97 Q45 Repairs and Extended Warranty

[Chrisfrend]

I have just purchased a 97 Q45t with 59,000 miles from Carfax and have just found this great website. I know this model is reliable, but wonder whether I should get an extended warranty. Warrantybynet offers what seems to be a very good warranty package with a term of 3 years or 36,000 miles for $1,200, which includes the cost of inspection. Since I do not know the maintenance history of this car, and repairs could be expensive, it seems worth considering given the possiblility of repairs in the 60k-96k range. Would an extended warranty make sense?

Also, I have read through the threads on this site and the advice on various topics, which have been very helpful. The fluids have been changed and I had an AT pan drop, and replaced air and fuel filters. The shop I used did not get to the plugs that day so I'll have to get it done later. I wonder how long I can wait beyond 60,000 miles. Thanks for all the information.

[elwesso]

Welcome to NICO.... Thanks for reading the previous posts BEFORE posting!!

Sounds like your have a great Q on your hands.... At such a low mileage, I personally wouldnt get one..... My main reasons are, I DIY, I get cheap parts, most of what I want done wouldnt be covered under warranty..

However, if you arent a DIYer then this might not be a bad idea... Q45tech has said that a lot of the warranty companies were insured by a company that recently went out of business, or are going bankrupt... So far http://www.autowarrantybrokers.com is the only site that ISNT this way....

See what your dealer can offer you.... EVen if their company goes off the deep end, they can still pick up the tab.....

If the car is dealer serviced, then the service records will be on the computer... Goto the dealer, give them your VIN and they should be able to pull up the records on the computer.....

Where are you located....?? If your in the midwest, I encourage you to visit our meet in March.... Visit the link in my signature!!!

Congratulations on your purchase of your Q... How do you like it?? What do you think about it???

[AZhitman]

Wes - About 1/2 of that is accurate.

Chris, I have the same warranty company and they have been incredible. BEST $1500 I ever spent, and I got 3 years, 40K miles. I have had over $6K in work done to my Q under warranty, and it's been a breeze.

Although that particular run of Q45's (97-01) was generally regarded as bulletproof, even a small repair can cost you more than the price of the warranty. GET IT.

Do NOT buy the warranty through a dealer, unless you like to feed the finance guy's family for a few months (sorry Repo).

http://www.warrantybynet.com has been superb, and is not one of the ones that has filed for BK - Matter of fact, when you get the warranty, mention my name (Greg Childs in Phoenix AZ) and I'll split the "bonus" they offer with you 50/50 (free money). Can't beat that!

Welcome to NICO, and please add some more info to your profile - We'd also love to see some pics of that new Q!!!

[elwesso]

Take a look at this: http://www.nissaninfiniticlub....ranty

I know its not about that warranty company, but it doesnt give me peace of mind 3 years down the road.....

EDIT: By Q45tech Quote »The service insurance industry is in serious trouble with the esimated 1 Billion dollars of unfunded obligations........NWIC is only a small part of this 170 million in unpayable claims.

Until things sort out in a year or two avoid them all! Except for factory backed plans.

On old expensive lux cars the, the costs/amounts of repairs exceed the averages upon which the acurarial tables were created.........many of the companies paid out more than they took in, which finally lead to their collapse. [plus extremely high overhead/sales commisions/marketing costs.

It's not like accident insurance where you only have a 1 in 10 chance per year of having an accident and half are someone elses fault.

$170 million in estimated charges with 22 million in assets[/quote]

[suretytek]

I purchased my warranty from autowarrantybroker.com a few months ago, and the only reason I even considered purchasing another auto warranty (after just barely getting my money back from Warranty Gold) was that AWB uses a large domestic insurance corporation instead of a small, underfunded offshore tax dodge. I'll have to check my papers, but I think they use Great Western out of Ohio (?) with $20B in assets. This is the ONLY warranty I would consider buying other than one through a reputable dealer.Jeff

[AZhitman]

Warrantybynet uses American Guardian.

[elwesso]

Again, I have more peace of mind having a factory backed INFINITI warranty rather than an aftermarket... Especially with all the hype of bankruptcy and stuff like that......

To each there own, just my humble opinion...

BTW, what ever happed to your Q, hitman.... You never made your "long post" (to my knowledge, not hard to get past me!! )

[90Q45blue]

He's gotta wait till the story is over, give him a week.

Nick

[Chrisfrend]

Thanks for all the advice. I should have explained that I already have the extended warranty, but on what they call a pay as you go basis, which essentially means stretched out over the first year and a half. I can discontinue it if I wish to at any time. The company seems very solid relatively speaking, but there are problems in the industry.

