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Better yet, has anyone gotten their "windtunnel" fixed? I did not hear the wind noise from the
rear window on my earlier test drive of another I30. And no, the Bose wasn't cranking at the time, either. It's not bad for under $29,000, but Infiniti could do some minor upgrades to really make this car stand out, like a five-speed auto tranny and standard Xenon headlights on the luxury model. But first, fix the rear window roar!
Here's your Motortrend forecast for the next few years. Hope this helps you.
http://www.motortrend.com/future/index.html
George
After having ordered an I30L, I read in this forum (somewhere) several complaints about an air leak or high volume wind noise around the rear window. As I stated earlier, I did not hear it when I test drove an I30L. When I took delivery of mine last Saturday, I could
hear a loud wind noise from the rear window, as if one of the side rear windows was partially opened. I checked both the rear side windows via the window buttons, as well as visually. They were closed tightly. However, anytime I reach 50 mph or higher, the noise is
so noticeable that it sounds like a wind tunnel behind me. Several people have written stating they had the same problem with their I30. I was trying to find out if Infiniti came up with a solution for this problem, or if anyone has solved it on their own (without using a large amount of volume from the Bose to mask the noise).
If you re not noticing the noise, you don't have a complaint. Enjoy.
front view of XVL:
http://detnews.com/2000/concepts/0001/31/01110033.htm
http://www.autoworld.com/news/infiniti/infiniti_xvl_concept.asp
http://www.freshalloy.com/cars/nissan/xvl/xvl01.html
I have found the model matrix again, scroll 3/4 of the way down to see the Infiniti models, it briefly mentions the Infiniti "QE" which was the GS400 equivelant I mentioned before:
http://www.freshalloy.com/cars/nissan/nissan_matrix.html
enjoy!
A few of you were upset when we confirmed that the 2002 Q45 would not look like the beautifully chiseled Japanese market Cedric and Gloria twins. Those people, and a lot more, were excited when we reported on March 20th, that Infiniti is working on a fire breather of it's own to challenge the Lexus GS400 and BMW 540i. Well, you will be surprised and overjoyed by what we have to say...
According to our source, apparently Infiniti has given the green light to a large sports sedan code-named "QE." The car is basically an aggressive version of Nissan's well received Japanese market Gloria that will slot just under the new Q45. According to our source, the concept shown looks exactly like the Gloria with the exception of the prerequisite Infiniti logos and badges. Powering it will be a 4.5L V-8 with an estimated 330 bhp!
Infiniti's car line-up is sure going to grow with the "QE" and don't forget the other sedan that will be based on the XVL. Speaking of the XVL, word is that, at the New York Auto Show, Infiniti will enlighten us as to what will be the future of the car in the US. We of course. are counting the days.
AND...just in case you guys were wondering what the current Japanese market Gloria or Cedric even look like, here are links to some pictures:
Cedric
http://www.nissan.co.jp/CEDRIC/Y34/9906/GALLERY/gallery_1.html
Gloria
http://www.nissan.co.jp/GLORIA/Y34/0010/EXTERIOR/index_main.html
Like I mentioned in my earlier post, I have been in the market for I30 for about 3 months.
When I test drove I30t I heard lot of wind and tire noise(even more than my 1995 Chrysler Cirrus). I have no other complains about I30t other than the wind/tire noise.
What is holding me to buy 2001 I30t model is it's wind/tire noise and speculative future changes to it like --> 5-speed transmission, more HP and interior/exterior design changes for 2002.
As with any car buyer, no body likes to buy a car that will have major changes in there next year model, in this case only 6 months from now.
So I would really appreciate if anybody out there is kind enough to share, if there are going to be any above mentioned changes in the 2002 model.
1.) Blower motor (for A/C or heat) made a loud flutter noise on lower fan speeds, mostly in the summer time. There is a TSB for this for 2000 model Infiniti I30s also...they basically put this plastic cover on top of the motor so as to insulate the noise better. Dealer never witnessed the noise, but took my word for it and installed it anyway.
2.) Rough idle/erratic idling: The technician adjusted the target idle directly on the ECM (not the base idle screw from inside the engine compartment), adjusted it up 50 RPMs to attempt to eliminate the rough idle/vibration i was experiencing. It made a big difference, but still vibrates more than it should in my opinion (at idle, the car is not quiet either...its rather rough sounding). Anyhow, I am happy with it now...sascuderi, just wondering if your dealer actually went over the details with you about how they "reprogrammed the ECU" on your car?
3.) Rattle behind dashboard due to a noisy brake valve inside a hose. Infiniti had new hoses sent out to eliminate the pressure build-up, and the problem is now solved.
4.) Loud squeak noise when I start my car after sitting in cold overnight or for more than 2-4 hours in 20 degree weather. They couldnt do anything about this problem since my car wasnt cold when I brought it there...
I think they did a very good job with the fixes. I am happy.
Keep me posted if you find out any solutions.
