1994 Infiniti J30 T review from North America

The car has been fun to drive, but it is expensive, even if you do the work yourself and buy used parts off of ebay. Things that have gone wrong include:

Waterpump/timing belt TWICE (nearly wrecked engine)

Timing belt tensioner

Mass air flow sensor

Air conditioning needs recharged every year (don't even think of buying a new one)

Rear brake calipers

ABS relays (supposidly a common problem)

Tie rod ends

Engine knock sensor ($800+ to replace)

Starter

Wheel bearing ($200 for one wheel!)

O2 sensors

CAT clogged

Alternator

Blower motor

A/C tensioner

Now for the things that are wrong and should be fixed:

cracked exhaust manifold ($700+ to install, the final straw)

All struts (normal for a 13yr old car, but not $700x4 +install, no aftermarket available!)

Driver window failing

Door locks failing

Sunroof will not open (common problem)

...stuff I replaced once are starting to fail again.

Slow electrical leak that drains the battery in about a month.

I have a love/hate relationship with the car. I love the performance and comfort, I hate the expensive bills. This is my one and only review as I plan on selling it in the spring.

They make everything in the car difficult to get to. This could be why labour is so expensive on it. Every single task that is common place for a older car is nearly impossible to do. It takes me an hour just to change the oil, whereas any other car takes 15min. The waterpump/timing belt took over 8 hours. at the dealer; my civic belt can be done in 1hr.

People/reviews said this was a great/reliable car good for 500+k kms. True, the engine may last that long. HOWEVER, expect many things around that engine to fail. I have also heard of people's transmissions failing.

Granted, the car does have high highway miles, but I don't really want to continually pay for repairs. I even purchased a complete "parts car" with anticipation of using the parts off of it when they fail. However, the amount of labor (x2) to take out, then install a part that is 50% worn does not make sense. Case in point, the cracked exhaust manifold. Why replace one side with a used one (no new ones available) when the other side could go?

I can see how people develop "bonds" to their car. I am sad to see it go, but I don't have the time or money to love it forever.