2001 Infiniti I30 Review

In-Depth Review: 2000-2005 [ A33 ] Infiniti I30(I35) **Please consider submitting your car to be reviewed if you live in the Southeast!

[@F1R3jr]

I own a 2001 Infiniti i30 and I was trying to find a video to replace parts and ended up watching a review on it and I really enjoyed your video

[@atomicautomobile8537]

Glad you found it worthwhile. What are you working on?

[@F1R3jr]

@@atomicautomobile8537I got the car in an ok condition it ran but had suspension issues needed new breaks and callipers and just a lot of work but I wanna restore it to its good old days because I honestly love it I have the base model but its so far been a great car to just have fun in while being comfortable

[@atomicautomobile8537]

New shocks and struts usually go a long way. The powertrains themselves (engine, transmission) on these cars tend to last a long time without needing much.

[@F1R3jr]

Atomic Automobile I honestly think the only real thing I need to replace mechanically is the timing belt it’s starting to get old and squeak more but this could also be because of the cold weather but it wouldn’t hurt to do it for preventative maintenance

[@atomicautomobile8537]

That's actually the serpentine belt that's squealing. Much, much easier and cheaper to replace than a timing belt. These cars have no timing belt. It's a timing chain instead, and the chain never needs to be replaced.

[@crazy8sdrums]

Got 260k on my i30t and it is still doing great! While not being spectacular at sportiness or luxury individually, it does both pretty well.

[@MrRolloBaggins]

Just got a 3 liter 01 ... 81k miles one owner. Fiance is very excited. Very clean car.

[@MeDicen_Rocha]

This is RCR's smarter cousin. Nice! I feel like im watching a video essay on an Infiniti.

[@Shillmehowtolive]

Less interesting. Less entertaining. Less information. Regular car reviews content is far superior.

[@FabienTeulieres93]

@Santiago Rocha Hahaha! Absolutely: I had the same exact feeling while watching the video 👍

[@pedromartin4437]

This is literally the first video I've watched on your channel and it's the best car review on KZbin period. Congrats on an amazing review of this gorgeous car.

[@willyhwang1059]

dude, your videos are like listening to a professor lecturing a subject you are interesting in. keep up the great work

[@CoolAce1]

This car was better than the ES300 simply for the fact that the Maxima was a higher end car than the Camry.

[@FabienTeulieres93]

Great review, sir! Fellow 2000 i30 base owner here. Like your grandma, I love it. What a great, well rounded car. 273,000 miles, never skipped a beat, original engine and transmission, runs like a top. And still in great condition inside and out (but the harsh California sun has just started to eat the clear coat on the roof… after 22 years of service 🥲). The Japanese really build legit cars 👍👍👍

[@tropicMTV]

I bought it 1000 dollars recently with 130000 , t it good deal let. Me know thanks

[@RoyBruce007]

I drive this . I still love it . My ac still works. Over 250,000.. I was looking for a manual transmission Maxima.

[@victorhugomanuelalcantara3939]

This was my first car back in high school.

[@j.g.8328]

Great review! The 4th gen (96-99) i30 has the VQ30DE 3.0 motor. The 5th gen (00-01) i30 has the VQ30DE-K 3.0 motor. The 5.5 gen (02-04) i35 had the new VQ35 motor, hence the name change. The Infiniti i30/i35 is a rebadged version of the JDM Nissan Cefiro.

[@atomicautomobile8537]

Glad you liked it!

[@vibingwithvinyl]

I have a 2004 (registered in Aug. 04) Maxima QX. It's basically the same car but still has a 3-litre 200hp engine. The 3.5 was never offered here (Finland), we only had 2- and 3-litre engines, both V6.

[@RogerAlan]

Another great video. I love all the detail and thought behind your opinions. Well done, keep it up 👍🏼

[@atomicautomobile8537]

Thanks, I really appreciate it

[@goru426]

I own the I35. Had it for 9 years now had very few problems. Moslt reliable and easy to maintain.

[@tommyboyz6291]

Same with the ES300, the ES300 is a less luxurious than its original over seas Toyota Windom. In the Japan the 1991 Windom had more features than the 1992 ES300, they comes with power folding mirrors, air suspension and a dashboard hand brakes, with interior air purifier, and powered lumbar.

[@chrissmith2501]

Thank you! My first car is a i35

[@BernonCars]

I was waiting for a new video!

[@atomicautomobile8537]

Happy to oblige!

[@WookieDrives]

Excellent video as always dude. Thank you for covering a car I've never hear of lol.

[@atomicautomobile8537]

Glad you liked it! Do I understand correctly that you have acquired a Dodge Diplomat?

[@WookieDrives]

@@atomicautomobile8537 yessir I have lol.

[@WookieDrives]

But yeah this winter you can definitely have a go in it lol.

[@snowfall1771]

Lovely car the 01 i30t is one hell of a car n good looking ... one day I will paint mine n put on rims but she looks good w new headlights n i35 grill

[@urmomlikesitruff5064]

I bought one as a project car about a year ago and have put new rims and suspension on it, I also removed the stereo for a touchscreen/Bluetooth set up. After tinting it and putting in black Halo headlights and repainting it (from white to black) it has become a head Turner. I had to have a air intake custom made and replaced the transmission at 180k miles while the engine is still original at almost 300k miles and still running great. Overall my favorite car I own and my favorite to take out and cruise on the weekend

[@blqr3138]

Let's see it

[@urmomlikesitruff5064]

@@blqr3138 yeah bro lemme just post a pic on this YT comment thread

[@blqr3138]

@@urmomlikesitruff5064 hurry up

[@urmomlikesitruff5064]

@@blqr3138 fr big dog it’s been like almost 3 years, the car was totaled in a flood and I sold what was left

[@zoidzoid87]

These look like small versions of the q45

[@grantlatrese]

Saw this today because (maybe I'm crazy or just factoring my budget) I love infinitis and in need of a car. Anyway, I located a 2001 infiniti i30 with 273,000 miles. It has 0 accidents and according the blue book, is worth at max, $3700. Would it be wise to purchase it? Asking price is $2000.

