test drives of Infinitis and other assorted sundry items...

[don85259]

1. I'd like to slap up some pics of my Q. I've got them uploaded over at Villagephotos because I do a lot of digital photography and have shared them before. Usually it is just a matter of img src="pictureurl" in brackets but that won't work here. What can I do?

2. Since my lease is about to end in the 1998 Q45 (and I just convinced Bank One to discount the payoff by $2,000 to make things easier), I have been driving all sorts of cars to figure out what I may get. I still have two months to go.

INFINITI MAKES:

M45 (April, 2003): Fast car, faster than my current Q but more expensive. Only felt like 300 horses versus my 266, not 340 as advertised. Car felt a little narrower than my Q and thus felt overall a little cramped. Styling ho-hum at best, downright boring at worst. No one noticed it while I drove it around Bell Road and I-17. Good brakes. Average turning circle. Nice throaty growl on acceleration. Grade: B-

G35 sedan (March, 2003): Had this as a loaner car while my Q45 was in for 90k service. It was a little friggin' rocketship. Great acceleration, great handling, felt very light and agile (like a Cheetah). Don't care for the rounded dash design and a little utilitarian for my tastes (I'm coddled in wood and leather in the Q-ship), but it has grown on me. Graphite interior (black) with aluminum/titanium dash parts looks hot. Exceptionally fond of Caribbean Blue and Metallic Red colors. Exterior styling very nice, especially with great chrome wheels and perhaps a billet grille. I like the Aero package. This may be the car I buy. Keep in mind this car has virtually same power as the Q and weighs 500 pounds less = faster acceleration and better handling. 260 horses versus Q's 266. Grade: A-

G35 coupe (last weekend - May 2003): Best styling of any Infiniti in recent years, with possible exception of FX models. A real pain in the butt to get in and out of (egress much more difficult than with the sedan). Back seat uninhabitable for adults unless I want to punish them. Excellent acceleration and otherwise superb handling. I drive a lot and am in and out of my car all the time so this is important to me. Grade: B+

Both G vehicles received a fair amount of attention, certainly more than the M45. I would not be embarassed to be seen in either one.

FX35 sport utility (last weekend - May 2003): Gorgeous, sensual styling. Great to look at and beautiful interior. Bulky and it shows underway. Engine is decent but no match for the Q's V8, even if on paper it has more horses. Much better acceleration than the Nissan Murano but still not titillating enough for me. Handles okay but you can feel her 4,200 pound heft as she lumbers around corners. If I had to drive an SUV, this would be it. Cool vehicle. Lots of admiring glances. Grade: B+

FX45 and Q45 are out of my range this time around.

NISSAN MAKES:

Nissan Murano (two weekends ago - May 2003): Excellent styling inside and out. A real looker. Once underway, I found the vehicle's CVT transmission and 245 horses bizarre and wanting. Not enough power for her heft - this is a large craft at 4,200 pounds and you can really feel it in the leisurely acceleration and handling. Non-shifting no-gear very odd and will take some getting used to. It just goes like a rubber band toy. Pity it accelerates like one as well. I wanted to like this vehicle because of the superb styling but the engine and powertrain left me speechless and frustrated. Otherwise a great vehicle. Needs about 300 horses and a normal transmission. Grade: B- because of the engine and transmission.

Nissan Maxima (2004 model; two weekends ago - May 2003): This was in the "arrest-me orange" which I am so fond of in the FX and 350ZX models. Styling a little avante-garde but car grew on me as I drove it. Nice exterior and interior styling - fit and finish felt like an Infiniti. 265 horse mill was almost too strong. Lots of torque steer under harsh acceleration but this puppy will move - likely will outrun any stock Q-ship on the market today. Keep a strong hand on the wheel as you mash the gas. This is where I prefer the Q's RWD to the FWD of the Maxima. Talk about a little rocketship. This thing will move and attracted a fair amount of attention. I really liked this car but it is too much at $34,000 as driven. Grade: A-

Nissan 350ZX (two weekends ago - May 2003): Whoa! I felt like Keanu Reeves driving this puppy. This was the six speed track edition with massive Brembo brakes. If you could drive your very own roller coaster, this is it. Phenomenal acceleration (I hear with minor mods these things are in the low 5s or high 4s (second range 0-60 mph). First time I accelerated in the vehicle, rear end fishtailed on me as I applied too much power. Asian salesman turned sheet white as I recovered nicely and rocketed the engine to the redline. I estimate a 0-60 time of about 5.5 seconds in this bad boy, over one second faster than any Q. (The Maxima probably would do it in 6 seconds). Was in the "arrest-me red" and after driving this vehicle for a very short period of time, it occurred to me that I can't buy it. I would have too much fun in it and would be getting close to handcuffs wayyyy too much. Either that or I would wrap it around a tree. Salesman looked positively ill by the time we returned to the dealership five minutes later. I worked that baby hard. No backseat, miniscule storage and creature comforts few and far between. Will need to keep a chiropractor on retainer if I buy this beast. EXCELLENT looks and lots of attention. Brakes can give you motion sickness. Grade: A, but alas, this car is too impractical for me.

