Should I Buy The EX35?

[scottrod]

The missus needs a new car; retiring a 1999 Accord EX.

Yesterday we drove the 2009 Lexus RX350, the Nissan Murano, sat in and walked away from an Acura RDX, and finally drove the Infiniti EX35. Twice. It's down to the RX350 and the EX35.

What worries me is the reports of crappy aftersale service (perhaps a dealer issue and not a systemic problem?), the right-turn grinding noise/vibration (which sounds like may have a fix in the works), and finally, a report of no 2009 EX35. Is it being discontinued after one year? Ouch!

OTOH, the RX350 has lots of history and generally satisfied customers.

I know the mission is different for the two vehicles, but given where we are in life, I think we'd be very happy with either one.

I know when I sat in the EX35 I said out loud, "This feels like my car." I didn't have that intimate feeling in the Lexus, but the RX350 is still a fine piece of machinery.

Somebody push me off the fence! Help!

[pronse]

Scotty,I own an EX 2008 and had an X3 BMW before it. However, I am solo and don't have lots of needs.

The EX is certainly NOT for a family and it doesn't have cargo space as much as the Lexus. If you have friends short enough, the backseats might work for you cos it hardly had any leg room in the back.

The Lexus I drove made me feel isolated from the road. As if I was driving on air. Not a pretty good feeling but then, that's me.

Also, a comparable Lexus would easily cost $10K more.

I took the EX coz I don't like the feeling of driving a boat when most of the times, I am the only passenger in it.

But then again, different folks -- different strokes!

Pronse.PS: I think Infiniti is working on a 2010 EX.

[AWGD8]

If only the two of you, then EX35 is a good choice- The RWD is fast for a crossover car. The aerodynamic of the EX35 is a lot better on the highway. (More stable in abrupt manuever bec. of lower stance). The only drawback with the EX35 is the resale value. If you can get a 9k discount on the new EX35, that means the resale is probably suck! Performance wise EX35 is the best! EX35 body is more solid. I slid once in an icy road during an aggressive turn (Understeer) and hit a bunk of snow on the side of the road. I thought I damaged the passenger front bumper. I checked it out and not even a scratch can be seen.

I had a Toyota RAV4 V6 SPORT bought in April of 2008. The paint they used in most Toyota cars is a waterbased paint. Everytime I travel out of state, I was getting a lot of nicks and chips on the front bumper and hood.The paint is so thin ! When I found out that the EX35 has a 0% interest and 3.5k below invoice, I traded in my 5 month old RAV4 to an EX35 Journey AWD. Can`t complain a thing.....

I think the LEXUS will hold it`s value better than the EX35. That is the only advantage of getting a Lexus.

[scottrod]

Dude. Did you really get 9k off MSRP/3.5k off invoice???

I'm negotiating at 5k below MSRP of $48,375 here.

http://www.infinitiofcolumbus....=true

Should I push for more?

TIA!

[AWGD8]

Sorry, I might have overlooked the numbers....

My EX35 MSRP was $37,720. I worked the number with the sales manager

(internet). He went down to $33,350 plus TAX, title but he didn`t include

the destination fee . Plus he also combined 72 months 0% interest.

I only have a an EX35 Journey AWD no package. bec. I want an AWD that

is lighter in weight. I don`t have a roof rails also.

[Second Skin Rep]

Before buyingthe ex35 I test drove the following cars:

Mercedes Benz glkAudi Q5Acura MDZRange Rover SportToyota Hilander

Our of all of those I bought the ex35. It fit my needs more so than the others, had more power, less weight and was exactly my style.Plus I got it for $10k off of msrp. no joke! That right there was enough for me to make up my mind.I needed something with power, comfort and safety. This one had it all, and I like the way it drover better than all the other crossovers I test drove.

ANT

[AWGD8]

The best reason to get an EX35 is even when you floor it, it doesn`t

scream like the typical HONDA or Toyota cars. All you can hear is the

engine roar at the front... I also drove a G35 awd 2007 sedan as a loaner,

that thing is rough! It`s quick though, but I got headache after driving it.

