I have been shaken, sore and depressed until I found a moonlight white EX35 today with the packages listed below.
Infiniti Navigation Package
Luxe Elite Package
Maple Wood Trim
Navigation Booklet
Premium Package
Technology Package
Did I miss something? My M35 (trunk) was a bit small considering I have a bit of a disability issue, and the expanded storage
seems like a godsend. I am fortunate that I can buy a new car before my insurance payoff. The only passenger I have
is my wife so the diminished back seat won't be missed. I am looking forward to joining a new infiniti community, this
one. I never paid attention to the infiniti crossover segment, didn't even know they had one. In the bay area, there is
a small upscale infiniti selection (not counting the huge number of G models that I can't sit upright in.
Any comments on what I might expect would be appreciated,
thanks,
Keith
I wrecked (totaled) my M35 Tuesday and lived
Re: I wrecked (totaled) my M35 Tuesday and lived
Sorry to hear about your M35 and hope you are still doing well. Aside from the limited rear space (which I don't carry more than one passenger), I am obsessed with my car as the first day I bought it. At 15,000 miles and still pride to own one myself, I prefer it over a standard G model because has a hatchback sporty feel to it. If you're going with the 2011, I'm you will enjoy the new 7-Speed they put in it oppose to the 5-speed. Good luck on your purchase =)
Re: I wrecked (totaled) my M35 Tuesday and lived
Aloha Keith, glad you escaped without too much bodily harm other than being both shaken and stirred. Same thing happened to me in a SAAB turbo several years ago---less than 1K miles on the clock and got T-boned by some drunk---so know where you are at...
Am a very new EX owner (about 500 miles) but drove a G sedan for eight years so made some G & EX observations/comparisons below that you may find of interest. Never owned an M but have a friend with one so have taken a few rides in the Plush Gee. Here goes:
1. The front EX egress is much easier than the G/M. You sit higher and it is more of a step-in and set down rather than squat down and slide in. I'm not quite of an age where folding is a concern---but it is not a long stroll from where I'm now at. About all I can say about the back seats is yes there are back seats but see no reason to venture back there exploring. They look OK for adult size short trips and since we can't get more than 30 miles from home without a snorkel they are ideal IMO. Seems like the front cushions may have shrunk an inch in width, but equally likely my fat old butt has expanded two inches...
2. Over the shoulder rear quarter view is nowhere as good as the G/M, but the side mirrors more than make up for it as they are twice as big and cover a lot more real estate. Love those mirrors...
3. Like you, we seldom have backseat guests so the first thing I did was remove the back headrests, put them in a small nylon bag and stow them in the trunk. Put one of the bag straps through the rear seatback attachment fitting for the child seats so the bag doesn't move about. Real easy to remove the headrests. Just press the button on the stem and pull them out. Really helped the rearward views. Also lowered the rear seat armrest since it too protrudes into the rear view plane. Probably take all of 5 seconds each to reattach the rear headrests when we have back seat passengers. Think Infiniti should have also made the front headrests smaller as they also block a bit of the rear view...
4. Six inch higher eyeballs gives one a much better road perspective than that of the G/M. It no longer feels like setting in a bucket. But I don't feel like I'm going to tip over either as the EX just doesn't have that tippy "highchair" SUV feel. Put 90K on an early 2-door Ford Explorers so am quite familiar with that scary SUV "elephant on a skateboard" feeling...
5. The trunk is shallower, but much easier to get things out of since you don't have to bend down. There is a button on each side of the rear hatch door that folds the rear seat backs---no contortions involved. Putting them back up simply involves putting your hand under the seat back and pushing it up so it locks in place. My wife has mixed emotions about the trunk however since with the rear seats down I at last have a way to get a 60" LCD home from Costco. BTW, was able to stow quite a few things in the spare tire wheel well---couple beach towels, extra pair of shoes, a few car-type tools and a air pump. And there is still more room left. Never stowed anything in the under floor G tire well as it was just too hard to get to...
6. I learned to drive in an Army duce & a half so don't need any stinkin' help backing up. However, my parking challenged Sheila absolutely loves that back up camera with moving guide lines. Don't know if you had that on the M, but IMO Infiniti sure got it right with the screen projected travel aspect based on the way the steering wheel is turned. From the looks of your packages it appears you'll also have the all-around 4-camera system. That would really be helpful if one has a mobility problem twisting around to look at the corners. The backup camera is a keepie and that 4-way video will be on my next EX...
7. Coming from the G just about everything fell right to hand. Power seat controls were on the left side of the seat instead of the right but most of the other bits & pieces were pretty much where they were supposed to be. Learning curve was a straight line. Only thing that was a bit confusing was that between 2003 and 2011 Infiniti switched the tack and speedo (and gas/temp) gauges so am still looking at the wrong place. I'll get use to it in a year or two. Still have some of the GUI stuff to sort out, but both of us are techies so that will come easy. Not a big fan of distracting stuff when driving so haven't even checked to see if the radio works. BTW, the white on dark blue/black instrument colour is IMO very good---far better in daylight than the red/orange in the 2003 G...
8. Can't offer anything on performance. Only have 500 miles on the odometer with another K left to go on break in so will leave that aspect to others with more EX miles under their belt. Can say however that the EX sure feels a whole lot like the G so will likely be very happy once I can put my foot in it. Car magazines write ups suggest low-6 second 0-60 times for the EX. My 2003 was 6.6 and that was pre-ethanol so should the EX should be even faster to 35mph which is about as fast as we can go here most of the time. Lastly, the EX feels a bit harder riding, but suspect that is a tire problem and taking out a couple psi may solve the problem. Jury is also still out on the 7 speed automatic. Think the 5 speed was quieter, but driving style is a bit different during break in so hard to tell for sure...
