RE: Infiniti Q50 goes chasing the Germans
Discussion
It's not bad but I like the current G37 better. They're not bad cars, here in America Lexus has a better image but the G37 tends to be a bit bigger than the comparable Europeans for the same or really a bit less money. Plus they generally have very good lease programs.
They'll sell 50,000 or so of them over here a year, 20,000 will be regular V6s with premium pack, another 20,000 will be with Technology (navigation) and the rest will be a mix of hybrids, loaded out sport models and a few base ones.
They Hybrid gets all the attention but its not what actually sells. Look at the Camry, Lexus GS, Etc....
They'll sell 50,000 or so of them over here a year, 20,000 will be regular V6s with premium pack, another 20,000 will be with Technology (navigation) and the rest will be a mix of hybrids, loaded out sport models and a few base ones.
They Hybrid gets all the attention but its not what actually sells. Look at the Camry, Lexus GS, Etc....
Stu R said:
I have, and liked both the G35 and G37, but then they were nicely styled and genuinely innovative.
The Q50 just seems like a bit of a pastiche / generic composite that someone's decided needed some of the FX35 style 'muscular design' at the last minute, to my eye at least.
It reminds me of the cars you get in Grand Theft Auto- you know it's basically meant to be something else, but because it's not licensed by the manufactures it borrows some cues and gives a big nod and a wink to the original. Perhaps they should have called it the BNV Monaudi or something
I've rented two Infinitis from Thrifty (when they'd run out of BMWs) over the last year or so. An M Hybrid the first time, and an FX30d this Christmas just gone. I had each one over a period of a couple of weeks.The Q50 just seems like a bit of a pastiche / generic composite that someone's decided needed some of the FX35 style 'muscular design' at the last minute, to my eye at least.
It reminds me of the cars you get in Grand Theft Auto- you know it's basically meant to be something else, but because it's not licensed by the manufactures it borrows some cues and gives a big nod and a wink to the original. Perhaps they should have called it the BNV Monaudi or something
In both cases, I thought the drive was good...they both handled well, even the FX which was very good for a big tall car. That in my mind puts them above Lexus. The Hifi and camera parking systems were also excellent, and the M had a great turn of speed.
The styling was mostly hated by everyone I knew who saw them...I was one of the few that thought the FX was well designed and refreshingly different outside. Even I thought the M was a bit bland to be honest. Neither of them are in the same league as an equivalent BMW as a package, although I do love Beemers so that may be bias!!
The FX was gutless (no excuse for that these days in a big derv) and had some very strange ergonomics around the switch gear, some of which was buried like an afterthought on the bottom half of the dash below and to the side of the steering wheel. And the back seats were most uncomfortable because they were too upright...I couldn't find a way to recline them, although there may have been one. Many complaints received from my sisters on a 4 hour trip up to Leeds!!
For sure Nissan knows how to build a great car, and I know from living in the Middle East that these M and FX designs have been around for donkey's years now, and are long overdue for replacement.
I'll be interested to see how well this new model does, and look forward to seeing the new FX too
ZesPak said:
That's what everybody said to Toyota in the '80s.
Can't blame nissan for trying.
I agree, fair play to Nissan for trying.Can't blame nissan for trying.
But, times have changed now, and I doubt they will ever worry the German manufacturers...
Lexus have pulled it off, but I think Nissan will struggle to achieve what Toyota did with Lexus.
They will probably be more of a hit in the US.
We shall see though.....
pSyCoSiS said:
They will probably be more of a hit in the US.
We shall see though.....
In all honesty, Lexus only worried the Germans there. Over here, they are still very much niche.We shall see though.....
I think for some reason Lexus just isn't interested in Europe, and let the Germans' have their home game there.
I love the look of the new GS, and a 450h is an interesting car for taxes, but without an estate version I'm afraid it's not for me...
Hellbound said:
Face for Radio said:
P4ROT said:
Whats the best way to clean sick off a macbook keyboard?
Take it back to the shop and swap it for a new one, like most Apple owners do.
Cotic said:
This isn't really aimed at the UK market though, is it.
Indeed. Its a car for America and Arabia. Possibly China.I like it, but I do have a wierd liking for expensive Japanese cars.
Is it as good as a BMW? Probably not. It it more interesting? Does it mark the owner out from the crowd? Is it different? Yes.
It is interesting to see the dislike of "posh" Japanese cars.
I get why, but as I have said, I have a liking for stuff like this.
Compare this to threads about the commercially unloved but PH loved Citoren C6.
What is it about a French car that's not as good as the accepted "good" cars that makes people love it? I hazard a guess an Infiniti or Lexus is head shoulders and b
ks above the Citroen......but PH - and others - ten to sneer at oriental challengers like this.
I get why, but as I have said, I have a liking for stuff like this.
Compare this to threads about the commercially unloved but PH loved Citoren C6.
