1991 - 96 q45

[silviasalsa]

Hello i amtrying to decide in buying between a ls 400 or a q45.

in a q45 what are the main problems

tehre are many for sale 110 0000 miles for only 2500

what are the common problems

maintainence?

is it expensive to maintaine?

what is the actual mpg?

[maxnix]

Hello i amtrying to decide in buying between a ls 400 or a q45.

1.) in a q45 what are the main problems

2.) maintainence?

3.) is it expensive to maintaine?

4.) what is the actual mpg?

1.) Poor owner maintenance.

2.) About 15¢ per mile once rehabilitated to as new OEM specifications.

3.) Depends on how much you can do yourself. Usually much less than other large imported luxury V8 sedans.

4.) Mine is 17 to 18 mixed. But if you are worried about mileage, an imported luxury V8 sedan is not your cup of tea, believe me.

The 1994 and later do not have the timing chain guide problems. Maintenance history is everything before the actual inspection by yourself then an Infiniti Senior Technician.

Read the Sticky Buying Guide above and read all posts by Q45tech and you could save thousands.
Modified by maxnix at 7:54 AM 10/19/2007

[Q45tech]

Generally the $2500 higher retail price for the equaled mileage and year Lexus 400 relates to fewer items in need of replacement and repair at that same mileage point.

A perfectly beautiful [paint and body, interior looks] car can need $4,000-$10,000 in immediate repairs why they are sold so cheap.

Of you are technically inclined and have mechanical skills, tools and a lift available you can do it yourself and save 25-50%. If you can get parts from junk yards and don't mind buying and keeping wrecks at home/storage lot, you can save even more. The $3,000 per year annual mainteanance cost assume a dealer does all the work.

[superuber]

Don't buy a Lexus. No power!Check out Q45.org for buying advice from Wes.

Welcome to Nico! (I nice)

[Q45tech]

The power comments depend upon the year in question 90-93 are very true but by 1994 the LS 400 begins to catch up as the Q declines especially the 1996Q vs 1996 LS400.

Both vehicles have a 4 speed AT and weigh about the same.The Q's viscous slip vs Lexus open diff is always a better choice.

It really wasn't until 1998 [VVT, 5 speed, 4 piston brakes, and weight reduction], That the Lexus exceeded the early Q in acceleration , braking and handling.

[pito11213]

Yeah stay away from LS400 they have no modding potential whatsoever.......

http://www.lextreme.com/tt.html

[pito11213]

dont get me wrong stock for stock the early Q was a monster compared to the LS, just like Dennis said above. The 98 with the VVT-i was nice along with the other improvements.

I have seriously been considering another Q, but they are hard to find in good condition around here.

[Haitian_King]

There's one for sale out here. Looks good. A 96. They want 1,995 for it. The engine is bad but the transmission is good. A new JDM engine you can get off ebay. I'm considering purchasing it, or just keep working on mine.

[maxnix]

Looks good. A 96. They want 1,995 for it. The engine is bad but the transmission is good.

Why wouild it require a new engine unless it was abused in the first place?

[Q45tech]

Just as an early Q can be made to handle and accelerate better [ecu reprogram] an early Lexus can be improved with after market components especially tires.

But the 0.5 liter extra engine displacement and coil on plug ignition and more agressive cams are hard to overcome by the Toyota.

The point is after you spend $7500 on a $2500 Q or spend $5,000 on a $5,000 LS both are pretty reliable and nice $10,000 vehicles.

[pito11213]

This is one hell of an improvement, this particular setup is a 2JZ-GTE motor (supra engine) twin turbo placed in a LS400.

The other setup is an LS400 with an Eaton supercharger from a thunderbird, specifically a 92 SC.

The first link is an impressive twin turbo LS400 that was putting about 500HP to the wheels. That car is a beast.

A 96 LS for under 2k is robbery in disguise. I sold my 92 LS with 188k miles that needed some suspension bushings and a grill for $2k. Mind you a replacement motor is cheap only because of the rarity of having to replace it. An abused LS400 still rides and runs better than a well-kept bottom car.

[Haitian_King]

IDK. I'm just conveying what was said in the ad.

http://southjersey.craigslist.....html

[pito11213]

Just so its clear here are my two Ex-babes

Dont even bother to post about the fender trim....







Now my LS400







.

Before the GS400 rims

Didnt feel a thing

[pito11213]

OH u talking about a Q. Well if it's not going past 2k rpm, is that the safety feature when something is wrong with the car?

A Q with things already wrong with it, bad move man, unless u want to spend some money. Plus its the toned down Q, nah...im good

[Haitian_King]

I'd rather just buy it to part it out. But I don't have a place to store it.

That chrome fender trim kinda looked nice on the Q. It looked real Brooklyn. I've seen Maxima's and Cressida's with that trim.

[Q45tech]

T3 has a pristine low miles 96 Q that needs an engine [we already have the pretty JDM replacement engine in stock] awaiting someone that wants a $6,500 1996 Q.

[pito11213]

Haitian king, real original son, never heard that one before. Hardy har har....

I know sometimes it's weird to see a Q that doesnt look like everyone else's. I got ya!!!

[maxnix]

IDK. I'm just conveying what was said in the ad.

http://southjersey.craigslist.....html

Knock them down as you won't even be able to drive it home on the highway.

[pito11213]

I like the Y33, but there is something about a hooked up 94Q, that I just love. I am going to have to see about getting a nice black on black or my favorite, gray on black.

[maxnix]

Didnt feel a thing

Nerve endings on hands must be dead not to feel the bumps on the WalMart steering wheel cover. Looks Brooklyn too? Mine didn't have it.

The ton in a G50 is just starting.

One thing that always turned me off to Toyata and Honda is their devotion to timing belts. Toyota is starting to correct this unfortunate historical preference.

[pito11213]

That was a steering wheel cover from a Carwash. Yeah its a Brooklyn, you know how we poor folk like to live like the rich folk, with fancy steering wheel covers and such.

To put it in perspective that 100 mph was after I slammed the breaks due to some *** wipe in a legend thinking he was faster and tried a death defying move into the shoulder. It's cool, the NJ trooper informed him, the LS wins buddy.

Well one thing you have to appreciate with the 90-94 LS is the non-interference engine design. Plus when I had my belt changed at 180K miles, it still looked new. It was a factory belt.

The G50 is fun on the highway no doubts, especially when you shift down into 2-3...mmmmmmm