INFINITI KILLS I35

[louiegz]

I found this on Autoweek tonight.

Infiniti Division has confirmed that the I35 mid-sized sedan is dead. It was the last front-wheel-drive vehicle in the lineup.

Production of the I35 has stopped in Japan, and it will be dropped from the 2005 model lineup. The car went on sale in fall 2001 as a 2002 model.

Infiniti executives have said they wanted only rear-drive vehicles in order to compete with other luxury makes.

The I35 replaced the I30 when the company increased its engine size from 3.0 liters to 3.5 liters. At the time of its introduction, its 255-hp V6 was the most powerful engine in the entry-level luxury segment.

I think it's a good idea that they get rid of the I35 and consentrate on the RWD cars as luxury cars should be. There's also some info on the new M45 in the rest of the article if you want to read it.

http://www.autoweek.com/news.cms?newsId=100770

[HeavyDuty]

Just as well, they're kinda funky looking, although a nice car.

<------see sig

[Jesda]

Sounds like a good choice, with the Maxima getting more high tech.

[driverdriver]

Man I liked the I35, I briefly had one as a courtesy vehicle in 2002. It was fast for a front driver, faster than my J, but I wished it had the 2001 I30t suspension. It had a bit of body roll and understeer thanks to the luxo come Lexus ride, the '01 I30t's really didn't at least in my experience, but than again they weren't as quick as the I35.

[MrSag]

I think it's a good idea that they get rid of the I35 and consentrate on the RWD cars as luxury cars should be.

I agree.

[Jesda]

Acura still hasnt jumped on the RWD bandwagon. For them, its FWD or AWD. And I suppose that's where they'll stay until they hit the FWD 300hp performance barrier.

[PalmerWMD]

I always liekd the I35 , a nice complement to the RWD sports sedan-G35.

After the last new ones are sold, it will remain a great buy in the used car market, for years to come.

Fred...

[jEzTeR]

I always liekd the I35 , a nice complement to the RWD sports sedan-G35.

After the last new ones are sold, it will remain a great buy in the used car market, for years to come.

Fred...

Good point.

with Nissan making the Altima 3.5 se and SE-R + the Maxima, Infiniti won't need the I35. The new M45 will get more needed attention I hope.

[louiegz]

Acura still hasnt jumped on the RWD bandwagon. For them, its FWD or AWD. And I suppose that's where they'll stay until they hit the FWD 300hp performance barrier.

If Acura ever wants to be taken serious by enthusiast as a serious luxury car, they will have to go to RWD. Unfortunately for us, Acura sells cars well, and as long as people that don’t know much about cars keep on buying their cars, they will still stick to that Accord platform that they love so much. I can’t imagine they would make a 300+hp FWD car, but if anyone could do it, Acura can. They make fine FWD cars. The TL would be a perfect car if it was RWD. All the magazines say it. Why don’t the get the message.

[driverdriver]

Actually, I think Acura and Lexus (with the front wheel drive ES) are smart sticking to front wheel drive. Driven by affordable housing prices I live like a lot of people somewhere an hour outside the city (in my case an hour northeast of Toronto in what is the part of the snowbelt. From November to April every year all we get is freezing rain, sleet/slush and snow with temperatures that are usually between -10 and -30 on the fahernheit scale effectively turning roads into ice rinks) . Every winter season I see rearwheel drive BMW's, Mercedes Benz's and Infiniti's in ditches during inclement winter weather or abandoned by the side of the road even if they are equipped with snow tires and new fangled traction control. The only cars that I see still driving are front wheel drive models and SUV's. I generally keep my J parked all winter and I'm fortunate that I own an SUV and a front-driver that I can drive during this season. For most people its not the case. As a result where I live there is an inordinate number of Acura TL's and TSX's, AWD Audi's and Subaru's, Lexus ES sedans and Infiniti I30/135 and front wheel drive Caddy's (i.e. Deville). The only people who can afford to own a rear-wheel drive luxury sedan such as Bimmer, Infiniti G35, Q45 or M45, Mercedes Benz, etc and drive it all year are those who live in the city (and can use the public transit system) or those who are retired. Most people have average driving skills and they prefer the predictability, practicality and the safety of front-wheel drive vehicle.

[jtesensky]

I like how Infiniti is setting themselves apart from Acura & Lexus. FWD isn't bad but if you want to really compete with all the German RWD's you almost have to go that route.

[PalmerWMD]

I agrre with your general presmise to have a FWD car in the line-up for the reasons you state.

I do however feel that a RWD with true winter tires and TCS will out track any FWD with all seasons and even every AWD/4WD with allseasosn on.

My experience also, many years in the snowbelt and driving lots of different vehicles.

Fred..

