Doing used car overviews on a weekly basis for a number of years can sure be an eye opener. Your correspondent scours owner’s forums, consumer complaint threads and reliability resources regularly to help ascertain what owners of a used model can expect-- and what key issues to check for on a test drive. As time passes, a few things have become apparent: Korean cars are built better than ever, you can’t beat a well-maintained Honda, Toyota or Subaru as a used small-car buy, and when it comes to pricey premium machines, the Germans offer a tremendous driving experience but fall slightly short on reliability.
I often advise readers to thoroughly check out Japanese premium models if shopping out a comparable European model. Of course, the Germans build great premium cars-- but many begin to exhibit frustrating wiring and electrical issues as they age. Complicating things, these issues can come and go as they please, and are often difficult and expensive to diagnose.
Your writers email is prepped for hate mail from BMW and Mercedes fans, but it’s got to be said: often times, where long-term reliability and operating costs are concerned, it’s the Japanese that build the most attractive machines in this used market segment.
The Infiniti M35 and M45 are two such models. Comprising the top-end of Nissan’s luxury brand, the last generation M-series was available to Canadian shoppers from 2006 to 2010 model years, inclusive. The numerical portion of the vehicle’s nomenclature references the engine displacement: namely a 3.5 litre V6 in M35 models, or a 4.5 litre V8 in the M45. Output was rated at between 275 and 297 horsepower from the V6, while the V8 generated between 325 and 335, depending on the year in question.
All models got a five-speed manual-mode automatic, and AWD was eventually available with both powerplants. Without AWD on board, the M is a rear-drive vehicle. In either case, be sure to budget for snow tires if you plan on year-round use.
Features included power heated leather memory seats, aluminum and wood trim, a driver computer, automatic lights and climate control, a sunroof, premium Bose audio, navigation, Bluetooth, an intelligent key system and an auto-dimming rearview mirror. It’s certainly stocked well-- with all the premium car amenities an owner would expect.
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| 2007 Infiniti M (Photo: Infiniti) |
I often advise readers to thoroughly check out Japanese premium models if shopping out a comparable European model. Of course, the Germans build great premium cars-- but many begin to exhibit frustrating wiring and electrical issues as they age. Complicating things, these issues can come and go as they please, and are often difficult and expensive to diagnose.
Your writers email is prepped for hate mail from BMW and Mercedes fans, but it’s got to be said: often times, where long-term reliability and operating costs are concerned, it’s the Japanese that build the most attractive machines in this used market segment.
The Infiniti M35 and M45 are two such models. Comprising the top-end of Nissan’s luxury brand, the last generation M-series was available to Canadian shoppers from 2006 to 2010 model years, inclusive. The numerical portion of the vehicle’s nomenclature references the engine displacement: namely a 3.5 litre V6 in M35 models, or a 4.5 litre V8 in the M45. Output was rated at between 275 and 297 horsepower from the V6, while the V8 generated between 325 and 335, depending on the year in question.
All models got a five-speed manual-mode automatic, and AWD was eventually available with both powerplants. Without AWD on board, the M is a rear-drive vehicle. In either case, be sure to budget for snow tires if you plan on year-round use.
Features included power heated leather memory seats, aluminum and wood trim, a driver computer, automatic lights and climate control, a sunroof, premium Bose audio, navigation, Bluetooth, an intelligent key system and an auto-dimming rearview mirror. It’s certainly stocked well-- with all the premium car amenities an owner would expect.
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| 2009 Infiniti M (Photo: Infiniti) |