Newb's 1st post with M45 Owner Questions

[Motorsport Nut]

Hi All!

I have been already reading and surfing here for a little bit, done a couple hours of reading and looking and I have a few questions. I am interested in acquiring a lower mile near mint condition 2003 M45.

First off, Did they only make these in 2003 and then again in 2006 and 2007? I think I have seen some post about a 2004? I believe I have read every original review available on the net. I like the cars looks, muscle, exclusivity, features, and build quality.

Short of finding an original dealer brochure, what were the available colors? I have seen on here the obviously prevalent Silver / Gray / Titanium, (which may utlimately be my choice, I think the lines look best in this color) 1 maroon for lack of better description besides cranberry, light green, tan or desert mist, and pearl white and black. Any thing else? Blue?

It seems that there are some out there, however, many seem to be off lease cars?

Anything to look for when driving a candidate? I would ultimately like to find an original 1 owner purchase from a private party, with service records, but not every dream gets realized. There is one on a Nissan dealer's lot that I will go and look at it later this week when I return and will post back on it with the details.

Thanks in advance.

[GJEMD]

Basic numbers for 2003-4 M45 4300 imported from 9/2002 to 8/2003. 1700 from9/03 - 8/04. These are Gloria Y34 bodies. 3/05 began the current formulation M35/M45. The Gloria body sold in Asia from 1974-2004 ending in the Y34 of which the M45s were configured for the US Market Only. The 03s and 04s are Identical from performance standpoint. The 04s and late 03s had better standard options. Most of these cars will be off lease. They essentially gave these cars awayon cheap leases. I've heard of 2 yrs leases for under $300/month. These cars stickered at $45,000. so many of the original owners could have never afforded to buy these cars. Thats where some of the trouble originates. People ragging out a fast car they knew they couldn't keep past the lease.

[cremecreme]

wow you get an A for your M45 research paper...just check it out real good...see if the dealer will let you hold one for a few days...check the oil first...note the level, drive the crap out of it and see if any oil is burning..if so return quickly and leave

[szh]

Welcome to NICO, Motorsport Nut!

Here are some detailed sales numbers for various Infiniti models, including the USDM Y34 (2003 and 2004 M45) and the USDM Y50 (2006+ M35 and M45): zerothread?id=191187. I need to update these charts, but you get the basic idea!

In Japan, the Y34 chassis was available in both Nissan Gloria and Nissan Cedric models, although, AFAIK, without the 4.5 liter V-8 that we got here! In the US 2003 and 2004 M45, it was only available with the 4.5 V-8.

The current Y50 chassis in the 2006+ M35 and M45 is in the Nissan Fuga in Japan. Although, I do not know if the Fuga in Japan has the 4.5 liter V-8 ... does anyone else know that info?

As GJEMD noted, the 2003 and 2004 models are essentially identical, with only minor cosmetic changes and options.

For more details on the car specs, colors, etc., please see the Sticky thread on Basic Specs at the top of this forum.

Thanks!

Z

[Motorsport Nut]

Thanks for the replies and welcome guys!

I am really looking forward to test driving the 2003 M45 in Silver in my home town this coming weekend. I know it is a 2003, but don't know anything else about it.

I'll let you know my impressions!

[Motorsport Nut]

Has Infiniti ever released their production data breakdown on percentage of build with certain options or colors? I am assuming that the Crimson and Light Green Mist are the 2 most rare colors?

I have to admit, before being reminded that these cars even existed, I have been trying to track down a 2004 or 2005 Buick Park Avenue Ultra with the supercharged 3.8. While they are about the same money, in some cases the Buick is actually more with equal mileage, there's no comparison really. The Buick is a nice car in it's own right, but obviously not in the same class as the M45. I was thinking of replacing my wife's LeSabre with the aforementioned Ultra, now I am thinking about the M45 for me!

[auditech10]

For some odd reason, the M45s did not hold their value. I dont know about anybody else on here that has one, but Im not complaining! LOL Because of that I could afford the one that I wanted when I wanted.Cheers

[szh]

Has Infiniti ever released their production data breakdown on percentage of build with certain options or colors? I am assuming that the Crimson and Light Green Mist are the 2 most rare colors?

I have not found that data anywhere, unfortunately! But, those are probably pretty rare, I'd agree.

I have to admit, before being reminded that these cars even existed, I have been trying to track down a 2004 or 2005 Buick Park Avenue Ultra with the supercharged 3.8. While they are about the same money, in some cases the Buick is actually more with equal mileage, there's no comparison really. The Buick is a nice car in it's own right, but obviously not in the same class as the M45. I was thinking of replacing my wife's LeSabre with the aforementioned Ultra, now I am thinking about the M45 for me!

Since many people knew that the 2003 and 2004 were stop-gap releases till the 2006+ came out (particularly in late 2004 through 2005 ... when the car sales plummeted), it was easy to pick up one for a small lease. The original price was pretty decent too ... the list price of a 2003 M45 (base model, without any options) was just a bit above $43,000 as I recall.

Anyway, the car resale value is still low, although it was helped a bit by the much higher price of the 2006+ models.

Z

[cremecreme]

yeah and hopefully when it is time for a new car the current M45 sales will plummet and i can pick one up cheap

[Motorsport Nut]

Well I went and eyeballed the M45 last night. Good thing I went late when they were closed, might have bought it on the spot?! Car looks amazingly clean and ding and blemish free. It has a little over 36,500 miles on it and it has a real nice set of Michelin Pilots on it!

Did mention on the paper taped to the window that there is a warranty, I'll find out what that is.

Just as a recap this is a Sliver with Black gut and wood treatment. How do I tell what other of the 3 main option packages it has? I can assume that if it has the heated and cooled seats that it has that one of the three packages. What about the Nav though, do all cars have the screen and some without the option just don't work? What is in it's place if it doesn't have the Nav unit? This car has the moonroof too, I assume also that this was not standard?

The wheels are the standard titanium by the way. Hoping they aren't too whacked out on what they are asking. I will have to practice my immediate burst out laughing response, and the call me when you want to sell it for this price line as I get in my car and leave.

I am resisting calling about it and would just rather walk on the lot cold and perhaps go in and ask to speak to the Sales Manager rather than play ping pong back and forth with some new or newer sales hack who likely knows nothing about this car. I say this since it is at a Nissan dealership and the car is an 03.

I am curious if they can provide me with some service records and the background history of the car, as to where it came from etc?I have a feeling this car will be in the driveway soon.

Quick questions
Modified by Motorsport Nut at 7:19 AM 3/15/2007

[Motorsport Nut]

Just as a promised quick update, this car turned out to be a turd. The interior was pretty rough, the wheel and dash were scuffed and scraped, the seat seem to adjust up and down one side at a time?

Funny how the salesperson knew absolutely nothing about this car! I gave him a quick detail on what it was for the next interested party, he appreciated it and admitted to not knowing about it.

Anyway, I am on to other options, one is detailed in another thread about 2003 in service lease maintenance program.