Infiniti I30/I35

jad240

To Teller Msg.#1135 I have a 2000 I30T, bought in Jan. 00. The OEM Bridgestone 17" performance tires were utterly and absolutely useless, on even a slight dusting of snow. TC didn't help one bit. I live in Southern CT, at the top of two very steep hills. This past November I equipped the car with 4 Bridgestone Blizzak MZ-01's. Lucky I did. We had a rough winter. During one particularly vicious storm, 10"+, I had to use back country roads for my entire 36 mile (one way) commute. The car behaved like a Sno-Cat. Several times, on hills I had to go off to the shoulders to get around stuck cars and fallen limbs. Even when I got lost and ended up on unplowed roads the car never skidded, slipped or veered. The bad news: the Blizzaks cost $200 each and are the only snow tire that Town Fair Tire lists as fitting the I30. On that one trip they paid for themselves three times over though, . As for ice, the only thing that will help is studded snow tires, if they're legal in your state.

canadiancl

Buying additional floor mats to protect floor mats. Somehow that just doesn't seem logical! )
Reminds me of cars in the 60's and 70's that had bumper guards to protect the bumpers. Where will it all end??

zeliforp

Interesting comparison, but how many people are actually in the market for a BMW 3-series, a Lexus IS300, OR an Infiniti I30?

I think a more relevant comparison would have been between an Infiniti I30, a Lexus ES 300, and if you REALLY wanted to "name drop" and have a BMW in there, possibly the BMW 325.

mmcbride1

Yep, the I30 was not in its element in that comparo. It's too big to really be a sports sedan.

vinceburlapp

I posted a picture on my car pages. I'ts part of my roommate's website at:

http://www.thehollywoodextra.com

I got it from a friend in Japan and I don't think anybody else has it.

Anyway, it will be cheaper than the I30, with the same engine as the I35.

zeliforp

You can see some more detailed pics of the G35 at FRESHALLOY.COM.

And by the way, I think you have the history of those "2003 Maxima Pics" reversed... Those pics were first posted as spy-shots of the next Opel, but someone doctored them up and tried to pass them off as the next Maxima. If you enlarge the picture you can actually see that it says Opel on the back.

Anyway, how about that I30? :-)

sascuderi

Pat, nice review but I was surprised that the Lexus ES300 wasn't included since when a buyer thinks of cars to compare the I30 to the ES300 comes to mind.

Also, thanks for using one of my I30 posts in the "consumer review" section of the article!

STEVE

bgseller

The Toyota Avalon is also normally included in this group as well. Surprised to see the Lexux IS300 as oppossed to the ES 300.

tgif888

Any update on your fuel line protector issue?

edwardh5

on 99 I 30s in 90 degree weather, on recirc does anyone know for fan speed 2 what temp air they get out of the center duct?

cpa4u

I have spoken with Infiniti Consumer Affairs two times about this problem. They said that they checked with their engineers and this protector was not needed. They said that the fuel line will "protect" itself from the elements. I told them about all the garbabe that accumulates in the filler door because of not having this part. She said that wouldn't "hurt" anything either.

I talked with both my dealership and the one in Nashville. Neither would install the part under warranty. Said that they could special order it for me and charge me for the installation. I asked how much, one said $75 the other said maybe around $100. Several Maxima owners have posted at www.maxima.org that their dealers are installing the part for free or maybe charging around $35-45. Infiniti is trying to rip us off. I told them that too.

djrunner

Check with a Nissan dealership to see if they can help. Since it is not considered warranty work, they will probably do it for less than the Infiniti dealership. I have my I30 maintenance done at a Nissan dealership, and it is considerably cheaper than the Infiniti dealership. I don't feel I need to pay a premium price to have my oil changed, but Infiniti thinks so.

hbjhbj

Hi there -

Does anyone know why I get different invoice prices when I check different online resources (Carpoint comes in at 27,100-ish, and Edmunds 27,600-ish for a base I30L)? Thanks!

Also, how close are people able to pay to the invoice price these days?

