I'm going to buy a used Q45 at an dealer auction. Within a couple months, I want a 2000 depending on the price. 2 quick questions.1-What are the common problems with the q45 year 97-2000. Motor mounts? Electrical? Transmission? Depending on highmileage vehicles what to look for.
2-Second what are some common upgrades done to the car for better horsepower/performance. It could be air intake, bigger brakes, exhaust?
I love cars and hate anything stock on the car but having a top of the line luxuary car I would think there is not as many modifications as a smaller 'people car(econimcal)' like a civic or legend. ANy information would be much appreciated in my quest for the Q45. You guys are the real car people not the ones in suits tell me about fincaning, I want to know about the car.(It was either a old legend/RL or GS lexus or cadillac-sike!) thank you
Before I buy??
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maxnix
- Posts: 22627
- Joined: Mon Jul 22, 2002 8:11 pm
- Car: 1995 Infiniti Q45
1995 Infiniti Q45t
2000 Infiniti Q45
Welcome to the board divinemann. The sweet spot for the second generation Q45 (FY33) is the 2000-2001 model years. Do a VIN search with a dealer or through Infininti customer service for a dealer maintenance history. The cars are pretty much bulletproof if maintenance is not allowed to lag behind OEM minimum service requirements.
Not much for performance on these models, other than an early rear sway bar and a CAI being worked on by member TGVince. There are threads on these findable by searching.
A well maintained stock Infiniti Q45 is a good car, and the FY33 are certainly less common than most others.
Not much for performance on these models, other than an early rear sway bar and a CAI being worked on by member TGVince. There are threads on these findable by searching.
A well maintained stock Infiniti Q45 is a good car, and the FY33 are certainly less common than most others.
It definitely doesnt take much to make the Q45 special. Its more or less perfect from the factory. There's some JDM appearance mods if you care for that.
The Lexus GS is just as good, although in my opinion the styling is more pedestrian, and its a smaller car. One reason the second-generation Q45 sold so well, was because at the time it was the largest import luxury car you could buy for the money.
I'm also a big fan of the Seville STS... but that's considered crazy talk here.
-Jesda
The Lexus GS is just as good, although in my opinion the styling is more pedestrian, and its a smaller car. One reason the second-generation Q45 sold so well, was because at the time it was the largest import luxury car you could buy for the money.
I'm also a big fan of the Seville STS... but that's considered crazy talk here.
-Jesda
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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
Finest most reliable RWD Buick ever made on the whole planet.
While Lexus became more sporty Infiniti shifted to price value softness [unedgey] in 1997.
The 98-00 LS400 would smoke it in all parameters except cost.With equivalent Michelin tires. The $17-$19k at wholesale auctions keeps many from considering the 1998 Rocket.....roughly the same as a wholesale 2000 Q45. Cost of ownership are approximately equal.
The problem is finding a lower mileage 98 LS at wholesale. The good ones the dealers keep to resell after inflating the price $6,000. The average out the door sale price since 97 has always been almost $8,000 higher with the LS.......they really don't discount much.
Drive both for a few days before you decide.
While Lexus became more sporty Infiniti shifted to price value softness [unedgey] in 1997.
The 98-00 LS400 would smoke it in all parameters except cost.With equivalent Michelin tires. The $17-$19k at wholesale auctions keeps many from considering the 1998 Rocket.....roughly the same as a wholesale 2000 Q45. Cost of ownership are approximately equal.
The problem is finding a lower mileage 98 LS at wholesale. The good ones the dealers keep to resell after inflating the price $6,000. The average out the door sale price since 97 has always been almost $8,000 higher with the LS.......they really don't discount much.
Drive both for a few days before you decide.
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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
Buicks aren't as bad as they once were and they don't have V8 with 265 HP anymore.
The car scape has changed so much and a 90-93 Q which was brilliant and edegy and a performance leader in 1990 is just average* today........almost every V8 4 door 4,000 pound luxo cruiser out acellerates and brakes and nearly or does outhandles it today.
