OK – my fourth post on my blog, and the pet peeves start coming out.
I’m really sick of the amount of noise these Infinitis make. These two models (the G35 and FX35 in particular) make a really loud rumble, especially with acceleration. Considering that these cars could make almost no noise with current technology, Infiniti clearly engineered this rumble. But for whom? The owners? For those of us who live on busy streets or who like to walk, these cars are a real nuisance. They may not be as loud as Porsches, but there are a lot more of them out there.
And here’s how I know I’m a real kook: I dug around for other people complaining about the noise of these cars, and I just can’t find anything. Anyone see anything? Anyone agree?
I guess all I can do is to vote with my wallet; I’ll never buy an Infiniti.
1R wood on Mar 21, 2008 at 6:09 am:
I have a new 2007 G35 w/5000mi and have taken it to the dealer with no response to this complaint. My NASCAR engine friend comments that it sounds as if the air cleaner is out. It is really most noisy at 60 mph. I won’t accept this.
2S alami on May 9, 2008 at 7:18 am:
I have 2008 FX35, and yeh, the exhaust is a bit noisy.. however, what is irritating me the most the the driver seat rubbing against the door column every time I turn right. Nissan/ Inifiniti don’t really care about this cause they said it is not a safety issue.
393til on Jun 27, 2008 at 5:49 am:
I’m sure your Murano is very nice.
4DislexicGlobFan on Jun 27, 2008 at 6:09 am:
Yeah- and diesel trucks. And every Dodge, Ford, and Chevy pickup out there. And those damn tiny little Hondas with the huge spoilers. And every car made before 1980. Not just cars- don’t forget about Harleys. Is there really a point to all that noise? And birds too- SO damn irritating in the morning when I’m trying to sleep. And planes flying over my house. And telephones. And the wind blowing through trees. All just too loud…
5Michael on Jun 27, 2008 at 6:56 am:
93til-
Big on the outside, small on the inside? Low gas mileage? Just not my style, all around, even without the noise pollution.
6Michael on Jun 27, 2008 at 6:59 am:
DislexicGlobFan-
I’m not sure what led you to this page in the first place, but I’ve got to believe it’s something to do with the excessive noise from these Infiniti and Nissan vehicles. My blog doesn’t get that much traffic to think you ended up here accidentally.
Hondas with huge spoilers and Harleys? Fine – those are in the same “I want to be loud” camp.
But diesels? Trucks? Pickups? Those serve a purpose (hauling, using different fuel) and have different engine types for it. They aren’t tuned for noise – that’s just a byproduct.
This is noise for the sake of more noise. And it’s pathetic.
7me on Jun 27, 2008 at 8:45 am:
I bought an FX45 for that very reason – the FX35 was just too loud!
8God on Jun 27, 2008 at 10:15 am:
maybe you should get some noise cancelling headphones then. i love the way my FX35 sounds, that’s why i bought it. maybe you should get your eardrums removed if it bothers you that much.
9Michael on Jun 27, 2008 at 10:21 am:
A witty bunch, these FXers. Keep it comin!
10Steve on Jun 27, 2008 at 10:53 am:
The Infiniti G and FX are engineered to have a specific exhaust note so that people like me (I own a G35, FX35 and 350z) will enjoy the experience more. Not just me, but the hundreds of thousands of other people who have purchased these Infinitis. I tend to believe that if you were to get out of the house more and actually drive one of these vehicles, your opinion might just change a bit. And the sound is not all that loud — nowhere near as loud as a Harley or one of those little Hondas with the big shopping cart spoiler. I think you’re just picking on Infiniti because they make a higher quality car than that Chevy Malibu you’re driving.
11Michael on Jun 27, 2008 at 11:05 am:
Steve and DislexicGlobFan – have you guys met, perhaps?
Look, I get the point: you like the noise. But as “God” mentioned, since we each have our own preferences for noise, we should each get what we want. So maybe you guys can get a CD with that great rumble, and play it while you drive. Then only you have to hear it – I can then hear whatever I want – maybe the birds, as nicely suggested by DislexicGlobFan.
I also get that many of you think I’m jealous because you have such expensive cars (and I clearly drive some vehicle that you scorn). I’m not sure where you get that idea, but is it even on topic at all? This is about excess noise – it’s not about me obviously having less wealth than each of you.
