Steiner

I think my wife and I have narrowed down her next vehicle to either the new Maxda CX-7 or a used Infiniti FX35. She loves SUV's. Won't even consider a car. So I told her any new ride has got to be fun and quiet since I'm the one always driving when we go out.

She seems to be leaning toward a certified "pre-owned" Infiniti FX35. We've seen a few '04 and '05 models with less than 20k miles right under $30k. I like the idea of a VQ motor and ATESSA all wheel drive. It's essentially an SUV running the G35c/350Z motor through a a JDM Skyline's all wheel drivetrain down to a G35c/350Z chassis. Plus the car is very safe and full of all those lush creature comforts I don't have in my own car (like power windows for example).

But coming on like a bad cold is the new Mazda CX-7. She likes how it looks. She likes the idea of having a brand new car instead of another used one. With AWD and all the other bells and whistles it would be less than $30k. With slightly better gas mileage, decent power and comparable handling it seems like a real bargain. It might not be a luxury SUV, but it's fun, affordable and also one of the safest vehicles on the road. But it's also a first year model, i.e. 1st year bugs. So far they've all been minor and easily fixed with an ECU flash from the dealer.

So there it is. Which one should we pic?

tonelocdog

I like the infinity its a real nice lookin suv, with luxury features. Just my 02 cents

Tirminyl

I really like both. I would choose whichever you enjoy driving the most...

playdoh43

i say FX for the more luxurious interior and the level of service from an infiniti dealership

spork

Another vote for Infiniti cuz fo the dealer service.

If both the CX-7 and the FX35 were from the same company though, I'd go the CX-7.

RotrDoc

Despite the whining you will find on this forum about design flaws, recalls, and lack of dealer support, my experience has been great. Although the RX-8 had more of its share of first-year flaws (bought mine in Oct 03), Mazda has been quick to issue TSB or recall to authorize repairs or updates under warranty. The dealer I bought from in San Antonio gave me good service, the dealer I use in Houston has been superb.

Would I buy another Mazda in its first year out?--In a heartbeat!

Design1stCode2nd

The FX also runs on a proven platform witha proven engine. The CX-7 is a bit more new as far as the important bits. Resale will also be higher and over all quality will be higher.

saturn

This is pretty useless info, but the FX is one of the nicest looking vehicles on the road.

As an aside, I fully don't understand the need for such a small SUV, though. It's basically an expensive mid-sized sedan with bad gas mileage and high ground clearance that you'll use maybe twice.

Good luck with the decision.

playdoh43

I agree, when i took my car in for service, I testdrove both the fx and the M35, lets just say theres no comparison in terms of the technologies and how much nicer the interior of the M is. with the technology packadge the M35 is so much more luxurious and more comfortable in comparison. I personally think the M35 is better than the FX by a very large margin. im not sure how comparable their prices are though. but I can see your wifey wanting a car with a higher stance. It has its own appeals.

playdoh43

ok nevermind.
M35 starts around 41k while FX starts at 37-38 so theres theres a bit of a price difference there

RotorMotor

I have to agree with the above. My girlfriend just bought a CX-7 (thread in here too) and absolutely loves it. I also think it's a fantastic drive and that Mazda did very, very well. BUT, the FX is a proven platform and the CX-7 is a first model year. They're both gorgeous, but you're always taking a risk buying a first model year vehicle.

Tigster

I have a 2005 FX35 with the sport & luxury package. The resale SUCKS the sticker is 43K a few months later we looked at getting rid of it the trade in was under 30. It is a nice car, mine has a few minor issues with it in the electronics. The MPG is not that great and it requires premium fuel. The Infiniti dealers are a pain in the *** for a loaner car, the wait is about 3 weeks here to get service if I want a loaner.

Overall it is nice, the back seat is alright size. But we just had a kid and the rear facing car seats barely fit. It is nice but if I had to do it all over again I would pass on the FX35.

saturn

Does anyone happen to know how these crossover SUV's compare to mid-size sedans in terms of crash ratings and all that?

CarAndDriver

Drive both and see which one you like better. I think the FX reliability is average to above average. With most Mazdas, the best you seem to get is average reliability except the MX-5.

Infiniti dealers are generally better than Mazda and rate higher in consumer satisfaction. A prev poster hates his dealer, but I think that would be less likely with Infiniti.

Mazda's aren't known for keeping their resale value so a new CX will drop pretty quickly.

Sephiroth

One of my buddies had a FX-45 with all the bells and whistles a little while ago but he traded it in for a Murano. He says the FX's exhaust was too loud for everyday use and it was less roomy than the Murano.

Check out the Nissan Murano. It's a fantastic car, plenty of room in the back and it's got the VQ.

Parmer8

We are also looking at the same vehicles and got a chance to drive both. Both had the technology package. We (I) like gadgets. Both have touch screen and a backup camera. Pretty neat. The styling between the two are similar. They both drove great. Handing was sedan like.

What I don't like about the Infinity: rearward visibility sucks (due to sloping rear end) and the wide turning radius.

What I don't like about the Mazda: it has a very bad turbo lag if you're planning on stepping on the gas from a stop. It just crawls until boost is built up. It's scary trying to cross several lanes with traffic cpming towards you.

In the end, I would choose the CX7. It drives like a sedan, good steering response and handling. Of the two, it's the better bang for the bucks. Fully loaded 2wd is $32k.

Steiner

Is the power comparable between the FX35 and the CX-7 or is the Infiniti just on an altogether different level? What about road noise and the volume level from within the cabin? We're leaning towards the Infiniti right now because, of all things, it's supposedly a much quieter and softer ride. This is the car my wife will be driving every day for the next few years. I'll probably just be driving on weekends so my performance needs take a big backseat to her list of "high priority" creature comforts. It seems like the FX35, at least on paper, has the CX-7 beat hands down in gizmos, gadgets, and overall interior quality.

Tigster

The Infiniti is NOT a smooth ride!!! The sport suspension in it makes the bumps and stuff worse than the 8. That is one of my wifes biggest compalints about the car is how rough the ride is. The interior however is a great fit and finish, and the stereo is great sounding. The Triptronic transmission is worthless, I dont even know why it is in there. I have all the options except the technology package.

Tigster

My FX's value dropped horribly, I would recommend at least getting a used one with very low miles and save yourself 10 thousand.

cleoent

Get a cx7 with the tech pack. Bose, moonroof, keyless start, backup camera, touch screen navi, heated seats, climate control... i have no idea what the infiniti would have that's more luxurious then that... we love our cx7

pdxhak

iTrader: (2)

Have you considered a used MDX?

I had a loaner CX-7 for 3 days and at first I really liked it. Unfortunately from what I could tell, it was the base model so not much in regards to luxury. Decent power and the ride quality was good. Takes bumps and dips with ease but it has too much road noise on the highway.

Steiner

She doesn't like the lines of the MDX, The smaller RDX is coming out soon though but price is apparently going to fall between $32k and $38k. I know about the famous Honda quality but two things about the RDX have me totally disinterested. First off it's Honda's first venture into production forced induction. There WILL be some problems. Whether they're major or minor is yet to be seen. Second of all I'm right back where I started with the CX-7. Yes it's new, but it's also a first year model with the inevitable first year bugs.

FD3SDriver

Fx35!

presequel

fx

firephoenix

infiniti

the cx-7 already looks outdated for some reason. Kind of mini-van flavored too. 'The fx-35 is *way* pimper and better overall.