OTHER MAKES:

Infiniti I30 (my partner has one). Nice car but I don't want the same one. Huge backseat, bigger than the Q.

Mazda Miata: We own one of these. Too impractical for daily use. Manual will not work with my use of cell and map while driving.

Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland (last weekend - May 2003): Best American make I have driven in years. Seats are so comfortable and supportive - best I've felt in years. Engine is excellent and this thing will run circles around the FX35 (don't know about the FX45). It is a 4.7 liter HO V8 with 265 horsepower and 330 foot pounds of torque. It really moves this SUV with authority. Infernal red with chrome wheels a nice ride all around. Reliability a slight concern but problem is dealer is nuts on trade of Q or any other deal, so although vehicle gets a grade of A-, I likely won't be buying one.

Cadillac CTS (last weekend - May 2003): Another surprising standout. Blows away any Caddy I've driven, to include Devilles, Sevilles and Eldos. Nice, strong engine, felt much stronger than her rated 220 horses. Edgy but interesting styling. Dash not bad - a little poddy for my taste. Was in the orange with chromes I'm fond of these days. Grade: B+ to A-

That's it for now.

--don

[PalmerWMD]

For me it wouls be between G35 sedan / M6 vs M45 w/ A5.Recent tests show the M45 getting blistering performance numbers.

It reminds me of a modern interpretation of a 1987 Monteverdi.

Fred...

[docsmile71]

Don't shoot me for suggesting this but a used Lexus GS430 is also a sweet car.

My choice of all the above mentioned would be the G35 or the Maxima. The VQ engines really haul.

[EWT]

Cadillac CTS (last weekend - May 2003): Another surprising standout. Blows away any Caddy I've driven, to include Devilles, Sevilles and Eldos. Nice, strong engine, felt much stronger than her rated 220 horses. Edgy but interesting styling. Dash not bad - a little poddy for my taste. Was in the orange with chromes I'm fond of these days. Grade: B+ to A-

That's it for now.

--don

I like the G35 sedan better in it's current form, but just wait until the CTS-V gets the Corvette Z06 motor later this year. 400+ hp and a good RWD chassis. Between that and the SRX, Cadillac will have two cars that sound very promising on paper. Knowing GM, they'll probably find a way to screw them up though.

[maxnix]

I'm with Fred. A fast car which no one looks at is exactly what I like to drive. I would choose the M, although I haven't driven one. Used Q's will be coming in off lease, and I would not be disappointed in drivng a "slow" 2002 if I had to, especially if I did a lot of highway driving.

[Jesda]

I'm 21, but I hate "hot" cars. Nothing appeals to me more than the idea of a stealth sedan, to whip the idiot with a Folgers can attached to the back of his mom's Accord.

For $55000, I'd be looking at the Mercury Marauder S, with 450+ HP, or the latest Q.

But for what I can afford, if I had to lose my 92Q, I'd consider a 94 Q, 95 Mazda 929, or Cadillac Seville STS.

-Jesda

[don85259]

pics testing:

[don85259]

IT'S ALIVVVEEEEE!!!!!!

That, folks, is my baby for the last 4.9 years and 95,000+ miles. A finer specimen you will not find. I have her washed weekly, waxed monthly and detailed quarterly. Engine has been steamed twice in her life - clean enough to eat off of. Best part is she still thumps with the best of them.

More pics to come.

--don

[Rex]

Mazda Miata: We own one of these. Too impractical for daily use. Manual will not work with my use of cell and map while driving.

Don,

Doesn't this (Manual) eliminate most of the Infinit/Nissan's beyind the M or FX? I couldn't/wouldn't want to imagine driving either the G or the Max with an Auto. I too had the G35 Sedan as a loner a few weeks ago and loved the peppy preformance, but to get it into "peppy-range" required a good bit of heavy footing.

To throw my 2 cents into the wishing well (ok, my wishing well) I'd be looking hard at thre M45 or the FX45. I agree the FX35 is probably under powered and I think is only offered to lower the entry point. Other than that, (be forewarned sacrelegious statement) I'd try to find a RS4 or 6. Whoa POWER!

Good luck, and happy hunting.

[maxnix]

I'd try to find a RS4 or 6. Whoa POWER!

Good luck, and happy hunting.

Good luck sleeping with your Audi service writer and mechanics. Reading the A8 boards reminded me why I am so glad to drive a Q45. I would drive a Honda or Toyota V6 before I would own an Audi.

Whoa reliability!

Brian1995 Q45 & Q45t

[AZhitman]

Don - I concur with ALL of those writeups (except I LOVE the styling of the M). I prefer an understated car, perfect for flying below the radar.

I too am torn between the G sedan and the M as my Q's replacement. If I get the G it will be in silver with the dark anthracite 17's. The only color befitting the M? Black - with black 18's.