12Stu on Jun 27, 2008 at 12:39 pm:
just be glad they dont sound like this stock. http://youtube.com/watch?v=RLB0wa7zGD8 then i could understand your argument.
13VQ35DE on Jun 27, 2008 at 7:36 pm:
What…? are you kidding. Do you drive a toyota pirus?
The FX has a nice deep growl from the stock. It is not like those stupid ricer cars you are comparing to. The Thing about the FX is that the Motor is louder than the exhaust (unlike stupid ricer cars).
The people out side can hear the exhaust but not on the inside. It is not that loud. comeone lol that is sooooo ridiculous if you think that is loud. Infiniti engines and exhaust have a nice engineering team. You know what this means when you own one.
and Oh yea, I do own a FX35 and love it and how the people turn to look at it pass by in aww! enjoy ur QUIET rides. lol
14DislexicGlobFan on Jun 27, 2008 at 7:53 pm:
Michael’s got me- I DO own an FX, and mussed with the exhaust and intake- just a little tho! To be fair, I DID remove the headers and hi-flo cats… I’m actually with you a little on the Harleys, but attacking the exhaust note of a stock Infiniti is a little too “Get off the grass you damn kids” for me. I like the “thrum” but I’m cool about it in the ‘hood.” I hope the peeps ain’t representin’ down a private/residential street- uncool. Peace
15InfinitiRocks! on Jun 27, 2008 at 9:06 pm:
The exhaust note is sweet, wtf are you talking about?
Just buy ear plugs or listen to your ipod or something. if you hate the G35/FX35 sound, what about the mustang and muscle car sound?
16Rob on Jun 30, 2008 at 4:21 am:
Well I suppose if you’re going to post about a vehicle you should actually know something about it. Hence I’d say this post is fair game for the ridicule it’s receiving. Really? Did you not drive the vehicle before you bought it? Pity. You might have opted for the minivan you deserve.
17Michael on Jun 30, 2008 at 4:44 am:
Rob,
Thanks for the post. I’m sorry to have given you the wrong impression here, but I don’t drive the vehicle in question. How did you get that impression?
18Michael on Jun 30, 2008 at 4:48 am:
Two things here:
1 – I do have to approve posts to the comments section. So I’m NOT approving posts with off-color language. You can call me and idiot or a moron or imply that I drive an American car all you want – and those I’ll approve. But this is a post about a FAMILY car, right? So let’s keep the language reasonable.
2 – That brings me to my next issue: This is a family car. Here, in LA, it’s pretty much a mom’s taxi, for moms who can’t stand the minivan. Maybe in the rest of the country, dads are driving it, but either way, it’s a FAMILY-mobile. So where are the moms who could post? Is that the point – only the dads like the noise? Does it make them feel that they aren’t driving a station wagon somehow? (I’m all for station wagons, myself.) Does it make them feel like this is a sports car?
19VQ on Jun 30, 2008 at 5:45 am:
Mothers driving fx’s? My mom drives mine all the time
she enjoys it and as a mother of 3, she says that driving the fx is comparable to driving a sports sedan. She loves the exhaust note and the feels as if she is cruising down the highway in a younger person’s car. Midlife crisis? No. Good taste and enjoyment? yes.
20chiFX45 on Jun 30, 2008 at 6:05 am:
i DID hate the exhaust sound that Infinitis put out. so, i threw on a stainless steel Y-pipe, deleted the resonator and replaced that with a 3″ pipe, and then replaced that stock muffler with a Flowmaster. as far as the intake, i didn’t like that either, so, I put in a nice LMS cold air intake. NOW i’m noisy and i like it.
no offense, but, this blog might be the most ridiculous thing to complain about that i’ve EVER seen. Infinitis are not that loud. when you’re driving one with the windows up, you can’t even hear the exhaust note.
21Jay on Jun 30, 2008 at 6:22 am:
Michael – My sister recently drove my FX is and she’s a MOM, she couldn’t believe how much attention and stares she was receiving while driving in my FX. Whether it was the different exhaust note or the Copper color, she has decided that her next vehicle is going to be an Infiniti G35 or an FX35. Sure the exhaust note is not for everyone but for those who have them, it really is quite enjoyable. I sometimes forget to turn my radio on because I love the sound of the exhaust. What kind of family car do you drive? if you don’t mind my asking.
