07 lease up... 09 AWD is hard to find

G

gameboy213

Member
Location
Los Angeles, CA
My lease is up in July and I have one payment left. My Dealership where my last two fx's were from is closed, Santa Monica, and I want a new fx35.

Sadly there is literally NO AWD with premium, nav and deluxe anywhere. I have tried all the dealers around me with no success. I have some good pricing but can't get the car without a special order that takes 60-90 days and will make the car price jump I guess. I have to go up to Sacramento it looks like... fine, whatever. I have found 3 total that work with my options.

I was told that AWD doesn't sell in SoCal because we don't have enough bad weather. Guy last night said... "what do you ski or go off roading a lot?"

My response keeps being the same.... doesn't anyone realize the AWD isn't always active and actually makes the fx handle a TON better regardless of weather? The dealers act like it's a friggin 4x4 Jeep. My first was RWD and then an AWD.... big difference to me in just freeway driving at 80+ and changing lanes.... or even just turning a corner. It handles much better to me. That's why I like it.

Am I crazy? Should I just get the RWD? Does anyone else feel the AWD controls the car a lot better? Is RWD handling better with an 09?

I have read the threads about the questionable AWD on the FX and the debate as too which is better. I know the car is heavier and thus likely a tad slower of the line, and that is ok with me. I don't think it is THAT big a difference either way personally. But what are the thoughts on handling from you fx pros in normal conditions? I live in LA and it rains sometimes... a little.... let's be honest... great conditions for driving most of the time except for our roads... they are pot hole filled.

Thanks for the thoughts in advance.
 
gameboy213 said:
Am I crazy? Should I just get the RWD? Does anyone else feel the AWD controls the car a lot better? Is RWD handling better with an 09?

I have read the threads about the questionable AWD on the FX and the debate as too which is better. I know the car is heavier and thus likely a tad slower of the line, and that is ok with me. I don't think it is THAT big a difference either way personally.
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I'd like to comment on the two point above:

IMO, you should just skip AWD and get RWD given that you're in SoCal.
&
IMO, the weight difference is a big factor especially if you drive your FX hard.

Finally, IMO, I'd never really even consider an AWD SUV in SoCal if I had a choice. Let me explain this:

AWD on the FX only kicks in at two instances:
- From the dead start
- When it senses slip

Now, you can assume that it'll be a better traction from the stop light BUT the weight factor kills out all the traction you'll get in this situation. Also, when it senses slip, the electronic systems also kick in which kills out the purpose of AWD in a heavy SUV in dry conditions..

Unless you want to be able to drive your FX in few snow conditions you'd experience (ski trip?), I say forget the AWD, get the RWD. Extra performance wins.
 
EG3 said:
I'd like to comment on the two point above:

IMO, you should just skip AWD and get RWD given that you're in SoCal.
&
IMO, the weight difference is a big factor especially if you drive your FX hard.

Finally, IMO, I'd never really even consider an AWD SUV in SoCal if I had a choice. Let me explain this:

AWD on the FX only kicks in at two instances:
- From the dead start
- When it senses slip

Now, you can assume that it'll be a better traction from the stop light BUT the weight factor kills out all the traction you'll get in this situation. Also, when it senses slip, the electronic systems also kick in which kills out the purpose of AWD in a heavy SUV in dry conditions..

Unless you want to be able to drive your FX in few snow conditions you'd experience (ski trip?), I say forget the AWD, get the RWD. Extra performance wins.
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Thanks for the comments guys.

Thanks for the specifics EG3. So is it just me that when I am driving in normal to good conditions here in LA my AWD handles better than my RWD did? For example freeway ramps or something like that or even passing? I feel that my RWD did grip as well as my AWD, but then again that could just be in my head honestly. I do push the car and drive a little too fast, but I don't worry about my 0-60 at all. I'm in LA, we rarely go above 9 miles an hour on the freeway let alone the side streets!

I know the RWD is lighter and feels that way when driving it, maybe that is where the 'better grip' feeling comes from..... it's just heavier.
 
gameboy213 said:
I know the RWD is lighter and feels that way when driving it, maybe that is where the 'better grip' feeling comes from..... it's just heavier.
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You're right on this part.. A heavier car with a sporty suspension will feel better handling than a lighter one and it'll be harder to throw off balance.. Thinking twice, if you definitely feel that AWD handled better with your driving style, don't get an FX that you don't want and keep searching for an AWD.
 
EG3 said:
You're right on this part.. A heavier car with a sporty suspension will feel better handling than a lighter one and it'll be harder to throw off balance.. Thinking twice, if you definitely feel that AWD handled better with your driving style, don't get an FX that you don't want and keep searching for an AWD.
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Ha... I talked you into that!

