Car Chat General discussion about Lexus, other auto manufacturers and automotive news.

Another Infiniti bites the dust. Bye I-35.

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 09-04-04, 02:07 PM
  #16  
bitkahuna
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (20)
 
bitkahuna's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Present
Posts: 75,104
Received 2,481 Likes on 1,630 Posts
Default

Originally posted by G35_TX
[B]I don't see any issues with them not selling them. Infinitis sales are through the roof compared to how they use to be. They will never match Lexus in sales and neither will Nissan match Toyota. That is just a given. But the sales are definitely up there and they are selling. There are less Infiniti dealerships worldwide than Lexus, so that will hurt them in the sales area./B]
Oh yeah? The G35 certainly sells well but that's about it. Check out these FACTS:

Luxury Cars - May sales (vs last year)
1) Mercedes-Benz S-Class - 1,989 (9,281 +7.4%)
2) BMW 7-Series - 1,973 (8,358)
3) Lexus LS430 - 1,848 (8,003 -26.3%)
4) Lexus SC430 - 1,081 (4,285 -39.2%)
5) Jaguar XJ - 930 (2,386 -33.6%)
6) Mercedes-Benz CL-Class - 376 (1,685 -0.2%)
7) Infiniti Q45 - 174 (818 -40.8%)

The Q45 is a disaster given how new it is. So much R&D on that car, they must be taking a bath.

Last edited by bitkahuna; 09-04-04 at 02:09 PM.
bitkahuna is online now  
Old 09-04-04, 02:08 PM
  #17  
Gojirra99
Super Moderator
 
Gojirra99's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Canada
Posts: 30,116
Received 226 Likes on 153 Posts
Default

Perfecet person to add their highly valued 2 cents. G35 and SC 430 owner. Please chime in. I want to predict he bought the G35 for looks and performance and the SC 430 for looks and luxury.
SexySC, I would like to ask would u pay 65k for an Infiniti? You clearly bought a 70k SC 430 and a 35k G35 (just estimating)
I paid $89K & $47K, in $Canadian.

I don't know if I would pay US$65K for an Infiniti since they haven't made one at that price yet that appeals to me. I might if it offers as much features/performance with superior reliability than a $100K Benz/BMW, I never care too much about brand name, or I'll be driving a Mercedes now.

Last edited by Gojirra99; 09-04-04 at 02:10 PM.
Gojirra99 is offline  
Old 09-04-04, 02:26 PM
  #18  
videcormeum
Lexus Champion
 
videcormeum's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 2,175
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

I always liked the I35 and would prefer it over a Maxima any-day ... even the new ones. Sick - I remember when you posted an ad for the I35 (along with other heavily discounted Infiniti cars - including the Q) indicating a discounted price of $27,500. Whether you guys admit it or not - that's a hell of a lot of car for the money - more than you could get anywhere else. Sure the interior wasn't as nice as the ES, but who cares for that price? It sure was a lot quicker than an ES, a TL, TSX, Diamante ... etc.

And I knew Infiniti would probably be dropping this car with Nissan's having adopted a new platform this year for the Maxima. Oh well. I don't know if Infiniti has any real direction right now. But ... does it really matter ??

I believe that they are attempting to, after years of offering a line-up of slow-selling, often inferior products, take a real swing at grabbing some of the big-boys' numbers with the likes of the FX and the G35. The M35/45 is the next car facilitating this attempt/signaling this direction ... we'll see if it's as good as we all (or I) certainly hope it is. And who's to tell what Infiniti will introduce next (or refrain from introducing here in the States).

If the numbers are good - I don't see why every luxury or near-luxury company should be structured EXACTLY the same way ... sure the competition's incredible that way - and head-to head comparison tests get interesting - but if you only specialize at holding performance niches - then why not fill them exclusively? (Infiniti) ...

And if you specialize in everything - but traditionally lean toward luxury (Lexus) then keep on doing your thing.

M.
videcormeum is offline  
Old 09-04-04, 02:40 PM
  #19  
LexFather
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Originally posted by whipimpin
I always liked the I35 and would prefer it over a Maxima any-day ... even the new ones. Sick - I remember when you posted an ad for the I35 (along with other heavily discounted Infiniti cars - including the Q) indicating a discounted price of $27,500. Whether you guys admit it or not - that's a hell of a lot of car for the money - more than you could get anywhere else. Sure the interior wasn't as nice as the ES, but who cares for that price? It sure was a lot quicker than an ES, a TL, TSX, Diamante ... etc.

And I knew Infiniti would probably be dropping this car with Nissan's having adopted a new platform this year for the Maxima. Oh well. I don't know if Infiniti has any real direction right now. But ... does it really matter ??

