Considering an 05 Q45/05 LS430

[miamishoresq45]

Hi all,
New to Infiniti, but I'm hoping to get a bit of advice. I very close to purchasing an 05 Q45 with 53k miles in mint condition. The things i'm worried about is availability of parts(because so few of them were sold here) and how is working on this car for a DIYer. I'm used to working on my Cadillac and Lincoln but I'm thinking this car will be a bit harder to service as I would have to purchase the diagnostic software. All I've found online is that the cars are pretty reliable, but Im worried about buying the car and the display/navigation or one of its complex modules failing. What has been your experience. I know that it doesn't have the timing belt that needs to be replaced like Lexus/Acura. Oil consumption doesn't seem so bad, Im used to that after coming from Cadillac.

[Skibane]

Most of the oil consumption issues were fixed after the 2002/3 model years. By 2005, the Q was a very refined car.

As you mentioned, the long-term reliability and repairability of the display/nav is a valid concern. There weren't a lot of 2005/6 vehicles sold in the US, so donor parts will be scarce.

[elwesso]

Get an 05 CTS-V. Way better buy...

I don't think the nav systems are really that bad although with something that's so rare it's hard to say.

[miamishoresq45]

Elwesso, werent you on Cadillac forums a few years ago (04-05ish)? I've just been turned off by my 2005 cadillac. I'm meticulous when it comes to dealing with my cars, but this thing has been a complete POS, unlike my Lincoln that is bulletproof. Never had head gasket issues, though. I'm ready to move to the Q45. The unit is about $1200 which isn't so bad, but do I need a dealer to reprogram it? Also, lets say the ECU/BCM goes out, if I buy a replacement part, do I have to have the dealer reprogram it for me?

[maxnix]

You might download the FSM and peruse it. www.nicoclub.com/FSM/Q45

[qship96]

If your chosing strictly between a 2005 LS430 and a 2005 q45.......hands down,get the LS430. Much better car all around,will hold its value far better as it ages,parts availability will be much better,and when it comes time for puzzling repairs,techs will understand them much easier due to many more of them having been built and serviced. As much as I am a nissan/Infiniti cheerleader {having owned several continuously since way back in 1979}, the Q has long ago lost the race to the LS series.

[Skibane]

get the LS430. Much better car all around,will hold its value far better as it ages,parts availability will be much better,and when it comes time for puzzling repairs,techs will understand them much easier due to many more of them having been built and serviced.

...But it's



...and the Q ain't!

[qship96]

Meh,the 05Q is really no more sporting than the 05LS. Funny thing happened along the way from 1990 til more recent,the Q got progressively softer and more buick like, and the LS toned up. Guess which one won,and which is now just a faint memory in the market and consumers eye.Infiniti really,really FKED up with the Q positioning and marketing,pretty much from the beginning.