* Average is a great testiment to how far it was advanvced 14 years ago.......and buying something almost equal to average today for 10-20 cents on the current dollar is pretty good economics.
Unfortunately nothing you can do to a 97-01 Q will make it accelerate or brake or handle as well as a stock [Michelin Z rated tired with more camber than stock ----adjustable simply] 98 LS 400.
"next-generation Lexus four-cam, 32-valve V8 engine with Variable Valve Timing intelligence (VVT-i). An industry first for a V8, VVT-i employs continuously variable intake valve timing control to provide greater engine performance, better fuel economy and reduced emissions over a broad rpm range. With VVT-i the LS 400 surpasses the power output of its predecessor by generating 290 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 300 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,000 rpm with an estimated 0-60 acceleration time of 6.4 seconds, an improvement of 0.8 second." and Qmile is less than 15.0 secs.
"Infiniti's 4.1-liter engine generates 266 horsepower, and 278 foot-pounds of torque"..........."Infiniti says the Q45 accelerates from 0-60 mph in about 7.8 seconds."
The car scape has changed so much and a 90-93 Q which was brilliant and edegy and a performance leader in 1990 is just average* today........almost every V8 4 door 4,000 pound luxo cruiser out acellerates and brakes and nearly or does outhandles it today.
* Average is a great testiment to how far it was advanvced 14 years ago.......and buying something almost equal to average today for 10-20 cents on the current dollar is pretty good economics.
Unfortunately nothing you can do to a 97-01 Q will make it accelerate or brake or handle as well as a stock [Michelin Z rated tired with more camber than stock ----adjustable simply] 98 LS 400.
"next-generation Lexus four-cam, 32-valve V8 engine with Variable Valve Timing intelligence (VVT-i). An industry first for a V8, VVT-i employs continuously variable intake valve timing control to provide greater engine performance, better fuel economy and reduced emissions over a broad rpm range. With VVT-i the LS 400 surpasses the power output of its predecessor by generating 290 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 300 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,000 rpm with an estimated 0-60 acceleration time of 6.4 seconds, an improvement of 0.8 second." and Qmile is less than 15.0 secs.
"Infiniti's 4.1-liter engine generates 266 horsepower, and 278 foot-pounds of torque"..........."Infiniti says the Q45 accelerates from 0-60 mph in about 7.8 seconds."
Someone's gotta take the heat. Youre an easy target. j/k 
And for what its worth, I actually like the latest Buicks... LaCrosse looks great, the Velite will rock. The Ranier V8 looks tremendously better than the hideous LX470 in our garage.
I agree with Wes, that the FY33 looks more expensive outside, especially 99 (2000?) and later with the new lamps and tail lights. Its just looks damn good.
But I spend 98% of my time in the cabin. You will be VERY hard pressed to find an interior as soft, durable, and stylish as the original 1990-1996 Q45. Fits like a tailored italian suit.
Its quite sad that automotive cost cutting has resulted in industrywide cheapning of all interiors -- except Maserati, VW, and Audi.
-Jesda
And for what its worth, I actually like the latest Buicks... LaCrosse looks great, the Velite will rock. The Ranier V8 looks tremendously better than the hideous LX470 in our garage.
I agree with Wes, that the FY33 looks more expensive outside, especially 99 (2000?) and later with the new lamps and tail lights. Its just looks damn good.
But I spend 98% of my time in the cabin. You will be VERY hard pressed to find an interior as soft, durable, and stylish as the original 1990-1996 Q45. Fits like a tailored italian suit.
Its quite sad that automotive cost cutting has resulted in industrywide cheapning of all interiors -- except Maserati, VW, and Audi.
-Jesda
I concur.
Unlike the Y33s 4.1, you can get the G50's 4.5, to exceed/meet new car specs..
The new S class, or 7 series still only run mid to lower 14s...
Take a 90-93, and you can easily get that performance out of it...
A 90-93 or a 94-95 with the 90-93 gears, could easily match newer cars...
JWT ECU/TCU4.08ACPT CF DriveshaftHeaders/ExhaustFull level ten or equiv rebuild, including TC
You can get a wilwood brake kit, and do suspension enhancements.
