Murano > FX

[viperdoc]

I just moved over from the G35 coupe group and wanted to extend my opinion about the new Murano compared to the FX.

Coming out of a G35 coupe, I immediately went to the infiniti dealer and test drove both the EX and FX. I was set on the FX, but had a lot of heartburn on spending the $42K for a new one, despite that it was $6000 off the MSRP. I had thought about the Murano but had not seen any of the new ones yet. But in my mind the FX was just a roomier G, and as such would be more along the lines of what I liked to drive....rear drive, better acceleration, better handling. Etc. Then I went to the Nissan dealer and drove the new Murano. I was stunned to say the least. The interior was indistinguishable from the FX, the ride was better, visibility was better, and it was quieter. But as I am standing there in the dealer, a couple of other folks were looking into a Murano as well. But she was about 75 years old. It suddenly made me scared--- I am buying an old lady SUV?

Well, I went home and did more research, and I could really not come up with any good reason to get the FX over the Murano, despite that fact that the old lady wanted to buy one too. I liked the ride better in the Murano than the FX, and the interior was just as comfortable. So I asked myself, what is $11,000 worth in a car? (I paid $31700 for my murano with leather, tech, nav, and dual moonroof).

According to every road test I could find, the FX does perform better than the new Murano in acceleration and handling. But not be nearly as much as I thought. Slalom- the Murano was only 3mph slower. Skid pad- there was only a difference of .03 gs. 0-60- the Murano was, on average, only one second slower, and in some cases only 0.5 seconds slower.

Sure, there may be more body lean in hard cornering in the Murano, but from the numbers, and the test drive, I just could not warrant the extra $$$$$$$. Plus... while both models hold value well, the FX is expected to lose more relative value (as most luxury brands do I have been told), insurance costs are substantially higher, and I currently get 27 mpg on the highway with the CVT. So I took the money left over and upgraded my home theater system. For $11000 you can do quite a lot to a home theater (I didn't spend that much, but boy, if my wife had let me I would never leave the house).

So if anyone else out there had struggled with which to buy, maybe this info will reinforce why you chose the Murano. (nothing against the FX, though. IN fact, if there had been only a few thousand dollars difference, I may have gotten one, if they had the same stuff in them)

Modified by viperdoc at 7:01 AM 5/15/2009
Modified by viperdoc at 8:45 AM 5/15/2009

[Bunshaw]

I have to say since buying my 09 MO, the typical drivers I see are older females. However typical drivers and demographics aside, I would still choose it again. It's a very nice vehicle for the money and the interior is very much like it was lifted directly from Infiniti. If the MO had a choice of Nissans 3.7L and some of the more advanced Infiniti features like lane departure prevention and the all around camera view it would undoubtedly cannibalize even more Infiniti sales.

[Musky300]

Drive what you like.

I am a 29-year guy who's daily driver for 6 years was a modified Mustang Cobra. I wanted something bigger that was nice, luxurious, and with good power for my family vehicle. The Murano was hands-down the best mid-sized SUV out of all the ones I looked at.

[bfshift]

muranos are sexy!

[Timmbo]

I love the Murano, I also love the FX! With that being said, the only way I would choose the FX over the Murano is if I had a lot of extra cash to spend on the FX and if space wasn't an issue, there is a lot more room in the Murano.

[shaqatk]

I currently get 27 mpg on the highway with the CVT.

dude how ta f*** are u getting 27 mpg? as hard as i tried my best was like 22.5... but good buy man i hope ull enjoy ur murano... i know i am XD

[joe603]

Well for me, I hated the Murano CVT trans...the FX has a normal 5-speed auto (or is it 6 speed?). Anyway, we just bought a Mitsu Outlander XLS and it's been a great vehicle. Standard 3rd row, styling, and the price are what sold us. I still have my 05 G35...but I'm looking at the FX50 for the next vehicle

[donaldo74]

Must be all down hill LOL

[Timmbo]

Must be all down hill LOL

Do you have the 3.5 engine in your Murano from "down under"? I know in Singapore you can purchase a Murano with a 2.5 in it.

[viperdoc]

I actually am getting that mpg on the highway. THe only thing I put in was a K&N filter. I noticed a big jump. If I use the cruise, or just keep a constant speed, it will hang around 27-28. My average for this tank of gas, including about 30% city driving is 24.4 by the digital readout. Obviously, if there are lots of hills, the average on the highway lowers closer to 22-23, but as long as the road is reasonably flat, which my commute is (25miles one way), I am getting 27.

[Poyzinous]

Joe I'd be jealous if you got an FX50. The S50 models have the 5speed auto, the S51 generation has the new 7speed. I drove one the other day. Wow. It was wonderful. Really really fast. Viperdoc, saying the Murano is Greater than the FX is like saying the Altima is greater than the G35/G37. They're COMPLETELY different vehicles. The FX is all about sport and fun. The Murano is about family and comfort. The difference in price goes hand in hand with the difference in the vehicles. Pay more and you get an Infiniti. Premium car brand. Longer warranty, better service, faster, better handling, better braking vehicle, features not available on the Murano, and a few other things. Its all in opinion.

[viperdoc]

I agree... they are different. And when I am at a stop light or going around a turn, the G35 coupe driver in me assumed I would have preferred the FX. But when I looked at the numbers, there is not as big a difference as you might think. the FX is only faster than the Murano to 60 mph by about 1 sec, based on all performance reviews I could find. Around the skid pad, the Murano was measured at .78g compared to the FX's .82g. As for the slalom, the difference was only 3 miles per hour- 58.8 vs 62 mph (based of car and driver's numbers). Both were rated at handling in the GOOD category. After driving both, I the main difference I noticed was that the FXs hood was so big I had a hard time seeing over it, and I am 5'11''. So based on performance, I couldn't see spending $11K more. Obviously, though, for some people driving an "infiniti" is, by itself, worth that much money- which I can identify with given my last car.

Plus, the ownership costs of the FX are much more- tires, insurance, sales tax, gas mileage ....etc. The ownership costs of the FX are even rated as very poor by consumer reports.

As far as amenities, the only thing the FX has that my Murano does not is air conditioned front seats and an around view monitor. Again, not worth the money to me.

And as far as service, if I actually used the dealership to get my oil changes I would pay a fortune. At least in san antonio, the dealer here wanted to charge me $85 for an oil change, and they did not include tax. So I changed my G35s oil myself.

I will admit the FX is more of a driver's car, though, as was mentioned before. It does accelerate and brake faster, and does go through the slalom faster and with a little less body lean. But for me, as I commute 60 miles round trip, 90% of my day is on the highway, where those differences wouldn't have mattered anyway. And to get the most out of those differences I would have to have done it in a 4300 pound car.... not smart. After all, if performance was really my goal, and not comfort, amenities, and quietness, I would have taken the extra money I saved and put a large down payment on a new 370Z. Hey.... not a bad idea now that I think of it.

But as was said earlier, you have to drive what you like, and have the money you spend be worth it to you. In this post of was just bringing up points that, for me, made the FX a bad choice (well... bad in the economical sense). To each his own....

Modified by viperdoc at 6:02 PM 6/1/2009
Modified by viperdoc at 6:07 PM 6/1/2009