I guess, I was so used to driving the EX....

It seems like you are going for the fully loaded one my friend?

If I can turn back the hands of time, I`ll go for the new G37 AWD SEDAN!

7 speed with better engine power. That extra horsepower will make up for

the AWD weight disadvantage. Assuming you want an AWD.

[gbear]

I heard the best discription of a Lexus from a BMW dealer when I was looking at the EX-35 and comparing it to the BMW 135i. He said that Lexus is for people that hate driving but still want to pay a lot for it. It is very true, the Lexus is like sitting in a recliner in front of a video game...there is no road feel, and generally very poor handling.

[jmess]

I heard the best discription of a Lexus from a BMW dealer when I was looking at the EX-35 and comparing it to the BMW 135i. He said that Lexus is for people that hate driving but still want to pay a lot for it. It is very true, the Lexus is like sitting in a recliner in front of a video game...there is no road feel, and generally very poor handling.

Driving the RX is like getting a shot of Novocaine; it feels pretty numb. I haven't driven the new RX350 but thoroughly hated my time in several RX300s.

[gloa2000]

It is very true, the Lexus is like sitting in a recliner in front of a video game...there is no road feel, and generally very poor handling.

Nowadays Video games give much more road feeling than Lexus

[Newbie88]

I'd get the RX350...for several reasons:

My local dealer's service is horrible.My car is in there again for the steering/grinding (they already replaced the rack)Dash ticking/creeking (they have yet to find it)Vibration at 60+ Vibration/hesitation at 40mpgHatch struts being weak (annoys the hell out of me)I thought I would be fine with a small interior/cargo area but now I seem to think it defeats the purpose of buying a suv/crossover.

It was the price and financing that got me to bite on this one.

[pronse]

I get the vibration when I drive over 80 miles/hour. It doesn't feel solid at this high speed.

Since I don't drive much at 80, I can live with it until the next trade.

I had the G35 for a loaner and it blow the hell out of the EX with stability, grip and power.

Pronse.

[CDBranom]

If I were you I would drive the actual car that you're buying first. See if you or your wife can hear a really high pitched noise coming from the console area. Most people cannot hear it (which is why there is no fix) but if you can hear it, like me, it will drive you absolutely nuts and make you hate life every time you get in the car!! If someone had pointed this out to me before hand, I NEVER would have gotten this car. Otherwise everything is great. Seriously, if I'm in the mood to turn up the radio to point where it drowns out the high pitched noise, then the car is wonderful!

[ayap888]

If you want a driver's car, buy the EX35. Don't buy the crappy Lexus RX, which is a dime a dozen. Everywhere I look, there's a Lexus RX300 ... on my right, on my left, right in front of me, and behind me. Every Tom, d!ck, and Harry is driving this car. If you want to be like all of those other people that you see on the road, then get an Rx300.

Reliability of the RX300 is not what it seems. I have seen an RX300 break down on the right side of the road twice already. Engine trouble !!! It's not all that good.

The Infiniti EX35 RWD does 5.5 sec 0-60 and I like the ride better than the BMW X3. I've driven the Lexus 350 and 470 and the ride of the Infiniti EX35 wins hands down. The Lexus can do 7.4 - 7.6 sec. 0-60, it's kinda slow. The EX35 is much more responsive. I think the G35's reliability is good and the EX35 is patterned after the G35 ... so it's all good.

[Newbie88]

If you want a driver's car, buy the EX35. Don't buy the crappy Lexus RX, which is a dime a dozen. Everywhere I look, there's a Lexus RX300 ... on my right, on my left, right in front of me, and behind me. Every Tom, d!ck, and Harry is driving this car. If you want to be like all of those other people that you see on the road, then get an Rx300.

Reliability of the RX300 is not what it seems. I have seen an RX300 break down on the right side of the road twice already. Engine trouble !!! It's not all that good.

