Scrib

Wife just drove the FX. She liked it. Didn't care for the color however.

At this point, I think we're gonna pass on it. I really like the car, but the excess mileage and the fact it's coming from a rental car company worries me a bit. That and I anticipate keeping whatever car I get for a LONG time. I don't feel like paying the maintinace for two Infinitis'.


With that... I'll check out the Pilot with her and perhaps the Highlander. But the Murano is still high on the list.

Zippee

I understand....but when I gotta haul a wet dog or three or all the crap my wife bought at a tag sale, the Odyssey works a LOT better than the old Explorer did.

I have the CL-S for when I gotta look cool.

Infamous425

i'd get a used fx. i dunno why u think it'll be more maintanence when theyre basically the same engine plus some nissan dealers will service an fx. plus it drives a lot better than a toureg. toureg v6 is too sluggish.

MaK_Machine

anyone remember this thread?

https://acurazine.com/forums/ramblings-12/help-rental-143376/

kumar6

maybe??

Chopsie

Yeah no offense, but gold sucks

GINge!

If she thinks teh CRV is too small , she might not like this one..but do yourself a favour and take a Forester XT out for a test drive.

Scrib

Going to look at teh Pilot tomorrow.

Chopsie

It's not just in the redline, the Pilot engine is the V-6 in the non redline also.

I agree, My mother was looking at getting a Vue, fully loaded with the V-6. I drove it when she brought it home, nice ride and power. Only complaint I have is the cheap materials used on the interior

kumar6

also the VUE didnt fair well in crash tests... i dont know if they fixed it or ot, but when put through its paces in crash tests... the rear wheels i think snapped or something like that... it wasnt good.

here is the write up and recall... something to think about..

http://www.theautochannel.com/F/news...18/163392.html

bl^5

BIG QUESTION:

Will the title on the FX read as a former rental car? If so DON'T FUCK WITH IT! It will mess with your resale down the line.

I had a FX35 from enterprise as a loaner and it was pretty damn nice. It left me wanting to buy one. If the answer to the above question is no and you can't find one for a better price, go with it. Rental prices on the FX is pretty damn high so I don't think it will have been beat on as hard as an econo rental. Different kinda renter will get the FX.

Looking at service departments:

Will infiniti give you loaner cars for service appointments as Acura does? I am sure that nissan won't. I would go with the Infiniti on that alone. Rental cars make service trips so damn easy!

Insurance:

Contact your insurance agent and see what the difference would be in rates. This might help you make a decision too.

tmk70

How about a Grand Cherokee, Eric? My wife just got one and I'm impressed with the workmanship thus far...very solidly built. Ernie has one too, you may want to check them out...I'm sure Ern would love to give you some info about his Jeep, he loves it!

bl^5

The VUE has a HORRIBLE list of interior options too. It just doesn't come well appointed even when fully loaded (ie no homelink, no automatic a/c, etc.).

DivineCL

I'd go with the 04' Navi.

Shawn S

There’s plenty to choose from in the price range you’re talking.
Like suggested by others, you can’t run away fast enough from the FX rental.


The Murano is nice, but I can’t stand the front GRILL

Scrib

It was an Enterprise rental and 17,000 of the 25,000 was driven at the corporate level, so I'm not too worried about abuse.

I did call my Inifiti dealer and they'll give me the loaners, service it, etc. They even said they'd do an indpendent inspection free if I'd like...

But I don't think I'm going to get it. My wife wasn't crazy about the color. She was crazy about having to drive some distance for service when I'm not around. And I really don't want to have to pay for maintaining two Infinities...

We're going to drive the Pilot tonight and see where we're at. She like the Murano a lot, so we'll see...

Scrib

I've just never taken a liking to Jeeps. Perhaps because of where they were just a few years ago. Not saying they're bad today, but I dunno... I guess I never really considered getting one.

Scrib

No VUE!!! I don't care what motor it has under the hood.

