Look At This GEM!!!!

A Q45 forum / Cima forum for the President of Infiniti's lineup. Brought to you by Infiniti Parts USA, your OEM source for Q45 parts!
Fly_R_Die
Posts: 26
Joined: Wed Nov 20, 2013 7:36 am

Post

Thinking about picking up this B E A Utiful Q45t from a local dealership

Image

Only 94,000 miles and one owner.

All of this work of this work was done at 73,000 miles
Tie rod end(s) replaced
Intake manifold gasket(s) replaced
Power steering fluid flushed/changed
Fuel pump replaced
Knock sensor(s) replaced
Engine checked
Steering gear replaced
Ignition coil(s) replaced
Cooling system checked
EGR feedback control solenoid replaced

Everything about this car is perfect in and out. Is there anything I should be concerned about though as far as repairs and maintenance?

PS I know that these cars need a lot of TLC and I would never abuse it lol


User avatar
ezb57e
Posts: 471
Joined: Sun Jun 29, 2014 9:02 pm

Post

I'm surprised this car needed this much work at 73K.

User avatar
Skibane
Posts: 1056
Joined: Wed Apr 26, 2006 5:33 pm
Car: 2000 Q45 AE 110K
Location: San Antonio, TX

Post

Fly_R_Die wrote:Is there anything I should be concerned about though as far as repairs and maintenance?
1. Does the dealer actually have receipts that prove all that service work was done - or are they just asking you to "trust them"?

2. What does "engine checked" mean? Did they lift the hood and check to see that the engine is still there?

ETA: What year and model is it? The wheels look like they're from a 2000 AE model, but the headlamps don't.
Last edited by Skibane on Wed Jul 09, 2014 9:46 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Fly_R_Die
Posts: 26
Joined: Wed Nov 20, 2013 7:36 am

Post

All of the maintenance records came off of the carfax

Fly_R_Die
Posts: 26
Joined: Wed Nov 20, 2013 7:36 am

Post

2001 btw

User avatar
Brew Q
Posts: 322
Joined: Mon May 06, 2013 3:28 pm
Car: '92 Q45 91k miles, '05 FX35
past: '99 740i (r.i.p.), '92 Maxima SE, '89 Maxima SE, '04 FX35
Location: Bryan / College Station, Texas

Post

Get it independently inspected. However, you'll be hard pressed to find someone that even knows what to look for. Where are you located?
Did they lift the hood and check to see that the engine is still there?


:lolling:

BadQ45t
Posts: 3249
Joined: Fri Jul 26, 2002 7:54 am
Car: 21' Leaf SL Plus (wife's car)
05' X-Terra S 4x4
97' Q45t SOLD! Miss the old girl
84 300ZX (Original Owner)
2016 Mercedes Benz S550e V8 Power and 35 MPG
Location: Half Moon Bay, CA

Post

First off you didn't mention the price, that would be an important piece of information.

I would trust the Car Fax report for this, I have found that to be very reliable, but seeing receipts would still be good especially if the work was done at an Infiniti dealership.

Overall, these cars do not need alot of work, my 97' has been mostly bullet-proof. The only thing on your list of work done that seems odd are coil packs and knock sensor, those usually go further (mine at 104k are still great) however, if the owner used regular gas OR they just got sold a bill of goods by a dealership that would all be huge pluses for you.

One thing that you will more than likely have to address will be the suspension. There are very few aftermarket suspension parts out there and especially if this has the electronic suspension you should budget $1800 to rebuild that. Other than that this seems like a great car.

User avatar
elwesso
Posts: 34280
Joined: Sun Feb 23, 2003 4:52 pm
Car: 94 Infiniti Q45t 5 spd
2007 BMW M Coupe
2007 Infiniti G35 S 6MT
Location: Indiana
Contact:

Post

None of that stuff really surprised me. Even on the G50's, you'd see cars with 60-80k with KS failed (and they're the same part on the Y33), so that's not suprising. The intake manifold gaskets were probably replaced when they took the plenum off to replace the knock sensors. The fuel pump seems a little strange, doesn't seem like those fail, BUT it's still a 13 year old car, and as we all know most things fail with age, not miles..

