Lease Up soon. Anyone go from a 2008 to a 2011/12

[Jonkarn1]

My lease is up soon (3/2012), and I want to stick with the CUV/small SUV type ride. There is nothing even close to the EX in terms of cost and performance and tech and luxury and looks. Believe me, Ive looked:
BMW-too expensive and gotten bigger, NIssan Murano-bigger, but slower, not as luxurious, and just as expensive, Lexus-too expensive and blah, Caddy-same. I like the looks of the new Jeep Grand cherokee, but its slower, heavier and gas mileage is worse, with horrible residual and lease pricing(can get an FX for similar lease rates). I love the FX, but its getting a bit high on the lease(like to keep $500 and under), and its a bit bulky with less gas mileage.

Any one have any suggestions? The EX has spoiled me with comfort, power and looks, when compared with anything else in the market. Yes I know the gas mileage isnt great, but I drive all highway and get 22mpg which isnt bad. I know the back seat is small, but I never sit back there and we dont have kids yet. There is nothing under $500(only fees for downpayment) even close. Right? I would love to get a sports sedan that may be quicker with better gas mileage, but I dont want to give up the hatch, as i just bought a new house and do a lot of hauling(garden supplies, dirt, other house things).

My wife has a new cute little Mazda 3 fully loaded, leather, etc etc which is a really nice car in this price range(top rated), but when I drive it and then get into my car, its like a toy(its only 13 grand less than my EX by the way)-Thats how I know I couldnt downgrade into something less at this point in my life. I drive a lot and want to enjoy it.

I love the fact that I can drive it crazy like a sedan and it can take the abuse and feel stable and the acceleration is mostly great. Although The brakes could use some upgrading as the weight of the EX may be a bit much for a car this heavy and this fast.

Besides getting another car, has anyone gotten the new EX(2011) after owning the 2008? Will I be bored with having the same car for another 39 months? I wish my lease was up next year so i could get into the probably redesigned EX for 2012, but my lease is up in March. I will prob change ext and int color to mix it up a bit, and hope the 7 speed creates some degree of newness and fun to the new lease.

Any suggestions of other CUV/SUVs or comments regarding this situation and the 2011 EX?
Thanks alot. Love Infiniti but my timing is really bad with this lease end.

[Hono]

I vote for the "If it ain't broke then don't fix it." option...

Didn't go from EX to EX, but did go from a G35 sedan to an '11 EX35 and now wouldn't even think of going back to the G sedan. If the dealer had offered a IPL G37 convertible for the same coin of the realm as the EX I'd have given that due consideration---providing the convertible was red of course...

Loved the G35 and the service so already had a rather pronounced tilt towards a new Infiniti. Lot of time on my hands however so did some very extensive research and also test drove a Volvo C30 and Mini Countryman (blame that one on my Sheila, not me) before buying. You are right when you say nothing else even comes close to the EX in the small SUV/crossover arena...

[AWGD8]

If I have the option to lease, I would definitely check out BMW 335xi. They probably have a good lease incentive right now. If not I would get a G37X sedan.

[gio14]

We just picked up the 2011, it's the perfect car for us, no kids yet, space is great and the interior is just posh and enough toys and tech to stand the test of time for 39months We tried all the others the Infinity had the the looks, the interior, the aggressive sporty drive. We actually walked in conviced to get the g37, was even cheaper, but the ex offered more benefits for us. The g37 had no space. And by now I'm sure u have noticed how handy the rear area with back seats down can be. It stands alone in its class for the money. DO IT!

[zarar]

If I were to trade in for another Infiniti, depending on the cost of the car and price of lease, I would consider looking at the New Infiniti JX.

http://www.infinitiusa.com/all-new-jx/? ... s.JX_Micro

Some features I've noted:

- Auto Open/Close Trunk
- Built in Remote Starter
- Steering wheel resembles the new Infiniti M
- Looking like a Toyota Highlander from the outside (only slightly but still love the JX design)
- Dashboard somewhat reminds me of the new Murano
- 7 Seater, 3 rows. Given the options to fold down the third row for more cargo space
- Panoramic Roof viewable from all three rows
- Nice Large/Heavy looking front grill
- Seems to cover almost all the luxury and technology features in the EX

[XIS]

Looks interesting, but the OP wanted to stick with 'the CUV/small SUV type ride'. A 7 seater takes it out of the game.

:0

Just to solidify your decision, check out the Acura RDX, Audi A3, X1?