What is it about a French car that's not as good as the accepted "good" cars that makes people love it? I hazard a guess an Infiniti or Lexus is head shoulders and b
ks above the Citroen......but PH - and others - ten to sneer at oriental challengers like this.wildcat45 said:
It is interesting to see the dislike of "posh" Japanese cars.
I get why, but as I have said, I have a liking for stuff like this.
Compare this to threads about the commercially unloved but PH loved Citoren C6.
What is it about a French car that's not as good as the accepted "good" cars that makes people love it? I hazard a guess an Infiniti or Lexus is head shoulders and bks above the Citroen......but PH - and others - ten to sneer at oriental challengers like this.
I get it, I like both though, I'm a fan of a lot of Lexi and I'm a big fan of Citroëns like the C6.I get why, but as I have said, I have a liking for stuff like this.
Compare this to threads about the commercially unloved but PH loved Citoren C6.
What is it about a French car that's not as good as the accepted "good" cars that makes people love it? I hazard a guess an Infiniti or Lexus is head shoulders and b
ks above the Citroen......but PH - and others - ten to sneer at oriental challengers like this.But, I think the hatred here is because most people drive german cars, and in terms of reliability and build quality, this truly is a German rival, while the C6 isn't, it's completely different.
What the German car drivers here know is that these Japanese cars have the potential to be more German than their German counterparts, hence their need for justification of buying something more expensive but built to a lesser standard.
I'll get slated for this, but what the hell.
I'm seriously considering a Q50, with the 3.7 V6 as my next car in a few months.
Why? Well, I'm in the US, and while the evo is fun, I'd like some more refinement and comfort. Like The Heretic, I like the G35 and G37 (though I preferred the look of the G35 to the G37).
So, broadly similar performance to the evo, more refinement, more comfort. AWD very desireable for the weather.
You're looking at entry level 'compact executive' cars.
What are the options? For similar performance/power, BMW 335i, obviously. Infiniti Q50/G37. Audi A4/S4. Mercedes C350. Volvo S60. Some detroit pig iron.
Judging from the G37, a fully loaded Q50 3.7L AWD will be about $48k.
BMW 335iX, similar spec - about $62k.
Audi S4, similar spec - about $64k.
Merceds C350, similar spec -about $53k.
Volvo S60, similar spec, about $53k.
For the price and spec, you can't fault it.
As an aside, the prices about are only very rough approximations; judging from some of the features listed on the Q50, I'd say that, if they were available on the other choices, then they'd be 3K or so higher.
The Infiniti starts looking more interesting now, doesn't it?
Servicing costs? Probably cheaper, too.
Looks? Purely subjective. I personally like them. Certainly looks more interesting than the BMW or the Audi. Nicer than the G37 in my opinion, that I've also been tempted by, so a plus there.
Interior? Quality?
The G37 was a touch bland, but hardly offensive. I wouldn't say the Q50 is bad in the pics:
Go to
http://www.infinitiusa.com/all-new-q50/gallery/
Then select the interior pan on the bottom right.
Yes, the other choices probably look better, but are they worth the shedload extra cash?
I'll be round the dealer to book a test drive as soon as they get one in stock.
I'm seriously considering a Q50, with the 3.7 V6 as my next car in a few months.
Why? Well, I'm in the US, and while the evo is fun, I'd like some more refinement and comfort. Like The Heretic, I like the G35 and G37 (though I preferred the look of the G35 to the G37).
So, broadly similar performance to the evo, more refinement, more comfort. AWD very desireable for the weather.
You're looking at entry level 'compact executive' cars.
What are the options? For similar performance/power, BMW 335i, obviously. Infiniti Q50/G37. Audi A4/S4. Mercedes C350. Volvo S60. Some detroit pig iron.
Judging from the G37, a fully loaded Q50 3.7L AWD will be about $48k.
BMW 335iX, similar spec - about $62k.
Audi S4, similar spec - about $64k.
Merceds C350, similar spec -about $53k.
Volvo S60, similar spec, about $53k.
For the price and spec, you can't fault it.
As an aside, the prices about are only very rough approximations; judging from some of the features listed on the Q50, I'd say that, if they were available on the other choices, then they'd be 3K or so higher.
The Infiniti starts looking more interesting now, doesn't it?
Servicing costs? Probably cheaper, too.
Looks? Purely subjective. I personally like them. Certainly looks more interesting than the BMW or the Audi. Nicer than the G37 in my opinion, that I've also been tempted by, so a plus there.
Interior? Quality?
The G37 was a touch bland, but hardly offensive. I wouldn't say the Q50 is bad in the pics:
Go to
http://www.infinitiusa.com/all-new-q50/gallery/
Then select the interior pan on the bottom right.
Yes, the other choices probably look better, but are they worth the shedload extra cash?
I'll be round the dealer to book a test drive as soon as they get one in stock.
Edited by jimmyjimjim on Saturday 19th January 04:01
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