YACT: Cost to repair Nissan vs. Infinity (Max vs J30)

[Red]

I've brought up this topic before but I wanted to do some research on it. Please comment / validate / etc. These are all based on cars I figured in the $8,000 price range. ($180 / month car payment over 60 months @ 10%) And cars found on autotrader.com for roughly $8000. Part costs are from oem-import-car-parts.com

97 Infiniti J30 (Engine code VG30DE, Chassis Y32 -- RWD)
Cooling
* Water Pump $100.23
* Fan Clutch $170.61
* T-stat $12.62
* Radiator $228.00
Belts
* P-steering $9.98
* Alt + w/pump $11.07
* Air cond. $9.77
Fuel
* Fuel Injectors $81.78 x 6
* Fuel Pump Intank $185.68
Engine
* Start Remanuf. $139
* Alt. Remanuf. $202

98 Maxima (Engine code VQ30DE, Chassis A32 -- FWD)
* Water Pump $66.41
* Fan Clutch -VQ doesn't use fan clutch like VG?
* T-stat $12.53
* Radiator $167.65
Belts
* P-steering $8.49
* Alt + air cond $12.97
Fuel
* Fuel Injectors: $79.47 x 6
* Fuel Pump $same as above
Engine
* Starter: same
* alternator: same

So basically, the price differences aren't huge, but it is there. Is this because the VG engine uses a fan clutch, an extra belt, different radiator, etc? And am I right in assuming the I30 uses the VQ30 engine versus VG30 and therefore would have the same repair costs as a Maxima?

 

[agnitrate]

I30 should be the exact costs of a maxima and if not, the parts should be relatively interchangable.

-silver

 

[CraigRT]

Originally posted by: agnitrate
I30 should be the exact costs of a maxima and if not, the parts should be relatively interchangable.

-silver

yeah the I30 is the maxima twin... while the J30 is definitely a different car.

 

[StageLeft]

I'd buy a max if only because lacking the infiniti name means you'll get a lot more bang for your buck and since they're the same car...screw the I!

 

[mAdD INDIAN]

The J30 is more similar to the Nissan 300ZX (non-turbo) than it is to the Maxima.

In fact, I'm sure you could get away by buying the same parts from a Nissan dealer, telling them its for your 300ZX non-turbo (engine, tranny, rear diff, rear suspension is all the same).

 

[mAdD INDIAN]

Originally posted by: Skoorb
I'd buy a max if only because lacking the infiniti name means you'll get a lot more bang for your buck and since they're the same car...screw the I!

but he's talking about a J30 not a I30.

Also if you goto Nissan dealers that service Infiniti (like mine) they charge you more per hour if you have an Ifniniti. Its ludicrous.

 

[WinkOsmosis]

Originally posted by: Skoorb
I'd buy a max if only because lacking the infiniti name means you'll get a lot more bang for your buck and since they're the same car...screw the I!

The j30 is RWD.

 

[WinkOsmosis]

Originally posted by: mAdD INDIAN
The J30 is more similar to the Nissan 300ZX (non-turbo) than it is to the Maxima.

In fact, I'm sure you could get away by buying the same parts from a Nissan dealer, telling them its for your 300ZX non-turbo (engine, tranny, rear diff, rear suspension is all the same).

Hmm. Can you swap a 300zx manual into a j30?

 

[StageLeft]

I think he meant I30, not J30.

 

[CraigRT]

 

[WinkOsmosis]

Originally posted by: Skoorb
I think he meant I30, not J30.

"97 Infiniti J30 (Engine code VG30DE, Chassis Y32 -- RWD)"

 

[StageLeft]

Originally posted by: WinkOsmosis

Originally posted by: Skoorb
I think he meant I30, not J30.

"97 Infiniti J30 (Engine code VG30DE, Chassis Y32 -- RWD)"

 

[mAdD INDIAN]

Originally posted by: WinkOsmosis

Originally posted by: mAdD INDIAN
The J30 is more similar to the Nissan 300ZX (non-turbo) than it is to the Maxima.

In fact, I'm sure you could get away by buying the same parts from a Nissan dealer, telling them its for your 300ZX non-turbo (engine, tranny, rear diff, rear suspension is all the same).

Hmm. Can you swap a 300zx manual into a j30?

yep.

You can also swap a VG30DE-TT into it as well.