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Saw this thread on CP talking about the demise of Nissan / Infiniti
https://forum.calgarypuck.com/showthread.php?t=173364
Figured we might get a better discussion here based on membership.
My favourite quote from that thread: Nissan is just Japan's Chrysler
Arrest of Ghosn means the Japanese now want to go at it alone.
Ghosn cost cutting is ruining Nissan and especially for Infiniti. None of their product is inspiring or competitive any more. Infotainment for both brand is years behind others.
Now with internal political/ownership issues, I am not sure they will survive for long. Especially everyone is getting ready for EVs, it's going to be tough if Nissan can actually divorce from Renault.
People said the same thing about Toyota. Boring products, not state of the art. You know what? Only we give a fuck about that shit. The buying public does not care whatsoever. They want a car that's cheap, durable, and reliable. Nissan has done a great job in making bland products. Infiniti isn't hitting all the marks there, but they got the cheap part right. I don't see their demise at all. Sales in 2018 was flat, but it was flat for everyone.
Although with Ghosn's departure, I don't know if Nissan has what it takes to climb up in market share.
Exactly.
They make most of their money on selling Nissan Rogue, Altima and Maxima. Not on the 5 guys on here who own GTR's.
Agree. This reminds me of the best episode of Top Gear, ever where they have that French breakfast meeting at Peugeot and actively decide to start making terrible cars. Sales went through the roof.Quote:
Originally Posted by rage2
You nailed it there. Even with myself, my 15 Tacoma hit 100k this winter so we were going to send it down to one of the crew and get me a new one and I thought, why? It's spartan and basic and I've spent 0 dollars on it over 4 years so fuck it, I'll put another 100 on it and just fix it as necessary which judging by a full checkout and fluid change will be very little in the foreseeable future.Quote:
Originally Posted by rage2
One of these days I'd still like a 911 Turbo but other than that, durable and plain is fine for me too.
Skimmed the CP thread, and yea, shitting on old interior tech. I hated it, but honestly it's simple and most people will get it. It works reliably, just no bells and whistles. If you look at the JD powers IQS rankings, Nissan is way up there because of their old tech. Majority of the initial quality complains are from the damn infotainment system that's overly complicated haha.
You have a guy talking about his 2009 Maxima or whatever giving it a A rating for tech and everyone shitting on him because it doesn't have carplay. :nut: So few ppl care about that stuff in the grand scheme of things.
This is the one big thing, probably biggest thing that I learned and really blew me away in my time as an auto blogger/wannabe journalist. I totally look at cars differently now, from my perspective, and from the average joe perspective.
Hell, my 2014 tacoma doesnt even have a outside thermometer (yeah..really)... coming up to 136k service, zero issues so far. Can't complain in the leastQuote:
Originally Posted by JRSC00LUDE
However you missed a big one. People want something fuel efficient nowadays. Toyota excels at this, where Nissan completely shits the bed. The only cars of theirs that get reasonable gas mileage for todays day and age, are the ones that are extremely underpowered.Quote:
Originally Posted by rage2
And I would venture to say that people DO care about cars not being boring. That is why Toyota made an official announcement that they were going to stop making boring cars. I imagine it is starting to affect their sales numbers.
As for reliability, they certainly aren't up to par in that aspect if it's the only thing they have going for them.
I definitely get selection paralysis because I've made a coupe of threads for vehicles like A5, Q50S, G37 and it's really interesting the diverse opinions I get.
Ultimately, people should get whatever they want and they have to recognize that people give opinions relative to their past experiences. My first car was a 2007 Civic, then I moved to a 2012 Genesis Coupe, and back to a 2010 Civic. To me, a Q50S is an amazing car but someone who's afforded luxury vehicles for a long time would just see the Q50S as another choice in the lineup. They'll be able to pick apart things they like, focus on things they don't like, or overall just have their opinions and preferences on what makes a car suitable for themselves.
I think that's pretty much how it goes with car review articles as well. Nevermind the potential bias and sponsorship from X manufacturer but these guys drive anywhere from $15k cars to $150k cars so perspective is not always consistent.
