FX3x / QX70 Questions before Committing

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dje31

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1969 Ford F-100 Ranger
Hello, all. I've liked the FX since its initial introduction, and would have bought a 1st gen, but we had small kids and space considerations at the time, and needed more room and a third row, at least on occasion.

Fast forward to present: now empty nesters, don't need third-row, etc. My company will give me a company car, and I have input on the matter.

On a recent business trip to Toronto, I rented a QX70, as I like to try-before-I-buy whenever possible.

I know this model is about to be moth-balled, which doesn't bother me, but noticed a few items I'd like experts and those in-the-know to comment on, please.

Realizing it was a rental, which typically don't have all the bells-and-whistles, I noticed:

- Infotainment screen wasn't that infotaining. Graphics looked dated, like a PC-based VGA resolution. Not touch-sensitive either. I don't want or need an iPad's Retina screen, but it seemed a bit low rent. I'd think it could be upgraded with a firmware bump, at least for graphics, but wouldn't make it a touch-panel. Do Tech / Premium / Sport / Limited packages upgrade this at all?

- No Bluetooth audio streaming from my phone. Is this addressed in higher trim levels?

- No lane-change blinker, i.e., a partial flip of the stalk gives 3-5 blinks when changing lanes in traffic. Hard to believe this isn't standard throughout the trims. We just bought our daughter a college car, a 2008 Jeep Liberty, and it's on there. Again, is it on higher trims?

Love the way the thing looks, drives well, nicely weighted steering, plenty of get-up-and-go. Brake pedal was a bit spongey. But some of the tech features were disappointingly sparse or out-of-date.

Would love to hear thoughts from folks with real-world experience. Thanks in advance.
 
Yes, the infotainment screen is a bit dated...no real update since 2009. Interesting that your rental was not a touch screen, my 2010 definitely is although I have an FX50S. I wouldn't think the other trims would have anything different just from a manufacturing simplification standpoint. Same thing with Bluetooth audio streaming, mine has it and has worked with several different devices as well as the lane change blinker. Brakes are easily upgrade-able, especially if you opt for the Akebono Sport brakes which other than the rotors being heavy are fantastic.

I almost wonder if the rental car company had some of those features disabled?

If you can talk your company into getting a CPO, get the 5.0 engine if you can. I think Infiniti discontinued it in 2016 though so that will be a long shot. I know I would be very unhappy with the V6, less HP/torque and no real gas mileage savings. :/

Good luck and let us know what you do!
 
Thanks for your input, RAGTPZ.

I was kind of baffled about the lack of streaming BT and lane-change blinker. The infotainment screen, less so. I suppose they could be defeated by the rental agency, or before it made it to them.

Really enjoyed the driving experience, even with the sponge-y brake feel and V6. It's becoming a bit of a unicorn, between RWD, and I'd assume still mechanical steering.
 
Would Canadian models have different features? Doesn't seem to make sense to disable a touch screen as they'd then have to build buttons to control features.
 
I rented it in Buffalo and drove it across the border, so presumably it was US-spec.
 
The two front-runners besides the FX37 / QX70 are the Ford Fusion Titanium or Sport (with less room to take golf clubs, bikes) and the Volvo V60 XC.

Considering my clientele are US-domestic utility stakeholders, the Ford has better optics, though less practical. Considered the Edge, but it's no FX, optics be damned.

If I shot the moon for a '16/'17 CPO QX70S in Stormtrooper livery, I'd probably drive it until the wheels fell off, given that it's a unicorn on multiple levels.
 
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The FX will definitely be the better driver's car of those 3... Either way, let us know which one you end up deciding on!
 
I agree, DatMan.

I'll actually be in Ottawa for a conference in a few weeks.

Thanks for your input. Cheers!
 
Just took a peak at the VOLVO online... Don't like the center stack design, but the rest of the interior looks much better quality than the FX... I have always loved VOLVO's except that it takes a while to get familiar with the interior... But that's the same for BMW's and VW's as well... Pretty much all the European car manufacturers like doing things their own way LOL...

Personally I'm rooting for one of these two ;)
 
The current V60 is still using the old interior (waterfall design). They've updated the XC90, V90, S90, XC60 and those have the touch screen (I have the XC90). The V60 is quick if you get the T6 which is right around ~300hp. No idea how it handles but it's lower center of gravity than FX since it's a wagon.
 
I've driven a bunch of Fusions as rentals, and still like the way they look and drive. And again, the optics are better for my industry to drive a domestic.

Re: user interfaces, both the Volvo and Infiniti center stacks are a cornucopia of buttons, which I got used to on the QX, but they're spread out and grouped by function. The Volvo's are all consolidated, less space between them, out of line-of-sight. I'm sure I could get used to it.

Some reliability / operating expense concerns on the Volvo. I'd guess less so on the Infiniti, as we had three Nissans back-to-back, with minimal issues.

Fusion seems like a decent build, reliability. Wish they brought the wagon version to the States...would make it easier to travel with two bikes inside, golf clubs, work gear, clothing, etc. I'm sure I could make it work, but a wagon / SUV / CUV format makes things easier.

The VW Golf AllTrack is an option as well, FWIW, but they seem to become problematic once the warranty expires. Had two Passats, and encountered that with both.
 
I'm in my "Last FX" found a low mileage '13, '14's are called QX's. Find one loaded with everything you desire, all V8s are AWD, if that's important, the world has moved on since my first '03, so horsepower is certainly adequate, just not 2017 Awesomeness!