I think the deciding factor would be if you chose a different dealership. I assume you have been dealing with Midway? If so, do yourself a favor - Play hooky one day and roll over to Scottsdale. It's like night and day - I won't bore you with specifics, but suffice it to say Midway is one of my LEAST favorite dealers. I'd rank Scottsdale's service and friendliness higher than any dealership I've dealt with.

[EWT]

Don - I concur with ALL of those writeups (except I LOVE the styling of the M). I prefer an understated car, perfect for flying below the radar.

I must be about the only first generation Q owner who doesn't like the M45 very much. I don't think it's ugly, just awkward looking and not that attractive. The front end is too heavy looking IMO. It does work better in black than other colors though. In any case, if you want one I'd definitely wait a few years for a used one I have a feeling depreciation on them is going to make Qs look good by comparision.

Also, has anybody noticed that the Q has pretty much disappeared from dealers? I've been to a couple of big dealers in the last month and hardly seen any of them. One in St. Louis probably had 60 FXs a similar number of Gs, and only 2 or 3 Qs. Bad news for those of us thinking about buying used ones.

[G8R45]

Another option would be a 99 or 2000 E55. They are available from mid to high $30's to the low $40's. I turned one in off lease recently:2000E55, 42,000 miles, and perfect condition. It could have been bought for around $42,000. If you check out Auto Week they always have listings of these type cars and alot of them are people trying to get out of leases, etc.

[AZhitman]

A good idea UNTIL you read about MB's latest difficulties with QC. They have been notably absent from the JDPower top ten of late.

Scottsdale Infiniti has several Q's - The G35's are actually taking customers from the Q!!!

[G8R45]

Yeah, their not what they used to be but still a great car. Mine was never in the shop for anything but routine service (and tires) and I ran her at the dragstrip. Now that was fun!

[juiceman]

When I was in to get my J on consult a few months ago the only cars coming in for service was the G's. I joked around and said that you must have QC probs on this car. He said that the QC is great and that they were all in for routine service.

The dealer also said they sold more of those than any other car for quite some time. Good balance of performance etc

He said it is by far the best seller infiniti has had. By the number of them on the road i must agree

I will wait two years for depreciation to hit and buy one then, black on black

[don85259]

I think the deciding factor would be if you chose a different dealership. I assume you have been dealing with Midway? If so, do yourself a favor - Play hooky one day and roll over to Scottsdale. It's like night and day - I won't bore you with specifics, but suffice it to say Midway is one of my LEAST favorite dealers. I'd rank Scottsdale's service and friendliness higher than any dealership I've dealt with.

As they were the only Infiniti dealer in town in 1998 to even talk to me or return my phone calls. I had worked a fantastic deal on an I30 at Scottsdale Infiniti. Probably too good of a deal as I think they turned around and sold it for more to someone else and then didn't have the balls to tell me what they did. They would never return my calls, even the sales manager.

Pinnacle did not exist when I bought the Q. I have been using them for service and actually I am working with someone from there on a G35. I should be hearing from them today, as a matter of fact.

As for the FX45, they had one in the showroom. I think it is cool but not $54,000 cool. Too rich for my blood, and the discounts are few and far between on the FX.

--don

[Jeff Williams]

I've said it before, and I will say it again, the M45 is for me. My wife has the I30. It is fun to drive, EXTREMELY tight, but is definitely FWD.

I drive 2 to 4 hours a day, and nothing fits like the Q. I did feel a little more closed-in in the M45, but it was cavernous compared to the G35 Sedan or coupe. I did not feel any more room in the nu Q, over the M. The FX is just too much, for a sport ute. I still haven't gotten the Sprot Ute bug, and I hope I never do.

The Marauder would be cool, but wait 2 years and buy one for $5,000 to $7,000.

Buy a black M45, install a supercharger and nitrous kit, and tint the windows black.

There's 3 used ones on eBay, right now. One is black!

[greg_atlanta]

For me it would be a toss-up between G35 sedan and Maxima. Both are a bit overpriced with options... but base price on each is a good deal.

No telescopic wheels on G35 is a bummer, as are the annoying seat controls. I can't fit in G35 with sunroof, and it's nearly impossible to find one without a sunroof.

I drove '03 Maxima SE for a week and ride was punishing. Not sure if '04 SE is the same.

[AZhitman]

I'm 6'2", 187 and fit nicely in the G. I kind of like the seat controls, but I'm sure once I start getting a little thick in the middle it'll get annoying.

Love the back seats in the G sedan...

[Jeff Williams]

I'm 6' 3" and 250#(All Muscle!:rolleyes ), I got in my wife's 2000 I30t, and had to manually adjust the steering wheel up, to get in and out! Man!, was that a pain!

I can get in my Q, with my cowboy hat on, and hit nothing!

[Metroyed]

Im just quoting car and driver here, but i heard that those Mercury Marauders "300 horses feel like ponies". Plus, at the end of the day, you're not driving an Infiniti