I am in the market for an 01' I30. What are the most common things to look for on these cars when buying a used one?

-Any common rust problem areas?
-Typical engine/tranny issues?
-Typical suspension problems?

I know these are generally reliable cars, but if there is anything in particular to look at on buying a used one I appreciate the input.

 

The rust is going to depend largely on where you live. But I have read that where the grill and the hood meet can be an area to look at. The only common engine problems you will come across and I am sure most people will agree is with the O2 (oxygen sensors). But they are not too expensive and can replaced yourself with minimal mechanical knowledge. I'm sure someone else can chime in but I have owned my 2k1 i30 for about 2 years and the only thing that has come up is the o2 sensor.

 

IM REPLACEING A 02 SENSOR NOW - AT 166K ON THE CAR.... OTHER THEN THAT NO PROBS - ENGINE USALLY NOT REAL LOUD - I HAVE A 2000 I30 LOVE IT MAN - HOW MUCH IS THE ONE YOU ARE LOOKIN AT ? AND IS IT A I30 OR A I30T (TOURING MODEL HAS EXCELLENT HANDLING)

 

There are (2) I30T cars I will be test driving next week. I am pretty particular and since these had somewhat low production numbers it may take a while to find the right one.

 

I've had my '01 I30 for about 14 months now and the only non-maintenance repair I've done was a driver's side seat motor. They tend to fail on these cars and are expensive (I paid $400 at the dealer) to replace. Make sure it works on the car you're looking at.

 

i dont know of anything specific but the normal stuff, maitenance records etc, what works and doesnt, rust

 

make sure all electrical parts are working, check wiring harness(coils) m.a.f and drive the vehicle for more then 20min. just in case problems suddenly show up.

 

Once you pick one up perform the VIAS cup/jbweld fix, it's very likely any one you get needs it, see 5th gen forum for more details

 

2k 130 bought with 88K and owned for about 2.6 yrs
Currently at 136K and the following have been replaced

Regular maint. oil,plugs pcv etc.
MAF (OEM new and ECU was reflased)
Shocks (New KYB GR'2 and they "suck")
Both sides Front sway bar link ( OEM new)
Left side control arm (used Maxima)
Waterpump (Started leaking 12-06, replaced OEM new)
Currently has has a code for the cat. converter to be replaced but the ECU needs to be reflashed according to an Infiniti TSB I saw. (Will be done as soon as time permits)

Driver side axle (Aftermarket and currently needs replacement AGAIN)

Overall impression of this car I LOVE IT and so does everyone thats ever driven in it.


Best of luck

 

WHY ARE YOU YELLING????


:stfu:

 

I couldn't find anything on it...could you point me to the thread? Maybe I'm just not looking in the right place.

 

Look at the oil pan underneath the car.

 

i just got my i30 less than 2 months ago and i think MAF is out ( engine wont rev over 4k and dusn pull dat good and kinda waste gas now) anyway u guys think thats the problam?

 

be sure to test drive. make sure you do not hear any excess road noise. I had a problem with one of the i 30 i owned hearing outside noise. never could get it diagnosted before it was wrecked.

 

Wind noise from the rear doors is common. There's a TSB on it.

 

Tanny's are weak in this car, look for excessive slipping while test driving. If so, get something done, goto a tranny shop, have them increase the line pressure for less slipage. My rebuild plus minor tweaks cost me a little over 3 grand (CDN).

VIAS how-to: http://http://www.cardomain.com/ride/763858/5

 

Transmissions are not an issue on this car. I have yet to see horror stories about A33 I30 automatic transmissions on any forum I've been to, nowhere have I read anything about it, nor have any of the Infiniti techs I've talked to said anything about transmissions being weak. Do the routine maintenance and it should be fine.

 

get an 02 instead

 

Why an I30? Go for the I35 if you can.

 

I actually did end up getting an 02' I35. I will try to post some pictures soon.

I was mostly drawn to the I30 over the I35 for gas mileage. All of the review sites put the I30 at 20/28 and the I35 at 20/26, but of course HP is up in the 3.5. Then I read a bunch of user reviews and mileage sounded the same or better in the I35.

When I looked at local I30 cars I noticed rust in the rear wheel well on most. The two I35s I looked at were mostly rust free.

 

will be a sweet car

 

Right on...I would have gone with an I35 if I would have thought about it.