2003 Infiniti I35: The Oppositelock Review

Kinja'd!!! "404usernotfound" (404usernotfound)
03/22/2014 at 19:58 • Filed to: Oppositelock Review, Infiniti I35

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The Infiniti I35 was advertised as a luxury performance sedan back when it was new in the early 2000's. When it came out it was the most powerful car in its class, which included the Acura TL and the Lexus ES. It comes with a 3.5 liter V6 with a strong 255 hp and 246 lb-ft, which is still respectable today. What isn't good are the front wheel drive and the 4 speed slushbox.

(Full Disclosure: Infiniti wanted me to drive this car so badly that they sold it to a guy who drove it for 70,000 miles and sold it to a dealer who listed it on eBay, so my dad could buy it and drive it for another 65,000 miles and then give it to me.)

Exterior: 7/10

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This Infiniti is built on the same platform as the fifth generation Nissan Maxima, but in my opinion is a much more handsome car. This is not a car you stop to stare at in a parking lot, but it has a certain beauty to it. The headlights and the creases on the hood give it an aggressive look, especially if you look at it straight on. The sports version of this car came with a spoiler and 8 spoke rims, but I actually prefer it this way with no spoiler and the 6 spoke wheels. It is a good looking car that hasn't lost anything with age.

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Interior: 5/10

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This car shares a lot of its interior with the Maxima, but improves upon it in the important bits. The dash is simple and easy to use, but commits the sin of using fake wood panels on the center column and the doors. The gauges are nice and easy to read even in direct sunlight. The front seats are comfortable, but seem to be built for a much wider man than me. The bolsters, for me at least, don't hold you in well during spirited driving. The classic Infiniti analog clock makes an appearance, but the lights for it burnt out years ago, so if it's dark, just check your watch. The materials used are the typical plastics,but with touches of soft leather on the doors and a soft touch dash. The backseat is big enough for two normal sized adults or two teenage boys and their younger sister. There is tons of leg room in the backseat of this car. I'm 5'10 and I can sit behind myself comfortably, and even with the front seats all the way back there is more space than most compact sedans. This car has the Cold weather package meaning all the seats and the steering wheel are heated, and once you go heated steering wheel you never go back. There is also a Sunroof and a power rear sunshade that both see good use.

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Acceleration: 5/10

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Even after almost 140,000 miles the engine is still running strong. It makes 250 hp and 246 lb-ft and is not slow, achieving a mid 7 second 0-60 time. Most of the power in this engine is above 4 grand and if you get caught under that (which happens often), not much happens. It has good passing power on the highway, but it takes some time for the transmission to downshift.

Braking: 6/10

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The brakes stop the car pretty well. There is decent pedal feel and it is easy to modulate.

Ride: 6/10

This Isn't a Bentley or Mercedes, and it isn't even quite as good as my dad's Genesis sedan, but it is still pretty comfortable. You aren't completely isolated from the road in this car; you do feel most of the small bumps and imperfections, but not in a harsh way. It's nice on everything but the roughest roads. On the highway, the ride is pretty smooth and big bumps are controlled nicely. You could do a few hundred miles at a time in this car easily.

Handling: 6/10

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Despite what Infiniti claim, this isn't sporty car, but it's not bad. On turn in you get a lot of body roll, but after that (if I haven't slid off the seat yet) it does grip relatively well. If you push it too hard into a corner you do get understeer, as expected in a front drive car. What you don't get much of in this car is torque steer. Accelerating hard from a stop shows no sign of pulling to one side, but if you do get some pull on the wheel if you accelerate to soon out of a corner. There is no stability control in this car to dampen the fun and you can turn off traction control with the press of a button. The steering is solid with a decent amount feel. This car is not a car that inspires you to drive it quickly, but it won't stop you if you try.

Gearbox: 4/10

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The four speed automatic in this car is smooth and seamless if you are driving slowly or just cruising on the highway, but for anything else it needs another gear or two. There are many situations where I have put my foot to the floor, and nothing happens because there just isn't a gear to downshift to. On the highway it isn't as much of a problem, but around town at around 35-45, it seriously needs another gear. The long gears do mean at 60 it's only at running at about 2100rpm, helping get about 25 MPG combined.

Audio: 7/10

It isn't the quietest car on the highway with a fair amount of wind and road noise making its way in, but the 6.1 speaker Bose stereo in this car is pretty great. It gets loud and has plenty of low end thanks to the sub. I mostly listen to my Zune through a cassette adapter and it handles that pretty well.

Toys: 4/10

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This car isn't a technological marvel, bit it has some fun stuff. It has HID headlights, keyless entry, automatic climate control, cruise control, a trip computer, a heated steering wheel, heated seats front and back, a sunroof, and finally a power rear sunshade. I'm happy that this car doesn't have the optional navigation system, because Google Maps is just so good, and old nav systems are just so bad.

