H-A.Net Car of the Week: 2003 Infiniti M45 (aka Nissan Gloria)
Category: Executive Sedans

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Reviews

Autoweek
Edmund's First Drive: 2003 Infiniti M45
FreshAlloy M45 info

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Specifications

General Information
- Est. Base Price: $42,845
- Miles Per Gallon: 17/23
- Curb Weight: 3851 lbs
- Layout: RWD
- Transmission: 5-speed automatic
- Suspension layout: Macpherson struts (front)/multilink with semi-trailing arms (rear)

Engine
- Type: V8
- Displacement: 4.5L
- Horsepower: 340hp
- Torque: 333lbs
- Valve Gear: DOHC

Performance (Road and Track)
- 0-30: 2.3
- 0-40: 3.3
- 0-50: 4.6
- 0-60: 6.1
- 0-70: 7.9
- 0-80: 10.1
- 0-90: 12.5
- 0-100: 16.0
- 1/4-mile: 14.6 @ 96.8 mph

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Competition

Acura RL

FWD V6 - $43,650


Audi A6 Quattro

2.7t V6 - $40,395
4.2 V8 - $50,295

BMW 5 series

530 I6 - $40,095
540 V8 - $51,845

Cadillac Deville

Base FWD V8 - $43,995
DTS FWD V8 - $48,825
DHS FWD V8 - $48,825

Jaguar S-Type

RWD V6 Style - $43,140
RWD V8 style - $50,620

Lexus GS

GS300 RWD V6 - $39,180
GS430 RWD V8 - $47,980

Lincoln LS

LSE style RWD V6 - $38,235
LSE style RWD V8 - $41,280

Mercedes E-class

E320 RWD V6 - $49,115 (2002 msrp)
E500 RWD V8 - $54,515 (2002 msrp)

Mercury Marauder

RWD V8 - $34,495

Saab 9-5

Aero FWD i4turbo - $39,275
Arc FWD V6 - $39,275

Volvo S80

FWD I6 - $39,075
FWD I6turbo - $43,725

 

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Gallery










JDM Nissan Gloria

 

Nice work kazi. I see you were going for ugly car of the week

I voted for a BMW 5-Series. If i wanted luxury, I'd go E-Class.

 

Can't play it safe all the time.

I wanted to check out what people here have to say about the M45. Looks like a nice powertrain package, but gotta give it a :ugh: for its exterior. I wonder if people paying $43k can forgive its looks for a RWD V8 package. :dunno:

 

it looks like one o them Kia's in the front......yuck.:barf:....give me the Audi A6.....

 

I thought it was VERY ugly too at first, but once I saw the pictures from Octobers Car and Driver in burgundy, it didn't look as bad. But I would give it a nod only because of the bang-for-buck it has to offer.

 

A three way tie in my opinion, without driving them at least.
M45-E430-GS400

M45 is going to be the best value. $40k gets you BMW performance, MB Luxury, and notorious Japanese quality/reliability.
GS430 probably best performer of the group, also great value/durability, and an awesome interior.
E430 something about the style, image, and luxury just pulls you in.

 

I like the bang for the buck...but have to go with the 5series. hands down there is not a car on the list that can beat the all around performance and luxury of a 540i w/. 6spd manual and the sport package.

 

I knew this poll is going to heavily favor the European brands in their V8 variants. But let's ask this. Would you the Infiniti M45 with a RWD V8 pull away from a 6 cylinder BMW, MB, or Audi purchase. :dunno: That is one of the main goal Nissan has for this model.

My take is, No. Something about the $40k+ pricerange where looks does take a lot more in consideration because cars of these class depends more on...well, class. M45 is a nice V8 package, but I'll still pass it up and take a BMW 530i. :thumbup:

 

The new E-Class is E320 and E500. No more E430.