Infiniti I30/I35

txt1

Hi Everyone,I have a question about the navigation system.Do you have to pay a fee to update the new map or any fee to keep it working though the years to come?
Thanks

post7

Does anyone know the contents of service bulletin # ITB00060 bulletin 184 date 0010 referring to Scratched instrument panel plastic?

Has anyone had this problem with 2000 I30 and how did the dealer handled it.

Thanks in advance.

herbiedog

Visited my local Infinity dealer today. Really like the I30 Luxury model but have some questions on the value of certain options since I never had them on any car I owned. I would appreciate your pro's and con's of each option. Thanks in advance

Sunroof/rear window shade. Would sunroof cause more wind noise or possible leaks. Sure was a hot sun on my head when he moved the roof covering back today. Dealer said I could order without the sunroof but he said they never sold an I30 without one. Is it really that good a feature.

Heated seats

Traction Control

Dealer said I could get the I30 for $1000 under invoice-there is special incentives being offered at this time.

Thoughts please?

sascuderi

Get the sun roof since you will enjoy the extra light, it doesn't add noise (expect of course when open and even them it's not too bad), and it will subtract from the car if you don't have it when you sell it.

If you live in the North, the heated seats are great on cold mornings and the traction control very useful in the snow. (I have both!)

STEVE

exlegend

If you delete the sunroof, you also delete, whether you like it or not, the rear window shade, the traction control, heated seats, and HID headlights. It seems Japan has figured out how to downplay their role in WWII in their textbooks, but are completely baffled when it comes to the wiring for their cars. Eliminating the wiring for the sunroof eliminates the wiring capability for the other cited options. You're going to have to decide if you really want the sunroof, to include how many times you've used it in the past and how much use you will really get out of it. Deleting it deletes $1,000 off of the sticker. I wouldn't worry about re-sale value without a sunroof. You're buying the car for you, not for the next owner down the line. Besides, if you really end up getting less because of the sunroof, think about the fact you paid less when you bought it because it wasn't there!

Canadiancl: If you have door seal problems, you'll notice the wind noise immediately. Several owners have never experienced that problem, while I noticed it right away, only to have it fixed immediately by my dealer. It's kind of like the TCM problem in the tranny that some owners have complained about: I've never noticed the problem. If you haven't heard the noise by now, enjoy the car!

canadiancl

Actually I don't have an I30. I'm helping my father who is 90% sure the I30 is what he wants. I was just wondering if I would be able to determine if there is a wind noise problem during a normal test drive, or if I should find a stretch of highway to take it up to speed in order to detect wind noise from subpar sealing.

Comment to herbiedog re: moonroof. I actually rarely open my moonroof. However, just pushing back the shade and using it as a skylight really helps make the car less claustaphobic. PLus, as others have said, the moonroof is just a must-have item for a car of this class, whether you use it or not. It just wouldn't look right without one.

canadiancl

Did you say $1000 UNDER invoice? Is that a typo? I am flabbergasted that anyone would sell an I30 at that price, even with the introduction of the I35 looming closer. Is this just an isolated phenomenon, or has the bottom fell out of the I30 market. Edmund's TMV on the I30 should be heading south soon then.

exlegend

You would normally notice the noise at 40 m.p.h. (sorry, 65 k.p.h.) and above. I noticed mine on the highway, with most of the noise coming from the right rear window area. The service writer and the mechanic took turns driving and riding in the back seat and said they definitely could hear the noise from BOTH back windows/door seal area. As stated in some of the previous posts, some owners have never had a problem with wind noise. In fact, I never heard the wind noise in the I30 I test drove and most of that drive was spent with the Bose off or with the volume down low.

txt1

What's city & state do you live? If Southern California can you post the dealer name.
Thanks

herbiedog

I live in Milwaukee Wisconsin. The Infinity dealer is International Auto In West Allis Wisconsin ( a suberb of Milwaukee).They are a big dealership involved with Infiniti, BMW, Mercedes etc.

herbiedog

I have been reading reviews on the I30. The only negatives I have read that concern me are from MSN Carpoint. They say the I30 has inefficient windshield wipers and defroster. They claim the wipers don't handle the right side well and are not fast enough for heavy rain. The defroster handles mist well but can do little against frost and ice. Since I live in the cold and snowy Midwest this concerns me. What has been your experience? Thanks again in advance for whatever feedback you can provide.

sascuderi

I have taken my 2000 I30 on several trips to Myrtle Beach and have been on I95 during summer downpours. No problems with the wipers. (I also do use Rain-X which helps)

