Buy a 94 Q45 with 185k for $2700?

[kensq]

Hi Guys - I am a newbie to this site. I am about to buy a '94 Q45 with 185k miles. Here are its specifics:

1. Its been entirely Infiniti dealer maintained for its life. Only deferred maintenance issue is the 180k service. 2. Clean title3. No prior accidents4. Excellent condition inside and out. Non-smoker and appears to have been garage kept since paint (pearl white) looks great and leather with no cracks.5. Options: Heated seats and traction control6. Owned is elderly person who purchased from Infiniti at 30k miles in 1996. 7. Runs great. No smoking, starts up immediately. 8. Upgrades/Major repairs: A/C compressor replaced 2 years ago, rear suspension/shocks replaced 2 years ago.

Would you buy for $2,700? How much life left? Too many miles to pass on?

Really appreciate your help. Thanks.

Ken

[maxnix]

Have it inspected by an Infiniti Senior Technician (one weh was trained on the Q45 in 1989 and has been continuously employed as an Infniniti technician since).

I assume you have puleed the service history from the dealer using the VIN?

I would budget $5k -$7K cash for transmission (was it flushed every 30K with a pan drop and filter replacement?), motor mounts and transmission mounts (ever done?), hubs, powersteering rack (how does the fluid look? Was it ever exchanged?), under plenum hoses, maybe injectors (do a power balance test with a Consult), maybe driveshaft, maybe rear subframe and/or bushings, EGR, IAC, etc. Look at everything.

5K beyond 60K service (about $800 for cursory service, $1200 for complete) is of some concern. They're great cars and there are fewer of them everyday. Best to have the cash on hand so you can address any big ticket items and practice preventive maintenance and restore it to like new OEM condition.

Lots of previous posts to read if you really want to know how to evaluate projected repair costs and where to look.

Welcome to the world's best knowledge base for the G50 (1990-1996 Q45).

[mateo]

Sounds great to me! I'm a J30 owner with 180k miles. Althought I have a few projects to do on my car, it is solid. It was also maintained in the same fashion as the Q you're eye-balling. I'm sure other Q owners can give you better insight into what might need replacing, etc. and what to expect. Have the car checked-out by a mechanic you trust. If thumbs up, go for it. If there are issues and you don't mind them, use them to negotiate a different price.

[PalmerWMD]

Likely still many years of good servcie left.Hve it inspected and if no flaws, buy it.A 94 Q45 is a LOT of car at that price.

Fred..

[nuQ]

it does sound good!!!!! i'd go for a 94-or 95 if my 90 is no longer. DEFINITLY have it inspected by someone knowledgable with the Q's. were all oil changes done regularly???? how does the trans fluid look??? bright red???? it will be a car that you WILL have to stay on top of the maintenance, and this site is your BEST resource. DO SEARCHES here for all your questions. the Q is a GREAT car, just treat her right!!! LOLwelcome to the site!!!

[elwesso]

Just dont let me konw where it is or I might nab it from you!!

GO to the dealer and have them run the VIN check, if it was an elderly guy he probably took it to the dealer.. They should have EVERYTHING documented!!!

Certainly there will be some things needed to be done, but overall I think it will be a good car for little money!!!

[90Q45blue]

I agree. The fact that it has had one owner the past 150k means the car was most likely well-maintained. I echo Brian's statement though. You must have a senior tech at Infiniti check it out before purchase. It would be worth the extra $100-$300 for the inspection.

Nick

[kensq]

You guys are Great! Really appreciate your insight and advise. Confirmed all major services performed on schedule through Infiniti and all regular fluid changes likewise done on schedule. Oil changes religiously done every 3k miles. I will certainly have a full service done to ensure it will provide good service hopefully for at least another 50k.

Question: What should the 180k service include? How often should I do a transmission pan drop and full flush?

Thanks again guys. I am hooked on your website.

[Q45tech]

Somebody paid at least $75,000 for those FIRST 185,000 miles:

Calculate at least $49,000 [with sales tax and title out the door] or $46,000 in depreciation plus $18,000 in maintenance plus those dollars were worth more due to 10 years of inflation.

If you spend $2500 per year on maintenance and repairs [after $3,000 [to get it in shape] plus purchase price $2700 = $15,700 for 4 years and maybe 60,000 miles...........thats only 36 cents per mile. plus insurance and $1500 for gasoline.

If you can afford the $2700 plus $3,000 plus $2500= $8200 the first year [plus insurance and gasoline $2400?] $10,600 you are pretty much home free.

The above is probably the worst case situation! You might not need to speed $5500 maybe half maybe not?

We have many 94 and 95 Q customers with over 250,000 miles some approaching 280,000 miles.

[Jeff Williams]

Ken, welcome to NICO!

That does sound like a sweetheart deal.

I bougth mine, at 105,000 miles almost 2 years ago (May, 2002).

I paid $2,300 for the car, with a busted transmission.

I fould a local transmission shop to rebuild it (he had done several Q's).

I have put 79,000 miles on the car, since then.

There are a lot of little things that start going out, on the car, but with NICO, you can get advice, and good deals on parts.

I have put about $4,500 in the car, with mods, and replacement parts. And saved about that same amount, by using eBay, and NICO.

