back when the French car company Renault didn’t own Nissan and they didn’t use those crappy Jetco automatic CVT’s back when a Nissan and Infiniti were good vehicles
Nice find! These were rare when new and always seemed like a weird fit in Infiniti's line up. It looked ten years out of date when new, especially compared to a Q45.
I'm really disappointed that they didn't give the M30 a left hand drive version of the F31 Leopard dashboard. Would definitely have looked more modern than that dated R31 Skyline dashboard...but they surely saved up some money in not doing that, considering that the sales of this car which was on it's way out weren't particularly spectacular, being more of a stop gap until the next generation of Leopard/ Infiniti J30 was released.
I used to feel the same, but no more. The revised F31 dash is as generic as you can get, not a lot of thought was put into it, and the shaping of it reminds me of something you would see in an American shitbox from the era. It doesn't fit with the style of the interior, or the body. The original dash is so funky and weird, it's one of my favorite things about the cars now. Also the perfect canvas for custom projects.
These nissan v6 engine of the EIghtees and Ninties were industuctible. I saw one in the Junkyard tapped the block i was amazed it was overbuilt. True build Quality from a time were the manufacters truly cared
The Q50 is not a direct successor to the Q45, but that seems like a common misconception. It is more aligned with Infinitis G35/37, as was the Infiniti Q40 and Q60. In 2014 they changed the way they name their cars so that’s the reason for the confusion. The Q70 was a direct replacement for the M37/56 and the Q70L would have been the closest thing to a Q45 successor
Owner here, I have since completed a manual swap on this car since Zack filmed it and damn does it save this thing from mediocrity. It definitely opens up the power in the car too at least as much as you can in a 160hp car lol
Gotta say. Heard him say you were "looking to sell it".. I owned a J30 and even with me putting ~$1500 into it, it just refused to be great. How's the car acting for ya? (Zack has reviewed my Subaru and that video may be dropping on his channel SOON!)
@@82_KID Yeah at the time I was gonna sell, but I got a good deal on a Z32 trans and jumped on it. I've still only put about 1000 miles on it in my ownership, but I'm pretty happy with it now that it has 3 pedals. Definitely sucked with the auto, but I'm biased as I've only owned manuals up to this point.
@@Midnight_Oil_MFG. Thats kind of like me and my Subaru. I got a whole "enhanced short block" ready to be made into a whole engine for many more miles of life on my car. I love the enthusiasm! My J30 was "OK" but I lost a race to a passed off guy in a Grand Marquis or Crown Victoria 4.6 that was really flooring it.
Hey man, we should talk about that manual swap! I picked up an M30 coupe in January. I’ve got a z32 trans, a z31 clutch pedal and a dream lol. I’d love to be able to talk to you and share some info before I tear into it for the swap. Does TH-cam have dms?
I'm pretty late but thanks for making this video! I'm a huge fan of the Leopard, It's my dream car. I was thinking of getting it as my first car but realistically It's too expensive for me to export etc. Barely today I found out about this car and now I'm set on this one being my first. So thanks again for this video, you've made me even more excited to get mine lol. I can't wait to buy one soon!
I paid $19,000 for my 1991 Infiniti M30 in 1992. In 31 years of driving "her", I've only made one major repair. The transmission with torque converter was replaced at 61,000 miles; she now has over 278,000. When a deer collided with my 1978 Firebird Trans Am, I traded-up on this used car and never looked back. Both cars are fast, have rear wheel drive, with positive traction on the drag strip. Better drivers like myself appreciate top end speed/M30, after that quarter mile run. I love Nissan because they perfected the modern muscle car. Mine can STILL smoke almost any new Dodge, Chevy,Toyota, or Lexus made today!
Hey Zack, how about doing a video essay on Asian car design language of the late 70s- early 90s (up to 92ish)? When you think about it, it looks like a very unified design language for all Asian manufacturers at that time. Like this thing for example has a very strong 3rd gen Subaru Leon vibe to it... Just kinda interesting to think about...