STEVE
Here is the website detailing my problems with Infiniti/Nissan over my lemon QX4. Putting the finishing touches on it this week, and I'm thinking about buying an appropriate domain name for it.
read all about it:
http://sleepwalk.home.mindspring.com
After having briefly scanned his website and fully reading the timeline, all I can say is that I really feel bad for you. Its disgusting to think of how Infiniti could sell you a 38K SUV with problem after problem, and not even offer you a new one at their expense. After all, Infiniti pays for brand new Q45s for their regional senior technicians...the one I met with was a worthless, COMPLETELY useless person who ABSOLUTELY DID NOT deserve to drive that car on Infiniti's money. Since the day I met with him and learned he was driving that car for free, I have always thought of how stupid it is for Infiniti to refuse completely OBVIOUS lemon repurchases, but spend generously on useless regional tech's.
To Mhammy84: Didn't mean to offend you so much. I'm surprised how my own regrets have affected you. Sorry if I led you to believe that I had only made one service trip. I didn't want to go into the whole ordeal and end up sounding like a whiner. The car has been in multiple times to the closest dealer (75 miles one way). I have not taken the car to any other dealer, because it would be over 200 miles. I would probably be less aggrevated if Infiniti could be a little more forth coming with information. Talking with Consumer Affairs is like talking with the dealership. No one knows anything. I now realize how silly it was of me to think that a $30,000 car should be considered higher quality than say my 1991 Acura Integra (which by the way does not have a wind tunnel).
My living conditions may change and I am considering getting something a little more sports-oriented like a BMW or maybe an Acura CL. I called Infiniti Financial and the payoff on the vehicle is $30,036.14 until 2-12-01 which I thought was reasonable since I had a lease with them. For a $50 transfer fee I could include the first two years of scheduled maintenance at any dealership or tune-up place for free through a contract I have.
My question is, should I try and sell this vehicle now while it is still almost new or should I wait a year and then try? I would be willing to sell it for the payoff amount and just eat the amount I put down and the amount I have paid on the car so far.
Thanks,
tholden1@hotmail.com
Dallas, TX
I think the market value vs. your payoff will be more unfavorable to you in a year than it is now.
On a lease or balloon payment buy which are popular in Texas because of lease laws, your principal reduction amount in your payment will not equal the depreciation in the first year.
You have low miles (2K) and the 2002 will be here with their bigger engine and price in just a few months so your car will be a year old before it is actually a year old if you know what I mean. I would strike now if you are determined to rid yourself of it within a year.
Sounds like you may have been happier in an I30t.
The curb weight on new bodystyle Infiniti has increased to approx. 3400 lbs vs. previous bodystyle of 3150 lbs which was quasi clone of Maxima so that is bound to have some affect on how nimbly the car handles and responds. It seems to me with the lack of a 5 speed manual and increased curb weight that they are positioning the vehicle as strictly as a near luxury car with some "sport" thrown in with the I30t. (the 3400 lb. curb weight is in alignment with other near luxury vehicle curb weights).
Good luck in your search. The cars you sound like you are interested in, BMW (I assume 3 series), Acura and maybe Lexus IS300 are not known for their new car discounts but they do retain their value. Again, I think you may have some difficulty in selling it now for 30K, but it will worth thousands less in a year. Probably around 25K. My two cents
I'll let you know what response I get from my dealer on the wind problem. I might be able to live with it if the car were four or five years old and the door or window seals had deteriorated somewhat. My Legend was ten years old and never had a similar problem, nor my '87 Integra or '95 Integra.
mhammy84: let's have a cold beer or a martini so we can get you calmed down. I wasn't attacking you, just making an observation on your many responses to complaints from Infiniti owners. Infiniti __lemon's situation and Infiniti's response is reprehensible.
My position is that no one should have to invent their own solution to a manufacturing problem on a new car. I'm all for giving the dealer and Infiniti a chance and will do so. Just keep in mind the customer oriented response received by our QX4 friend. Oh, by the way, I just know you'll ask why I didn't stay with Acura after filling my garage with them for fourteen years. The reason is: I wanted to get on the Infiniti message board with you!
I have an I30 1999 and find this forum very useful. I also had a blower motor noise problem on the low speed. My dealer took care of it by installing sound damper. (He had told me though that he had replaced the motor, but receipt says different.
While both are reliable cars, I think the I30 is one of Consumer Reports top used cars. The I30 has a more luxurious appearance with its interior.
Your comment about it being an old person's car is interesting. That is the kind of payback/brand image they deserve and are creating by increasing the size, weight, more conservative yet luxurious appearance, and lack of 5 speed with the 2000 model positioning the car as purely a luxury vehicle which typically appeals to an older crowd.
I called a local Infiniti dealer to see if they could find me a 1998 I30t 5 speed. His first comment to me was "it's a luxury car" so why in the world would you expect it to have a 5 speed. Then why do you want a I30t, it's more rough riding than all these base I30's in automatic they had. I have given up on finding a I30t and am switching my focus to a Maxima SE.