I believe that they are attempting to, after years of offering a line-up of slow-selling, often inferior products, take a real swing at grabbing some of the big-boys' numbers with the likes of the FX and the G35. The M35/45 is the next car facilitating this attempt/signaling this direction ... we'll see if it's as good as we all (or I) certainly hope it is. And who's to tell what Infiniti will introduce next (or refrain from introducing here in the States).

If the numbers are good - I don't see why every luxury or near-luxury company should be structured EXACTLY the same way ... sure the competition's incredible that way - and head-to head comparison tests get interesting - but if you only specialize at holding performance niches - then why not fill them exclusively? (Infiniti) ...

And if you specialize in everything - but traditionally lean toward luxury (Lexus) then keep on doing your thing.

M.
If Infiniti really wants to be the Japanese BMW it wants to be, they need manuals in all their cars. Not just the G. That would seperate them a bunch.
B/C for all intents and purposes, Lexus is just as sporty right now.
IS 300 vs G35s for sport
GS 300/430 vs M45 for sport
It's just that Lexus luxury overshadows these traits.
Oh and I35s are now 26k BRAND NEW here!!! Wow.
 
Old 09-04-04, 02:46 PM
  #20  
LexFather
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Nissan North America Reports August Sales [Sept. 1, 04]


GARDENA, Calif. (September 1, 2004) – Nissan North America, Inc. (NNA) reported August total sales of 80,314 units for its Nissan and Infiniti divisions, a 7.3 percent increase versus August of last year.

INFINITI HIGHLIGHTS
- Sales for Infiniti, the luxury division of NNA, were down 6.2 percent from last August, with 11,285 units sold
- Calendar year-to-date sales are up 8.3 percent with 85,957 units sold

NNA INFORMATION
- Combined August sales for Nissan and Infiniti totaled 80,314 units, a 7.3 percent increase from last August
- Calendar year-to-date sales are up 22.9 percent with 646,396 units sold

In North America, NNA’s operations include automotive styling, engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing, distribution and manufacturing. More information on NNA and the complete line of Nissan and Infiniti vehicles can be found online at www.nissannews.com or by contacting the corporate media line at 310/771-5631
Code:
ISSAN DIVISION SALES
----------------------------------------------------------------------
                 August  August  Monthly     CYTD     CYTD   CYTD DSR
                                    DSR
                 -----------------------------------------------------
                   2004    2003  % Change     2004     2003  % Change
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Nissan Division
 Total           69,029  67,832       9.9  560,439  446,690      25.5
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Sentra            7,509   8,298      -2.3   74,436   62,778      18.6
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Altima           20,182  19,180      13.6  159,814  138,401      15.5
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Maxima            6,146   8,456     -21.5   49,030   62,961     -22.1
----------------------------------------------------------------------
350Z              2,364   3,775     -32.4   21,781   26,351     -17.3
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Car        36,201  39,709      -1.5  305,061  290,630       5.0
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Frontier          6,127   7,613     -13.1   46,823   42,859       9.2
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Xterra            5,303   6,750     -15.2   44,581   44,431       0.3
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Pathfinder        2,498   3,450     -21.8   19,319   24,130     -19.9
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Murano            5,248   6,188      -8.4   37,796   36,406       3.8
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Quest             3,318   4,122     -13.1   33,766    8,234     310.1
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Armada            2,871     N/A       N/A   22,587      N/A       N/A
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Titan             7,463     N/A       N/A   50,506      N/A       N/A
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Truck      32,828  28,123      26.1  255,378  156,060      63.6
----------------------------------------------------------------------
North American
 Produced        58,918  54,329      17.1  481,517  333,555      44.4
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Car              33,836  35,844       1.9  283,254  238,031      19.0
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Truck            25,082  18,485      46.5  198,263   95,524     107.6
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Import           10,111  13,503     -19.1   78,922  113,135     -30.2
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Car               2,365   3,865     -33.9   21,807   52,599     -58.5
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Truck             7,746   9,638     -13.2   57,115   60,536      -5.7
----------------------------------------------------------------------

----------------------------------------------------------------------
INFINITI DIVISION SALES
----------------------------------------------------------------------
                 August  August  Monthly     CYTD     CYTD   CYTD DSR
                                    DSR
                 -----------------------------------------------------
                   2004    2003  % Change     2004     2003  % Change
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Infiniti Division
 Total           11,285  12,988      -6.2   85,957   79,333       8.3
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I35               1,024   1,582     -30.1    8,229   10,032     -18.0
----------------------------------------------------------------------
G35 Sport Sedan   3,495   4,092      -7.8   28,098   24,230      16.0
----------------------------------------------------------------------
G35 Sport Coupe   2,636   3,182     -10.5   19,896   19,424       2.4
----------------------------------------------------------------------
M45                 221     556     -57.1    1,536    3,040     -49.5
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Q45                 162     259     -32.4    1,331    1,632     -18.4
----------------------------------------------------------------------
QX4                   1     192     -99.4       10    4,852     -99.8
----------------------------------------------------------------------
QX56              1,181     N/A       N/A    7,156      N/A       N/A
----------------------------------------------------------------------
FX                2,565   3,125     -11.0   19,700   16,113      22.3
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Car         7,538   9,671     -15.8   59,091   58,368       1.2
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Truck       3,747   3,317      22.0   26,866   20,965      28.1
----------------------------------------------------------------------

