The Infiniti G series is a misunderstood car. When Infiniti introduced the rear-wheel-drive models in 2002, critics called the luxury sports sedan a BMW - opens in new window or tab. beater. However, after decades of depreciation, they have become cheap speed for thrill seekers. Affordable examples are often quickly snapped up and turned into illicit street racers, dwindling an already low supply. Clean examples, like the 2009 Infiniti G37S Convertible recently sold on eBay in Greenville, S.C., can be difficult to come by.
item 1 of 19
A Luxury Shift
Infiniti launched in 1989 as Nissan’s luxury division. For years, the company had been building high-end luxury cars in Japan, but marketing research showed there was a ceiling to what Americans would pay for a Nissan-branded car. Thus, the Infiniti marque was born. Similar research from Japanese rivals Honda and Toyota resulted in the formation of Acura - opens in new window or tab. and Lexus - opens in new window or tab., respectively.
The Infiniti G debuted in 1990 as the sporty, front-wheel-drive, four-cylinder G20, which lasted two generations. The compact sports sedan was known as the Nissan Primera in Japan and Europe, where the Infiniti name didn’t exist. It achieved several notable wins in touring car racing there and was known as a formidable rival on the circuit. However, the front-wheel-drive platform turned off American buyers, who believed a proper luxury sedan should be rear-wheel-drive.
New Platform
For the third generation, Infiniti built the G35 - opens in new window or tab. atop a version of Nissan’s new front-midship rear-wheel-drive (FMR) platform. Offered as a sedan or 2+2 coupe, the G35 shared its chassis with several others, most notably the Nissan 350Z - opens in new window or tab. sports car, and the handling from its aluminum multilink suspension earned praise as sharp and grippy. The engine, upgraded to a powerful V-6, resulted in acceleration, quarter-mile runs, and top speeds that tied or bettered those of all its German, Japanese, and American rivals.
Despite those accolades, the Infiniti G had excellent ride comfort, a quiet cabin, and an extremely low starting price compared to its contemporaries. It was a winning formula. Throughout the Infiniti G's lifespan, Nissan would add enticing options such as all-wheel-drive and a manual transmission.
The fourth-gen G37 arrived in 2007. Infiniti stayed with the tried-and-true chassis but increased the size and power of the V-6 and redesigned the sheet metal and interior. For 2009, Infiniti added a convertible to the lineup, like the car for sale. Once again, the performance was comparable to that of the BMWs of the era but at a far more attractive price.
Convertibles were far less common than fixed-head coupe and sedan variants. On top of that, the car offered for sale is an even rarer six-speed manual - opens in new window or tab. example. And, it’s a G37S, which comes with a sport package that includes performance-enhancing shocks, brakes, and limited-slip differential - opens in new window or tab..
Is This 2009 Infiniti G37S a Lemon?
Unfortunately, the trade-off for the sport suspension is a firmer ride. According to the seller, the original owner complained so much about its stiffness that the dealership let them return the car. This forced them to brand the title with a Lemon & Manufacturer Buyback flag. The seller says nothing is wrong with the car except some curb rash on the wheels and damage to the rear bumper where it bumped a trailer hitch - opens in new window or tab.—both unworthy of any “lemon” label.
To properly fix that rear bumper, the new owner will need to locate and paint another, which may cost a couple thousand dollars. Fortunately, the asking price of $13,499 is quite a bargain for the amount of car they’re getting, especially with the body style and rare options, as well as its low mileage of 46,255. There are still many miles of enjoyment to be gained from this 2009 Infiniti G37S. Hopefully, it went to a good home.
About the author
Share your feedback
This article is meant to provide general guidance only. Automotive maintenance, repair, upgrade, and installation may depend on vehicle-specifics such as make and model. Always consult your owner's manual, repair guide for specific information for your particular vehicle and consider a licensed auto-care professional's help as well, particularly for advance repairs.