I remember sitting in an Infiniti M30 coupe and convertible. The convertible appealed to me more but it did sit too low for me overall. V6 engine was pretty good but it really needed the 3.0 liter V6 from the 300ZX.
i took the little plastic holder out of the "cup holder" biggest thing it can fit is a big vitamin water so its good in my book lmao but fr love both of my m30s eventually will be getting a leopard
This generation of the Leopard which this one is based on is my least favourite interior wise - mostly due to the dashboard design although the later models looked a bit better. Tho this generation of the Leopard has a huge following in Japan. I like the exterior design of this generation more than the interior. The "Super Sonic Suspension" is a nice peace of tech.
It looks like a squared-off Lexus SC400 or a nice Honda Prelude. It's a throwback with how small the wheel arches and wheels are. It's not bad but it also shows that Lexus has always eaten Infiniti's lunch. Lexus designed their cars from the ground up with cost no object, Infiniti refreshed an old Nissan. Harley-Davidson also lobbied the Reagan administration for a heavy tariff on imported large motorcycles because Japanese bikes were destroying Harleys in terms of power, handling, quality, and reliability. Yay protectionism. If it weren't for the Japanese prodding the American carmakers to get better we'd still be driving cars that rust away or wear out their engines before 100k miles and handle like boats.
Americas were noticing that when those Japanese cars came over to America, they were of better build quality and more reliable then the Amerian auto manufactures
Ironically there is one 10min from my house…. Identical to the one in the video (except it has BBS wheels?) and is the ONLY one I’ve EVER Seen… he drives it ever blue moon. Have never seen any other even since 1990. 🤷🏻♂️
People and enthusiast don’t understand Infinti isn’t popular because identity atleast in the north people don’t know what brand my car is most of the time they just know it’s foreign
I have 3 Infiniti M30s and have loved these since 2005. Rare cars, hard to find parts, but also even more rare are JDM parts. Both my coupes have been built with a touch of old JDM golden era. My convertible is also a slow rebuild project. th-cam.com/video/JRpPrn7ccu4/w-d-xo.html
back when the French car company Renault didn’t own Nissan and they didn’t use those crappy Jetco automatic CVT’s back when a Nissan and Infiniti were good vehicles
Prime was 3.7 days early late 2000s late 2010 they n/a v6 was faster than most v8 at that time
@@Brian_Eugene_Leedon't buy a CVT at all.
You need to review a first generation Infiniti G20 (P10) with a manual transmission
Technically, this car did get a new generation. When the later generation of the Nissan leopard came out, it was renamed the Infiniti j30
YES DUDE old infiniti are really underratted like the q45 and the g20 which had a sr20
Nice find! These were rare when new and always seemed like a weird fit in Infiniti's line up. It looked ten years out of date when new, especially compared to a Q45.
Digital clock. I'm sold.
That being said it looks like a luxury version of a 90's Accord. Lines are there.
Great review.
I'm really disappointed that they didn't give the M30 a left hand drive version of the F31 Leopard dashboard. Would definitely have looked more modern than that dated R31 Skyline dashboard...but they surely saved up some money in not doing that, considering that the sales of this car which was on it's way out weren't particularly spectacular, being more of a stop gap until the next generation of Leopard/ Infiniti J30 was released.
I used to feel the same, but no more. The revised F31 dash is as generic as you can get, not a lot of thought was put into it, and the shaping of it reminds me of something you would see in an American shitbox from the era. It doesn't fit with the style of the interior, or the body. The original dash is so funky and weird, it's one of my favorite things about the cars now. Also the perfect canvas for custom projects.
These nissan v6 engine of the EIghtees and Ninties were industuctible. I saw one in the Junkyard tapped the block i was amazed it was overbuilt. True build Quality from a time were the manufacters truly cared
You don’t see old infinitis anymore. A lot of them rusted, relative to the Lexus’s. Nice little Grand Tourer.
