I'm thinking of buying a J30

[Chaotic_Warlord]

Hey, before anyone starts I already read the J30 newbie stickie. I'm considering buying a used J30 and I have a couple of questions. First off I own a 95 240sx and I was wondering what kind of differences can I expect, primarily in ride and performance? Is there a particular year I should look for and/or stay away from? Is it wirth it to get a standard J or should I only look for J30t's? What parts does it share with the 300Z? Finally are they expensive to own, being that they are Infiniti's?

[yodawill2000]

Theres in no aftermarket parts for the J.Thats the only downside I have.Same drivetrain as the 300ZX non turbo.VERY dependable if maintained.The cost of new struts will put you in a bad mood Guaranteed .Make SURE you can verify when the Timing belt was replaced.93's went 60 K. 94 and up had a kevlar belt good for 105K.If the suspension is in good shape the ride is unbelievable. Also the accelaration is quite good for a V6.I've imbarassed a few ricers with mine.

[driverdriver]

'93 and '94 "t" models corner like they are on rails as long as the HICAS still works, very flat cornering with no body roll. You can scare the bejesus out of Merc and Bimmer drivers on corners. Parts are expensive. The ride in the J30t's are a compromise between sporty and cushy luxury. The interior is vault quiet. Jim Wolf Technology does build a pop charger for the J, which can coax some more power out the engine. That's basically the only aftermarket for this car.

[elwesso]

I mirror whta others have said. We're working on a J30 performance chip, soon to be released to the general public....

Basically hte only thing shared from the Z is the engine and trans.... everything else is a combo of 240/other nissans.... I heard that some people have got 240 coilovers or osmething else to work. I know someone made some aftermarket nissan suspension parts work........ this is in ADDITION to what "diamond" did to his J.

[Defiant]

Moving to a J from something like a 240 will amaze you. I swear to god, you can feel the difference even in the damned turn signal stalk. It's just quality. It's from those nice people who paid $40,000 for them new, and an amazing bargain for us who are reaping the depreciation benefits. Very, very, very nice cars. It won't remind you that it's a sedan.

[Chaotic_Warlord]

Thanks guys, if the engine and trans are the same as the 300Z NA how come noones thought to turbo it or swap out for a 300Z TT engine? Is there a particular year to stay away from? Most cases the first model years of cars are full of bugs and quirks. I've found a couple for under 6K with relatively low miles, but I'm still a little unsure if I want to take on a payment if the maintanance on one is super expensive...

[infinitidreams20]

the turbo swap has been done just not as popular as many other swaps for other cars

[Defiant]

Thanks guys, if the engine and trans are the same as the 300Z NA how come noones thought to turbo it or swap out for a 300Z TT engine?

Yeh. Well, search for that one. I think it's more of a job than most tuner boys want to fiddle with, especially for a sedan. Google the Japanese site for the Leopard Ferrie thing and read the wonder of [actual] JDMs with V-8s and the TT, factory-built. We always get gyped here.

Quote »Is there a particular year to stay away from?[/quote]Apparently not. For its whole run, it was the same car. As mentioned, the lifespan of the timing belt was doubled, and surely almost all the 60K belts are gone by now. The radio changed, and the hazard switch changed from red to black. The odometer started life at the bottom of the speedo face, then, much like a flounder's eyes, they moved up to above the needle. The slightly-off Japanese imitation of Jaeger's gauge font remained the same. There was some change made to the taillights, but it was an internal fluting detail that you have to look for. Those foglights never were foglights, go figure. The headlights are glass, a detail making the car worth twice its market value all by itself. The hood's aluminum, although Nissan probably wants us to call it aluminium. Also in the Nissan corporate tradition, half the upholstry is absolute crap, and finding an early one without a destroyed patch at the top of the driver's door is a miracle. Finding an intact steering wheel is twice the challenge, and what you'll usually find as a cover will make you ask if any owners have any damned taste at all, let alone tactile capabilities in their hands. Powered lumbar support adjustment was added in '95(?), and heated seats became standard. Others have written about the T differences.The reviewers of the time bitched about the small interior and the small trunk. I came in from sports cars, I like little cars, and I don't have a wife nor her growths to haul around, so it seems just fine other than that odd thing of having all those doors all over the sides. If you're a full-sized human adult, you will be wondering why they couldn't have moved the damned doorpost back about three inches, but again, it's a small car.The HICAS was already mentioned, I have no first-hand about the system but have read a few posts from those too lazy to fix it and who just want to disable it, again illustrating why the manufacturers don't try any harder for us than they have to. Because they don't have to.

Quote » Most cases the first model years of cars are full of bugs and quirks.[/quote]Owned a lot of American trash, have you? This popular myth is only rarely borne-out in Japanese cars.

Quote » I've found a couple for under 6K with relatively low miles, but I'm still a little unsure if I want to take on a payment if the maintanance on one is super expensive...[/quote]It isn't cheap, but I think it's worth it. For what you're getting, 6K is a bargain.

[greenwar]

I will just post to bolster what other guys posted. I own a Q45 as well, but driving the J30 is a pure treat. I love the exhaust note!! Amazing pick up and handles great. Ride is wonderful and when you get in the car, the quality of material will just amaze you provided the car was well maintained.

Transmission needs real good care in these cars - make sure transmission fluid was changed often and the current fluid is in good shape.

Like others say - shocks are expensive $800-$1000 when you will need them.

Finally with the permission of the seller, try to get a free dealer service history with the vin.

I learned a lot about my car from the dealer records.

Lastly good luck - you will like the J30 - just find a good one.
Modified by greenwar at 11:08 AM 10/14/2006