About to buy a 94 Q

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tfabsQ45
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I am about to buy a 94 Q45 with 99,000 mile on her. I have been repairing and replacing almost everthing on my 92 Q, but it has become a big money pit. The cost so far is more then the blue book value (which I expected) but I found this very nice 94 and decided to get it. My question is...What are some of the things to replace and repair on the 94 year Qs?

My 92 is now up for sale. New AC compressor w/retro fit to new refrigerent, new OEM struts all around, new injectors and injector hose kit. New high milage break pads and rotors. New antenna mast. New radiator, water pump and thermostat, new alternator, new master cylinder, new control arms and bushings and new Big Foot battery. She still needs leather work on the drivers seat and a new AC control unit - it works fine but the display only comes on intermitently. Oh and yes my next repair was to be the dreaded chain guides, but that will be for the new owner to do. Part of my reason for buying the 94 is that I won't have to worry about the guides.


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Jesda
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I think it would be better to have the chain guides done. Thats what I did on my 92. However when I bought my car, the injectors were already done along with a few other big ticket items.

If you bought a 94, you'd have to go though much of the same as you did with your 92. You'd also be giving up a little in performance and handling. Whats the mileage?

-Jesda

tfabsQ45
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The 94 has 99,000 on it.

maxnix
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tfabsQ45 wrote:The 94 has 99,000 on it.
I believe Jesda was asking about the 1992.

Q45tech
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Make sure you have a expert evaluate the 94 Q as like all 11 year year old lux cars it may need $3,000-$5,000........99k is always suspicious as the odometers are easily changed.Light colored Seat leather is always a problem [blue black best]

AC work, suspension, shocks, upper links, tension rods, radiator, hoses, knock sensor, transmission mount, motor mounts, fuel pump, injectors, window regulators, steering rack boots, valve cover gaskets, front rear main seals etc.

100k is the big transistion for many cars, when lots of wear items need replacing..............why the car has depreciated by more than 80%.......below $10,000.

If the 94 Q [100k] only needs $1000* in work, it is worth $5500- $5700 in average condition.

* Edmunds says but I have never seen an 11 year old Q that only needs $1000,

Buying 2 years younger to avoid chain guides and other known repairs would probably be a cost wash.

After you repair everthing and change marginal systems you still have to budget 12-15 cents per mile for on going up keep.

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Q451990
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My dad once new a guy who had all sorts of trouble with his car... bad alternator, bad water pump, bad distributor (old car) etc. He finally got fed up with it and sold the car. The next owner had about 50K trouble-free miles. The former owner had fixed everything! I'm not saying you should or shouldn't go for the 1994, but you will probably end up rehabing a lot of the same parts again.

Heath

Q45tech
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I only buy wrecks were the value of the recently replaced items is a few thousand [like $3,000 better] that way when you pay the removal and rehab cost you have some money to pay the junk yard to haul the shell away.

It is always a GIVEN that annual maintenance [tires, brakes, fluid changes, rubber hoses, wear items like shocks and suspension]and repairs will EQUAL the resale value of the car.

That's when you hit the "sweet spot" and never even consider depreciation.............each per mile cost is just that and easily calculatable.

tfabsQ45
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I am glad I found this forum. You guys make me think. As for the milage on my 92 it has 161,000.Pearl w/tan original wheels that need the caps replaced.

1992Q45A
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Tfabs,

I bought my 94 with exactly 99,000 on it.

I then spent 10,000 the following year in maintenance.

100,000 seems to be the number for the Q begining to need parts replaced. Just because it has under 100,000, doesn't mean you will escape the pain of maintenance.

Q45tech
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The real key is to analyse what the factory spent on warranty and what the owner/owners spent on replacements and maintenance.

Lots of owners spend nothing between warranty [60-70k].....just driving them into the ground for 30,000 miles then dump them when given a $3,000-$5,000 repair quote.

tfabsQ45
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Well I bought the 94. The two Qs do look good in the driveway together. I have enjoyed spending the day driving the 94 and comparing the small differences in steering, handeling and performance.the 94 seems harsher on small pot holes but is probably in need of struts. I have toyed with the thought of making the 92 a parts car for the 94 but she has a perfect body and perfect pearl paint and I just don't have the heart. Besides will struts from a 92 fit a 94?

Q45tech
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The rears are the same, the 94 fronts require a different [slightly larger] bottom pilot/mounting hole.

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Jeff Williams
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T, congrats on the new Q.

2 Q's in the driveway do look nice. Post some pics.

Someday, I will get that chance, maybe even sooner than I think. I am in th market for another 94 to 96 Q, under 100,000 miles in the $5,000 to $6,000 price range, myself.

I would think 161,000 miles on the old chain guides is prety darn good!

I bougth my '94, with 105,000 miles on it, and have spent about $5,000 in the last 2 years on repairs, and about $2,500 in upgrades.

Struts, brakes (many), rotors, window regulator, remote, fuel pump, fuel fiter(s), plugs (twice - ididn't use NGK's the first time - BIG MISTAKE), valve cover gaskets, tension rods, upper links, sway bar bushings, CD Changer(s), FSTB, rear sway bar, 17" wheels, LAN module, Fan clutch, fan blade, belts, hoses, thermostat, filler cap, oil pan, power steering lines, catalytic converter, painted bumpers, and a few other small items.

Of course, I have done 90% of the work myself, except the transmission rebuild, and the oil pan.

Now the car has 196,000 miles on it, and I think I am good for another 100,000 without too much trouble. I might have to rebuild the transmission again, or just buy a Level 10.

tfabsQ45
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Thank all you guys for your input and advice.

I ordered Tokico front struts today for the 94, the first item in what I'm sure will be a long list of repairs. I have heard mixed info as to whether the chain guides on a 94 are plastic and need to be replaced or not, what is the truth?

My best freind thinks I'm nuts for loving these cars that drain money, but I know he secretly loves driving my car whenever he gets the chance.

I will post some picturs of my 2 Qs sometime this weekend, time willing.

MiniMan
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Congrats on the second Q!

The guides on the 94' won't need to be replaced as they're metal.

Can't wait to see pics of the two beauties side by side!

Corey

tfabsQ45
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Thank you Miniman! A parts guy told me he thought they all were plastic, and I said, I would consult the Forum.

MiniMan
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You can learn lots on these boards. I'm just passing on the knowledge I've learned from them and am glad to be of help.

All the best,

Corey

Q45tech
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Car: 1990 Q45 342,400 miles 22 years ownership with original engine
1995 G20t 5 speed 334,000 miles 16" 2002 wheels - 205/50/16 Sr20ve vvl

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We need to create another category besides Maintenance and Repairs to DEFINE the normal wear out components that gradually lose precision but don't leak or haven't leaked yet or haven't broken yet:

Shocks, upper links, suspension, rotors, brake pads, transmission and engine mounts, drive shaft, spark plugs, hoses,etc.

Worn but not meeting new or close to new oem specs.......things that are changed prior to failing for safety or to bring the car back to spec .

MiniMan
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Dennis, I think that's a great idea and would love to see it done.

Corey


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