Almost took the 2000 Q45 plung

[Bergerman]

Boy am I glad I could not sleep tonight. I found a nice looking Q45 at what I consider a pretty good price so have been lying awake tonight dreaming of cruising in style but after checking out a few threads out here, I think you guys have saved me from a maintanence nightmare. I have owned a '99 I30 Limited for the past 4 years and have had pretty good luck on it but it sounds like that luck may not transfer to a Q45.

Besides having it checked out by a reputable shop, (not the Infiniti dealer selling it) what other points should I be asking about for this year? Being the last year of a generation, I would think that all the kinks would have been worked out but I thought I would put a question out here and not be in such a rush. Please let me know what you guys think about this year Q and any potential gotchas I should ask about. Thanks!

[NightRiderQ45]

I think that you are speaking more about the 90-96 and 2002-up Q45's. The FGY33 are the most reliable out of all 3 generations! If you even Google 97-01 Q's, you will find nothing but good things. The only thing that has plague this model is the ignition coils problem with miss, but that's really about it. After you replace the bad coil or all coils, the problem is solved. My 98 have been basically maintenance trouble free.

[goody90q45]

I agree but you have to add strut replacement which gets pricey on the 2000 Q. Other than that it's an extremely reliable car with proper preventative maintenance.

[Q45tech]

Based on weight, engine cylinders, FWD vs RWD we usually use a 1.33 factor to guessimate the annual cost to maintain vs a V6.

FWD I4 are obviously the least expensive common transportation model to drive.

RWD V8 cost approximately TWICE AS MUCH annualized.

[maxnix]

Reputation has little to do with a pre-purchase inspection if they are not famliar with the car's model.

The later FGY33 are very reliable and probably the cheapest imported V8 to maintain. The coilpacks seem to wear out at 10 years 120K+ miles. An auxiliary ATF cooler is very beneficial.

Presume you have examined the Infiniti dealer performed service history, all fluids, other maintenance records and they all pass muster?

[Bergerman]

Thanks for all the feedback, guys, this is great infor to have when they get back to me. The dealer does not appear to have maint records on the Q but have assured me it has gone through a 150 point inspection and I am working on getting more details. From what I have read here, it sounds like it is pretty reliable car. My expectation is that the previous owners were similar so they probably did a good job of maintaining the vehicle. I intend to ask a lot more questions about the car so will keep all posted.

[oldmako]

If it's an Infin dealership, they can pull the cars maint record with the VIN. I would insist that he do so. Unfortunately this will not include work performed elsewhere but any work done at an Infin shop will show. Nice to know as it will give you a barometer of how the car was treated the first few years of it's life.

I know zip about any other Q than my 99, but from what I have read the earlier models (90-96) achilles heels are the injectors, fuel pumps and the trans. As much as I like them, that would probably prevent me from purchasing one. I just don't have any faith in rebuilt transmissions, and I don't want to mess with injectors on a repetitive basis. I'm lazy.

As far as the Q41s, if you can stomach the price to rehab the suspension and save some for the (eventual) coil replacement, and can handle $50 fillups, then jump in. Awesome, mostly carefree cars. But, in a granddad kind of way. It's the slug of the family. So....take it out and stomp on it and make sure that you can live with it. Many newer 6 cylinder cars can smoke it. A G37s will just make you want to go home. But for a pure interstate car, it's great. 21mpg at 80 mph ain't too shabby with the sunroof open, heated seat on and bose blasting. When you ask to, it will jump to triple digits effortlessly.

My coil packs are original and have 162K on them, as does my trans. My goal it to take them both to 250,000 and then it's off to the bone yard with the whole shooting match. I really want an 850ci.

Modified by oldmako at 9:24 AM 2/26/2010
Modified by oldmako at 10:28 AM 2/26/2010

[NightRiderQ45]

^^^haven't replaced my coils on my car either and transmission is just fine.

[maxnix]

I really want an 850ci.

Wait until you see what those transmissions cost!

And their life is about 100K.

[loystock]

Original coils and transmission in my 97Q. Struts, alternator and tension rods have been replaced.