[louiegz]

Yea that's all fine. I understand that when the conditions are icy, FWD and AWD are king. We get bad weather in Jersey too. For someone like my that likes RWD cars, I would get an AWD car like the G35x. The G is rear biased AWD car. When it's dry, all the power goes to the rear. A car like the new Acura RL that coming out next year is front biased, so when you drive it in dry roads, it's like driving a FWD car. That's no good. I know there's nothing perfect for me out there. This is the first year I did snow tires on the Q, and I don't like swapping tires in the winter. At least they're 15 tires so they’re not that expensive. What happens if I get an M45 sport with 19in rims? Snow tires will cost me a fortune. I really don't know why Infiniti doesn’t come out with a AWD V8 M45. I guess they're going to wait if the car sells before they developed the AWD system for the V8. I'd get a G35X if they only came in stick.

[louiegz]

I agrre with your general presmise to have a FWD car in the line-up for the reasons you state.

I do however feel that a RWD with true winter tires and TCS will out track any FWD with all seasons and even every AWD/4WD with allseasosn on.

My experience also, many years in the snowbelt and driving lots of different vehicles.

Fred..

The problem is your average folk won't let go of the cash to spring for winter tires. That’s why they like the front driver.

[driverdriver]

That's totally correct louigz.

People treat tires as an after thought, eventhough in my opinion it is one of the most important things on a vehicle. For most car owners, whether it be all-season or winter tires, price rules over the qualityy of tires. That's why Fwd continues to be popular.

[louiegz]

driverdriver, to get off the subject a bit, I see one of your cars is an Acura EL. We don't have those in the US. I looked right now on the Acura Canadian website to see what it is. Looks like a jazzed up Civic with all the options. How do you like it? I know that Honda & Acura share alot of platforms. The TL is a streched Accord platform. The TSX is a Accord European spec platform. Is it save to assume that the EL is a Civic platform? It's about $18000.00 US dollar for a base EL, $23100.00 Canadian. A Honda Civic EX starts at $17410.00 US. That's what it must be.

[BigBodyQ45]

not to start anything huge butspeaking of 300 hp Acuras, they are stepping it up next year: http://www.acura.com/newrl Take a tour around that. Its no 05 M45 but I can say it is a decent alternative if the price is not bad. Check out my previous cars. I have always been an acura supporter but the Q45 put them to shame hands down when I was looking for a car.


Modified by BigBodyQ45 at 8:07 PM 9/23/2004

[Jesda]

That is one BEAUTIFUL interior! The body isnt bad either.Mom has an MDX with an interior that bugs the heck out of me. Its nice to look at, but fit and finish is lacking. Plastics feel substantial but cheap, switches dont feel quite right, and the uneven cut lines on things like the glovebox but the heck out of me. It was certainly nice enough for her to trade her 02 in for an 04, which finally resolved the awful wind noise issue. And it drives beautifully.

However, among the M45, RL, and STS, I'll take the Cadillac for raw attitude. I like cars that look bold without looking like they're wearing too much makeup.

[BigBodyQ45]

Good point Jesda. My parents have an 02 MDX and it is very nice to drive. But interior could have been a little nicer. I borrowed it this past week because of the bigger space than the Q going to Disney's Pop Century. I did not notice it much louder inside than my 02 Q, no BS. But I did have music up most of the ride. I rode very smooth. I personaly had a 99 integra LS, 00' GSR, 99 TL, and 03' CL and loved all of them. The front wheel drive was nice in the rain but other than that was not very crazy about the understeer, then went with an s2000. Was a big step for me but this Q was my first non-honda product and am very very pleased so far.

Also in addition to the caddy. (saddly same with the q45) I would feel like a jerk buying one new realising that my value was just cut in half in 2 years. You would be forced to keep it till it was paid off. What was a an 02' Q45 with sport package new? Near $60k? 2 years later pick it up for high 20s? I am very interested in checking all 3 out and doing like I did with this one, making out awesome by someone else's loss in 2-3 years.

Dave
Modified by BigBodyQ45 at 10:05 PM 9/23/2004

[Jeff Williams]

I wouldn't trade my I30t for ANY I35 made.

I am glad that Infiniti is concentrating of RWD.

I plan to increase my collection of Infinitis, by a G35 Coupe, and an M45 sedan, in the future.

I miss the J30.

[driverdriver]

The Acura 1.7EL is actually a slightly stretched version of a Honda Civic. It comes with a factory tuned Vtec engine. Before I took delivery I had the Acura dealer install an Acura "performance package", which included a cold air intake, lighter flywheels, performance spark plugs and a bunch of other goodies. Mine is the fully loaded model which in addition to standard in-dash CD changer, ABS, power everything, auto climate control, fog lights and Xenon lamps includes wood, leather, alloys, power roof, and cold weather package (including heated seats and traction control). Its a great vehicle, its still fairly light even with the extra equipment, its got a lot of torque and power, I'm always the first one off the redlights even with the AC blowing full blast. The engines powerband has got some great range, unlike Civic's that I've owned/driven before, I always feel like I have extra power on tap, put a bit of pressure on the acclerator and the EL takes off. What has really pleasantly suprised me is the smoothness of the auto transmission. The car I'm told has got a modified version of the Civic SI suspension setup so its really fun to drive in the corners. It does suffer from a bit of understeer when really pushed and also the rear tends to drift a bit again when really pushed. The best part is that engine is super fuel efficient in normal daily driving even with with The AC on full blast.