Hope that helps a bit, Hono
Am a very new EX owner (about 500 miles) but drove a G sedan for eight years so made some G & EX observations/comparisons below that you may find of interest. Never owned an M but have a friend with one so have taken a few rides in the Plush Gee. Here goes:
1. The front EX egress is much easier than the G/M. You sit higher and it is more of a step-in and set down rather than squat down and slide in. I'm not quite of an age where folding is a concern---but it is not a long stroll from where I'm now at. About all I can say about the back seats is yes there are back seats but see no reason to venture back there exploring. They look OK for adult size short trips and since we can't get more than 30 miles from home without a snorkel they are ideal IMO. Seems like the front cushions may have shrunk an inch in width, but equally likely my fat old butt has expanded two inches...
2. Over the shoulder rear quarter view is nowhere as good as the G/M, but the side mirrors more than make up for it as they are twice as big and cover a lot more real estate. Love those mirrors...
3. Like you, we seldom have backseat guests so the first thing I did was remove the back headrests, put them in a small nylon bag and stow them in the trunk. Put one of the bag straps through the rear seatback attachment fitting for the child seats so the bag doesn't move about. Real easy to remove the headrests. Just press the button on the stem and pull them out. Really helped the rearward views. Also lowered the rear seat armrest since it too protrudes into the rear view plane. Probably take all of 5 seconds each to reattach the rear headrests when we have back seat passengers. Think Infiniti should have also made the front headrests smaller as they also block a bit of the rear view...
4. Six inch higher eyeballs gives one a much better road perspective than that of the G/M. It no longer feels like setting in a bucket. But I don't feel like I'm going to tip over either as the EX just doesn't have that tippy "highchair" SUV feel. Put 90K on an early 2-door Ford Explorers so am quite familiar with that scary SUV "elephant on a skateboard" feeling...
5. The trunk is shallower, but much easier to get things out of since you don't have to bend down. There is a button on each side of the rear hatch door that folds the rear seat backs---no contortions involved. Putting them back up simply involves putting your hand under the seat back and pushing it up so it locks in place. My wife has mixed emotions about the trunk however since with the rear seats down I at last have a way to get a 60" LCD home from Costco. BTW, was able to stow quite a few things in the spare tire wheel well---couple beach towels, extra pair of shoes, a few car-type tools and a air pump. And there is still more room left. Never stowed anything in the under floor G tire well as it was just too hard to get to...
6. I learned to drive in an Army duce & a half so don't need any stinkin' help backing up. However, my parking challenged Sheila absolutely loves that back up camera with moving guide lines. Don't know if you had that on the M, but IMO Infiniti sure got it right with the screen projected travel aspect based on the way the steering wheel is turned. From the looks of your packages it appears you'll also have the all-around 4-camera system. That would really be helpful if one has a mobility problem twisting around to look at the corners. The backup camera is a keepie and that 4-way video will be on my next EX...
7. Coming from the G just about everything fell right to hand. Power seat controls were on the left side of the seat instead of the right but most of the other bits & pieces were pretty much where they were supposed to be. Learning curve was a straight line. Only thing that was a bit confusing was that between 2003 and 2011 Infiniti switched the tack and speedo (and gas/temp) gauges so am still looking at the wrong place. I'll get use to it in a year or two. Still have some of the GUI stuff to sort out, but both of us are techies so that will come easy. Not a big fan of distracting stuff when driving so haven't even checked to see if the radio works. BTW, the white on dark blue/black instrument colour is IMO very good---far better in daylight than the red/orange in the 2003 G...
8. Can't offer anything on performance. Only have 500 miles on the odometer with another K left to go on break in so will leave that aspect to others with more EX miles under their belt. Can say however that the EX sure feels a whole lot like the G so will likely be very happy once I can put my foot in it. Car magazines write ups suggest low-6 second 0-60 times for the EX. My 2003 was 6.6 and that was pre-ethanol so should the EX should be even faster to 35mph which is about as fast as we can go here most of the time. Lastly, the EX feels a bit harder riding, but suspect that is a tire problem and taking out a couple psi may solve the problem. Jury is also still out on the 7 speed automatic. Think the 5 speed was quieter, but driving style is a bit different during break in so hard to tell for sure...
Hope that helps a bit, Hono
-
keithhr1
- Posts: 66
- Joined: Sun May 30, 2010 4:16 pm
- Car: 2008 M35 Blue Slate/ Graphite leather with tech package and advanced technology package purchased with 20k miles
Re: I wrecked (totaled) my M35 Tuesday and lived
Hono, thanks
I'm having a difficult time with all the soreness and being really stiff. Your reply was clear and concise. I will gladly take some of your suggestions to heart.
I got the 2008 with 43k and got a good price as well. I do like the instrumentation better than the M. The bright yellow instruments of the M were difficult to
Look at. I will write more later but have errands to do now.
I'm having a difficult time with all the soreness and being really stiff. Your reply was clear and concise. I will gladly take some of your suggestions to heart.
I got the 2008 with 43k and got a good price as well. I do like the instrumentation better than the M. The bright yellow instruments of the M were difficult to
Look at. I will write more later but have errands to do now.