Infiniti FX Owners Forum (The Org)

I can't figure out for the life in me why someone would pick the 1st generation over the 2nd.

You should find one of the threads where we discussed it at length. Plenty of opinions there. There are pros and cons for either.

I picked 1st generation because in 2003 there was no 2nd generation - how about that?

I picked first gen to save $30k. If I wasn't on a budget though, 2nd gen all the way. The engine/trans combo in the 50s would almost be worth selling my house for.

hear, HEAR!! And then I bought the 2009 because there was no THIRD generation out yet...take THAT!!

haha, me too, there was no second gen when I got mine... when the second gen came out, at first I really thought I loved it & wanted it, but now, after seeing them for a while & having the "newness" factor wear off, I think I can honestly say that there are many things that I like more about the first gen than the second. I personally think the first gen looks more sporty, more refined & better designed exterior wise in many ways. of course the second gen interiors & drivetrains blow the first gen away, but exterior styling not so much. the second gens look bulkier & less sporty & there are some aspects that just aren't the best fit for the rest of the design... the second gens look a bit more luxury but a bit less sporty... the first gen is just a classic beauty & even when the third gens do come out I still think the first gens will always hold there unique appeal for what they are... the second gens did nothing to take away from the beauty of the first gens, & I'm sure price is a factor that may also sway someone towards the first gen too even now, if you can't even figure that part out for the life of you then I guess money is just no object to you... damn, that must be nice

EXACTLY what turbo said. That is a fairly common sentiment among many here. Yea the 2nd gen is nice, and interior is light years ahead of the 1st gen, but with the exterior looks really not up to the visual WOW factor of the 1st gen, and the price increase the 2nd gens demand for less sport, it doesnt measure up. Unless you get a 50 which I believe is way over priced.

I got my first generation because I liked it better. Yes, I had the choice. I was looking right at the time the 2nd gens were coming out but I really didn't like the exterior styling. It's come around on me since but I'm still very happy with my decision. The only pros I see to the 2nd gen:

- interior and dash
- xm with nav but I've since found that I would hardly ever use it
- 5.0 v8 vs 4.5 v8
- cooled seats

The pricing would've been close enough to be nearly negligible from what I remember but I just didn't like the styling. I'm at the point now that I'd be happy with the styling had I chose the 2nd gen but, like I said, I'm still happy with my 1st gen

Add me to the list of those who prefer the first gen. I swapped my 06 to a 08 immediately after seeing the spy shots of the facelift for the second gen. It's a pretty good design and the interior rocks. But the first gen just does it for me to no end. My decision was further cemented after renting and driving a 09 from San Francisco to Portland. A wonderful upgrade but not enough for me to lose the original. I hope my 08 will last me at least until the spy shots of the 3rd gen come out.

I too prefer the first generation. I drove the second generation FX50S I liked it, especially the interior and engine. But the first generation was rawer, design cleaner, and basically bullet proof. I made it to 112K with no CEL's etc. From what I can tell it looks like the 1st generation has become extremely popular as well, I see a lot now. Matter of fact i think I see more now than I did in 2005 when I picked mine up.

Bought an '04 FX35 then the current '09

PS: I for one prefer the 2nd Gen exterior

Please, don't take me wrong... I am glad I have the 1st gen. I find the latest model ugly and eccentric. I cannot wait to see what the future will bring in the FX line-up, because I would never get the 2nd gen. If I could only transplant the FX50 engine into my FX45.

It's always interesting to read about other opinions and thoughts. We have both a 06 and an 09 and I just like the 09 best, hands down... both exterior and interior. I find it's a very powerful looking veh and I really love what they have done with the back end by adding a bit of contour. In fact, anytime my wife and I go out, we take the 09 so it's racking up the miles!! Don't get me wrong, I love the 06 too ... but more as a friend!!

I'm also a first gen guy, but only because I purchased in 04. Those of us who loved the 1st gen FX and then saw a new body style had to get adjusted to it. Those who never had an FX and can choose between the two generations might have less resistance to the subtle design changes. I'm a definite fan of both, but gotta stick with my original love.

Purchased a 2nd generation. The dealer provided a first generation as a loaner while servicing my FX. Perhaps it had harsher wear, but I much prefer the ride, interior finish, and look of the 2nd generation. Probably biased on my purchase, but I would have no interest in a 1st generation now.

Ride of the 2nd gen is softer... interior is also better... not sure about the "look" part cause I assume you're talking about the exterior... pretty much if they had kept the 1st gen exterior and plopped all the niceness of the 2nd gen inside, THAT would be a nearly perfect FX for me...

Yes, much softer. But it doesn't lean any more than our 03. How'd they do that??

Engineering... LOL...

But yeah... apparently, getting H&R springs improves handling AND ride comfort... I'll be putting on coilovers once my current suspension problems get figured out (under warranty ) which can drop the car, improve handling, AND also improve ride comfort... so engineering goes a long way... also, the cost of putting in those better parts... probably one of the reasons why the 2nd Gen FX is quite a bit more expensive than the 1st Gen when it came out...

Even tho I loved the FX from the moment I saw the concept & then the production vehicle at the NY Auto Show, I prefer the 2nd generation. To me, the look of the 2nd gen is much more aggressive & just plain cool. And as nice as the 1st gen's interior is, the look & feel of the 2nd gen just blows the old one away. Plus the new vehicle has a more powerful yet more efficient engine, dual air intake/dual exhaust, is quicker to 60, & don't forget the 7 sp. automatic. Both are excellent vehicles, but the 2nd gen to me is tops.

just for the technology and design of the inside 2nd generation is a much better car and can compete with the most luxurious cars on the market Range, X5, cayenne..., and I think on the outside the 1st generation is really not outdated other than the front grill.

Sounds like many of you have the "Old Model Complex".

Huh? You post this question how "for the life of you" people prefer the 1st gen FX and we give you legitimate reasons and that is your response?

It's ok John. This guy must have a Napoleon complex. Either that or a small d*ck complex.

I've seen quite a few 2nd gens over the past week or two since this thread was started and I can honestly say that I've made the right decision. The 2nd gen grew on me for a while but I've studied it a lot lately and, well... it's ugly. It's really ugly. Sorry to all you 2nd gen guys and, like I said, I *DID* have a choice. I could've gotten either and I could've swung if financially. And the reason I can't bring myself to test drive a 50 (because I *KNOW* that I'll fall in love with the engine) is that the body is just ugly.

I've been polite thus far but you couldn't pay me to drive one of them

Mr. Grumpypants... I understand that you are a bit PO'd with the "Old Model Complex' comment (which I don't agree with either), but you're using pretty strong language to describe a vehicle which many of us have and enjoy. We all enjoy being on the site and sharing views back and forth and it's very understandable that we have our own opinions about the various model years etc... but personally speaking, I might say I preferred one over the other, but to call someone's vehicle ''ugly''??? Hmmm