Maintenance costs of M35x

[americanpolice]

Hi Everyone,New to the boards. Currently own a Murano. Overall impressed with it. Minor quirks that still exist like CD skipping that I've learned to live with. But like Nissan styling and overall quality.

So, here's my question. I have $25k to spend. I can get a used 2006 Infiniti M35x (less than 30k miles) or a new loaded 2008 Nissan Altima 3.5 SL. Which one should I get?

- Wife, baby and I car pool every day to work/day care. 70 miles roundtrip.- Baby costs me money so I'm looking for a dependable car.- Dont want to get socked with maintenance/repair costs.- Insurance is only a difference of $4.

Tough decision to make so I'm hoping the Infiniti owners can give me some guidance as I know what to expect from Nissan.

Thanks.

[Q45tech]

FWD is usually less expensive to maintain than RWD...................however CVT is the longterm unknown.2 wheel drive is less expensive to maintain than 4 wheel drive.V6 are more expensive to maintain vs I4.Heavy cars wear tires and brakes faster than ligh cars.4 wheel drive get worse MPG due to weight and friction loses.

All in all there could be a $1,000 per year difference in the older V6 vs newer I4.

I know you stated equal engines but just pointing out an I4 is a more economical unit. Unfortunately Nissan has supersized the I4 to 2.5L and lost some LONG TERM reliability in process.

There is usually a higher labor rate at Infiniti dealerships vs Nissan.

The real money killers are all the fancy electronic gadgets they can cost $3,000 to replace.

The M35x might only cost $500 per year more to drive.

Be sure to buy [M35x] 100k/7year Nissan extended warranty!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[americanpolice]

fyi the altima i referred to was the 3.5 liter V6.

[wingFeather]

I can get a used 2006 Infiniti M35x

Considering that I payed almost $60,000 for one two years ago, it would be too good to pass on paying just $25k now.

Basically the cars are both Nissan, same drivetrain. Buy the M35, and change the oil yourself (or at an independent). No big difference in costs... unless you're out of warranty & something fubars. But you don't plan on keeping the car forever, do you?

Treat yourself to the top of the line. You deserve it.

[szh]

Be sure to buy [M35x] 100k/7year Nissan extended warranty!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Absolutely accurate!

Pretty much all modern cars (particularly the luxury models) have lots of fancy electronics that can go wrong. And, these tend to be expensive to repair/replace.

Z

[Bawkchicken]

Any idea/estimate of how much this extended warranty might cost?

[szh]

Any idea/estimate of how much this extended warranty might cost?

Unfortunately, it is not cheap. Which is why people tend to forgo it ...

But, it is like insurance ... expensive, unless you really need it! Think of it this way: the cost of a transmission replacement on these new cars is probably around $3500 to $4000. The NAV electronics are in the $2000 to $3000 range to replace. If you had to do these out of warranty, they are really big-gulp items!

My ball-park estimate of the Extended Warranty cost is somewhere in the range of $1750 - $2000 or so (depends on the deduction you accept). Most easily handled when you buy the car (and, yes, you can negotiate with the dealer on them - they have a markup too!) when included in the financing. Not as easy to do as a single payment later.

Z

[Bawkchicken]

...the cost of a transmission replacement on these new cars is probably around $3500 to $4000. The NAV electronics are in the $2000 to $3000 range to replace...

Yikes! Perhaps I should forgo any thoughts of upgrades, and take a very serious look into obtaining the extended warranty, post purchase (only had it a little over a week now).

[szh]

Yikes! Perhaps I should forgo any thoughts of upgrades, and take a very serious look into obtaining the extended warranty, post purchase (only had it a little over a week now).

Remember ... I am sorta quoting dealer prices - you might see lower numbers if you hunt a bit. The transmission is probably around $2000 to $2300 though (with core return), and installation could perhaps be done for around $750 to $1000 at some independent place.

Electronics might be had at a junk-yard for less, but that is not always guaranteed.

Bottom line: it is expensive to repair modern, high-electronic content, cars of today!

Z

[Q45tech]

The differences in tires alone might be $60 each, that's $240 or $120 per year same with brake wear due to weight. A dollar per pound per year was my rough estimate.

[wingFeather]

The M35 will be in warranty when you buy it... so go for it

[Q45tech]

The problem with warranty is 99% of buyers are not experts and thus miss many warranty dollars by not understanding what will go wrong and how to get subsystems replaced before total failure.

Why lots of things fail just after warranty. The driver is not one with the vehicle and insensitive and uneducated to the WARNING SIGNS.

[lfindshomes]

Hey check out the New Clip of our nex President. The Honorable John McCain. Please pass this on. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLuqxXwG4nE

[telcoman]

Any idea/estimate of how much this extended warranty might cost?

My dealer charged me $1950 for 4 additional years & 48k miles.I took it because of the reasons stated above and I commute 2k miles a month. It covers many items not covered under the manufactures warranty such a belts, hoses, bulbs, 7 pages of fine print in three columns.The dealer offered billing monthly for a year at no finance charge so I took it. Perhaps I wasted 2 grand as I usually decline extended warranties but my G is so expensive to repair, I felt it was a good idea?So far in 68k miles, two TSPS sensors, and one drivers side air bag module all replaced under warranty. It sure seems my extended warranty is like carrying an umbrella. When you have one it doesn't rain.

I'm not complaining. Its the best vehicle I have ever owned.

Telcoman