I know nothing about I30s except the fact that they share the same engine as Maximas but I was looking into buying one because my car's getting old now and instead of buying another Maxima, maybe I'll upgrade to an I30. So I was wondering, if anyone can help me out with which is the best (most practical) manual tranny I30 to get? To be more specific, for example, with Maximas, the 97+, SE model (fully loaded) would be the best choice. Is there something like this with I30s? What's an I30t? How are the Generations divided (which years)? If anyone can help an I30 newbie out, then that'd be great. Thanks in advance.

 

there are no manual tranny for the newer body (A33) years 2000-2004.

 

yeah I figured since the G35 came out and all, but I don't think I'll be getting a new I35. I'm interested in the previous year ones.

 

IMO, a 96 I30t 5spd is the best. Only thing that I think gives it the edge are the wheels compared to the later VQ30 5spd I30's. But if you don't plan on keeping the stock wheels then I would get a 97-99 I30t 5spd. Better rear tailights and center counsel.

 

96 is best but u recommend a 97-99 i30t? I don't understand. Could give a little more details about each car? The rims, I'm planning to get aftermarket.

 

The newer the car, the less chances of finding a 5spd. 96 models had the most, then 97, and so on. I've never seen a 99 5spd. The 98-99 models had a different tail light treatment and had the newer center console like Mike said. The I30t is equivalent to the Maxima SE.

 

I too would say 96 is the best. Remember, we can get the JWT ECU, and with along with the VI (like Mike) you can be damn fast. Plus, I30t's come with the really light rims, which also look pretty nice. I agree about the taillights, but you can clear out your outer ones and it looks pretty much the same. I'm not sure, but are 96's lighter than the later models?

 

The 96 had the BBS forged wheels that weight 14lbs a piece. But if you plan on getting aftermarket rims that is a mute point. So I would go with a 97 or 98 and get the better looking tails and center counsel.

 

97-98 can get the ECU as well, they just have to use a 96 max or 96 I30 ECU. There might be a CEL, but the car will run just fine. I used a 98 auto max ECU while mine was being upgraded and had no problems.

 

I have never seen 97-99 5 speed, but they do exist. Try to get a 98-99 because nissan would have resolved that bad tranny bearing problem which has been in the 96-97 manual transmissions! if not, do a manual swap and have the tranny either rebuilt with the revised bearings or buy a new 98-99 for about $1600 from everythingnissan.com. It would be costly, but worth it!

 

Well, if i do get an i30, i'm not planning to do much expect minor bolt-ons and get subtle looking rims with a subtle drop. Nothing major but clean. I was curious about the tailight difference and ic that 96s have ambers while 99s have red/clears. Is it not swapable? And it is nearly impossible to find one with a manual tranny. There's none within 300 miles of where I live, according to autotrader.com. So my hopes have gone down a bit. I'm very set on getting a manual tranny, so I may not even get the i30. But hopefully one will turn out. Thanks for all the info provided. I'm going to keep looking around, I'll keep this thread updated. Thanks again.

 

Well, if i do get an i30, i'm not planning to do much expect minor bolt-ons and get subtle looking rims with a subtle drop. Nothing major but clean. I was curious about the tailight difference and ic that 96s have ambers while 99s have red/clears. Is it not swapable? And it is nearly impossible to find one with a manual tranny. There's none within 300 miles of where I live, according to autotrader.com. So my hopes have gone down a bit. I'm very set on getting a manual tranny, so I may not even get the i30. But hopefully one will turn out. Thanks for all the info provided. I'm going to keep looking around, I'll keep this thread updated. Thanks again.

 

I ended up with my I30 since it was a much better deal than any other maximas that I could find at the time, plus having an infiniti seemed like a little bit of a bonus. I'm very happy with my 96 I30, but I'd say that you you should definitely hold out for a manual tranny and just go for the maxima if there are no other options.

 

When looking at ads for I30's, many times when they don't list the tranny type it could be a 5spd. Most people looking at I30's want an auto so sellers sometimes won't include the tranny type in the ad if it's a 5spd. Just call and find out. That is how I found mine. I even got a better deal because it was a 5spd. The guy who I got it from had a hard time selling the car because when people found out it was a 5spd they were no longer interested.

 

You can get Cefiro red/white tails to overcome the amber issue. Tyant has a set for sale, or he did anyways. You can also swap out 98-99 rear treatment as well.

 

98 I30t has best wheels.

 

Few corrections here:

(7 I30t also had the BBS rims. The 96 and 97 were effectively the same car, for better or for worse./ The BBS rims are light and string, but as it was said, it is a moot point if you plan to upgrade. The 97 has the older (Maxima 95-96) style center console, so you will have to do like I did and upgrade if you want the "real' cupholders.

