Am I too young for this car?

[MattB]

Sometime during summer 2006 I will be looking for a new car because I want with lower miles than my current G20. I really like the looks of the Y33 Q45t, but at 19 am I too young to be driving a car like that? I'm concerned that it may have an image as being for someone a bit older than me...it clearly doesn't have the same image as a G20t...

[FarFetched]

Get a 3 series Bimmer if you are concerned aboud your image!Cheers!

[Radioaktiv]

Im 22 and i drive a Y33

If you're that worried about image then maybe a Benz or Bimmer would be better

[MattB]

Im 22 and i drive a Y33

If you're that worried about image then maybe a Benz or Bimmer would be better

The prestige image isn't the issue. If my G20 had 100,000 fewer miles I would keep it. I'm just more looking for positive reinforcement of my thinking that a Y33 is a good car for someone young like me. I also forgot to mention that I will have to convince my parents of this (despite the fact I will be paying for this car myself they still want to have input on my purchase)...they think the Q is for people older than me.

Plus I've seen too many problems with Benzes and BMWs to ever consider buying one that didn't say "M5" on the trunk. I wouldn't buy anything other than a Nissan product.

[Radioaktiv]

a lot of people say i drive 'an old man car'

but i dont carei love it and wouldnt trade it for anything (cept for an M45, which will be my next car, no doubts)

I started driving and had two SE-Rs before I had my Q, so I know where you stand on the brand loyalty

the Q45 (the G50 and the Y33) are some of the best real-life cars ever designed and produced in my opinion

if you're worried about folks saying you drive 'an old man car' or stuff like that, i wouldnt worry too much. just driving a Q is so enjoyable that you wont care.

at least in my opinion

[squeefoo]

if you're worried about folks saying you drive 'an old man car' or stuff like that, i wouldnt worry too much. just driving a Q is so enjoyable that you wont care.

I agree! You are who you are and should not be concerned by what you think others think you should drive.

[FarFetched]

Quote »Plus I've seen too many problems with Benzes and BMWs to ever consider buying one that didn't say "M5" on the trunk. I wouldn't buy anything other than a Nissan product[/quote]M5/M3 emblem will give you a headache you will not soon forget. It is so expensive to maintain/fix, it will set you back you will puke!Cheers!

[goody90q45]

I bought my Q on Memorial Day of this year as a short-term drive for my 19 year old son who had just come home from college (UC Berkeley, Go Bears!!!) for the summer. I knew nothing about Q45's but it ran good and looked nice so I bought it for $5000. I'd planned on keeping it only a few months and then selling it.

I pulled into the driveway and my son came out to look at his new ride. He stared at it for about 10 seconds and said "This car looks too much like a Buick, I'll drive the truck (94 Toyota) for the summer". I spent the next couple months fine tuning and detailing and the car is now in excellent condition. Near the end of summer he finally drove the Q and came back asking for it full time until school started. Yeah Right! Too late grasshopper. I'd become attached by then and he missed his window of opportunity. My 18 year old daughter and her friends love the car. She would like to have it full time but really can't afford the gas. She's a conservative driver but tells me she enjoys showing off the car's performance and handling- especially with other boys in the car (don't ask, don't tell). BTW- Neither has had a ticket or accident, both have been driving since age 15 1/2.

My point is- it's all perception. Don't worry about what other people think as long as you are comfortable with your decisions and consequences (the parent in me is talking). You know that if the people who are judging you by the car you drive could only sit behind the wheel and push the pedal to the floor their opinions of your ride would change real fast. A lot of the NICO club members have changed to aftermarket tires, rims, etc. and the cars look great. I've still got the pie tins on mine as my days of putting money into cars for other than upkeep are over. I just want to keep the Q running good.

Enjoy the ride. You've got luxury, performance and classic styling all in one ride. The car's a babe magnet. If only I was young and single again.

[Q451990]

Amazingly, I have been thinking a lot of how old the Q is in terms of what people think. I guess it really hit me when I went down to USC to buy a ticket off of a student. Then I got to thinking how old she might be and what she would think of the car... If she was an 18 y/o freshman, she was only three years old when my Q was new. That would be the equivalent to a 1977 car when I was a freshman. I don't think there were many on the road, even at that point - and I can't think of one 1977 model that I would have thought looked in any way modern. Don't get me wrong - I love my car - but have I crossed over from the "nice car" realm into the "well preserved" one? If not, have cars not advanced in styling as much from 1992 to 2005 vs. 1977 to 1992? Guess I'm feeling old all the sudden... all of my friends are squirting out kids and I'm married now.

Heath

[nchopp]

I'm 22, drive a G50 Q45 (1993). Here's a story that may answer your question (posted it a few months ago).

