Hi y’all.

Starting to look for daughters first car and it may be down to Rogue or EX. Thinking of EX to avoid CVT.
Any issues higher mileage EX models have? I know timing chains were a big job at one point on the 3.5L in other cars.

Thanks in advance.

I’ll avoid high mileage luxury cars.
I own my 2008 EX35 sine 2008. Currently, it has 107k miles.

Parts and labor are expensive.

I mean I know about parts and labor. I can handle doing most things. Wife’s QX56 has 123k right now with no major issues. Just haven’t had a 3.5L with over 100k yet as I traded my G35 for more room before it got over 80k.

Gallery gasket is the killer for this car. I had mine changed back in 2015 under warranty $3500, I paid $50 deductible.

Currently, just replaced one camshaft sensor. Easy fix, but this old car most electrical connectors are hard to remove.
Just my experience on one camshaft sensor connector removal is a PITA!

Later models have the same issues or they change anything if I’m looking for newer model with higher mileage?

I admit I do not own an EX but I did own a G35 Coupe , which has the same powertrain as an EX and shares many other parts too.
When I sold it with 172,000 miles on it , it still ran like a Champ, like a brand new vehicle off a dealers lot.
Of course it always had very good maintance

We got our 2008 EX35 used with around 30,000 miles and it is now approaching 100K. Only major cost has been a new radiator. It runs perfect, but we have faithfully had all the recommended maintenance done as scheduled though. There have been the standard frustrating issues like rear hatch not opening, memory seats sometimes not remembering, etc. Nothing major...knock on wood. But I'm not sure if you want to put your young daughter in a 297hp vehicle!

Thanks. The V6 is the only part I wouldn’t like. I would be sure to get AWD, wouldn’t trust her recovery skills in bad weather with a RWD.

Rogue and Kicks are high on our list. Maybe even Leaf. Have a few months to figure it out.

The Kicks is a great starter car for a youngster, fun but safe and not overpowered.

Yeah I like the kicks. I had a manual versa hatch with the 1.8L as a commuter car and enjoyed it. The only issue with the kicks is there price, all are too new.

Bought an '08 EX35 w/82K on the clock for my older daughter 4.5 years ago when she got her license as her first car, and it's been a pretty solid car and value overall. My younger one drives it now too and they are pretty respectful of the 297HP. The AWD makes it a solid and easy to drive choice for a first car, and the added luxury is nice.

Overall it's been a reliable car, but the main issues we've had have been:
- new radiator at 90K and then a replacement radiator inlet pipe at 95k (noticed low coolant levels in both cases though car was running fine)
- new alternator at 93k (car died on the highway and then again a week later after dealer thought it was battery related)
- leaky sunroof drain on the passenger floorboard at 93k (dealer cleaned and blew out the sunroof track and drains)

Otherwise it's just been pads and rotors, general maintenance and I replaced the shocks and struts all around at 98k for a better ride.

Its been a month now since I got my EX35 with 182000 klm when I purchased it...no issued so far its run a much better since I did some tune up...

Bumping this up as it appears I'm really looking at EX/FX as no one seems to take care of the CVT transmissions and the Kicks is just too expensive.

Seems radiator may be the normal thing to look for at around 100k on the EX.

biggie wrote: ↑

Wed Nov 10, 2021 12:27 pm

Bumping this up as it appears I'm really looking at EX/FX as no one seems to take care of the CVT transmissions and the Kicks is just too expensive.

Seems radiator may be the normal thing to look for at around 100k on the EX.

Thanks for bumping. Besides the radiator, one other recent development on my end as we approach 99k miles on our 2008 is that we had several exhaust leaks. This was mainly in the flanges and in the flex sections on the front y-pipe, but there are not many aftermarket options for the EX, and new Infiniti exhaust parts are crazy expensive. So had a shop weld in new sections and do the repair at a very reasonable price, and all is good again.

Also replaced sway bar links up front and the ride is definitely improved and quieter. I could see doing tie rod ends and upper and lower control arms up front within next 10K miles to really refresh everything if we keep it that long, but not critical at this mileage.

sherwooa wrote: ↑

Wed Nov 10, 2021 12:43 pm

biggie wrote: ↑

Wed Nov 10, 2021 12:27 pm

Bumping this up as it appears I'm really looking at EX/FX as no one seems to take care of the CVT transmissions and the Kicks is just too expensive.

Seems radiator may be the normal thing to look for at around 100k on the EX.

Thanks for bumping. Besides the radiator, one other recent development on my end as we approach 99k miles on our 2008 is that we had several exhaust leaks. This was mainly in the flanges and in the flex sections on the front y-pipe, but there are not many aftermarket options for the EX, and new Infiniti exhaust parts are crazy expensive. So had a shop weld in new sections and do the repair at a very reasonable price, and all is good again.

Also replaced sway bar links up front and the ride is definitely improved and quieter. I could see doing tie rod ends and upper and lower control arms up front within next 10K miles to really refresh everything if we keep it that long, but not critical at this mileage.

Thanks. Yeah on that old of a car I'd be getting a weld job on the exhaust as well. I do believe the FX has more aftermarket support, so that may help if I go with that one.

No matter what I get my local dealership will look everything over for me to see any unseen issues and I'll go from there.

biggie wrote: ↑

Wed Nov 10, 2021 12:51 pm

sherwooa wrote: ↑

Wed Nov 10, 2021 12:43 pm

Thanks for bumping. Besides the radiator, one other recent development on my end as we approach 99k miles on our 2008 is that we had several exhaust leaks. This was mainly in the flanges and in the flex sections on the front y-pipe, but there are not many aftermarket options for the EX, and new Infiniti exhaust parts are crazy expensive. So had a shop weld in new sections and do the repair at a very reasonable price, and all is good again.

Also replaced sway bar links up front and the ride is definitely improved and quieter. I could see doing tie rod ends and upper and lower control arms up front within next 10K miles to really refresh everything if we keep it that long, but not critical at this mileage.

Thanks. Yeah on that old of a car I'd be getting a weld job on the exhaust as well. I do believe the FX has more aftermarket support, so that may help if I go with that one.

No matter what I get my local dealership will look everything over for me to see any unseen issues and I'll go from there.

Yes, I believe the FX does have more support, though some of the G37 parts are compatible with the EX. It just takes some parts catalog searching to verify which ones.

Definitely get a PPI...always a good idea!

Just to update, found a fully loaded '09 FX35 AWD with 123k miles. Currently just waiting on the dealer (where we bought it from) to get the steering column adj motor replaced.

biggie wrote: ↑

Thu Dec 16, 2021 7:01 am

Just to update, found a fully loaded '09 FX35 AWD with 123k miles. Currently just waiting on the dealer (where we bought it from) to get the steering column adj motor replaced.

Nice. FX's are great cars. Enjoy!

The EX35 / QX50 (not the current model though) MY08-17/18 are one of the most reliable Infiniti cars out there. Keep an eye out on Radiators as they usually crack / leak around 90k. Bushing (by the rear diff) tends to leak and the whole subframe would need to be replaced. Other than that, it's a great reliable vehicle.