Goodbye Infiniti...bittersweet

V

vancity

Member
Location
Vancouver, BC, Canada
Hi IS fam,

Today is my departure from IS. I joined this forum in 2013 after I bought my 2004 FX45 in 2011. Thank you all for the help over the years...needless to say the FX45 was the most reliable vehicle I have every owned and the funnest to date..so this forum was more like a community get together for the most part!

History: I bought my FX45 in early 2011 and have enjoyed it for 5+ years now. I got a wicked deal and only paid 10k CAD which is about 7.5k USD in todays exchange rate. The vehicle has been a blast to drive and I still got compliments up to the date I sold it. It set the bar high! and to be honest I don't know what other vehicle would bring as much value and versatility the FX did for its price. If anyone knows, please post here because I haven't found any other.

I sold the vehicle for 11k. Drove the FX for 5+ years and profited 1k from the sale seemed very reasonable to me. The 1k compensates for some of the maintenance I recently did on the car.

First car: hand me down toyota mini van - got my girlfriend in this vehicle lol damn..sentimental memories..
Second car: 2004 Accord EXL
Third Car: 2004 Nissan Maxima
Fourth Car: 2004 Infiniti FX45

Needless to say, I have always been in the Japanese auto industry. Love the reliability and technology!

Now I just turned 24 a few months ago and I thought about a convertible or coupe or small car but I really have no desire for a sports car at this moment. I feel I will get married and possibly have a family when I am 28-30 so I'd like a practical and classy vehicle - and the FX was such a benchmark vehicle for me. I wanted to get the latest generation FX35 but sadly I recommended the vehicle to my sister (prior to selling my FX) and she recently got one in black fully loaded. I thought about Q50s in black but my other sister and her bf just recently got one too so I am SOL for Infiniti. I don't want to have the same vehicle as any of my sisters lol.

I know the Cayenne is a taboo topic around here but I recently looked at a Audi S5 and coincidentally a Cayenne S was also available at the dealer.
If everything checks out in the next 2 days with the dealer and the bank then my next vehicle will be a 2008 Cayenne S fully loaded in Black.

I guess from now till then, I welcome inputs from all.

Car details:

$25k CAD (18k USD) w/ 6 month warranty

2008 Porsche Cayenne S, fully loaded all options, black on black.
60k miles or 100k kms.

Zero accidents, full service history and carproof report. Recent major services includes spark plugs, brand new tires, thermostat, waterpump, and many more to list.
The vehicle is in pristine condition with very minimal wear and tear and has a protective bra on the paint that is ready to be peeled off.
Vehicle comes with a second set of porsche rims on snow tires.

The vehicle has been meticulously maintained with a great records.

Just wanted to share with you guys my story and my options since selling the FX. This forum has been one of the better ones I have been on over the years. Thanks for everything. I'll still lurk and post from time to time..

John
 
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After owning an Audi A4, I would highly recommend leasing any German car will never purchase one! I had my shares of ''normal'' oil consumption and very expensive regular maintenance cost and some expensive and very annoying electrical issues here and there although i visited an independent shop. I also worked for Porsche, they are extremely reliable cars built to last and take serious abuse you simply cannot compare them to Audi/BMW/Benz

If I were you i would have it completely checked with extended warranty. Also if possible, avoid models with the air suspension (PDCC), which many owners say will eventually wear out and do nasty things to your wallet. Due to the numerous complicated systems and potentially pricey repair bills, buying a Cayenne without a pre-purchase inspection from a Porsche mechanic isn’t advised.
Keep in mind that when purchasing a used expensive German car even though you are paying a fraction of its new list price parts are darn expensive so you better be ready...
 
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Just got rid of my 2003 fx as well, got into a fully loaded 2012 maxima sv in white with the charcoal leathers.

