A Second Go Around

[Mark Linkous]

Some years back I owned a 2004 M45 or Y34 to many around here and it really was a special car that I believe in 20 or so years excellent examples are gonna be worth some real dough.

Anywho, since the Y34, I owned a LS 460 and more recently a G37x. While the G is a fine car, I really do think the 2011 pluses might be the best value going both new and used.

I liked my LS, but man there is very little cash on the proverbial hood. Another weird thing is considering the LS has a rated 380 horsepower, it is depressing just how much faster the the G37 is.

I seriously considered the M56 as they are stupid quick and it really came down to condition, service history and and the deal as I have never had a car payment in my life.

I ended up purchasing a 2012 Malbec Black/Java M37x with Deluxe Touring and Premium. I cannot tell you how hard it was to find a Deluxe Touring without the Technology Package.

While I have great respect for the tech, I just cannot get used to the lane keeping. I actually had radar cruise on my 2004 and actually hated it because the distance was so long that interste driving in SW Florida and Tampa et al made it practically useless even at the closest following distance. The number of people who cut you off when using intelligent cruise is stagerring and often dangerous. While I miss the Winters there, there are worse places than my home state of Tennessee.

Only had the thing since Friday. Truly impressed thus far and the interior is shockingly nice and the Deluxe Touring Interior trounces the base Lexus LS 460 interior. Gonna add a JL Subwoofer/Amplifer to make the Blose a bit more satisfying. [/img]

[Malbec 56 Beast]

That's great
I had a 2010 G37xS, now my daughter had it.
Igor my 2013 M56xS in Malbec black which I love. I had to go to Chicago to get mine, live in Utah. Bought it site unseen but had the Infiniti dealer send a massive amount of pics and it worked out well.

There weren't any within 500 miles
I love the power and everything about it. Just wish the audio system had apple play etc. Oh well nothing is ever perfect.

Enjoy, I do

[Ilya]

Surprised you went from an LS all the way to the G lol. The G might as well be a Ford Focus compared to the kind of car the LS is. The M is a pretty significant step down from the LS in my opinion too (LS is my dream car, to be honest)...but welcome back.

[Mark Linkous]

Surprised you went from an LS all the way to the G lol. The G might as well be a Ford Focus compared to the kind of car the LS is. The M is a pretty significant step down from the LS in my opinion too (LS is my dream car, to be honest)...but welcome back.

While I did love the LS and actually the 2005 Lexus LS430 Ultra Luxury package that might be in the running for most over the top Japanese craftsmanship ever I loved even more, the 460 while darn nice, never blew me away. Now the Executive Pacakge with the semi aniline leather and more is mighty nice, especially powewise, it was a bit of a let down. It is not for nothing that all the car rags never got better than 6 seconds flat to 60 in spite of Lexus rating it I believe 5.5.

I utterly get that the LS is a luxury car first and foremost, but the beauty of this era is that cars priced $70,000 plus are all but demanded to be what would be supercar quick just 10 years ago.

Moreover, after the Ultra Luxury, I suppose nothing short of a LS600 could compare. I will say the G37 was a pretty wild swerve, but it was actually the steering that hooked me. With the vast majority of new cars these days using electric steering, to again experience a good old hydraulic system was a revelation.

That said, the G was a decided downgrade in amenities and I only had it for about 3 months before getting the M37. I am gonna get another LS430 UL as a extra car after writing this as they are absurd.

And finally thank you to all for the kind welcome. The Malbec color is killer and like you Malbec 56, I did a very long and winding search to find a Malbec, Deluxe Touring, Premium but without the Tech package.

[Larz]

I agree that the LS is miles above any Infiniti. I would have the LS in a heartbeat if not for two things:
The gopping cow-catcher front end, and the lack of sport / muscle/ luxury in the body style. Minus that gopping grille, it is an absolute beauty, but it just doesn't have enough of a sport / power / muscle stance. I doubt it ever will as it is not designed to attract the under 50 crowd. They make the IS for the youngsters.

[Mark Linkous]

There is no doubt that the LS is a true benchmark and the LS400 was downright revolutionary. That said, where I really feel I erred was not keeping the 430 as they are truly exceptional and the build quality is astonishing.

While I love the appearance of the 460 and especially the pre 2013 predator grill version, while a very good car, just not built to last the way of the 400 and 430s. The UZ series engine is even FAA certified which is astonishing. Granted this is an almost impossible standard to live up to, but the difference in overall experience and attitude is much different between the 430 owners and 460s. At least from the usual suspects of owners forums and the folks like service writers at Lexus who seemingly all own LS430s.

Regardless, I truly have been pleasantly surprised by the M so far. I am on the hunt for a LS430 in the worst way as well though.

[Moveitsmikey]

Congrats on the purchase! Lets see some pictures when you can!!

[pedsemdoc]

I seriously considered the M56 as they are stupid quick and it really came down to condition, service history and and the deal as I have never had a car payment in my life.
I ended up purchasing a 2012 Malbec Black/Java M37x with Deluxe Touring and Premium.

Glad you upgraded, but I really like the '03-'04 M, old school gangster style
And welcome too!

I was in the same dilemma, since my previous Infiniti was an M45 - gotta love the torque of the V8.
However, I really love my M37, and it's got even more tech/amenities than my old M (which had a ton, although not as much as the top of the line Lexus), except for the 2nd windshield visor and the extendable center arm rest.
Now I have Bluetooth music streaming without having to plug in an aftermarket device behind the radio, rear sonar parking sensors, blind spot warning lights, folding side mirrors, a heated steering wheel, an automated rear shade, Forest air (really kind of gimmicky, but cool idea)etc...the extra 2 gears are nice for highway cruising too!!

I keep the lane departure and any other electronic nannies off except for blind spot warning.

Craig

[R2dMax]

I appreciate reading your thoughts. I really like my 2011 G37. I'm coming from over 20 years in Euros (BMW 5 & 7 series, Audi A6, LR Discovery II, Mercedes E Classe, etc) and I miss the polish those had but I love the dependability and drive of my G. The problem is I really need more space. I regularly have 4 adults in my car and I'm thinking the M37 might be just the thing. I need to go drive one.

[Mark Linkous]

I will definitely take some pics as soon as I can give it a good hand car wash once this absurdly cold (for Tennessee at least) weather abates.

Craig, I am a huge fan of the Forrest Air feature and between it, semi aniline leather, and the upgraded stereo (still Blose though) made the Deluxe Touring Package a must have as I did my search. The Tech Package is pretty darn impressive as well and I applaud Infiniti for having many of the safety aids defaulted to off. While Deluxe Touring was utterly a must have for me, Tech seemed practically a fait accompli in that I came across only a handful of models that did not bundle both packages while using a 500 mile search. It just so happened that the one closest to me happened to be so equipped .
The greatness of a heated steering wheel cannot be overstated as well.

Max, coming from upper tier German cars and a Disco (God bless you and I hope it was not the train wreck that every person I know who purchased one new experienced), I really think the M well might be perfect for you. The interior quality improvement over the G is huge and especially so with the Deluxe Touring which bundles higher grade leather, Silver Ash wood trim which I am quite fond of, upgraded audio, sunshade, and more.

Going from an 2011 LS460 to a 2012 G37x, was a pretty huge downgrade in interior quality but massively more enjoyable to drive. That said, I only lasted about 2 months before selling the G and getting an M which has been a fantastically happy medium between those two poles.
Test drive highly recommended.