Welcome to Craigslist Crapshoot, our weekly search for the most bizarre, awesome, and/or terrible vehicles that the online classifieds has to offer.
If Schoolhouse Rock taught us anything, it’s that three is a magic number. Last week we were looking for three-wheelers, and you all certainly came up with some magical offerings. We’ll get to the trinity in a sec, but first, this week’s quest!
To Infinti and beyond! Out of the three upscale Japanese brands introduced in late eighties and early nineties, Nissan’s Infiniti has probably realized the least success – at least until Acura developed amnesia about what kinds of cars they make. The earliest Infinitis were across the board more interesting than their Lexus competitors, and yet Lexus succeeded while Infiniti could only manage to get everyone interested in rock gardens. Let’s see what of those early cars we can find, from the M30 (I told you, Lexus doesn’t make a convertible) to the G20, the fanciest Sentra ever to be sold, and the suppositorial J30. Let’s celebrate the Infiniti of old!
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Why would anyone want a trike? Well, obviously because four wheels is too many, and with only two you fall over. There is a sense of third-world jauntiness that is projected by the three-wheeled jitney, or alternatively, American high school shop class by the various V8 and otherwise-powered trikes out there. One of my favorites of the former was this “Delivery Motorcycle” found by Jeepster. It makes me want to hawk chicken feet and tushonaya kapusta at a crowded rustic market.
At the other end of the spectrum was what could possibly be considered the craziest – and perhaps most likely to turn you and a friend into a road smear – which is this Suzuki B-King Ruko Straßen.- und Sportgespann, which was found by Krautwursten. Holy crap that looks insane, and with a claimed 135 kw (about 181 hp) you’d have to be nuts to climb into that Auber-low sidecar! Congrats to Krautwursten, and thanks to you all for providing all the trikes, it was like kindergarten all over again.
G20 was a Primera, though more than slightly related to the Sentra, still not a Sentra.
I had to hear this a ton from a guy who owned a P10 and P11 G20.
Aside from the second-gen Q45, I’m not a big fan of Infiniti. I’d take this one, though…
Ad is about half way down the page. http://indycompetition.com/indy-cars-champ-cars.html
http://images.autotrader.com/scaler/544/408/hn/9ef2926f84834cd0a9e8fcd541581117.jpg
1995 Infiniti Q45
http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?zip=08869&endYear=2016&modelCode1=Q45&sortBy=yearASC&showcaseOwnerId=90027&startYear=1981&makeCode1=INFIN&searchRadius=0&mmt=%5BINFIN%5BQ45%5B%5D%5D%5B%5D%5D&listingId=361796823&Log=0
208,612 miles
$1,988
1995 Infiniti Q45 ***Clean Title*** Automatic Transmission. AC/Heater. Power Windows, Door Locks, Seats. AM/FM Stereo. CD Changer. Moon Roof. Leather. For more pictures, please visit http://www.R66MOTORS.com. If there are any aftermarket parts/upgrades will be sold at an additional cost. Is not included on the advertised price. The price is based off of a base model package. It is the customer’s sole responsibility to verify the existence and condition of any equipment listed. We Offer Easy Financing Available for All applicants. We offer extended Warranties for all of our vehicles! We have many affordable vehicles to choose from, visit our website to view our entire inventory at r66motors.com. The location is 726 E Route 66. Glendora, CA 91740, *Please call us and schedule a test drive at 1-877-680-1879. Financing Available, On Approved Credit. *Prices do not include additional fees such as government fees and taxes, title and registration fees, finance charges, dealer document preparation
There are options on this car the seller doesn’t even know existed. I worked in an engineering department doing CAD work (at 17) and the VP of the group had one. It had one feature for winter, every time he turned the key in the ignition, the engineers’ coats would go on.
J30s are only $3,700? I feel the weight of temptation suddenly…
http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/NjAwWDc5OQ==/z/eToAAOSweW5VL-ES/$_27.JPG
http://www.kijiji.ca/v-cars-trucks/saskatoon/1994-infiniti-j30-priced-to-sell-fast/1064970604?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true
My 88 year-old Grandpa has one in Cabernet Pearl with a caramel interior. It’s actually a nice car to drive.
And the Japanese market Nissan version was available with the Q45s V-8. I think they also share some parts with the 300ZX.
Correct. The J Ferrie (J30) had the 4.1L V8 that was used in the second generation Q45. I test drove one over 10 years ago and loved it. That was when Infiniti was daring with design and made proper sport sedans. Still see J30s from time to time and they are very distinct looking.