Sent from my SM-N920V
 
Porsche cayenne i would never trade in my fx for a cayenne what an ugly car for an SUV the new model year does look a bit better

wow you still got 11k for it, i traded in my fx35 2004 full loaded only thing missing on the car was Bluetooth and an inflatable doll at Luciani infiniti in Montreal for a 2011 fx35 and they only gave me 6.300k canadian (gees i think i got robed)
 
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FXMontreal said:
After owning an Audi A4, I would highly recommend leasing any German car will never purchase one! I had my shares of ''normal'' oil consumption and very expensive regular maintenance cost and some expensive and very annoying electrical issues here and there although i visited an independent shop. I also worked for Porsche, they are extremely reliable cars built to last and take serious abuse you simply cannot compare them to Audi/BMW/Benz

If I were you i would have it completely checked with extended warranty. Also if possible, avoid models with the air suspension (PDCC), which many owners say will eventually wear out and do nasty things to your wallet. Due to the numerous complicated systems and potentially pricey repair bills, buying a Cayenne without a pre-purchase inspection from a Porsche mechanic isn’t advised.
Keep in mind that when purchasing a used expensive German car even though you are paying a fraction of its new list price parts are darn expensive so you better be ready...
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Appreciate this!! Cheers!

---------- Post added at 04:01 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:57 PM ----------
skywalker999 said:
Porsche cayenne i would never trade in my fx for a cayenne what an ugly car for an SUV the new model year does look a bit better

wow you still got 11k for it, i traded in my fx35 2004 full loaded only thing missing on the car was Bluetooth and an inflatable doll at Luciani infiniti in Montreal for a 2011 fx35 and they only gave me 6.300k canadian (gees i think i got robed)
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to each his own right? truth be told I was never quite wowed by the cayenne and its because I was so tainted by the first generation cayennes.. the 08-2010 had a face lift, new tails, slighlty different arch and new engine and tranny. It's a completely different vehicle with a similiar shell.

The new cayennes are gorgeous i'd love to own one in the future, but something about the back looks like a hyundai - the 2011-2014 ones at least!

Cheers!
 
well if the 2008 looks better than the first gen it does look better but still don't like the front to much Porsche 211?
And its no surprise that the back looks a bit like an Hyundai/ and hyundai keeps copying (Mercedes) lines Mazda keeps copying infiniti and BMW
 
vancity said:
I sold the vehicle for 11k. Drove the FX for 5+ years and profited 1k from the sale seemed very reasonable to me. The 1k compensates for some of the maintenance I recently did on the car.
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Nice Job :)

I must say that i surprised myself cheating on the FX babe yesterday..

Was looking for Cayenne S on the internet.. there was an orgy of CayenneS and FX50S fighting against :P

I know the Porsche are high on maintenance cost.. So Like FXMontreal told you, maybe extended warranty is a +

Did you looked to the maintenance manual ? if something has to be replaced at 160k km?

Enjoy it if you have the wallet for :)

---------- Post added at 09:02 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:01 AM ----------
wlvrn97 said:
You should look for a used QX70 5.0....get the V8 then your sister will be no match :)
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FX50 2013 is the last model we have in Canada :(
 
Cayenne are great cars. If you are already decided on one, go for it. That being said, I don't see the point in trading an SUV in for a bigger, higher SUV when you want something more sporty.

That being said, in the $25k range you can get an FX50 with similar miles for the same price... and a year or two newer. Unless you really just want the Cayenne, I suggest you look at the FX50 also.

Your parts costs and maintenance costs will generally be higher with the Porsche. It's already approaching the miles where certain things will begin to show their age and you may have some maintenance bills coming up soon.

I like the Cayenne a lot and have driven them over the years. It is more of an SUV than the FX. Higher seating position, the console and center armrest area is higher and more truck-like - not to mention it is higher off the ground than the FX. The original 1st gen FX was heavily influenced by the original Cayenne but stuck more to street-use while the Cayenne still had a tiny bit of off-road to it.

Again I suggest you go drive both a Cayenne and the FX50, and maybe also look into ML63 since you seem to be stuck on the SUVs.

You say you are 24 and plan on a family when you are 28... you still have 4 years to enjoy something that isn't a family car. I am in a similar boat. I want to sell the 50 for something sporty but may just end up leasing something on the side. (I am 25)

I suggest while you are looking at these SUV to check out cars like the E55 AMG, M5, e90 m3, S4, etc. These are all in your price range, can be had with 4 doors (room for family) but are not SUV and will still meet your needs for something sporty - plus you were looking at a german so figured other germans not a problem.


good luck
 
skywalker999 said:
Porsche cayenne i would never trade in my fx for a cayenne what an ugly car for an SUV the new model year does look a bit better

wow you still got 11k for it, i traded in my fx35 2004 full loaded only thing missing on the car was Bluetooth and an inflatable doll at Luciani infiniti in Montreal for a 2011 fx35 and they only gave me 6.300k canadian (gees i think i got robed)
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that's what happens when you are lazy to post the vehicle on kijiji and try and sell it, you get bent over at the dealership on a trade. After hearing first hand what some dealerships were offering my boss for some of the cars he's traded in, I would never trade in a car. NO WAY they will ever give you more or even the same money you can get by selling it privately.
 
