2004-2010 Infiniti QX56 JA60

Chedman13

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Illinois
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2014 Mercedes-Benz GL63 4Matic
I've read reviews online, but want anyone's opinion -- anything -- on the 2004-2010 Infiniti QX56. Looking for a car with a 3rd row seat and this looks like a SUV I can be mod happy... The other SUV in the running is a Volvo XC90.

Fire away with the comments!
 
I would stay away from the XC90. Reliability is average to below average at best. Unless you have the funds to get a 2009+ and maybe its still average at best, lol. I dont know why, but at one time I actually looked at the XC90. I guess when it first came it out, it was a novelty to look at, being Volvo's first SUV. Other than that, the car itself would spend more time in the shop than in your garage. I read tons of reviews on them and I have never read so many negative reviews on them. The only reason I could see why you have Volvo in the running is safety.

Keeping it in the Infiniti family would be pretty cool imo. But seems like a a lot of money to get one and possibly expensive maintenance on it for a family hauler, lol. Ever considered an Acura MDX? I think thats a good mix of seating, luxury, reliability and sportiness.
 
QX prices in my area are all over the place. Every once in a while a great deal pops up, hopefully it is the same in your area. The QX is basically a Titan, having owned one and beating on it reguarly I can tell you it's dead reliable. With the minor mods I did my Titan was fairly quick (for a big burly non performance truck, meaning it's no SS). I highly recommed the Nismo intake and JBA exhaust (worked wonders on my T).

Gas mileage may be a deciding factor. If it is then forget everything above and go for something else.
 
QX prices in my area are all over the place. Every once in a while a great deal pops up, hopefully it is the same in your area. The QX is basically a Titan, having owned one and beating on it reguarly I can tell you it's dead reliable. With the minor mods I did my Titan was fairly quick (for a big burly non performance truck, meaning it's no SS). I highly recommed the Nismo intake and JBA exhaust (worked wonders on my T).

Gas mileage may be a deciding factor. If it is then forget everything above and go for something else.

Thanks for the input, never knew NISMO made a intake for it, I like "OEM". Gas mileage has never been a deciding factor for me:rolleyes:.

---------- Post added at 10:56 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:55 AM ----------

I would stay away from the XC90. Reliability is average to below average at best. Unless you have the funds to get a 2009+ and maybe its still average at best, lol. I dont know why, but at one time I actually looked at the XC90. I guess when it first came it out, it was a novelty to look at, being Volvo's first SUV. Other than that, the car itself would spend more time in the shop than in your garage. I read tons of reviews on them and I have never read so many negative reviews on them. The only reason I could see why you have Volvo in the running is safety.

Keeping it in the Infiniti family would be pretty cool imo. But seems like a a lot of money to get one and possibly expensive maintenance on it for a family hauler, lol. Ever considered an Acura MDX? I think thats a good mix of seating, luxury, reliability and sportiness.

Wow, never knew that about the XC90. Don't like the Acura MDX for some reason. Just doesn't do it for me.

My wife likes the XC90 and I see Rotora makes a big brake kit front and rear for it! =)
 
ultimate-nascar-fan-sienna-rampvan.jpg

all you brooooski.


but on topic - i remember kenny had a QX sitting on 24 or 26 inch heavy chrome rims and was still able to rip a decent time at the track, stock engine. Love those trucksssssss
 
The new Nissan Quest is coming out:smile (2): jk

-Audi Q7
-Cadillac Escalade
-Ford Flex

I would personally go with the QX. Gotta keep it in the infiniti family!
 
The new Nissan Quest is coming out:smile (2): jk

-Audi Q7
-Cadillac Escalade
-Ford Flex

I would personally go with the QX. Gotta keep it in the infiniti family!

Ha, the only "mini-van" looking car I would buy would be the Mercedes Benz R350.
 
NEVER EVER EVER EVER buy a Mini Van.


That's when you know it's over... LOL

I think the thing I hear over and over again about Mini-vans is that they have power open/close doors and lower entry.

Lower entry isn't an issue, since I'll be buying lowering coils=)

Power open/close doors is something I don't want to tackle though.

