Topic: Test Drive: 2013 Infiniti M37x Sport

[Autos_Editor]

Infiniti dishes up the most capable version yet of its range-topping sedan.

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[redman]

Nice wheels but not at 67,100 +++. I just can't buy the justification for the pricing difference compared to the U.S Infiniti G37 Sport 6MT AWD  $47,255 with 18" tires.
Even with added packaging you're no where near the Canadian pricing. I guess that's why I see these being brought over in droves once used.
 

[sailor723]

What is it about Infiniti that they have always been the "also ran" of the Japanese luxury brands in terms of sales?  Too small a model range? Too small a dealer network? Too "sporty" when the majority of buyers seem to like floaty luxury (Lexus)?

[mixmanmash]

Nice wheels but not at 67,100 +++. I just can't buy the justification for the pricing difference compared to the U.S Infiniti G37 Sport 6MT AWD  $47,255 with 18" tires.
Even with added packaging you're no where near the Canadian pricing. I guess that's why I see these being brought over in droves once used.

I think you are confusing the Infiniti G and M.  The equivalent M as tested in this article is $63995 in the US, including destination and handling.

[mixmanmash]

What is it about Infiniti that they have always been the "also ran" of the Japanese luxury brands in terms of sales?  Too small a model range? Too small a dealer network? Too "sporty" when the majority of buyers seem to like floaty luxury (Lexus)?

Funny, I feel the same way about Lexus with their blandness over the last decade or so.  Acura can also be considered the same.  The only product that sells in their line up is the MDX, and by their own admission as well.

[redman]

Nice wheels but not at 67,100 +++. I just can't buy the justification for the pricing difference compared to the U.S Infiniti G37 Sport 6MT AWD  $47,255 with 18" tires.
Even with added packaging you're no where near the Canadian pricing. I guess that's why I see these being brought over in droves once used.

I think you are confusing the Infiniti G and M.  The equivalent M as tested in this article is $63995 in the US, including destination and handling.

Ah thanks Mixman....that M hits hard, but I guess the same could be said about the original M or AMG.

Off topic there's 25 other single letters Infinity could have used instead of copying BMW. Hard to defend the Asian companies at times regarding copying and originality.

[mmret]

It's also way cheaper. M37x is in competition with 535xi and E350 4M.

Sent from my SGH-I747 using Tapatalk 2

[Northernridge]

I drove the 2012 version of this car while shopping in spring of last year. I started my search here after a client who owned one assured me that I'd pick the Infiniti walking away from other choices in the segment. After driving it I thought the interior was great and loved the silver fleck woodgrain finish on the dash – real silver, real wood they told me. The exterior never did much for me...sort of bulbous and shapeless...bit I agree that the sight lines from the drivers seat are cool. As for driving the car performed well, it is quick and does corner.

But, there is more wind and road noise than competitors and the car very obviously lacks refinement compared to the Germans and the new Lexus GS. It also has the worst ride of the bunch...coarse by comparison. It actually looks cheap in the door sills and around the truck as well.

It's a good car but finishes last in my opinion among the GS, E, 5, A6. I was open minded when I drove it, wanted to like it, did, but not nearly enough to buy one. If I was a FGC hater the Lexus GS is the easy choice.

The M is just not strong enough...yet.

[mmret]

The M is just not strong enough...yet.

Yeah, I think it shows in the resale values (at least for the previous generation M). The interior is really great though on this new one.

That said if you value reliability and performance above all then a M45/M56 makes sense.

[Jaeger]

Off topic there's 25 other single letters Infinity could have used instead of copying BMW. Hard to defend the Asian companies sometimes in regarding to copying.[/i]

Strike two.    Infiniti isn't copying BMW.  "M" as used by Infiniti is a model designation, not a trim level.  With BMW, the M is the super sporty variation of the 3 and 5 series etc.  With Infiniti, the M is the series.

So Infiniti G competes with BMW 3 / Audi A4 / Mercedes C. Infiniti M competes with BMW 5 / Audi A6 / Mercedes E.

At least they did until Infiniti facked up their well established nomenclature.

Anyway, I love the M.  Along with the Audi A6, it's the best looking in class, IMO.  Both make an E-Class look like your frumpy Aunt Martha in comparison.

[sailor723]

I drove the 2012 version of this car while shopping in spring of last year. I started my search here after a client who owned one assured me that I'd pick the Infiniti walking away from other choices in the segment. After driving it I thought the interior was great and loved the silver fleck woodgrain finish on the dash – real silver, real wood they told me. The exterior never did much for me...sort of bulbous and shapeless...bit I agree that the sight lines from the drivers seat are cool. As for driving the car performed well, it is quick and does corner.