I fully believe with those mods, you will smoke any new lux cruiser... I am aiming solely for my friends 99 XJR, but I'm staying N/A.. He has 370 hp and 390/tq.. so we'll see. With all of that and a MB ZF 5 speed transmission, the car is still only capable of 13.6+@103 or so.
I don't think getting the Q there, will be difficult.
We have to play catch up, because the G50 has limited aftermarket here.
The G50 may be old, but I believe it was so advanced for it's day, it's not far off, the most modern of it's competition. You can address just about every enhancement of modern vehicles, and apply it to the G50.. you can increase power, decrease stopping, increase handling, decrease shifting time etc..
When my car is done, I firmly believe it will be just as capable as similar newer cars. That is my goal.
Unlike the Y33s 4.1, you can get the G50's 4.5, to exceed/meet new car specs..
The new S class, or 7 series still only run mid to lower 14s...
Take a 90-93, and you can easily get that performance out of it...
A 90-93 or a 94-95 with the 90-93 gears, could easily match newer cars...
JWT ECU/TCU4.08ACPT CF DriveshaftHeaders/ExhaustFull level ten or equiv rebuild, including TC
You can get a wilwood brake kit, and do suspension enhancements.
I fully believe with those mods, you will smoke any new lux cruiser... I am aiming solely for my friends 99 XJR, but I'm staying N/A.. He has 370 hp and 390/tq.. so we'll see. With all of that and a MB ZF 5 speed transmission, the car is still only capable of 13.6+@103 or so.
I don't think getting the Q there, will be difficult.
We have to play catch up, because the G50 has limited aftermarket here.
The G50 may be old, but I believe it was so advanced for it's day, it's not far off, the most modern of it's competition. You can address just about every enhancement of modern vehicles, and apply it to the G50.. you can increase power, decrease stopping, increase handling, decrease shifting time etc..
When my car is done, I firmly believe it will be just as capable as similar newer cars. That is my goal.
Its quite sad that automotive cost cutting has resulted in industrywide cheapning of all interiors -- except Maserati, VW, and Audi.
I hear this all the time..
How about going into some further details.. I hear people whine about MB S class interiors.. have you ever sat in one? It uses real ivory husks, for gods sake.. The dash is stiched, as is just about everything in the car..
I hear this about the new Q as well.. how can you say that? The sojourner leather is very nice... It's perforated as well...
I just don't see the cheaping of interiors.. They look more stylish/modern every day.
I understand people may not like the dash layout of the new Q. It isn't for everything... The new M has addressed this by using a i drive type interface.
The new Infinitis have gorgeous real wood trim, perforated engraved leather seats...
I do agree about the way you sit in the G50.. If all a car means to you is the way it fits around you on the inside, the G50 is damn hard to beat.. My dad still prefers the 94q over the brand new 2004 xj8 we rented for a few days.. It just boiled down to the way he sat in it... if it's that simple for you, I think the g50 is pretty much perfect
I hear this all the time..
How about going into some further details.. I hear people whine about MB S class interiors.. have you ever sat in one? It uses real ivory husks, for gods sake.. The dash is stiched, as is just about everything in the car..
I hear this about the new Q as well.. how can you say that? The sojourner leather is very nice... It's perforated as well...
I just don't see the cheaping of interiors.. They look more stylish/modern every day.
I understand people may not like the dash layout of the new Q. It isn't for everything... The new M has addressed this by using a i drive type interface.
The new Infinitis have gorgeous real wood trim, perforated engraved leather seats...
I do agree about the way you sit in the G50.. If all a car means to you is the way it fits around you on the inside, the G50 is damn hard to beat.. My dad still prefers the 94q over the brand new 2004 xj8 we rented for a few days.. It just boiled down to the way he sat in it... if it's that simple for you, I think the g50 is pretty much perfect
If you drove the two Acura MDX's my mom has owned, you'll immediately notice hard plastic surfaces that say "early 90s Chrysler" and uneven cutlines and poorly fitted switches. Things just dont precisely come together, but photograph extremely well. Early 90s Chrysler interiors arent bad, but when youre looking at a $36k SUV, you have much higher standards and expectations.