Value: 8/10

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My dad got this car on eBay a few years back with around 70,000 on it for about ten grand. We have almost doubled the mileage and have only needed a few minor repairs.

I really do like this car a lot, and it has served me and my family well. It is a great alternative to your average Camry and Accord.

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58/100

Engine: 3.5 liter V6

Power: 255 HP @ 5,800 RPM/ 246 lb- ft @ 4,400 RPM

Transmission: Four speed electronically controlled automatic.

0-60 Time: ~7.5 seconds

Top Speed: 127 mph

Drivetrain: Front Wheel Drive

Curb Weight: 3380 lb

Seating: 5 people

MPG: 20 City/26 Highway/ 24 -25 combined

MSRP: ~ $30,000


DISCUSSION (11)


Kinja'd!!! signintokinjalol > 404usernotfound
03/22/2014 at 20:03

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I had a 2001 I30 as my first car. Perfect first car, four doors, easy to drive, etc. Though it wasn't handsome, this car is very girly, looks wise. There's about five manual cars in America, most likely 1 now. The rust under the radiator was getting pretty bad at 110K miles, i traded it in for a Scion FRS. You can pick one up for under $5K in a nice condition, these things are a good steal...


Kinja'd!!! Dsscats > 404usernotfound
03/22/2014 at 20:25

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I'm going to be 100% honest: I almost bought one before I found out it was FWD. That would have just always nagged at me


Kinja'd!!! PS9 > 404usernotfound
03/22/2014 at 21:48

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3D movies, 3DTVs, and now 3D transmissions??? This shit is getting out of hand!


Kinja'd!!! thebigbossyboss > 404usernotfound
03/23/2014 at 13:56

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Good review. Personally I have never understood the use of wood in cars. I never mistake a car for a forest when I am in one. haha. Maybe for my next car I should get one like this... My fiance would probably love it a lot more than my rice rocketed extremely loud 2003 cavalier.


Kinja'd!!! John Norris (AngryDrifter) > 404usernotfound
03/23/2014 at 14:46

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Don't have time to read it, but when I get back I will, I promise.


Kinja'd!!! The Compromiser > PS9
03/23/2014 at 15:54

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Wow. It's like I'm rright in the room with the shifter...


Kinja'd!!! Sn210 > 404usernotfound
03/23/2014 at 19:20

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Looks nice and clean for 135k!


Kinja'd!!! John Norris (AngryDrifter) > John Norris (AngryDrifter)
03/23/2014 at 20:32

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Okay. Nice review.
Power rear sunshade? Do you ever use it?
"... and it has served me and my family well" - my family and I


Kinja'd!!! Aaron M - MasoFiST > John Norris (AngryDrifter)
03/25/2014 at 09:52

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Actually, "my family and me" is correct. Think about it without the additional clause: "served me well" or "served I well"?


Kinja'd!!! DoubleF > 404usernotfound
03/25/2014 at 15:37

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I've been driving an infiniti i30t since 2008. Mine is sitting at 254,000km (157k miles?) and I love it and hate it at the same time. I'm probably going to replace "K.I.R.A"* soon... it's a hard decision... sharing my two cents might be therapeutic and helpful to get me to move on.

The low speed turning radius feels like it was inspired by an 18 wheeler; suspension that feels like it was potentially the inspiration to flappy bird and a visual driving experience that is at times comparable to strapping a go-pro to a BMX helmet are a daily reminder I could do better. Not to mention, "K.I.R.A." is a heavy guy, even '98 Maximas seem far more spirited and jumpy from a standstill in comparison. Oh, not to mention, this vehicle attracts wonderful fans who love keying funky jagged 3 feet racing strips on its side.

But for his flaws, K.I.R.A.'s heavy body feels protective somehow in a way that I haven't felt in another car so far. The automatic rear sunshade is awesome! ... if you ever remember to use it. The roominess (as you described) is wonderful and accommodating if you decide to give someone a ride. The pop out cup holder on the passenger side surprises new and returning passengers alike and the overdrive button is a wonderful part of the whole experience.

All in all, it's a car with the basics in luxury comfort and very little more. It's a car that's respectable but not something that will demand respect from other motorists. It feels protective like a tank, and behaves just so. To me he's like a friend who is gives honest feedback like, "That's a pothole you idiot! I hope you liked smacking your head on the roof!" I enjoy my time with this car.

*K.I.R.A. stands for "Knight in Rusting Armor".


Kinja'd!!! thunder1979 > 404usernotfound
03/26/2014 at 08:30

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Very nice review! I just picked up a 2002 I35 with 71K on the clock a couple of months ago. Seems very similar to yours though with the heated everything cold weather package. Loving it so far and we use the cassette tape adapter to play music from our phones through the stereo as well.