2002 Q worst year yet

[Q45tech]

INFINITI DIVISION SALES November 2002 November 2001 DSR%G35 Sport Coupe 2,769 N/A N/A .......3,063 N/A N/A G35 Sport Sedan 2,613 N/A N/A ......26,775 N/A N/A M45 300 N/A N/A 637 N/A N/A Q45 171 .....413 -60.2%....................3,461 5,309 -35.0%

They will be lucky to sell 3,700 Q45 and 1,000 M45 for the calendar year. Against 35,000 G35

Not sure if the diff gear tweek, etc will make the big boys sell.

They need the ZF 6 speed AT and 5.0 liters to get competitive.

Oh for the days when they sold 15,000 Q's per year.

[Mayhem_J30]

Does Infiniti NEED to sell the Q45's to stay alive? Seems like the hotcake selling of the G35's would be enough to keep it alive. You left out the I35 sales, I know those must sell pretty well because of the low price and better looks.I think Infiniti should have been more carefull with the Q45 market. People that purchase $50K+ cars buy bimmers and MB's not cars from an unproven company. Gotta get that name out there first then try that market. The G35 is doing a good job at that right now but they're still getting burned....maybe in a couple years when the Infiniti name is more household common.

[theTony]

Becasue of this, does anyone know if Infiniti is offering any good incentives on a new Q? Seems like since they are trying to move those, there will be some competitive pricing for anyone in the market for that kind of vehicle.

Besides, who CAN'T love those headlights!

[deesolballs]

Damn the headlights!! That is probably why they aren't moving the Q, all the commercials and ads focus on the "Gatling gun" headlights. 60k for headlights...sign me up!! The interior is a work of art, the engine/power is hell and the technology is semi-cutting edge. Damn the headlights.

[Mayhem_J30]

commercials? what commericals?aha! i think i just found the problem.

shift_get_a_clue

[deesolballs]

I went to see The Ring this past weekend and before the movie started they played a 5-8 minute movie of the 350Z zipping through a city at 123-130mph! The theatre was silent, or atleast it appeared to be to me. My wife leaned over and asked why Infiniti didn't do that. What a great way to advertise!! It was really awe inspiring to see the Z on the huge screen running amuck at ridiculous speeds (although its not very resposible advertising).

[Mayhem_J30]

I went to see The Ring this past weekend and before the movie started they played a 5-8 minute movie of the 350Z zipping through a city at 123-130mph! The theatre was silent, or atleast it appeared to be to me. My wife leaned over and asked why Infiniti didn't do that. What a great way to advertise!! It was really awe inspiring to see the Z on the huge screen running amuck at ridiculous speeds (although its not very resposible advertising).

exactly! nissan is everywhere you look, but infiniti...:fruit they don't sell themselves.the only reason i knew M45's were out is because of NICO. i haven't seen ONE commercial on it yet. Maybe they're advertising on the PAX channel or something.

[Aus94Q45]

The Q styling is going to have to change. It is a big-mazda'ish blob. The exterior styling is utterly forgettable. Not bad, but it is so bland that few are inspired to plop down the cash. Anyone who spends $60K on a car, regardless of what they say, wants there friends and admirers to be wowed. For example the BMW 745 and Mercs, love or hate them, have a distinctive look. Yet, the new Q is the "beige" of the color spectrum. While the interior and engine may excite, but the exterior is just too plain. The G is hot because of its boy-racer looks. It makes a statement. The G proves that the designers at Infiiniti are capable of exciting exterior designs, they just need to apply it up the chain. The Q has 340 HP!!! make it look at least somewhat agressive!

[BadQ45t]

I agree, I've sent several people to look at the new Q and they ended up with LS430's or even 530i BMW. The exterior looks are the big problem, since I agree the interior is short ofa work of art. They all agreed about that too, but for their 60k they want a car that makes people jealous when they see it, not wonder what that extra large I35 looking thing is....Get the design into the folks in San Diego and let them go wild, build something that says PERFORMANC and LUXURY and than drop the current interior and engine/drivetrain into it. Also, they do have to put a 6 speed transmission to keep up.

MY 97' frankly from the outside I think looks more stately than the new car. Of course I'd trade the rest in a hear beat, but you I know one person that bought an Anniversary 2001 Q when the 2002 was sitting right next to it on the lot. HE said that the new Q was just "too ugly" to buy.

[EWT]

Sounds like the 2002+ cars will have the same dismal residual value the earlier cars have had. Good for people like me who like to buy 3 year old cars in good shape at a 50% discount from new, bad for the original buyers. If that few are being sold, it sounds like finding the right combination of color/options on the local used market may be a challenge though. I'd love to pick up a 2003+ eventually.

