Infiniti M45

[JJ650]

Have any of you driven/owned one?? If so, what do you think of them?

Seriously looking around for a 4 dr/rwd car since I am ditching the truck within the next couple of months.
I've been kicking tires and just generally looking around to find something I like. I still want a G8 gt, but the M45 has a lot more tech in it.
FYI, I have been eyeballing a '06 M45 w/41k on the odometer.

 

[JulesMaximus]

I drove the previous generation once. Ugly car but damned nice ride. They get attrocious gas mileage though with that big V8...and they require premium fuel.

I think the current generation is very nice looking though.

 

[Arkaign]

Jules nailed it, though I don't think they're that ugly, just sort of boring on the outside. Looks like a bloated Maxima.

G8 GT is probably a better vehicle for the long haul, the 4.5L would make me nervous personally. The VQ V6 motors are pretty well proven by this point, so I don't get the point of getting a low-production 4.5L V8 with only 325hp. The new 3.7L produces more power than that, and so the 4.5L is being dropped altogether for the upcoming 3rd-gen Infiniti M series.

My 2 cents anyway.

 

[zoiks]

I like em but the G45 looks like a car gramps would drive.

 

[thescreensavers]

I haven't looked into the M45 much since we dont really need a V8 but the M35 looks like solid car, same engine as the one in my car, we are currently looking at them as a replacement for my moms car when the lease is up in march. Seems to be the best you can get in terms of luxury and tech for the price in the used market.

 

[Chapbass]

I've driven the M35 a few times when I was looking for a new car. Gotta say I enjoyed it alot more than I thought I would. Infiniti has a great lineup right now between the G, M, and FX (the fx35 sport I drove had a TON more power than I was expecting :O).

Pass on the QX and EX though .

What other cars are you comparing it to?


Oh, whoops, just saw the G8. G8 for driving, M45 for class.

 

[JJ650]

How is the leg room in the rear? My biggest gripe about a lot of 4 drs is the complete lack of sufficient leg room for back seat passengers (sufficient by my standards). I'm 6'2 and I hog a good bit of leg room up front which in turn really makes it a bitch for someone behind me. It happens enough that I have to think about it. I know the G8 had a good bit of leg room even with the seat pushed back.
As far as the motor goes, ya...the GM pushrod V8's are damned near bullet proof. I don't know enough about Nissan's v8 family to make a comparison.

 

[kevman]

the new gen is pretty nice, I'd be sure to get one with the NAV

 

[lastig21]

I currently own a 2007 M35 and love it. The V6 has plenty of hp for me, and I hear the V8 is awesome. I have never driven the V8.

I like the G8's too, but the M definitely has more class. I expect the G8 "might" be a bit more fun stoplight to stoplight, but I've never driven either. The M has several options: base, sport, awd and they all have different driving feels.

The M is due for a refresh soon, and Pontiac is going away. Its hard to say which one will keep its value better.

 

[JJ650]

I currently own a 2007 M35 and love it. The V6 has plenty of hp for me, and I hear the V8 is awesome. I have never driven the V8.

I like the G8's too, but the M definitely has more class. I expect the G8 "might" be a bit more fun stoplight to stoplight, but I've never driven either. The M has several options: base, sport, awd and they all have different driving feels.

The M is due for a refresh soon, and Pontiac is going away. Its hard to say which one will keep its value better.

Well I was surprised at the price of the '06 I am eyeballing. It's going for $26K and only has 41k miles. This one has the Sport/Journey package...and just noticed it has NO NAV. DAMN.


How is the back seat space? Is it good, or is it lacking like the G series?

 

[lastig21]

The M has a very roomy backseat. Much larger than our 05 Accord, bigger than an 07 TL, and as much leg-room as a Chrysler 300. The Chrysler might have a bit more shoulder room. I've never felt cramped in the back of an M or a 300 though.

 

[lastig21]

Pricing has been all over the board this year. Early in the year there were some crazy good deals. Prices in the used market have been inching up all year.

Our M35 has the sport package. The car handles great, and I love the wheels and trim that come with the package. The suspension and wheels do add alot of stiffness and some road noise over the base M. Make sure you drive one at highway speeds to see how you like it.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Pricing has been all over the board this year. Early in the year there were some crazy good deals. Prices in the used market have been inching up all year.

Our M35 has the sport package. The car handles great, and I love the wheels and trim that come with the package. The suspension and wheels do add alot of stiffness and some road noise over the base M. Make sure you drive one at highway speeds to see how you like it.

I was poking around Autotrader about a month ago and found very few of them on the used market.

 

[JJ650]

The M has a very roomy backseat. Much larger than our 05 Accord, bigger than an 07 TL, and as much leg-room as a Chrysler 300. The Chrysler might have a bit more shoulder room. I've never felt cramped in the back of an M or a 300 though.

Great to know right there. We have a '08 TL-S and that's about the limit I don't want to go past for leg room.

 

[lastig21]

It sounds like you should definitely give the M a test drive. Its a great car, though I am biased

I normally get 18-20mpg city, and around 22mpg highway. I would guess that the M45 get slightly lower, even though its rated about the same (if I remember correctly). I don't know if mpg matters much to you, but these cars don't get great mileage.

 

[Arkaign]

I think the M35 might be a better option compared to the M45, given the use of the much more common VQ V6. The power difference is pretty small anyway, and there are lots of tunes / bolt-ons for the VQs.

 

[JJ650]

It sounds like you should definitely give the M a test drive. Its a great car, though I am biased

I normally get 18-20mpg city, and around 22mpg highway. I would guess that the M45 get slightly lower, even though its rated about the same (if I remember correctly). I don't know if mpg matters much to you, but these cars don't get great mileage.

I currently get about 13mpg right now, so anything really is an improvement. I just am lukcy that I live kinda close to work and I fill up once every couple of weeks.

 

[woodie1]

I'd also suggest you look at the M35 instead. It has good reviews.

 

[JJ650]

I think the M35 might be a better option compared to the M45, given the use of the much more common VQ V6. The power difference is pretty small anyway, and there are lots of tunes / bolt-ons for the VQs.

I'll have to chk out prices and compare.


After looking....the power difference between the 2 is pretty substantial...and there is virtually no price difference.

Am I missing something??