Maybe too late of a model year to meet the qualifications, but I have an irrational love for these…
http://houston.craigslist.org/cto/4944834938.html
http://images.craigslist.org/00h0h_2EeDNpBVrwG_600x450.jpg
Clean and simple design. I second your fancy.
The M45 was the strongest argument for “Infinit launched with the wrong cars.”
Ours was the Y34 model. Look at the Y32 edition and tell me that the Q45, G20 and M30 were better choices to launch the brand.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/76/1991_Nissan_Gloria_01.jpg
They were too caught up with chasing Lexus (LS, and ES) and mirroring their offerings that they left their most competitive models at home.
I desperately wanted one of these (in my mind it’s last American-market sedan which wears its Japanese-ness proudly) until I read about how unreliable they can be. Now I only sort of want one.
I, to this day, have a lust for these.
I think they have orange IP lamps, though, which really puts me off.
This isn’t really an original Infiniti, being an I35 from 2003, but the pictures are amazing.
http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/NjAwWDM1Mg==/z/8~4AAOSwrklVDLDu/$_27.JPG
http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/NjAwWDM1Mg==/z/6I0AAOSw7aBVDLDd/$_27.JPG
http://www.kijiji.ca/v-cars-trucks/regina/2003-infiniti-i35-sedan/1058653225?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true
Amidst all the G35s on the local List de Craig I found a Nissan Pathfinder. 177k on the odo, but less than $2k from your pocket.
http://detroit.craigslist.org/wyn/cto/4986400555.html
http://nashville.craigslist.org/cto/4954902931.html
no reverse, oil leak and of course the $3500 converter/complete exhaust replacement needed
as in all 1998 – 2004 pathfinders
“trade for kayak “
A M30 COUPE in need of a little TLC:
http://images.craigslist.org/00T0T_jRHJ9qaTSif_600x450.jpg
http://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/cto/4903562874.html
A drive by picture of a old Q45
http://images.craigslist.org/00606_gJEyi1R0Vnp_600x450.jpg
http://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/cto/4901317307.html
So, what’s the cut off year? 1996 I30:
http://www.japan-partner.com/Auto/5035/Infiniti/I%2030/car-for-sale.html
http://www.japan-partner.com/images/4b7c464be6/infiniti-i+30-6494048a88.jpg
That is one expensive Primera. One could get 2 Nissan Primera GT-s for the same money.
http://ww3.autoscout24.de/classified/265529212
http://pic1.autoscout24.net/images-big/212/529/0265529212006.jpg
1992 Infiniti M30 Convertible, http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?listingId=396396095&Log=0
http://images.autotrader.com/scaler/544/408/hn/dce3a294a23544e498829d70a76638be.jpg
Infiniti came to Europe only in the late 2ks, so hardly any serious crapshoots available here. As for compensation, a Nissan Cedric 220, described as Datsun 260 with a 330 body. According to the seller, the brown one is sold, only the green one is still available – so here’s a picture of a sorry black one:
http://finncdn.no/mmo/2015/3/vertical-3/08/7/565/794/97_710002842_xl.jpg
http://finncdn.no/mmo/2015/3/vertical-3/08/7/565/794/97_1090284048_xl.jpg
http://www.finn.no/finn/car/used/object?finnkode=56579497
So… How long has that engine been underwater?
According to the seller, it’s “stored inside”… at this moment..
Some swimming pools are inside…
I really liked the Q45a…enough to seriously consider buying a 1991-1992 one fresh off a lease in 1995.
Glad I didn’t, because the interiors did not age well. The car, however, was amazing for the time.
OTOH, they also did these:
http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/cto/4957294101.html
I don’t see a reason to have reversing ability for LeMons or Chump Car…
http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/cto/4957294101.html
I’m glad this isn’t local to me, or I’d be tempted to take a look…. My ’05 STS has a semi-functional power driver’s seat, which has literally had parts fall out of it, so meh. Would have to fix the sunroof, though…I dig on having a sunroof.
Also, JDM, yo!
/facepalm
http://houston.craigslist.org/cto/4950882376.html
http://images.craigslist.org/00p0p_6trYqrGhSGQ_600x450.jpg
Lowered over coil overs! Custom rims! Space saver spare! $900!
http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/NjAwWDgwMA==/z/9ucAAOSwBLlVDzdv/$_27.JPG
http://www.kijiji.ca/v-cars-trucks/edmonton/1999-infiniti-q45/1059072763?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true