That said, how probable is it that this model could have $1200-1500 of repairs over 3 years or between 59,000 and 95,000 miles?

I like the Q45 especially in commuting daily to and from D.C. The 95 Maxima 5 speed that it replaced was getting tiresome to drive in given all the back-ups and its somewhat jiggly ride on uneven surfaces. On the other hand, it was an extremely responsive car that was fun to drive. However, it had high mileage, needed some work, and the Q45 at Carmax seemed underpriced.

[PalmerWMD]

Again, I have more peace of mind having a factory backed INFINITI warranty rather than an aftermarket... Especially with all the hype of bankruptcy and stuff like that......

To each there own, just my humble opinion...

BTW, what ever happed to your Q, hitman.... You never made your "long post" (to my knowledge, not hard to get past me!! )

I have to agree with Wes here.Having the dealer sell the warranty wether, factory or aftermarket can be invaluable , you do pay a middle man fee this way but convetntional wisdom has recommended this for years.

Fred...

[AZhitman]

That said, how probable is it that this model could have $1200-1500 of repairs over 3 years or between 59,000 and 95,000 miles?

It's not a matter of probability.

Even something simple like a knock sensor (limited lifespan) and a couple valve cover gaskets puts you over $1500.

It's a safe bet... I'd wager that ANYONE on NICO who owns a Q would like to have a warranty beyond 70K miles.

p.s. Wes, it's delayed (again). Probably looking at next weekend.

[BadQ45t]

Too bad that warrantybynet will only write a policy on a 2001 or newer car, at least that is all that is listed. How are you getting it to display a 1997????????

I'm one that is getting the shaft from a warranty company, they are still in business but pay out the amount of the claim over 2 years!!!! I figure if something big happens I'm at least going to get the money back eventually (well that sounds like waiting for Social Security).

In any case, Chrisfriend, I have a 1997 and the only repair I've had in the last year was a gas door that kept popping open. It was like 300 bucks and I forced the dealership that sold me the bad paper to wait for the money of 2 years. If something big happens than we'll see, but if you can get a decent backed warranty it is probably worth, one good repair will pay for it.

[elwesso]

Again, I wouldnt get a warranty... The Q45 is more than just transportation to me, its a continuous hobby..... I could be like any joe blow and whenever something breaks, I take it into the shop and they fix it....

But, you get a much more sense of pride when something breaks (or you break it, for you DIYers) and you fix it all yourself....

I am on my way to a pretty well maintained NICO Q.... All thats left is the transmission (cooler, flush and filter), and an engine flush.... Ive done all the stuff, and saved roughly 3000 at least, so far im only in a touch above 1000!!!

That being said, my view would be slightly different if it was my only transportaion... If the Q is down for a few days its no biggie because I can bum a car off my parents!!

[Chrisfrend]

Thanks again for your comments. Since Infiniti indicates that dealer maintenance was spotty in the last 3 years I'll probably keep the warranty just in case something really bad happens. I've read Q45tech's and other posts about alternators, AC, and torsion rods and other items, and am duly concerned.

Bad Q45t, I just entered my year and the mileage at the time of 58,500 at warrantybynet and it gave me a quote. There is also a phone number on their website you can call to purchase a policy or have any questions answered.

[Q451990]

I had an extended warranty on my 90Q when I purchased it in 1996. It was the factory 100K bumper-to-bumper that was transferrable, but it was one of the main reasons I purchased the car. I think you're doing the right thing keeping the warranty. I got thousands in repairs (fuel pump, two transmissions, rocker gaskets, rear window trim, ignition switch, etc.)

Heath

[BadQ45t]

Thanks, it doesn't let you enter into the warranty area but I'll call tomorrow, thanks!

Jeff

[Chrisfrend]

I had to check something else with Warrantybynet and asked about whether they are now restricting coverage to late model cars that already are under warranty, as their website now suggests and Jeff noted. They said they changed their coverage policy about a month ago.

Chris Frenze

[AZhitman]

<----- Got lucky.

[PalmerWMD]

<----- Got lucky.

Greg<--- reason they changed policy.

Fred..

[AZhitman]

LMAO - Guilty as charged. :icesangel

[BadQ45t]

Dang, i just got my wife a 99' Sentra that I was going to cover, of couse I probably will not ever need it since they are mostly bullet proof but it would have been nice.

[Chrisfrend]

Maybe the new policy will mean that the company will stay in business and actually provide coverage through the third year of my warranty. The mechanical coverage is pretty complete, and supposedly even includes struts and shocks.