Truth is it does seem to feel better to me even when passing or quick turns. But it is a pain in the $^% to get one down here with Prem, Nav and Deluxe in the color I want. Almost impossible. I have to go up to Sacramento to get them it looks like and those are even sacrificing the color I want.

I'm really trying to find out if the AWD makes any difference in real world driving with good conditions like we have here. I think it might just be the weight that makes it feel more stable, not to mention the steering feels much harder/heavier as well. Maybe going with RWD is smarter overall as I don't go skiing ever and we only get rain here. The price is a small difference, but getting a RWD I would have this car in 45 minutes from now.... they are everywhere here.

Thanks again for the comments gang! Big help!
 
Just throwing this out there - isnt AWD a bit more expensive on the insurance?
 
Psiclne said:
Just throwing this out there - isnt AWD a bit more expensive on the insurance?
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Honestly very little difference from what I have seen here. But good point.

Found a Blue Slate with Wheat with what I want.... seems like every awd fx I find that has everything I want is wheat interior. Looks nice but I have never had a light interior car... not sure if I love that.

I've heard the leather stains very easily from jeans and some dyes used in clothing.... true or not I don't know.

Love the Blue Slate though.
 
Let's talk ...

Gameboy - I just went through your exact dilemma. This was my situation:

I had a 2006 FX35 with a lease that expired last month (sports and touring / RWD). I leased at Glendale Infiniti (they suck by the way).

I moved to Chicago last year so if I was going to get into an '09 FX, it was going to be an AWD model. As you can imagine, the dealerships in the Midwest only stock AWD cars.

When I first test drove the 2009 FX, I noticed the immediate change in the handling of the vehicle. I really liked the AWD 'feel', despite the fact that it took some of the 'raciness' out of the drive.

Anyhow, from a performance standpoint I don't think I would have any problem driving this car around LA. The car's ride is so solid, (especially over 60 mph on the freeway) that I attribute that to the AWD design and the improved craftsmanship over my '06 model. It's subjective, but I really like the AWD feel now.

Other items: My insurance only went up $5 per month with the '09 car.

Inventory: This was a tough one for me as there were very few color choices. I wanted the exact same specs as you (Prem, Nav and Deluxe). My dealership had three cars, two Liquid Plat with either java or graphite interiors and one demo black on black w/6k miles. I went for the liquid plat/java combo. The silvery/white is growing on me, and I sort of like the way the vents are less noticable. (btw - INFINITI needs to redesign the vents in the next version of the car, they are really ugly!)

Anyhow, hope my experience helps. Ask me any questions ...
 
jayrandall said:
Gameboy - I just went through your exact dilemma. This was my situation:

I had a 2006 FX35 with a lease that expired last month (sports and touring / RWD). I leased at Glendale Infiniti (they suck by the way).

I moved to Chicago last year so if I was going to get into an '09 FX, it was going to be an AWD model. As you can imagine, the dealerships in the Midwest only stock AWD cars.

When I first test drove the 2009 FX, I noticed the immediate change in the handling of the vehicle. I really liked the AWD 'feel', despite the fact that it took some of the 'raciness' out of the drive.

Anyhow, from a performance standpoint I don't think I would have any problem driving this car around LA. The car's ride is so solid, (especially over 60 mph on the freeway) that I attribute that to the AWD design and the improved craftsmanship over my '06 model. It's subjective, but I really like the AWD feel now.

Other items: My insurance only went up $5 per month with the '09 car.

Inventory: This was a tough one for me as there were very few color choices. I wanted the exact same specs as you (Prem, Nav and Deluxe). My dealership had three cars, two Liquid Plat with either java or graphite interiors and one demo black on black w/6k miles. I went for the liquid plat/java combo. The silvery/white is growing on me, and I sort of like the way the vents are less noticable. (btw - INFINITI needs to redesign the vents in the next version of the car, they are really ugly!)

Anyhow, hope my experience helps. Ask me any questions ...
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Thanks for that post! I have heard that Glendale blows actually that is too funny and from my experience dealing with them the last two weeks I agree. They are not helpful at all.

I like the AWD as well.... but I didn't mind the RWD on my first FX at all either. The car feels more stable to me as a whole and above 40 it is a dream. I don't feel like it takes to much of the raciness out of the ride either.... You had the sport package on the old one, and I think just going up to the new 09 that will be a huge difference in ride. Wishbone and softer.

Either way I am going to test a RWD today and tell them I want to push it a little..... hope they let me. I may just get the RWD afterall... I am so confused on this one.