Our family's 2004 LX470 is fine, no better than the Q (interior quality). Of course, that vehicle cost over 70k.
And if you sat in a 96-01 E-class then immediately sat in a 95, you would notice an IMMEDIATE difference in the sturdiness of plastic, the feel of the leather (rubbery vinyl feel in the 96) and the lacking sense of teutonic strength. The 95 and older models simply sound and feel more expensive. Little things like the headlining and cloth along the pillars felt more luxurious in my 300E and my parents' E320 than my friend's new C280.
Even the latest C-class has ongoing issues with gloveboxes that dont stay shut and plastic bits that brake or come apart.
I recently posted a writeup on the new 300C's interior, which is tupperware molded into what looks -like- a luxury interior, but clearly isnt. Someone got clever with molding luxurious shapes but the material still says "93 Intrepid." Granted, I'd probably love to have a 300C for the style and power.
Or take it down a notch and hop into a brand new Civic. Knock on the panels and hear how hollow they are, or close the doors and glovebox and move the switchgear around. Then step into a 92. You'll immediately notice that the 92 Civic feels solid, even though its older, and stylistically challenged.
Today's cars look the part, but when the curtains open and the lights come on, theyre booed off the stage.
And theyre especially going to show their true colors and look like crap as used cars.
-Jesda
Our family's 2004 LX470 is fine, no better than the Q (interior quality). Of course, that vehicle cost over 70k.
And if you sat in a 96-01 E-class then immediately sat in a 95, you would notice an IMMEDIATE difference in the sturdiness of plastic, the feel of the leather (rubbery vinyl feel in the 96) and the lacking sense of teutonic strength. The 95 and older models simply sound and feel more expensive. Little things like the headlining and cloth along the pillars felt more luxurious in my 300E and my parents' E320 than my friend's new C280.
Even the latest C-class has ongoing issues with gloveboxes that dont stay shut and plastic bits that brake or come apart.
I recently posted a writeup on the new 300C's interior, which is tupperware molded into what looks -like- a luxury interior, but clearly isnt. Someone got clever with molding luxurious shapes but the material still says "93 Intrepid." Granted, I'd probably love to have a 300C for the style and power.
Or take it down a notch and hop into a brand new Civic. Knock on the panels and hear how hollow they are, or close the doors and glovebox and move the switchgear around. Then step into a 92. You'll immediately notice that the 92 Civic feels solid, even though its older, and stylistically challenged.
Today's cars look the part, but when the curtains open and the lights come on, theyre booed off the stage.
And theyre especially going to show their true colors and look like crap as used cars.
-Jesda
I dunno, maybe..
Take a look at a new Acura TL.. it has a very nice interior.. even a bit of Carbon fibre.. very nice..
I don't care if the plastic doesn't feels nice, it looks 1x mil times better, then some older acura.. like a 90 legend... let me puke, just thinking about it..
The Q was one of the only cars that I can think of that came out in the early 90s that had a nice rounded curved interior..
Take a look at a new Acura TL.. it has a very nice interior.. even a bit of Carbon fibre.. very nice..
I don't care if the plastic doesn't feels nice, it looks 1x mil times better, then some older acura.. like a 90 legend... let me puke, just thinking about it..
The Q was one of the only cars that I can think of that came out in the early 90s that had a nice rounded curved interior..
I noticed someone about the Y33 vs the G50..
Which do you think is nicer..
The Y33 carpets runs the entire headliner, even on the visors.. DO you think that is nicer then the G50s, which stops at the end of the sunroof.. What i mean is where the visors are located, isn't carpeted.
Most critics liked the push button release of the G50 visors.. do you think that's nicer then Y33s carpeted one.
I know it's a dumb detail question, but since we're being specific..
I'm not saying you're wrong Jesda, but I'd still rather take a nicer looking interior over one that is POSSIBLY better built, but asthetically nasty..