I live in NJ and during the last two winters no problems with the defrosters. The Auto setting keeps the windshield clear.

cpa4u

I am currently looking at an I30t and have a few concerns. From what I've read, alot of people tend to think that these cars do not hold a good resale value. What is the thoughts of owners on here about that? I had another brand dealer tell me today that trade-in value on an '00 I30t loaded (w/o navi) was only around $21.5k. I have a deal on the table for an '01 with sticker of $33.5 that the dealer is willing to part with for $30,300. I would hate to lose almost $10k in one year on this car. In 3-4 years is this car not going to be worth anything on trade or to sell? The other car that I am considering is the Acura TL Type S. I've driven both and really liked both. Just torn on the "value" of the I30. Any thoughts would be very appreciated. Thanks!!

marsha7

on Friday, in the Wheels Section (that's the automotive section, LOL) had a blurb about the new I35 coming in the fall...luxury and sport models, they said...so, now that it has been published in the (left wing, socialist) paper, it MUST be true...:)

redskin024

did you get your TL washed at delta sonic on transit on Sat? thought that maybe i saw you...

zeliforp

Most cars lose ~30% of their value as soon as they are driven off of the lot. After that, however, their depreciation curves flatten considerably.

If you were to drive your $30k 2001 I30 off of the lot and then turn around and attempt to re-sell it to the same dealer 5 minutes later, I am willing to bet a major artery that you would not get more than $22k for it. However, three years later I would venture to say that you could probably get about $18k for it.

If it makes you feel any better, my brother purchased a Lexus GS400 in 1999 (~$55k) and received about $40k for it upon trade in a few months ago. Even considering the "prestige" of the Lexus nameplate, that is still almost 30% depreciation after only two years.

I don't think the depreciation of the Infiniti I30 (or Nissan Maxima) are better or worse than other cars in their class. A matter of fact I think you'd probably be surprised if you were to compare trade-in values for I30s and Lexus ES300s, for example.

canadiancl

You may lose 30% (I doubt it's really that high) if you were it sell it or trade it back to the dealer because they have overhead and they have to make money by reselling the car. But if you sell it privately you may lose 10%. 15% max.

zeliforp

Actually 23-33% immediate depreciation is an "accepted" figure in the auto industry. It is accepted as fact by people like my sister (a car sales "associate") to the authors of Business School texts and professors who design Finance Exam questions based on these figures. I can't tell you how many times I ran into these numbers back when I was going through my Finance classes for my MBA...

Sounds high, but I urge you to ask around (heck, even type a few numbers into the Kelly Blue Book site) and see what you come up with. I think you would be surprised!

And yes, in some cases you stand to lose "less" if you sell an automobile on the private market. As with most consumer goods.

mhammy84

Nope, that wasnt me at Delta Sonic. I havent had the TL washed since before winter! I know its time to take them in and rid the salt...

mvargo1

Last thursday at the Manheim highline sale(open only to dealers)but 2000 I30L with 9000-25,000 miles were going from 21,500 up to over 24,000 depending on condition,color, and milage. A good rule of thumb in the first year is Three to five grand behind dead cost depending on milage and condition

canadiancl

mhammy84

Has anybody put a light window tint onto their I30, and if so, what percentage, and also, what type of tint did you place on the car? Which is the most attractive/functional tint: silver or black? I prefer to obey the law, and remain with 35% or lighter windows. Thanks!

herbiedog

Picked up my new I30 last night at $1000 below invoice. Dealor said yesterday was last day of the special incentive. I was extremely pleased and today some of my neighbors are bug eyed looking at it. Car is gorgeous. I am extremely pleased with how easy the whole transaction was handled by the dealer. In my 35 years of buying cars this was by far the most enjoyable transaction.

mvargo1

Invoice minus any incentives or rebates

zeliforp

I have a silver ("Titanium") 2001 I30 and I had the dealer put a 25% tint on it the week after I purchased it. Actually I believe the dealer had someone _else_ put the tint on it, but I digress.

