90-93Q or 94-96Q

[Romeo5k]

Which engine is better and if you had no car with 4 grand in your pockets. which Q would you be looking at gettting? ANd keep in mind.. you stay where im at.i think we are the city of water

[Raxephon]

No love for the black sheep of the family?

Both are great cars, but I like doing things myself & I like working on my cars, so my vote goes for the early G50's.

Besides, you can't REALLY appreciate a car until you've worked on it more times than your local dealership.

[tkd_q45]

Look for well sorted/chain guides replaced/trans cooled and regularly flushed. pre 93. I've simultaneously owned a 92, 94 and 96 (now I'm down to just 94 & 96). Look for one that's had the underplenum hoses and fuel injectors replaced.

93 they already started cost cutting as you'll see that MY has no two tone interior. Materials on the earlier models are definitely better. And though Wes will differ with me on this - seats are superior pre 94. 94 seats are not nearly as bolstered or comfortable, thicker steering wheel/better to the touch, one touch open on the sunroof, more tasteful typography on the gauges, much nicer headliner.

These earlier model year G50s are also lighter and more powerful.

That all said, any G50 is a nice ride, even the 96 (OBDII/no varilable valve timing). This is particularly evident when you are stuck driving a late model rental when your's is in the shop!!!!

Also be sure to have some money in reserve for unexpected expenses (as in thrown injector).

[Jesda]

The key to this question is "if you had no car."

I'd pick a 94+ or 97+ as primary transit, since it'll be subjected to severe duty. Take into account the cost of 90-93 injectors and 90-93 chain guides. Otherwise, 90-93 is sharper, quicker, and lighter. You can absolutely tell, though modifications to later Qs will easily sharpen them up.

Actually, if I had only four grand to spend and not much left to cover deferred maintenance and repairs, I'd buy a Maxima or Accord.

[Peterofdevon]

I have to agree here. If $4K is the kitty get a 92-93 maxi with low mi for $2000 to 2500. I sold my Mom's 92 with 80K on it for $2.2K. Its was cherry, dealer maintained and looked new inside.

I just had an injector go on my blue 94...

Peter

[Romeo5k]

Well the truth is.. I have a 93Q and the engine needs to be replaced. And i dont mind replaceing it with the 4 grand im getting next month. OF course i work so i do have a steady income. I get another bonus check in Feb. or March. So if i was to spend like 4grand on a 94 or better i can supply it.. And ill have an extra 500 to 1 grand to play wit just in case. ****My biggest problem**** When my car was acting right.. i wanted to make mods to the exterior such as lights and grill.. I think elwesso stated unless i go the hood, bumber, and side fenders changed ot.. it wouldnt happen. So thats why.. i want that newish look.. *******Second Problem***** I dont think i have any mexhs out here besides Infiniti, everyone else claims they can work on my car, but thats why im here; the mechs messed up my engine. ********Third problem****** im in love with a Q. I cant do with out it.. I have had an LS400, gave it up when i bought the Q, and i feel i cant go back to LS400. Which means, Hondais out the quest. Now with all that known here is more info on what happened :zerothread?id=187957Now which should i get?

[Jesda]

Watch out for deals on low-mileage Qs for $4k and under. The autotrader ad you listed is overpriced in my opinion.

[redmanfx]

90-93 of course. $959 for a JDM engine from Philly. Another $200-$350 to have it shipped. $1800 for a body kit from one of 12 different companies that make em for the 90-93 and you've got a new Kick *** car that looks sweet and has a grille due to the body kit. You've got money left over.

[maxnix]

...if you had no car with 4 grand in your pockets.

I'd be saving another $4K at least. Any G50 will require a minimum of a $3K - $ 6K restoration fund, rergardless whether it is later or earlier, respectively. We're talking about an imported luxury V8 sedan, not a four cylinder Honda Civic.
Modified by maxnix at 7:57 AM 9/3/2006

[Romeo5k]

90-93 of course. $959 for a JDM engine from Philly. Another $200-$350 to have it shipped. $1800 for a body kit from one of 12 different companies that make em for the 90-93 and you've got a new Kick *** car that looks sweet and has a grille due to the body kit. You've got money left over.

