Nissan almost cut the Infiniti brand

[gwoods]

We should start our own car company call it Nico... even better would Nissan sell us the Infiniti brand and we can fix it.

First order of business: Axe the JXThirtyFail.
Second order of business: Add manual transmission options across the board.
Third order of business: Make the VK56VD optional in ALL MODELS. (G56 anyone?)

Then, once that's done, we can build a Q56 with short- and long-wheelbase options and XJ Supersport-fighting luxury/performance/weight combo and more aluminum and magnesium than you can shake an F35 at. Offer it with a blower, magnetorheological shocks, traction control you can turn OFF, a fancy LSD and a fast steering ratio, call it a Q56RS, charge $100k for it and watch the Germans wonder what the Hell just hit them.

Okay your hired forward this to Ghosn. Everything Infinit sells should be available with a forced induction V8 and a 3rd peddal!

[DrewH]

Based on pictures I love the new Q but will hold off final judgement until I see one in person. I think its an aesthetic improvement over the G37 (we have a 2012 in the driveway) but what I found disappointing was retaining the same power plant while doing away with the 6MT. Of course this isn't the first time there was a carry over engine in the sedan so I have hopes that they'll rectify that for next year.

I also have no issue with the renaming strategy and to take it one step further I actually think its makes sense based on the direction the auto industry is headed. Nevermind the fact that it wasn't that long ago that they wore the Q badge. Quite frankly I've found several of the statements in this thread to be completely ridiculous. Comparing a make believe Genesis to a C7 based on HP and calling it "Audi's Q" to name a couple.

I'm certainly not all rainbows and unicorns when it comes to Nissan. I'm not happy about the ETA of the Q coupe, the predominance of CVT (to be expected, thanks CAFE) across the Nissan lineup while manuals aren't even an option, and the blurred lines between models. I'm also not thrilled about the looks of some of the new models buts that's subjective as this thread illustrates.

I've always loved my Nissans but the transmission option, or lack thereof, alone might keep me from purchasing another one. With my motives being performance driven the only thing I hate more than slush boxes is CVT. But it goes further. We have a 2012 Maxima for a couple weeks and I was amazed at the disappointment I found myself experiencing about it. Even looking past the CVT the car lacks intelligent (common sense) design from stem to stern. Side by side I'd take my SER every time (6 years and 101k faithful). Thankfully its due for a refresh because nothing about that car demands the asking price. Especially one so close to a G. It's easy to take this "the grass is greener" mentality regarding Nissan but, at least in my case, its fair to say that I haven't driven the competition. For all I know everybody is botching it.

[gwoods]

Quite frankly I've found several of the statements in this thread to be completely ridiculous. Comparing a make believe Genesis to a C7 based on HP

you are welcome

[MinisterofDOOM]

Nevermind the fact that it wasn't that long ago that they wore the Q badge.

"They" never wore the Q badge. A single model wore the Q badge. And it was big, had a V8, and rear seats you could use. The Q name MEANS something. Which is why Infiniti wants to splash it across their lineup. The problem is, for anyone to whom Q means anything significant, it means something SPECIFIC. It's like Chevy deciding to call all its cars the Corvette. Or the El Camino. They're not all Corvettes. Or El Caminos. They're different cars. Only one car was ever a Q. The G wasn't it.

[DrewH]

"They" never wore the Q badge. A single model wore the Q badge. And it was big, had a V8, and rear seats you could use. The Q name MEANS something. Which is why Infiniti wants to splash it across their lineup. The problem is, for anyone to whom Q means anything significant, it means something SPECIFIC. It's like Chevy deciding to call all its cars the Corvette. Or the El Camino. They're not all Corvettes. Or El Caminos. They're different cars. Only one car was ever a Q. The G wasn't it.

Haha, I know what you're saying without agreeing with everything you say. I was referring to Infiniti as a whole. Big and V8 have been going away and those days aren't coming back. Times change MOD, so do cars, and it won't be long before we're having a similar conversation about V6's. I can only imagine how much the original G faithful's panties got twisted when the G35 came out. What a radical departure.

[AZhitman]

and rear seats you could use.

You couldn't. I couldn't. Let's be truthful.

...just sayin'.

[MinisterofDOOM]

Next to my LS, the Q's backseat was a cavern.

But yeah. All relative, though. The G's backseat is puny...though far larger than those in the ATS and IS.

[AZhitman]

The 1st-gen G35 sedan has a useful* back seat... ATS and IS, definitely not so much.

*useful = My 6'1" 165# carcass could ride in it for an hour without becoming homicidal.

[BadQ45t]

I have to weigh in here, I am a died in the wool Nissan/Infiniti person. I have had 5, 4 still in service. I have the (yes boring) Leaf which has been amazing for my wife, I spent only $250 on gas for a whole year. I still have my old Z with the original motor. I nursed 300k out of a 85' Maxima that I drove to hell and back. My X-Terra doesn't get great gas mileage, but for a real truck your not going to get good gas mileage. Mazada doesn't make a real truck anymore, i could get a Murano and get 5+ more MPG's if I wanted them off the X-Terra.

The reason I want an Inifniti is the past 60k $$$ that a German MB/BMW/Audi will cost me or the $$$$ of a Jaguar. I would like the option to drive my cars for 15-20 years without putting me in the poor house. THat is what my Q has given me, sure they have issues that have to be dealt with, but not at the level I have seen friends and family deal with German cars which are nightmares on the north side of 60k. I hope they don't drop Infiniti because when I replace my Q I don't really want to buy a boring Lexus, but I do want a car that gives me the white glove I got with my Q45, nice showrooom with free rental car, washes after services, etc. Nissan doesn't give you that. I looked (briefing) at a GTR only to find it is a beast but way to small for me (I am 210 and don't fit into those seats)

I hope Nissan gets serious about keeping the Infiniti brand and goes for the kill. Lexus is on the ropes more than ever and Acura was never really a success. I tried to fall in love with the g56 but i didn't, but I am not willing to take on the headache of german cars out of warranty.