Also, the 97 is easy to have the tails cleared out on- check my homepage to see what 97 lights look like when cleared.

You asked about the "t" model, and i don't know if anyone answered you, btu the "t" is a lot like a maxima SE- it has better sport suspension, and it is a lot more likely to be loaded. Also, T 5MT models all have VLSD, which is nice.

My 97 t 5MT is exactly what I wanted. There are a few kinks to work out, but coming from the Max GLE, it was a nice upgrade.

 

yeah i remember ur thread when u first got ur i30. How u parted the parts and it felt like crap hahah that cracked me up. But congrats on the nice upgrade, tho. Hopefully I'll be in the same shoes.

 

the best i30 is the one that has a 3.5L engine gooo i35s!

 

No doubt the 3.5 is the winner, not only the motor but some nice interior/exterior differences.

Heck the same is true for the maxipads. The 3.5's are far more refined than the previous models. (02-05's) Not to mention they are the fastest in stock form, BY FAR.

 

well of course the i35s are a better choice but i can't afford it financially and I really want a manual transmission and I'm 99.9% sure that there is no such thing as a manual tranny that came with those cars. So I was thinking about the i30s instead. My other option is a 5th Gen Maxima. I'm thinking that the Maxima would be a better choice too over the i30. Just need to see what options are out there and what I can afford.

 

if you are really interested in an I30 im selling mine
7200$ 96 clean 5spd vlsd... pm me or e-mail for more info I30_DRIVER@netzero.com

im getting a good deal on the g35.
so if i sell it ill get that....

 

you know i found mine at the community college where people park their cars and leave a phone number. its a 96 i30 (base model) but with vlsd, looks to be the only option they got when they bought it. you can get some nice deals there, got mine with 96k, perfect condition for 5800.

 

Different people will have different criteria on what makes a great car. IMO, the lack of a 6spd in the 2K+ I30 is automatic disqualification for me. But most people would not mod an I30 so what do I know.

 

98 i30... Nice 5th gen **** me off cali-emissions versus the 99 model which I have. Updating styling featuring clear headlights, clear diamond-cut style taillights, no grandma-looking steering wheel, ambient temperature button for climate control, don't know what else. Try to find a t-model though....I think the backend looks naked without a spoiler.
My 2 cents.

 

Is the 98 I30 4-speed or 5-speed automatic ? So, if I keep O/D off, does it get stuck in 3rd gear if it's 4-speed ??

 

It is a 4-speed automatic with overdrive.

 

got my 96 5 spd I30 vlsd off ebay for 4500....of course I had to take a train to chicago (from va) to get it....and I dropped a used engine (with 50k miles) in it....so it was 5700 with 50 k miles and a new clutch!

 

still not a bad deal

 

I got mine, a 98 I30 with 96,178 miles, for $6500 .. just stock .. it was a traded car at Mercedes Benz showroom. I'm lucky!

Somehow I can't feel 190hp in it

 

Justin, nice deal I got my 5spd I30t for $4900, I flew from Chicago to Jacksonville to get it.

 

well to update this thread, i have decided not to get any new car. I'm just sticking with my current car because something big came up and I can't afford to spend any money at this moment. But i love the help that you guys gave me. The I30 forum is a lot more helpful than the 4th Gen. Not to say that 4th Gen forum sucks but I guess I can say that more people get involved in helping. Thanks again.

 

You are always welcome to hang out over here.

I have found that there are really 2 types of I30 owners (and guys, I mean NO disrespect in this!):

1, new members who bought (or were bought by financially stable parents) an I30 because the price has dropped and they are a good quasi-luxury car for the money. These guys are eager to learn, are willing to spend money to do things right, but really lack the maxima-based knowlege that many 4th gen Max owners often have/had. They are often in high school and this is their first or second car, so thya have a lot of basic questions, and often different tastes than some of the people in group 2, BUT they are generally pretty cool and are respectful of other members, so they are welcome in here.

2, OG guys, including a lot of former maxima owners (myself included) who came to the i30 for various reasons- options, to drive something different, wanted to upgrade, etc. Many of us have been in a maxima fo ra while and know at least the basics about the car and the mods for it. This makes it a good exchange of info for a lot of us. We cut out a lot of the BS that the 4th gen forum deals with, and most of us get along in here pretty well. I see 4th gen guys drift in here with various questions, and there are a fair number of guys in here who work to sort out the BS and get down to the answers.

THis is slower than the 4th gen forum, but I like it that way.

 

I am a proud "OG" (even though I upgraded from an Altima ...not a Max) lol

P.S. screw all you manual tranny guys!!!!! (I'm really jealous )

 

I am a proud "OG" (even though I upgraded from an Altima ...not a Max) lol

P.S. screw all you manual tranny guys!!!!! (I'm really jealous )