Bought The Car That Will Replace The Spectra Blue GS400
05-04-04, 10:33 PM
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Bought The Car That Will Replace The Spectra Blue GS400
I had been contemplating a used Lexus LX470 as my GS400 replacement. I drove it on a pretty long test drive and found it to be very nice but with a performance envelope that was just too far short of what I've become used to in the GS400 (and my previous twin turbo Supras and C32 AMG). I came away thinking that for my personal taste, I required a stripped down, lighter SUV with brisk performance and better gas mileage. A few days ago I drove the Infiniti FX45 and it really struck a chord with me. It was very lively feeling with incredible brakes and very good straight line performance and limited body roll with great handling feel. This even coming from the GS400 which usually makes time spent in SUVs feel like a slow motion playback. I never buy new cars because I always like to get great deals after somebody else who values new cars has taken the initial hit of depreciation. When I started doing some research, I found out that many Infiniti dealers had gotten very aggressive on the sale of leftover new 2003 FX45s (to the tune of whacking $10K off of MSRP). So I threw an offer out to my local dealer which happened to have one new 2003 left. After some haggling, I scored the car for $8,000 off of MSRP. I've spent about 50 miles in the car since picking it up this afternoon. Thus far I'm very impressed. The only real shortfall is that the interior switches and materials fall short of the 'thick and clunky' feeling that makes Lexus switch gear feel so high quality. The winning points are its hip styling and a performance envelope that seems stretched beyond the needs of its crossover niche. It pulls more lateral G's, stops shorter and is quicker in a straightline than it has to be to compete in its market. In terms of sheer dynamics, it really seems to be the equal of the pricier (by $15,000) Porsche Cayenne SUV. With only its cabin switchery betraying its more humble roots. I think its going to be a great car to own but it has some mighty big shoes to fill following the nearly faultless ownership experience that is the GS400.
Kevin
Kevin
05-05-04, 07:47 AM
#5
Congrats. It will be almost impossible to find anything that has the interior quality of a Lex, but the FX45 is one fine driving machine. If it is as reliable as my QX4 you can just put the key in and go for years to come. Enjoy!
05-05-04, 08:05 AM
#6
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Hi dseag, congrats for your new TL 
I like the FX45 too. Why weren't you trading your QX for an FX, but instead keep trading your cars? It just seems to me that the QX is the car that you should most easily get bored with, just curious.
I like the FX45 too. Why weren't you trading your QX for an FX, but instead keep trading your cars? It just seems to me that the QX is the car that you should most easily get bored with, just curious.
05-05-04, 08:09 AM
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JaxFL I'm sorry I got off topic in my above post. Congrats for your new FX . It's the most fun to drive SUV I've ever driven. I almost bought one, but decided I really don't need an SUV at this time. Enjoy your new car.
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05-05-04, 05:05 PM
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The GS is still available. Its been put in autotrader and has been generating some interest. My C32 AMG was in autotrader for a week or two before anybody called on it. After that first call I didn't hear from anybody else for about 6 weeks. The GS is in a better price range I guess. I feel like my asking price is really competitive with the other Spectra Blue cars currently available.
Kevin
Kevin