M35x Buying Advice

[CentralVaBuyer]

I'm looking at buying a '06 or '07 M35x, and had a few questions to throw out to the collective brain trust:

1) It will eventually be a car for my teenage son. Am I insane to think about handing a car like this over to him?

2) Is the tramlining issue widespread?

3) I'm having a hard time finding one in the Richmond area, but it looks like there are dozens for sale at reputable dealers in the D.C. area, and for thousands less (over $30k here, plenty to pick from in D.C. for $24 - $27k) Is this just because there are more Infiniti dealers there (3 in Va suburbs, 3 (I think) in MD suburbs versus only one in Richmond? Or is Richmond considered too 'Southern' and Infiniti didn't push many AWD's our way?

4) Is there somewhere I can find the original option packages to help decide which ones I really need?

5) Is there any meaningful difference between an '06 and an '07?

Any and all advice is greatly appreciated.

[digiboy]

1) It will eventually be a car for my teenage son. Am I insane to think about handing a car like this over to him?

Short answer: yes. This thing is a beast with headlights and I would be very nervous having anyone under the age of 25 flying around in one of these monsters. It has A LOT of power and begs to be used. I would get a versa or something with limited power to minimize teenage insanity.

2) Is the tramlining issue widespread?

I don't have severe tramlining in my '08 - occasionally it will like to go a little left or right as I stop - but its more like a hiccup than anything severe.

[striz923]

I'm looking at buying a '06 or '07 M35x, and had a few questions to throw out to the collective brain trust:

1) It will eventually be a car for my teenage son. Am I insane to think about handing a car like this over to him?

2) Is the tramlining issue widespread?

3) I'm having a hard time finding one in the Richmond area, but it looks like there are dozens for sale at reputable dealers in the D.C. area, and for thousands less (over $30k here, plenty to pick from in D.C. for $24 - $27k) Is this just because there are more Infiniti dealers there (3 in Va suburbs, 3 (I think) in MD suburbs versus only one in Richmond? Or is Richmond considered too 'Southern' and Infiniti didn't push many AWD's our way?

4) Is there somewhere I can find the original option packages to help decide which ones I really need?

5) Is there any meaningful difference between an '06 and an '07?

Any and all advice is greatly appreciated.

1) dear god yes, when I was a teenager I did some really crazy stuff in a Buick Skylark, If I had a REAL car at that time, I wouldn't be here. The M has a LOT of get up and go.

2) With the stock tires yes on tramlining, my 06 is AWFUL about that.

3) don't know

4) when I was researching I found the packages somewhere and can't remember where, and my wife is staring at me to get me off the computer, so I can't help now

5) I am pretty sure no changes at all.

good luck, and please don't give this car to your teenage son lol.

[CentralVaBuyer]

Thanks for the advice. I'd like to get something that I'll enjoy for a year or two then hand down, but it looks like the M35 is a bad idea. I suspect that the G35 wouldn't be any less insane, since it's probably just as powerful. Back to the drawing board.

[dorlandm]

Hello Virginia guy:

This car is a lot for a teenager! I agree with less power and less options to distract young drivers. Plus, if this is his first car, what will he get next, a Bently? Careful not to spoil them with this vehicle, because going back down the food chain will be hard.

Tramling is all in the tires I feel. both 06 - 07 have it or not and if it does, it is tire related so build in $800 for that possible fix. You will know if it has it on the test drive. You will need both hands to keep from getting a DWI.

Autotrader.com ! You should be $24K for nice 06 and $27K for nice 07. You can do better, but shop this car hard. Not too many buyers in this market.

Options; 07 Bose 8 speakers without nav was Tech Pkg, Advanced tech pkg added surround sound (which is amazing!) and Nav, lane departure and advance cruise. Premium Pkg added power sun shade, DVD flip down back seat and climate controlled, reclining rear seats. I would get Tech & Advanced tech without the Premium pkg since it was like $10K more. You will love the other toys but unless you are a choufer the rest is excess.

Good Luck,

Mark

[rstar00]

Tramlining on my 06 M35x was bad with the OEM tires. I just put on new tires and it is all gone. In fact it's like a new car. The best deal ever on tires for this car Michelin Pilot Sprot A/S at Tire Race 245/45/18 are on sale at $145. My friend just payed $245 for these here in town. These tires are great wet or dry. I drove in 2.5 inches of snow last night and could not believe how good the were.

[chad07m35x]

VA,I have an 07 M35X and I absolutely love it. As for you questions, I will try to help as well.

1. Wow! I have a lot of fun with my car in ATL traffic, but I could not imagine being a teenager in this car. It has a ton of power and loves to be pushed. I would not want my kid to have a car like this. The G35 may be even worse in some cases becasue the new ones have more power and are lighter.

2. The stock tires are horrible and I am about to just throw them away and get all new tires. There have been plenty of correspondance on this site about the best tires.

3. There was almost no difference from 06 to 07.

Hope this helps.

[BassPilot]

For a list of option packages and what each includes, go here: http://www.intellichoice.com/r...i/M35.

[szh]

Sorry I missed this before!

1) It will eventually be a car for my teenage son. Am I insane to think about handing a car like this over to him?

Yikes. I'll endorse the other responses. Yes, I think it is too much car for anybody who is too young to exercise judgement, or (more often) thinks that us old fogies don't know what we are talking about, and that they can handle anything the world can throw at them!

My wife and I think we will keep her now-eleven-year-old Acura 2.2CL for my son to learn/drive when he gets of age in a few years. Under-powered (145HP), over-weight, under-geared as it is, it will be perfect for that purpose!

2) Is the tramlining issue widespread?

No. Mostly has to do with poor OEM tires installed. The Goodyear Eagle RS-A should be replaced (as soon as you can afford to do so) with better tires, and the tramlining will go away.

Z