Maybe I'll trade in my FX45 for a 1990 Chrysler Minivan with wood paneling? Anyone want to trade?:smile (2):
 
My friend just passed up a QX56 in favor of a Honda Odyssey. His wife was the deciding factor...it seems like his balls are nowhere to be found at this point. He came home in an RDX with a Tech package (chosed because of good gas mileage), she promptly sent him back to the dealer for the Odssey. Poor chap.

I forgot to ad the new body Excalade (brought up by Vash610) is actually a good choice when comparing to the QX. I don't think you can go wrong with either.

Get an 06 if you like bluetooth, or an 08 if you like iKey. Minor changes happened in between. 08 is probably the best bet though.
 
My friend just passed up a QX56 in favor of a Honda Odyssey. His wife was the deciding factor...it seems like his balls are nowhere to be found at this point. Poor chap.

I forgot to ad the new body Excalade (brought up by Vash610) is actually a good choice when comparing to the QX. I don't think you can go wrong with either.

Get an 06 if you like bluetooth, or an 08 if you like iKey. Minor changes happened in between. 08 is probably the best bet though.

Oh, my wife "needs" the iKey for sure. So 2008 has it? If so, that is the one I'll look for.
 
Are you planning on having another baby, Ed? :wink (2):

My brother and especially his wife were really adamant about not getting a minivan. Three kids and a Honda Odyssey later, they are really glad they have it. Surprisingly his wife really likes to drive it now, haha. But those two are always ones to chose comfort and practicality. They have so much junk, food, dvds and just plain junk in the minivan, no wonder they needed one. I on the other hand, chose form over function. Always did, always will. If I ever needed a larger vehicle it would most likely be a MB GL550.
 
Are you planning on having another baby, Ed? :wink (2):

My brother and especially his wife were really adamant about not getting a minivan. Three kids and a Honda Odyssey later, they are really glad they have it. Surprisingly his wife really likes to drive it now, haha. But those two are always ones to chose comfort and practicality. They have so much junk, food, dvds and just plain junk in the minivan, no wonder they needed one. I on the other hand, chose form over function. Always did, always will. If I ever needed a larger vehicle it would most likely be a MB GL550.

Ha, in the future... we can barely manage one... =)

When we drive around with friends, it's a tight fit with a baby seat so 3rd row seating is desirable.
 
Oh, my wife "needs" the iKey for sure. So 2008 has it? If so, that is the one I'll look for.

Not sure if previous years had the iKey, if they did it was an option.

Here is what I found on Club Armada about the 08 updates for the QX...

Exterior:
- new front and rear fascias
- new front fog lamps
- new roof rack
- standard 20-inch chromed aluminum-alloy wheels

Interior:
- new instrument panel cluster design with Fine Vision electroluminescent instrumentation
- new genuine wood grain interior trim.

Comfort and Convenience:
- 3rd-row power folding seat
- standard heated steering wheel on the 4wd model
- new stone interior.

Technological:
- new standard Premium Audio System with Bose Speakers, Burr-Brown Digital Audio Converter and 9.5-gigabyte Music Box hard drive and compactflash slot for playing MP3 files
- Newer Infiniti Navigation system
- Intelligent Key
- Larger screen for Infiniti Mobile Entertainment System (8.0 inches versus the previous 7.0)
- standard XM; NavTraffic™ system with real-time traffic information
 
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I am also pondering the idea of a first gen. QX56, but am also liking the Yukon Denali. One thing I have never liked about the QX is that it does not feel very secure while driving at higher speeds. It is very jittery and it feels like the rear always wants to take a different path from the rest of the truck.

I believe the brake issues were largely resolved in 2008. They also updated the interior and offered a few additional options. What prices have you seen for a 2008-2009? From what I have seen, they are fetching 39-45k with low mileage.
 
From what I've heard the first gen QX56 had pretty bad reliability. Especially the 2004-2007 model right before they did a mid year face lift on it.

One big contribution to their poor build and reliability was the fact they were built in America at the Nissan Canton, Mississippi plant with Nissan Armada and Nissan Quest. Everything that came out of that place was nothing but problems. That's why they have shifted production of the QX56 to Japan for better quality. Actually the QX56 use to be the only Infiniti built in America, and what a coincidence that it was the only Infiniti with the worse quality.

Do a search on google and you'll see reviews people have made talking about thousands of dollars they've spent in repairs from water leaks, crapped out engine computers, controls not functioning, etc etc.
 
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