Time to buyout my lease, but I'm leary due to the amount of money I would have spent on brake repair in 48,000 mi. if Infiniti hadn't coughed up the dough! I figure at least $3-4K! Is there some aftermarket alternative brakes that will last longer for a "normal" aggressive everyday driver?

 

You can replace pads [Akebono] and rotors [Brembo] for less without seriously degrading the stopping distances too much.

Ceramics may behave above 500F a little less agressively but you can learn to compensate. Cold stopping shouldn't be a problem in Texas.