22Rob on Jun 30, 2008 at 7:12 am:
A family car built on a 350z chasis and with a 350Z power train? Better not let the Acura MDX drivers get a hold of that logic. They’ll be after your hide for calling their SUV a mini van. (The MDX is based on the Odyssey in case you were unaware.)
My bad assuming if you were going to post about a vehicle you’d actually driven one before you put your opinion out there. But then I suppose I’m wrong to assume everyone tries carefully to know what they’re talking about when they share their opinions.
A lot of us are very passionate about what we drive. Most of us love the FX’s and G’s exhaust notes. We find them close to some Ferrari’s. (also not a family vehicle). So if you’ll forgive me for suggesting your opinion is ill conceived and uninformed I’ll forgive you for posting such derogatory comments in the first place.
Thanks for listening. No need to reply.
23DatMan on Jun 30, 2008 at 2:48 pm:
“2 – That brings me to my next issue: This is a family car. Here, in LA, it’s pretty much a mom’s taxi, for moms who can’t stand the minivan. Maybe in the rest of the country, dads are driving it, but either way, it’s a FAMILY-mobile. So where are the moms who could post? Is that the point – only the dads like the noise? Does it make them feel that they aren’t driving a station wagon somehow? (I’m all for station wagons, myself.) Does it make them feel like this is a sports car?”
So let me get this straight… you don’t like INFINITIs cause they’re too loud for a “family” car, but other cars can be loud? So then, what about the M3 and M5 cars from BMW? They have 4 doors (well, the M3 sedan does) and could be considered “family” cars as well, but they’re even LOUDER than the INFINITIs. There are also quite a few other “enthusiast” vehicles with 4+ doors and a loud exhaust (SRT cars from Chrysler, the new G8 from Pontiac, etc.) that I can think of. Why not complain about these? Or what about sports cars in general? Is it OK for THEM to be loud since they’re not “family” cars? In all fairness, the G35 was designed as a sports sedan or sports coupe, and the FX35 was designed as a sports SUV. They are the “other” sports cars that are starting to come out (like the X6 copied the formula of the original FX35). Why is it that if someone has a family and wants more than 2 doors they can’t drive something sporty? All INFINITIs handle like sports cars and have the exhaust note to match (well, some of the new ones are more muted than others). So what’s wrong with that?
24Michael on Jun 30, 2008 at 3:11 pm:
Huh? I just ask some moms to weigh in here on the noise. When did I say that only family cars can’t be noisy?
All I can tell you is this: if I hear an unusually loud exhaust, nine times out of ten, it’s one of these models. My problem is with noise – not with any style of car.
I’ve got another poster up there getting made at me having something to do with Acuras really being Odysseys with a different body – where did that come from?
I’m happy for you to drive something sporty. I’d just like it to not make so much noise – that’s all.
What I really don’t understand is why people would specifically opt to make more noise rather than less. One poster mentioned the Harley issue – same thing applies. Why do we need more noise when we can have less? If it’s great music or something else valuable, fine, but these “exhaust notes” as everyone likes to call them are the same environmental noise that, if emitted in a factory, would make OSHA require headphones.
If you want to drive an Infiniti, that’s fine. If you want to tell me it is or isn’t an SUV/Wagon/Family car/Sports car, fine. But it is louder than a standard vehicle, and louder than it needs to be.
