I am a 00 Max owner and have a quick question for you Infiniti guys. My dad is thinking of buying a new I35. I am worried that they are going to re-design the I series. Are there any plans to do this? Infiniti/Nissan has basically changed every model except for the I35 and I don't want my old man to be stuck with a new car that all of a sudden is an old model. He told me that the dealer said it is a new model and that they aren't going to be changing it for four years.? Any input would be appreciated. Thanks guys!

 

they will be changing it for 2005 i think it will be like the m35 or something i heard at the auto show in ny

they didnt even have the i35 there this year

 

yep lennys right i went with him and thats what they told me. on a side note i filed a complaint against kings infiniti with a rep from infiniti NA.

 

the new M concepts look sweet! ya and i doubt they'll bring back the i35... i think it'll be discontinued.. thats just my 2 cents

 

So, the I35 definitely will be changing in 05?

 

The I will be changing to the new re-designed M35/45. It will either have the 3.5 VQ or the 4.5 V8. Its RWD too! Too bad its so expensive... and I think they need to work on the rear-end a bit.

 

true that and yes 05 for sure

 

The I35 is no more in 2005. They are discontinuing the model line. It is being replaced by the M. So you can look @ it 2 different ways: 1) the I35 is being discontinued ...not really remodeled. So, in essence the body style will still be the "latest" (plus your dad will save buku $$$ on the "I" model.) or 2) he can wait for the M, spend 20K more and get an (admittedly) kick *** car. The choice is his

 

Thanks to all for the info--Greatly appreciated!!!

 

Thanks to all for the info--Greatly appreciated!!!

 

I think the headlamps of the M-concept has a bit of the I35's headlamps taste in it. well.. I want one.. thats the conclusion. haha

 

The M is nothing like the I35...I would not call the M a re-designed I35 by any means. That would be like calling the G35 a re-designed G20

 

bottom line...the M is gonna be a baaaaaad a*s car.....i know i'm saving my nickels!!!!

 

about how much will the m45 weigh?

 

if it'll be like the M that would be nice. Any word on awd or rwd?

 

I don't know if the I is doomed quite yet. Infiniti looks like it is on the track of destroying Lexus. They have a model in each seqment to fight Lexus: G35-IS300, I35-ES330, M45-GS300/430, Q45-LS430. If they abandon the I, they will have no front wheel drive V6 competitor against Lexus, and even though rear wheel drive is better for sport applications, some people still want a front wheel drive (for weather) more luxury than sport oriented V6 sedan. They would be crazy to give it up, Lexus and Acura would control that entire market segment! My guess is we will see a more posh 2004 body style Maxima to appear in 2006 as a new I35, but I could be wrong. Car companies have abandoned entire markets before.

 

Here's the staight scoop - got it from an Infiniti e-mailing myself:

http://www.infiniti.com/mconcept

There will be no I35 in 2005. The M45 will be made in both rear-wheel and AWD version V6 (M35) and RWD only V8 (M45). This pushes the entry price up around $40,000US even for the "low-end" rear-wheel drive M35 - and up to $50K (or higher - you can actually push an M45 Sport over $55,000) for an M45. You can already roll-you-own from the link above. The RWD models will also have a "sport" version.

Sure - the link says m "concept" - but - since the 2005 Q45 is set to roll in June, you can pretty much bet that it's not just a concept! (especially since they let you build your own M35 & M45 to spec online...)

 

So, for the first time, the Nissan Maxima in New Zealand and Australia will be unique to anything in the USA. I had assumed that the I35 would be replaced by the new Maxima design (which you can see here, www.newmaxima.co.nz) we have, as had been the trend previously but I guess not.

 

Interesting, indeed! It looks very much like what we expect the '05 US Maxima is suppsed to look but with an Infiniti-like grill. (??)

 

It's a bit different to the US Maxima. One of these is in the engine from what I read, the US models use a refined engine from the Altima, whereas the NZ and Aus model uses a de-tuned 350Z engine.

 

Well, actually - at least here in the states they are all one version or another of the VQ35. The Altima 3.5 got that engine after it was already in the I35. Not certain of the Altima 3.5's HP (or even a Maxima's), but an I35 is 255hp, a G35 is 260, G35 coupe is 280 and a Z350 is 287. Futz around with the blowers and the exhaust and you can get all sorts of variations from the same basic engine. No difference in the actual main engine core, though.

 

Imagine if infiniti decides to tackle the benz AMGs hahah picture a M56 or Q56... they already mass produce that 5.6 engine.. theres always a chance for a high displacement luxery car

 

that just put a huge smile on my face

 

That looks awfully similar to Teana (most likely the same car) that Nissan started to sell recently in Japan in place of discontinued Cefiro.

http://www.nissan.co.jp/TEANA/J31/0310/EXTER/main1.html

 

Yep, it is the Teana. The New Zealand/Australian Maxima was previously based on the Cefiro, so it makes sense the new Maxima is based on the Cefiro's successor

 

I really wouldn't be all that suprised if they do make a Q56 in the next year or so. Right now, they're already making a QX56... It's one big-**** truck - have you seen one?

 

haha yup thats one huge b*tch! cant miss it

 

Actually since Infiniti is making short work of Lexus, they appear to be heading down that path. In the past, Nissan's primier sports car was the Skyline GTR, which was redisigned in 2003 and arrived in the US as the G35 sedan and coupe (hence the great reviews of the G35). However, there was no GTR... over here or in Japan. Nissan plans to make a new GTR with out the Skyline name attached, and it will be the pinnacle of Nissan sportiness. Supposedly it is supposed to have the 5.6 litre engine and produce more than 400 hp to the rear wheels. A Corvette crusher! Best news is it is supposed to be in left hand drive as well, which means it will probably appear as an Infiniti model!! It is due out in 2006 or 2007.

 

It'll be interesting to see if they do strip the Skyline name from the new GTR in countries that the Skyline has be been in for a long time (such as New Zealand and Australia). We're still awaiting the new V35 Skyline (Infiniti G35) down under, although I imagine it should be soonish

Edit: A preview of the new GTR, http://www.nissan.com.au/insideNissan/concepts_GT-R.asp

 

ahh you dont have g35s down there? ahhhh you people are missing out on great cars! blehh i cant wait to give up my i35 and get myself a nice g35coupe yummmm

 

Not yet, but we have the precessors to it in large quantities, heh.

 

Wow! No more I35.