But, there is more wind and road noise than competitors and the car very obviously lacks refinement compared to the Germans and the new Lexus GS. It also has the worst ride of the bunch...coarse by comparison. It actually looks cheap in the door sills and around the truck as well.

It's a good car but finishes last in my opinion among the GS, E, 5, A6. I was open minded when I drove it, wanted to like it, did, but not nearly enough to buy one. If I was a FGC hater the Lexus GS is the easy choice.

The M is just not strong enough...yet.

Funny, we had many of the same impressions when we drove the G37x and ended up with the 328

[redman]

Off topic there's 25 other single letters Infinity could have used instead of copying BMW. Hard to defend the Asian companies sometimes in regarding to copying.[/i]

Strike two.    Infiniti isn't copying BMW.  "M" as used by Infiniti is a model designation, not a trim level.  With BMW, the M is the super sporty variation of the 3 and 5 series etc.  With Infiniti, the M is the series.

So Infiniti G competes with BMW 3 / Audi A4 / Mercedes C. Infiniti M competes with BMW 5 / Audi A6 / Mercedes E.

At least they did until Infiniti facked up their well established nomenclature.

Anyway, I love the M.  Along with the Audi A6, it's the best looking in class, IMO.  Both make an E-Class look like your frumpy Aunt Martha in comparison.

Poor defense as that's irrelevant, regardless of M being used as a model designation or trim level. There are still other letters that could have been used uniquely by Infiniti's
I'm aware of of Infiniti's recent change in nomenclature, just goes to proof there lack of focus on model designation or trim levels.

[Jaeger]

Poor defense as that's irrelevant, regardless of M being used as a model designation or trim level. There are still other letters that could have been used uniquely by Infiniti's
I'm aware of of Infiniti's recent change in nomenclature, just goes to proof there lack of focus on model designation or trim levels.

Irrelevant says you - but no-one made you the final arbiter of relevance.  The fact is, they aren't copying BMW.  If they used "M" to denote sports models, that would be copying BMW.  They didn't.  And it isn't. 

[redman]

Poor defense as that's irrelevant, regardless of M being used as a model designation or trim level. There are still other letters that could have been used uniquely by Infiniti's
I'm aware of of Infiniti's recent change in nomenclature, just goes to proof there lack of focus on model designation or trim levels.

Irrelevant says you - but no-one made you the final arbiter of relevance.  The fact is, they aren't copying BMW.  If they used "M" to denote sports models, that would be copying BMW.  They didn't.  And it isn't.

Really "S" denotes sports model "M" denotes a copy. I'm noting stating anything here to be final but some things are clearly obvious and "M" belongs to BMW in the auto world designation regardless of model or trim.

[redman]

^^
^^
I'm not making reference to law here but merely marketing as a point of distinction.
I believe it hinders Infiniti by using the "M" designation as it has become identifiable in the automotive world as a BMW nomenclature.

For Infiniti to clearly be seen as a viable marque it's in the companies best practices to lead and not to copy in any overly direct form.

Copying in such a direct nature only diminishes a brand as it automatically positions itself as aspiring to be and not a leader or having a unique identity, which is a pillar of a brand leader.

I do identify "Q" with Infiniti in the automotive world, setting a unique nomenclature to them. 

http://ipdepartment.net/articles/SellingLettersAndNumbers.pdf

[SailFastSimon]

Re:

I do identify "Q" with Infiniti in the automotive world, setting a unique nomenclature to them. 

Actually, let's not forget the Audi Q5 and Q7. Although I guess Infiniti would call them the QX5 and the QX7.

[mmret]

Q and QX series came long before the Audis.

Who is copying whom? Retarded statement imo regarding the M designation. It's a letter.

Sent from my SGH-I747 using Tapatalk 2

[CanuckS2K]

Q and QX series came long before the Audis.

Sent from my SGH-I747 using Tapatalk 2

Yup, exactly!  I owned a QX4 well before Audi ever had a Q in their lineup. 

As for the M, I totally love it!  I haven't driven a new M37xS, but I did drive an M45S a few years ago.  Talk about a freakin' hoot to drive......and the sound of the V8.......    From a performance AND reliability standpoint, I would take this M in a heartbeat over a 5 series, A6, or an E. 

[Northernridge]

Q and QX series came long before the Audis.

Who is copying whom? Retarded statement imo regarding the M designation. It's a letter.

Sent from my SGH-I747 using Tapatalk 2

After your rant about letters, this is the best part of your post: Sent from my SGH-I747   

I recognize just about all cars with letter designations but I've no idea what a SGH-I747 is. letters and numbers.

[rrocket]

^^Samsung Galaxy SIII I think....