When the Infiniti J30 was introduced, its designers said it represented a departure from the "tyranny of the wedge." True, the J30 has unusually rounded flanks front and rear that conspire to produce a different, though bland, shape in the near-luxury class. The look was unique on introduction day, and inspired people to either love it or hate it, with little middle ground to stand on.

Then Nissan released the Altima sedan; $20,000 less expensive than the J30 and borrowing heavily from the Infiniti's basic shape, the Altima was a much better-looking car. New J30 owners felt cheated and cheapened, but others didn't much care about the family resemblance. J30 sales have been steadily increasing since then, though crosstown rival Lexus is selling quite a few more ES 300s.

No doubt, the J30 is a solid, substantial luxury automobile that can hold its own in the stoplight drag race, not that you'd ever see one of these things smoking away from the corner of 3rd and Main. We didn't much care for the J30's look when it came out, finding the front styling too aggressive and the rear a bit dumpy looking. We've always maintained that the wheel design of a car influences the visual impression of the entire vehicle, and with the J30t's lace-spoke wheels, the J30 looks pretty good.

Inside, you get coddled in sumptuous leather seats. The interior of the J30 is small, but in a cozy way. Just don't try to stuff more than four adults inside its subcompact dimensions. Ergonomics are nearly flawless, with beautiful gauges and a dashboard clock that would more accurately be described as a fine timepiece.

We're lukewarm about the styling, but the rest of the J30 is sure to please the most discerning drivers.

1997 Highlights

There are no changes to the 1997 Infiniti J30.

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the 1997 INFINITI J30.

Overall Consumer Rating

4.721 reviews

Write a review See all 21 reviews

5(76%)

4(19%)

3(5%)

2(0%)

1(0%)

Most helpful consumer reviews

'Fits me like a glove.'

tnasiti,06/28/2008

My Gold J30t is my third. I hit the wheel well of a truck exiting a lot perpendicular to my direction. Totaled my '95 but she totally protected me. This car is built like a welter weight boxer-rounded, firm, athletic lines. Women say that my J30's sexy lines and cozy interior warm and cradle them, evoking a sensuality rare in today's cars. She is comfortable on the highway and her

Wonderful Car

bjbird2,04/17/2002

An excellent all around car. Handles well, quiet, good quality in a unique design. I now have two of these, a 93' and a 97', and I love them both.

Yes and No

Craig,09/27/2005

A comfortable car with inexpensive luxury. Handles well, but is a little heavy. All the bells and wistles are great and the stereo kicks butt. Upgraded tired make a world of difference. Rather bland apperance, but hey I could see that before I bought it. For the money, it was a steal.

Fun & Fast Comfort

Oshkabee,07/19/2006

Purchased this three year-old J30 from a Dealer in 2000 for about 1/2 MSRP. It had 20k miles. What a deal! This car has been perfect for me. I'm 6'3" and have plenty of leg room in the front. I rarely carry passengers in the back, but when I do a little adjustment gives them plenty of room (and comfort too!) I have NEVER had a major repair. I've replaced the brake pads and turned

Write a review

See all 21 reviews

Write a consumer review of your vehicle for a chance to WIN $100!

Write a review

See Official Rules for eligibility and other requirements.

Write a review

Features & Specs

MPG

16 city / 22 hwy

Seats 0

4-speed automatic

Gas

210 hp @ 6400 rpm

MPG

16 city / 22 hwy

Seats 0

4-speed automatic

Gas

210 hp @ 6400 rpm

MPG

16 city / 22 hwy

Seats 0

4-speed automatic

Gas

210 hp @ 6400 rpm

MPG

16 city / 22 hwy

Seats 0

4-speed automatic

Gas

210 hp @ 6400 rpm

See all Used 1997 INFINITI J30 features & specs

Safety

NHTSA Overall Rating

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
OverallNot Rated
Driver4 / 5
Passenger4 / 5
Side Crash Rating
OverallNot Rated
Side Barrier Rating
OverallNot Rated
DriverNot Rated
PassengerNot Rated
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Front SeatNot Rated
Back SeatNot Rated
Rollover
RolloverNot Rated
Dynamic Test ResultNo Tip
Risk Of RolloverNot Rated

IIHS Rating

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.

