EX35 vs Murano

[verdegallardo]

Sorry to do a "vs" post as my first post here, but I just bought a slightly used 2009 Murano LE yesterday with Navigation etc. I brought it home and my wife loved it, so I offered to give it to her and I'll buy another one. Instead of buying another Murano, I thought I'd look at the Infiniti FX35 and EX35. Unfortunately I can't find any '09 FX35's with navigation so I started looking at EX35's. I see they are quite a bit smaller but some of the reviews I read said it's a better driver's car? Has anyone owned (or atleast driven) both the Murano and the EX, and if so what are your opinions of them?

Another question I have is interior option wise - does the 08 FX35 have an IPOD hookup and musicbox hard drive to store songs on like the 09's do (with nav)? If so I could probably find an 08 FX35.

Thanks for the help - going to some dealers in the AM!

[jmess]

zer...anted

[pwlorraine]

zer...anted

My wife's lease on her BMW X3 is coming up next month and she is looking at a replacement. She obviously likes the X3 and we may buy it, she also test drove an Audi A4, an Audi Q5, and the EX35. She originally thought she wanted a sedan but now thinks she has been spoiled and wants the increased interior space of an SUV. She really liked the Q5 - absolutely gorgeous interior, excellent driving characteristics - luxurious and solid feel. She initially didn't want to drive the EX35 but decided she should give it a test. First response was she hated the Infiniti new car smell - very chemical on the car we drove which had just reached the lot - Audi's and BMW's smell like nice leather furniture. But she really enjoyed driving the EX35, taking curves very fast, enjoying the power going up hills. The EX35 is smaller, the tech is very nice - at least on par with the Audi and BMW, and the handling is super. Plus it looks like it will come in about $6-7K cheaper than the Q5. So right now the EX35 is competing against buying out our X3 at the end of the lease.

I'd also look at an M35x - excellent deals and a good amount of space. Nice car.

Peter

[Own Goal]

Just bought wife a new '10 EX35 Journey/Nav/ RWD before Christmas. Thougth wanted an X3 till read the 4 year long stickey over on Bimmerfest about the AT problems. Drove the Q5 and loved it, then walked next door to Infiniti dealer and drove the EX35. Feels similiar for about $8-10k less. This is very first Infiniti but love the car. Wife thought on small side but it's the 80/20 deal; the car you would love to drive all the time but you don't buy because what you need 20% of the time. What didn't realize was how fast this thing is. A super ride and our dealer is a gem and in right place. Also the trade off is more like 95/5 turns out.

[maps]

I test-drove a loaded 2010 Murano and it was OK but it didn't do it for me. The driving experience wasn't that great, the seemed bigger than it really was - felt like I was driving a big cocoon, and I really wanted to like the front seat but couldn't get it positioned to be comfortable no matter how hard I tried. I much prefer the EX35. My only concern going into the purchase was the lack of cargo volume, especially with the rear seats up. My concern was heightened by the automotive press constantly harping on this "liability". This has proven to be a complete non-issue and I am happy to have avoided the experience of shlepping around an empty box (cr-v, etc.) for the experience of driving a near-luxury vehicle that, while not perfect, is fun to drive, handles well, and has decent acceleration, solid brakes, and excellent electronics.

[EibachMBZ]

Since you are looking for vs, here are some things I put in consideration when purchasing a vehicle. Since you are looking for both cars so I assume price is not an issue because EX obvious cost a little higher.

EX35 vs MuranoInfiniti service vs Nissan service (No free coffee and donuts here)VQ35HR 297hp (Vrrrooommm) vs VQ35DE 265hpRWD vs FWD (Easy to drive but no fun)5 speed AT vs CVT (This thing doesn’t shift!)Better front suspension with aluminum control arm (Lot better handling) vs standard front suspensionLighter curb weight (Light + More Power = FASTER) vs higher curb weight

[artemka]

I happen to own both. The wife drives the Murano, I'm keeping the EX35. Different needs, and both cars fit their niche. Happy to elaborate, if this thread is still live...

[Marconelly]

First response was she hated the Infiniti new car smell - very chemical on the car we drove which had just reached the lot - Audi's and BMW's smell like nice leather furniture.

That's a strange comment to read because to me it was only leather that I could smell in one I test drove, and the one I have now. Nothing chemical about it at all, and I'm very attuned to that chemical kind of smell, which I don't like at all. Maybe it's because the weather is still on a cold side so the plastics don't release any smell yet, maybe it's the treatment they apply to dark vs. light leather (ones I drove are both wheat color) but the car smelled more 'natural' than the mercedes B we had before at least.
Modified by Marconelly at 12:41 PM 3/25/2010

[Seineseeker]

We looked at both the EX35 and Murano, but they aren't the same car. Size wise the FX35 is more like the Murano. Clearly the EX35 and FX35 are a step up from the Murano. If we needed the space and didn't want to pay for an FX35 we would have go that. But the EX is far more stylish! So we got that.

[EibachMBZ]

That's a strange comment to read because to me it was only leather that I could smell in one I test drove, and the one I have now. Nothing chemical about it at all, and I'm very attuned to that chemical kind of smell, which I don't like at all. Maybe it's because the weather is still on a cold side so the plastics don't release any smell yet, maybe it's the treatment they apply to dark vs. light leather (ones I drove are both wheat color) but the car smelled more 'natural' than the mercedes B we had before at least.

Modified by Marconelly at 12:41 PM 3/25/2010

It's funny that BMW is actually the one using the synthetic leather on 40K car... And I think base model Audi too...