94 Infinity Q45 or 96 Toyota Avalon, best reliability???

[40Acres]

I can get a near mint, original owner, 94 Q45 with 90000 miles for $3800. I currently drive a 96 Avalon thats runs excellent with a couple of dents and a ripped seat and has 125k on the odo. I can probably sell the avalon for the same amount and break even. Is it worth it? Are the Q45 as reliable as the Avalon? Im all about reliability and not spending all of my time and $$$ at repair shops...Thanks in advance

[Jesda]

The Q45 is equally dependable but parts, labor, and fuel are more expensive. From a practical perspective, I say keep the trusty Avalon.

If you care at all about enjoying life, dump it NOW and buy the Q.

[Peterofdevon]

The Q45 is equally dependable but parts, labor, and fuel are more expensive. From a practical perspective, I say keep the trusty Avalon.

If you care at all about enjoying life, dump it NOW and buy the Q.

I add my agreement here as well. The Q is a great car and I am rewarded each time I drive it. But, it is complex, it has many common things that need maintaining (like all cars do).

Buying a a G50 is a total crap shoot, unless you know the car's history you willl have have to attend to things like: injectors, exhust hangers, transmission and mounts $$$, MAS harness, and driveshafts, to name a few.

The thing is, parts are expensive and trouble shooting experts are few and far between (except for this board's experts--Dennis, Wes and others).

But, if the car fits you and you "connect" with it---there is nothing like it. I like it better (overall) than anything else I've owned (Porsche 993, Mustang Cobra, Saab and even my 540i6).

The G50 is a passion in my life that boarders on obsession...

Perhaps you better stick with the Avalon lol.

Peter

[superuber]

First welcome to nico! Personally I would rather drive a more refined car like the Q. Although the avalon is smooth. What is your ability when working on cars? If I couldn't work on my Q I wouldn't even consider owning one. It's not worth the frustration dealing with dealers. The general mechanic doesn't know anything about the infiniti line.

[elwesso]

Heres the scoop.... If you dont know what your doing with a Q, anytime you hav ea problem you're going to get raped. Anytime you take it to a shop, even for a very basic service, assume they have no idea what they are doing! Like peter said, unless you get a good one, youre going to have a lot of things to deal with. Once its all said and done and everything is caught up, youll be driving a very reliable car. Over the past 6-8 months the only thing ive done is change the oil and put gas in it.... over the last year, all ive done is replace all filters, do a transmission flush, AC service and so forth.

If you cant do your own work because you are unwilling to do so, get a car thats better understood by the masses. You cna do your own work if you want to for most stuff on Q.....

Ive never heard of an infinitY Q45 though!!!! I wonder if its as boring as an toIota avalon?

[96Qowner]

The "near mint, original owner" part is what catches my eye - that and the later part, where you tell us the Avalon is dented and ripped. What the others say is true - if you keep the Q for awhile, you'll have to spend some bucks on it.

But for an even swap in cost, I say go for it. Drive the a Q45 for awhile - treat yourself to a true Ride. What's more, the Q has genuine Guts. Take this one for a test drive. Find someplace where you can floor it at 40 mph and ride it all the way to 130, heheh, ok 110. My bet is that you'll write a check on the spot.

And when you're not rodding it, you get to drive a luxury sports sedan - one of the finest cars Japan ever built.

So, buy that Q with the intent of driving it for awhile. Read the NICO forums on a regular basis and learn about the car. If the future costs scare you, sell it for what you paid for it. At least you'll know what it's like to own one.

[40Acres]

Thamks guys, I need all the input I can get. I have a couple of days to decide so keep the it coming.

[mcrews]

I had a 97 avalon with 215k when I got my 02Q45.had the avalon for 175k miles (got it used).It was the most relialble car I ever owned.

BUT....no guts. ran good but NOT a V8.

the extended warranty on the Q has saved me $4k and I am at 85k miles right now.

THe avalon will be muc h cheaper to repair.

but who buys a Q to be practical!!!!!!!!

[Q45tech]

What a diverse comparison:

FWD vs RWDV6 vs V8196 HP vs 278 HP3550 vs 4050 pounds10" longer

Open diff vs VLSDODB2 vs ODB1

V6 Camary/Avalon mass production vs limited for Q

However remember every used car has problems and not being an EXPERT in a 1994 Q [or any brand] can mean you could buy some seriously expensive ones.

Buying one for $3800 could mean you need to spend $3,000-$5,000 soon.

A 13 year old car is a 13 year old car it still has the rubber wear of a 180k car [ozone exposure].

Do you have $2500 to spend on maintenance and repairs per year minimum, assuming nothing major fails, do you have $3,000 extra in emergency contingency funds?

[3Q Jay]

tell me more about this cherry '94. i might want it.....i won't poach you, but if you pass--i would be interested, especially if it's a 't'.

If you do decide you want to buy the Q, bring 'er down and i'll give you an unbiased evaluation.

[maxnix]

Read the Article/Sticky how to buy a Q45.

Get the Infiniti Dealer performed service history and all other service records.

Inspect all fluids.

Have an Infiniti Senior technician inspect it.

[40Acres]

Hows the gas milage on the Q. I didnt realize that it was an 8 cylinder. The Avalon isnt all that great on gas.

[elwesso]

assuming you get a good one, youll probably get 12-15MPG city (depending on the driving cycle) and 20 highway.....

[qship96]

who buys 11-13 year old used cars when RELIABILITY is their MAIN concern????????????? get a 1-2 year old jap mainstream sedan if that is your first concern!

