cost of owning Q45

[NeverEnuff]

just wandering how much its cost if somthing brakes mantnec ect

[maxnix]

Depends on which parts you use (OEM almost always preferred), if you are capable of doing it yourself, or have to find a qualified independent or use the dealer.

Might check OEM prices at http://www.infinitpartsusa.com.

15 cents a mile is an amount calculated to keep one G50 1990-1996 Q45 in top shape after it has been restored to as new specifications. The Y33 has been estimated to cost 10 cents per mile under the same conditions. Both figures supplied by Q45tech to meet his inscrutable standards..

[PalmerWMD]

It depends a lot on how the car was taken care of before.

A very well taken care of Q may will costa lot more to buy but a lot less in maintenance.

A poorly taken care of Q maybe be had for $2000 but will rarely need less than several thousand dollars to make right.

Your standrds also play a role.

Some members says $5000/ year for an older Q that's maintaned to "as new" standards ( a truly delicous luxury)

But many members seem to go on $1500/ year and have Q;s in decent shape.

Fred..

[Q45tech]

The variances are dealer vs inet parts at a 25% discount vs. junkyard parts at a 50% discount vs buying a few junkers for the backyard at 90% discount.labor rates and competence varies from $100 per billable hour [usually 45-50 minutes]..........downward.

based on $70 hour and expert work the parts at list the labor component averages around 45%........based on a few Million $ worth of Q repairs.

Tires and brakes are the most expensive maintenance items, plus the $500 annual fluid exchanges [which are usually prolonged to 30k or worse].

Owners demand perfection until they hear the cost then they allow a downward spirl into worthlessness [not just in resale but in driving precision and smoothness].

We really don't have enough history on 97-01 Q as sales were so low compared to earlier years. I threw out the 10 cents vs 15 cents per mile as a good guess based on only 12 units vs 700 earlier models. We just don't have enough 200,000 mile 97+ Q to compare. But no guide problems and easier access to KS and hoses, no upper links, redesigns, etc:..........probably means a $3,000 saving over 200,000 miles............that's 1.5/3 cents per mile less.

[elwesso]

It depends on your level of perfection..... Right now, my Q is in a DECENT condition..... Im trying to make it better.......

Getting parts from Joe and DIYing is the only way I can afford to keep this beautiful car...... I couldnt imagine if I had to take it to a shop for everything ive already done!!!!!

Ive spent 1700 so far, only 300 of which is labor..... Id say Im about 3/4 the way I want it to be, and that doesnt include re-doing my <terrible> leather or tinting the windows!!!!!!

I think 1500 is bare minimum to get by... 2000 is good, and 3000 is perfection........ Take in mind if you take the 1500 route you are taking miles off the clock and even more if you wanna resell it......

3000/yr is based on some labor charges also..... I think I could make mine close by DIYing for the 1500..... maybe.......

I budgeted (when I got the car) 2000 for parts, and a nominal amount for labor, since I would be DIYing..... I got one more big job to do, and then Ill be about done.....

So I ask <dennis, Fred>..... When you say 3000/yr, what does that include......? Just maintenance items???

[PalmerWMD]

Those things include a lot of items most people dont think of as maintenanceDennis will likely post this in more details but 3000-5000 per year includes:-frequent synthetic oil changes- Annual transmission flushes-Bi annual rear diff flushes-Prorated replacement costs for transmission- Tires-Brake pads-Rotors-Prorated interior wear+tear-Upper links every 30,000 miles-Shocks every 30-50,000 miles ( depedning on raod conditons-Rotors- All annual fluid exchanges ( coolant powersteering, brake fluid)- AC maintenance-Prorated new driveshaft every 100,000 miles-new bushings prorated at reasonable intervals-prorated plugs,-prorated injectors-prorated knock sensors-prorated ox sensors-prorated MAF

Actually your cars seems in pretty decent shape right now ( though I didn't drive it)

A lot nicer car than I used to own at 17:D (subway + bus 90 minutes each way to school).

I wouldnt worry to much about your costs you seem to have them well under control.

Fred...

[elwesso]

Well, out of that list, I HAVENT completed (that probably needs done).....