myron02 said:
that's what happens when you are lazy to post the vehicle on kijiji and try and sell it, you get bent over at the dealership on a trade. After hearing first hand what some dealerships were offering my boss for some of the cars he's traded in, I would never trade in a car. NO WAY they will ever give you more or even the same money you can get by selling it privately.
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I don't agree with you.. I mean.. I went to mazda dealer and they would have gave me 33k for my FX50 2012. I paid it 37k in May 2015.

33k + tx = 37999$.. I doubt been able to sell the FX50 by myself for more than 38k!? (for 38, ill go dealer, no pain in the ass, he take it, done)

When it come to older cars, yes, they don't give you anything..

BTW, I wanted a quote in my town for my FX, didn't sold it :P don't want to ride a boring CX-5 ;)
 
asth said:
I don't agree with you.. I mean.. I went to mazda dealer and they would have gave me 33k for my FX50 2012. I paid it 37k in May 2015.

33k + tx = 37999$.. I doubt been able to sell the FX50 by myself for more than 38k!? (for 38, ill go dealer, no pain in the ass, he take it, done)

When it come to older cars, yes, they don't give you anything..

BTW, I wanted a quote in my town for my FX, didn't sold it :P don't want to ride a boring CX-5 ;)
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well that is surprising because in Edmonton they would have offered you 25000 or less.

And it seems to me that you lucked out with the 33k purchase in the first place. But I don't know the market in Quebec that well, those cars still go for 38k-40k here with decent KM.
 
vancity said:
Needless to say, I have always been in the Japanese auto industry. Love the reliability and technology!
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I bought a CPO 2010 A4 Quattro with 32,000 miles in April of 2013 and right now it has 91,500. It's been a reliable car, but it has needed major work. I had the engine rebuilt at 88,000miles, courtesy of Audi of America Headquarters due to a class action lawsuit. That repair would have cost around $6,000 - $8000. I got the A4 with the intention of keeping her for as long as I can, but it seems that these cars are a ticking time bomb that can leave you with an expensive repair at any moment. <-------------This is why I am looking into Infiniti and the good looks is why I am looking into the FX/QX series. It's the next best looking car in my eyes. I like that it's a crossover vehicle and has great power straight from the factory. My A4 only has about 211 hp stock for my 2.0T engine and with the tune, I now have a measly 248hp (and that's only if I'm redlining, which is not something I've ever done.)

I have to say, that if you go german, you may find yourself missing the true reliability of japanese cars, from what I have read on this forum so far. As far as the interior, yeah I would say the leather on my A4 is much higher quality than the leather I've seen on some infinitis.
 
Thank you everyone for the input!! JBaker thank you! I've followed your fx journey here for years.

As as I said in my original post, I've always had the intention of getting the second gen fx35 or fx37 or fx50s. That has been the best value that hit every marker ie. Sporty, sound, brand technology, comfort, reliability, safety and more. I have been telling my gf that if I ever did upgrade it would be to the latest or close to newest fx line. But my sister recently acquired one. And since they all share the same shell even if I got the 50s it would just resemble too much alike my sisters vehicle. I just wanted something different in the family. It's weird if the bro and the sis had the same vehicle in black except I had a v8 and she had a v6.

Thst being said, I pulled up to my condo on the way home from the dealer in my cayenne s and saw my sister in her new fx pull up and wow the fx still catches my eyes everytime ( this is me in my cayenne s) so nonetheless it's a beautiful car.

Truth th be told I convinced my sister for months to get the fx. She was going to buy the new rx350 but I literally had to like brainwash her into getting the fx. She loves it btw. At the time aka 6 months ago I did not think that I would be in a position to buy so soon. Had I known I would of told her to get the rx and I'd probably be in an fx now.

End of of the day I am thrilled to be in a cayenne s. I am moving onto the next phase of my life and I'm sure this vehicle like the fx will serve its purpose in the next chapter of my life. IS still better than the other forums btw hahaa.

Best,

j
 
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Had to let her go today. So long friends, i'll check in every now and then...
 
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