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I posted earlier regarding transmission problems. Let me start off by saying the I30 is a great car. The transmission can be a little quirky, but it is a minor problem. I guess the best way to find out is to go test drive it yourself if you have not already. I assume you are comparing the I30 to the maxima. I feel for a few thousand more, you are getting much more in the I30.
To rawpower101:
I have just passed the 10000 mile mark on my 2000 I30. The only thing I have done to the car is change the oil, but not at the dealership. It cost $20 for a change. I need to have the tires rotated, which I will do soon. But that is it! In my opinion a dealership is going to charge a very high fee, for doing a lot of unnecessary work.
To rawpoer101: Check with a Nissan dealership for the tire rotation and oil change. There was a major difference ($$$) in my Infiniti dealership doing the work and the Nissan dealership down the road doing the work. The Nissan dealership is certified to do that kind of work as well and won't charge a arm and a leg.
In the mean time. I have not had anyone who bought an I30 in the last year complain about either the trans issue or excessive windnoise. If you are considering an I30 or GLE maxima by all means buy the I30. It is better looking has a better warrenty, and several other significant advantages.
I also installed a K & N air filter in May.....did not improve mileage, but did seem to improve power slightly.
A great car all in all, and I would highly recommend to anyone considering!
I also installed a K & N air filter in May.....did not improve mileage, but did seem to improve power slightly.
A great car all in all, and I would highly recommend to anyone considering!
-umpopa
Many of the roads near my home have a speed limit of 40 MPH and while using cruise control at that speed, I do find that the transmission hunts gears, although the RPM is stable at 1100. Maybe it isn't hunting for the right gear, but there are slight jerks that are definitely not due to road irregularities.
From my experience so far with service, it's been great. I have no complaints. I think that those who aren't having problems just don't post as often, and those of us that have slightly defective I30s just speak up more. Probably many of those who aren't having problems aren't even reading this board.
Still no responses to my post 439. What octane level of gas do you use in your I30?
i believe the cruise must be set at at least 30 or 40 mph for it to kick in. maybe that is why it is jerky.
I noticed the Edmunds TMV for the touring edition to be around $29k, which seems
quite reasonable for a car in this class.
Can anyone share a recent purchasing experience and what kind of deal they got?
STEVE
If you have the R or D problem, the TSB recommended that the car be warmed up for at least a minute, and then shifted into either R or D. I would recommend this with ANY car anyway, cold or warm weather. I never shift straight into R or D with a car...if you ever did do that and start driving, the engine sounds horrible! So the best way to go is to let the car warm up for about a minute, then shift. Hope this helps...
STEVE
One fix for the cold start problem, is to move down to a warmer climate. I know of a house for sale down my street. What do you say?
To umpopa:
I check for a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) about the TCM, and there was not one listed. Where did you see it?
Thanks.
I found a link to the TSB for the TCM on the Maxima board, Part 11, message #793.
Good luck with it!
-umpopa
Results of my research comparing the Acura 3.2TL and Infiniti I30 Luxury:
***Acura +s:
Heated Seats Standard
Traction Control Standard
Xenon Headlights Standard
Sport Shift Transmission
Engine (5 Speed VTEC compared to 4 speed on Infiniti – Faster 0-anything acceleration)
Rear AC/Heat Vents
Insurance costs less (YMMV – your mileage may vary)
Front Suspension (Independent Wishbone compared to Independent Strut on Infiniti)
Rear Suspension (Rear Muli-link Wishbone compared to Rear Multi-link Beam on Infiniti)
Maintenance Interval Indicator
Greater Residual Value
***Close Calls… but Acura wins slightly:
Dual Map Lights
Cell Phone Power Outlet Inside Center Console
Mileage slightly better (19/28 compared with 19/26 on Infiniti)
Higher Ground Clearance (5.9 inches compared with 5.5 on Infiniti)
***Infiniti +s:
Fog Lights
Cornering Lights
Power Rear Shade
Lockable Fold Down 40:60 Rear Seats
Roomy Trunk, wider opening
Roomy Rear Seats
200 Watt 7 Speaker Audio
Longer Warranty
Infiniti Service (YMMV)
Side Airbags much larger
Active Headrests protect from whiplash
Braking Distance – 131ft compared to 164 ft on TL (Daniel Heraud @ MSN Carpoint)
Full Size Spare
Compass on rearview mirror
Auto Entry/Exit System for driver’s seat
Cargo Net included
Extra Beverage Holder for passenger
***Close Calls… but Infiniti wins slightly:
Battery with Rundown protection
One Touch Auto Open/Close Sunroof
Adjustable Rear Headrests
Both Driver and Passenger 1-touch auto windows
Armrest slides up and forward (only forward on TL)
Turning Radius – 35.4 ft compared to 36.8 ft on TL
Horsepower (2 more on Infiniti)
Locking trunk for Valet is much more convenient on Infiniti
"260 HP 3.5L V6 is coming soon to an I30 near you
"
Where did you hear this? Did you also hear a "when"?
