kinda want to stay from Honda though, had few of them.

i think one of the major car magazines (motor trend or car and driver i can't remember) did a comparsion with these models (including an MB) a few months ago... maybe you can find a back issue or something online?

+2 for the FX35:

-all the functionality, but still looks, sounds, and drives like a sports car. Theres a few deals still to be had on the 2008's if ur lucky (i too don't really like the new shape, but performance wise it can't b fked with at the price point). Like someone mentioned, its a "bionic cheetah", it truly is. After MUCH research, i found myself a MINT 2003, w/ all the bells and whistles, w/ low k's for ~30g's. Reverse cam, rear DVD ent system, w/ 2 wireless headphones, intelligent cruise control, stock 20's (which are hard to come by tho), and keyless open/start). The engine's bulletproof and it is very functional (but NOT an "off road" vehicle.
As for the MDX argument, meh. Granted they are well built, nice cars, but it comes down to personal preference for the looks. My buddy has an 2008 MDX SH AWD, and well, he was/is quite envious when he gets in my ride or hears it (his biggest compliment, as many of us know, is that the stock exhaust note of the VQ is arguably the best around).
LOTS of happy fx owners. If u are thinking about it, check out this forum, I was on the fence for a while, but after reading so many long-term positive reviews, i pulled the trigger.
Fish around too, theres a new FX owner on here that got rid of his jeep SRT, and he said he was VERY happy with the change. Plus, if u still wanna "mod" a bit here and there, well, u can't fk w/ this choice (almost all parts are interchangeable w/ the g35 coupe).

http://www.infinitiscene.com/

For all the other revscene'er's, take a look at this site and check out "rookie's" fx, friggin 700hp fx!

Ok, Imma go, take mine for a rip now, : )

Cheers,
j

^^ +3 for fx35 too.

I got one, its got power, the look (well that is subjective) AND the handling. Handling is something alot of same size SUV can't really pull off.

However the OP has a medium size dog. I have a 110 pound germans shepherd, while he fit in the trunk, its a tight squeeze. OP may want to take your dog with u to testdrive just to make sure your dog is ok with tighter spaces. The second gen is still limit to fabricated and retrofitted performanced mods at the moment but because it has a VQ35HR, I bet mods are coming just the matter of time.

also if it matter, the trunk space of first gen fx is slightly bigger than the second gen

On the upside if you get the first gen fx, there is already a pretty big aftermarket option and a cult following

FX is definitely a good option


but keep in mind FX is NOT THAT BIG

so if u have shit load of stuff to fit in, FX may not do the job


go big or go home

QX45!!! lol tat thing is massive

U mean 56?

hey threezero, ur on infinitiscene as well right? i think i've seen ur name 'round. Too bad that local meet never came to fruition eh?

anyhow. Dunno what happened to the OP, but ya, our car/trucks rock. i bought mine back on dec 30/08 (late xmas present to myself) and i gotta say, i look forward to everytime i drive it still....

cheers,
j

yea i'm on is too didn't log on for awhile I didn't know they were planning a local meet. I roll around with a infinitiscene decal on the rear window (well actually just the IS part cause apparantly I suck at applying decals, I already ruin 2)

QX may be great and all but its way more expensive than any of the car mention by OP not to mention how much OP would have to pay for gas.

does any of the trucks mention by OP sounds nice? I don't think I will ever get tire of the growl I get from the VQ, and when I do in a few years there will be aftermarket exhaust I can slap on and bring sexy back

Get the Jeep hurry!

ya i mean Q56

- ya, the 56 would guzzle and its not really sporty. I think is ballin, but not something i'd like to daily drive, esp in the city/parking, etc. the fx is not bad, if u don't gun it all the time... how many k's do u get out of urs, say mixed hwy/city?
-yes, fo sho. like i siad, i honestly believe the VQ note is the best sounding "non-exotic" exhaust out there.... i really can't think of any other ones that are as good. Hmmm, although i love the stock late 80's/early 90's stangs, but thats a diff. topic....