Side Impact Test
Not Tested
Roof Strength Test
Not Tested
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
Not Tested
IIHS Small Overlap Front Test
Not Tested
Moderate Overlap Front Test
0

More about the 1997 INFINITI J30

Used 1997 INFINITI J30 Overview

The Used 1997 INFINITI J30 is offered in the following submodels: J30 Sedan. Available styles include Touring 4dr Sedan (1997.5), Touring 4dr Sedan, 4dr Sedan (1997.5), and 4dr Sedan.

What's a good price on a Used 1997 INFINITI J30?

Shop with Edmunds for perks and special offers on used cars, trucks, and SUVs near Ashburn, VA. Doing so could save you hundreds or thousands of dollars. Edmunds also provides consumer-driven dealership sales and service reviews to help you make informed decisions about what cars to buy and where to buy them.

Which used 1997 INFINITI J30s are available in my area?

Shop Edmunds' car, SUV, and truck listings of over 6 million vehicles to find a cheap new, used, or certified pre-owned (CPO) 1997 INFINITI J30 for sale near. Simply research the type of car you're interested in and then select a used car from our massive database to find cheap prew-owned vehicles for sale near you. Once you have identified a used vehicle you're interested in, check the Carfax and Autocheck vehicle history reports, read dealer reviews, and find out what other owners paid for the Used 1997 INFINITI J30.

Can't find a used 1997 INFINITI J30s you want in your area? Consider a broader search.

Find a used INFINITI J30 for sale - 10 great deals out of 17 listings starting at $10,031.

Find a used INFINITI for sale - 3 great deals out of 22 listings starting at $10,159.

Find a used certified pre-owned INFINITI J30 for sale - 4 great deals out of 15 listings starting at $16,328.

Find a used certified pre-owned INFINITI for sale - 5 great deals out of 10 listings starting at $17,185.

Compare prices on the Used INFINITI J30 for sale in Ashburn, VA to other major cities

City
Great Deals
Cars for Sale
Starting Price

Phoenix, AZ
Great Deals95
Cars for Sale7761
Starting Price$15,750
Philadelphia, PA
Great Deals6
Cars for Sale2050
Starting Price$16,001
Dallas, TX
Great Deals63
Cars for Sale7684
Starting Price$8,343
San Diego, CA
Great Deals21
Cars for Sale720
Starting Price$18,997
Jacksonville, FL
Great Deals30
Cars for Sale7496
Starting Price$16,707
Indianapolis, IN
Great Deals82
Cars for Sale1106
Starting Price$11,169
Columbus, OH
Great Deals82
Cars for Sale8280
Starting Price$18,797
Fort Worth, TX
Great Deals22
Cars for Sale3446
Starting Price$7,469
El Paso, TX
Great Deals62
Cars for Sale1245
Starting Price$17,865
Denver, CO
Great Deals83
Cars for Sale2334
Starting Price$12,971
Seattle, WA
Great Deals38
Cars for Sale7003
Starting Price$11,576
Nashville, TN
Great Deals58
Cars for Sale6180
Starting Price$16,896
Atlanta, GA
Great Deals5
Cars for Sale3814
Starting Price$17,172
Long Beach, CA
Great Deals64
Cars for Sale7122
Starting Price$9,701
Oakland, CA
Great Deals40
Cars for Sale6569
Starting Price$8,846
Raleigh, NC
Great Deals92
Cars for Sale6691
Starting Price$13,445

Should I lease or buy a 1997 INFINITI J30?

Is it better to lease or buy a car? Ask most people and they'll probably tell you that car buying is the way to go. And from a financial perspective, it's true, provided you're willing to make higher monthly payments, pay off the loan in full and keep the car for a few years. Leasing, on the other hand, can be a less expensive option on a month-to-month basis. It's also good if you're someone who likes to drive a new car every three years or so.

Used 1997 INFINITI J30

Used