The trip actually took four days, truth be told, but one involved a lot of driving in darkness, so let's call it three. For my last FX50 trick, I started in Kanab, Utah and ended up at the Grand Canyon's South Rim. That gave me another shot at Route 89A, as well as plenty of time to contemplate my innermost feelings about our long-term Infiniti.
You'll note that I haven't said much about the FX50's high-tech stuff. Four-way parking camera, plasmacluster, et cetera. Hey, this is my road trip, and frankly I don't really care about all of that (though I'll concede that the camera is fantastic). To me, the way the thing drives is what matters. The rest is just details.
And the FX50 drives great. As noted on Days One and Two, the driving position, steering and handling are spot-on, and NVH issues aside (see Day Two), the V8 is a monster. This Infiniti eats up miles with confidence and flair. It's the real deal.
However, one detail that does matter is the FX50's near-$60k base price. Given that rivals like the Porsche Cayenne S and BMW X5 V8 have more refinement and snob appeal, I'd like to see the FX50 start at $50,000, where it would be an easily justifiable stretch from the six-cylinder Cayenne and X5. No wonder the FX35 sells so much better -- it's $15 grand cheaper.
A few final notes and pics below.
Route 89A near Jacob Lake, Arizona
"Tried a little soft-roading on a washboard-grade dirt road toward the Paria Plateau. FX was fine; I wasn't. Turned back after a mile or so of intense vibration. Car felt remarkably tight though, unlike a rattle-prone Audi Q7 TDI I drove on a similar road recently."
Route 89 between Page and Bitter Springs.
"Road noise really comes and goes in this thing. Certain surfaces barely register at all; others make enough of a racket to overpower the (unexceptional) Bose stereo. A little more sound insulation in the wheel wells would be welcome."
Route 89
"Funny how much cooler the FX50 seems now that I'm out of LA. I'm getting the same wide-eyed looks that I used to give the first-generation FX when I lived in the northeast. Good to be reminded every now and again that it's not normal to see multiple European exotics at every stop light."
Route 64 south of the Grand Canyon
"Arizona has a sense of humor too."
Arizona/California border, Interstate 40, 8:30 pm.
"Pitch black outside, 105 degrees. Coastal California FTW. Incidentally, I like how there's no BMW-style analog fuel economy gauge here. You can keep tabs on your MPG via the trip computer if you want, but thankfully it's not in your face all the time. I know my own throttle position, thanks."
Josh Sadlier, Associate Editor, Edmunds.com @ 22,255 miles
rick8365 says:
02:53 PM, 09/ 3/09
All cool - love the pics!
shaddai says:
04:18 PM, 09/ 3/09
I've never been a fan of the annoying BMW MPG needle. It's worthless and distracting.
drewsrx says:
07:52 PM, 09/ 3/09
Josh,
I hope you understand, an X5 V8 with just the Sports package costs around $64k. The base FX50S (with Sports Package) is about $6k less. The Cayenne S with just the Sports package is $65k. Yes, the FX50S is expensive, but not relative to its competition.
SadButTrue says:
08:01 PM, 09/ 3/09
^
Well, Infiniti could at least make the Sport package an option and lower the base MSRP a little that way. Also, it's not like the non-Sport X5 and Cayenne are exactly slouches. Slalom speeds for the non-Sport X5 and our FX50 are pretty close.
I still think the FX50 would make more sense as a "pay a little more, get a lot more" alternative to the six-cylinder X5 and Cayenne. That means a base price around $50k. Make the sport package optional at that price if you want. People might actually buy the thing.
-JS
adavis2493 says:
08:20 PM, 09/ 3/09
I know this is slightly irrelevant, but with the smart Wrap-Up, I found your guy's old smart at Glendale Kia for $1,000 less for what you payed for it new. Plus, the Carfax does not report the accident.
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=u&car_id=267467936&dealer_id=1380345&car_year=2008&rdm=1252034204698&model=FORTWO&num_records=25&systime=&make2=&highlightFirstMakeModel=&start_year=1981&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&engine=&certified=&body_code=0&fuel=&awsp=false&search_type=used&distance=200&marketZipError=false&search_lang=en&showZipError=y&make=SMART&keywords_display=&color=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&min_price=&drive=&default_sort=priceDESC&seller_type=b&max_mileage=&style_flag=1&sort_type=priceDESC&address=90404&advanced=&end_year=2010&doors=&transmission=&max_price=&cardist=15&standard=false&rdpage=thumb
fx50_owner says:
08:35 PM, 09/ 3/09
I think JS should look at Carsdirect right now as the base msrp is currently quoted at $49,458 right now...and the sport option is always an option. You'll notice some other reviews of the fx50 without the sport package online. I think that infiniti has found the right pricing through carsdirect and will make a few sales given the pricing on carsdirect and the special interest rates(0% for up to 72 months) they are offering on the infiniti website. I could not think of a better time to buy. I love my new FX50S and there are now only 10 left on the west coast according to the dealership where I bought mine, so you might want to hurry to get your deal before they are all gone.
SadButTrue says:
08:52 PM, 09/ 3/09
^Oops. Brain cramp on my part. You're right, the Sport Package is optional.
So, okay then. Drop the base MSRP to $50k and you're set.
Re: Carsdirect, I feel vindicated. $50k is what that car should cost.
-Josh
litman says:
09:44 PM, 09/ 3/09
Thanks for the great diary series.
This past July my wife, my eight year old daughter and I took our grey FX35 on a very similar trip. We stayed in Henderson, Nevada, then three days on the South Rim, ventured down to Flagstaff and Sedona, then east to Sunset Crater and Wupatki National Monument, then northwest across that cool Navajo Bridge, along the Vermillion Cliffs. We stayed in Jacob Lake while we checked out the North Rim, then through Kanab, Utah and into Zion. We didn't see Bryce this trip. After Zion it was southwest to Barstow, and then back up to Northern California.
Seeing your photos, especially the one in the meadow on the way to the North Rim, is eerily familar - like I'm viewing my own Kodak Gallery. That series of meadows on that stretch in and out of the North Rim is spectacular. Were the wildflowers still out when you passed through?
We love our first-gen FX35. We intend to get another one when this one needs to be replaced, and depending on gas prices, we may upgrade to the V-8. Our trip this summer confirmed our respect for this vehicle. Your road trip journal validates our opinion: so it wasn't just us.
chavis10 says:
06:50 AM, 09/ 4/09
I remember Route 89. You have to check out Zion National Park though on Route 9 and it isn't that far from 89A.
SadButTrue says:
09:32 AM, 09/ 4/09
^Yeah, didn't have time for Zion, unfortunately. Not seeing that and Coyote Bluffs are my two regrets.
SadButTrue says:
10:49 AM, 09/ 4/09
@litman,
Nope, no wildflowers for me. Sounds beautiful. Those meadows were still pretty cool though. I hit Wupatki as well (though not Sunset Crater), and of course the Navajo bridge and Vermillion Cliffs (the lead shot for Day Two was at the turnout for the cliffs on 89A, as you probably noticed). Amazing sights.
-JS