1996 INFINITI I30 Review
1996 INFINITI I30 Review
View more photos
Used I30 for sale
Appraise This CarSee Edmunds pricing data
Has Your Car's Value Changed?
Used car values are constantly changing. Edmunds lets you track your vehicle's value over time so you can decide when to sell or trade in.
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.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 1996 INFINITI I30 4dr Sedan and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.36 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio
$198/mo for I30 Base
I30 Base
vs
$176/mo
Avg. Midsize Car
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.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 1996 INFINITI I30.
5 star(88%)
4 star(12%)
3 star(0%)
2 star(0%)
1 star(0%)
52 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
5 out of 5 stars
Best car for the money
Pam, 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.
5 out of 5 stars
Excellent
robert, 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.
5 out of 5 stars
I love it
Damon 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.
5 out of 5 stars
Best Car Ever
Rush, 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 | $198/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
Related Used 1996 INFINITI I30 info
Vehicle reviews of used models
- Used Land Rover Range Rover Evoque 2021
- Used Ram Promaster City 2022
- Used Toyota Prius c 2015
- Used BMW 6 Series 2013
- Used Kia Soul 2021 For Sale
Popular new car reviews and ratings
- Chevrolet Chevy Blazer
- Hyundai Ioniq5
- Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 2024
- 2023 2
- Porsche Macans
- Jeep Cherokee
- 2023 Chevrolet Suburban
- 2023 Acura Integra
- Chevrolet Trailblazer 2023
- 2024 F-150
Research other models of Infiniti
- INFINITI QX 2023
- 2023 INFINITI G Sedan
- INFINITI JX 2023
- 2023 INFINITI EX35
- Infiniti QX55
- 2024 INFINITI G37
- QX60
- INFINITI G37 2023
- 2023 INFINITI QX55
- Infiniti Cars Q50
Research similar vehicles
- Lexus Es300H
- Toyota Crown 2023
- Kia Forte 2023
- 2023 GT-R
- 2024 CT5
- Gli Jetta
- Audi A7
- 2023 Model S
- 2023 Charger
- 2023 Kia Spectra
Other models
- Used Tesla Model-S in Northport, AL
- Used Audi Q7 in West Lafayette, IN
- Used Ferrari 612-Scaglietti in Yankton, SD
- New BMW 5-Series for Sale in Hopewell, VA
- Used Infiniti M37 in Morehead City, NC
- New Porsche Panamera for Sale in Union, NJ
- Used Audi E-Tron-S in Keene, NH
- Used Mercedes-Benz Maybach in Chattanooga, TN
- New BMW Alpina-B8-Gran-Coupe for Sale in Westfield, MA
- New Mercedes-Benz Sl-Class for Sale in Eastpointe, MI