Thanks for your help!

mmcbride1

I'd bet that Edmunds includes destination (which is a legit charge - they have to get the car there somehow), and Carpoint doesn't. Destination fees are regularly in the $500 range for imports.

try www.kbb.com

I've found them to be very accurate.

cpa4u

Good idea. I mean the cars are mechanically the same anyways. I will call the local Nissan dealer tomorrow and see what they say.

wcdaa

Bought an I-30Luxury for $25,380, plus tax and lic. That included $1,000 credit for being an Infiniti owner.(will also get the Bose home system from Infiniti under the current promotion!)
Only option on car was the mud guards. Car was purchased, not leased. Good deal???

cpa4u

What home Bose system are they offering now?

wildeman

$25,380 is an excellent price. I'm looking for a similarly equipped I-30L, possibly with heated seats. What state are you in and what dealer did you buy from?

wildeman

BTW, does your car have a sunroof, or is the low price due to the sunroof delete credit?

wcdaa

The car has the sunroof. Price would have been $24,380 w/o sunroof. Remember that includes
$1,000 off for being a current infiniti owner. Dealer was Beverly Hills Infiniti. They ran an ad for the price mentioned above. When I said I wanted the car with a sunroof, they said fine, it's $1,000 more then the ad. They had every color. I never asked about any other options and they didn't try to sell me anything else. Re: the Bose factory incentive, it's supposed to be the Acoustic Wave system, which retails for $1,079.

adam37

I recently bought a 1998 I-30 and it has pretty consistently given me 22-24 MPG over the last 5 or so fillups..........I use the car mostly for commuting - mixed traffic, some freeway driving.

Does anyone have similar experiences in gas mileage.....?

mmcbride1

That sounds about right. We get 20-22 in pure city and mid to high 20's pure highway in our 2000 I30.

tgif888

Fianlly, I got my car to the dealer to look at the fuel line protector issue. The first service advisor said I am asking the impossible. So, I asked him to look up the parts. Then he admits there indeed a part is missing. He couldn't find out what part. Second advisor comes out, immediately he knows which part and look it up right away. Do you know how much the part cost? It is only $8. Well, the dealer needs to special order it and will do it for free.

laheat

This post will address several posts plus some questions I have:

$25,380! WOW - great price, you did good - be proud!

Just checked - yep - no fuel line protector on my "01-I-30! Guess I will be ordering one.

To: K. Wagner #1519n - Acura TL-S is good as it is a Honda Motor Corp product of course, but you will see a significant quality difference from the Acura TL or TL-S to the I-30 - the I-30 quality is much better, check out both at dealers back to back, and you will see it immediatly.

To: David, #TGIF888 - Thanks for the info on the wood kit. Located the actual manufacturer of the kit and had it installed last weekend. Adds to the appearance. Apparenlty the "kit" is a 3M product which adheres to the dash etc.

RE: Tinting rear window. Tint is fine but for those that have the antenna in the rear glass, DON'T USE the metallic tint which will interfer w/reception. Just us the standard tint and you will be fine!

MY QUESTIONS:

Just took a long trip w/my "01- I-30, fully loaded - that is 4 adults, and a trunk full of luggage. Ride was smooth UNITL going over rough road, the back seat was very, very bouncy!! I was a little taken back at the rough ride (made me glad I DIDN'T have the I-30-T model which I understand is quite a firm (hard)ride. Has anyone experienced this and is there a correction? Better shocks? Or stabilizers or what?

laheat

FYI: Forgot to add: the I-30 (and Maxima), actually Nissan Motor Corp. uses (and has used) for a while the Clarion as their contract radio vendor, including the CD changer. BOSE is the sound system which accompanies the Clarion. If your dealer dosen't know this (my salesman didn't, but my service tech did), Check with any reputable auto stereo shop who knows the history.

tgif888

Totally agree on the comparison on the TL Type S and I30. I had both cars. I must admit the I30t's build qualtiy is far much better than the Type S. Not to mention the sound system, the system in the Infiniti rocks. Also, the automatic rear sunshade is a pretty good add on.

laheat

Was browsing the Infiniti web site to check out the I-30 style change for '02, discovered that there will be an I-35 this Fall AND next Spring, they will be coming out with a G-35. Check out the photos, these are two different cars. I noticed that from time to time readers have interchanged the two models. Supposedly the G-35 will be competing with the Lexus IS model or whatever its called (not the GS300).

djrunner

Please share your info on the wood dash kit manufacturer. Is there a website, or did you contact the manufacturer directly? Did you install yourself? Looking to buy soon and trying to figure out the cost if I install myself. Thanks

vtgt

I am looking for a kit too. Went thru many web sites and I don't know what is the best (synthetic or wood). I called Infiniti and they told me that the factory installed pieces are synthetic. How many pieces in your kit and where did you order it? Also, how much? Thanks

wcdaa

Beverly Hills Infiniti advertised the 2001 I-30L for $24,380. That price is for the car w/o moonroof and sunshade. (added $1,000 for that). So it's $25,380 or take $1,000 off that if your a current Infiniti owner! That's a new I-30L for $24,380 plus tax and license. To heck with the 2002, I think thats a too good a deal to pass up in my opinion.

adam37

Thanks mmcbride1...........it's encouraging that you've experienced the 22-24 MPG.......my buddy has a similar Maxima and he swears that he gets in the high-20s MPG.......