Wish I knew more about cars so I would know if AWD is really giving me the handling that I am enjoying so much in my current FX.... or if the AWD isn't even kicking in when I think I'm feeling it! ha
 
More AWD ...

Ya, Glendale is terrible. Both from a sales standpoint and service. You should contact Van Nuys Inf. and ask for Nicole in the leasing group.

Anyhow, here is an important item to consider: If the AWD model was such a detriment to performance driving, why did Infiniti choose to offer the FX50 in an AWD model only ?

Infiniti AWD is smart, and essentially kicks in only when needed. Go test drive both, but if you can get one, go AWD - even in LA.

Liquid Platinum / Java, man !
 
Drove both just now. Like the awd better and so does the salesmen..... And he has 14 rwd and NO awd.

Just got quoted this:
Umbria with graphite
Awd w/ nav deluxe premium cargo thing

$2500 down total + $2000 loyalty
39 month
12k
$617 a month including tax
They are bringing it down from upstate and waving the transfer $500
Also has my last $513 payment rolled in on my 07.

That's a pretty great deal it looks like to me and from the others I was getting.

Not sold on Umbria yet though! Now that's the issue! Ha
 
lease deal ...

Your deal is very similar to mine. My MSRP was $51,435 and I got the car at invoice, about 47K. I put about $1,500 down which included my first payment and dealer fees. Got the 2k loyalty, 39 month terms and a low mile lease (10k). My monthly is 597.00 including tax.

So you are close to my deal, $2,500 down is a bit to much in my view, although you are carrying over your last payment which is driving your monthly up about $12 per month. Make sure they are waiving the transfer fee from the other dealership.

Did you ask for the car at Invoice price, based on Edmunds and KBB?

Umbria Twilight - I don't know dude, I just saw that on the freeway yesterday, it's sort of a light army green. Not my thing.

And AWD is the way to go. btw - There's a Liquid Platinum, graphite at my dealership just waiting for a new owner ... Fields Infiniti in Glencoe, IL.
 
Agree on the Umbria. I like it, don't love it. He found me a White on Graphite and I'm gonna go with that one.

The invoice on mine was like $48,000 something. Msrp was $52,934 I think.

Sounds like you got a better deal actually.
 
White nice

White is cool. Def. better then Umbria. And it looks better then the earlier models.

ya, my deal is pretty good, but I worked'em pretty tough. Do some research on Edmunds.com, check out the forums there. (I post a lot there too under the same name).
 
jayrandall said:
White is cool. Def. better then Umbria. And it looks better then the earlier models.

ya, my deal is pretty good, but I worked'em pretty tough. Do some research on Edmunds.com, check out the forums there. (I post a lot there too under the same name).
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What it boils down to now is getting the car on sunday, tomorrow or waiting to see if there are better offers next month, starting on monday. No way to know really.

I like the white, not sure if I love it after I fell in love with the blue slate. But the white is tons better than the old white and is pretty crisp looking. I can handle the white if that's what I end up with. Will look great with tints too.

I'm sure I can get them down a bit but its a pretty good deal regardless I think. I just have to confirm the onvoice price.

I'm thinking the 2 grand loyalty isn't going anywhere next month. I wonder where the money factor and residual will go. I hate that.
 
I am pretty confident the 2 grand loyalty sticks around all summer. Ask your dealer, but it's been offered for at least six months in a row now. The money factor and risiduals with Infiniti continue to be the most competitive in the market. Compared with Audi or BMW, the Infiniti APR's are half of what they offer !

And the AWD drive car has a higher risidual which also works in your favor.
 
jayrandall said:
I am pretty confident the 2 grand loyalty sticks around all summer. Ask your dealer, but it's been offered for at least six months in a row now. The money factor and risiduals with Infiniti continue to be the most competitive in the market. Compared with Audi or BMW, the Infiniti APR's are half of what they offer !

And the AWD drive car has a higher risidual which also works in your favor.
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The loyalty is there until the end of June for sure... says so on the infiniti site I think.

I just want to confirm this deal INCLUDES first month and that there is no transfer fee in there.

My last payment works out to $13 a month and I am getting 12k a year. I think that explains the difference between our deals more or less.... there is a few extra bucks in there but overall it is pretty good.

I put $2,500 down and then my corp leases the car from me for a write off, so that is why I put a chunk down... better for my accountant. I am going to offer putting $2,000 down today and see what happens.

Anything else specific to look for on the papers before signing?

Thanks a ton!

---------- Post added at 09:51 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:50 AM ----------

Also, there is SLIM pickings for the fx AWD as I stated... and I don't know if more are coming.... so I'd like to lock this one down.
 
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