Things aren't looking so good for Infinitli. Check out this article.

 

It's not looking any better for Nissan as a whole either: DailyMail- Nissan

I think many will agree that Infiniti, as a brand, is "dead" especially now with the shift to SUV/CUV only platforms.

They did it to themselves...

 

For a company that made the GTR and the Z and pioneered EV tech with the Leaf... it sucks watching them get mismanaged into oblivion. I gave up on Infiniti after the Q50 and Q60, when they ditched the 6MT, went bland on the sedan and overstylized the coupe.

22 years ago, the G breathed new life into Infiniti. But these days of crossovers and EVs and hybrids, I don't think there's time for any one model to save the brand. It's toast.

 

Well stated.

This article and my step dad's Twilight Blue G35 sedan sold me on Infiniti and red pilled JDM as it was something I missed out on growing up since I was so narrowly focused on domestic big blocks: https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews...g35-road-test/

I had grown up with RWD Chevy trucks and coupes (Impala/Chevelle), but after getting our of the military I blue pilled in college and started driving FWD cars for a few years. One drive in the in-laws 2003 G35 sedan was all it took as that car felt too good to be true as it was nimble (felt lighter than it was), fast and had room for 4 to ride in comfort with an excellent sounding stereo (when it worked, the early Bose issues were resolved in 2004). Near the end of 2004, I took the plunge and bought a late year refresh referred to as the "2004.5" (VIN of 800,000 or higher, unpublished ECU changes which delivered more HP and torque on the dyno compared to the early 2004). Ended up with a Twilight Blue sport model (basically a G35 with a 350Z suspension and better wheels/tires) one as well since the dealer had stock. Those were the "olden days" when dealers sold cars under invoice and the price was also too good to be true. Kept it for 9 years and almost 100K miles, even relocated from CA to TX and back (averaging 30mpg on the highway!).

When the G37 was introduced, it was all the rage on the G35 forums and auto rag writers touted it as the BMW killer: https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews...ake-road-test/

Wait, someone made the G35 better? Faster, more luxurious, handle better and even upgraded the unreliable Bose stereo? Because my G35 was still like new due to my inherited automotive OCD, I resisted for a few years convincing myself new models always have bugs (they did). In late 2013, I took the plunge as I wanted a end of model year G and wasn't thrilled by the utilitarian look of the Q and how auto rags trashed the new "keep up with the Germans" formula; reading posts about electronic steering failing on the highway was also terrifying.

G37 Sport models were few and far between in CA, so I settled on a Liquid Platinum model that the dealer near me had in stock to avoid having to drive to northern LA to get the color I wanted (Malbec Black). Actually I'm glad now that I ended up with a timeless color like silver as my nostalgic attachment for chrome looks amazing on silver, but would look dated on Black.

So shifting back to the depressing topic at hand, to spend 20 years with a brand that brought the Z to the US (as Datsun) and created 13 generations of the iconic Skyline, then to watch it literally disintegrate at the hands at **** poor management is humbling and why I have avoided this thread up until now.

Here's what it looked like before lowering on Z springs. Look 10x better lowered, but I cannot seem to find any pics as I lowered, then 6 months later traded it in.

 

The first time I became interested in the brand was in 1991 when I was 27. A coworker had just leased a new Nissan Maxima SE 5MT. ("I need a ride to the shareholders meeting"). Driving that car inspired me to dig Nissan. Shortly thereafter I bought a brand new 1992 Nissan 240SX Coupe 5MT.

In 1999 another friend had bought an Audi S6, which rather blew me away. And yet another friend picked me up one day in his Toyota Avalon, which wasn't quite the same class as the Audi, while still being a luxurious mid-sized sedan. And I got to thinking how nice it would be to have a mature looking, mature driving sedan, but still with some fun and a manual transmission. So that year I leased the Nissan Maxima SE 5MT. Four years later, I bought a new 2003 Maxima SE 6MT.

In 2004 I went on a business trip with a coworker, and we took her car, which was a brand new G35x Sedan. She actually wanted me to drive, so heck yeah. It had the same powertrain as my Maxima, but was AWD and automatic. The car was just tighter than my Maxima, and felt more upscale and fun to toss around. That impression stuck with me until 2012 when it was time to move on. The G37S Sedan 6MT was the logical choice.

Now I'm old, and in a few years will be getting rid of the G for something an old man would drive. Something cushy.

 

Add me to the list of people that are disappointed in the slow, steady decline of Nissan/Infiniti. When it came time to purchase vehicles, I consistently found them to be better to drive, and much more comfortable for me than Toyota/Lexus and Honda/Acura. While at the same time there were either significantly more appealing to me, reliable, and/or easier to work on than anything American or German. Audi service position anyone?

I've owned a late 80s Hardbody, a 2010 Frontier, and currently have a 2012 Pathfinder (last year of being an actual body on frame truck) and my 2012 G37S.

10 years ago a friend had a G35 with 140k miles, and I was shocked at how solid it still was, and how quick it was. That put the idea of a G in to my mind, and few years later when it was time for another car I test drove several sedans, but nothing checked all the boxes like the G.

