Buying a Q45
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FlyTwy180sx
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Buying a Q45
Hey, I'm looking to buy a 1990-1994 Q and I was wondering if I could get some advice on what to look for? Pros? Cons? Problems? Any help would be greatly appriciated.:help
I have a 95 Q45T...and love it. I bought the car in 98 with 60K on it and now I have 136K and it still runs strong and reliable. I have spent about $2,000 in repairs besides normal wear & tear over the 76K miles driven, which is excellent. I did drop the transmission though which is more due to my hard driving style, but all is still good. I was going to sell my car and get a new one, but decided that the new cars just don't have all that much to offer for a $600+ month car payment so I doing so performance mods to bring it up to par with some of today's newer rides. Best of luck to you on finding a Q and I am sure others will give you their advice as this board is really knowledgeable and helpful...Some like the "t" or "a" version over the standard. I don't have any experience on the others except for my "t", but it is a very nice car and best of all its paid for to allow me to blow my monies partying on SoBe.....
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elwesso
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2007 BMW M Coupe
2007 Infiniti G35 S 6MT - Location: Indiana
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Let me give you a synopsis of everything (before Brian tells you to search!! 
)
90-93 Q45 are known as the performance oriented cars.... However they arent as reliable (as the 94+) but still more so than many other cars in its class. HOWEVER, they have a potentially DEADLY problem with the CHAIN GUIDES. Basically what happens is these little guides are plastic, they break, and cause the chain to skip teeth... The VH45DE is an interference engine, and this can be catestrophic if not fixed with the updated guides.
The 94-95 are probably the most desireable. Many improvements in reliability (no chain guides to mess with), and they are much more plush. Softer springs, softer seats, heated seats, TCS, power headrests, and other things make these models more luxurious. They were however slightly detuned, so they arent as high performing (but still VERY fast)
In all, I would recommend a 94 or 95 Q45 to you... The 90-93 are best case 11 years old and that can mean a lot of abuse, plus chain guides... But if you want probably the best performing car in its year/class, and for the price, its absolutely unbeatable. For a daily driver the 94s are better (IMO). If you like plushness with performance this is for you.
Now for the options. The touring model on 90-94s had a rear sway bar, and the SUPERHICAS all wheel steering. Only noticeable at high speeds. The A models mean the car has ACTIVE SUSPENSION. It is a computer controlled setup and it makes this car one of the best handling cars in its class/year... However, this system is very expensive to maintain, but there is ABSOLUTELY ABSOLUTELY nothing like it. No body roll, pitch or squat during braking or corning (on a as new system)..
Depending on your budget and resources will determine what you need....
Spend some time reading through this forum, and the online mechanic and you will learn much more.... This is a group of very knowledgable people and we can help you every step of the way...... Set yourself down tomorrow with a pastrami sandwitch and spend a few hours reading through all the posts..... ITS THE BEST TIME YOU CAN SPEND, I ASSURE YOU. I was in the same boat as you were.!
)90-93 Q45 are known as the performance oriented cars.... However they arent as reliable (as the 94+) but still more so than many other cars in its class. HOWEVER, they have a potentially DEADLY problem with the CHAIN GUIDES. Basically what happens is these little guides are plastic, they break, and cause the chain to skip teeth... The VH45DE is an interference engine, and this can be catestrophic if not fixed with the updated guides.
The 94-95 are probably the most desireable. Many improvements in reliability (no chain guides to mess with), and they are much more plush. Softer springs, softer seats, heated seats, TCS, power headrests, and other things make these models more luxurious. They were however slightly detuned, so they arent as high performing (but still VERY fast)
In all, I would recommend a 94 or 95 Q45 to you... The 90-93 are best case 11 years old and that can mean a lot of abuse, plus chain guides... But if you want probably the best performing car in its year/class, and for the price, its absolutely unbeatable. For a daily driver the 94s are better (IMO). If you like plushness with performance this is for you.
Now for the options. The touring model on 90-94s had a rear sway bar, and the SUPERHICAS all wheel steering. Only noticeable at high speeds. The A models mean the car has ACTIVE SUSPENSION. It is a computer controlled setup and it makes this car one of the best handling cars in its class/year... However, this system is very expensive to maintain, but there is ABSOLUTELY ABSOLUTELY nothing like it. No body roll, pitch or squat during braking or corning (on a as new system)..
Depending on your budget and resources will determine what you need....
Spend some time reading through this forum, and the online mechanic and you will learn much more.... This is a group of very knowledgable people and we can help you every step of the way...... Set yourself down tomorrow with a pastrami sandwitch and spend a few hours reading through all the posts..... ITS THE BEST TIME YOU CAN SPEND, I ASSURE YOU. I was in the same boat as you were.!