Disagree. Only a small # people in NA care about fuel efficiency. For those that do, sure, Prius, and Tesla. In EU that's a totally different story. Our fuel efficiency is completely driven by regulatory standards, not the desire for fuel efficiency from the general buying public.Quote:
Originally Posted by Misterman
You grow being boring. For car people like us, Toyota is not stopping making boring cars. They're merely pretending not to be boring, like with the Camry. Looks fucking exciting, but yup, still drives like a Camry underneath.Quote:
Originally Posted by Misterman
Quote:
Originally Posted by rage2
Agree to disagree. I thought it was interesting when this thread came up though. I've been thinking for a long time how much I dislike Nissans now. Apparently I'm not alone. However, I got stuck with a Qashqai rental when my car was stolen. I wasn't impressed with the vehicle at first. But then I looked it up and saw that fully loaded out the door price with no haggling is 35 grand. For AWD, SUV, Leatherette heated seat interior, and all the options you'd expect in a modern vehicle. It was gutless, but I kept thinking how it would be an excellent Alberta year round vehicle if you were on a budget.
Like lipstick on a pig.Quote:
Originally Posted by rage2
Yes I own and love my Toyota.
Demise? When have they ever been a top manufacturer? When you have been in perpetual mediocrity there's not far to go to get to the bottom. Sure they have sold a lot of SUV's and Altimas over the years but they have basically followed the late-90's Mitsubishi business model in the US of giving credit to anyone with a pulse to move cars and that's why their resale value is horrible. They are always at the bottom of customer satisfaction polls as their reliability is always in the range of below average and the materials they use make a Hyundai look expensive in comparison. They are always the first brand I cross off my list when vehicle shopping as I generally hate everything they offer outside the GTR and I'm only lukewarm on that car.
I love my Infiniti.
It a 2013 EX37 has ALL the packes (TECH/JOURNEY/PREMIUM/NAVIGATION)
"Technology Package adds Intelligent Brake Assist, Forward Collision Warning, Distance Control Assist, Lane Departure Warning, Lane Departure Prevention, Intelligent Cruise Control, and Blind Spot Warning. "
I bought it certified pre owned, from Hyatt, in 2015. I thought for a 2013 the tech and features were pretty damn high tech. :dunno:
It's my daily and I have had zero issues. Rock solid reliable, and anytime I have passengers their first comment is "wow, really nice interior".
Would buy again.
Yes. I love my Lexus which is a Toyota but I pretend it's baller lolQuote:
Originally Posted by msommers
Toyotas are for people that don't care about cars, tech, or having the most modern engine, transmission, etc but want something competent, reliable, with strong resale value. Nothing wrong with that. Nissan is for people that don't care about cars and hate themselves.Quote:
Originally Posted by msommers
Nissan has by far the worst paint quality lately. The orange peel on a $75k Titan is insane, looks like a MAACO paintjob.
When I had my G35, I enjoyed the heck out of it and gave me zero issue at all. Thing was a boat and a half in the corners though hahahaQuote:
Originally Posted by nismodrifter
Nailed it dude and I have no shame in that. It was originally bought as a work vehicle and in the end, it needed to do a job without worrying about anything. Has performed flawlessly for almost 200K now. Well not flawless if I'm being honest, the 4HI sensor went and took me 5 minutes to swap out. I had put it up for sale at the end of the summer for something stupid expensive, still had a couple people come by and look at it. I'll drive this thing into the ground unless someone feels the need to overpay me for it.Quote:
Originally Posted by heavyD
Toyota's motto should be "It Just Works"
If I was looking for a fun car, it sure as hell wouldn't be a Toyota.
Never seen the appeal of any of them. Their heyday was well before my time.
Having a Halo car like a GTR doesn’t make your Altima any more exciting.
Also. CVT’s.