[Aus94Q45]

Unfortunatley the new models will likely have much higher priced parts and maintenence, as compared to our early 90's versions. The new one is more high tech and complex. Our cars shared a lot of common place 300 ZX and Maxima technology. Further, the demand for used parts for the 2000's will be so low, a scarcity factor will likely drive the OEM parts supply prices through the roof. As for a good used price you may not have to wait long. There is a 2002 for sale on Autotrader for $34,900 with 19K mi!

[greg_atlanta]

I think the interior room in the new Q is just too cramped compared to the competition. I'm 6'2" and almost hit the roof sitting in front, and can't use the reclining rear seats without hitting my knees against the front seat.

And remember... it's not about being able to FIT, it's about feeling ROOMY, i.e. more than enough room. Even short people want the cabin to feel spacious.

LS430 feels a lot bigger inside, as do the German cars. And the measurements don't mean a thing... it's all a matter of design.

[tkd_q45]

I agree about the styling issue. The latest Q does have some interesting "parts" but as a whole I find it really heavy handed. Someone mentioned being "beige" design wise but I think the LS430 has that covered. It appears to be much more conventional than the Q. I think the LS 430 is really heavy handed as well (like the w140 S Class MBZ).

I think Infinity has to make something that looks expenisive, sporty and graceful (oh, I forgot they did that with Gen 1!). Don't know what they were thinking when the did the front end! Yeah the lights by themselves are interesting but as a whole they don't work for me.

Marketing wise they need to work on/develop their brand equity; much like Audi has done.

[Q45tech]

"There is a 2002 for sale on Autotrader for $34,900 with 19K mi!"

But the mileage indicates 18 months and the 2002 have been avail for 19 months..............roughly 32% depreciation from new MSRP............sounds normal to me

[Aus94Q45]

You are right on the depreciation. It is just that 32% of that big MSRP is a big chunk of change! Of course just about all luxury cars suffer on that one.

[BadQ45t]

The big problem with the room is their insistance on putting the gas tank in between the back seat and the trunk. What's up with that??? I'm sure there must a good reason saftey or something, but last time I checked they were only doing that on the Q and that is what kills the back seat leg room and the trunk space which is still pretty bad. My 85' Maxima holds slightly more than my 92' or 97' trunk, that's sad! The 2002 isn't much bigger.

[BHurvitz]

I have been driving a 91 Q45a for 11 years and was thinking of a new one. Drove the Priemium Q. For 340 horses, it did not respond or handle as good as a Lexus 430. Worse gas mileage, smaller trunk by 25%, less leg room in back however much greater depriecation. Tie this together with a local dealer that will not discount parts, plus attempts to price used cars that are called 2002 but actually manufactured and put on the road in 2001 and the question becomes what are you actually getting for the money. At $48,000 the priemium Q would be worth the money, not at $60,000. The M looks like a chevy impala from the front and an acura TL from the side. At $38,000 it would be worth the money, not $48,000. May be I will let the market decide what a used Q is actually worth. If the value is there I may by another one but not for $60,000.

[maxnix]

Well, if you think of 25% off as soon as it leaves the showroom floor and an additional 8% for the high mileage and 1 model year's age, it's priced full retail.

These 2002 Q45s pass through autotrader all the time, usually at fantasy prices. Then there was the one at a dealer in CA who wanted $72K+ because it had some "mods" (and miles), too.

Then there was the guy in Pennsylvania who didn't want to bull**** with non-serious buyers who wouldn't pay $23K for his 95 with 70K mi., presumabaly because he had mounted 17" wheels.

Q45tech understands the economic worth of preowned automobiles well.

[Bob_99Q]

I just bought a 99Q with 39K miles for $20.5K. That money would only get me a 95 - 96 LS400 with 65K+ miles.

The Q is probably just as expensive for repairs, maybe not (LS400 Alternator & Steering pump installed $1400),

But With Q I get better seats , power, stereo, yadayada on & on..

Buy a lease return, fresh it up and smile on your way to the bank.

[maxnix]

Oh yeah, the rear view mirror auto-dimming and the HVAC display are both LCD, and do they fry in the TX heat!

Priced it at $1300 to replace both.

[BadQ45t]

So nobody answered my question, why the hell did they put the gas tank where it is and ruin both backseat and trunk room??

[BadQ45t]

and to Bob, I did exactly the same thing you did two years ago, I bought a 97' touring with 42k on it for 24k, 28k out the door with 5 year warranty. My brother bought a 96' LS400 with 65k for 34k out the door. He's now got 104k on his and I'm at 69k. I don't mind those extra 6k I pocketed with lots less mileage. And my 97 is bullet proof so far, knock on simulated wood.