oh man my mpg is horrible. the computer on board tells me i average 13mpg. and it is mostly mix highway/city.

but
1. I can't resist gunning the VQ
2. I constantly leave the shifter in sport mode even if I'm not manual shifting
3. Me and gas is mortal enemy, I even get bad mpg in a civic...

on another note, none of the trucks suggested sips gas either. Don't know about how conservative the hybrid trucks may be. any input?
I've always wonder if hybrid truck is a good choice with the higher initial price and shittier perfomance (???) vs how much gas is actually saves.

- my thoughts exactly, on all points pretty much. Do u have ur comp in mpg instead of L/100km's? i'd say i average ~15-16L/100k. And i try to offset my gunning w/ periods of conservative gliding, haha. Btw, whats the most u've got out of a full tank?? I did this when first gettin it, and just think its good to know how far u can get w/ the comp indicating **** km's left before E. I friggin drove until i was sure there would only be a litre or two left, went to fill up and only got ~78 or so litres into the tank, which means i still have a bit of driving left (god our tank is huge eh? 90L's for those "outsiders"). Anyway, i've squeeked out close to 'round 500 in mixed driving. But the thing does glide really good on the hwy, milage gets waaaaaaay better...

Anyhow, ya, i concur, don't think its gonna really "save" you any dough unless u keep it for a long time until the increased milage supercedes the decreased performance and pays off the cost diff. Funny thing is most that can afford a hybrid, don't need to worry bout the cost of gas anyhow.

Btw, good teamwork on the threadjack. haha.

would you consider pathfinder / armada? pretty decent in size similar to a SUV capabilities


previous boss has one loaded pathfinder...pretty roomy

i would NEVER buy a new jeep. I have a friend who bought one, the transmission went FOUR TIMES. He asked for his money back, they wouldn't give it to him so he took them to small claims court and got his money back.

Not to mention jeeps have terrible reliability ratings.

http://blogs.edmunds.com/strategies/Reliability.jpg

http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/...ing_N.htm#Best

brand new and tranny went 4 times???

:eek:

did you ever changed the tranny fluid??



i find that....hard to believe


land rover is the worst? hmm still see lots people driving that thing in downtown

people who drives Land rover/range rovers dont keep the car long term. So by year 3 when the waranty ran out, they already switched to another new car. No service or repair out of their pockets.

The old S4 was what I had in mind as they are becoming surprisingly more and more affordable now. Only problem I had was that I wasn't sure about the powertrain durability, as most for sale seem to be very low mileage.

For me, its really hard to visualize a wet, smelly dog inside what was a class leading interior.

your dog is going to stink your new car and scratch up the paint anyways.

just get a toyota rav4 or venza. and use the left over money to buy something fun instead.

lol I just realize what I type. No i'm not an american I use L/100km and I average 13L. the highest I ever got was 16L and that was during break in. once the OD hit 5000km I stop worry and just enjoy the ride my way. Anybody geting any type of SUV shouldn't be that gas conscience anyways.


Also my last ride was the last generation of LR2... It was so horrible I totally forgot what it's call now :rolleyes: I had the transmission die on me around 2 yr. The engine constantly makes strange puttering sounds. The bass rattles every piece of plastic on the thing. The sport shift stopped working after 2 years. And there is the monthly array of different dashboard light that lights up than mysteriously goes away. It does have good power, average handling and amazing offroad capability for its size (funniest time I had in that thing).

I'm sure LR2 is an improvement from the last gen however imo if you going to go land rover, go for a range rover. LR2 is just a range rover wannabe with every possible corners cutted. extended warranty might be a good idea too consider its dismay reliability record

BMW 535iX

My choice would beee......

Jeep + DR heads/cams
http://www.dynamicracing.com/custome...cat=204&page=1

just ask mr.clarkson =D
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ncQcsPmqttM