LMaRiE91MaXiMa

Hey guys...currently, I own a 91 Maxima SE but am in the market for a newer Max, preferrably a 99.
Anyhoo - upon my hunt for this particular car, I came across a 99 Infiniti I30 - and me, not being very knowlegdgeable about cars in general had never even realized that there was such a car out there, so similar to my beloved Maxima...This particular dealership I'm looking into has both for sale, both 99's and both are asking $8995.00 - EXCEPT the Inifiniti boasts a leather interior...(the max did not say, which leaves me to assume it has a cloth interior, and neither posted the mileage).

So, would it be too much to ask for one of you guys (or girls) to do a little compare/contrast as to which would be the better buy, or if they are even comparible! (As far as reliability,looks, engines, etc)

Thanks!!!

StL I30

iTrader: (6)

An I30 is a Maxima. I30 is more luxurious.

Gates

iTrader: (2)

I bought my I30 because it was actually a little cheaper than a comparative Maxima and because of the Infiniti warranty. The I30 is basically a Maxima GLE with a few minor differences like rear headrests. I also prefer the I30 styling to the Maxima. I think the decision for you should come down to which design you prefer and of course the mileage on the cars. Internally, they are EXACTLY the same. Reliability and engine are going to be the same. Mods are going to be the same except for the body kits and headlights because of the slight body differences.

99i30LIMITED

Same car under the hood. A little different look, all depends which you llike more. Most of upgrades you can do to a maxima you can do to a i30. Personally, i was faced with the same question and i bought a i30. Know i'm on my second i30. I had a 99 i30 limted and know i have a 2000. I would say buy Infiniti you will be a different person (JUST JOKING!!!)

i30ds

iTrader: (8)

The 2 are almost the same. Engine, suspension, drivetrain (except I30 could come with an limited slip), are all the same. The major differences are in the exterior styling, which is much much better on the I30.

Interior wise the 2 are almost the same. The I30 has fuzzy a, b, and c pillars, adjustable front head rests, leather wrapped e brake, rear head rests, chrome interior door handles, one piece rear floor mat, and electronic fuel filler panel release... The Maxima does not have any of that.

dontouchmymoney

i30's have better leather than maximas (from what i've heard), and the dash is a little different. if the 99 you found is a limited it also has a "wood" steering wheel, different shifter and cd changer under the pass. seat. also dealer service (in my experience) is sooo much better than nissan.

queenambeach

iTrader: (3)

Now in choosing which car to buy, you have to see which is the better car. Yes, the I30 is an upgrade to the Maxima, but in your case you don't know how the previous owner kept the I30 or the Maxima. If both cars seem reasonably good, then I'd get the I30. The service at Infiniti is waaaaaaaaaaay better than Nissan, also your I30 would have a slighty higher resale value than the Max!

Double E

Ditto on the better Infiniti Service. There are a few things you'll immediately notice different about the I over the Max, mostly concerning ammenities, options not available on the Max and some styling differences. (Personally I have not liked the back end of the Maximas since the body style change from your '91 model.)

Both should get up & go nicely for driving, however if the I is a "t" version, the suspension should be a little sportier and will handle a tick better.

LMaRiE91MaXiMa

Yes, the one im looking at is an I30t, and after looking at it again, I realized it is a 98 and not a 99 as originally thought...I have as of yet to actually go and see either the 99 max or the 98 i30t in person, since i work all week 9-5...so looks like saturday is the day.
Thanks for the info guys...one major thing that got bought up from a friend of mine was that the Infinitis are much more expensive in repairs...but i wonder why is that if the engines are basically the same?
Could they even take maxima parts? Whats the deal with that...

StL I30

iTrader: (6)

Sounds like your friend might be dealing with a stealorship. It shouldn't cost more for repairs. If it does, take it to Nissan and let them fix it, if they are cheaper.

dontouchmymoney

the dealer's asking price for service is high, but (in my experience) the guys at infiniti are cool and usually knock the labor prices down to a reasonable level (usually cut them in half). i've actually had my service guy slip in a repair i needed as a warranty claim when i'm out of any warranties. just get to know the service guys and it won't be too expensive. also, go for the '98 i30, b/c we all know the problem with '99s..........COILS!!!

Double E

I have used both Nissan & infiniti parts as needed. (Nissan sunroof repair kit & oil sending unit) I did the work so labor was no issue. I had Infiniti do brakes recently and brought them the parts I bought from TireRack (recommended) to put on. I'm a repeat customer and they had no issues putting everything on.

Plus...and you just can't beat this....FREE LOANER CAR FOR THE DAY!!!! Yes...drive a new (at the time) I35 (just put gas back in it).

(I believe Nissan will laugh at you for the mention of the idea of a free loaner.)

PerfectVQ I30

maxima = made in america
i30 = made in japan

i30ds

iTrader: (8)

Nissan gives out sentras... At least the one in my town.

i30ds

iTrader: (8)

Please dont spread misinformation.

Maxima= Japan
I30= Japan

The 6th gen Max is the 1st to be built in the US.

Tatanko

iTrader: (34)

Following up on what i30ds said...

Why would Nissan bother to build practically identical cars for the same market in two completely different places? Wouldn't that be against economics?