[K1XV]

While in Atlanta recently for a visit to T3 I saw an Infiniti dealer ad in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution for a new 2002 Q45, msrp approx 52K, for $42,990.

As a former SCCA racer, I like the fuel tank where it is. A couple of nights ago in Yonkers NY, a police interceptor Crown Vic parked on the shoulder of the NY Thruway got rear ended at speed by a Jeep Cherokee at speed. Result was a fireball Crown Vic and the trooper inside never had a chance.

[Q451990]

A couple of nights ago in Yonkers NY, a police interceptor Crown Vic parked on the shoulder of the NY Thruway got rear ended at speed by a Jeep Cherokee at speed. Result was a fireball Crown Vic and the trooper inside never had a chance.

Didn't Ford have a recall on the Crown Vics for that? Maybe this wasn't fixed yet... I can't believe that they're only recalling the police models, not all of them... like Joe 6 pack driver doesn't get rear-ended either. I hate Ford.

Heath

[K1XV]

Local New York City news reported that the majority of police Crown Vics had fuel tank "shields" retrofitted, but this poor trooper's car had not yet been fitted with the shields.

Shades of '72 Pinto:(

[maxnix]

We had a tragic incident where a soccer mom in an SUV rear ended a 4 door Civic or Accord, fuel tank exploded and burned the family to death.

Driver claimed she wasn't using her cell phone, but records proved otherwise.

That's why the fuel tank is behind the rear seat on the Q.

[EZcheese15]

commercials? what commericals?aha! i think i just found the problem.

shift_get_a_clue

What happened to that one Q commercial they used to have? U know, the one where the guy is driving and he's like using all the voice commands to change stuff in the car, then at the end he is like "traffic light, green" or something. Anybody remember that? I saw it probably 4 or 5 times. It was for the 02 Q45, but I haven't seen it in a looooong time.

[BadQ45t]

Okay, but how does MB, Volvo, BMW, Lexus etc. all put it under the trunk? The reason the Q has such poor back seat room and trunk room (for the size of the car) is due to this. I don't see them solving this problem until the relocate it. Every other car that Nissan makes puts the gas tank in the traditional place.

[Jason B]

What happened to that one Q commercial they used to have? U know, the one where the guy is driving and he's like using all the voice commands to change stuff in the car, then at the end he is like "traffic light, green" or something. Anybody remember that? I saw it probably 4 or 5 times. It was for the 02 Q45, but I haven't seen it in a looooong time.

I think they should start to play those Q45 commercials they spent all that money on. I don't know why they are hiding them.

Speaking of commercials:

These are my favorites, including the one you like.

"Power of speech" 2.5mbhttp://www.toyotaoffroad.net/jnburtman/power_of_speech.mov

"Rear View" 2.5mbhttp://www.toyotaoffroad.net/jnburtman/rear_view_2mb.mov

"Speed Effect" 2.5mbhttp://www.toyotaoffroad.net/jnburtman/speed_effect.mov

I've said this in the past on other forums, but if you saw the Infiniti Q45 CD, (they have them at the dealer, two diffreent versions) they have Eddie Cheever presenting the car, going on and on about the awesome feel/features, and show him driving it on the test track in Japan. If you saw these interactive cd's you would say, what the heck happened to their marketing? If they took everything from the cd's and put it on TV...

Here is a short intro sample from one of the interactive CD's.

http://www.toyotaoffroad.net/jnburtman/intro_q45_cd.mov - About 4.8 mb

[greg_atlanta]

Okay, but how does MB, Volvo, BMW, Lexus etc. all put it under the trunk? The reason the Q has such poor back seat room and trunk room (for the size of the car) is due to this. I don't see them solving this problem until the relocate it. Every other car that Nissan makes puts the gas tank in the traditional place.

In the G35 it's under the backseat. Good for weight distribution, but makes me wonder about the infamous "side saddle" gas tanks on older trucks (forgot which brand, GM model?).

On the Ford Crown Vics I think the root cause of the problem is that some device in front of the tanks (maybe differential?) is sharp and punctures the tank in high speed impacts. The fix is to either file down the object to make it dull or add a shield (or both?).

I guess any tank can get damaged if the car is hit hard enough, but I like my gas tank where it is!! ('92 Q)

If Nissan wants to add legroom, they need a longer wheelbase. I wish they'd add headroom while they're at it!!! (I can't fit in M45 or G35 if it has sunroof).