25% black looks great, especially with a dark interior. I'd watch out for 35%, because there are some States that don't allow darker than 30%.

mhammy84

you have 25% tints...I thought that usually means its darker than 35%? I am going by the scale where 5% would be limo tints, and 70% would be a very light tint. The law here in NY states that tints darker than 35% (percentages less than 35%) are illegal. Therefore, may I assume you have 55% tints?

canadiancl

I visited an Infiniti dealer yesterday and asked the sales manager about the I35. He said he hasn't heard anything about it but he said he's been told that there will be a rear-drive replacement for the I30 in Spring, 2002.

cpa4u

I have not seen the color in person yet, but am interested in an I30t in Titanium. The problem is that my boss has a 2001 Maxima in the color of Sterling Mist. Our parking places are right next to each other. Does anyone know if the I30 color and Max color are the same with just different names?

Also, does $300 over invoice sound good for an '01 I30t? That is the offer I have right now. Is that as good as you guys think it will get due to the I35 coming out in the fall?

Thanks!

umpopa

cpa4u:
I was parked next to a Titanium I30 the other day, and commented to my wife about how different the color is, compared to my Maxima with Sterling Mist color. The Maxima color is more gray, and the Infiniti color lighter.

There are, of course, other differences, too, like the shape of the rear end, side indicator lights, the obvious (Infiniti on one, Nissan of the other!), and a couple of thousand dollars in price.

Someone posted about getting $1000 UNDER invoice on an I30 recently. Whether that's possible or not, you likely can get at least closer to invoice that $300, especially this late in the model year.

-umpopa

mulifat

I paid $1100 under invoice for my 2001 I30 purchased a month ago. I would suggest you can do at least as good now, especially with the new models out in a few months. They have a glut of I30's in the lotss, and they want to get rid of them. $300 over invoice is not a very good deal

shbennett

I believe I'm in the process of buying my first new car, an I30, however the color combo I want isn't on the lot. The dealer can get it from another dealer 250 miles away, but he said that they would send a driver and drive it here. I'm slightly nervous about that - there's no way of guaranteeing that their driver will go no faster than 55mph, and I've also read that one isn't supposed to drive for extended periods at constant speed during the break-in period. It's all highway, and I don't see their driver taking frequent breaks even though the dealer assured me that their drivers are excellent. He also said they give the cars full inspections and servicing and if there are any problems in the future, they'll take care of them. The dealer said that this was a standard way to move the cars around.

Well, I've been reading these postings, so I know to take most things told to me with a grain of salt. I would like to know what you feel about the break-in period. Maybe I'm being paranoid, because all of my other cars have been used and who knows what happened to them during break-in or any part of their previous lives. Thanks from this neophyte new car buyer.

cpa4u

What part of the country did you receive these great deals?? I live near Nashville and have contacted the dealer here and ones in Knoxville, Huntsville, Atlanta and Lexington. The best deal out of those dealers was the $300 over invoice. The dealer in Roswell (Atlanta) said he had about 20 I30t's in stock right now. So, you guys think that I can get $1000 UNDER invoice?? I would appreciate any contacts at dealers (and phone #'s). Thanks!!

mulifat

Mark,

Here is what I suggest you do. If you can, wait until May 30. Go to the dealer, and make it sweet and simple. Write down the price you are willing to pay for the car, in this case $1000 below invoice. Give them the paper with your phone number on it, and walk out. Most likey they will catch you before you walk out the door. If not, keep going, and they will call you by the next day, the last day of the month. Try this, and see if I am incorrect

tgif888

Check the previous post. People bought the car under inovice I believe is with the Infiniti Loyalty rebate. This means you previously own a Infiniti.

sasmith95

I, too was nervous about having my car brought in from another dealer, about 70 miles away, but I wanted the color so I went ahead with it. The car arrived fine and I've been very happy with it. 250 miles is quite a ways, though.

I got my car in March for a little over $200 under, but there was an incentive at the time. There was also a $1000 loyalty rebate that I did not get to take advantage of. I'm sure there will be more incentives as the model year winds down.

jaki30

My wife and I took delivery of our I30L 4 weeks ago today. The dealer
in West Haven, Ct. picked up our car from the dealer in Danvers,Ma.
That is 170 miles from here.
The owners manual advises you to not drive for a long period at one set
speed, but, to vary your speed. I don't know what their driver did. However,
if the car is in for service are you going to worry about how they are treating
it? I trust that the Infiniti people would tend to care a little more for their cars
and customers. If you feel that strongly about it, you could pay to have it
trucked to the dealer or try to convince the dealer to let you tag along when
they go to pick it up.

