1996 INFINITI I30 Review
Price Estimate: $36 - $58

Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
What’s new
New luxo-sport sedan based on the Nissan Maxima arrived during 1995. Slotted between the G20 and the J30, the I30 competes with the Lexus ES 300, BMW 3 Series and the new Acura TL-Series. If you like big chrome grilles, this is the car to buy.
For sale near Midland, TX
3 listings
- $3,999
- 83,743 miles
- No accidents, 2 owners, personal use only
- Carbook USA (926 mi away)
- Power seats
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Located in Glendora, CA
Step back into the '90s with this sleek 1996 INFINITI I30! This beast is powered by a 3.0L V6 engine that's ready to roar with 190hp and 205ft. lbs. o...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
Listing Information:
VIN: JNKCA21D1TT003420
Stock: B1153
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 05-01-2025 - $13,900
- 40,419 miles
- 1 accident, 1 owner, personal use only
- 19 City / 24 Hwy MPG, Manual
- Naples INFINITI (1,287 mi away)
- Remote keyless entry
- Power passenger seat
- Security system
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Located in Naples, FL
Clean CARFAX. Fully Serviced and Ready to Go. You will not find a cleaner I30 anywhere. 1996 INFINITI I30 BaseWhite Platinum Pearl over Beige LeatherF...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: No
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
21 Combined MPG (19 City/24 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: JNKCA21D8TT019579
Stock: P019579
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 03-23-2023
Vehicle overview
What happens when you put a garish chrome grille, bright cast aluminum turbine-bladed wheels, a conservatively styled taillight arrangement, and a wood-trimmed interior onto a Maxima? Infiniti's excuse to charge a premium for Nissan's excellent sport sedan. In fact, we can't much reason to buy the Infiniti over the Nissan, aside from the quality treatment that Infiniti dealers bestow upon their customers.
So, what are the real differences between the two cars, aside from the prestige of the Infiniti nameplate? The I30 offers standard goodies such as a power driver and passenger seats, a better warranty, ABS, simulated wood interior trim, automatic climate controls, variable intermittent wipers, keyless entry and security system, heated outside mirrors, and cargo netting; all stuff you can get on the Maxima at extra cost. Exclusive to the I30 are items like speed-sensitive steering, viscous limited slip differential, chrome accents, simulated leather door trim, integrated HomeLink transmitter, dual map lights, automatic anti-glare rear view mirror, map pockets, cellular phone pre-wiring, and green tinted glass.
Base prices for the Standard I30 start at $28,420, while a top-of-the-line Maxima GLE begins at $26,279. The GLE has leather and an automatic transmission -- add cowhides and an automatic to the I30 and you're looking at $31,120, which places the I30 just below the cutoff for the dreaded luxury tax. Add options to the GLE and you max out at $28,376. Want the sporty I30? Pony up $32,720 for a five-speed model, plus applicable luxury taxes. The Maxima SE with a stick can't be optioned beyond $28,000.
So, basically we're looking at a $5,000 price difference across the line. Is the I30 worth the extra expenditure? We don't think so. However, we tend to be more practical than most buyers in the near-luxury segment of the market. If the Maxima's styling turns you off, and traction enhancement is an absolute must, the I30 is probably right up your alley. Not only will the premium paid get you better service and a few extra convenience items, but you'll have more peace-of-mind knowing that your new "I" is covered by one of the best warranties in the business.
Cost to Drive
Monthly estimates based on costs in Texas
$163/mo for I30 Base
I30 Base
vs
$144/mo
Avg. Midsize Car
See Edmunds pricing data
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INFINITI I30 Owner Reviews
Most Helpful Owner Reviews
Trending topics
Best car for the money
5 out of 5 starsPam, 04/09/2010
1996 INFINITI I30 4dr Sedan
I've owned my Infiniti I30 for 12 years and it just turned 331,000 miles! Just oil changes and maintenance. Never any transmission or engine trouble. Still gets 25.3 mpg. Best car I have ever owned, and I've owned Mercedes & Lexus.
Excellent
5 out of 5 starsrobert, 11/14/2008
1996 INFINITI I30 Touring 4dr Sedan
Bought used in 2002 with 88k miles and now has 160k. Still looks good with new wheels and spoiler. Bullet proof engine, still does not use oil. Why can't they make them like this any more? Leather still looks new and only regular maintenance on service.
I love it
5 out of 5 starsDamon Ray, 04/10/2009
1996 INFINITI I30 4dr Sedan
I purchased this car from a private owner. His grandparents owned it before him and decided gave it to him. They had two cars and decided to get rid of the infiniti. Needless to say the car was in mint condition inside & out with a 163k miles on it. I feel like I got a new car with a 163k miles on it. So far no problems at all. I have the I30t with the spoiler, Black. Just like the … picture on the site. It still turns heads when she's all cleaned up. The transmission's smooth and the Bose system is great. I love it and plan on keeping it for at least another year, I might give it to my son in college he loves it to.
Best Car Ever
5 out of 5 starsRush, 12/23/2008
1996 INFINITI I30 4dr Sedan
This car is great! I had it for 2 years now and it has given me no problems! It is fast, reliable, smooth running car with an amazing sound system (Bose), you can not go wrong with Infiniti, that's why it costs so much!
1996 I30 Highlights
Base
Engine Type | Gas |
---|---|
Combined MPG | 21 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $163/month |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 14.1 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Safety
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriver4 / 5Passenger3 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverallNot Rated
- Side Barrier RatingOverallNot RatedDriverNot RatedPassengerNot Rated
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront SeatNot RatedBack SeatNot Rated
- RolloverRolloverNot RatedDynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of RolloverNot Rated
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – OriginalPoor
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintNot Tested
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