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I thought that on the commercial it looked like it did.
The Z8 did a good job with the NAv screen
Robert
However, I don't agree screens combining nav with climate and audio functions are always bad. The thing I'm amazed at with my GS400 system is how well they traded off real buttons with the screen. ALL major functions still have buttons (driver and passenger temp., audio tuning,seeking,ff/rew/next/prev/etc., air flow, etc.) and regardless of what the screen is displaying (a map, radio stations, what CD is playing, climate setup) all the buttons still function. The screen is only needed for minor rarely used controls except in the case of audio and nav, where you need it to pick a station or CD, or of course pick a destination or 'finger scroll' the map to see another part, etc.
It works really well. With all due respect to BMW's driving wonderfulness, the ergonomics of my neighbor's 540i with nav system are foul.
I'm concerned the iDrive system will not be good either. They've apparently gone to a single 'big knob' that I believe can be pushed in one of 8 directions to select commands/menus, or can be pushed in, presumably to select things, or rotated, presumably to select a value through a range.
I hope BMW tests it on U.S. consumers, who love things dumbed down!
The climate controls on the MB, by the way, are completely independent of the COMAND system.
I do have a suggestion to the car companies that are going towards everything on the screen, e.g. nav, stereo, a/c. Why not allow it to be customizable by the user (driver). That way you can have YOUR frequently used buttons there on the display, and not the ones you hardly ever or never use. Similar to these new remotes where you can customize them for your tv/dvd/home entertainment system.
Congratulations to the Lakers.
Did Shaq know that Lesux has been relentlessly in pursuit of stealing Mercedes' styling, last century and this century?
I agree though that they can be better, but I'm not sure if any nav system would satisfy you.
I drove it Monday night at Infinit dealer. As last time, they had about 15 Q45's on the lot eating dirt.
Pros:
It is quick to fast.
It's got a very smooth, quiet,and responsive engine. Likewise, the engine works well with transmission. Can't tell you though if it does 0-60 in 5.9 as stated by Infiniti because I'm lousy at telling by seat of the pants dyno.
-The interior styling is nice & unique. Infiniti has nice color combos. Seats are very comfortable and somewhat supportive when cornering.
-The NAV system is pretty easy to use, and overall ergonomics are excellent.
-it's got nice & tight steering without being as tight as a BMW.
-It handles good, but not as good as 18" wheels would lead you to believe.
-Interior room is good although the swoopy cabin gives a noticeable c-pillar blindspot.
Cons:
-The reverse camera thing is stupid-useless really.
-Some of the interior materials are cheap. and it needs more wood trim. Why is the tape deck way down there??? heeeelllllloooo.
-The ride is not as smooth as I would have expected from a luxury car.
-The exterior styling is downright ugly. Rear end looks like a A6 and Jaguar XK8 cross. Front end looks like a Maxima & Buick cross.
-The trunk is small as the magazines say and the opening is narrow.
-the clock in the center of the dash looks out of place. Everything is digital in the cabin but the clock.
-slamming the doors you can hear some *cheapness* in the car. Same with trunklid.
Overall: Very good car, although it's mission in the class is still confusing. It's billed as a performance sedan but doesn't handle all that well despite 18" wheels and performance tires. And it's not as luxurious as a S-class or LS430. but it's definately a step in the right direction for Infiniti. Things couldn't have gotten worse from the last Q45.
I do not think that people can disregard the 15k or more difference between this car and the S class.....or the $7000 difference between the Q and a comparable LS430.
I am not a car reveiw hobbyist like ripnrocket. As a real buyer, I do reflect on the value. I may try to extend my 740i lease to wait for the new big Beemer, which promises to be the ultimate leader in this class...but, if I do get a new "ride" this year, it will probably be the new Q45. It is a neat car at a good price, and it is somewhat different from the other cars d'jour.
By the way, ripnrocket notes that "everything is digital in the cabin" Nope, the instrumeent, cluster is not.
Meanwhile, I am going to stick with my Road and Track reviews.
Although, it is obvious that big price difference is not swaying many, if anyone, to buy a Q45 over a E-class, 5-series, S-class, LS430, GS-series, or many other cars in the class.
Might as well mention as a *CON*, the expected resale value of a Q45. Over the years, the Q45 has held it's value very poorly compared to Benz & Lexus. So basically if you are going to own it, that $5K difference means almost zilch.