25DatMan on Jun 30, 2008 at 7:40 pm:
Well, what you refer to as “noise” some like. You start talking about music? What kind of music is “valuable” to you? Opera? Classical? Rap? Techno-Trance? Drum and Bass? Raggae? The whole problem with your argument is your objectivity. What you don’t like, obviously a bunch of other people DO like, or else INFINITI wouldn’t be doing as well as it is now and 9 out of 10 times you wouldn’t be hearing an INFINITI making “noise”. Some people like to sleep to the sound of rain hitting their roof while others can’t sleep if it’s not completely quiet. Even when it comes to similar “noises” some people like more and others like less. Some people like to listen to a Beethoven symphony cranked on their expensive, mulit-channel sound system, while others want to listen to something mellow on their headphones. Which way is right and which way is wrong? Now I’m sure you don’t actually get disturbed by this “noise” often enough to write a blog about it. I’m sure your next blog post will complain about the fireworks on July 4th. You’ll probably say something about, “Why can’t people be patriotic in a quiet way?” or something along those lines. Either that or you’ll be a hypocrite and light some fireworks in your backyard, or go somewhere that’s got a fireworks show going on, which of course will be done at night (when some people are trying to sleep) and MUCH louder than any exhaust on ANY car. But then again, you’ll probably come back and tell me it’s only 1 day out of the year… not like how you are forced to listen to INFINITI exhausts 23 hours out of each day…
Now if you don’t like choices and the freedom to choose that goes along with it, go buy a private island and make loud exhausts illegal. Until then, enjoy your freedom to complain about loud exhausts, and I’ll enjoy MY freedom to by any car I choose.
26Michael on Jun 30, 2008 at 7:58 pm:
DatMan-
Are you serious? This is my blog and I can complain about whatever I want (by the way, I just heard an FX35 burning past the stop sign near my house). I can also delete your comments, right?
Do I somehow have some power here over the world? I really don’t think so. I think I’m just one person who disagrees with your point of view. Isn’t that freedom? And if you saw how few people actually read my blog, you’d know that my sphere of influence is tiny.
If I was sure I was right and you were wrong, I wouldn’t let you comment at all. I’m leaving this open for discussion. That’s why there are comments at all. Have I somehow impinged upon your right to buy any car you choose? In my original blog post, I stated that -I- wouldn’t buy an Infiniti – not that I was forcing that opinion on you.
And your comment about the private island? That’s as juvenile as your Infiniti-compatriots before you who think the issue is that I can’t afford one of these loud psuedo-SUVs. Have I suggested legislation or something similar? You’ve inferred far more than I ever wrote – inaccurately.
You’re trying to make me feel unpatriotic because you’ve extrapolated to Fourth of July noise? Sorry – but that makes no sense at all. If anything, you’ve clearly got a patriotism deficit by purchasing a Japanese car that sucks gas from the Middle East, thus increasing our dependence on foreign oil at the same time that it increases our trade deficit. Please don’t try to pin a lack of patriotism on me – that is, again, totally inaccurate.
Finally, I will agree that your last sentence is totally accurate: I can blog and complain, and you can drive a loud car. Thanks for seeing this both ways.
27G35 on Jul 2, 2008 at 7:33 pm:
Yeah guys lighten up. Michael has the right to his own opinions even though you might disagree. No need to be so critical.
The FX35 is clearly a sporty suv targeting people who want that vq sound. if it bothers you… buy a different car. Doesn’t mazda have a goofy suv that looks like that too. Yeah! get that one. As for the FX35, i don’t really understand the point of this arguement. Michael, you said “Big on the outside, small on the inside? Low gas mileage? Just not my style, all around, even without the noise pollution.”
1) I’m not sure about the size so i don’t have much to say.
2) If you do rock an American car, you most likely guzzle as much fuel. (VQ’s are pretty good with gas if you don’t drive like a jerk)
3) Not your style? I understand, i wouldn’t buy one either. (Now before you crazy infiniti lovers start bashing me, read the name. i have a G, sounds great too)
SOOOOO my point being. i respectfully disagree with Michael, EVEN THOUGH i am a G advocate. Now if we could all find the maturity to do the same, the world might be a better place =D.
28escG356MT on Aug 1, 2008 at 5:15 pm:
Really?! I mean I am actually looking at new true dual cat back exhaust to bring that precision engineering to a beautiful musical note that sounds as if Jesus came flying down from the heavens in his heavenly G35 coupe, of course in pearl white with the ghost wings painted from nose to tail. His would also be in such sweet tune as he swoops down to kick the pants off every young mustang gt or any other V-8 gas-guzzling cars and send them home with their tails tucked. I really enjoy eating up these little “ricers” who’s cars sound like something that came out of my grandpa’s a**. They got all these fix-em up’s and stickers and you pull away. Anyhow….the VQ35 engine sounds superb in any aspect. I say to each his own..if you do not enjoy the sound, just deal with it for a few seconds as the car drives by you. Maybe consult a doctor on how you want to control everyone’s life…better yet move!
