The verdict is in: Is the Infiniti M-series a REAL world class challenger? Part 1

There sure has been a lot of buzz surrounding the 2006 Infiniti M-series cars.

Most of the magazines have rated the new cars highly and some have even put them in first place in some reviews.

Is the praise warranted?

We had the chance to finally sample two of the new M’s (M35/M45) this last week and for the most part we are very impressed with the car.

But we have to say, if it was a just a sheer driving competition, we’re mystified how it placed first in some of the mag reviews.

We’re convinced it had to win based on a ‘bang for the buck’ premise.

Because if you think the M's drive as well as say a BMW 5-series, you’re sadly mistaken.

Say what you want about the design of the 5 (and we have many times) but it is without equal when it comes to the driving department.

The new M drive is very good but not great.

Are we saying the new M is disappointing? Far from it.

It is an EXCELLENT car that also wins the ‘bang for the buck’ crown, EASILY!

Click here to see our final rankings and what we like and dislike about the M:

drakarula - 5/6/2005 3:34:47 PM

+1 Boost

I have been tracking this car since it was called the Nissan fuga and hoping that this could live up to the hype. When it finally was available for a test drive I ran out the first day and was blown away. I have always been a huge BMW fan and even if on a scale of 1-100 the bmw driving ability is 100 the m45 would be a 95. I can live with that knowing that the reliability and features are way more user friendly. I Drove a M45 sport and a GS430 back to back and it was not even close. The GS430 (beautifully built) felt like it was slightly anesthetized. It was a nice car but not an awesome ride. I was so convinced that I ordered my M45 sport 5 weeks ago and am hoping to get it in a month or two. For the money there is no equal. I was the biggest BMW fan but now it is hard just to look at one. I heard the rumor that the 2007 M45 might have a manual but the automatic must be a mind reader because it shifts and hold gears just as you would want. Sorry it looks like there is a new ultimate driving machine!

drakarula - 5/9/2005 4:54:58 PM

+1 Boost

Hay Will when a company tries to copy a product it is the greatest compliment. Unfortunately for BMW and Mercedes the Japanese have been not only copying but improving as well. We all can agree most car fans as well as car magazines hailed BMW the ultimate driving machine and it does drive great but it has also gotten away from everything else that made it the object of our desire. I don't think Infiniti has tried to mask the fact of trying to incorporate some of the passion BMW's used to have. That is what made BMW so desired but now they have gone in a direction that has priced them to not be as competitive and styled there cars that has turned too many people (including myself) away. I have been driving a 2001 Nissan Maxima 20th anniversary edition for 4 1/2 years now and have almost 69,000 miles on it. Keep in mind they are trouble free miles!!! I have friends with Audi's and Mercedes e class cars that curse the dealers and the problems they have had. Believe me when I get my M45 sport I will be happy not to have those problems. Image is nice but if image is all you are concerned about I hope you enjoy driving a Loner car several times before your lease expires. Say what you will to me I is about balance. Great car drives like a sports car, comfortable, priced right, nice style, good dealer experience, reliability and value. Infiniti can give it all too bad Mercedes and Bmw have not learned that yet. If they don't they will continue to lose market share.

drakarula - 5/11/2005 1:22:24 PM

+1 Boost

If I am a novice and all the car magazines are the experts read it and weep. M45 has a clean sweep!! Check out the new Road and Track for June 2005. M45,545i and Gs430.

Final outcome
3) Gs430
2) 545i
1) M45

Enough said the people have spoken!

If one magazine had one outcome compared to another ok but they all say the same.
Can't wait to take delivery of my M45 Sport!

Homer008 - 5/11/2005 4:27:17 PM

+1 Boost

Most Reliable-------------Least reliable
---------------Small Cars---------------
Honda Civic----------------VW Golf
Toyota Corolla------------ VW Jetta (4-Cyl)
Toyota Echo-------------- VW New Beetle
---------------Midsized Cars------------
Acura RL ------------------ Audi A6 3.0
Buick Regal--------------- BMW 7-series
Infiniti I35------------------- Cadillac CTS
Infiniti Q45------------------ Jaguar S-Type
Lexus ES330 ---------------Jaguar X-Type
Lexus GS300/GS430---------Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Lexus IS300 ---------------Mercedes-Benz E-Class
Lexus LS430----------------Pontiac Bonneville
Mazda 6
Nissan Maxima
Toyota Camry
Toyota Avalon
--------------Sporty Cars-------------------
Acura RSX -------------------Chevrolet Corvette
Honda S2000---------------- Mercedes-Bens SLK
Mazda MX-Miata----------- Mini Cooper
---------------SUVS-------------------------
Acura MDX -------------------Cadillac Escalade
Honda CR-V -----------------Chevrolet Blazer
Honda Element--------------Chevrolet TrailBlazer
Infiniti FX ----------------------Ford Expedition
Lexus RX300-----------------GMC Envoy
Mitsubishi Montero---------Hummer H2
Mitsubishi Montero Sport--Jeep Grand Cherokee
Nissan Pathfinder-----------Land Rover Discovery
Totota 4Runner(V-8)--------Land Rover Freelander
Toyota Highlander-----------Lincoln Navigator
Toyota Land Cruiser-------- Mercedes-Benz M-Class
Toyota RAV 4----------------- Oldsmobile Bravada
----------------------------------- Saturn VUE
------------------------------------ Toyota 4Runner (V6)
------------------------------------ Volvo XC90
-----------------Minivans-----------------------
Toyota Sienna----------------Chevrolet Astro
------------------------------------GMC Safari
-----------------Pickups------------------------
Toyota Tundra-----------------Chevrolet S-10 (V6,4wd)
--------------------------------------GMC Sonoma(V-6,4wd)
---------------------------------------Subaru Baja

Homer008 - 5/11/2005 4:27:17 PM

+1 Boost