inthedark

Last month I bought an '01 I30t that has Xenon head lamps. This week I took the car back to the dealer to have the head lamps re directed to factory specifications. When I got the car the light that was cast from these lights went one car length ahead of me and then total darkness. There was even a distinct line in the road where the light stopped. The dealer re directed them. Last night I drove in the dark and now have 2 car lengths worth of light before the line of total darkness. The dealer advised that this is normal for Xenon and I need to get used to it. I will never get used to it and can't believe that what I'm seeing (or not seeing) is acceptable in the automotive world. Can anyone help... or at least put this into some perspective for me? Tax.

tonyoo

My lease is up in mid Sept.01 and I was interested in the new I-35, price, date of delivery etc. I am also interested in the Infiniti loyalty discount that I have read about.

philw2

Bot my I30 about a month ago for $800 under. Then showed them I was previous Infiniti owner, and it dropped another $1000. $1800 under invoice out the door.

canadiancl

when it comes to selling prices. Granted I'm up in Canada which may be a whole different ball game, but I just come from an Infiniti dealer where I started off at approx $1000 under invoice (or invoice as closely as I can guesstimate) and finally walked away when they turned down my final offer at invoice. So I don't know how some of you lucky guys are getting your I30 at $1000 -1800 under invoice.
BTW does anyone know if this loyalty rebate applies in Canada, and if it applies if you previously owned a Nissan, rather than an Infiniti?

cpa4u

Went down after work today and drove an '01 titanium I30t. It is exactly the color and has the options (except heated seats) that I would want. So, the sales guy takes me in to meet the sales manager to do some figuring on my trade in. My first question for him, what is going to be your lowest $$ for the I30t not figuring anything about my trade. The car stickered for $33,600 approx. He says....my lowest selling point would be $32,100. I proceeded to tell him that invoice on this car was just a touch under $30,000 and that I had read on here that some people were getting the cars for close to $1000 UNDER invoice. I honestly thought he was going to fall out of the chair laughing. He said the proverbial "No way". Then went back to figuring the trade difference using his $32,100. This is the point that I mentioned the I35 coming out and how this car would be "outdated" in 3-4 months hoping to get some $$ knocked off. Well, that didn't work either. Needless to say, I still don't have a new car! LOL Can someone give me a dealership name that has actually sold a car for $1000 UNDER invoice WITHOUT the loyalty incentive being the difference. I would really appreciate it (especially if any are in the midwest or southeastern part of the country.)

zeliforp

Oops, sorry I meant 35%, not 25%. What I had "intended" to say in the second paragraph was that the dealer was willing to do 30%, but that isn't allowed in some States so I stayed with 35%.

jji7363

See mulifat's post (883) for some good advice in handling the sales folks. Personally, I realy hate the negotiations with these guys, but that seems to still be the way the game is played. Giving them the price that you're willing to pay and telling them to get back to you seems like a great idea. A deadline helps motivate them too. As the deadline approaches and the potential sale slips away, they may become more amenable. As the launch date for the I35s gets closer, the price of the 01 I30s will only go down.

tgif888

Where are you located? Try carsdirect.com and punch in your zip code and see how is the price comes up? With S. Cal. zip code, I was able to get the price between $500-$700 over invoice.

cpa4u

I just pulled up an I30t for here. Approx $900 over invoice. I called a couple more dealers out of state this morning and have found none willing to go lower than $500 over invoice.

djr1951

I have been visiting the same dealer in West Haven you bought your I30L from, and I am interested in knowing what kind of a deal you were able to get from them. I expect to be ready to buy in the next month or so.

tgif888

Try www.liquidprice.com I just put it a request 3 hours ago and got my first bid. $400 over invoice. I am still waiting to see anymore bid will come in. I'll keep you posted.

henrybowman

the I30t that I purchased has a spped limiter. Are there dealers who can remove the limiter???

My dealer claims that it is an emmissions issue (LOL) so they can not change the factory setting.

Has anyone removed the limiter and if so... how much more top end is left past the limiter????

Also - has anyone played around with a turbo or NO2???

I would be curious - and yes- I do not think that I am the typical I30t owner....

Henry

cpa4u

Just off the phone from speaking with sales manager at Glenn Infiniti(Lex, Ky). He has an I30t with sport pkg, heated seats pkg, 6 disk, and traction control. Sticker is 34,300. He will come to 30,500, which according to Edmunds would be invoice for that car with those options. So, I feel like I'm getting there now. I think I may offer $29,750 and see what happens.

tgif888

Good luck. I'm thinking about the I30t, too. But I guess I'll wait for the I35 and see how's the price coming. Unless I can get $1000 below invoice on the I30t.