Facts
It's crazy to not see any older japan cars on the road. The 91 q45 had a good 300 horsepower
im glad you made a video on this hidden gem of a car
The Q50 is not a direct successor to the Q45, but that seems like a common misconception. It is more aligned with Infinitis G35/37, as was the Infiniti Q40 and Q60. In 2014 they changed the way they name their cars so that’s the reason for the confusion. The Q70 was a direct replacement for the M37/56 and the Q70L would have been the closest thing to a Q45 successor
Infiniti was actually the last of the three to start sales in the US. Lexus preceded them by a few months, and Acura started in 1986.
Owner here, I have since completed a manual swap on this car since Zack filmed it and damn does it save this thing from mediocrity. It definitely opens up the power in the car too at least as much as you can in a 160hp car lol
Gotta say. Heard him say you were "looking to sell it".. I owned a J30 and even with me putting ~$1500 into it, it just refused to be great. How's the car acting for ya? (Zack has reviewed my Subaru and that video may be dropping on his channel SOON!)
@@82_KID Yeah at the time I was gonna sell, but I got a good deal on a Z32 trans and jumped on it. I've still only put about 1000 miles on it in my ownership, but I'm pretty happy with it now that it has 3 pedals. Definitely sucked with the auto, but I'm biased as I've only owned manuals up to this point.
@@Midnight_Oil_MFG. Thats kind of like me and my Subaru. I got a whole "enhanced short block" ready to be made into a whole engine for many more miles of life on my car. I love the enthusiasm! My J30 was "OK" but I lost a race to a passed off guy in a Grand Marquis or Crown Victoria 4.6 that was really flooring it.
@@82_KID Yeah lol it's slow but sadly it might be my fastest car now that it has a manual. . .oof.
Hey man, we should talk about that manual swap! I picked up an M30 coupe in January. I’ve got a z32 trans, a z31 clutch pedal and a dream lol. I’d love to be able to talk to you and share some info before I tear into it for the swap. Does TH-cam have dms?
Looks like the kinda car to put daytons on and 808
I'm pretty late but thanks for making this video! I'm a huge fan of the Leopard, It's my dream car. I was thinking of getting it as my first car but realistically It's too expensive for me to export etc. Barely today I found out about this car and now I'm set on this one being my first. So thanks again for this video, you've made me even more excited to get mine lol. I can't wait to buy one soon!
My first car passed down to me from my pops! I loved this car, had it from 2000 to 2004. Fun to drive.
The Q50 is in no way a successor to the Q45, Nissan's last attempt at a full-size luxury vehicle was the q70L.
Great video, good job man !!!
I paid $19,000 for my 1991 Infiniti M30 in 1992. In 31 years of driving "her", I've only made one major repair. The transmission with torque converter was replaced at 61,000 miles; she now has over 278,000. When a deer collided with my 1978 Firebird Trans Am, I traded-up on this used car and never looked back. Both cars are fast, have rear wheel drive, with positive traction on the drag strip. Better drivers like myself appreciate top end speed/M30, after that quarter mile run. I love Nissan because they perfected the modern muscle car. Mine can STILL smoke almost any new Dodge, Chevy,Toyota, or Lexus made today!
Hey Zack, how about doing a video essay on Asian car design language of the late 70s- early 90s (up to 92ish)? When you think about it, it looks like a very unified design language for all Asian manufacturers at that time. Like this thing for example has a very strong 3rd gen Subaru Leon vibe to it... Just kinda interesting to think about...
Sort of like how American cars from the 70s to the 90s all looked the same until the Taurus copied Audi.
I remember sitting in an Infiniti M30 coupe and convertible. The convertible appealed to me more but it did sit too low for me overall. V6 engine was pretty good but it really needed the 3.0 liter V6 from the 300ZX.
Acura was first to the US market. They established themselves here in 1986.
Great video ❤
This is one of my favorite cars ever. I missed the chance to get one of these for 8k last year and I'm still sulking.