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elwesso
- Posts: 30810
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2007 Infiniti G35 S 6MT - Location: Indiana
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Right thats true....
Probably overall the best thing to do would be to get a standard Q and then soup it up as necessary.... With the tokicos, FSTB and a rear sway bar, i dont see how the extra cost could justify having an ACTIVE Q... My Q with its brand new suspension handles BETTER than my parents 02 grand prix GTP......
Probably overall the best thing to do would be to get a standard Q and then soup it up as necessary.... With the tokicos, FSTB and a rear sway bar, i dont see how the extra cost could justify having an ACTIVE Q... My Q with its brand new suspension handles BETTER than my parents 02 grand prix GTP......
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nuQ
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2009 Dodge Caliber SXT - Location: Bethlehem PA
Good write-up guys!!!! All that being said,,,,love my 90Q and the "head-snapping" performance!!! Wouldn't trade it for anything! Just realize what you're getting into with maintenance and repairs. It IS a 14 year old car!!! Do a search on all issures, and make sure it has been well maintained. If it all checks out, get ready for a world-class performance sedan, that leaves you grinning everyday!!!!
elwesso wrote:In all, I would recommend a 94 or 95 Q45 to you...
Elwesso,
Would you not include the 96 in with the 94 and 95? In 97 they introduced many drastic compromises to bring the price down. Parts for my two 96 Q all appear to be interchangeable with the 94 MAGCQUE.
I may have this mixed up but isn't there a 94 and a 94a? What’s that about? I sometimes get asked when I'm buying a part. Again, they all appear to be the same parts.
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elwesso
- Posts: 30810
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2007 BMW M Coupe
2007 Infiniti G35 S 6MT - Location: Indiana
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THe only reason I didnt include the 96 is because he only mentioned 90-94, and the 95 is an identical car (sans touring edition HICAS).
From a dianostic stand point, the 96 is much easier (OBDII), and I hear they are close in performance. Probably noticeably slower than the 90-95s but certainly not slow by any stretch of the imagination.
Anything with an A (Q45a) is active suspension.
From a dianostic stand point, the 96 is much easier (OBDII), and I hear they are close in performance. Probably noticeably slower than the 90-95s but certainly not slow by any stretch of the imagination.
Anything with an A (Q45a) is active suspension.
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maxnix
- Posts: 22627
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- Car: 1995 Infiniti Q45
1995 Infiniti Q45t
2000 Infiniti Q45
Was there a 1990 Q45t? I don't think so.elwesso wrote:Right, even the 90t models had HICAS....
fxjackso wrote:I'm sure I have seen 93 and 93 T's with HICAS.
The post to which my comments refer only mentioned 1995 and 1996 model years. Of course there were active cars from 1991 on before then. It's all in the context, gentlemen.__________________Brian1995 Q45 & Q45t & 2000 Q45
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psychic_mechanic
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They are great cars, I just purchased a 94 Q45t that comes with all the good stuff (HICAS, heated seats, GOOD engine) I liked the way the 90-93 looked, but was worried about the chain guides, and since the car was for my wife, she likes the plusher feel.
I love the look of suprise on people's faces when I merge into traffic. Very quick cars, for full size luxury.
As with any 10 year old car, count at least $1000 (in parts, doing all work yourself) or $2500 (paying competent mecanic to do work) to make the car perfect. No one sells perfect cars, they all have squeaks or the trans is strarting to slip.
I love the look of suprise on people's faces when I merge into traffic. Very quick cars, for full size luxury.
As with any 10 year old car, count at least $1000 (in parts, doing all work yourself) or $2500 (paying competent mecanic to do work) to make the car perfect. No one sells perfect cars, they all have squeaks or the trans is strarting to slip.
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psychic_mechanic
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elwesso
- Posts: 30810
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- Car: 94 Infiniti Q45t 5 spd
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2007 Infiniti G35 S 6MT - Location: Indiana
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That doesnt do it justice, they look more hiddeous on such a beautiful car...
As Rex said, I DO digress!
Just my not so humble opinion...
Quote »We digress, but you knew I'd go find one [/quote]How true is this, if there is something that can be found youll find it... Why didnt you go into archaeology or something of that nature...?
As Rex said, I DO digress!
Just my not so humble opinion...
Quote »We digress, but you knew I'd go find one [/quote]How true is this, if there is something that can be found youll find it... Why didnt you go into archaeology or something of that nature...?
At the Q45 Archive are photos of chrome hicas wheels on one example. They dont look bad. They just dont look as good.
http://q.spilky.com/q45automobilemagazine/3.jpg
I cant tell if theyre chromed in that photo.
-Jesda
http://q.spilky.com/q45automobilemagazine/3.jpg
I cant tell if theyre chromed in that photo.
-Jesda
