Infiniti’s First Entry-Level Luxury Car Is Almost Cheaper Than Walking

The prices of both new and used cars are still sky-high, which means many of us are being priced out of dependable models which simply aren’t depreciating like they used to. As a result, it’s very hard to find a reliable used car these days for under $5,000. However, sometimes a real bargain flies under the radar, offering proven reliability, a fun-to-drive character, and even some luxury lineage.

If you think that such a vehicle only exists in fantasy land, why not take a closer look at early versions of the Infiniti G20? Sure, it’s decades old, and therefore void of all the technological wonders a new Infiniti will boast, but take a moment to consider this aging sedan, and you just might be surprised at what you’ll find.

Performance And Luxury At Bargain Basement Prices

The G20 was the entry-level luxury car for Nissan’s Infiniti brand back in the 1990s. In design terms, it was the epitome of understatement with very conservative styling and, in those days, it was often overshadowed by the more luxurious or performance-oriented competition. Today, you may be amazed to hear that some G20s can change hands for lower than $2,000, according to Kelley Blue Book’s fair purchase price, or possibly even lower if the vehicle has high mileage and spotty maintenance records.

Infiniti’s G20 is never likely to be a classic in the traditional sense and is hardly an investment, but it is quite rare and has a solid mechanical base, so certain models, especially the ones with a manual gearbox, are gaining traction among collectors. Let’s face it, you can spend more on a smartphone these days, and certainly on a decent-quality e-bike, so a G20 of this vintage is a slam-dunk choice.

Why The G20 Is So Cheap

Infiniti did not position the G20 as a high-performance car and it certainly wasn’t a halo offering. In fact, it just didn’t excite potential buyers and lacked mainstream recognition as it wasn’t a vehicle that people would brag about owning. All those factors together have helped to push resale values towards the floor. This makes the G20 one of the few luxury-branded vehicles in the ultra-cheap category, not including those that require major repair work. Still, the G20 was and still is a solid car. You’ll find many examples on the used market with more than 200,000 miles on the clock and that are still running well. It’s relatively simple to look after as it shares many of its mechanical parts with other Nissan models, so you won’t need to worry about the type of scarcity that often plagues other budget classics.

Nissan’s Interpretation Of Japanese Luxury

In 1989, Nissan wanted to challenge other luxury brands like Lexus and Acura, so came out of the blocks fighting with its flagship Infiniti Q45. While this one was bold and powerful, the G20, which the company introduced in 1991, was more of a budget-conscious machine. It’s closely related to the Japanese market Nissan Primera, but with more bells and whistles. In essence, Infiniti wanted the G20 to be a daily driver with a touch of luxury, rather than a showstopper as such.

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The G20 is well-built and features double wishbone-style multilink suspension all-round. This is the type of setup you’ll find on higher-end sedans, and then Infiniti also added a quality powertrain which is based on the SR20DE engine. This is a very dependable, 2.0-liter dual overhead cam inline-four. It may not be very powerful at around 140 hp depending on the model year, but it’s smooth, easy to rev, and very durable. It goes well with the five-speed manual transmission (if you can find one optioned as such), so it can also be a good driver’s car for enthusiasts. Some people compare the G20 to the BMW 3 Series when it comes to balance and ride quality and that’s good company to be in, for sure.

A Tale Of Two Generations

The first generation G20, known technically as the P10, was available from 1991 to 1996. It had a boxy and conservative shape but was nicely proportioned with a focus that was more about ergonomics than excitement. You’d get supportive seats with leather in some cases, and everything was well arranged for the driver. You’d hardly say that the cabin was flashy, but it was built to last and many of the interiors in available cars today have stood up well over time.

In 1999, the second generation G20, called the P11, arrived and continued on sale through 2002. It had a slightly rounded body with additional refinements to help ride quality and insulation. The engine and drivetrain combination remained mostly the same, although the motor was slightly detuned due to new emissions rules. Both generations had that excellent suspension setup and some versions also had a limited slip differential to give them even more poise through the corners. There’s no doubt that these cars are fun to drive along windy roads and certainly feel like proper sport sedans.

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Why The G20 Faded Away

It’s hard to say exactly why the G20 faded into obscurity, but it was likely due to a combination of factors. Firstly, the model was up against a crowded field and may have failed to make a strong enough impression. After all, Infiniti lacked the status of Lexus or the marketing stance of Acura. Next, the car didn’t have enough power for many enthusiasts, and its front-wheel-drive architecture would certainly turn off those rear-wheel-drive sporty purists. Even worse, Infiniti failed to distinguish the G20 from Nissan’s similar offerings, like the Sentra. To many buyers these cars appeared to be one and the same, even though the G20 was far more sophisticated beneath. And if you look away from Japanese competitors, the Germans were very far ahead, as they were turning out cars with turbocharged performance and prestige features that the G20 simply couldn’t match.

In 2003, Infiniti came up with a rear-wheel-drive G35 to replace the G20 in an attempt to directly challenge BMW and the others. This meant that the G20 started to disappear from sight and today, most people have completely forgotten about the G20. Still, there’s every reason to remember it. After all, it is one of the few remaining 1990s-era sedans that can offer a satisfying drive with modern amenities at an easily attainable price-point. That SR20DE engine could probably run to more than 250,000 miles with routine maintenance, and basic servicing requirements are straightforward. Don’t forget that aftermarket support is quite strong alongside a good enthusiast base, where people use the G20 engine for tuning purposes.

With tuning in mind, it’s certainly possible to upgrade the suspension or fit a beefier engine, with drivetrain enhancements a possibility as well. And with a price so low in the used car market, a G20 could represent a relatively risk-free project base. For those who simply want to use it in stock form for everyday driving, look forward to some old-school fun. This is analog driving at its best with no drive-by-wire lag, distracting infotainment screens or other nonsense. It’s just a well-balanced and communicative sedan that works.

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Sources: Bring a Trailer, KBB, Infiniti