That's why I love the G50.. that is a tradeoff I don't have to make...
Which do you think is nicer..
The Y33 carpets runs the entire headliner, even on the visors.. DO you think that is nicer then the G50s, which stops at the end of the sunroof.. What i mean is where the visors are located, isn't carpeted.
Most critics liked the push button release of the G50 visors.. do you think that's nicer then Y33s carpeted one.
I know it's a dumb detail question, but since we're being specific..
I'm not saying you're wrong Jesda, but I'd still rather take a nicer looking interior over one that is POSSIBLY better built, but asthetically nasty..
That's why I love the G50.. that is a tradeoff I don't have to make...
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elwesso
- Posts: 30810
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- Car: 94 Infiniti Q45t 5 spd
2007 BMW M Coupe
2007 Infiniti G35 S 6MT - Location: Indiana
- Contact:
I like the vinyl on those parts, all american cars are "carpeted" with that fuzzy stuff, that looks like a cheap sweater with those little pilly things all over them.....
The push buttons are good too, because in other cars ive been in they rattle around.. Some pockets on them wouldnt hurt, though....
I think the vinyl looks more expensive than the fuzzy stuff..... IMHO
The push buttons are good too, because in other cars ive been in they rattle around.. Some pockets on them wouldnt hurt, though....
I think the vinyl looks more expensive than the fuzzy stuff..... IMHO
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elwesso
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2007 Infiniti G35 S 6MT - Location: Indiana
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BTW, after sitting in a *very* nice condition Y33 interior, I wil never say its better built. Everything feels cheap!!! The leather feels like thick napkins with a smooth surface, seats are uncomfortable (you sink towards the back though its not terrible)... The wood trim, albiet looks good in pictures, is very clearly plastic and cheap.....
of course the 97-01q seems cheaper than the 90-96q,it was a life saving move by nissan to cut its losses with the q and just rebadge the jdm cima as a "q45" to sell in the USA as the "new q45" while the much more expensive original 90-96 q45 chasis lived on in japan as the president,finally being replaced in 2002 with the "new cima",AKA our 2002+ q45-even the new q is really a rebadged CIMA-THE LAST REAL Q45 died in 1996,long live the ole girl!
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Falkdesigns
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Damn, you guys are bahshing the Y33, but I think it's about as nice as anything I've been in. I've driven a 2001 AMG S-class, and I loved that car, but I think my Y33 is almost as nice, but about 1/2 the cost (new). I am very impressed with the way the cloth runs up the pillars, and covers everything. The headliner, visors, etc. look very nice, and no pilling what so ever. I know the wood is plastic, but I think it's pretty hard to tell without getting really close and nit-picky. The leather in mine is very soft, but the seats themselves are pretty firm. The plastic used on the door pulls is very nice, and the leather on the arm rests and door panels is nice too. The ONLY thing I thought was kinda cheesy was the icons on the vents for open and close, they look like liquid paper stenciled on lol. As for comfort, I LOVE my commute to work, I could spend hours a day driving my car, I often go sit in it on lunch cause I think it's so comfy. My 02 c's from a Y33 owner 
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Q45tech
- Moderator
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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
It was easy to bargain your way out the door for $45k plus tax or less.....brand new.......all I was saying was that for $8-12k more the 98 LS400 is was more........unfortunate each year carries at least a $6 k used premium till you get over 9-10 years old.
Mechanically both [97-01] are now comparable in long term reliability........cost about the same per mile to operate [not counting price and interest] so if you can stand an extra 30,000 miles say a 98 LS with 105k vs a 2000Q with 75,000 miles.I would chose the older LS........assuming the same condition and available dealer records.
The wild card is to make sure you buy an LS where the timing belt and water pump and tensioners have just been changed [105k $1200].......they both will need shocks.
After driving 100,000 miles [6 years] you can probably get $2500 more for the LS even considering the 2 year older difference.....more if we start to inflate the dollar more.
Really is unfair to try to compare the two cars because of the very wide price differences new......as with BMW 740il & MB S420/500.
A car that is $10,000 to $50,000 more new should be better.
