advice on shopping Q45

[Ted Hurwood]

well, troops, here's the deal - I'm interested in acquiring a Q45. I recognize this as requiring some research, and I figured you guys might be willing to give me some advice &/or steer me in good directions for getting good info. E.G., it would be good to know if there are any year models I should avoid. I'd also be grateful to know what are felt to be the significant differences between Lexus 400/430 and Q45s. Subjective and objective comments are welcome. Since I travel a fair amount the question of what locales are likely to have favorable prices is a subject of interest.Thanx,Ted Hurwood:help

[krazy skwerel]

My personal favorite Q is the 94-95 model.

[Rex]

Try posting this in Infiniti General (aka The Q-orum) and you'll get lots of information. You may also search through there as well.

In short, the LS is more "comfy" if not bland. The Q is considered more of a drivers car. Within the Q's the 90-93 (grill-less) is even more performance/less comfort, and the 94-95 is a compromise with softer seats and more sound dampening (thicker glass,etc). The 96 lost power with some changes and ODBII. The 97's changed body style and have been considered some of the lower maintenance, but that could be as much from age, or lack there of.

(if you haven't heard yet, I'll say 90-93 may have chain guide issues, that can be terminal, but can be prevented)

[elwesso]

Visit the infiniti article section and read the BUYING ADVICE ON G50 Q

Also, read through the information on http://www.q45.org

[Mr1der]

mmm G50....

I really like the styling on the '97 body style, but it lacks a little in performance.

what's your price range? That'd help greatly.

we'll probably be biased towards Lexus though (well built cars, but man are they boring) especially Greg:D

Acura, another well built car, just can't compete however.

[elwesso]

Yeah the Y33 (97-01) has more expensive looking styling, but the 94 dosent really look much older at all... Notice how it looks nearly identical to 99ish volvo?

[elwesso]

The 94-01 have the same transmission. The gears in the Q transmission are bad enough in the 94, and with the decreased porew it could only be worse...

2.5:1 1st gear...

[Mr1der]

1st Gear- 3.75 2nd Gear- 2.32 3rd Gear- 1.43 4th Gear- 1.00 5th Gear- .75 Reverse- 3.26

heh, those are my gears, with a 2.73:1 in the rear.

a 2.5 must suck, but what's it got in the rear? 3.27? 3.55?

[elwesso]

3.53, R200 (I think)

The caddy eldo I drove this week has a 2.9 first gear and still gets as good mileage (same 3rd, 4th and final as the Q)

Not sure what they were thinking when they put those gears in, Y33 has to be unbearable....

[maxnix]

The 94-01 have the same transmission. The gears in the Q transmission are bad enough in the 94, and with the decreased porew it could only be worse...

2.5:1 1st gear...

Wrong! The transmissions are different in the FY33 and G50.

3.53, R200 (I think)Y33 has to be unbearable....

It is not because it has a ~3.692 rear end ratio.

Surmising on bad assumptions leads to gross misstatements. Maybe OK on other forums, but please not here.

A couple of critical differences omitted in the buying a Q45 article are the later G50 (1994-1995) have a different transmission heat exchanger and a filter inline standard, have remotes for entry, have thicker glass and passenger airbag, and use 134a in the AC.

[Jesda]

I received a comparison article in the mail between the LS400 and Q45. I'll scan and post it (eventually).

[elwesso]

Then i gues this thread is wrong. if it is, slap my hand, but it doesnt seem to be....

http://www.nissaninfiniticlub....t=FAQ

Dont think thats wrong.. I was referring to the G50 rear end ANYWAY!!!

Bad information, again?? I guess trolling doesnt count!!!!!

I dont have a witty and condescending end line, but I dont think my information is wrong and if it is, my source was wrong!!!!

[elwesso]

Btw i was kinda getting worried, you havent trolled in a whlie....!!!

[Ted Hurwood]

Thank you very much! This is a great start!Ted Hurwood

[maxnix]

You're welcome, Ted. If a 1997-2001 Q45 (FY33) enters into your consideration, put up another post. You will find a lot of previous posts discussing the pros and cons of the first two generations vís-a-vís each other because they are quite different cars, especially considering they were built by the same company and, for a while, at the same time for a number of years (but not for our market).

As always, inspect, document service history, then have a senior Infiniti technician inspect. A well maintained car in good condition is more important than any particular model or color on the long run.

[fxjackso]

Thanks, Max, for pointing out the obvious that seemed to be missing. The 90-96 Q and the 91-01 are completely different cars. This was not an evolutionary change. It was more Ford-like, take the badge off of the top of the line car and put it on the upper middle, then stick it in the showroorms, where the salespeople won't be able to explain the difference. Advertise it as all-new!

They are both worthy of consideration. But you can't compare them by thinking of what was added (or removed).

Not so with the LS. It really is (JDM Crown limos notwithstanding) Toyota's flagship. A new LS430 has everything the first one had, plus, plus, plus.

So, you're choosing among three cars, not two. You have to line up the features yourself, since a comparison test will only work with the two current ones.

I just made your job harder Ted, but its still fun, right?

[maxnix]

fxjackson, you are right; Toyota never imported their top line car here as it was always a non-performance oriented V-12 limousine.

We were lucky that Nissan did a performance version of their short wheelbase top of the line and brought it here for us.

In a sense, both the Cima (generation 2 and 3 Q45) and the Celsior (all LS400/430) were the second line of both producers. However, now that the Cima is the top of the line for Nissan and even the new President is based upon it (at a 25% premium), who's to say that the top of the Nissan line chassis and powertrain combination is not in our market again?

The G50 and FY33, though basically the same in general configuration, are as different as Mercedes and BMW in their implementation. It's rather like the yellow house in Arles period when Van Gogh and Gaugin would paint the same subjects, but the result would be distinctly different.

While I appreciate the no holds barred execution of the G50, in many ways the FY33 is a little more refined for daily driver life. In such a role and in consideration of expense to own, I would not recommend against it, especially the 1999-2000 years. In any case, I would buy the one in best condition, regardless if it is a later FY33 or a later (1994-1996) G50, maintain it and enjoy it for all it is worth.

[Ted Hurwood]

Hi!Thanx for the exhaustive replies. I've been out of circulation for the last couple of weeks & no chance 'til now to reply. Also have not had time yet to peruse all the links. As to price range I'd like to keep it to $10,000 or less, there is no hurry whatsoever. I like cars that seem to me to manifest character. My notion is Q's probably do. (I've owned multiples of Citroens, Peugots and Audis - they don't call me 'His Weirdness' for nothing.) Inevitably, as mentioned above Q's are sure to be compared to LS400/430, and I am interested in such comparisons, particularly in realms of maintenance and fuel usage. Since LS has more market share they seem to fetch more 2nd hand, and it certainly is my sense that in general Toyota product seems durable but boring. It is also my sense that for any product that has a commanding market share there is generally a similar product sometimes a better product that is often a lot more interesting and price-effective. I will say that the strangest (to me) shared characteristic of Q's and LS's is they both have surprisingly small trunks. That is not thrilling.Ted Hurwood

[911/Q45]

Why not take a day trip down here and we can get you well up to speed on the Q?

[maxnix]

Now that's an offer even I wouldn't refuse!

Trunk is small on the Q45 because the fuel tank is located above the rear axle for safety and handling concerns. But you knew that.