1997 INFINITI I30 Review
1997 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
Pros
- Great car with gobs of luxury and outstanding performance.
Cons
- Can get the same car for less money in the Nissan Maxima. Also, we're not crazy about that big chrome grille.
What’s new
A few new paint colors are the only changes to the 1997 I30.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 1997 INFINITI I30 Touring 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 Touring
I30 Touring
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 find 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 $28,800, while a top-of-the-line Maxima GLE begins at $26,899. 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 $29,106. Want the sporty I30? Pony up $32,500 for a five-speed model, plus applicable luxury taxes. The Maxima SE with a stick can't be optioned beyond $28,500.
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 1997 INFINITI I30.
5 star(76%)
4 star(19%)
3 star(0%)
2 star(5%)
1 star(0%)
37 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
4.63 out of 5 stars
Amazing Longevity! V6 Automatic
exit, 04/25/2012
1997 INFINITI I30 4dr Sedan
Bought my '97 Infiniti I30 in 2000 with 30K miles on it.
It is now 4/2012 and I'm at 363,000.
In mid-atlantic (USA) weather.
It has only needed regular maintenance.
The largest repair bill I've ever had was just under $2K (ball joints-control arms).
But that was well past the 250,000 mile mark.
And they do eventually have to be replaced :-)
It still runs great.
And the leather seats are … still very comfy, show very little wear and are quite supportive.
It has been incredibly solid.
Love this car!
I think the fact that it has a timing chain instead of a belt really helped it's longevity.
The V6 and transmission in this car are incredible!
4.75 out of 5 stars
About to turn 200,000 and ready for more
Dan, 05/30/2010
1997 INFINITI I30 4dr Sedan
I bought this car used 7 years ago, and it has been the most reliable car I have ever owned. I am about to turn 200,000 miles and the only maintenance besides oil changes has been replacing struts and brakes. Runs like new and has the smoothest ride of any vehicle I have owned. I would like a newer car but I am not ready to give up my i30 yet.
4.88 out of 5 stars
Darn good car.
Jim, 10/27/2010
1997 INFINITI I30 4dr Sedan
Car had 35,000 miles on it when we bought it. We have driven this to Fla. for the past few years and got 31 mpg. Great ride. With 135,000 miles on it we are concerned about that long ride again. Hate to part with it. Best car I ever owned. No major repairs. Great acceleration and great Bose system.
4.13 out of 5 stars
Very Solid Car
jaredbeeks, 07/09/2012
1997 INFINITI I30 4dr Sedan
-great bose sound system
-very comfy leather seats
-power seats for both driver and passenger seat, nice luxury touch
-very good fuel economy, I get 24-25 with soley city driving because i"m a kid
-although I dont drive like one, but i did one time, the only time my parents paid for a tank of gas, i got 19-20 mpg by beating on the car
-it takes premium fuel, i dont put it in and still … get stellar gas mileage, i dont recommend it though, you will get better gas mileage if you do put premium and is the engine is much
happier, you can hear her hum more smoothly, better performance, ^^btw all of this info is in owners manual(when referring to the fuel type needed)
1997 I30 Highlights
Touring
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 RatedDriver4 / 5Passenger3 / 5
- 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 – OriginalAcceptable
- 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 1997 INFINITI I30 info
Vehicle reviews of used models
- Used Toyota RAV4 2022 For Sale
- Used Lamborghini Urus 2019
- Used Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupe 2012
- Used Rolls-Royce Cullinan 2021
- Used Hyundai Sonata 2016
Popular new car reviews and ratings
- 2024 Dodge Durango
- 2023 Ford Transit Wagon
- BMW Alpina B8 Gran Coupe
- 2023 Cadillac ATS
- Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2023
- 2023 GV60
- 2023 BMW iX
- Bentley Continental Flying Spur 2023
- X4M
- 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz News
Research other models of Infiniti
- INFINITI G37 2023
- QX60
- 2023 INFINITI EX35
- INFINITI QX 2023
- 2023 INFINITI G Sedan
- 2023 INFINITI QX55
- Infiniti Cars Q50
- Infiniti QX55
- INFINITI JX 2023
- 2024 INFINITI G37
Other models
- New Genesis Electrified-G80 for Sale in Troy, NY
- Used BMW 6-Series-Gran-Coupe in Manheim, PA
- New Subaru Ascent for Sale in Elk River, MN
- Used Ford Probe in Monrovia, CA
- New Mercedes-Benz Glb-Class for Sale in Muskegon, MI
- Used Volvo C70 in Cupertino, CA
- Used Ferrari 488-GTB in Westminster, CA
- Used Lexus RX-400H in Fresh Meadows, NY
- Used Infiniti FX in Flower Mound, TX
- Used Subaru B9-Tribeca in Glens Falls, NY