Hello all,
I'm 17 years old (18 in half a month), and currently own a 2002 BMW 745i, has roughly 160k miles (yeah, its been driven!). No one in my family has ever owned an Infiniti so I figured I'd take to the people that know them the best for answers to my questions.

My father is coming home from Iraq in about a week and we're all going to be getting new cars. My mother is probably gonna get an '06 Range Rover HSE, father will probably get a '06 Dodge MegaCab, a '99 Convertible Corvette (parents weekend car), and hopefully me a '03-'04 FX35.

I'm looking at '03-'04, AWD's only, roughly 90k-110k miles, with a price max at roughly $14,000.
My questions are:

How reliable are the '03-'04s?
If you have ever owned a BMW, would you say maintenance is required less on the FX35?
If you have ever owned a BMW, would you say maintenance costs are less on the FX35?
Ride quality versus a BMW, which is better?
Would you want your Son/Daughter to drive a FX35?


Also, is there anything I should look out for when purchasing an '03-'04?


Thank you for your time,
Brodie

First, I would offer that my BMW was not a maintenance hog, nor has the FX been. I have had more issues with the FX, but love it enough to hold onto it for the last 146,000 miles. The problems greatest to least are:
Valve cylinder leak, leather on steering wheel failed, door lock issues when young. My cost of repairs has been low, and the driving exceptional. I chose the FX over the X5 because of the driving - it's a great handling car. You won't go wrong. (PS - Mine is a 2wd, not AWD)

I would let my kids drive either one, but I like the safety factor of the FX more - also better response to emergency situations...