29Mondo G on Oct 1, 2008 at 11:32 am:
Wow, this is the first time I’ve seen a person that had a problem with the sound of the fx. I guess there’s a first time for everything though, eh?
I personally would live in a 32 car garage and wake up every morning to fire up some very loud (and possibly obnoxious to many others) american muscle cars along with some oversea’s rides and cruise the day away… {{if only i had that much money…. sigh}}
I love the exhaust note of the fx35 and i always thought it was too quiet. If i had one of my own i would try to find ways to make it louder with the same tune. Usually when im blessed to see one near me i have to turn my music off and roll down a window to hear it. Yea, its pathetic but its my favorite kind of music and i’ll keep doing the same until i can purchase a brand new viper with cash.
I could imagine that one does not prefer this sound and may get very tired/annoyed with it after too many of the same pass by so, i get your point. And i know (common sense) that everyone isnt going to like the same things i like, and vice versa. But i live in INDIANA and i dont see too many of these close by me, in my opinion, so i’ll never get tired of them! wish i had one.
I give 2 thumbs up and a standing ovation to infiniti!
30Zach-Daniels on Oct 17, 2008 at 6:24 am:
Moral of the story.. Don’t be a gay.. Be an alpha male.. get all things noisy.. Rock out.. Live dangerously.. most of all have fun and quit being such a wiener that wore his mothers high heels when he was 10.
31DatMan on Nov 6, 2008 at 7:41 am:
OOoooo… lost sight of this blog and forgot to check back to see what response I would get… LOL…
I’m not trying to attack your patriotism (you may or may not have issues if you felt strongly in this way) but I was just trying to point out to you how silly your original point was. Out of your 24 hr day, how much of it is consumed by listening to the loud exhaust of other people’s INFINITIs? By complaining about this petty nuisance, you end up looking like the grumpy guy on July 4th or the Grinch that Stole Christmas (Shaddup you carolers! I’m trying to eat my oatmeal!)… and I’m sure there are things you do that annoy your neighbors / friends / family too (I know I do… not on purpose though… most of the time…) so to complain about how the sound of a car annoys you? Personally, I find it petty… but again, that’s just my opinion…
It’s big of you to leave this open for a full discussion instead of deleting any posts that you don’t agree with… like you said, this is your blog… but I still don’t agree with your original post and wonder why you’d bother to complain about it at all in your blog…
32turbocad6 on Nov 6, 2008 at 9:41 am:
excerpt from your original blog post:
“And here’s how I know I’m a real kook: I dug around for other people complaining about the noise of these cars, and I just can’t find anything. Anyone see anything? Anyone agree?”
I guess this pretty much sums it up, with anything in life there will always be some who like & appreciate things that others may either have no use for, or even detest to some degree. you have every right to not like it of course, but to suggest that it is “a really loud rumble, especially with acceleration” & that others should share this view is an exaggeration in what I believe would be most peoples opinions.
it seems that you may be oversensitive to this particular type of sound, as some may be very sensitive to sunlight or something. well, if your eyes happen to be overly sensitive to sunlight then you should wear protective glasses to limit your exposure, rather than rallying up others to share there opinion that the sun is too bright. by the same token, I would suggest that maybe you should wear some sort of protective hearing device whenever you may be exposed to the possibility of a Nissan product driving within your vicinity, because it is unreasonable to suggest that Nissan should quiet down there cars to a whisper because it happens to irritate you personally.
I would think it is a very self centered view to even suggest that this is something nissan should address, kinda kooky, but then again I guess you know that, as you yourself have even suggested that you know your a real kook
33Abdullah on Mar 30, 2009 at 9:15 am:
well, i like the voice of the G and FX……it just depends on what YOU like.
i have 2004 fx35 and i like the voice of the exhaust.
guys, this car Has HEADERS, thats why, instead of the normal Manifold. and yea, the exhaust pipes r a lil bit wider.
34Anthony on Apr 16, 2009 at 5:18 pm:
I’m glad this article was posted, as now I feel I’m not the only one who is annoyed with the loud sounds of my 2004 Infiniti FX35. To top it off, I have Toyo Proxies 20″ (quite wide) tires. For a $50,000 car, I feel like I’m driving a Jeep CJ5 with the doors and roof off!!!!!