Keep that thought... So far you have said the best deal to me yet. How many miles on the engine from Philly?? Next.. excuse my unintellegense.. but how long is a transmission supposed to last because my ride has 165k miles.. and i can hold off on body kit till Feb if i have to.. but i wanna know is it suggested i get a new transmission and wahts the price im looking at that?And does anyone know of a Infiniti Mech in houston besides dealership because dealer says 1500$ to put engine in alone. Thats it.. to replace hoses and stuff is xtra.

[redmanfx]

Keep that thought... So far you have said the best deal to me yet. How many miles on the engine from Philly?? Next.. excuse my unintellegense.. but how long is a transmission supposed to last because my ride has 165k miles.. and i can hold off on body kit till Feb if i have to.. but i wanna know is it suggested i get a new transmission and wahts the price im looking at that?And does anyone know of a Infiniti Mech in houston besides dealership because dealer says 1500$ to put engine in alone. Thats it.. to replace hoses and stuff is xtra.

JDM engines usually have anywhere from 60k to 40k on them and are still going down in price. The place in Philly (not the only place to get a JDM engine of course) makes sure they are compression tested twice and you can also get the combo JDM emgine and JDM transmission for $1300 or $1400. My transmission lasted me 265K before it kicked the bucket. That's on the extreme long life side of things, but yours could last as long or quit tomorrow. transmission mount and Drive shaft are things to look at, but again we have the answer, Powertrain Industries Driveshaft $350 - $450 and a simple transmission mount. So $4000 is enought to get your Q going and nicely too. Labor will kill you, simple as that!!!! I'd be doing it myself or at least serching for someone who know. Many Q guys in Texas. don't limit yourself to your town. Look elsewhere. Talk to Keith(texasoil), see what he says. Research... There's been threads about mech's in that area.

Since you already have a Q it makes since to me. If you didn't have the car yet and wanted to do this I'd advise against it, but you do have the car!!!Groove on my man!!!!

[maxnix]

1.) And does anyone know of a Infiniti Mech in houston besides dealership because dealer says 1500$ to put engine in alone.

2.) Thats it.. to replace hoses and stuff is xtra.

1.) Check texasoil posts.

2.) That is why one rehabilitates the engine before installing it.

[elwesso]

Honestly, if I had to choose (and do it all over again) i probably would get a 90-93 over my 94. Theyre not really much faster (but slightly noticeable), and they arent better looking to most (but i almost prefer the looks now, weird!), but theres just some aura about them that makes you feel great about them. I dont know what it is, but when im driving even the worst 90-92 Q (93 is a 94 with a belt buckle) it feels really special...

Honestly i dont feel that the 90-93 or 94-96 seats are particularly comfortable compared to the later Qs. I dont know what it is.

[tkd_q45]

Agreed - my 92 drove differently than my 94 and 96. Seats have a totally different contour. You sit IN the earlier seats vs sit ON TOP of the later seats. They really hug your body. Wes - don't know why your arse/backside/spine don't feel this?!?!?!?

The earlier Qs move down the road in a differnt manner. Steering has a better feel and the steering wheels are thicker, leather is nicer, headliner is WAY nicer and I like the two tone interior. Don't know what other subtle differences there may have been but these earlier cars do feel better.
Modified by tkd_q45 at 10:59 PM 9/5/2006

[Romeo5k]

well i just ran into hell... 2grand for a mech just to put the engine and trans in my car.. Dam that sounds like a lot.. He said before he puts in the JDm he will check the injectors and see if it really needs changing. otherwise i shouldnt need to change em.. (i hope not) He says i can use the sparks i have in my old engine now since all the have is maybe 30 miles on them. But total of 2 grand for him to take the old one out and put the JDM in. Thats the one texasoil recomended. I love my Q and cant let it go so it looks like i have no choice but to catch the bus for 2 mos just to say money to get it fixed. Now unless someone knows of any other mech in houston area that is a qualified Q45 mech, thats cheaper than 2k$ lemme know.. Is 2k actually as bad as it sounds??

