Owning two very similar cars - a comparison

"WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe" (wesbarton89) 05/18/2015 at 17:26 • Filed to: None

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So, having put 3,500 miles on my 2000 Infiniti I30, I’d like to do a cross-car comparison between it, and a very similar car that I owned not too long ago - a 1998 Mazda Millenia S.

The Infiniti I30/I35 and Mazda Millenia are by nature, very similar, in attitude, market segment, and appearance.

I have detailed here the first-gen Millenia (US 1995-2000), second gen (2001-2002), second gen Infiniti I30 (2000-2001) and Infiniti I35 (2002-2004). Both cars started with vertical grille slats, and when they were refreshed, went for horizontal lines instead, along with other changes.

As I said, I owned the ‘98 Millenia S (top left), and currently own the 2000 Infiniti I30 (top right), and you can see similarities in overall profile. They’re roughly the same size, put out similar power figures, and contain very similar features.

Both are powered by V6 engines with four-speed A/Ts. Both have Bose stereos with CD/cassette. Both have everything power, leather, and a sunroof, as well as digital climate control. They’re both Japanese sport/luxury cars. The Millenia had heated front seats as standard, whereas they were an option on the I30. Mine does not have this feature.

In the Mazda, when you put the key in, the steering wheel lowers to a memory position, and when you take it out, it raises back up. In the Infiniti, when you open the door, the seat slides back for entry, and slides back forward once the door has closed. They’re both FWD.

Both my Mazda and Infiniti had over 200k miles when I bought them. The Mazda had 201k when I bought it, and lasted through to 210k. The Infiniti, when I bought it, had 249,686 miles on it. It’s now up past 253,500.

Now, there are some differences. As I said, both are powered by V6 engines. However, whereas the Infiniti has a 3.0L N/A V6 (and later a 3.5L), the Mazda Millenia either has a 2.5L N/A V6, putting out not quite 200hp, the S model is a supercharged 2.3L “Miller Cycle” V6, putting out a little over 200hp. It’s one of the smallest displacement V6 engines I’ve seen, but also, for the time, it packed a punch. Getting either of these cars up to cruising speed (70-80mph) is deceptively simple. They’re both very smooth at speed, and don’t give much fuss.

Interiors are clearly similar, though the Infiniti is certainly a bit more premium looking, but lacks a proper handbrake, opting instead for a pedal e-brake. Otherwise, it’s your standard Japanese luxury car fare.

Now, which one do I like more? It’s hard to say. I got both of these cars cheap. I drove both of them a lot. The Infiniti has required a little more maintenance, but I also paid slightly less for it. All in, either car has totaled me less than $2000 in total ownership costs.*

I really think I like the Infiniti more, just by a hair. It’s slightly more modern, with a few cooler features that the Mazda didn’t offer, not that the Mazda lacks for features or refinement by any measure.

It’s a testament to the build quality of both these vehicles that they can go well over 200k miles on the original drivetrain. I still miss the Mazda at times. (It was the victim of an electrical fire) However, the Infiniti fills that gap pretty well.

*not counting things such as gas, fluids, minor preventive maintenance, etc.

Have you ever owned cars by different makes, but were very similar in overall character and style?

duurtlang > WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe 05/18/2015 at 17:45

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Judging them on looks alone I’d prefer the Mazda top left. Having said that, it’s the only one I’ve ever seen in real life as the other ones were never offered here.

I do consider close to $2k excluding fuel/fluids/minor maintenance for a few thousand miles quite a lot. For 3500 miles that’s $0.57 a mile! Or does it include the purchase price as well?

My 15 year old midsize Peugeot coupe that I bought in 2012 has cost me about €0.03 a km ($0.055 a mile) in all maintenance including oil changes, timing belt, radiator and much more and I haven’t even done the work myself. There’s an additional $0.02-0.025 a mile in depreciation. So, for 3500 miles that’s $280, excluding gas, including all maintenance/fluids. It does only have 250k km (155k miles) on it, the last third in my possession.

Takuro Spirit > WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe 05/18/2015 at 17:49

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I owned a Plymouth Neon and Dodge Neon at the same time, does that count?

WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe > duurtlang 05/18/2015 at 19:11

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I’m including purchase price as well. $1100 for the Mazda, $800 for the Infiniti. In fact, the only maintenance the Mazda needed was a new headlamp and battery. The Infiniti needed brakes, master cylinder, CV, tie rods, control arm bushings, muffler, battery, and most recently a headlight, spark plugs, and I just ordered a speed sensor for it. Otherwise, it’s been great.