FX vs. RX

[GX9901]

We might be in the market for a new SUV for my wife. Right now she has her heart set on a Lexus RX330 or RX400h (doubt we'll be able to get one due to a likely long waiting line). If it was up to me I'd get the FX35. For those of you that have shopped these 2 SUVs, what are some compelling reasons to go with the FX? Is the RX actually better in terms of winter safety? My wife currently drives a '99 CR-V so both will seem very powerful to her.
Thanks.

2004 G35 Coupe Diamond Graphite/Graphite 5AT
Premium, Nav., 18" Wheels, Z-Xtreme Hyper Grounding Cables,
K&N filter, Clear Corners, 350Z Aluminum Pedals,
Sony Ericsson HCB-30

[GeoBau]

I did a brief writeup here.

RX is fluffy and comfy, but BORING TO DRIVE. FX is tight, sleek, and FUN AS H*LL [img]/w3timages/icons/smile.gif[/img] We got an FX. If you want nifty wood trim and an auto-open back door, get the RX. If you don't want to have to take NoDoz when you drive, and enjoy a sporty ride and new styling, get the FX.

G

2003.5 Black w/ Willow G35
Premium / Sport / Aero / Winter / Navi / Tint

[Rob_G35]

Plus the RX looks retarded because of its small wheelbase while the FX is ultra cool. [img]/w3timages/icons/cool.gif[/img]

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2003 CB Coupe 6MT
Z-tube
Stillen Hi-flow

[GX9901]

Yeah, I really hope that we end up with an FX so I can have more fun when I drive it [img]/w3timages/icons/laugh.gif[/img].
Anyway, I've read a lot about the "harsh" ride of the FX. Is it basically like the G or is it worse? Does anyone know if the RX330 has significantly better gas mileage or about the same as the FX35?

2004 G35 Coupe Diamond Graphite/Graphite 5AT
Premium, Nav., 18" Wheels, Z-Xtreme Hyper Grounding Cables,
K&N filter, Clear Corners, 350Z Aluminum Pedals,
Sony Ericsson HCB-30

[R2 V35]

GUARANTEE you will have fun with the FX.. All the recalls are taken care of so, the 2004 model should be "recall" free.. Handling is hell of good, you will enjoy it. Gas mileage..RX you will get better gas mileage..smaller motor but, I think you should go for the FX. You won't regret it!!






























6MT Ivory/Willow>>Nismo OEM Kit>>Premium Package>>XM


"Tell all my people i'm a Ridah, Nobody cries when we die, we outlaws, let me ride"

[DKnibb]

My wife has two friends who have the RX330 Lexus. They always remark with accollades about the Lexus. Its nice car and has plush suspension. Women like that. The FX35 has a firmer ride. The Lexus is a quality automobile don't sleep on it.

We just turned in our X5 and I tried to convince my wife to look at the FX models she said the styling was too way out for her. I have heard other women say the same thing.

Dknibb

[BigGDriver]

If its for your wife, I would DEF go for the RX. We were comparing the X5 3.0, RX330 and FX35 for my mom, and although I favored the X5 (hate the style of the fx), the RX was by far the most luxurious, stylish and had the best function and comfort. It is sooo smooth on the road and also carries the "lexus" badge (i'm not sure about your wife, but i know my mom likes driving a "lexus"). The lexus is luxury at its finest. Just a little insight...

[GeoBau]

Hehe, that's funny-- I got the FX for my mom, as she preferred it over the "bland" RX. She wouldn't even look at the X5... we've owned too many bimmers to bother with them again (and our friend has one- has broken down 8 times in two and a half years), and the back seat is a leather-wrapped wooden bench.