Oh, sorry, the instrument cluster isn't digital. Still that timepiece looks out of place.
Unless you're leasing (I.E. LS430 may do better than an XJ8L resale-wise but the Jag leases better due to subvention) that's something that people just dont pay close enough attention to.
For my money, the XJ8 is an awfully good buy. Especially as a 2-yr old car.
Bill
95 VDP
97 XJ6
00 XKR CV
BTW, I love the Q's clock. It's a very classy analog touch in this increasingly digital world. Sort of a Rolex awash in a sea of Timex's.
XJ8L or Vanden Plas. Big diff.
Still, I'd be very surprised of the new Q has good resale.
I'd be freaking amazed. Although anything has to be better than the previous car. Even made a Caddy look good
Bill
Glad to hear you were waiting for it!
The G35 looks good inside and out. That's gonna take on the 3-series, C-class, IS300, A4, in a big way. It won't push the 3-series or C-class over though.
As far as Nissan going from follower to leader, don't bet on it. Toyota's got a new 2002 Camry coming which is 100% better looking than the current Camry and it is rumored to have a big power jump and the 2003 Accord is not to far away either, and I'm sure you can expect about 230-240 bhp out of both Accord & Camry. And a 22 bhp advantage for the Maxima hasn't helped it lead and not follow the Accord & Camry. More than just power is needed, and we have yet to see what the Altima possesses. Besides if anyone has noticed, Nissan/Infiniti's power numbers seem to be overrated or their drivetrain's are zapping power somewhere.
Huh? Your last post makes no sense.
i would get a good trade at a Honda dealer for my Honda, but you won't get a good trade for your infiniti even at a Hyundai dealer.
Yeah, right.
At any rate, Infiniti is certainly stepping up to the plate and taking some mighty big swings over the next couple of years. Again, only time will tell if the new Q45 or G35 is a home run or just a major league pop up. But at least Infiniti isn't trying to bunt it's way back into the game.
The BMW 7series is a great car. If you want performance, get this. really get it. Preferrably the 740i Sport.
If you want a full luxury auto you got 2 choices
the LS430 and the S-class Merc. The LS430 is simply ugly but it's gotta alot of qualities that make up for it's ugliness like luxury, quiet, quality, sharp interior and feautres galore. The S-class has got that minus the interior, but it's got more performance and a bigger price-tag and a gorgeous exterior.
The Infiniti Q45 is a wannabe something that we don't know what it wants to be. on the one hand it wants to be a BMW 740i, on the other hand it want's to be a LS430, but in the process it turns into neither and turns into cow dung. Let's see it's as ugly as a Maxima, even looks like one from the front, it's interior is downright a disaster, and even with 340bhp it only does 0-60 in 5 1/5 seconds. Nor is it's handling as great as the 740i or S430 sport even with 18" wheels & tires. And it doesn't even handle better than the barge called the LS430. The Infiniti Q45 is basically a wannabe BMW-Lexus-Benz for people who can't afford a 740, LS430, S430.
Anyone see pics of the new 7-series in C&D this month? I thought BMW would design a nice looking automobile but it too, looks like cow dung. The current 7-series looks much nicer and I would rather rock that thing with the 2002's engine and drivetrain.
http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/Downs/9323/new7.htm
and I think it looks great. As usual, they don't do anything radical, just soften the lines and make some performance upgrades (new lights, better aerodynamics etc...) and then beat the pants off of the competition for a few years until the others can catch up. Can you tell I am biased towards BMW?
As for someone who said that the new I35 is going to be a major contender, I think not. Unless they are switching to RWD and have a new handling package, it won't be much for the 3 series, X-Type, A4 or C-Class. It will compete with the Acura Type-S, and that's all. A FWDer from Japan will never truly compete with the europeans. The IS300 is the only thing close because it has RWD, a I6 and a sport tuned suspension.~ A.R.
BTW, the base A4 is FWD with a 4-cyl, so I suppose it must not compete anywhere
M
M
Oh yeah, the clock. That is just an Infiniti thing. The Q has always had it except in 97-98. It just isn't an Infiniti without the clock. That is why they have been adding it to the other models as they go along.
and its 145HP for the current G20, thank you very much.
Car & Driver (not online though as far as I can tell) had actual pictures in their most recent issue, and those pictures look NOTHING like the guesses on the web site referenced here.
I actually think it's going to look great when it comes out, but quite a departure from current looks.
Talk about the cars - not each other.
Pat
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