I've been sitting on the sidelines waiting to buy this car... Everything looks/sounds perfect except for the abysmal (in my opinion only) 0-60 time... Upping the displacement/hp of the engine (and preserving current weight) would open my wallet in a second...
FIRST OFF THE VQ ENGINE IS ONE OF THE INFINITI (NISSAN) HIGH POINTS. POSSIBLY THE BEST V-6 (HAVING OWNED A ZX I FEEL THAT IT "IS" THE BEST V-6)
SECONDLY NISSAN HAS SPENT MILLIONS OF DOLLARS REFINING AND RETUNING THE VQ ENGINE TO GET THE OUTPUT IT CURRENTLY HAS. (REMEMBER SAME 3 LITER DISPLACEMENT ENGINE)...37 BHP INCREASE
THIRD OFF YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT A .5 LITERS MORE DISPLACEMENT.....FOR 33 MORE HORSES....HMM (PERHAPS NISSAN HAS LOST ITS TOUCH) HEHE. NOW I KNOW SOME PEOPLE MIGHT ARGUE THAT MORE DISPLACEMENT=MORE TORQUE.....HOWEVER HAVE YOU GUYS HEARD OF A THING CALLED TORQUE STEER??? (YOU WOULDN'T WANT 240+ LBS OF TORQUE ON A FRONT WHEEL DRIVE CAR.) I MEAN THE 217 ITS GOT CURRENTLY TENDS TO PULL AT TIMES.
PEOPLE ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE PERFORMANCE OF THE I-30. WELL LEMME BREAK IT TO YOU NICELY. THE PERFORMANCE FLAW IS NOT IN THE ENGINE....NOT ON THE WEIGHT....BUT THE TRANNY ON THE CAR. LETS FACE IT. IT SUCKS.
I SELDOM COME OFF THE GAS PEDAL ON MY I-30. I'VE GOT FREE GAS FOR A YEAR (HEHE THANKS UNOCAL 76) SO I DONT MIND TANKING THE CAR EVERY 3 DAYS. WITH THAT BEING SAID I'LL PRETTY MUCH THROW IT DOWN RED LIGHT TO RED WITH ANY CAR IN MY CLASS. BUT TOO OFTEN I'VE BEEN BLOWN AWAY WHEN MY TRANNY DECIDES TO MAKE DINNER BETWEEN THE FIRST AND SECOND SHIFT.
MY INFINITI SERVICE GUYS REMIND ME OF LAURAL AND HARDY. SO MY PROBLEMS ARE NEVER FIXED.
BY THE WAY....EVERYONE SAY GOODBYE TO THE G-20 =(
HEHE
if the Navigation system is more than just a toy
for those of us with a reasonable sense of direction. Any pros/cons out there? Thanks.
If I buy from one dealer, will I still get the loner car for service at another dealer?
Thanks in advance, I've read back a few months and learned a lot!
Also, the hp/liter ratio for the I30 right now is 227/3.0 = ~75hp/liter. And this is with their variable intake technology. Squeezing 33hp out of another .5liters of displacement isn't anything to be embarrassed about in that case.
260 HP v6 engine, there will also be some cosmetic
changes to the front and rear of the car. He also said that Infinity is coming out with a NEW
2002 model car that will be positioned between the
G20 and I30. It will be rear wheel drive and have a 250 HP v6. It will compete against the
Lexus IS300 and 3 series BMW. He said it would likely be in show rooms in late Sept. or early Oct.
However, I have NOT heard of this car being placed where dave said it would. I have heard the following:
The I30/Maxima will actually be stopped, and upgraded to a more luxurious, more expensive vehicle. The current "stencil" of this new vehicle has been selling in Japan already...called the "Nissan Gloria." This new car will compete with the Lexus GS300...it will be a luxury car priced around 35,000-42,000 dollars. They may later introduce a V8...who knows. So again, the I30 will move up to the higher 30s, early 40s mark in price and associated luxury.
There were also plans to introduce a sports coupe based on the Skyline in Japan...but I believe those plans are destroyed now.