I am very tempted by the idea of buying one of the last new Titans. The truck world is grim, with Ford doing all sorts of stupid things, Chevy having bad lifters, bad transmissions, and AFM issues, not trusting anything Stellantis, and Toyota replacing 100k Tundra/Sequoia engines. I don't get why the Titan never sold better, it seems like the truck everyone says they want, but in-reality, they just keep buying whatever domestic brand they've always bought, not matter what kind of garbage they are making.

I don't know what the solutions are to Nissan/Infiniti, but here's hoping they figure it out....

 

You know I'm a sucker for a good story John. Why did I not know you owned an S13? In 2013, I really labored over the 7AT vs 6MT decision. I decided on the 7AT because I was still driving customers around in my car and the wife was opposed to a manual; seemed practical. In retrospect, I wish I'd purchased the 6MT because now I could build a FI engine and enjoy it for another 4-5 years. Hell, 10 years ago we we were all different people right? My biggest fear now is buying a car that is aligned with my demographic. For example, I was behind a new Toyota Crown today actually admiring it, then hit a firmware reset and return to visions of 71 Stingrays and lowered mini trucks.

 

The analysts rag on the Frontier for being the same basic platform for over a decade, but anymore, I wonder if that's a bad thing per several of the examples you pointed out above. My mechanic told me that the new jeeps have came issues because the hardening material on the lobes is too thin and the cams wipe out every 30K miles! Chrysler parts are now on par with Merc and Bimmer WRT to cost, so 4K job to replace them.

Between us, what happened to Mitsubishi? Do we need to put them in the same "Dead Man Walking" category as Nissan/Infiniti? Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution is another sport sub compact legend.

 

Interesting you lower mileage 2020+ Red Sports are now in the low 30s.

https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-...icle/724739351

This was a ~60k car new. I thought this would have been a salvage title when I first saw it, but its just a trade in at a Toyota dealer in VA.

Surely alot of car for 30K, but of course servicing long term may be an issue if Infiniti and Nissan go under.

Maybe the Red Sport is the AMC Javelin of our time?
https://www.hotrod.com/features/amc-javelin/

 

I don't get the whole obsession of the auto media about older platforms, and I think this does the vast majority of consumers a disservice. Reliability, performance, and comfort/fit are all vastly more important that what year the platform was engineered. Independently wealthy or just buying a toy? Sure, look for the latest in greatest if that's your thing. Otherwise, find something that's proven, IMO. Also, when flaws inevitably are found, the older platform is much more likely to have a known fix. See the 3.7 VHR heater hose coupler for a perfect example.

Also, Evos are rad. If I had a bunch of money laying around, I'd totally have one in my collection.

 

If my G were totaled tomorrow, a Red Sport would definitely be on my short list. I'd also have to drive a BMW 3 Series and Genesis G70 before deciding, tho I by default have much more trust in the longevity of the Q50 in comparison.

My love of RWD sport sedans seems to mean I am now a dinosaur in my early 40s. Very few people seem to care about this segment anymore.

 

M340i is an intoxicating car, but as someone that keeps cars for close to 10 years and treats them as a family member, it's just not a fit for me. I have many friends that have owned bimmers and they all tell me to run away and not own one that is out of warranty. Just not there yet with Korean makes, albeit I have friends with these cars that love them. Similar to the mental block I had in the 70s-80s with regards to JDM. I was building cars that could tear asphalt from the ground while folks were raving about 200hp Japanese sports cars. As a fellow RWD lover (not FWD with an extra diff), I probably need to lower my snobness filter and drive the G70 as there are slim pickings for non German sport sedans these days and it's a nice looking car, but you have to admit that it looks like a hybrid of 3 different cars from other makes.

For the Q-RS, beyond the obvious problems with the turbos, the use of electronic steering, direct injection and an open diff rear just **** me off, not to mention that tacky CF OEM spoiler; but I know I'm being petty. With that said, that car defines a wolf in sheep's clothing and will put a smile on your face every time the TT kicks in.

Podcasting skills aside, Hussain from Goracebox is an expert on getting massive amounts of usable power from the VR30 platform and does a good job of explaining shortcomings and workarounds in his videos (there are a few):

 

That is a understatement. To a extent, probably true. However, if you find that one car that has been taken care of and not abused (as many of them are abused and ignored) then you can have a rewarding whip. I wouldn't trade my E89 Zed/4 for anything at this point (unless BMW brings back RHT's which is why I didn't go G30 Zed/4). Except, maybe a F83- but finding a Sakhir Orange in decent shape is rarer than a unicorns fart.

Thats how I feel with the Zed. The TT with the DCT... Whew...

My G will be with me until my last days. Should something happen to it I really have no clue what I'd replace it with (short of getting another). Coupe's are a dying breed so I'm screwed either way.

 

Seems that the JDM crowd doesn't want the smaller coupes to die with alot of excitement around the GR86, BRZ and now the MR2: https://www.carscoops.com/2024/09/ne...00-hp-and-awd/

I wish that I enjoyed smaller cars as it seems there are some decent options.

 

LOL, while I agree with the sentiments in this quote, I didn't write this....Somehow someone else's post ended up inserted into mine.