It's been like that a while now. My Dad's old 2003 G35 had the front painted twice under 100k. Razor thin, cheap paint.Quote:
Originally Posted by Twin_Cam_Turbo
Yeah I remember drooling over something like this back in the day. Dat ass is still nice thoughQuote:
Originally Posted by killramos
https://i.wheelsage.org/pictures/n/n..._t-top_45.jpeg
At what point does someone consider a vehicle reliable?Quote:
Originally Posted by Brent.ff
I would think that most vehicles can hit 150-200k without issues. I am at 150k on my Sierra and no issues. And we regularly hit 200-250k (before we auction the trucks) on our field trucks (Sierra HD with the 6.0L Gas) without any issues.
To be honest the 90's were the heydays for all Japanese manufacturers. Must be devastating to be an auto enthusiast thinking that working for a Japanese automaker is a dream job, to have your dream come true only to have them crushed when you realize that they are run by robotic accountants that have sold their souls to shareholders.Quote:
Originally Posted by msommers
I secretly lust for a 2016 Toyota 4Runner Trail Edition. :dunno:Quote:
Originally Posted by rage2
As for the Nissan, it has definitely slipped after years of bland products. My first car was an S14 240SX, and I adored it. I remember lusting for a Z32, I remember the late 90s Maxima's with the 5spd, the engine was rated among the best at the time. Nothing in their lineup short of a GTR excites me anymore.
4Runners are great vehicles.
Non car people love CVTs. :nut:Quote:
Originally Posted by killramos
Quote:
Originally Posted by killramos
God driving a CVT trans is horrid. I knew someone with a Sentra and CVT trans and that thing was just gross to drive.Quote:
Originally Posted by rage2
Obviously the female driver didn't care it got them a-b, but I hated driving it.
Stupid ski-doo transmission.
Yup. Went through a car buying process for the MIL a couple years ago. Finalized on the Nissan Rogue and the RAV4 from looking at #'s. I loved the RAV4, drove like a car. I hated the Rogue, CVT made it drive like a sponge. She chose the Rogue because it was so smooth. The sponge feel was preferred. I was blown away.Quote:
Originally Posted by firebane
I think it's a bit of the producer and the consumer. I feel like if there was enough of a demand for a sports coupe, it would entice competition to make "cool" cars again that aren't ungodly expensive. Wishful thinking on my part perhaps?Quote:
Originally Posted by heavyD
This^Quote:
Originally Posted by msommers
A lot of enthusiasts like buying used cars. If you want to vote with your wallet, buy new cars only.
The manufacturers cater to people who buy new, and they apparently want boring, reliable, and cheap.
In our family we have a 2015 G37XS, 2017 QX50, 2019 QX80. All very happy with them. I could care less about all that tech stuff (although all 3 cars have technology packages). Love their engines 3.7 and 5.6, make enough power. Thirsty though.
Edit: and the S30. That thing is thirsty as well. :banghead:
Funny enough, all 3 Infiniti have been more reliable than the new 2019 Acura RDX in our household.
.
The only huge letdown for me at Infiniti has been that awful looking QX80. Nissan managed to completely ruin the Pathfinder, it now looks like a bloated minivan/SUV from the early 2000's. Their variable compression engine is interesting too and I wonder if it'll be offered in more models in the future.
And I despise the Infiniti's orange backlighting....yuck, didn't know they still had it.
Neat. I didn't know the G37's went up to 2015. I thought by that point they had rebranded them to Q50/60's as early as 2014.Quote:
Originally Posted by That.Guy.S30
You are correct. HahaQuote:
Originally Posted by rx7boi
Is the 2015 G37XS a coupe or sedan? I guess it doesn't matter since both styles were in production up until 2015 haha.
With domestic full sized trucks we’re still talking dumb, basic, tried and true tech... so same, same :rofl:Quote:
Originally Posted by mzdspd
Here's the link to the video I was talking about earlier. My favourite!Quote:
Originally Posted by ThePenIsMightier
Is this the path Nissan/Infiniti is walking down?
They have been on it for 20 yearsQuote:
Originally Posted by ThePenIsMightier
Their cars are still bargains on the used car market.