----------------------------------------------------------------------
COMBINED NISSAN AND INFINITI SALES
----------------------------------------------------------------------
                 August  August  Monthly     CYTD     CYTD   CYTD DSR
                                    DSR
                 -----------------------------------------------------
                   2004    2003  % Change     2004     2003  % Change
----------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL VEHICLE    80,314  80,820       7.3  646,396  526,023      22.9
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Car        43,739  49,380      -4.3  364,152  348,998       4.3
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Truck      36,575  31,440      25.6  282,244  177,025      59.4
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Selling Days         25      27                205      205
----------------------------------------------------------------------


Calendar year to date sales for 2003 include sales of 10 Infiniti G20 vehicles. 

All numbers include Hawaii. Percent changes based on DSR
 
Old 09-04-04, 02:51 PM
  #21  
videcormeum
Lexus Champion
 
videcormeum's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 2,175
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally posted by 1SICKLEX
If Infiniti really wants to be the Japanese BMW it wants to be, they need manuals in all their cars. Not just the G. That would seperate them a bunch.
B/C for all intents and purposes, Lexus is just as sporty right now.
IS 300 vs G35s for sport
GS 300/430 vs M45 for sport
It's just that Lexus luxury overshadows these traits.
Oh and I35s are now 26k BRAND NEW here!!! Wow.
FX - zero competition (style, performance) Don't even mention the Cayenne - LOL - what a joke.

G35 easily toasts an un-modified IS300 - both offer manual & good autos.

M45 (ought to) squeeze past GS430 (5.8 secs to 60 is FAAAST!) - 2x auto only

M35 toasts GS300 - again autos.

That's what I'm saying ... auto or manual - 0-60 and handling ability.

Though I totally agree with you about offering manuals in all the vehicles.


M.
videcormeum is offline  
Old 09-04-04, 02:56 PM
  #22  
Xenthar
Lead Lap
 
Xenthar's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: California
Posts: 435
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally posted by 1SICKLEX
Oh and I35s are now 26k BRAND NEW here!!! Wow.
Oh and IS300s are now 24k BRAND NEW here!!! Wow.
Xenthar is offline  
Old 09-04-04, 02:56 PM
  #23  
SecPole14
Lexus Champion
 
SecPole14's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: I wonder why I live alone here...
Posts: 4,330
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

Originally posted by whipimpin
FX - zero competition (style, performance) Don't even mention the Cayenne - LOL - what a joke.

G35 easily toasts an un-modified IS300 - both offer manual & good autos.

M45 (ought to) squeeze past GS430 (5.8 secs to 60 is FAAAST!) - 2x auto only

M35 toasts GS300 - again autos.

That's what I'm saying ... auto or manual - 0-60 and handling ability.

Though I totally agree with you about offering manuals in all the vehicles.


M.
It's not just about speed. It's about feel. I can only imagine what it must feel like to have the IS's 2JZ lashed to a 5-speed manual, even though it's not blazing fast.

Just the feel of actually rowing the box for yourself would do wonders.

That's why I've come around with BMW...Even a 525i is avaliable with a proper 6-speed manual. Stellar.

Wow, if Infiniti stuck a manual in the M45, that would be something. But Infiniti said that even the G35x (which is a damn shame, cause the X is cool) doesn't have stick because marketing data shows little potential support, so that pretty much counts out the M45.

But I agree with 1Sick, Infiniti needs more manuals. The G35 variants are a good start, but they do indeed have a way to go if they want to be the Japanese BMW.

By the way, if I want a BMW, I'd buy the real thing.

Last edited by SecPole14; 09-04-04 at 02:58 PM.
SecPole14 is offline  
Old 09-04-04, 03:00 PM
  #24  
Xenthar
Lead Lap
 
Xenthar's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: California
Posts: 435
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally posted by wantAnewLex
It's not just about speed. It's about feel. I can only imagine what it must feel like to have the IS's 2JZ lashed to a 5-speed manual, even though it's not blazing fast.

Just the feel of actually rowing the box for yourself would do wonders.

That's why I've come around with BMW...Even a 525i is avaliable with a proper 6-speed manual. Stellar.

Wow, if Infiniti stuck a manual in the M45, that would be something. But Infiniti said that even the G35x (which is a damn shame, cause the X is cool) doesn't have stick because marketing data shows little potential support, so that pretty much counts out the M45.

