Originally Posted by NorCal DC4
I was posting in a rush this morning.. lemme 'splain.
I had two main complaints over the I30, it's obvious Maxima roots...and it's lack of form. It was a lackluster design effort IMO. Even the Maxima engine and drivetrain couldn't save it in my view.
The I30's Maxima roots were far too obvious for my taste. For the sake of comparison...at least Toyota came up with a decent form for the Mk1 ES300. At the time (1997) the Lexus ES300 hid its physical similarites to the Camry much better than the Infiniti I30 did to it's progenitor the Maxima.
h:
And to answer your question about the chrome grill being too much: Yes. On that car, it was too much. Aside from the chrome, the I30 / I35 were really lacking in any real form. Remember the lame J30? The same problems manifested themselves in the I30. IMO, The mid-90's were a dark time for Nissan design....the Skyline and Cima being the two exceptions I can think of off-hand.
I'm glad Nissan has hired designers with talent; your G35 is brilliant IMO.
oh i totally agree that the I35 was a poor attempt at the entry-luxury market. i guess i think of lincoln town cars when i think of factory bling, or others with chrome door handles, window trim, and taillight trim.