So I was picking up an old college friend today. She's the one on the right.

(Just so you get an idea of the kind of girl we're talking about here)

She sees the Q, jaw drops a bit, opens the door and slides into the leather. She breathes out a little bit, and says...

"I think I just got a little orgasm from your car."

Story number 2, also from a few months ago.

So I'm driving back home from Applebee's with my date (the same girl that I referenced earlier for her great Q45 quote) after seeing Cats and then going out for $1 taps with pretty much the entire news crew, and Andrea, one of our reporters, pulls up next to me in her Gran Prix, gunning it. I wouldn't usually even bother with one, but she was just asking for it. I leave about 10 feet on the pavement, then start really kickin' up at about 35 - by 45 she's at least two car lengths back. When she came into work this morning she said:

"Holy ****, what the hell IS that thing?"

Andrea =

My date, afterwards:

"So, do you feel like you have a bigger pen15 now?"

Me =

Lastly, my reply: "Well, bigger in general, or bigger than Andrea's? Because I'm pretty sure mine's bigger than Andrea's. At least, I hope."

[Jesda]

While I hate people who just buy cars to get women, I can say that the Q is indeed responsible for many sexual relations (and no, not with myself).

If you want to look younger, get bigger wheels!

[DrewQ45]

While I hate people who just buy cars to get women, I can say that the Q is indeed responsible for many sexual relations (and no, not with myself).

If you want to look younger, get bigger wheels!

Ummm, yeah Jesda, you're only aware of these sexual relations. What was that post you made about removing stains from the back seat?

Folks, what Jesda is trying to say is that if you want to have more sex, get a G50 instead of a Y33. Guess which one Bill Cosby drives?

JK! (I love em all)

..Drew...

[maxnix]

The Q45 (the G50 and the Y33) are some of the best real-life cars ever designed and produced in my opinion

It's a maturity thing, not an age thing.

[elwesso]

Q have been in my blood since Ive been driving... Some people say I drive a buick, i simply say "lets race"...

If your concerned about people thinking your car is stupid or something, your obviously driving the wrong car..... About half of the people that I come in contact with that dont know cars dont even know what infiniti is...

If you want peopel to like your car, dont get a Q bottom line. I dont really care what people think about my car (some like it, some LOVE it, some hate it) because im not going to change because someone doesnt agree with me.... I remember af ew weeks ago someone in my dorm asked me "why woudl you race one of those, why wouldnt you get something good like a mustang or camaro"

I'll let you draw your own conclusions on what I said.

[MattB]

I remember af ew weeks ago someone in my dorm asked me "why woudl you race one of those, why wouldnt you get something good like a mustang or camaro"

That's exactly why I want a Q. I love the idea of a large 4-door that I can drive like a sports car. What I really want is a Y34 M45 so I can around blowing the doors off Mustangs and Camaros, but if I can't afford that a Y33 is the closest thing.

[Jesda]

That's exactly why I want a Q. I love the idea of a large 4-door that I can drive like a sports car. What I really want is a Y34 M45 so I can around blowing the doors off Mustangs and Camaros, but if I can't afford that a Y33 is the closest thing.

No, its the furthest thing.

The Y34 has the spirit and dynamics of the original Q, with more technology, power, and better braking. Y33 is a Lexus-like vehicle with much better value for money, but you know what I think about Lexus.
Modified by Jesda at 10:41 AM 11/20/2005

[Heath]

I drive a G50, granted I'm 30, but I still act like I'm 20... Most of my friends/co-workers didn't think to much of it until they go in to ride to lunch with me... They heard that exhaust when I fired her up... The power when I open her up too... Then others just get in sit down and say, "Hey, this is a damn nice car"...

Even some of my younger friends in their early 20s have said, "Heath can you help me find one of these, I love it..." Then I just laugh as I tell them I only paid 5K for her... I'm always happy to help find more because I know there are other good ones still out there...

[elwesso]

No, its the furthest thing.

The Y34 has the spirit and dynamics of the original Q, with more technology, power, and better braking.

I agree... The G50 is the closest thing to a Y34...

[MattB]

No, its the furthest thing.

The Y34 has the spirit and dynamics of the original Q, with more technology, power, and better braking. Y33 is a Lexus-like vehicle with much better value for money

Modified by Jesda at 10:41 AM 11/20/2005

That's unfortuntate to hear...I've never actually driven a Y33 but I have driven a Y34 once and loved it. Is there any way to upgrade the suspension of a Y33 to be able to match the handling performance of a Y34?

