Recently purchased an FX35

[wubbalubbadubdub]

Hey everyone, I purchased a 2005 FX35 about a month ago. It was decently maintained and fairly low mileage and a hell of a lot of car for what I paid. I'm not new to Infiniti. I had a 2003 G35 6MT coupe for about 8 years and sold that a year and a half ago so I could buy a Lotus Elise. Ever since I sold it I had been missing that VQ sound so I recently sold my 2004 4runner 4wd and bought this FX for my new daily driver. It needs a few things such as door lock actuator repair for basically all 5 doors (as they only work when its cold out) and other minor maintenance like brakes.

Speaking of brakes, I have been doing research on here and other sites and I have already started acquiring parts to do the Akebono BBK for the front at least. Just waiting on rotors, shorter banjo bolts and some wheel spacers so I can keep the OE 18s for the time being.

I haven't decided if I am going to do the rear Akebono upgrade. I know I need rear knuckles from a 2nd gen but I am also seeing chatter about some kind of adapted balljoint to be able to use those on a first gen and not able to fully work that out yet. If anyone has any tips on that and can point me towards that information I would appreciate it. Otherwise I don't know what else the rear swap entails and I may just be happy with the front upgrade.

 

[Old Blue]

Fronts wear out about twice as fast as rear. Inspect the rears but you’re going to need those dollars for actuators, struts,and a few other wear items. At this point there’s plenty of salvage pieces out there for the discerning shoppers.

Just saying, it’s over a 10 year old machine. You can spend all your savings right away.

 

[wubbalubbadubdub]

Fronts wear out about twice as fast as rear. Inspect the rears but you’re going to need those dollars for actuators, struts,and a few other wear items. At this point there’s plenty of salvage pieces out there for the discerning shoppers.

Just saying, it’s over a 10 year old machine. You can spend all your savings right away.

Well I bought it with all that in mind and got it for a good price so even though its a 14yo machine its still a good starting point at under 100k miles. It does need all new lock actuators as they are all lazy. Trying to find good deals on those now actually. I took the front right apart already and tried to clean the motor and internals but its just too worn.
It needs brakes both front and rear soon. I bought the front pair of 4 piston calipers for only $150 shipped, so buying those plus new braided lines and some wheel spacers to be able to keep these wheels (brand new tires) was really a no-brainer. The rears will likely just get matching rotors and pads to the front as yea I probably won't go through with buying all the 2nd gen stuff to get the larger akebonos on there. But if I find the right deal I would.
The struts are fine surprisingly... for now.
This is not some dream vehicle for me but I have always liked these and if I just fix it up a little bit, it will be a great/fun daily driver. I'm not one to go blow a bunch of money on a daily driver racking up miles and depreciation on something that takes me to and from work while making payments on it. I like to start at the 10 year mark for a DD. I have a lotus Elise for a toy but the DD can't be super lame either.