What's wrong with the Infiniti M?

"Chairman Kaga" (mike-mckinnon)
08/17/2016 at 16:04 • Filed to: None

Looked at a 2007 Infiniti M35 just now. It’s a great car. While the interior isn’t quite up to Audi Standards, and the NVH not quite to Lexus, for an 8+-year-old car, it’s great. RWD, more than adequate power, comfortable heated/cooled seats, good upgraded Bose sound system, tactile steering, responsive if dated 5-speed auto. It’s a Japanese cruiser. It’s also made from fairly ubiquitous Nissan parts. That 3.5L V6 is in everything.

So.

What’s wrong with it? Why should I not pay $10,500 to make my shittyass daily commute more tolerable? To give me a car I wouldn’t mind driving 500 miles to visit family? Will the daily grind be too much for an aged machine with 89k miles? Will I spend more to keep it running than I would to just get a 2 or 3 year newer Camry XLE?

I’m really torn. These are real questions.The seller is moving out of the country in a week and has to sell the car by then. He has one lowball offer that I can beat.

What should I do? My head says keep the horrible CRV - the devil you know - and the gut says get the M.

DISCUSSION (16)

bob and john > Chairman Kaga
08/17/2016 at 16:06

honestly, no idea why they are so cheap. Get it.

V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches > Chairman Kaga
08/17/2016 at 16:07

Go for it

Party-vi > Chairman Kaga
08/17/2016 at 16:13

They’re expensive to maintain. Also the engine is not a luxury car engine. It’s a harsh buzzy fucker that belongs in the Z.

lone_liberal > Chairman Kaga
08/17/2016 at 16:15

My in-laws have one, the AWD version, and it’s a fine car. Like you said, it’s comfortable with a decent but not great interior. I think it would make a great commuter, though the mileage isn’t spectacular.

My citroen won't start > Chairman Kaga
08/17/2016 at 16:17

Get a Lexus LS.

Textured Soy Protein > Party-vi
08/17/2016 at 16:18

Agreed, the M45 is a much better car.

FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem > Chairman Kaga
08/17/2016 at 16:19

I’d say buy it. It’s nothing uber fancy but probably comfy and just way less soul eating than any Camry.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > Party-vi
08/17/2016 at 16:19

This. Don’t think of it as a BMW competitor with japanese reliability. Think of it as a dressed up nissan with luxury maintenance.

....But I drove a G35 sedan and DAMN that is a good car on the used market. I would imagine the M is similar. Good stuff.

Party-vi > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles
08/17/2016 at 16:23

The G sedan is a really fast Nissan with soft leather. The engine is still not suited to the car, and the ride sucks ass. That, and the horribly small back seats (kids only please, no adults). Still, it is fast as hell and will embarrass other more expensive cars.

notsomethingstructural > Party-vi
08/17/2016 at 16:32

The G35 coupe was just a 350z in a 2+2 and I use 2+2 generously. The sedan was a shittier half assed version of the G35 coupe. Neither was ever ever a luxury car. The M was a step further, and was more in tune with competing with Lexus and BMW but lacked the I6 which you identified. It was just OK as I recall.

Yossarian > Chairman Kaga
08/17/2016 at 16:32

Because its worse than the equivalent year Lexus GS350 in every way.

notsomethingstructural > Chairman Kaga
08/17/2016 at 16:36

If those are your only 3 options, get the M. If you can wait, I mean, people move all the time. I feel like that's not the most desierable car for $10.5k but that's based largely on my desires, none of which involve owning a luxury barge.

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > Chairman Kaga
08/17/2016 at 16:37

My parents are the shop that our neighbors take their 2006 M35 to. It is one of the most reliable cars that comes into the shop. The interior is really nice, the ride is pretty good, and the seats are comfortable. Also, for a car from that generation, you’ll get a lot of features that didn’t come in any cars near as reliable

DynamicWeight > Chairman Kaga
08/17/2016 at 17:41

Go with your gut, always.

Schaefft > Chairman Kaga
08/17/2016 at 17:53

Its probably a decent car, but why not stick with the GS350? Is it so much more expensive?

Chairman Kaga > Schaefft
08/17/2016 at 18:03

Around here, about $4-5k more for similar year/mileage. Most with 60-100k miles are pushing $16k or more.