[elwesso]

Get a G50

[Jesda]

That's unfortuntate to hear...I've never actually driven a Y33 but I have driven a Y34 once and loved it. Is there any way to upgrade the suspension of a Y33 to be able to match the handling performance of a Y34?

Sure, there's plenty of upgrade options. The Y33 is comparatively light to begin with so you can turn it into a decent-performing car if thats your bag. It isnt a bad car at all: well built, sufficiently quick, smooth, quiet, bulletproof reliable, and roomy (especially the back seat, among the biggest of its time). The wheelbase is shorter so the suspension is softer to compensate for the ride, which can result in less secure handling. The Y33 is also cheaper to own and maintain.

I prefer the G50 because it more accurately captures the meaning behind Infiniti brand. There's a story behind it and a tremendous amount of character and depth of emotion. The Y33 is a more modern car, but it ought to be a Lexus, and looking at sales, people seem to really enjoy the Lexus way of thinking. Me, I hate it.

The car that is 'better' is up to you. The design philosophies behind the two are quite different, meant to please people with differing intentions. Drive them.

[Jesda]

Oh yeah, regarding the original question...

I'm 24 and I'd love to lease a Cadillac DTS.

[97Q45t]

... I really like the looks of the Y33 Q45t ...

Why not getting what you really like rather than what some other teenagers like? It is your car.

... I'm concerned that it may have an image as being for someone a bit older than me ...

Ask the person who says you're driving "an old man car" this: " Would you own an S55 AMG or an S500 instead of a C230?" or some other similar anologies.

... it clearly doesn't have the same image as a G20t...

You are right about this. The Y33 has a much better image than a G20.

... I also forgot to mention that I will have to convince my parents of this (despite the fact I will be paying for this car myself they still want to have input on my purchase)...they think the Q is for people older than me...

Ask your parents why they would think so. The only 2 reasons (or facts) that I think they would only come up with are "the Y33 is expensive to maintain" and "you cannot afford the gas money for a V8". The answers are up to you.

... Is there any way to upgrade the suspension of a Y33 to be able to match the handling performance of a Y34?

2-inch drop Tein springs set is available through Kevin [FalkDesigns]. He's in the process of bringing the matching strut inserts and shocks over here. Don't forget that you can put a Z32 NA's 4.083 diff on the Y33, widely available in junkyards across the nation for really cheap, to improve the "fun" and "young" factors.

Suddently, I have an adrenaline rush running in the back of my neck. I need to go outside and drive my car now.
Modified by 97Q45t at 12:36 PM 11/20/2005

[MattB]

Would that Z32 differential swap void a warranty? I'm planning on this car being under warranty for the majority of the time I own it. As far as convincing my parents, their main argument is that a Q45 is too ostentatious for someone my age to be driving (despite the fact I'm paying for this car myself through savings from a summer job). They think I should be driving a basic Camry or Accord and are already pushing me to look at Camrys for my next car.

[Rex]

Sometime during summer 2006 I will be looking for a new car because I want with lower miles than my current G20. I really like the looks of the Y33 Q45t, but at 19 am I too young to be driving a car like that? I'm concerned that it may have an image as being for someone a bit older than me...it clearly doesn't have the same image as a G20t...

First, I'd suggest you just put some moeny in the G20, for 1/3 ( or less) of what you'd put in another car before maint/repairs, you could get the G ready for the next 100k.

That said, drive the car you like and can afford. Be respectful of your parents and make sure you provide them witht he facts. I would add, that from your area, you need to think about winter & RWD.

[MattB]

First, I'd suggest you just put some moeny in the G20, for 1/3 ( or less) of what you'd put in another car before maint/repairs, you could get the G ready for the next 100k.

That said, drive the car you like and can afford. Be respectful of your parents and make sure you provide them witht he facts. I would add, that from your area, you need to think about winter & RWD.

Keeping the G20 is something I'm also seriously thinking about.



This is what it currently looks like after its been washed. It will probably need new struts soon and a front bumper repaint and a checkout for metal fatigue and potential rust but I'm definately going to have the car evaluated before buying something new. It's repeatedly been evaluated for tradein at around $3500 so I will have to take everything into account before buying a new car. If only Infiniti hadn't switched away from independent rear suspension and dropped a few features from the P11 G20t I would be firmly committed to buying one of those.

That being said I still may want something larger like a Q...I'm still making up my mind.

[zinkie13]

I've been driving my y33 since I was 18. It doesn't look quite as much like an old man's car anymore. Looks a little more like a drug dealers car haha

[nchopp]

And personally, I never thought the Qs have looked like old men's cars. Well, until we hit the Taurus generation.

[Jesda]

Camrys suck. Dad's 99 just died at 99k. Aunt's Lexus ES also died an early death. Overrated POS.