Knock sensorsO2 sensorsBrake rotors (I got new pads with the car, im noticeing I got a LOT of maintenance items with the car)

So see guys, Its not as bad as you think!!!!! Get the Q, do what Fred and Dennis say, DIY, and you're a really happy camper......

Fred, next meet we have (prolly next spring, unless we do a winter meet.... Hmmm, indoor go-kart track in indy.... ) my car is gonna be golden..... I think my grandparents are gonna get my seats recovered for christmas, and im gonna do the knock sensors/plenum hoses (maybe), and valve covers over christmas vacation...... Hopefully Ill get some rims also......

[Jesda]

Want some hard data? If you can do Excel files, here's my spreadsheet with everything from fuel additives to AC compressors:http://q.spilky.com/irl.xls

Spent $3500 on maintenance and repairs since buying my 92 Q with 169k in early April. I'm at 181k now. The tire size entered there is a typo. The spreadsheet also includes most of the expenses by the last owner. About $900 of my total expenses are related to fixing the AC, which was broken when I bought the car. Unfortunately I got it when it was cold outside and didnt know at the time.

Add another $375 this week for the high pressure PS hose tomorrow and about $150 for tires I'm buying this week. Also need a new sunroof switch console, prolly $25 if I can locate one at a junk yard.

Keep in mind, I dont do any labor myself. As a mechanical retard, I cant take apart anything without leftover screws and pieces. I still have a screw left over from when I changed my Bose amps!

If I did it myself, I'd be in the $1500-$1800 range, like Elwesso. Hell, I'd pay him $45/hr to work on my car if he lived in Missouri.

-Jesda

[Jesda]

Oh yeah, I also need new plugs and front rotors.

[Q45tech]

The $33,000 for repairs and maintenance was from day one.As I remember the dealer services, and the $1,000 for extended warranty amounted to around $9,000 [$1300 per year averaged] for the first 100,000 miles/7 years.

Unknown to me there were lots of things that should have been changed eariler [while the extended warranty was in place] so the got lumped into the 100-140k period. Drive shaft, upper links, tie rod ends, motor mounts, etc.

It really turned out to be 12.85 cents per mile when viewed over the entire 256,000 miles

The next $24,000 [about $3700 averaged] was from 100k to today 257k.

All except the last $9,000 included labor at full prices averaging $62 an hour............so I used 15 cents per mile to reflect current dealer rates in moderate areas...........$75-80/hr.

Keeping the brakes and tires vibration FREE PERFECT is a big expense on a 90-96Q.

4 set of plugs, plenum hoses done twice, 7 sets of upper links, 3rd transmission, 2nd differential, 2nd drive shaft, 4 transmission mounts, 65+ oil changes [100 gallons], 5 sets of shocks.........etc.

[Jeff Williams]

just wandering how much its cost if somthing brakes mantnec ect

Prety scary, huh?

Think of it this way. You need to add about $15,000.00 to a Honda Accord, to make it liveable.

Infiniti cars are liveable from the get-go.

You will spend $500.00 per year on the Honda, in maintenance.

You will spend $2,000.00 per year on the Infiniti.

If you paid the same for both cars, you would have to own the car for 10 years, before it cost you more.

Really, if you can replace brakes, struts, plugs, and do general maintenance, the parts cost is only a little more. The process is twice as long (or more), but not scary. The scary part, is buying a poorly maintained car with problems. You run that risk, every time you buy a car.

[NeverEnuff]

thanks for all the imput i was just wanding becus all i have rite now are 2 seat cars want a larger car the Q looks vary nice and has a strong v8 1500- 3000 a year doesent seem to bad my rx7 arnt cheep to mantan altho i let the 87 go to hell:( well its not realy that bad just needs paint and rear end bushings so maby within the next year il be a Q owner got to git rid of a car ferst tho

[elwesso]

If I did it myself, I'd be in the $1500-$1800 range, like Elwesso. Hell, I'd pay him $45/hr to work on my car if he lived in Missouri.

-Jesda

Hmmmmm......... Possible road trip ideas???

I wouldnt mind coming down to Louisville to help a fellow Q owner.....! Besides, it would be a great exuse to drive the Q......

And recently, Ive found there arent many activities that are more relaxing/fun than a good ol drive in the Q...... Man I cant wait till I can get new knock sensors!!!