8 k is steep unless it was a super low mileage example
Sulk no more. I am an original owner of a 1991 Infiniti Luxury Coupe, hard top. Maybe we'll chat.
Got this car but the convertible, it’s on jackstands right now because of an alternator, but once I get it done, it’s over for everybody 💯💯
I had a convertible version too, hate that I got rid of it but mine had suspension problems that I couldn’t afford so I sold it 🫠
I saw that car about 4 times in my life. Good lookin! But we need a big friggin box to measure the truck.
Would love to see you review a first gen Q45 if you can find a nice one, especially one optioned with HICAS or the active hydraulic suspension.
i took the little plastic holder out of the "cup holder" biggest thing it can fit is a big vitamin water so its good in my book lmao but fr love both of my m30s eventually will be getting a leopard
Hahaha the overdrive issue is so so common, mine is constantly fluctuating between 2300 and 2800 while I'm on the highway
First Gen Gs300 would smoke this, to 60 and with torque and horse power. The SC has to be the nail in the coffin
I knew I saw an R31 Skyline dash in this car👀
What a wonderful sound that engine makes. I feel like a manual transmission really would’ve made this something special
this basically looks like a rebodied skyline with the drivers position swapped
Did he sell it yet?
The dashboard reminds me a lot of an old Volvo 240.
It’s interesting to see where Infiniti came from
It’s a nice in shape M30 most probably not around anymore
This is a pretty car.
Wish I e could see a q70 with the v8 real rare
If my 1993 Infiniti J30 was still around.. I'd LOVE for you to review it!! (It was a GREAT car it just refused to work right. VG30DE)
Isn't this one of the lux cars used in three kings?
Looks also like a stretched Nissan Sentra B13 .
This generation of the Leopard which this one is based on is my least favourite interior wise - mostly due to the dashboard design although the later models looked a bit better. Tho this generation of the Leopard has a huge following in Japan. I like the exterior design of this generation more than the interior.
The "Super Sonic Suspension" is a nice peace of tech.
I miss my dads old g20 with the car phone 📞
It looks like a squared-off Lexus SC400 or a nice Honda Prelude. It's a throwback with how small the wheel arches and wheels are. It's not bad but it also shows that Lexus has always eaten Infiniti's lunch. Lexus designed their cars from the ground up with cost no object, Infiniti refreshed an old Nissan.
Harley-Davidson also lobbied the Reagan administration for a heavy tariff on imported large motorcycles because Japanese bikes were destroying Harleys in terms of power, handling, quality, and reliability. Yay protectionism. If it weren't for the Japanese prodding the American carmakers to get better we'd still be driving cars that rust away or wear out their engines before 100k miles and handle like boats.
ive never seen one in the wild
Acura started in '86.
Datsun had changed to Nissan in the early 80s. So you had a "new" company introducing a new company
A rival to the Acura CL
Americas were noticing that when those Japanese cars came over to America, they were of better build quality and more reliable then the Amerian auto manufactures
Infiniti M30 or Nissan Leopard in Japan.
Ironically there is one 10min from my house…. Identical to the one in the video (except it has BBS wheels?) and is the ONLY one I’ve EVER Seen… he drives it ever blue moon. Have never seen any other even since 1990. 🤷🏻♂️
Ironically?
I wonder when Infiniti made the G35 , did they look back at the M30 for anything.
They're both just rebadged Skylines technically, so probably.
People and enthusiast don’t understand Infinti isn’t popular because identity atleast in the north people don’t know what brand my car is most of the time they just know it’s foreign
I have 3 Infiniti M30s and have loved these since 2005. Rare cars, hard to find parts, but also even more rare are JDM parts. Both my coupes have been built with a touch of old JDM golden era. My convertible is also a slow rebuild project. th-cam.com/video/JRpPrn7ccu4/w-d-xo.html
I use to have one. I was young and stupid, ruined that car and sold it. I'm 35 now and it almost brings me to tears.
That interior is just..... Hideous
poor trans is seen better days
big friggin bottle test is so annoying on all your videos