[40Acres]

I committed myself to the car today. It really is nice and handles like a dream. I didnt know what to expect as ive never ridden in one before. Power headrest, wow, my avalon doesnt have that. Thanks for all of the input. Its green with cream interior. This car shows true pride of ownership.Cant wait to pick it up next weekend. I dont believe it has the active suspension. I have pics but cannot figure out how to post them.

[ceningolmo]

Congratulations on your purchase. You'll love your car.

Now for the work. Start reading and start now. You MIGHT get done with your reading by the time you have to pick the car up. Once you have read lots of stuff... search for things from elwesso, Maxnix, and Q45tech... you should probably read even more.

You will find out that you definately cannot take for granted that ALL maintenance has been handled. The oil has probably not been changed as often as it should. And, I can guarantee the transmission has not been taken care of the way it should... because even the dealerships don't know what needs to be done.

Start by flushing every system in the car that even remotely involves fluid. Brakes, steering, fuel, oil, diff, transmission, coolant... you name, you flush it. This is very important... do not skip it. Fresh fluids may save you $$$ later.

[elwesso]

i can post the pics if you email em to m.e

[Jesda]

I committed myself to the car today. It really is nice and handles like a dream. I didnt know what to expect as ive never ridden in one before. Power headrest, wow, my avalon doesnt have that. Thanks for all of the input. Its green with cream interior. This car shows true pride of ownership.Cant wait to pick it up next weekend. I dont believe it has the active suspension. I have pics but cannot figure out how to post them.

Now you're one of us. Welcome.

[maxnix]

I committed myself to the car today. It really is nice and handles like a dream. I didnt know what to expect as ive never ridden in one before.

There's a sitcky on posting them at the top.

Welcome to the club as an owner. Hope you did all the inspections as suggested in the how to buy a Q45 article. If you have, then it should only require about another $4K to replace some of the less than minty parts and get it to as new OEM specified operating condition.
Modified by maxnix at 12:37 PM 2/12/2007

[ceningolmo]

There's a sitcky on posting them at the top.

Welcome to the club as an owner. Hope you did all the inspections as suggested in the how to buy a Q45 article. If you have, then it should only require about another $4K to erplace some of the less then minty parts and get it to as new OEM specified operating condition.

Wow... that's encouraging. Nice purchase, hope you're rich?!

Anyway... of course you will spend what you are comfortable with, but it is unlikely that you will need to spend that much just to get it to a well maintained status. If you have the funding to restore it across the course of the next couple of years that would be great... of course, we would love to see every Q fully restored and one the road. Realistically though, I realize not everyone will do that.

[Peterofdevon]

Welcome and yes, you will love this car. I did not mean to scare you off earlier---I only wanted to point out the reality of owning the car.

Its a commitment and one that returns fantstic dividends.

Peter

[elwesso]

Heres the pics.. click the tiny images to ENLARGE!

[ceningolmo]

Damn nice interior. That is a big bonus because most of us have had to just live with the fact that the leather is old and not much can be done about it.

Looks like my first Q... Green with the pie pans.

[mkaresh]

Those seats are a dozen years old? Very nice.

[louiegz]

I dont believe it has the active suspension.

Congrats on the new Q.

Are you sure you have active suspension? The Q45a didn't come with piepans. It came with the BBS mesh rims. I guess it would be better if you don't have the active considering the added expence of maintaining the active suspension.

[maxnix]

Are you sure you have active suspension?

He has neither heated seats nor the active suspension. No switches in the console.

[louiegz]

He has neither heated seats nor the active suspension. No switches in the console.

My bad. I read his quote wrong.

[maxnix]

Wow... that's encouraging. Nice purchase, hope you're rich?!

Anyway... of course you will spend what you are comfortable with, but it is unlikely that you will need to spend that much just to get it to a well maintained status. If you have the funding to restore it across the course of the next couple of years that would be great... of course, we would love to see every Q fully restored and one the road. Realistically though, I realize not everyone will do that.

Not rich, just well budgeted. Remember, he wanted reliability. There is no reliability without maintenance, and preventative maintenance is cheaper than expensive mechanical parts and systems.

I rather suspect, since he did not mention otherwise, shocks and all the rubber is gone, so that is ~$450 for parts alone.

Same with under plenum hoses. Another ~$450 with plugs which are probably due. Also the EGR, IAC and TB along with the plenum itself.

Labor for the above could be really spendy.

Tires? Hmmmm.....what tires in 15"? So now one has to think of wheels and tires.

No transmission flushes? No auxiliary ATF cooler? Better start saving. Time left can be judged by the color of the fluid. Same for the PS fluid.

Then there are rotors, pads and shim kits. All fluids and filters.

I think I am conservative. Read Q45tech's posts. They are pretty simply worded on this topic. Usually anywhere form $3K to $11K to rehabilitate cars he sees.

[qship96]

Gotta agree with Brian........anyone who buys ANY older car expecting reliability without a serious plan to spend thousands to recondition a used car in order for it to operate in a near new way is fooling themselves.

[40Acres]

I took the car to Jerry Tuckers all import Service (120 miles from L.A.) after using the search feature for an automotive specialist . Jerry looked at the car and said the car is actually in excellent shape. The only things that need to be replaced are the 3 drive belts and the rubber bushings in the tension rods. The total came to $440 including an oil service and it will be ready tommorrow. I think the previous owners got rid of the car because the relays on the ABS were bad and the battery kept going dead. The ABS relays were $56 bucks. I found out that the relays were bad by using this site .