So far I'm really happy with it, even if my wife mostly drives it. She gets a kick out of outgunning self-important guys in BMW 3-series sedans.

Modified by driverdriver at 4:43 PM 9/24/2004
Modified by driverdriver at 4:45 PM 9/24/2004

[Dust N Bones]

I wouldn't trade my I30t for ANY I35 made.

Why not? I'm not saying you should I'm just trying to understand why. I have a 2001 I30 and I've been wishing it was an I35 because of the added horsepower plus some extra luxury items that they added to the I35.

[Altiman94]

fwd will always outsell rwd cars. They are much easier to handle. They are no means better handling, but easier to handle.

[driverdriver]

Jeff William's said:

"I wouldn't trade my I30t for ANY I35 made."

-----------------------------------------------------------

Having briefly driven both, I would trade an I30 non "t" model straight up for and I35 but I wouldn't trade up an 130t model for an I35 even with the horspowwer gain. Why, The I30t had a sport suspension setup as opposed to an 135, which had more of a floaty Lexus ES setup. That made the "t" models of the 130 a much better handling and sportier car.

[Jeff Williams]

I have driven several I35's and hate the torque steer.

My I30t has good power, and does not have the torque steer problem. I would rather improve the power of this car, than deal with the inherent problems of the I35. I think the re-designed transmission caused the problem.

The only thing about the I35 that I wish I had, was the radio controls on the wheel. I also haven't seen any black/black models like mine.

I don't like the newer radio design, the third headrest, or the handles on the rear of the front seats.

I have the cool storage bin on top of the dash, where the I35's don't.

The car is paid for, and will stay, until I either buy a G35 coupe, or an M45. Right now I have room for 4 cars, and there is no room for another one. I either have to get rid of onof my Q45's, or the I30, if I am going to get something else. Although, I am looking at a new house, with room for 7 cars!

[louiegz]

fwd will always outsell rwd cars. They are much easier to handle.

No. I wouldn't say that's the main reason. I don't even think average folk know the diference, even behind the wheel. FWD outsell RWD cars because there is more cheap FWD cars out on the market. What's the cheapest RWD car you can get. Maybe the 300 for $26,000. You can get a compact FWD car for like $10,000 with incentives. The cheaper cars wont go to RWD. FWD cars are cheaper to make. That's the other main reason is there's so many more FWD cars in the market. Not only that, those expensive cars are the ones that are getting more power and if you get more power, you need RWD to get rid of the torque steer. That's why now you have the Acura RL going to AWD to help with the 300hp. I like the fact now that RWD is making a comeback. Cars like the 300 is helping. Now we need GM to follow. The Caddys are paying atention to the fact that a luxury car should be RWD. Look at the CTS. They sell well. I see alot of them on the road. Now they have the STS. It would be nice to see Pontiac or Chevy to use that CTS platform and the 3800 engine to make a $25,000 RWD sport sedan. Offer a Northstar option and sell it for $30,000. It would be better than a Malibu.

[Jesda]

Isnt the 5.7L RWD Pontiac GTO (Monaro) only $30k?

[Dust N Bones]

I have driven several I35's and hate the torque steer. The only thing about the I35 that I wish I had, was the radio controls on the wheel. I also haven't seen any black/black models like mine.

I don't like the newer radio design, the third headrest, or the handles on the rear of the front seats.

I have the cool storage bin on top of the dash, where the I35's don't.

That makes a lot of sense. I had a 97 I30T that I loved and i wish I had waited and got the touring model this time too. My 01 I30 has the radio controls on the wheel and the handles on the rear of the front seats so they must have been added to the 01's. I don't have the storage bin on top of the dash though where the Navigations system would be.

Does yours burn any oil? I know that seems like a dumn question but I'm burning almost a half quart between 3,000 mile oil changes. Infiniti is telling me that it's normal but this is the fourth Nissan vehicle I've owned and not one has ever burned any oil except this one.

[Jeff Williams]

Does yours burn any oil? I know that seems like a dumn question but I'm burning almost a half quart between 3,000 mile oil changes. Infiniti is telling me that it's normal but this is the fourth Nissan vehicle I've owned and not one has ever burned any oil except this one.

Actually, I did notice, after letting the car sit, for 7 days, without starting, that there was a bunch of oil smoke, like the valve seals are leaking.

NOT a good thing for a car serviced entirely by the same service department, at every recommended interval, with the Infiniti approved oil and oil additive, each time.

I will be making a video of the next time I start it. I have told Evie not to start it for at least 7 days, so I can get a video of it.

This will not do. I believe Infiniti will be replacing 1 3.0 litre V6.

[driverdriver]

Burning Oil?

Doesn't sound like Nissan engineering. More like VW. Every Audi/VW nightmare I have ever owned has burned oil so much so, that if I dont check before the 3000 mile limit, my crankcase is left close to bone dry and guess what, the check engine light never goes on.

Thank you for letting me make my VW/Audi rant. I still have issues with the manufacturer, even though I no longer own the make.