Has Infiniti "Cheaped out" on their new interiors?

[maxnix]

I'm finding as my Infiniti ages-even with all tha dealer service from new (unfortunatly it doesn't age like my '90 Civic), I've got to put more money into it. I don't want two cars where at some point down the road (or in the near future) where the cost pertaining to keeping the car on the road costs more than the value of the car.

Dealer service is inadequate regardless of the brand as it is the minimum to get the car through the initial warranty period. Paying more for maintenance than a premium automobile is worth to keep it on the road is probably cheaper than buying an inferior automobile that will expire sooner.

Actually, if you don't view devices as disposables, most of them will cost more to maintain than to purchase if they have a long useful life.

[AZhitman]

300C? What is this?

I am familiar with the 300M, but not the 300C. I have on many occasions stomped my neighbor's 300M into submission from 0-80mph...

BTW, isn't the name of that new Chrysler the Magnum? Or are they gonna call it the Hemi? The one that has the station wagon style body built on the Pacifica platform with the Hemi engine?

[maxnix]

The one that has the station wagon style body built on the Pacifica platform with the Hemi engine?

You mean the one with the state of the art pushrods and two valves per cylinder? Probably has a cast iron block too. :oface __________________Brian1995 Q45 & Q45t & 2000 Q45

Discover the power of the button!

[Rex]

It's got looks, but who knows what's there beyond a huge dose of testoterone.



http://www.schwab-kolb.com/dc000086.htm

[AZhitman]

Love it.

Hopefully it will be more "german" than American.

[maxnix]

Geez, and I thought we blew all the German bunkers in Normandy back in '44.__________________Brian1995 Q45 & Q45t & 2000 Q45

Discover the power of the button!

[greg_atlanta]

(1.) long term reliability (she tends to drive her cars for a long time-unless they happen to be crap).(2.) Safety(3.) fuel economy-she tends to drive lots(4.) something that isn't to big (that rules out the M and the Q and the Acura TSX, Lexus LS, GS series)(5.) a deep trunk-she tends to carry around a lot of weird sized objects-part of her job(6.) 4 doors(7.) Its really important for her to a have a vehicle thats got a nice looking and feeling interior-she's an interior designer

That car does not exist, esp. if Acura TSX is too big. Sounds like she wants a crossover/baby SUV or a VW Jetta wagon. Let her do the shopping.

There's no reason for a car interior to have 4 times the useful life of the other components. A car interior should not be finished like a $5000 leather sofa. A good sofa lasts a lot longer.

[driverdriver]

My understanding is that the wagon version of the 300C will be marketed as the Dodge Magnum for the USA and as the 300C Hemi for Canada and Europe. The hemi (at least for Canad) will only be available in the wagon and not the regular 300 series sedan. I don't know what the rationale is, I just hope that people at Chrysler merketing knwo what they are doing (especially in respect to the disastrous launching of the Pacifica). The suspension setup is and AMG tuned version of the supesnion found on Merceds Benz 500 series sedans. I'm told a limited number of vehicles will be produced with a traditional "short throw" 6 speed manual/clutch assembly.

[Jeff Williams]

If she is looking at FWD, then have her look at the I35. The interior is as nice as any Acura (IMO), and there is a lot of power (too much for a FWD, IMO).

As far as long-term reliability, she can't go wrong.

I thought there was more rear seat room than the Acura, but I think Car & Driver didn't agree.

[maxnix]

If she is looking at FWD, then have her look at the I35. The interior is as nice as any Acura (IMO), and there is a lot of power (too much for a FWD, IMO).

As far as long-term reliability, she can't go wrong.

I thought there was more rear seat room than the Acura, but I think Car & Driver didn't agree.

I think the Acura TL has a longer wheelbase, thus more room. And it has a true IRS, the downfall of the I30/35.

New TL interior is pretty nice, and offers some amenities that no one else offers (bluetooth and audio DVD).

Both have too much power for WOT with FWD, which introduces serious torque steer. There is a 6 speed for the TL now.__________________Brian1995 Q45 & Q45t & 2000 Q45

Discover the power of the button!

[driverdriver]

Maxnix or anyone else on the board,

What is IRS and what is bluetooth?

Thanks,driverdriver

[szh]

IRS = Independent Rear SuspensionBluetooth = A short-range wireless data connection for things like cellular phones, etc. (for some reason, named after a Norwegian (I think) king.) Bluetooth proponents think that this will end up in many appliances in our day-to-day life.