G

2003.5 Black w/ Willow G35
Premium / Sport / Aero / Winter / Navi / Tint

[GX9901]

Well, I test drove both for the first time. My wife didn't drive because she didn't bring her glasses and it's at night. Anyway, I thought the Lexus rode just like its reputation. It was quite and isolated. I felt a hint of floatiness but it's otherwise fine. Not real exciting though.
I got a chance to drive an FX with and without the sport package. I thought the regular wheels rode very nicely while also giving good road feel. The 20 inchers + suspension tweaks in the sport package made the FX ride pretty much like my coupe, which is probably too harsh for my wife's tastes.
As a passenger, she liked the RX better, but she doesn't like wood trim so she favored the FX's interior. At this point she still favors the RX, but maybe it'll change when she gets a chance to drive. It may be 3 months before we get it so there's plenty of time to change her mind.
If it was up to me the FX would win without a doubt. It's a much more exciting vehicle. But since it's not going to be for me, I'll have to go with whatever my wife decides. Oh well, I'm already lucky enough to be driving the G coupe right?[img]/w3timages/icons/laugh.gif[/img]

2004 G35 Coupe Diamond Graphite/Graphite 5AT
Premium, Nav., 18" Wheels, Z-Xtreme Hyper Grounding Cables,
K&N filter, Clear Corners, 350Z Aluminum Pedals,
Sony Ericsson HCB-30

[GeoBau]

Glad you got a chance to drive em-- hope she judges on the same criteria!

G

2003.5 Black w/ Willow G35
Premium / Sport / Aero / Winter / Navi / Tint

[ryoken]

I haven't driven an RX, but I have driven other SUV's, and I got a loaner FX just this week when my G35 was in. Darn thing drives like a car. Like a sport-tuned car. It doesn't sway when you turn. It doesn't feel the least bit like an SUV from the driver's seat. (This was a RWD FX35, with 20's.)

And it has all the extra creature comforts that the G35 should have. I like it. [img]/w3timages/icons/smile.gif[/img]

[GX9901]

No kidding! I'd like some of those amenities from the FX in my friggin' car! With the Technology package, it has significantly more "toys" than the G coupe.
Anyway, my wife is now leaning toward the FX (women seem to change their minds a lot [img]/w3timages/icons/tongue.gif[/img]), so that could be good (she may change her mind again). I really prefer the FX much more than the RX. Even the Infiniti salesman is much better.
But anyway, it was fun to go test drive those vehicles.
Is there another Japanese made vehicle that competes in the same class as the FX & RX. I couldn't think of any, but maybe I'm overlooking something?

2004 G35 Coupe Diamond Graphite/Graphite 5AT
Premium, Nav., 18" Wheels, Z-Xtreme Hyper Grounding Cables,
K&N filter, Clear Corners, 350Z Aluminum Pedals,
Sony Ericsson HCB-30

[g35girl]

my mom looked more into luxury than the drive and picked the RX over the FX. boo. she's driven my car before (and an FX loaner) and doesn't like driving it. lol she says it's jumpy and goes too fast. ah oh well. she saw a loaded RX and that was the end of it.

the only other one i can think of is the MDX. but that is like the bottom of the heap. but have fun SUV shopping!

.g35girl.

[GX9901]

Yeah, I forgot about the MDX. I'm a fan of Acura cars, but the MDX never really appealed to me for some reason. More importantly, my wife has no interest in it.

Does anyone know how close to invoice can FX's or RX's be had?
Thanks.

2004 G35 Coupe Diamond Graphite/Graphite 5AT
Premium, Nav., 18" Wheels, Z-Xtreme Hyper Grounding Cables,
K&N filter, Clear Corners, 350Z Aluminum Pedals,
Sony Ericsson HCB-30

[GeoBau]

We got an FX loaded, not too much over invoice at all... in fact, the dealer threw in the 20s, gratis, so I'm sure we ended up pretty darn close to (if not below) invoice. Go to the same dealer and salesperson from whom you bought the G (If you have a good rapport with him/her), and you're more likely to find a deal. The RXs are a little harder to come by, I believe (or were in August), as I know we'd have had to wait til mid-November to get a loaded one. But that could've been because it was just released, etc.

Good luck,

G

G

2003.5 Black w/ Willow G35
Premium / Sport / Aero / Winter / Navi / Tint