Now that I think about it...that DOES leave a perfect spot for Infiniti to introduce a 200-something hp car to compete against the BMW 3 and Lexus IS. The refaced I30 with 260hp engine will compete against the new and much anticipated Lexus ES300. And, with the upgrade of the Q to "super-luxury" sedan, Infiniti is seriously trying to position themselves ahead a notch to where Lexus now resides. Seems like Infiniti has always been lagging behind...following around Lexus even from the start (when the Q was introduced after the LS400 when in fact, it was supposed to be introduced BEFORE the LS).
Remember, this is NOT what I have heard personally from a dealer...this is what I read out of a model matrix off some website. It will obviously all take place over a course of 3-4 years...and I wouldnt always trust the dealer's word either!
But let me clairify something...being an owner of a gs400 and now gs430....I don't think there is anyyyyyyyy way infiniti can compete with the GS series. (I'f you've driven one you'll know what I'm talking about).
Also numerous times I've recieved a gs300 as a loaner car, and boy that v-6 amazes me. And once they refresh the GS for the new model year.....boy I hope Infiniti's got a secret weapon up their sleeves.
I cant believe how people are still wasting their money on the present Q's when the gs is sooooooooo much more of an all around car.
Besides it would be a waste to drop the i30 since nissan has spent so much time and money producing and marketing it as "the best entry level car money can buy" (at least that's the message i interpret from their ads)
RC
Incidentally the GS300 is an inline 6 iirc not a V6 and its a nice car and all except for the trunk (HAHA looks like an old J30 trunk). But if Infiniti chooses to compete against it with a version of the new generation skyline I think it will be in for one hell of a fight.
I've heard resale is a little on the low side, but dependability and maintenance-wise, how are they? Any help is appreciated.
Thanks
I have read on several websites that these modifications are coming for 2002 model but when I checked with the local Infiniti dealership they are denying it(as it explains why because they want you to buy the current model).
I also phoned Infiniti twice but they denied to confirm if there will be a new engine.
What I would like to know from the users who have posted regarding this item is if the information they got is also from the websites or from some solid source. Also, why we have not heard about this in Motortrend, Car and Driver or Road and Track magazines? It would be nice if we have solid information for this rather than speculation as it will be good for people who are in the market for buying I30 but holding it just for these reasons.
As for the trade magazines, I can only assume that Infiniti wants to make the announcement themselves without being scooped and are not willing to confirm or deny anything until THEY are ready.
As an aside, I do know for a fact that almost all the I30s we are sent have "in trunk" CD changers because Infiniti is getting rid of their inventory -- 2002 I30s will have "in dash" CD changers standard. That's not an engine, but in speaks of changes to come.
RC
ITB 00-006B and the problem is gone. Now when I start after sitting overnight and shift into gear the RPMs don't drop to 200 but stay at 900 preventing the stall.
1.) I checked the list of titles for the 2000 I30, and didnt see reference # 00-006B. I only saw 00-006A, of which the title did mention the low or no idle situation. How did you determine that the problem was solved with TSB 00-006B? Did the dealer automatically initiate this, or did you suggest to the dealer to look to the TSB collection? How much time did the dealer spend with the car?
2.) Do you know any of the details about what they actually did to the ECU so that the idle remains consistent? I think the idle on my car is screwy...especially since it jumps and lowers all the time, and is NEVER constant. My dealer has adjusted my idle up to 750 (50 RPMs above the Nissan recommended range of 700 RPMs). However, if I'm driving around town, and if I stop at a light for instance, the idle tends to jump up or lower for no apparent reason! Just wondering if they actually replaced your ECU, and if the ECU would be the only or most probable cause of idle problems.
Thanks in advance!
I looked for a TSB on the NHTSB site http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/tsb/servicemmy1.cfm and found one listed as ITB00006 listing "low or no idle when shifting into D or R on cold starts"
I told the dealer the problem and asked them to pull that TSB and apply the fix. (At first they were reluctant and said they would have to keep the car overnight to see the problem first hand.
They were not happy and alittle curt when we insisted they fix it based on my observations. (my wife actually dropped it off and gave then a typed note from me explaning the problem and a copy of the page listing the TSB heading)
When I received the car back the work order said "Followed Bulletin ITB 00-006B Reprogramed the ECM". So it looks like the settings were change and the ECM was NOT replaced.
Works fine now, like a normal car when I shift into gear on cold starts the RPMS don't drop like a rock.
Hope this helps.
STEVE
ps. seems the dealers still don't like when the customer tells them whats wrong and suggest the fix. They need to understand that we are not stupid, we live with the car, and with the Web can research a problem. They shoud be happy when a customer takes the time and effort to solve a problem and not get all bent out of shape!