Test Drove the FX 50

[Jacko3]

Went to test drive the FX 50. I test drove the sport package with rear view camera. The camera works pretty well---very very helpful for anyone who does not have a clue about backing up a car. The sports suspension was exactly the same as a Sports suspension of a G-35 Sedan. The 7 - speed automatic behaved very much like the CVT technology in the Nissan Altima and Maxima auto cars----very seamless and well coordinated. The FX50 drives as comfortably as a G-35 Sedan--can't tell the difference when inside, except for the fact that the G-35 sedan has that swirl technology grunt.

However, I feel there was no difference between the 6th and 7th gear. Both gears had so little torque that they are only good for very long high way driving. In fact, the sticker says it has 363lb foot of torgue. Yet, I never really felt the torque when i pushed it. If the engine of the FX 50 which is a V-8 is also an HR engine, then I would say that the HR engines tend to produce their torque only on the high end, when in fact, any good and useable torque should be at the low end. I experienced this same lack of low end torque in the G-37. Sorry folks, I do need my torque at all times. In fact, to get more useable torque in the FX50, you will have to downshift from 7 th to 4th gear before you can feel some real torque in the car.

The usual FX exhaust grunt seems to be missing as well--no real and exciting exhaust sound. The interior of the car was well appointed---seats now have adjustable bolsters for your thigh and back, depending on the size of your back--some of us have human backs and human thighs and some of us have backs as wide as an apes', and thighs as big as you know what. Regardless of your size, the FX 50 will accomodate your back and thigh by adjusting the bolster. FX50 is a refined version of the previous FX45 and 35 models.

As for the 390 horsepower in the engine. I really did not feel impressed by it. The engine seemed to be straining somewhat---perhaps the car was still new and not yet broken in. A supercharged FX35 or 45 would do just as well.

I am not particularly sure what the FX 50 is designed to do for the infiniti line but I do know that it is out place in the infiniti line up, as well as the EX brand. Infiniti needs to focus on their FX 35 and 45 lines and make them incrementally better. I feel the FX 50 is slightly over priced. The technology in that car should have been passed down to the veritable FX 45.

On the whole, it was a fun drive and I enjoyed it. I am still not with the HR engines. There is something about those engines that is too refined for a sports sedan, coupe or SUV. These are just my honest opinions and assessment. You may see it differently.

In addition, you have the option of the technology package, which will set you financially back a bit, and the option of a 20 or 21 inch wheels.

FX 50 now comes standard with GPS naviagation.

Modified by Jacko3 at 12:45 PM 7/16/2008
Modified by Jacko3 at 7:56 PM 7/17/2008

[Tampa G35 Sedan 6MT]

very nice Jacko..

Did you make it to your favorite track

DJ

[Jacko3]

The sales consultant would not let me hti the highway the way I wanted to. If I had hit the track with this ride, the sales consultant would have cried and pissed in his pants. So, I am glad I didn't hit the track. He complained about me flogging the car.

[Tampa G35 Sedan 6MT]

I would have been like. Oh you don't drive your infiniti like that...

Well you know they love it! and if you get it like this.... well Watch this and i will show you how they like to be treated...(Do some drifting with the traction control off lol) (and then do a few stop Light WOT Burnouts)

I did that when a test drove a lexus is 350 lol.. The guy about **** himself!

DJ

[SVTCOBRA]

^ you should have Bi***slapped the panzy oops, first thing that popped in my over-caffeinated head!! Wll make sure to drink extra beers later to off-set

[Jacko3]

SVTCOBRA:

[Sentientbydesign]

Awesome Review!!!

I wasn't sure why Infiniti needed to put out a 5L V8 either. I would much rather have that R&D invested in finding lightweight alternatives with the existing engines so I could have improved handling, fuel economy, and accleration.

HEY INFINITI Go invest in lightweight foam for the seats, more aluminum and maybe some carbon fiber. Get a clue and loose the 20+ lbs on the exhaust and do something better with your flywheels.

Thank you!

[Jacko3]

I agree!

[mrsmithGrider]

Jacko it's funny you mention the weak or uninspiring exhuast note. This is the same thing I said when I first test drove the 2007 G35 sedan. They're refining the car too much. Although I loved the extra power, I love that bad *** sound of the older model Gs and FX as well. Its unfortunate that you didn't think the car was that much more powerful than previous gen FX. That was a major bragging point of the car!!!

[gwoods]

This car wasn't designed for us.

The FX50 is designed as an alternative to the BMWx5/x6.

If the X5 appealed to you the FX50 would be irresitable. I have a feeling in the future I will be buying Nissan's with leather instead of Infiniti's

Thread jack,

Have you guys seen the new 370 Z concept???

[Tampa G35 Sedan 6MT]

no can you show us???

370Z

[nismog35driver]

it's still a pretty nice car

[hsckris]

He complained about me flogging the car.

Dang... last time I test drove an Infiniti it was an M45. Mustang pulled up next to us at the light and the sales guy saw me look over at him, and he goes "Why don't you put it in manual shift mode and run him?" So I did & we won... haha (only ran upto about 10mph over the speed limit, then we made a U-turn).

[Tampa G35 Sedan 6MT]

If more sales people where like that they would sell more cars...

[snwbrdr435]

My local infiniti dealer had an fx50 welcome party free drinks and food. Looked around at some of the new models saw the new maxima, and then one of the employees did a burnout in the parking lot in a brand new g37 just goes to show how abused cars can get before they get into our hands for some more abuse .

[Slider4105]

You can see the new headlamps and the revised gauge cluster and center stack with the new Nissan LCD screen here:And here you can see how much they lopped out of the middle of the car to shorten her up and make her a nice track car:and finally two artist renderings of the car to give you a general idea of how it will all fit together:

/ end thread jack . . . sorry Jacko

[gwoods]

no can you show us???

370Z

"The overall shape and profile of the new Z will remain relatively unchanged. However, it will be slightly smaller than the current car, measuring roughly 163 in. from bumper to bumper, about 6.5 in. shorter than today's 350Z. Interior space will stay the same, but the car will weigh some 200 lb. less, tipping the scales at about 3010 lb.

What this means is the new Z will be a rocket. A reliable source in Japan has told us it will be powered by a 3.7-liter V-6, the same engine used in the Infiniti G37 coupe, with output bumped to 350 bhp at 6500 rpm and torque to about 280 lb.-ft. at 4500. This new power-to-weight ratio for the "370Z" will allow the car to reach 60 mph in less than 5.0 seconds, and should give the Porsche Cayman S a run for its money around any racetrack.

Oh, and speaking of money, there are rumors that the price tag will also increase, probably north of the $35,000 mark. The 370Z will make its world debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show this November and go on sale in the U.S. in early 2009."

[Jacko3]

Gwoods, that is awesome info. Maybe I can wait for this 350 Z instead of supercharging my car. I might sell my car then for this little rocket.

[Tampa G35 Sedan 6MT]

I think a SC g35 will still out run the 370Z

but that is just me

[Slider4105]

Yeah last I heard they might be running a detuned version of the 3.7 to make as much power as the 3.5 HR, but be easier on fuel to up the economy.

[gwoods]

I think a SC g35 will still out run the 370Z

but that is just me

+1 for the supercharging.. you should be running low 13's high 12's with a decent setup