What to look for when buying 2000-01 I30?

[MattB]

I did some searching but couldn't find much of anything, so what should I look for when looking at 2000-01 Infiniti I30s? I already know that I want a touring model for the sport suspension and HID lights. In terms of options, how rare was the navigation system? I will be driving this car between Boston, MA and Newport News, VA a couple times a year and so a navigation system would be of benefit to reroute around heavy traffic. Also, what are common mechanical problems to look for? Thanks in advance for any information.

[elwesso]

Ill have the maxima guy take a look at this thread, search for stuff on the same year maxima..

[Jeff Williams]

Matt, Nav was kinda rare in the I30. It popped up from the top of the dash. a little 5 0r 6" screen. It used the CD. The ones without the Nav had a storage bin on the dash. I don't have the Nav option.

I have had no problems with my 2000 I30t. I had the O2 sensors changed out under warranty, and one of the seat warmer switches.

It is basically the same as the Maxima of the same era.

The 2001 had radio controls on the steering wheel, and a compass in the mirror. There were handles on the rear of the front seats, and a third head rest in the rear. If you didn't get the Nav option, the bin on the front dash was removed, as well.

[MattB]

Matt, Nav was kinda rare in the I30. It popped up from the top of the dash. a little 5 0r 6" screen. It used the CD. The ones without the Nav had a storage bin on the dash. I don't have the Nav option.

I have had no problems with my 2000 I30t. I had the O2 sensors changed out under warranty, and one of the seat warmer switches.

It is basically the same as the Maxima of the same era.

The 2001 had radio controls on the steering wheel, and a compass in the mirror. There were handles on the rear of the front seats, and a third head rest in the rear. If you didn't get the Nav option, the bin on the front dash was removed, as well.

That's good to know so I can easily differentiate between the two years.

Was nav a more common option on the I35? It would be nice to have nav, but if I'm going to have to go on a wild goose chase to find one with it it's not essential for me.

[maxnix]

Skip navigation if it is not DVD. If you really want it, get a G35.

[audtatious]

The I30 is a great car. My co-worker has a '00 I30t and its pretty sharp. I looked at the '00 model for recalls but did not see any. If NAV is a desire, I would tend to agree with the others that you may want to look for a newer year.

[MattB]

Skip navigation if it is not DVD. If you really want it, get a G35.

G35s are going to be pretty much out of my price range...I don't think an '03 G35 Navi with 40K on it will be in the $15k range in a year. What are the problems with non-DVD nav? My friend's Mercedes has CD based nav that seems to work well enough. Does the I35 use a DVD based system?

[elwesso]

Honestly Matt, i think you could look into getting an F50 Q45 next summer for 15k...

Theyre going for low 20s now...!

[MattB]

Honestly Matt, i think you could look into getting an F50 Q45 next summer for 15k...

Theyre going for low 20s now...!

According to Edmunds.com a 2002 F50 will be worth around $21k a year from now. I35 on the other hand is projected to be in the mid 14s.

[audtatious]

You can already find I35's on ebay for 14k....

[maxnix]

What are the problems with non-DVD nav? My friend's Mercedes has CD based nav that seems to work well enough. Does the I35 use a DVD based system?

2001 navigation CD for FY33 were only updated once. Also, CD discs require 4 or 5 to get the whole country and they cost as much as each DVD navigation disc. DVD navigation discs are updated every year, but are not cheap.

My guess is that anything Nissan from 2002 on will have DVD based navigation.

[Jeff Williams]

The CD navigation worked great in the QX4. I think the big deal, is the updates. It works fine, but is 2000 data.

The first time I drove a Qx4, I was on the highway, heading twards New Orleans, before I realized I had been following the soft female voice of the navigation system, and the salesman had pre-programmed it.

[driverdriver]

O1's have a few small interior accents that Make it nicer. This is also the year Xenon's became standard. Get a "t' model if you want sporty handling with little body roll and understeer. The regular I30 is meant to deliver a more luxo-plush ride and is not meant to be pushed.

[MattB]

O1's have a few small interior accents that Make it nicer. This is also the year Xenon's became standard. Get a "t' model if you want sporty handling with little body roll and understeer. The regular I30 is meant to deliver a more luxo-plush ride and is not meant to be pushed.

HID lights are definately a huge plus for me. Like nav its a feature that isn't a must have for me but is really nice to have. I35s all came standard with HID then I take it? Also coming from a G20t I'm definately going to want an I30t or an I35 Sport (though a standard I35 seemed to handle pretty well).

What are the year to year changes on the I35s?