But I agree with 1Sick, Infiniti needs more manuals. The G35 variants are a good start, but they do indeed have a way to go if they want to be the Japanese BMW.

By the way, if I want a BMW, I'd buy the real thing.
I also agree that there should be more manuals, but incorporating them in all the cars is obviously not something that would sell alot. Even with bmw, the 6 speed 545i rarely gets sold. I guess infiniti should at least have it as an option. That would be nice.

By the way, if i want a Mercedes, I'd buy the real thing.
Xenthar is offline  
Old 09-04-04, 03:04 PM
  #25  
SecPole14
Lexus Champion
 
SecPole14's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: I wonder why I live alone here...
Posts: 4,330
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

Originally posted by Xenthar


By the way, if i want a Mercedes, I'd buy the real thing.
Hey man, get with the times. Lexus is the new Mercedes, all the cool kids are doing it.

Seriously though, I were obviously a little older and had more $$$, I would probably seriously consider buying a G35c 6MT.

I really have tried to cut down on criticizing the G35 in recent months, because it's very very hard to fault for the money.

Especially considering the avaliable manual and also the RWD-bias AWD variant. Even the interior and Happy Halloween lighting have grown on me.
SecPole14 is offline  
Old 09-04-04, 03:06 PM
  #26  
videcormeum
Lexus Champion
 
videcormeum's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 2,175
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally posted by wantAnewLex


By the way, if I want a BMW, I'd buy the real thing.
Nuck if you buck, boy ... nuck nuck nuck nuck nuck nuck nuck nuck ...

I don't know if you've heard that song - it has nothing to do with cars - but everytime I hear it I want to explode .... it's almost as retarded as the "white-t" song.

Anwyay,

Once the 3-series is replaced, I'm afraid I couldn't be seen in the spinning blue and white ... they look terrible.

Of course - if I wanted to race a car - then BMW might be the place to go ... I know that I could scrape the current 5-series' sheetmetal all across a guard-rail and not feel bad about it.

BMWs are like girls with nice bodies but a grill like a 300c ...

M.

Last edited by whipimpin; 09-04-04 at 03:09 PM.
videcormeum is offline  
Old 09-04-04, 03:14 PM
  #27  
LexFather
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Originally posted by whipimpin
Nuck if you buck, boy ... nuck nuck nuck nuck nuck nuck nuck nuck ...

I don't know if you've heard that song - it has nothing to do with cars - but everytime I hear it I want to explode .... it's almost as retarded as the "white-t" song.

Anwyay,

Once the 3-series is replaced, I'm afraid I couldn't be seen in the spinning blue and white ... they look terrible.

Of course - if I wanted to race a car - then BMW might be the place to go ... I know that I could scrape the current 5-series' sheetmetal all across a guard-rail and not feel bad about it.

M.
Man those songs are all the rage down here. Catchy but utterly pathetic wordplay. Club bangers. All kids too, all under 20. Hear the re-mix with Jermain Dupri? Hot verse, lol.

Yes manuals rarely sell but it's the whoke point of offering it. Heck a manual M45 would SERIOUSLY attract many GS owners, IMO.
Oh, if I wanted a Lexus, I'd buy the real thing.
 
Old 09-04-04, 03:26 PM
  #28  
bitkahuna
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (20)
 
bitkahuna's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Present
Posts: 75,104
Received 2,481 Likes on 1,630 Posts
Default

Manuals (or at least clutches) on upmarket cars are slowly dying, being replaced with auto manuals or 'sequential' type boxes.
bitkahuna is online now  
Old 09-04-04, 03:27 PM
  #29  
LexFather
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Originally posted by bitkahuna
Manuals (or at least clutches) on upmarket cars are slowly dying, being replaced with auto manuals or 'sequential' type boxes.
It's like replacing sex with that helmet thing you put on your head. _____ Reality or something like that...
 
Old 09-04-04, 03:28 PM
  #30  
videcormeum
Lexus Champion
 
videcormeum's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 2,175
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally posted by 1SICKLEX
Man those songs are all the rage down here. Catchy but utterly pathetic wordplay. Club bangers. All kids too, all under 20. Hear the re-mix with Jermain Dupri? Hot verse, lol.

Yes manuals rarely sell but it's the whoke point of offering it. Heck a manual M45 would SERIOUSLY attract many GS owners, IMO.
Oh, if I wanted a Lexus, I'd buy the real thing.
Thread turning ....



The hottest song out right now, to me, is "Real Big" - Mannie Fresh.

I love that song.

I haven't heard the re-mix w/ Jermain Dupri ... or maybe I have ... I'll be lookin' out for it though.

M.
videcormeum is offline  


Quick Reply: Another Infiniti bites the dust. Bye I-35.



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 01:08 PM.