2003 Infiniti FX45
Price: $44,225 base, $52,370 as tested
Engine: 4.5-liter V-8, 315 hp
Transmission: Five-speed automatic, all-wheel drive
Wheelbase: 112.2 in
Length: 189.1 in
Width: 64.6 in
Height: 65.0 in
Curb Weight: 4299 lb
EPA (city/hwy): 15/19 mpg
Safety equipment:
Dual front airbags, side airbags, side curtain airbags, stability control, electronic brake force distribution, and Brake Assist
Major standard features:
Automatic climate control, HID xenon headlamps, LCD display screen, heated power memory front seats w/ power lumbar, heated mirrors, power tilt/telescope steering wheel, cruise control, AM/FM/cassette sound system with six-CD changer
Warranty: Four years/60,000 miles
In Other Words
SEMA: You're Spending A Lot on Your Car Guess who's spending a lot of money on compact cars? Um, it's you, dude. The very happy folks at the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) say that they rang up sales of $2.37 billion in aftermarket parts and accessories last year, up about 56 percent from the year before. A lot of that money is coming directly off the purchase price of your cars: More than 62 percent of tuners bought their cars used and pumped them up with parts, while just about 25 percent bought them new. Nearly 13 percent got their cars as gifts; better yet, we know who they are, and now so does the IRS, too.Mitsubishi Needs Beds...Lots of Them
In Other Words
Mitsubishi Makes Trucks?
With all sorts of EVO hotness going on in its showrooms, Mitsubishi wants to reach out to the truck crowd it gave up on about a decade ago. Specifically, Mitsu is said to be begging Chrysler to let it sell a version of the next small Dodge truck, either a Dakota or a version of the M-80 concept truck if it ever gets the green light for production. The companies are already working on a slew of new cars, including a PT Cruiser replacement, based on the Mitsu Lancer mechanicals. Mitsubishi North America CEO Pierre Gagnon shouted recently that, "We have been yelling and screaming that we want a pickup for the U.S. market"-and frankly, people are beginning to wonder about him.
Subaru In Organ-Donor Program For Saab
Saab is running into tough luck-still!-in North America, and the latest plan to save the Swedes' buttocks involves an organ transplant from Subaru. Subaru's dealers aren't really happy about the prospect, but Saab says now it will get a version of the Impreza/WRX wagon to sell as a new 9-2 range, beneath its 9-3 and 9-5 sedans. Saab's also getting a GM SUV to sell as its own, but that plan is going down much better with the poor guys who have to sell the Olds Bravada. The Saab 9-2 will get two powertrains. One sounds an awful lot like Subaru's normally aspirated 2.5-liter flat four, while the other sounds exactly like Saab's turbocharged 2.0-liter four, tuned to put out 300 hp.
Brits Favor Four-Wheel Fun
You've probably heard about people having sex in cars, we're just betting. Now a survey in Great Britain confirms that, at least over there, knocking boots in a car is the overwhelming choice of people who think doing it outside is cool. The Website safeoutdoorsex.com surveyed 1500 people and found that folks prefer doing it in the car over doing it on the beach or out in the woods. While they're not actually advocating the use of car parts as marital aids, the Webbies think car sex isn't just keen, it's liberating. "Safe outdoor sex is about liberty and power," said Katherine Govier, a spokesperson for the site, which is sponsored by a British condom maker.