It would be interesting to see how it was driven.. Meaning, was it owned by someone who drove it every day but only drove like 3 miles per trip, or was it owned by someone who drove it once a week for 20+ miles.. Obviously the latter would be better (short trips are killer on ANY car).

I usually look at the front bumpers and hoods to see if they've been repainted, and if they look original, look at how many rock chips are there. If there's very few rock chips on the car, you can probably assume it was mostly driven in-town, whereas if it has more rock chips you can probably assume it was driven mostly on the highway.

Rule number 1 of car buying is: NEVER OVERPAY FOR LOW MILES. Assuming cosmetic condition is the same, this car is NOT WORTH much more (less than $500 more) than a comparable car with 150-160k miles on it. Especially if it was a city driven car, in all practicality it probably has about as much wear to the engine and trans as a car with 100k miles on it anyway.

Fly_R_Die
Posts: 26
Joined: Wed Nov 20, 2013 7:36 am

Post

Car is priced at $8000 (after taxes and dealer fees)

User avatar
AZhitman
Administrator
Posts: 71061
Joined: Mon Apr 29, 2002 2:04 am
Car: 58 L210, 63 Bluebird RHD, 64 NL320, 65 SPL310, 66 411 RHD, 67 WRL411, 68 510 SR20, 75 280Z RB25, 77 620 SR20, 79 B310, 90 S13, 92 SE-R, 92 Silvia Qs, 98 S14.
Location: Surprise, Arizona
Contact:

Post

They're high.

You can buy a 2004 M45 for less than that.

Offer them medium KBB + tax. They got it either at auction or wholesale (despite what they tell you) for $3-4k.

User avatar
elwesso
Posts: 34280
Joined: Sun Feb 23, 2003 4:52 pm
Car: 94 Infiniti Q45t 5 spd
2007 BMW M Coupe
2007 Infiniti G35 S 6MT
Location: Indiana
Contact:

Post

I personally use edmunds TMV and based on my experience that's usually pretty fair for all parties involved. A 2001 Q45 touring with all options except navigation, black, in 4/5 shape, dealer retail is $5200. Private party is $4100. Trade in is $3500. You have to assume that they paid about $3500-$4000 for the car, and they're listing it high because it is low miles and clean.

Even with the work that's been done, the car is worth $6000 at the top end, more like $5000-$5500.

Fly_R_Die
Posts: 26
Joined: Wed Nov 20, 2013 7:36 am

Post

So should I attempt to talk them down?

User avatar
AZhitman
Administrator
Posts: 71061
Joined: Mon Apr 29, 2002 2:04 am
Car: 58 L210, 63 Bluebird RHD, 64 NL320, 65 SPL310, 66 411 RHD, 67 WRL411, 68 510 SR20, 75 280Z RB25, 77 620 SR20, 79 B310, 90 S13, 92 SE-R, 92 Silvia Qs, 98 S14.
Location: Surprise, Arizona
Contact:

Post

You can give it a shot, but it looks like one of those sketchy dealers... I'd drop a number on them, say "That's my cash offer." Give them your phone #, and stick to your price.

BadQ45t
Posts: 3249
Joined: Fri Jul 26, 2002 7:54 am
Car: 21' Leaf SL Plus (wife's car)
05' X-Terra S 4x4
97' Q45t SOLD! Miss the old girl
84 300ZX (Original Owner)
2016 Mercedes Benz S550e V8 Power and 35 MPG
Location: Half Moon Bay, CA

Post

I would agree, 8 grade is crazy for this price. You can find newer Infiniti models for that price. Given how clean it is 5 or $5,500 is pretty fair, come on 5 grand buys you nearly nothing. I wouldn't go over that, they are not going to sell to someone else so quickly, it is an older car that uses super unleaded and gets pretty poor gas mileage (you should be prepared for 18 average MPG). That said at $5k this would be a good deal.

OwnerCS
Posts: 1771
Joined: Thu May 27, 2010 4:34 am

Post

It looks like Memphis has a lot of Q on the market this weekend...