Mechanically both [97-01] are now comparable in long term reliability........cost about the same per mile to operate [not counting price and interest] so if you can stand an extra 30,000 miles say a 98 LS with 105k vs a 2000Q with 75,000 miles.I would chose the older LS........assuming the same condition and available dealer records.
The wild card is to make sure you buy an LS where the timing belt and water pump and tensioners have just been changed [105k $1200].......they both will need shocks.
After driving 100,000 miles [6 years] you can probably get $2500 more for the LS even considering the 2 year older difference.....more if we start to inflate the dollar more.
Really is unfair to try to compare the two cars because of the very wide price differences new......as with BMW 740il & MB S420/500.
A car that is $10,000 to $50,000 more new should be better.
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Falkdesigns
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maxnix
- Posts: 22627
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- Car: 1995 Infiniti Q45
1995 Infiniti Q45t
2000 Infiniti Q45
What's really important?
Our 54 was pretty good, but no power steering and no AC.Q45tech wrote:Buicks aren't as bad as they once were and they don't have V8 with 265 HP anymore.
I still find the build quality superior to everything, maybe even the LS 400.Q45tech wrote:The car scape has changed so much and a 90-93 Q which was brilliant and edegy and a performance leader in 1990 is just average* today........almost every V8 4 door 4,000 pound luxo cruiser out acellerates and brakes and nearly or does outhandles it today.
* Average is a great testiment to how far it was advanvced 14 years ago.......and buying something almost equal to average today for 10-20 cents on the current dollar is pretty good economics.
[quote=" Q45tech Unfortunately nothing you can do to a 97-01 Q will make it accelerate or brake or handle as well as a stock [Michelin Z rated tired with more camber than stock ----adjustable simply] 98 LS 400.[/quote] Probably true, but the FY33 with larger brakes and stickier tires should out brake a G50.
For everyday driving, the FY33 is a very good car, and at 2/3 the cost to maintain as a G50, it might well be the better car for most.
And continuously variable intake camshaft timing be damned, I'll take chain driven over belt driven camshafts every time.__________________Brian1995 Q45 & Q45t & 2000 Q45
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Q45tech
- Moderator
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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
True you can duplicate the stock 98 LS400 4 piston front calipers [dual opposing rears] and 34 mm thick rotors and brake air vents and air flow directors on a Y33. Same with the 5 speed transmission. You duplicate the LS front double short/long wishbone camber, caster adjustable front suspension.
The LS main weakness is the lack of a limited slip diff annd too many turn lock to lock steering...........but their are little publicized EuroSport Options avaiable to fix these oversites.
The LS main weakness is the lack of a limited slip diff annd too many turn lock to lock steering...........but their are little publicized EuroSport Options avaiable to fix these oversites.
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Chrisfrend
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I like my 97 Q45t, but must admit that body control in this particular model is inadequate, almost Buick-like. The 99 touring models I test drove earlier seemed at least somewhat better in this respect, perhaps because of the thicker real stabilizer bar and different wheels and tires. I wanted to save money so I bought a lower mileage older model without the adjustable dampening, (though the 97 touring model does apparently have stiffer rear springs than does the non-touring 1997 model).
However, by replacing the thin rear bar with a much thicker 24 mm bar, the handling and ride were transformed, and now the suspension feels firm and taut, without being harsh -- not Buick like at all. This could work on the 99 touring models as well. BTW, a Car and Driver comparison test measured the skidpad performance of a 1997 Q45 t and a BWM 540 about the same, oddly enough -- but a slalom comparision would have highlighted the relative weaknesses of the Q's suspension.
The brakes seem very good to me, but the car is not the most peppy off the line. 0-60 is n the 8.0-8.4 range, according to the magazines; definitely slower than the 98 Lexus and many other later model cars in this class. The transmission seems to shift into overdrive around 20 mph., and the car seems much more repsonsive with the overdrive locked out for in-town driving. Presumably for reasons of fuel economy, the transmission always seems to be in a higher gear than otherwise desirable, keeping rpms relatively low. It is actually most responsive manually shifted from 1st on up, but this is probably not especially good for the transmission.
