Car shopping: 2005 Q45 vs 2006 m35x

[Europeenne]

hey guys, shopping for my 1st car, and i've narrowed it down to these 2 for sure

the 2005 Q has about 90k miles and is listed at $12.2k (before taxes)(before auto transport, from another city) most likely $12.5k total before taxes
the 2006 M has about 95k miles and is listed at $11.9k (before taxes)


both have similar clean carfax reports, the Q is a 1 owner car, the M is a 2

the Q has the premium package, and seems to be way more loaded with the rear camera, navigation
the m35x has the journey package, and is valued higher on kbb.com


what kind of final information should i be looking at when deciding between these 2


also the Q's original 60k miles were all done in california in San Leandro, which is near a large body of water, should i be worried about moisture rotting the underside of the car?

what other information could i provide to help decide?

[atlM35]

Given that this is an M forum, Not sure how many of us have driven a Q.
I'm biased towards the M.

[The Bodyguard]

M35x for sure!! The Q may be a bit outdated vs. the M!!!

[wingFeather]

My first car was a 20 year old VW that didn't run. I think we bought it for $200. My dad used it to teach me what he knew about engineering & car maintenance.

[Europeenne]

My first car was a 20 year old VW that didn't run. I think we bought it for $200. My dad used it to teach me what he knew about engineering & car maintenance.

yeah sorry, i may have exaggerated, don't let me come off spoiled

my 1st car was a 94' mercedes e320, after literally shutting off on me a few times while driving in the middle of the road, i'm going to put a down payment on a car from all the $ i earned working during the summer

very cute story though! :p

[antzrus]

M35x for sure!! The Q may be a bit outdated vs. the M!!!

What he said!!!

[M35 Eagles fan]

I had a 2002 Q45 with the premium package before getting my 2010 M35 sport. I put almost 70k miles on the Q and I really liked the car. The V8 was smooth and the car was mostly problem free with just 1 or 2 minor issues taken care of by warranty. At 129k miles the Q met an untimely demise and I ended up in the M35 sport. Totally different type of ride, much more sporty and some updated technology as well.

Can't comment much on the price but know that maintenance items on either car will be on the hefty size unless you can do the work yourself.

I would suggest driving both and deciding what feels best to you. I loved my Q but much prefer the M in both ride and appearance and see the M35 in my garage for a while longer. Maybe I'll upgrade to an M37 or M56 with a few more good years at work???

Either way, you'll end up with a nice car for $12k or so.

Good luck!

[Europeenne]

I had a 2002 Q45 with the premium package before getting my 2010 M35 sport. I put almost 70k miles on the Q and I really liked the car. The V8 was smooth and the car was mostly problem free with just 1 or 2 minor issues taken care of by warranty. At 129k miles the Q met an untimely demise and I ended up in the M35 sport. Totally different type of ride, much more sporty and some updated technology as well.

Can't comment much on the price but know that maintenance items on either car will be on the hefty size unless you can do the work yourself.

I would suggest driving both and deciding what feels best to you. I loved my Q but much prefer the M in both ride and appearance and see the M35 in my garage for a while longer. Maybe I'll upgrade to an M37 or M56 with a few more good years at work???

Either way, you'll end up with a nice car for $12k or so.

Good luck!

thanks for all the info!

you really think maintenance will be high? i'm far better going off with 1 of these 2 japanese cars, then a 2003 mercedes of the same miles right? (as far as maintenance)

do you think comparing a 2002 to a 2010 might give bias? as i'm deciding between a 2005 and 2006?

[wingFeather]

then a 2003 mercedes of the same miles right? (as far as maintenance)

Absolutely. I wouldn't touch a Mercedes from the last 20 years. In my opinion, they stopped being bulletproof about 1982. BMW a little less so, but it varies tremendously by model (the 740i is an excellent example of German electrical nightmares).

You can't go wrong with either Infiniti, unless they've been abused beyond all hope. I'm amazed to see an M dip below $15,000 in price. Is it a base model with lots of wear?

[M35 Eagles fan]

you really think maintenance will be high? i'm far better going off with 1 of these 2 japanese cars, then a 2003 mercedes of the same miles right? (as far as maintenance)

do you think comparing a 2002 to a 2010 might give bias? as i'm deciding between a 2005 and 2006?

I think you're safer going with an Infiniti over a Mercedes. Repair costs can be brutal on a 10 yr. old Mercedes. Infiniti won't be that bad. If you're handy with a wrench, there is a ton of info on this board that can help you do a lot of maintenance items yourself. I've done a handful of things myself instead of paying the dealer. Some things I don't have the skills or time to learn and let the dealer take care of it (under warranty mostly).

Just do your homework and look for good maintenance records with either option. If the work was done at an Infiniti dealer, they can see what was done so you can make sure the car was well maintained.