I myself am getting a little too old and bored off my 370z, best car I've ever owned though... but sadly, as I look for something a little more mature and yet still fast, I'm likely going German...... unless they come out with a new Z :)
I had a rental maxima recently, the infotainment was ok, gps was terrible though, the screen was barely usable as you couldn’t see if it here was sun on it but the engine and power train were great, car was comfortable, looked up the price, starting at 40k there other vehicles I’d consider before it though
I just bought my wife a new ‘18 pathfinder SL in November. For the price and equipment/tech it blew everything else out of the water.
Biggest gripes are: CVT, orange backlit (drives me nuts) and it’s heavy.
But it’s the best value, by far. Also, it can freakishly tow 6000lbs now. That gave my confidence in the CVT reliability, not that I’ll tow with it.
That's what is weird about non car people. They don't seem to know what words like "smooth", or "good quality" even mean. That CVT is all over the place, the RPM's are never consistent. It just keeps going and doesn't shift like you expect it to. How one considers that smooth is beyond me. And how many people have I heard say something ridiculous like "Fords have really nice interiors!" I'm like really? Compared to what a Kia? I gotta give credit to Ford though. They obviously have amazing marketing, because they have tricked the average buyer into thinking the cheapest pieces of shit on the road are a good buy.Quote:
Originally Posted by rage2
I think if we got rid of 0% financing over 8 years, you'd see these sort of trends turn around. It's no wonder they sell so many cheap boring cars, when you're paying an average of 100$ a month in maintenance on a used beater, it makes a lot of sense to get something brand new for 200$ a month even if it is boring and bland.Quote:
Originally Posted by realazy
That's certainly not par for the course. Sounds like you got unlucky with the Acura.Quote:
Originally Posted by That.Guy.S30
Maybe you're being a bit facetious? Not sure. But what do people consider new age tech? I mean Dodge's interior is beautiful for a truck. Every option and gimmick you can think of. Now they even have that giant Tesla'esque 20" computer screen on the dash. Chevy and Ford are still basic bitch trucks, so as a majority you're right about domestics.Quote:
Originally Posted by ercchry
As someone who has owned both, I don't think you could go wrong going German if you can stomach a little extra maintenance costs. The 370z was great out of the box, but it's cramped as hell so doesn't make much of a practical driver for full time duties. The blind spots are enough to drive you mad. For the same price range used you can be in a BMW 335 with the same out of the box power, but easily go up another 80hp by just plugging in a JB4. Faster car that's just as fun, but with back seats and a trunk.Quote:
Originally Posted by 370Z
Not since they dropped 370z pricing down to $30k. The BMW 3 series is still starting at $49k.Quote:
Originally Posted by Misterman
Edit - or wait... I see your sentence says "used" but it's not entirely clear. Are you comparing a used BMW to a new Nissan? Not valid.
There's no "shifts" so acceleration is just smooth.Quote:
Originally Posted by Misterman
I had an Infiniti g20. Fun little car.
Wife has a rogue. Can confirm it's a sponge. But with almost 250000 km there is surprisingly few knocks or squeeks, let alone major issues. Only services are oil changes and CVT fluid flush every 80k
My wife chose the Rogue a few years back because the back seats were adjustable...
Front / back etc...recline...
That and AWD was all she really wanted.
Nissan still does that stupid orange backlit gauges? My 03 Z had that, and I think it goes back a long time, figured they would have changed that by now.:dunno:Quote:
Originally Posted by Darkane
Now that I think of it, when we bought my wifes CRV last year, we never even looked at Nissan. She preferred Honda to all, with the Ford coming in close.
should be marketed at 1wd with open diffs all around
Used 370z's (which the OP would be selling) are in the same price range as used 335i's.Quote:
Originally Posted by ThePenIsMightier
Quote:
Originally Posted by 370Z
Try a Qx70, I love mine. Its built on the same frame as the 370 from my understanding.
Those cars are a little too big for my liking... I'm 99% sure I want a 2012/2013 335 xDrive as my next vehicle though...the Q50s are massive disappointment in terms of "fun". Though I might try out a Red Sport if I ever get a chance.
- - - Updated - - -
Non car people are funny that way, at one point I owned a G37X sedan with the 7 speed auto... my wife would comment that the ride was "jerky" lolQuote:
Originally Posted by rage2