Found a really good deal on an FX50S. Considering trading the -F. Can't decide.

Opinions?!

If I had the money, I would do it, but that's easy for me to say.  7speed, new awesome interior almost LX570 like, great engine 5.5 0-60 with the practicality of a hatch.  Lowered it will look awesome, even 22"s will look proportional with that car. 

So what's your reasoning?  You obviously like the -F, it's a great car.  Can't believe a car that small gets 400+ Hp nowadays.  I remember the first M5 with 400+ HP, everybody was like wow...  LOL.

Trust me, i'm totally undecided on this one.

I LOVE the IS-F, but as a DD - it's difficult. The roads in florida, particularly in the areas I live in, are awful. The -F is the ultimate combination in sport with a bit of luxury.

The IS-F:

Likes:

Brakes
Engine
Transmission
Seats
Gas mileage
100,000 mile warranty
Looks (including the fake exhaust tips )

Things I dislike

Size - it's not that the front seat passenger volume is too small, it's just that it's poorly used. There's one cup holder, it's right in front of the shifter, etc.
Ride quality - it's meant to drive like a true sports car. I get it. I like it. Is it suitable for daily use on pothole, dip, traintrack filled roads? Not in the least.

Things i really dislike (hate?)

Technology (audio system/navi); the Audio/Navi interface is one of the worst I have seen to date. The only thing it has going for it is MP3 playback on CD's, but it won't play back MP3s burned to a DVD. This can be solved for $400, though.


FX50S

Likes:

Ride quality
Interior volume/"amenities"/space
Engine
Technology (navi/climate/mp3 etc interface)
Cooled seats
AWD

Questionable:

Exterior styling
Transmission (I am addicted to the -F's near-instant shifts, I know the infiniti won't do the same no matter how much I try to convince myself otherwise)

Dislike:

Gas mileage
"Brake fade" issue I have seen in several reviews. That concerns me a bit, as brakes are (as mentioned) a huge ++ on the IS-F. I know comparing the -F to the FX is like comparing an apple to a tomato.


At the end of the day i'd love to have both the -F and the FX in my driveway. Is that going to happen? Not in this lifetime.

The looks are, of course, one of the biggest questionable factors. To I go for interior comfort/functionality (FX) or Exterior styling, mediocre interior (-F)?

I have seen about three total on the road. That's what kind of scares me. Does it mean people aren't buying it because it's ugly, impractical, or both?

I see M5/M6's daily here...

The FX50S has the new European style brakes so I don't think the brake fade reported in several initial reviews is a problem anymore.  Initially I had real misgivings on the front grill for the new FX but it is growing on me.  Every view of the FX except maybe the full frontal is very nice.  It definitely has a great, masculine, aggressive look to it.  If I had the $'s I'd go for the FX50S. 

I could be wrong but I think the new FX50 gets about the same mileage as my first gen 35.

Go for it Oz.

FYI.. if anyone happens to be shopping for FX50S+Tech let me know. I found a dealer with a handful and they are selling them at several K below INVOICE (not MSRP)

They had a voluntary recall on the brakes.  Infiniti changed out the brakes on the FX50S only, to the same brakes they were putting in the FX50S in Europe.  New rotors and pads.  I think I posted a link to the service campaign here but If not I'll find it and post it up.