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SUVs Infiniti EX35 Article Comments - 2008 Infiniti EX35 Full Test
33 messages, Last post on Nov 18, 2009 at 2:41 PM
You are in the Infiniti EX35 Forum. Your Hosts are steve_ & tidester
Full Test: 2008 Infiniti EX35 - With the 2008 Infiniti EX35, Infiniti tells us that it's personalizing the sport-utility concept, creating a practical vehicle that has a fine sense of luxury and goes about its business like a personal coupe. But there's no talk of crossovers or station wagons from the guys at Infiniti. (more)
... thats a lot of money for such a small vehicle.  $45K is about what my fully loaded M35 cost!
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Replying to: msu79gt82 (Nov 13, 2007 6:44 pm) If the price is really $45K fully loaded, I bet the next FX will be much bigger, more expensive and maybe 3 rows of seats. |
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I found this car by clicking on a banner on this website. Imagine that. Ran to my nearest Infiniti dealer for a drive. I drove the 17" Journey AWD, and here are my thoughts: 1. Cargo is unbelievably tiny and very very very short from floor to ceiling in the back (the roof is lower in cargo but higher in passenger area). I have a Volvo XC right now, so my comparisons are skewed, but I have a 60lb dog who rides in the back. She freaked out when I put her in back. In this car, the seats would have to be lowered. Fortunately that happens with a button push, both up and down. The X3 DOES have more cargo room, and the 328xi wagon (a car on my list) blows it away. 2. This car is loaded where the Euro cars nickel and dime you. The nav package is a good one, integrating satellite and XM traffic, with ipod connectivity all included. Stereo is great on Premium pkg. Cluster is clean although the needless purple glow around the dials made me feel like I was in some tricked out 1995 honda. I prefer the European approach to instrument lighting. This is just a little excessive and teenage cheesy to me, but not a deal-breaker. 3. the tech package that includes a 360 camera view of the car and lane departure warning is nifty, but not as cool as the Adaptive Cruise stuff. However none of these things are really necessary. 4. The backseat decline/raise is done electrically. Nice. But it does not always work--it seemed to konk out or beep when the headrest touched the front seats. Happened lots in my short test of the car. 5. Car accelerates nicely but I don't care for the tinny-sounding wind-up sound of japanese engines--wish it was throatier to justify this engine, which is a good one. 297 HP and still better gas mileage than the 235hp 08 XC? Shows some ingenuity (and weight loss!). But, the car still sounds like a sewing machine when you mash the pedal down. I really dislike this. 6. Significant lean in curves. I felt unsafe cornering just on an off ramp, but I was definitely pushing it a bit. Keep in mind I'm a Volvo XC driver, and that car drives like a loaf of bread but doesn't lean like this car on an offramp (I also test drove a 328xi wagon which makes both my XC, and 08XC and the EX feel horrendously truck-like in the handling dept) 7. Seat bottoms are a little short for tall drivers which I am, and that could be a long-drive issue, but headroom is great. Steering wheel is teeeeeny. 8. Dealer then showed me the 18" in the platinum graphite color as the sun set, it is a beautiful paint color--wanted to test out the healing paint gimmick... to see if it is indeed a gimmick. Dealer not keen on that one, obviously. 9. I really like the backup camera and the useful guide to how far you are from something. Lexus' backup camera is totally useless as it's not only fisheyed but gives you no beeping or distance guidance (at least in the 04) 10. Pricing wise, MSRP when you add in comparable equipment, competes well with the Euro brands and undercuts them significantly. Fear that this car will not be discounted for a while for anyone who wants a quick little wagon/hatch car. Bottom line: Due to the tiny cargo area, the 4-cylinder-ish sound of the engine on hard acceleration and the iffy lean of this car, I think I'm still leaning towards the BMW, even though it lacks many of the bells and whistles of the EX. I could be talked into it, though, and it's my first test drive of a Japanese car.
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Replying to: tenmiler (Jan 06, 2008 12:29 am) 2 & 3) I used to own an FX35 that I traded for an M35. I love Infiniti Bells & Whistels. Excellent Navi and back-up Camera (best in business!). LDWS in the M35 works well most of the time (bright sunlight on shiney streets confuses it sometimes). 4) The power raise seats is a concern for me after testing one at the dealerhip - the right rear seat belt got caught everytime in the latch  Hopefully its a sample problem and not a defect 5 & 6) Didn't have time to test drive this visit. 7) Didn't seem to be n issues for me, but I'll pay more attention next time - thanks for the heads up. 8) I agree there are nice color choices; however I am amazed that the Luxe leatbher packages (w/ the Adaptive headlights) are ONLY available w/ the Wheat and Chestnut interiors  What's up with packaging Adaptive Front Lights w/ leather anyway and why only two colors?? 9) Yep Infiniti Back-up camera is best in class. 10) There is some talk of early discounting in the othert thread. There is almost universal complaints about the size of this car. |
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Both the wife and I drove an EX with Premium Package and Navigation (RWD). We both came away convinced this is for us. The cornering, the acceleration, the height and ground clearance all were acceptable. One surprise: the lightness of the steering, a nod to the demographics to reach a split of 50% men and women, I am certain. And the back seat leg room? With the front seats travel set for our driving and riding postions the back seat room was adequate. Not ample, but sufficient. |
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This car is the perfect size for a single woman like me, with all the luxury I could want! Enough room in the back for a few garage sale items, a friend with children, or my favorite companion animal. Unfortunately, it's about $15,000 too expensive. Maybe Nissan could make a poor person's model?
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Replying to: irismg (Feb 14, 2008 7:41 am)
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Replying to: qbrozen (Feb 14, 2008 11:20 am)
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Replying to: msu79gt82 (Feb 15, 2008 12:50 pm) The poster likes the size, but wants something cheaper from Nissan ... hence my comment. The Rogue is a compact CUV from Nissan and relatively inexpensive. |
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I purchased a loaded EX35 a week ago. I dumped an insanely expensive and troublesome Volvo S80 T6 for this car. I wanted the Coupe but the seats are too contoured for my body. After test driving this EX35 I knew it was for me. Contrary to what another poster has said, it handles marvelously. There is understeer of course but it is predictable and easy to live with. The car feels very much like a sports sedan rather than an SUV Crossover. The engine is responsive and downright hot when pushed in semi-manual mode. The interior appointments are superb. The technology included is state of the art (some of it is unnecessary though) The build quality is first class. I never imagined myself owning a vehicle like this as I am a sports car guy with a garage full of classic roadsters. But I am a convert for sure. Yes, rear seat legroom is compromised if front seat passengers are pushed back too far. But they are fine if the seats are moved up a bit - common sense here. With the rear seats folded down there's a ton of room in this car. If I had a large family or entertained adult passengers a lot I probably would not choose the EX35. But for empty nesters like my wife and I it is perfect! This is a vehicle that must be test driven to appreciate. Reading reviews and then posting comments based on the (often wrong) published specs gives an incomplete picture in my opinion. It was a leap of faith to buy a first-year vehicle. I hope it doesn't bite me but so far I'm very pleased. Coop |
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