Scrib

I've always thought the new RX-8 strikes a better resemblance to Carter...

tmk70

Totally redesigned this year, interior is

Scrib

2004 or 2005?

tmk70

Yep 2005

Scrib

I don't even see 2005 pricing on carsdirect.com


And damn, even for '04 with $5,500 in discounts, it pushes over 30k!

eclipse23

I can only speak for myself but I have an 04' Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited with 38K miles and it has NOT been back to the dealership for anything other than routine maintenance. Oil changes every 3-4K and new brake pads cuz I spent alot of time on the cross bronx expressway but that's it. A fully loaded Limited can run up to 40K but I know that there are good deals to be had right now with the new models rolling out. Chrysler has come a long way with their products and the grand cherokee has been out for years so it is very refined. I would definitely reconsider the jeep lineup. My Acura spent no less than 3-4 revisits in it's first year and a new tranny + other problems the last 2 years of ownership.

El_Jabon

Scrib, I've bought a new 04' v6 4runner sport edition about 2 months ago for 30k OTD due to some end of model year deals. I love it. I sold my 350z. Comparing my 4runner to the 350 is kind of like apples/oranges I know, but when I sold my 350z it had like 4 rattles and things were starting to feel a bit...loose. The car only had 6k miles on it. I've had several toyotas in the past and i've never had that problem with them. My 4runner just 'feels' more solid than my z. If I were you i'd strongly consider toyota over nissan.

guess who...

Scrib

V6 or V8 4runner?

El_Jabon

mine's a v6 but you can get an i-force v8 04' leftover for the same price. It's a bit less fuel efficient though. Mine gets about 19-20 mpg and the v8 gets about 16 or so. I needed the extra fuel economy otherwise i'd have gone for the v8. The 05' model has a new more powerful VVT-i v8 in it which is why they are being discounted (260hp vs. 235) but the torque numbers are pretty similar on both engines and the 04' v8 is a proven and reliable motor (used in lexus also). The 04' v6 is no slouch either, it has 245 hp but less torque than the 04' v8. If you're gonna tow a boat or something, the v8 is the way to go.

Oh..no leather for any non 'limited' models, but you can have the dealer add it on for less than 1k$. Limited models can cost over 40k.

eclipse23

4-runners are awesome trucks, just too financially steep for me to buy a new one. I got the truck I have on a friends and family deal so it sheared off 9K or so. I did test drive the limited 4-runner and it felt VERY solid although the ergonomics were a little funny (placement of window controls, etc.). I helped a friend build up a 4-runner to off-road and it could take a fucking brutal beating, yotas are known for that.

Scrib

I think my pops can get a discount through Toyota since his former employer basically sells them all the steel that goes on their cars. I'll have to see if we can swing by after the Pilot drive tonight and check one out...

I seem to recall when he was looking he could get a 33K Highland for 25K with his "discount".

astro

go with the 4runner.

the gear less tranny's in the Murano are still a first year item...i'd stay away personally....

if you get that gold FX, you're officially over teh hill!

how come you have ignored the suggestions of the new Subaru Forrester XT?

The Pilot is also a much much nicer truck than the Murano IMO.

tmk70

Eric, here's some '05 Jeep Pics:

http://www.rockcrawler.com/reviews/j...ntro/index.asp

GreenMonster

I might be getting old, but I like the forrester... fast little station wagon too...

I think Mr. Slimey bought one for his wife. Co-worker of mine has a v-6 outback, which I really like...

The Pilot is worth a look at, but ultimately you probably should buy whatever the wife really likes, since she'll be driving it...

eclipse23

The honda pilots are nice trucks, they just look soo bland to me.

1SICKLEX

Suburu has 1.9% financing on all new 2005 models!

Scrib

I ignored the Subaru due to the fact there isn't really a dealer close to me. For some reason... To be honest, I don't even know where I could go drive one.

Scrib

They've done quite a bit to it for 2005, interior wise. Exterior, is yeh... Sort of plain.

But I know that this thing will be extremely reliable and will haul shit around, including little Scribbies...

tmk70

Won't the short bus take care of that?

Scrib

It would, but I don't like teh color.

phil2

@ scribbies

Zippee

If a fast wagon is what you crave, look at the Audi "Allroad". Expensive but very nice.