I find the seats to be extremely comfortable once all the adjustments are made. I like the retro exterior but some of the interior design does seem a little dated, especially the middle of the dash around the radio and heating controls.
From my standpoint, the main weakness is the low end torque of the drivetrain. Most of the time I don't need the power, but when you want to move quickly from a dead stop, you really have to mash the accelerator, and still the car doesn't exactly leap forward. Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be an easy remedy for this.
However, by replacing the thin rear bar with a much thicker 24 mm bar, the handling and ride were transformed, and now the suspension feels firm and taut, without being harsh -- not Buick like at all. This could work on the 99 touring models as well. BTW, a Car and Driver comparison test measured the skidpad performance of a 1997 Q45 t and a BWM 540 about the same, oddly enough -- but a slalom comparision would have highlighted the relative weaknesses of the Q's suspension.
The brakes seem very good to me, but the car is not the most peppy off the line. 0-60 is n the 8.0-8.4 range, according to the magazines; definitely slower than the 98 Lexus and many other later model cars in this class. The transmission seems to shift into overdrive around 20 mph., and the car seems much more repsonsive with the overdrive locked out for in-town driving. Presumably for reasons of fuel economy, the transmission always seems to be in a higher gear than otherwise desirable, keeping rpms relatively low. It is actually most responsive manually shifted from 1st on up, but this is probably not especially good for the transmission.
I find the seats to be extremely comfortable once all the adjustments are made. I like the retro exterior but some of the interior design does seem a little dated, especially the middle of the dash around the radio and heating controls.
From my standpoint, the main weakness is the low end torque of the drivetrain. Most of the time I don't need the power, but when you want to move quickly from a dead stop, you really have to mash the accelerator, and still the car doesn't exactly leap forward. Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be an easy remedy for this.
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HeavyDuty
- Posts: 1281
- Joined: Tue Sep 23, 2003 4:51 pm
- Car: 1995 Infiniti Q45
95 Nissan 240SX S14
96 Nissan D21
06 Nissan 350Z Z33
There's an 01 Q45t 'calling me' from I-4 every time I pass by Orlando Infiniti. Silver/grey, avg miles, nice.
Why is that?
Now that I can park my 91 Q in my garage, (next to a single digit 5.0 coupe) I find myself overlooking so many things about it, looking forward to the morning drive (with three carseats & arses firmly planted in them, rambling incessantly about nothing.)
The children, not the seats.
Please, please, no offense to the 97> owners, but even as raggedy as my 91 is, I just didn't feel 'at home' in the beautiful, straight, clean 01 t.
Completely different interior, obviously different exterior, kinda just like every other jellybean out there.
Being different is a lonely road, I've traversed it's waters all my life, there's a toll, and it's not cheap, but personally rewarding in a way nothing else can compare.
A smile on every entry, and a glance back on every exit.
Why is that?
Now that I can park my 91 Q in my garage, (next to a single digit 5.0 coupe) I find myself overlooking so many things about it, looking forward to the morning drive (with three carseats & arses firmly planted in them, rambling incessantly about nothing.)
The children, not the seats.
Please, please, no offense to the 97> owners, but even as raggedy as my 91 is, I just didn't feel 'at home' in the beautiful, straight, clean 01 t.
Completely different interior, obviously different exterior, kinda just like every other jellybean out there.
Being different is a lonely road, I've traversed it's waters all my life, there's a toll, and it's not cheap, but personally rewarding in a way nothing else can compare.
A smile on every entry, and a glance back on every exit.
The G50 was one of the few two ton sedans, that put the drive first. Everything is geared to the drive. The way you sit, the way it feels etc... The more the Q turned to generic luxury, the more it lost it's original intentions... This is true of the 94+ G50, the Y33, and the F50..
The 90-93 G50 is the ultimate representation of what the original engineers wanted to accomplish. They haven't been able to do it since.
The 90-93 G50 is the ultimate representation of what the original engineers wanted to accomplish. They haven't been able to do it since.