MaximaZero

Re-read the post by I30ds. What VQperfect I30 said is completely false. All US Maximas as well as I30s have been built in japan up until 04 when the Maxima changed body styles.

As far as service goes, some Nissan dealerships will do maintainance on I30s, but don't expect the same service you would get from an Infiniti dealership.

Tatanko

iTrader: (34)

Umm...I didn't say anything that contradicted that?

Gates

iTrader: (2)

ALL parts are the same for the cars except exterior parts like bumpers and such. All the mechanical parts are going to be the same. Maxima brakes, engine parts, suspension, etc. can all be used in the I30s. Repairs will only be more expensive if you go to an Infiniti dealer. Like many have said, Infiniti also provides world-class customer service when compared to Nissan. Courteous and helpful service departments and G35 loaners are very common. OTOH, you can save a crap load of $ by finding a good import mechanic and buying parts online designed for Maximas.

You might want to check with your insurance company and get quotes for both cars though. Some companies might charge more to insure a "luxury" car like the Inifniti. I had heard of this but never got around to doing an actual comparison because I was already sold on getting an I30.

I'm definately a little biased, but I would get the I30. I was in your shoes 4 years ago and went with the Infiniti and would definately make the same decision again today. Also, don't worry too much about 98 vs 99. They are pretty much the same. Coil packs are a common problem on 99s for some reason.

gakary54

When I switched my insurance from my 95 Max to the I30t, it went down a dollar. If they are both in the same shape, I would go for the Infiniti. The styling, inside and out, is nicer. And the t's come with the limited-slip diff. Mechanically they are both the same, so reliability is not a question.

LMaRiE91MaXiMa

Just wanted to thank all of you guys (and girls...if any) for all your responses!!!! I STILL havent gotten down to seein the cars yet...gotta wait til saturday when i have the day off

But yea...thanks so much everyone - all of your responses have been extremely useful and I think if all works out and theyre both in the same condition - I just might go for the Infiniti i30t...

Thanks AGAIN everyone!!! I love this site!!!!!!!

HomerMAC

iTrader: (5)

if lookign for manual.. i30t with limited slip..

DrKlop

iTrader: (3)

I30 is heavier but has the same hp

yorumyaz

I NEED YOUR ADVICE GUYS:
I have a Maxima 2000 QX GE V6, a european model. But they look quite similar to I30s. I need to purchase 'Brake Pads' with numbers below:
Front: D1060-3L190
Rear: 44060-7E690

I couldn't find them in any U.S. parts shop I know of.

Do you think an I30 Brake pad set would fit in ?

I appreciate your help,

Thanks

i30ds

iTrader: (8)

Depending on trim and tranny, only 80-118 lbs. heavier...

i30ds

iTrader: (8)

You live here in the US with a Euro car? The brake pads from either a 2000 Maxima or I30 should fit.

95gxe

I just got an 2002 I35 after owning a '95 maxima. Basically the cars are the same when you look at the same year for each. But the Infinitis have much better service and a free loaner if necessary when you schedule your appointments ahead of time. The basic warranty is also longer. If you can spare a little extra for a later model Infiniti it's definitely worth it. If you have the time to search you can ususally come up with a good deal.

dr-rjp

iTrader: (4)

My advice is NOT to spend more than $8000 for either of them, even if they have less than 60k in mileage. Although my 1998 I30 had 117k on it when I bought it, it looked better and drove better than every other car I tried in my target age range (1997-2000) -- even better than a 1999 Maxima GLE with 58k on it!

I bought my 1998 I30 (in Florida, mind you) for $5,495 at the local Infiniti dealer! I've had it in for routine service twice and each time I got to drive a G35 as a loaner.

Food for thought...

95gxe

I also forgot to mention that the materials used on the Infinitis are much better/higher quality. Example = higher quality leather seating.

i30ds

iTrader: (8)

I dont think this is true. The part numbers for the leather seating are the same between the two.

dontouchmymoney

I'm pretty sure that's not possible since in my car the word infiniti, along with the logo, is embossed in the upper half of the seat.

i30ds

iTrader: (8)

There is no logo on the 96-97s...

96i30azn

i Read some online sources say that the 95-99 maxima does 0-60 in the low sevens where the i30 does it in 7.8s. The Maxima SE also has 17 inch wheels

seeker51

when I was looking and using Edmunds I found Maxima to be more expensive used 98 then an I30. Go figure but i checked it twice to be sure i wasnt dreaming.

95gxe

No you're right. I was surprised to learn that too when I was looking. If you look at an I30/35 and a Maxima of the same year and mileage it's not uncommon for the Max to be more expensive. I'm not sure why the Infinitis lose their value so. But it's good for us that're looking to get one.

95gxe

The part numbers may be the same. But if you sit in one you'll be able to tell the difference. The Infiniti grain is a softer and has a better feel to it.

gakary54

I remember Car And Driver tested a stick 95 SE and got a 0-60 time of 6.6 seconds and a 96 I30t auto and got 7.7. The SE didn't get 17" wheels untill the 5th Gen.

iRaMarine

I used to have a 98 SE. It came with 17" wheels.

gakary54

They did'nt come from the factory. Factory wheels were 16", 5-spoke wheels for the 97-99 SE. For the 95-96, it was the 15" sawblades.

falconey

iTrader: (2)

They are more than likely factoring in service/maintenance cost.