[maxnix]

The regular I30 is meant to deliver a more luxo-plush ride and is not meant to be pushed.

FWD is de facto push.

Never an I35t of which I am aware.

[Jesda]

My friend's mom owns an I30t. What car are we talking about again?

[MattB]

FWD is de facto push.

Never an I35t of which I am aware.

The G20t was changed to the G20 Sport for 2002 so I figure the I35 has the same Sport designation.

[driverdriver]

I should clarify, I never implied and 135t. I don't think it exists but an 130t does.

Never heard of an I35 "sport". I thought an I35 was an I35.

[maxnix]

Never heard of an I35 "sport". I thought an I35 was an I35.

Me either, but it may exist. These were legacy loss leaders in final years of production. Do know all I35 had TC to cope with horrendous torque steer without it.

[MattB]

From cars.com

"The (I35) optional Sport Package includes Vehicle Dynamic Control, a sport suspension, special alloy wheels and side sill spoilers."

[Jeff Williams]

The I35 is Horrendous, compared ot the I30, when it comes to torque steer, even with tractio control .

My I30t has 227 HP, and in my opinion that is all it needs. Whenever I get an I35 for a loaner car, I have to be real careful how hard I push it in traffic.

Don't get me wrong, I think my Q's could use about 400 RWHP , but my FWD I30 is perfect as it is .

I have not seen an I35t. They added the 17" wheels, rocker panels, In-dash 6-disc CD changer, and Xenon lights ot the standard models.

[driverdriver]

The I35 is Horrendous, compared ot the I30, when it comes to torque steer, even with tractio control .

My I30t has 227 HP, and in my opinion that is all it needs. Whenever I get an I35 for a loaner car, I have to be real careful how hard I push it in traffic.

I agree with Jeff, having driven both a '01 I30t as a loaner and an I35.

[MattB]

The I35 is Horrendous, compared ot the I30, when it comes to torque steer, even with tractio control .

My I30t has 227 HP, and in my opinion that is all it needs. Whenever I get an I35 for a loaner car, I have to be real careful how hard I push it in traffic.

Don't get me wrong, I think my Q's could use about 400 RWHP , but my FWD I30 is perfect as it is .

I have not seen an I35t. They added the 17" wheels, rocker panels, In-dash 6-disc CD changer, and Xenon lights ot the standard models.

I thought all I35s came with Xenons?

[Jeff Williams]

That is what I meant, when I said "They added the 17" wheels, rocker panels, In-dash 6-disc CD changer, and Xenon lights to the standard models."

I liked the 2002 chrome wheels so much, I bought them for my 2000 model. I kinda wish I hadn't sold my original 17: 5-spoke polished wheels, but I guess I could pick up a set off of eBay.

There is a sweet 2005 Black G35 Coupe with the 19" wheels and the Aero kit at Brewbaker Infiniti. They have it on the stand. I saw it yesterday, when I was driving by. I had to really resist temptation, and keep driving.

It is not a good time right now for me to buy a new car. The temptation is really high, since I have all my other Infiniti's paid for, and have eliminated all my credit card debt. I just want to live "in the black" for a while, before dropping $40K on a new car. Ever since my father became fluid, I have dreamed of doing the same. I have made the decision not to finance any more vehicles. I want to be that guy, walking in the Infiniti dealership in overalls full of cash (well, maybe a bank check).

[maxnix]

It is not a good time right now for me to buy a new car. The temptation is really high, since I have all my other Infiniti's paid for, and have eliminated all my credit card debt. I just want to live "in the black" for a while, before dropping $40K on a new car. Ever since my father became fluid, I have dreamed of doing the same. I have made the decision not to finance any more vehicles. I want to be that guy, walking in the Infiniti dealership in overalls full of cash (well, maybe a bank check).

I financed one vehicle, and that was enough. As my father who never financed a car dad said, "If you can't afford to pay cash, you can't afford it."

Credit on real estate can work out due to tax incentives and appreciation, but credit on a depreciable asset is seldom a good idea for an individual.

[MattB]

I financed one vehicle, and that was enough. As my father who never financed a car dad said, "If you can't afford to pay cash, you can't afford it."

Credit on real estate can work out due to tax incentives and appreciation, but credit on a depreciable asset is seldom a good idea for an individual.

This is exactly why I'm not going to be financing my next car. I'm a college student, which means I'm just establishing my credit. This would mean bad rates for me anyway, plus I don't want to be in debt. I figure there will be plenty of time for me to buy expensive cars when I can afford them, so I'll take what I can save from my summer jobs and use that as my budget.