with those. Still, I prefer my FX to anything.
No car is perfect, but I think you'll find that the FX is extremely balanced in many ways.
Oh . . . if you're used to four wheeling, the FX AWD should not be confused with Toyota 4wd. The two are totally different.
-pork-
 
LOL....yea, the AWD will only be used by the wife during winter months - this thing won't become the next trail toy. :)

We live in Vancouver, WA (Portland, OR). And I SWEAR our vehicle prices around here are super sky-high. I always confirm it by looking at Craigslist in ID, AZ, CA, and CO.
Our last vehicle I flew to California to pick-up - and drove 10hrs straight all the way home - I'm telling ya - prices are nuts in our area. Good for selling, bad for buying.

Thanks for talking me into it. We really do love this car we looked at.
It's a dark silver color - but not too dark, and not too light - LOL....It's perfect.

---------- Post added at 12:26 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:21 AM ----------

Here is the link to the FX35:

portland.craigslist.org/wsc/cto/1743787652.html

(apparently I can't post links yet - so you'd have to add the http // thing)

If you look at other FX35's on Craigslist Portland (our area) this is by far the best deal.


And I realize and understand no vehicle will be maintenance free - but there are some that are better than others. And I'm looking for that "some". :)
 
Looks pretty. I took a look and I approve. By Performance Package, I think he means Sport Package. "on board computer"? he lost me there. Is he talking about Nav?

I agree, the Northwest is a dificult market for shopping. I'm not a fan of the So Cal used car buying market either. I have several reasons and theories. My last 3 car purchases were from out of state, including my FX.
 
boosted4runner said:
LOL....yea, the AWD will only be used by the wife during winter months - this thing won't become the next trail toy. :)

We live in Vancouver, WA (Portland, OR). And I SWEAR our vehicle prices around here are super sky-high. I always confirm it by looking at Craigslist in ID, AZ, CA, and CO.
Our last vehicle I flew to California to pick-up - and drove 10hrs straight all the way home - I'm telling ya - prices are nuts in our area. Good for selling, bad for buying.

Thanks for talking me into it. We really do love this car we looked at.
It's a dark silver color - but not too dark, and not too light - LOL....It's perfect.

---------- Post added at 12:26 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:21 AM ----------

Here is the link to the FX35:

portland.craigslist.org/wsc/cto/1743787652.html

(apparently I can't post links yet - so you'd have to add the http // thing)

If you look at other FX35's on Craigslist Portland (our area) this is by far the best deal.


And I realize and understand no vehicle will be maintenance free - but there are some that are better than others. And I'm looking for that "some". :)
Click to expand...

Looks good, do it. The NW FX club is growing... :wink:

BTW, I've had mine for almost 2 years now (49K-56K miles) and while in my possession it has literally never broken down in any way, ever. I took it to the dealer once for what I thought was a cat issue (covered under warranty) but it turned out to be bad gas. I maintain it excessively which could explain the reliability but either way it totally qualifies as "bullet-proof" in my book.
 
Funny that you say that regarding pricing in the Northwest, I searched everywhere on the west coast and ended up buying my FX in CA. Flew down for a business meeting checked it out then had it trucked up. A comparable car in the Seattle area would have been 3-4K more and the condition would have been questionable.....
 
Yep! you got it on pricing.
Well, we agreed on 15.5K and we pick it up tomorrow!!!
I'm actually scared because at 16K - that price is lower than fair condition private blue book (in my area). Everyone else selling these are 3K over bluebook.
Even my bank was asking if I was sure the title was clear?
Pics/updates later! :)
 
yea i never go by KBB, that damn thing is always inflated - i go by autotrader/craigslist prices. just to give you an idea on price, i bought my 45 last april, 58k miles, meticulous dealer records. talked them down to $16k while everybody else on autotrader/craigslist was asking 19-21k, i was looking for a 35 just for fuel economy purposes but this 45 was cheaper than any 35 at the time...i jumped on it that weekend. seller bumped the price to 16.5k cuz she got tons of people asking about it. it basically sat in her garage for the past yr cuz of $5 gas prices and she was driving a hybrid. they kept every single piece of dealer documentation in a folder and gave it to me, 4.5yrs ago she paid 55k+ tax for it, it had every option except rear dvd, also came w/ extended warranty. But it took me about 2-3 good months of searching to find a deal.
 
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Yep! We are getting excited! The wife has always wanted a nice car that she picked out.
I always had a major influence on her as for price/make (Toyota was her ONLY choice the past 10 years LOL). She is finally getting exactly what she wanted - and the color too. On top of picking up the FX tomorrow, she gets to go to the Tim McGraw concert this weekend (bought her tickets for Mothers Day) so brownie points for me this weekend.....LOL....
Trevor

eta - ghetto - it sounds like you got a killer deall!!! Very nice score!!
 
Well - I picked her up today!!! I immediately brought it home for a very thorough cleaning. And then a 45 minute joy-ride....LOL....I LOVE IT!!!!!
The seller didn't even vacuum it!! It was pretty messy inside - I wish I would have taken before/after pics. Anyway - once I get a chance - I'll post some pics.
I HAVE to do something about the chrome grill. It is driving me nuts!! And the chrome door handles too. :(
 
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boosted4runner said:
Well - I picked her up today!!! I immediately brought it home for a very thorough cleaning. And then a 45 minute joy-ride....LOL....I LOVE IT!!!!!
The seller didn't even vacuum it!! It was pretty messing inside - I wish I would have taken before/after pics. Anyway - once I get a chance - I'll post some pics.
I HAVE to do something about the chrome grill. It is driving me nuts!! And the chrome door handles too. :(
Click to expand...

vinyl wrap the chrome :D:tup:
 
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