The Infiniti EX35 RWD does 5.5 sec 0-60 and I like the ride better than the BMW X3. I've driven the Lexus 350 and 470 and the ride of the Infiniti EX35 wins hands down. The Lexus can do 7.4 - 7.6 sec. 0-60, it's kinda slow. The EX35 is much more responsive. I think the G35's reliability is good and the EX35 is patterned after the G35 ... so it's all good.

I just have to say a few things in response to this one.

Who cares if everyone has one? that should not influence your decision to buy a car. In fact, I think that makes a pretty strong statement of their quality.

You saw 2 out of how many broken down on the side of the road?

How often do you plan on racing with an EX35? 0-60 in 7 seconds is more than enough.

[atlex35]

I've been reading on here that some people have experiencing problems with their EX35. I hope this is not the case for mine. I have 425 miles on it now and haven't come cross these issues.

The car is perfect for my wife and I. We own a 2006 G35 Coupe and needed a four door car. We don't have kids and rarely have anyone in the rear seats.

We love the interior layout and the power the engine delivers.

All the tech features work well.

[ayap888]

MR. NEWBIE88 ..

The Lexus quality is down big time. Even Toyota's quality has decline. So you and everyone else should care about that.

Oh YEAH, please ... don't bother flaming us owners Mr. Newbie88 about why we bought the EX35 vis-a-vis the Lexus RX300. Yes, many here DO CARE that their car is unique. Read several people here saying that they do like the fact that they only see a few EX35. There's about 100 Lexus RX300 for every 1 EX35.This car is truly unique ... it has the all around view monitor that Lexus does not have. It has a great cockpit that would put any Lexus RX300 to shame. And yeah, we do care about speed otherwise we would have bought a 4-cylinder 120 HP rather than a 300 HP vehicle.

Do your research about EX35 owners before spewing venom on why EX35 is unique and RX300 does not hold a candle over it.

[scottrod]

Hello again... (I started the thread).

I'm GOING FOR IT!! Found the colors the missus wanted. It's really for her, but hey, she's hit 100 mph in our 1965 Lotus Elan with me in the passenger seat , so you know where her head's at

I had to tell her to slow her a** down when we did the test drive, hmph. It's for her 50th birthday.

Driving 600+ miles from Ohio to go get it in New Jersey tomorrow. I know I should vary the load and speeds on the way home, but do I have to keep it at 55 and under???

Any way thanks guys. WIll be on more when I get my baby, er, correction, my wife's baby home. No Luxe packages, but everything else.

This is it...

http://www.infinitiofenglewood...50130

[Punjab]

you will love the drive back,

i picked mine up a little bit closer, only 200 ish milesThe drive was anxious on the way down, and EXciting on the way back home, then for some ice cream...

Bring a radar detector for good measure.

[anestg]

In this same forum I read where a member got $9500 off of a AWD Journey EX35 at Metro Infiniti in Monrovia, CA. I called them told them what I had read and ask if they would make the same deal again. They had one AWD Journey, black with premium pkg and Nav, and made me the same deal. Flew into LA, they picked me up at the airport. Spent the whole day checking the car out. Steering column had to be replaced, the extending function failed when i did the precheck. They were good enough to take me to a meeting and fix the car while I was gone. Remember Infiniti was giving the dealer $5500 in cash to sell this car, so by the time they took $4000 off msrp plus the $5500 they were still okay and smart to move a almost 2 yo car off the lot. Hope this helps.

[gloa2000]

Read several people here saying that they do like the fact that they only see a few EX35. There's about 100 Lexus RX300 for every 1 EX35.This car is truly unique ...

Agree, I personally like to have vehicle that is not likely seen on the road such as my Honda S2000, only 5k cars been built each year between yr 2000-2003, my 91' 850i you can hardly see 1 a month. People ask me why dont i get those supercars, simply i cant afford it yet...

[cjre1]

EVERYONE,

BUY THE EX35 FULLY LOADED TO GET AN AWESOME DEAL. $5,000 OFF OF INVOICE. LX350 IS A MOM'S CAR. LOL JK.