By '03 standards my first was blisteringly fast, now, the V6, is just "Respectable,' but plenty to get in trouble with.

Nice ones are coming off lease now, save $20,000 with 25,000 miles or so. Most are adult drivers. Get every darn package, why not? Unless they change their minds, it's going to be your Last FX too.
 
What model year was the rental? 2009 FX infotainment screen was lower resolution and was updated to slightly higher res for 2010+ which is noticeably sharper. The infotainment is a touchscreen, just not the capacitive type like smart phones.

At least on 2010+ models, bluetooth streaming does exist, maybe it needs to be with the navigation option. Did your rental have navigation?

There is no intermittent lane change blinking, however you can hold the stalk slightly before the click to have the turn signals keep blinking until you let go, this is mentioned in the owner's manual.

In terms of tech, it depends if you get an FX/QX70 with the technology package. It was the most advanced for its time, as Infiniti was first to come out with adaptive cruise control, which can brake the vehicle to a complete stop.

Keep in mind that Infiniti was quite lazy and didnt update the FX any further after the power lift gate for the 2012 model year, and has been essentially the same ever since.

Although the FX is dated compared to what is in the market at the moment, I still find the drive extremely satisfying and still enjoy the interior during my drives. I still think the FX holds up quite well overall, the look has aged well and still looks modern, still has good power for a V6 (V8 would bring a bigger grin to your face), handling is still better than most suvs of this size and still don't mind the fact that its not a dime a dozen around.

PS. the FX is still one heck of a reliable ride in terms of maintenance costs.
 
Old Blue said:
Nice ones are coming off lease now, save $20,000 with 25,000 miles or so. Most are adult drivers. Get every darn package, why not? Unless they change their minds, it's going to be your Last FX too.
Click to expand...

True, there are several corporate fleet vehicles in Stormtrooper livery floating around right now.
 
ryus said:
What model year was the rental? 2009 FX infotainment screen was lower resolution and was updated to slightly higher res for 2010+ which is noticeably sharper. The infotainment is a touchscreen, just not the capacitive type like smart phones.

At least on 2010+ models, bluetooth streaming does exist, maybe it needs to be with the navigation option. Did your rental have navigation?

Although the FX is dated compared to what is in the market at the moment, I still find the drive extremely satisfying and still enjoy the interior during my drives. I still think the FX holds up quite well overall, the look has aged well and still looks modern, still has good power for a V6 (V8 would bring a bigger grin to your face), handling is still better than most suvs of this size and still don't mind the fact that its not a dime a dozen around.

PS. the FX is still one heck of a reliable ride in terms of maintenance costs.
Click to expand...


Re: the rental, I just looked at the receipt and it doesn't list the model year, but it definitely was the QX70 with 13k from National, so I'd think it was a '17, or no older than a '16 for that mileage.

No navigation. Pretty much a bare bones / stripper model, don't think it had any packages on it. Of those I've found on AutoTrader, those that were rentals were lean on upgrade features. Why put navigation on a rental when folks have it on their phone, or they can rent you a box as a premium?

I think the styling has aged really well, and you don't see them every 15 seconds...and the driving dynamics were really nice, for driving Buffalo to Toronto and back. Granted, not a great, interesting, or challenging drive, and tons of GTA traffic. Would love to drive a Sport-package model in the mountains with the paddle shifters...but would love a manual even more ( dare to dream ) .

Our three Nissans prior were pretty much trouble free, save for three gas tank-mounted fuel pump issues in our '05 Pathfinder, that they wouldn't treat as a recall...and when they finally did, our VIN wasn't in the recall group, which still chaps me. Stranded me multiple times along with a good chunk of change out-of-pocket.
 
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So, not to confuse the issue with an apples-to-oranges comparison ( oranges-to-grapefruit would be more apt ) , does anyone have any experiences with or thoughts about the '16-18 MY Mazda CX-9?

The top-shelf Signature model has every option under-the-sun for a good chunk less than a similarly optioned QX, looks pretty sharp, and received good crash ratings.

3rd-row is pretty useless, but I don't want or need it anyway. Mine would probably spend its entire life folded for gear space.

2.5L turbo 4 vs 3.7L NA V-6: Former gets slightly better mileage, but no replacement for displacement. Theoretically simpler.

FWD-biased AWD vs RWD-biased AWD ( or straight RWD ) : the latter is going the way of the dodo, which makes me want it even more. Get it while you still can.

I'd guess that the FX / QX70 probably has a true mechanical steering vs. drive-by-wire electric, which is becoming the norm.

CX-9 probably has better outward visibility, but FX / QX has the optional screen assistance for surroundings. Still, I can still turn my head, and don't like being too reliant on technology ( and I've been a tech guy my whole life ) .

New CX-9 has some styling cues of an FX / QX, along with dashes of Jaguar F-Pace, to my eye, at least.

Thoughts?
 
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I've always liked the styling of the Mazda CX crossovers but could never get over the FWD bias... Never test drove one, but the CX-9 is the largest of the MAZDA SUV's... It's handling can't be that great especially compared to an FX... Best thing would be to take it for a good test drive and see if it's good enough... I'm guessing the interior and the tech inside would be WAY better than what's in the FX / QX...
 
I'm thinking the Mazda vs Murano to be fair.

After I've logged 1/4 million FX miles, I don't think it'd be a fair competition, as long as they are Both loaded, top shelf versions.

Why buy an FX without any of the toys?? Most of them is even better.

IMHO
 
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