Bottom line, I think the I30 is a handsome car and would much rather be seen in it than a 96 Acura TL.
mainly the increased horse power and cosmetic changes. He said the "new" i30 should be available this summer. A couple of weeks ago I noticed they had an add in the paper for a 2001
I30 luxury for 25,990. I think that was the price, I know it was just under 26k. I'm sure the car had few options but still the price sounds great. Now my problem is this: the price seems almost to low! I've noticed that the I30
doesn't seem to hold it's value as well as other cars in the same class. The Acura 3.2 TL for example. When this new I30 becomes available I'm sure the resale value of the current I30 will decline even faster. Is there a perceived lack of quality on the current I30 compared to other cars in this class or could the dealership be trying to rid themselves of excess inventory to make room for the new vehicles. In any event, I
don't want to own a new car whose value may decrease so quickly. Perhaps I'll wait for the new version of the I30.
Let Exlegend and me know if your dealership solves the problem. I may have to have my dealership in Mobile,AL contact your's in Baton Rouge.
It is true that Acura 3.2 and Lexus ES300 in same model year do bring a higher price. I've checked. That is good if you are looking for a used vehicle because the I30 is a comparable car performance and reliability wise and that is reason I was looking for a 98 I30t.
Why is that so? Probably a myriad of reasons but if you recall when Infiniti and Lexus followed Acura into the upscale car market (while Caddy and Lincoln continued to produce leaky land yachts) Infiniti marketing and advertising wasn't as well recieved as Lexus and the LS400 was favorably compared to Mercedes for thousands less while the Q45 tried for a more sportier image with less creature comforts. Lexus quickly left Infiniti in the dust in the sales race and hasn't looked back since. Also, most reviews on the I30 lamented that there was little difference between the 30 and Maxima so the 5k price difference wasn't worth it. If you look at used car prices today a Maxima SE sells in some cases for more than a same model year I30. While there were some complaints (and still are) about the Lexus ES300 being a glorified Camry it was very well received and became a benchmark. We were just entering the 90's and economic boom years and Lexus offered a viable alternative to pricey european makes and baby boomers had grown frustrated with American choices in cars. (not trucks however where America is still king)
Anyway, they have capitalized on their reputation and Infiniti is still playing catch up. A comparable situation might be Audi. The unintended acceleration problems in the 5000 hurt their reputation for many years. I was able to get an good value in a 92 100CS as a result.
Once they came out with the excellent A4 and gave it the credentials to compete with the 3 series and later the redesigned A6 it has raised the resale values on their vehicles.
If Infiniti would come out with some hot exciting product the potential is there. To me, the conservative yet elegant styling on the current I30 means they are trying to emulate Lexus and it is going to be hard to beat those guys with their established reputation. If they were to position the vehicle with a sportier image, like a Japanese BMW/Audi I think success could come more quickly and improve desirability of the cars and hence demand.
looking forward to buy I30 in 2 wks. i would like to know the price you bought and where did you get it from? any special promotion or rebates and so on...
thanks for your help
I paid 28K for my I30L last month in NJ. My car has traction control, CD changer, Heated seats package, and splash guards. The price included everything but tax, and registration. I think you may have chance to do better than me. Good luck.
mhammy... does this suprise you? i called and the guy i talked to didnt have a clue of what i was talking about. He said the check engine light should come on if it needs replacing. Its not an engine problem! Well, im kinda looking forward to seeing how ignorant they are. If me or my dad had time to take it to Dorschel or Doan i would but i dont.
I have been monitoring this discussion for several months now. I appreciate all of the information that has been contributed. Also looking for positive/negative feedback on Infiniti Dealers in the DC Metro Area. Thank you for your assistance. Best regards.
redskin: I would avoid Autoplace at ALL cost...they are just a WASTE of time, and a bunch of useless idiots like I have said MANY times. It seems like EVERYONE there is like that, even the visiting "factory reps" who they seem to worship (for NO reason...the rep for Autoplace and Rochester is the MOST USELESS jackass...the cheif tech at Dorschel should be in his place instead!). By the way, only Dorschel has an Infiniti dealership, as Doan had sold it to Dorschel. Its about a 70 mi. drive. Good luck!
http://www.his.com/~wc/maxima/tsb039.pdf
George
I bought my I30L at Ray Catena in Edision (Rt 1). They were pretty good and they have a lot of choices (they are big). I had no problem with them. However, you should know what you want to buy and what you want to pay for it. Otherwise, don't expect them to give you the "rock bottom" price.
The service manager claimed that he had never heard of that problem occurring before and that mine was the first vehicle they (Crest) had serviced with this problem. He also claimed at that time that there was no TSB regarding this issue. I wonder if their mechanics found the faulty solenoid problem themselves.
Interesting how we who read this forum are more informed than some Infiniti Service Centers, eh?
Thanks