Anyway, just one more round of ammunition in our on-going Maxima vs I-30 battle!

edwardh5

Under the 99 I 30 hood, on the passenger side, back near the bottom of the windshield and near the hood lift rod area is a metal fitting with a high pressure rubber hose attached to it and a small metal line leaving the bottom of it. Also has a solenoid like device on one side with wires.

What is it?

mmcbride1

If he has a 5 speed and drives almost all highway miles, then I'd believe high 20's. If it's an auto and/or almost all city driving, he's full of it...

fredvh

Just did my gas mileage on the first trip for our 2001 i30L and we got 26.3mpg. 80% highway driving some stop and go for the excursions and the rest was country roads. I was also clipping at about 85mph at times on the highway so I was pretty happy!

silvertribute

How do you get the current incentive of the Bose Wave Stereo. I just bought a Infiniti I30 and the dealer did not say anything about this. I also looked on the website of Infiniti and no luck. Is this just something done at the dealership where you bought your car. Any help would be great.

tgif888

The part is here. I had made my appointment to installed in Monday. I'll try to post the picture after it installed. This is the part number 76749-40000.

cpa4u-any news on your part?

cpa4u

My dealer is still saying no to installing it. So, I am ordering it from another dealer and having it shipped to me. How many clips hold your protector in place. The dealer I bought it from says I only need 2. The Maxima message board says I need 4. I called and he said the same part number you listed as what he is sending me. I looked at lunch at my wheel well and there looks like there are 4 brackets there to mount it to. Why he says only 2 clips needed, I don't know?

tgif888

I'm not sure. I'll ask when the dealer installs it.

wcdaa

Re: Bose incentive........The Infiniti advertisements in Southern California on T.V., Radio and the Newspapers all tout the Bose Acoustic Wave radio incentive. I have no idea if this is a nationwide promotion or just something in California. When I bought the car I asked about the Bose and they said they turn my name into Infiniti and they send out the radio. This has been going on for several years out here. It seems like once a year they offer the Bose, and I remember another time when they offered a 3 day 2 night stay at a Mariott Hotel anywhere. Maybe it is just a local promotion?

tgif888

Sorry, my previous wood kit picture is deleted by photopoint. I found another site that can host free picture. So, this is the picture.

wildeman

I just spoke to Beverly Hills Infiniti salesman Howard Brewer. When I mentioned someone bought a new I30 for $25,380, he said it was a pre-owned 2001 model, not a brand new car. He then quoted me $27,595 for an I30 with sunroof, $26,595 for previous Infiniti owners. I had mentioned that I was aware of the various customer and dealer cash incentives which should have made your deal possible. It sounds like this guy is trying to rip me off. He also didn't mention the home Bose freebie. Who was your salesman, and when did you buy yours? Perhaps your salesman is more honest.

gm10

I just talked to Mahmood at BHI and was told that they were no longer running the $25,380 special. It looks like they are going to make you work to get that price, or they have taken it off the table- for the time being.

blackhawk2

Hello everyone, I have a 96' I30T and was wondering what to expect on how much it would cost to replace my remote before going to the dealer. Has anyone replaced theirs yet? I appreciate it.

dianalo

Hi, I haven't had to replace mine (same year and model as yours) but I see used ones on Ebay (search under "Infiniti") all the time. The sellers claim they are easy to program with the instructions they give you, but I can't vouch for that! They seem to go for around $35.

wcdaa

The deal was exactly as stated above. The car was new, less then 15 miles on the odometer.

wreck5

Dealer in Atlanta is running ads for I-30L at $25,990 (with sunroof/sunshade). I am torn between this price for an excellent car, and waiting to see what the pricing will be on the I-35. Does anyone have any reliable info on what the pricing is expected to be on the 02 model? I like several things about the I-35, like the gated shifter and higher horsepower. Thanks for any info you may have.

mmcbride1

Even if pricing stays the same, expect to pay at or near MSRP for the first 3-6 months or so. So unless you're willing to wait that long, the I35 will cost you at least a few thousand more.

Is it worth it? Who knows. We'll have to wait until it gets here to make that determination, and by then it will likely be too late to get a 2001 I30.

edwardh5

any idea what the quietest tires for the I 30s are? We have a 99 with Bridgestones and they are kinda noisey.

gm10

Who in atlanta is selling at 25,900? Is it Troncalli?

wreck5

Yes, Troncalli advertised this price in both Sat & Sunday (7/21 & 7/22)paper. Thought it was a good price for the I 30 Luxury, and ad said it included sunroof & sunshade. Plus tax, tag, title fees. What do you think?