[Jesda]

I'd spend the $2k on an old Corolla to keep around as a backup car for when the Q needs downtime.

You'll be glad you did when you're waiting for parts to be shipped or when you're saving the change for some major work.

Everything on my 1990 has been done by the last owner ($23k in receipts), so I sold my Maxima (couldnt keep the Maxima for inspection reasons anyway). Still, I'm considering a Miata or a Fleetwood this fall so I can keep the junk miles off my pristine Q.

By junk miles, I mean grocery store and post office runs, or my 1-mile drive to school. Of course, if I had a Fleetwood, the Q would receive all the junk miles.

[maxnix]

Of course, if I had a Fleetwood, the Q would receive all the junk miles.

No sir! It's just all your "junk miles" would be in your Floatwood.

[Q45tech]

$2,000 [25 hours] sounds cheap plus $1000 for engine plus $1000 in misc fluids, filters, belts, parts, freon without injectors for the job.

That's with no internal warranty and only warrantying the oem parts replaced.

We usually add $500 [self insurance] and cover the whole process for 12/12,000 miles.

If you buy the engine yourself and supply to technican you are responsible for it's suitablity.

We have had customers who drop shipped an engine/transmission/tires/diff/driveshaft other components to us and wanted us to warranty against failure ---------- HA HA.

When you buy just labor only the labor gets warrantied.

[EQwhipD]

I go against the grain when it comes to the belief that the 90-93 car is a superior product than the 94-96. I prefer luxury and dependability, so I would naturally opt for the 94-96.Judging from what you are looking for, it seems as though you want a 94-96. I am sure that you can get one for $3500 in Houston or it's neigboring suburbs. You said that you wanted to make modificaiton such as lights and grill, and the 94 already has a grill, and the lights can be modded to have the BMW headlights with slight modificaiotn of the hood and side fenders.I wouldn't pour more $ into an older car unless you are interested in a restoration project, so save your $ and get a 94-96.

-EQwhipD

[96Qowner]

I wouldn't pour more $ into an older car unless you are interested in a restoration project, so save your $ and get a 94-96.

I tend to lean this direction, too. I have a nicely restored 96 - all new hoses, VC gaskets, the full under plenum job; all new engine and transmission mounts, a handful of new sensors - everything up to spec. But ... what I really want to own is a 95 Q45a. So here I am with a car I've put serious dollars into, but wanting a different model. There's no realistic way I'm going to be able to get enough for my 96 to swap it for a 95 Q45a. The 95 will need the plenum job and the mounts, etc, along with restoring the active system. If I'd sold the 96 before I put all the bucks into it, I'd now have the car I really want.

Here's my advice, Romeo: Take yours to La Rue and pay 'em a couple hundred to take a good look at it, just to be sure it has a serious problem. The first tech's solutions for your symptoms were all over the place. They didn't sound like familiar solutions for a Q - they sounded more like some guy who doesn't have any history with Qs. It may be a much cheaper fix than you think.

If so, you can decide whether to patch it up and sell it, or to pour $4000 into a car you may wish you'd sold. You can get a darned good 94-95 Q on ebay for less than $4000. If you could clear even $2000 on yours, all patched up (after expenses), it'd give you mod money for the 94-95.

[Edit] Incidently, forget the 96. It doesn't have variable valve timing, and it has the more complex (and mod-unfriendly) OBDII. Or, on second thought ... buy mine, heheh.