Here's a 95 for $3,000...

http://memphis.craigslist.org/cto/4560652280.html

Or a 2002 for $4,800..

http://memphis.craigslist.org/cto/4448010965.html

User avatar
MR. Q
Posts: 171
Joined: Wed Apr 27, 2005 6:23 am

Post

not for 8 Gs. you can get a F50 for that price. no way! that's a rip off! what about the hoses or catalytic converter? i wouldn't trust this car for $8,000. it's my least favorite Q45. i test drove one and it did ride well. out of all the Q45s i've driven the 1st generation 90-93 are beast the second gen face lift 94-96 are cool the third gen body change 97-2001 are alright fourth gen 2002-04 are where it's at and the 2005-06 i have yet to drive. you can import a cima from japan for a decent price http://www.tradecarview.com/used_car/ja ... /15030825/

Fly_R_Die
Posts: 26
Joined: Wed Nov 20, 2013 7:36 am

Post

Thanks for all the advice guys. Its a good thing I didn't buy as soon as a saw the car. I'll talk to the salesman more when I go back in on Tuesdat

User avatar
Brew Q
Posts: 322
Joined: Mon May 06, 2013 3:28 pm
Car: '92 Q45 91k miles, '05 FX35
past: '99 740i (r.i.p.), '92 Maxima SE, '89 Maxima SE, '04 FX35
Location: Bryan / College Station, Texas

Post

got ya beat Craig - a super clean '95 for $2250 in the Dallas area

http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/cto/4554354495.html

OwnerCS
Posts: 1771
Joined: Thu May 27, 2010 4:34 am

Post

Brew Q wrote:got ya beat Craig - a super clean '95 for $2250 in the Dallas area

http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/cto/4554354495.html
WOW! Now that's what ya call a CREAM PUFF!!!

User avatar
AZhitman
Administrator
Posts: 71061
Joined: Mon Apr 29, 2002 2:04 am
Car: 58 L210, 63 Bluebird RHD, 64 NL320, 65 SPL310, 66 411 RHD, 67 WRL411, 68 510 SR20, 75 280Z RB25, 77 620 SR20, 79 B310, 90 S13, 92 SE-R, 92 Silvia Qs, 98 S14.
Location: Surprise, Arizona
Contact:

Post

That's gorgeous... wonder how many miles are on it.

OwnerCS
Posts: 1771
Joined: Thu May 27, 2010 4:34 am

Post

I should check out this one.. Though I don't really have time to mess with a non-running Y33 this summer.

You can bet it will take more than a battery and a fluid change to bring it back to life..

http://littlerock.craigslist.org/cto/4561014954.html

User avatar
Q451990
Moderator
Posts: 11472
Joined: Tue Jul 23, 2002 8:21 am
Car: 1990 Q45 - 118K, 2022 Toyota 4 Runner, 2004 Frontier M/T - 108K, 2012 Xterra (Mom's), 2023 Rogue (Inlaws)
Location: Columbia, SC
Contact:

Post

Brew Q wrote:got ya beat Craig - a super clean '95 for $2250 in the Dallas area

http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/cto/4554354495.html

That one does look nice! I wonder if it's actually in that neighborhood, or the seller took pics of it there for the upscale backdrop?

seldomseen
Posts: 1308
Joined: Thu Jan 24, 2008 7:40 am
Car: '12 Altima Coupe 3.5 SR & '15 Lexus GS350 F Sport

Post

Fly_R_Die wrote:Car is priced at $8000 (after taxes and dealer fees)
The car lot that's asking $8k for the car is smoking crack...and if you buy the car for anything close to $8k you're on crack too. :biggrin:

TylerW
Posts: 19
Joined: Fri Aug 14, 2009 6:10 pm
Car: 1990 240SX

Post

I bought my '98 t with immaculate paint and good(not great) interior from the second owner for $1500 via craigs. he had it since 2002/39K.

As mentioned in another post it has all the usual problems that will turn on that small-so-it-doesn't-stand-out service Engine-Soon light so personally I wouldn't buy one of you live in a smog state and have to keep the emissions working.

Just my .02

Oh, also, at least here in the south the bottom has dropped out of the value of these good ol cars, so shop hard and you'll find a good deal on one.


Return to “Q45 Forum / Cima Forum”