Help me decide on my next Infiniti purchase.

[UnMaTcHeD]

Well after 6 months of ownership, I have finally decided to trade in the EX. The main reason is the lack of rear passenger space. I went to the dealership this morning and was looking at the M and the dealer gave me a fully loaded 2008 M45X to take home for the night. It's truely a wonderful vehicle, but I am not 100% sold on it.

At this point I will either get the 2008 M45X (approx $47k) or the 2009 FX35 (approx $45). The M is a dealer demo which has just under 6,000 miles, but the 4 year warranty begins when I sign the papers and drive the car off the lot. The FX is a brand new vehicle.

Right now I can't decide between both and would appreciate any input as I try to make up my mind.

[M45Caliber]

Well, we have both an EX35 and an M45, although it's the Y34 model and RWD. I would look at a used low mileage 2008 and you should save an additional 10K on one of those; buy the Infiniti Elite warranty/CPO wrap for an additional 2K and you will be covered for around 100K miles and STILL be 8K ahead. Or buy the one you are looking at...

Have him give you the FX for a day too -- completely different riding and handling vehicles. For overall room and visability, the FX wins. For speed and handling, the M45 wins... although the FX50 might run with the M - try that one out? I have a friend with the 2008 FX35 and he manages almost 25 MPG on the highway with it - so that will be several better than the M will get.

You are right in that the rear seat is cramped on the EX but we don't use the rear seat much at all. We did manage to cram ALL our luggage AND two mountain bikes inside the EX on a recent week long trip for two up to Utah. So it has room, just limited rear seat knee room. We've decided to live with it. It's my wifes car and she's in it alone 98% of the time. She loves the car/crossover/whatever and does not want anything bigger even though (or because of?) she came out of a Honda Pilot.

[M35 Sport]

Well after 6 months of ownership, I have finally decided to trade in the EX. The main reason is the lack of rear passenger space. I went to the dealership this morning and was looking at the M and the dealer gave me a fully loaded 2008 M45X to take home for the night. It's truely a wonderful vehicle, but I am not 100% sold on it.

At this point I will either get the 2008 M45X (approx $47k) or the 2009 FX35 (approx $45). The M is a dealer demo which has just under 6,000 miles, but the 4 year warranty begins when I sign the papers and drive the car off the lot. The FX is a brand new vehicle.

Right now I can't decide between both and would appreciate any input as I try to make up my mind.

If I may ask, will you be taking any sort of loss on the EX? Also room wise the M is pretty comfortable. This is probably the first car where people could get in my back seat and I didn't have to jam my legs in my chest in the front seat to give them room.

[NightWatch]

IMO

At this point I will either get the 2008 M45X (approx $47k).

IMO $47K is too high for a 2008 M45x with 6000 miles on it. Within 6 months the car will be 2 model years behind so unless you plan on keeping it for 5 years or longer you will take a terrible hit on depreciation. I bought my 2008 M35 Sport in January '09 for a little over $33K. I would think you've got a bit of bargining room. You didn't indicate what packages the FX35 has, so I can't comment on the price... Sounds pretty much MSRP, but Infiniti doesn't seem to deal on FX's, they sell too many of them.

M45 Caliber is right, have them give you the FX 35 for a day to drive. They are very different feeling cars. It all depends on what type of ride you're looking for.

[EniGmA1987]

I love how much room my M35 has. But 47k for a used M45 sounds like too much to me. I got my '06 M35 fully loaded for only 20k. That was like 4 months ago. If you plan on keeping it for a long time then maybe, but judging from your willingness to trade in your EX after only half a year you might want to look for a cheaper car with higher milage

[mmmarlowe]

Well, went I went searching for a car about 3 months ago, I looked and like the EX. But I took my two teenage sons along when I went shopping and they were not very comfortable in the back. I ended up buying a 2007 M45 with 20k miles for about $29,500. So far (knock on wood), it's been a very good car. Gas mileage on the car is fairly horrendous but it has a good feel on the road and great zip. If you do decide to buy a M, you will need to decide between the Sport or Base model. Most of the used M's (at least in California) seem to be sport models. The sport's ride is a bit harsh for some but then that is again a matter of personal preference.

[JDS]

If it were me, I would wait six months for the 2010 M35x, which, according to Car and Driver, will come with a direct injection V6 of 340 - 350 HP, 7 speed transmission, new body and much improved interior. The 2010 M50x is said to have 390 HP.

[JDS]

Correction, the 2010 will be called an M37x.

[83wildcat]

I agree with NightWatch, $47K is too high for a 2008 M45x with 6000 miles on it. My local Infiniti dealer is selling brand new 2008 M45X's for $47,999 and has a M45 for $42,999, see link:

http://www.infinitiofkirkland.com/MiscPage_19

I'm sure you can do even better than that if you worked the dealer some.

[TASM45S]

Both are nice vehicles but how it will used should determine the purchase. 47k seems high. I just bought a 2008 M45S demo as well with Tech, Adv Tech, Rear Entertainment, Rear Spoiler. I was out the door under 40k. This is my third Infiniti and so far the M45 has been awesome.

[UnMaTcHeD]

Final update; I dropped off the M at the dealership during lunch yesterday and returned to work with a Black on Black FX35 as my tester. Well I loved the car so much that I decided to try to work out a deal on it.

Final figures;

My trade in of the EX35 with 7,750 miles, Nav, Prem, Tech Lux style, Roofrails and crossbars (Both from that dealership in Oct 08 for $35,200) was $33,000. * The best that I could get for the trade in at another Infiniti dealership was $30,000.

The brand new FX35 Black on Black with Nav, Tech, Prem, Roofrails and Crossbars as well as Cargo Area organizer was $44,700 + Tax on $11,700 (dif of trade in amount and new car puchase) + $99 doc fee + 5 years of maintenance $1,400. The dealer also threw in some all season mats.

I love this car!!

Thanks for the input fellows.

[cobblecanyon]

Final update; I dropped off the M at the dealership during lunch yesterday and returned to work with a Black on Black FX35 as my tester. Well I loved the car so much that I decided to try to work out a deal on it.

Final figures;

My trade in of the EX35 with 7,750 miles, Nav, Prem, Tech Lux style, Roofrails and crossbars (Both from that dealership in Oct 08 for $35,200) was $33,000. * The best that I could get for the trade in at another Infiniti dealership was $30,000.

The brand new FX35 Black on Black with Nav, Tech, Prem, Roofrails and Crossbars as well as Cargo Area organizer was $44,700 + Tax on $11,700 (dif of trade in amount and new car puchase) + $99 doc fee + 5 years of maintenance $1,400. The dealer also threw in some all season mats.

I love this car!!

Thanks for the input fellows.

You got yourself a great ride!!

You can't go wrong with any Infiniti IMHO!!