[Romeo5k]

ill talk to Jack later this week about that... He said he would take a look at it, but by the sounds of it.... it may be damaged**************************************************09/08/06 - The car is at LaRue. Hopefully ill be back up and rolling soon.. Someone just asked me something, and i didnt know the answer, Butwould it be ok to rebuile my motor and transmission, or is tha not advised??
Modified by Romeo5k at 4:32 PM 9/8/2006

[96Qowner]

would it be ok to rebuile my motor and transmission, or is tha not advised??

Nah, not really worth the trouble and expense. It's been done, but it's simpler to replace with a used JDM motor and remanned transmission, especially the transmission - poor results from those who've tried.

[Romeo5k]

well some new news was told to me today. Larue said the engine was phuckt(not new news). But he also said that, i might also wanna keep my eyes open too, to see if i wanna but another Q and just part mine out. Because he says i might be able to find another decent condition Q @ 3grand with no probs.. But i dont know if i should go that route. Basically he says "either fix it or get another and part yours out" If anyboody reading this .. please i need advices about what decision to tell him. And i did a yahhoo search for ppl in 77002 area zip with 50 mile distance.. and everyone is expensive as heck. Anyways.. ppl pls help.. Im still yung so a decision made by me may be dumb.

[Jesda]

Qs are uncommon but not rare. Hold out for better and dump this heap.

[Raxephon]

Save your money and drop one of these in

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...wItem

Seriously though, if your a hands-on kind of person rebuild the motor you have. If not, find a JDM motor with a warranty and replace all the typical wear items and have it dropped in.

[redmanfx]

Don't listen to the nay sayers! Go with the inner demon. If I was there, I'd put your engine in for $700 and lunch everyday. Then I'd call Brian every day just to talk about what fun the day was!! I'd have to suggest Chroming the Plenum to. Might as well super charge the JDM engine if the man wants to charge $2000..... sounds like a money whore. Find someone to moonlight it.

[96Qowner]

You're always going to wish you'd gotten a 94-95. Either way, it's gonna cost you some thousands, so put the money into something you can look forward to, especially since you're young. Every time (in my much longer life) I've put serious money into fixing an old car instead of junking it, I've been sorry - all I ended up with was the same ol' car I had before. If you get a 94-95, you'll be able to say that you had BOTH generation G50s. The 94-95 is your future, the 93 is your past. You'll enjoy shopping for the new one, and you'll be able to mod it over time to suit your wishes.

I say this primarily because you said prefer the looks of the 94-95. You want the grill, and the ability to mod stuff like the headlights, etc. Otherwise, the 93 is the better machine - lighter, more power, better seats, etc.

Swap all the good stuff from your 93 over to the new one and part out the rest. You can probably clear an easy $1000 from it, before it gets to be too much of a pain in the *** to bother with anymore. Let La Rue keep an eye out for you for the next few weeks - that's a valuable resource - while you have fun looking for one on ebay and NICO and Craigslist, etc.

I guarantee you'll enjoy all the shopping more than you'll enjoy putting your old one back together.

Happy hunting!

[Romeo5k]

ok... 94-95 it is... if anyone sells lemme know.. we might be able to do business.*************************************30mins later*****some dummy off of craigslist tried to sell me a 94Q with airbag light on and dings on hood from hail, and bad shocks and minor scratches for 4Grand!!! i offered only 1750 with all those problems. Was i wrong?
Modified by Romeo5k at 11:57 AM 9/13/2006

[Q45tech]

Just remember used cars for sale always have things wrong with them.Don't be fooled by the body, paint or interior. At least with 94+ you can save the $1000+ in chain guide replacement.

But everyone we have done a pre/post buy on this year has needed shocks, and other suspension work along with usual plenum and other wear items.

[Romeo5k]

****30mins later*****some dummy off of craigslist tried to sell me a 94Q with airbag light on and dings on hood from hail, and bad shocks and minor scratches for 4Grand!!! i offered only 1750 with all those problems. Was i wrong?**** just noticed something.. u said 94-95 not 96? Was that on purpose or accident?
Modified by Romeo5k at 12:09 PM 9/13/2006