Turns out, my muffler system needs to be replaced. I’m looking now for any quieter muffler systems!
Tony…
35Gthing on May 10, 2009 at 3:16 pm:
I see both Steve and DislexicGlobFan get it unlike the rest of you. I just love opening the windows, turning off the radio and enjoying the sound of my G. Hey it’s supposed to sound that way, I was engineered to have an “exhaust note.”
Everyone else whining on this board. Enjoy diving your Prius, pussies!
36Carla on May 16, 2009 at 9:28 am:
What a bunch of pussies! Do you like a nice Chardonnay with your egg white omelets? You think this is wine?
“***Exhaust Notes?***”
Guys, whoever coined that phrase probably came up with “palling around with terrorists” for Palin and “read my lips” for Bush. You all are just tools of this marketing machine.
My story: I had one of these pathetic beasts. Yeah, I thought I’d go for an SUV back in the early 2000s. What a mistake! Bad mileage, bad visibility, and pretty small inside. And, of course, the noise.
Thankfully, some jackbooted thug (like that one too?) with body art, a shaved head, and a goatee came along and bought me out of my lease. Idiot!
And I bought a Jetta. Best move I’ve made in years.
Finally, let me leave you with this, gentlemen: as a woman, I want nothing less in a man than one who thinks he needs crap like an SUV or “exhaust notes” to impress a woman. Get real losers! The great guys get much more with much less. Ask yourselves: are the most popular guys you know the ones with the most stupid toys, or the ones with character and integrity?
37Stop Whining on Aug 14, 2009 at 10:29 am:
And to make mine louder I installed a Plenum Spacer and different intake…now my FX sounds like a beast under WOT….what does your Prius sound like ?
38Spencer on Aug 19, 2009 at 5:39 pm:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXK63kvUi6U
“Vat’s your hybrid sound like?”
“Hoooooo”
39jack on Feb 16, 2010 at 6:49 pm:
Michael, I have a 06 G35 and and FX35. Love both, the G’s exhaust note does bother me after a while. The FX is quieter. Instead of some of these bird brains dissing you, maybe a suggestion on how to quiet down the exhaust would be a better use of everyone’s time. BTW, I have a Harley Softail with D&D pipes that are louder than any of your stupid car exhausts. A little quiet in a performance car isn’t too much to ask, personal taste. If anyone can provide some useful info on how to quiet down G, please provide otherwise just keep your silly comment to yourself, better yet just shut the F up.
40heavyphantom on Apr 26, 2010 at 9:05 am:
WOW> really? too loud, too old. Don’t like it, don’t buy it.
I saw a Prius drive by, didn’t hear it- I did however look down on it from the FX sittin on 20′s. It’s cute, it’s green, and best yet it may be quiet enough for even the lightest sleeper in the neighborhood to get some rest as YOU TOOL around.
I drove just over 2500 miles on road trip in less than a week. I will say that i was comfortable, the exhaust nose, well i couldn’t quite hear it over the road hum. The exhaust doesn’t even come close to the 295/50 20′s slappin the pavement.
FX’ERS ARE A BREED APART. (we even respect your opinion) MOSTLY
41RFM on Nov 6, 2010 at 3:25 am:
This has got to be a joke!
One of the main reason I would buy the G35 is because of the sweet
Melody that comes out of those pipes.
You must be a fucking geek or hippie to even post something like
This online. What do u ride buddy? I bet is a fucking bicycle!
42admin on Nov 28, 2010 at 10:13 pm:
I do like my bike . . .
43SKy on Aug 6, 2011 at 2:35 am:
Mate,,,,its a man’s car indeed. Its a sports car lifted to get a better view…enjoy it. ..if you have kids…dont buy it….its for a single guy or a young couple exploring da world…peace and ejoy your infinitis and the compliments you will receive….
44shay on Jan 12, 2012 at 5:48 pm:
This is funny because I’ve always thought the G35 and G37 were way too loud to be a “luxury” car…just my opinion though. Matter of fact, I just made this same statement a week ago…
Signed,
Happy Lexus GS driver