I totalled my 95 max and now want to move up to an I30. i am very familiar with the maxes, I assume the I30 is exactly the same. I am going to look at a few this weekend, I would appreciate it if I could get some pointers on what to look for, i mean stuff unique to the I30.
i went to the nissan/infinity dealer to look at a max and the salesman told me I30s never came with 5 speeds. Thats not true, right? one of the main reasons I want an I30 is because of the LSD. I just wondered if someone could confirm this.
Thanks so much!

IM selling my i30 with everything ive done to the car 19500 check my cardomain

I use to have a 96 Max GXE 5-speed (totalled and replaced by 02 Altima 2.5S 5speed), and just purchased a 2000 I30T so here is the deal. The I30T, all years, come with the VLSD standard, that's 96-00. Only the 96-99 I30's come with the 5-speed manual as an option. If you get a 00 or 01 I30 beware of the oxygen sensor problems (Max of the same years has same problem), so make sure you take it out for a spin during the test drive and try to push to make sure that they didn't clear the SES, because I'm sure that's what they did on mine because it came on the next day after a I purchased the car (184 parts and labor to repair, which I didn't mind since the car was marked over 4000 under the retail because the dealer advertised the car for the wrong price in the internet). Also, regarding the o2 sensor, there are two TSB at www.infiniti-techinfo.com regarding the 00-01 sensor. The T model has a harsher ride (you'll appreciate the suspension at high speeds) than the regular I30. The paint is going to suck if it is a 00-01. You will not find to much of a difference between the Max in the I30 if it's not the I30T, they are identical mechanically. You can find the 00-01 from around 15k to 23k with under 50k miles, the 99 and older should be had for no more than 13k. Also, there is 5 horsepower difference between the 00-01 Max and I30 (not that it matters since the I30 is much heavier), excluding the Max AE which is rated at 227hp. I haven't been unable to uncover any major mechanical troubles for the I30 in my reading of owner reviews and searches of this forum. Also, when looking to purchase the I30T I looked at the late 97 newer 5 series and the Audi A6 (just to keep an open mind)which both come in a 5-speed manual, but maintenance cost are just too much (less power also). Well, I hope this helps.

Try to find a 5-speed if you can. You may actually be able to get a better deal on a manual tranny since most people in the market for an I30 want an automatic.

I got an 96 i30 5sp forsale. It has 64k on the clock but its only the base version with no leather or sunroof. good condition

Wow, thanks for all thre replies. nissanman, that was a lot of info and I will put it to good use. Thanks so much.
I found an I30, i think it is a 97. It is at an insurance auction, so that is why I really dont have too much info. It is a 5 speed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I will be finding out much more tommorow, and it goes up tuesday. Problem is I need a licensed bidder to go with me, and I am having trouble finding one.
I do know that the car is a bank repo, i am hoping it has a little body damage so i can get it kinda cheap.
Again, thanks for all the replies, I truly appreciate all the info!

Well I found out more info on the car. It is a 99, black/black leather, 41k miles, a sctrach on the rear quarter that has a little rust on it. I work at a collision shop, so that is not at all a problem. It is going to auction sometime this week or next week. NADA says the car is worth between $13k and $14k. The most I could possibly spend is $9k, so I am praying that I might get lucky. From what I have heard, it is a nice car.

Sounds good. GOod luck dude.