TrannyTokiko Blue strutsBrakesBrakesStrut tower braceWheelsTiresTiresTiresTiresTranny FlushBrakesWindow RegulatorFuel PumpTensioner PulleyK&N Pop ChargerKey FobCD ChangerLight BulbsA LOT of gasMany oil changesPlugsPlugsBrake Fluid FlushPower Steering Fluid FlushPower Steering LinesA few trips to the dealership, for diagnostics

All in all, the car has been a dream to own.

I drive a lot, and the Q blows away all my previous cars.

[maxnix]

Go, Kensq, go! But don't forego fluid inspection (even if you plan on changing) or the technicican inspection (for gotchas).

Look for a BG shop on the web http://www.bgfindashop.com/ , but call first as the information is not always current. Also there is a Sun fluid exchange device that SnapOn has that does a good job of extracting the PS fluid and exchanging the transmission fluid. Ask a SnapOn jobber when you see one, and he will tell you who has one.__________________Brian1995 Q45 & Q45t & 2000 Q45

Discover the power of the button!

[kensq]

To be safe, I will have it checked by an Infiniti tech. If it checks out with no major issues, I will get it. Thanks again guys. I am certainly a loyalist to your club.

Ken

[Q45tech]

If the tech found $2,500-$3,000 [at dealer retail] in immediate issues would you still buy.Believe me if I checked one over I could list at least that much on any 94-95 that was offered for sale..........regardless of mileage. [assumming more than 100,000 miles]

Things that most suredly would need replacing in 12 months [15,000 miles] or things that were not in new oem spec.

Might take me 4 hours of testing but they are there.

[natsoundup]

I paid 5600 for my 94Q in October...81k miles at the time...

I did all the fluids..(except differenctial--waiting for warmer weather) ...had some front rotors shaved that were wharping..

Still need to do valve cover seals...

Then as time goes on I will do tokicos....then probably start looking at tortion bars...

What I like with a Q is that it rarely seems to break down...you can do the work at your own financial pace.

I think that's what can make this car a deal.....the biggy is always the transmission....if yours hasn't been replaced... you have to prepare for the whoppper

[kensq]

Hi Guys - Is the transmission failure a sure thing? Are there ways to avoid its failure?

Thanks.

[PalmerWMD]

Hi Guys - Is the transmission failure a sure thing? Are there ways to avoid its failure?

Not assured at all.Its good to be careful but sometimes PPL go a bit overboard when they paint risks for newbies.

Not every high mile transmission fails right away.

What we do know, is that 182k miles is near the upper limit of transmission life for any car.

Fred...

[kensq]

Makes sense. Thanks Fred.

[PalmerWMD]

And remember Ken, 182 k miles is not anywherer near the engine life for a properly maintained 94 Q.Even Q 's that are driven very hard, seem to reach mid/high 200's before they start using too much oil (most peoples definiton of needing rebuild).I know this one gent whose Q (with one head rebuild) reached 450,000 miles ( hard driving w/ occaisional street racing).

Fred...

[PalmerWMD]

I think what most can agree on, is that 2700 is a great deal and should give you years of a ncie car ( assuming noj hidden problems as can occur with any used car).

What I think most members are trying to say is , its still an expensive luxury car atheart so if the purchase price is a stretch for you, to better shy away, as maintenance costs will be in line with those of other $60,000 cars.

For example most who buy a used Benz, understand that it will cost $$ to keep up and a Q will cost more than a Civic in same used price range to maintain.

Fred..

[PalmerWMD]

From another member:

"As you'll recall, mine was recently torn down. All my LH bank cam lobes were mic'ed, as were cam bearings. All were EXACTLY the same as the specs on a set of new ones (0 miles uninstalled) on hand. In addition, the cross-hatching was still evident in the cylinder bores, and there was absolutely no wear within the cylinders whatsoever (supported by a post-reassembly compression test).

This is at 104K miles, BTW. There's no reason to suspect this engine wouldn't go 400K miles or more if maintained as it has been."

Fred...

[kensq]

I completely concur with your thoughts regarding the higher costs to properly maintain a Q. I've always been intrigued by the understated perception of the Q. Like a "wolf in sheeps clothing." I previously owned a '93 LS400 for 7 years, which required a fair amount to keep maintained. I wanted a Q at that time but somehow settled for a LS. Now, I am finally getting what I want, at a highly depreciated amount. Even with the higher costs to maintain than an average car, and the Q is certainly no average car, there is not much further depreciation with this car so the overall costs to operate it should be considerably less than most cars.

Its been a great discovery to become connected with such a passionate group! Tremendous thanks to all of you.

[Q45tech]

"a Q will cost more than a Civic in same used price range to maintain."

Only about twice to 2.3 times as much................7 cents per mile vs 14-17 cents is what has been claimed by the Honda folks.

Twice as many cylinders almost twice the weight. Heck the gasoline cost of the Q is only $600 more per 15,000 miles.......so it cost $1800 to $2,000 more per year to drive a Q than a Civic not counting depreciation or interest on equal priced used........assuming they both start in equal condition.

[nuQ]

ken, $2700, no payment (i assume), in good condition, no-brainer in my opinion. you're getting a 50,000 dollar luxury/sports car for 2700. go into this knowing that things can/will break down, be prepared. with this site you will have access to all the info you need on the Q plus where to get the cheapest parts to fix. set aside money for the inevitable. the upside is,,,,there are not many cars that compare to the Q!!!! wouldn't trade mine for anything!!!! good luck.jeff

[Metroyed]

With Infiniti:

Plan for the worst....but enjoy the best