[@sandlerfrancois666]

Yes. Purchased one at 3300 today

[@shryeetaparquet8331]

I just bought 1 today

[@danielversion1.035]

This is what we got in Australia as the A33 model Maxima... mostly. From what i can tell, the Australia Maxima interior was closer to the American Maxima than the I30. I had one for 8 years and it was absolutely a dream to drive. Silken smooth transmission, very decent economy when run on 98 octane, and just a wonderful place to sit. I drove mine up and down the east coast of Australia 3 times in the years I had it... and honestly, i wish i had kept her instead of trading it 😭😭 Side note... those turning lights are a brilliant idea that Nissan should have kept... though they were better on the U13 Bluebird, (series 1 Altima.)

[@lucianotovar1332]

I have an infinity i30 base model 2001 only had 96 thousand miles when I bought it.it runs great no problems ac and heater work I rebuilt the suspension and put a new radiator and new tires

[@EvendimataE]

you are a very good reviewer.....go to dealers im sure they will let you review their cars if they see a sample of your review video

[@atomicautomobile8537]

Thanks, I really appreciate the sentiment. I will continue to make these.

[@lonnie0721]

Just purchased one for $300 bucks with 86k on the odometer. It needed a radiator which I got from Amazon for$18 bucks. It's a really nice vehicle.

[@westtsidee1594]

Where did you get it so cheap at

[@lonnie0721]

@@westtsidee1594 Auction

[@motleydude73]

Look better than the American Maxima. Here in NZ this style was called a Maxima. Great cars.

[@MarkH0508]

Great videos!! Excellent detail!!

[@atomicautomobile8537]

Thanks, glad you liked it

[@donrandle379]

It gets old people trying to claim every Toyota Lexus vehicle has always been better than Nissan. That’s a joke! The Nissan VQ30 was and is a bench mark engine for the entire automotive industry. That’s why the Lexus 1MXFE 3.0L in the lexus Toyota Camry never won the 10 best and Nissan dominated it. In 1995 Motor Trend mag. Said the Nissan Maxima was quieter than the Lexus ES and out performed it in every performance test. So I’m sure the I30 was quieter if not as soft riding. Notice Chrysler made a 3.5L for years. But once Nissan made the VQ30 Honda, Toyota, and Ford quickly followed. Then in 2002 when Nissan made the VQ35 the entire automotive industry including Toyota, and Honda within 2 years went from 3.0L to 3.5L because Nissan engines are definitely the bench mark. Good review just don’t understand why the auto reviews always try to exploit the weaknesses of Nissan. The 1MZ from Toyota also had lots of reliability problems with sludge. I’m a mechanic for both Nissan and Toyota. Homework!

[@atomicautomobile8537]

Very interesting perspective. I don't think I ever tried to make a point that the Toyota engine was better than the Nissan, I respect the Nissan V6, but the overall Lexus ES package was considered more desirable to the 'average buyer' than the I30/I35 package was. Even if you agree that the Nissan V6 may have been equal to or slightly better than the Toyota, you have to admit that most people in the market for these cars were not buying based on the finer mechanical details of the engine. The ES was a little better differentiated from the Camry inside and out and rode a little smoother.

[@johnrodrigues5915]

10:18 it has a bose sound system!?

[@snowfall1771]

Yea only the i30t does an the bass still kicks like it has a sub in it put a small screen in from pioneer in the dash

[@snowfall1771]

Wow look at that rear beam no rust lol

[@Rahimraissnia]

same thing with the es 300 transitioning to the es 330

[@damilolaakanni]

True. Lexus did the same thing while transitioning from the RX330 in 2004 to the RX350 in 2007.

[@snowfall1771]

Ouch I have the T but she gets an goes I jus wish I could do something bout scratches an this damn cancer of clear coat on the front

[@jamesb8305]

...and which cars are still on the road? Many with 250,000+ miles, and in like new condition? THE LEXUS ES300!!

[@MarkH0508]

What can you tell us about the J30?

[@atomicautomobile8537]

I don't know a ton about it offhand but it's definitely a car that I'd like the chance to make a video of

[@j.g.8328]

The J30 was rear wheel drive and shared the same motor as the 300ZX. It was based off the JDM Nissan Leopard. The JDM version had a V8 option, the J30 did not.

[@markhutson950]

2003 infinity i30 speedometer

[@JoesGoldenGarage]

When did the 5spd auto come into play?

[@chrissmith2501]

04 maxima and up with tiptronic shifting witch was replaced by the M series

[@ogstyle4817]

Was there a rear wheel drive variant of this car?

[@atomicautomobile8537]

No there was not

[@snowfall1771]

@@atomicautomobile8537 any reports of performance mods KZbin is far and in-between I wanna put as much as I can thru this lovely 3.0

[@atomicautomobile8537]

If you want my opinion I don't honestly think there's much you could do easily to improve on the 3.0L in that car. Typically the easiest mods are intake and exhaust but honestly the stock setups on these cars are really good to begin with. I think your effort would be better spent on the suspension. Good struts (maybe KYB) and motor mounts, if it needs them.