[Jonkarn1]

yes thanks for clarifying. The JX is way too big for my needs, no kids yet, etc. And I actually dont like the way it looks, a bit too nissan pathfinderish, squarish for my tastes. I have to say for a brand new model it looks no more modern than the 2008 EX, if anything it looks like a step backward in terms of design. They really strayed far away from the original concept car.

And yes I forgot to mention the Acura RDX. I originally considered it back in 2008, but it was too slow, gas mileage was low for a 4 cylinder(high revving turbo), much less refined inside and out, and Fuuugly! At the same price point as the EX35. So I said no way. And since nothing has changed for the RDX, I say no again.

The BMW 335x is great but it doesnt have a hatch and is out of my lease price range, and the G37x also has no hatch, and the rear seats dont even fold down!! how can anyone who owns a house have a car where the seats dont go down! you cant haul anything. LOL

[zarar]

How do you feel about Land Rovers?

Evoque: http://www.landrover.com/us/en/rr/range-rover-evoque/ (Would be great if you could negotiate the price below $40,000)

[Jonkarn1]

I did see this a little while ago and loved it. Im assuming it will be above my lease price range, and i would think the residual on a car like this wouldnt be too good considering its a new model and its a land rover. Equipping it similarly to my EX Journey brings it over $50 G's. i may go check it out anyway, maybe they are desperate for sales and would give out good deal. Would like to test drive it anyway. Looks great. Anyone check this out yet?

[Rob's Rogue]

Just my two cents; but I did not see the new 2012 BMW X3 mentioned here. I recently had an opportunity to drive the upper model xDrive 35i at a BMW comparo event this summer. I was very impressed with the new design; quiet, refined, luxurious and fast as hell. I don't know what the leasing is like given that this is a brand new model. Possibly the rates may come down a bit with the approaching winter season not to mention the economy. In my opinion, however, the X3 would be a match for the EX across most parameters. I would at least give it drive and see what you think. Good luck and happy shopping!

[Jonkarn1]

I did mention the BMW in my first post(forgot to put the model i was talking about). It is more expensive, and especially since the redesign in which it was made larger, will probably be priced accordingly. The redesign is def an upgrade from the old X3, but Im pretty sure than an equally equipped X3 is at least over 45G's compared to 38 for the EX35. I wonder when the X1 comes out? Would be curious to check that out. And again, thanks for the suggestions guys. Im still leaning towards the EX, as it is defeating all comers in the lease race!

[minimo3]

The X3 35i feels faster in a straight line (the turbo has more low end grunt than the VQ), but it leans a lot more in cornering than the EX. Feels like an SUV. I also didn't like the boring dash (hasn't changed in 10yrs) and the weird transmission lever.

[ANBYOND]

If I were to trade in for another Infiniti, depending on the cost of the car and price of lease, I would consider looking at the New Infiniti JX.

http://www.infinitiusa.com/all-new-jx/? ... s.JX_Micro

Some features I've noted:

- Auto Open/Close Trunk
- Built in Remote Starter
- Steering wheel resembles the new Infiniti M
- Looking like a Toyota Highlander from the outside (only slightly but still love the JX design)
- Dashboard somewhat reminds me of the new Murano
- 7 Seater, 3 rows. Given the options to fold down the third row for more cargo space
- Panoramic Roof viewable from all three rows
- Nice Large/Heavy looking front grill
- Seems to cover almost all the luxury and technology features in the EX

One thing to note.. the all new JX is front drive based. So that is a big negative to me. I'm sure it won't handle or drive as nice as the EX, with it's bigger/size weight and front drive biased..

[zarar]

Yeah I also noticed if I'm not mistake, it will have a CVT Transmission?

[Jonkarn1]

Wow what a wakeup call at the dealership today. Horrible lease deals for the EX right now. Even with customer loyalty. The same car I have now EX35 journey premium that I am paying $470/mth for will be in the mid $500's for a 2011 model. I am shopping around other dealerships to see if they can do better, but if not this may mean the end of me and infiniti. I could see if it was a new model, but it's the same car with a 7 speed. Can't justify paying $80 more per month for that. Also the salesman said the EX isn't do for a body change until 2014 and hasn't heard anything regarding the 3.7 liter engine either. He could have been lying but who knows. That's a 6 year period for model update

[giguy]

Just purchased a 2011 AWD Journey loaded EX35. Love it. I agree with your first post as I had many of the same thoughts during my search.
The closest competition in making my decision was the A3, BMW 328 Sportwagon is very nice, Honda Crosstour and the Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback Ralliart.
X3, Q5, GLK were more SUV like than I was looking for. I believe the WRX STI comes in a 5 door hatch but no automatic...the wife needs to be able to drive it.