$2200 1997 Q45 178000 Should I buy it?

[ElmerJay]

$2200 for a 1997 Q45 178000 miles. Should I buy it?
Clean but needs rear struts.
has Alpine system with Navigation and Hands free phone, blah,blah,blah.

[Q451990]

to NICO!

I'd be very interested in prior services... does it come with service history? The 97-01 Q is fairly bulletproof when maintained. The most common failure we see is the coil packs - which will show up as a random misfire. About $800 in parts to replace all 8.

After that, knock sensors are probably due. I'd check it or have it checked with an OBDII scanner to check on the knock sensors - since the "check engine" light won't come on for them. About $800-$1000 in parts for a good under plenum job with new sensors if you do the work yourself - or double that for labor if you're paying someone.

Heath

[ElmerJay]

I decided to pass on this one.
I wasn't getting straight answers, the owner took out the navigation and hands free system AFTER we had already agreed on the price - so I wasn't comfortable with this owner.
But I will keep looking.
What do you recommend - Is there a specific year and mileage I should be going for?
Thanks
ElmerJay

[Q451990]

90-96 are getting mighty rare in good daily-driver condition, but are a little faster than the 97-01 if you can find one.
97-01 is probably the sweet spot in terms of reliability. Not many changes except for adding HID headlamps and a dash revision (returning to the analog clock) in 1999 or 2000, can't remember which.
02-05 had a lot of gadgetry, more speed and performance - but suffered somewhat in reliability and added a good bit of complexity and expensive electronics.

From there I'd look for the lowest mileage you can find and or afford, and you'll want to know as much as possible about it's service history.

Heath