Z

[99WhiteSE]

The talk about China's culture reminded me of this article:

http://www.msnbc.com/news/1004269.asp?0dm=C16MN

The international trade talk reminded of this article:

http://www.msnbc.com/news/1004295.asp?0dm=C13MB

The loss in jobs relates to the high cost of labor related to output. I don't want to cause a debate over the good and bad aspects of unions but, it is a reality that union workers demand a higher wage than non-union workers. Also, demands put on products by consumers leads to companies needing to cut costs somewhere. Consumer demands have cut cost margins so much that whole industries have left the United States due to costs. These costs are not only labor costs but, lawsuits, insurance, federal licensing requirements, taxes. Companies today have a far more dynamic market and cost structure to contend with than just 10 years ago.

Does the American Economy have to suffer to make room for third world economies? I don't think so, it just has to adapt to changes relating to globalization.

Sorry to go off on a tangent.

[greg_atlanta]

Yep, many Americans only care about price, price, and price when they go shopping. Then when they lose their job they think it's some evil corporate scandal, but it's really just the same cost cutting that keeps prices low.

[VimyJ]

Union or not, there is no way the American worker can compete with people who are making $5 a day. The Chinese are not about to let their people unionize either.

People love Walmart and then wonder why they just lost their job at the toy factory as they head out to their car with a basket full of Chinese made crap.

[driverdriver]

If Western countries forced China to let its currency float up to its actual valuation (and not its artificial valuation courtesy of the Chinese government) I think a lot of China's currency advantage would disipate allowing for a more even playing field.

I will post my impression from driving Chrysler's new 300 series sedan and wagon shortly. They had an event for the families of people who worked on (engineering team) the vehicle this weekend (a sort of show and tell and drive and to justify the long hours they spent) in Michigan this past weekend.

[VimyJ]

Unpegging the Chinese currency would help but they will still have a huge competive advantage. Much lower standard of living there equals much lower wages. We all want 3 cars and a giant house full of crap. They are happy with a bike and a TV.

Looking forward to your review. Lot's of foreign made parts no doubt but that's just the way it is these days.

[OLU40]

The wife's top requirements are:

(1.) long term reliability (she tends to drive her cars for a long time-unless they happen to be crap).(2.) Safety(3.) fuel economy-she tends to drive lots(4.) something that isn't to big (that rules out the M and the Q and the Acura TSX, Lexus LS, GS series)(5.) a deep trunk-she tends to carry around a lot of weird sized objects-part of her job(6.) 4 doors(7.) Its really important for her to a have a vehicle thats got a nice looking and feeling interior-she's an interior designer

She's coming from a 2000 VW Golf GLS, which granted for an economy car has got a really nice interior, the quality of materials are top notch even though the made in mexico mechanics suck (what type of automaker has service reps tells you its normal to have high oil consumption and its normal to have your automatic transmission slip?).

The other thing she really wants is long term durability, kind of like my relationship with the my '90 Honda Civic Hatch-a car which I can't seem to part with since all it requires is routine maintenance and runs like day one even though the engine and transmission have over 186000 miles miles on it. All that car has ever required is an alternator, a couple of batteries over its life and an exhaust system, everything else is original! Or like my father-in-laws car which is an '97 Toyota Avalon running close 180000 miles with all its original parts. Other than oil and fluid changes he has had to nothing done to it.

If long-term reliability is an issue, how do you figure a Chrysler? Especially now that it is one with Benz that is no better in terms of reliability. Volkswagen is not the benchmark of utopia either. You want reliability go Japanese, interior, Lexus, all roud vehicle to match your categories, G35. as mileage is great, it's the roomiest car in it's class and has kick a$$ performance.

[Jeff Williams]

Does anybody recall the "deal" the government ws giving SUV owners, who use them for business purposes?

I recall there was supposed to be some kind of tax break or something.

This might motivate her to get an QX56, FX35, or FX45.

[Rex]

Does anybody recall the "deal" the government ws giving SUV owners, who use them for business purposes?

I recall there was supposed to be some kind of tax break or something.

This might motivate her to get an QX56, FX35, or FX45.

As I recall, it was a $25k tax deduction for 2 yrs for any vehicle over 6,000lbs for business use.

That's why every guy with a landscaping business around here has an H2.

(Does not claim to know anything about taxes)