1998 INFINITI I30 Review
Price Estimate: $139 - $226

Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Fast and performance oriented, this Maxima-based entry-level sedan from Infiniti is a good value when compared to the Lexus ES300 or Mercedes-Benz C280.
Cons
- Not a great value when compared to Nissan Corporation's own Maxima SE.
What’s new
Side-impact airbags make their way into the Infiniti I30, as do new headlamps, taillamps, center console and wheels.
For sale near Cupertino, CA
2 listings
- 128,306 miles
- No accidents, 3 owners, personal use
- 18 City / 25 Hwy MPG
- Half Price Cars (727 mi away)
- Remote keyless entry
- Power passenger seat
- Panic alarm
Close
Located in Lynnwood, WA
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:
21 Combined MPG (18 City/25 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: JNKCA21AXWT608143
Stock: 35505
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 11-20-2024- 64,361 miles
- Frame damage reported, 1 owner, personal use only
- 18 City / 25 Hwy MPG
- Express Motors (2,037 mi away)
- Cruise control w/ste...
- Pwr trunk release/fu...
Close
Located in Dayton, OH
Visit Express Motors online at www.expressmotorsohio.com to see more pictures of this vehicle or call us at (9**)7**-2*** today to schedule your t...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Issue reported
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: Yes
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
21 Combined MPG (18 City/25 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: JNKCA21A2WT614518
Stock: 0050212
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 05-08-2025
Vehicle overview
What happens when you put a garish chrome grille, bright cast aluminum wheels, a conservatively styled taillight arrangement and a wood-trimmed interior onto a Nissan 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 $29,400, while a top-of-the-line Maxima GLE begins at $26,889. The GLE has leather and an automatic transmission. Want the sporty I30? Pony up $32,000 for a five-speed model, plus applicable luxury taxes. The Maxima SE with a stick can't be optioned beyond $29,400.
So, basically we're looking at a sizeable 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 California
$271/mo for I30 Base
I30 Base
vs
$222/mo
Avg. Midsize Car
See 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.
INFINITI I30 Owner Reviews
Most Helpful Owner Reviews
Trending topics
Great car
4.5 out of 5 starsInfiniti_for_life, 01/30/2004
1998 INFINITI I30 4dr Sedan
I've had my I30 for about 1 1/2 years
and have driven it pretty hard. I
haven't had any problems with it other
than the drivers side airbag seems to
have a faulty connection in it so the
airbag light blinks. Everything else
works great. For a car with 113k
miles, it has been well worth the
money.
One of the best out there
5 out of 5 starsStephane M, 12/31/2015
1998 INFINITI I30 Touring 4dr Sedan
I bought the car in 2014 with 150k miles. It now have 160k. Within 1 year I went to the mechanic 1time to add freon for a/c and 10 months later to fix both axles and alternator @ $400. I took the car from dallas to atlanta twice. Dallas to Houston and to austin. I have always done oil change on time and checked antifreeze and the car has always taken good care of me. Beside a 1996 toyota … camry that I previously owned this is the best car I've ever had.
Jackpot
4.5 out of 5 starsjmcizchillin, 11/28/2010
1998 INFINITI I30 Touring 4dr Sedan
I have had not one, but two infiniti i30 sedans. My first a 1997 i30t, which I bought with 80,000 miles for $7000 cash in 2004. My wife and I drove it to 175,000 miles in 2010. The only thing I replaced was the starter! The second was a 98 i30 base model I bought with 105,000 miles for $4200 cash in 2007, I traveled a lot with it and took it to 160,000 miles and I'm still driving it now. … We sold the 97 earlier this year. But I am still driving the 98 at 161,000 miles. Ironically the only thing I had to replace on it was a measly starter! Both cars ran as good from day one to last day I drove them. (one of them was earlier today) this is one of the best and most reliable cars ever made.
current problem
5 out of 5 starsjack1950, 09/17/2013
1998 INFINITI I30 4dr Sedan
my 1998 I30 - I had wheel bearings replaced on both front wheels and the next time I drove
car my transmission seems to have a problem.
128,000 miles.
Has anyone experienced this with
their auto with such low mileage?
going at about 55 mph a grinding sounded and a power
loss started.
I was able to drive at lower speed
but the transmission appears to be troubled.
1998 I30 Highlights
Base
Engine Type | Gas |
---|---|
Combined MPG | 21 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $271/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 / 5Passenger4 / 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 – 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 1998 INFINITI I30 info
Vehicle reviews of used models
- Kia Stinger 2020 Review
- Hyundai Nexo 2021 Review
- Hyundai Sonata Hybrid 2020 Review
- Audi A4 2020 Review
- Chevrolet Express Cargo 2020 Review
Shop used vehicles in your area
- Automatic Honda Fit
- BMW Electric Car I3
- Lexus NX 300H Awd
- Used Acura ILX 2017
- Used Acura ILX 2018
- Used Acura ILX 2020 For Sale
- Used Acura ILX 2023
- Used Acura Integra 2014
- Used Acura Integra 2015
- Used Acura Integra 2019
Popular new car reviews and ratings
- New Porsche Boxster
- 2025 EX40
- 2025 Q4 Sportback e-tron
- 2024 Silverado 2500HD
- 2024 Lucid Air News
- New BMW X1
- 2026 BMW X1 News
- 2025 Highlander Hybrid
- 2026 BMW M4 News
- 2025 Jeep Wagoneer S
Research other models of
Other models
- Used BMW 8-Series-Gran-Coupe in Novi, MI 2026
- New BMW X6 for Sale in Wyandotte, MI
- Used Mitsubishi Mirage in La Porte, IN 2024
- New Dodge Hornet for Sale in Sebastian, FL
- Used Honda Cr-V-Hybrid in Cleveland, OH 2022
- Used Toyota Supra in Kingsville, TX 1998
- New Hyundai Santa-Fe for Sale in Rock Hill, SC
- Used Aston-Martin Rapide in Morehead, KY 2012
- Used GMC Typhoon in Paramus, NJ 1993
- Used Ferrari F12-Berlinetta in Torrance, CA 2017