Cost of repairing a Q45

[infinitigal]

Hi,

I am in the process of negotiating a deal to purchase a 1994 Infiniti Q45 with 96000 miles (I live in New York City).My mechanic tells me that parts for this vehicle are very expensive. This is why I shied away from a BMW that my neighbor was selling. Besides the Q45 seems more fun to drive!I currently own a VERY old (1987) Honda Accord, and although I could probably get another 50,000 miles out of her, I think it is time to call it quits.My question is how expensive is it really to repair a Q45? Is it really that much more than a Honda Accord? I love this car - I think it is a Q45A - but I cannot afford to pour multi bucks into parts if something goes wrong. Is it really more expensive to fix than an Accord or an Altima for example.All replies would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.Helen

[elwesso]

Yes of course its more expensive to fix then an accord.. but its also a better car than an accord, and cost double or more of what an accord even in 95 cost!

Most people figure in about 3k just to get the car to an "as new" standard.. And then another 1000 a year (16c a mile ususually) to maintain that condition... Things like suspesnion stuff, AC, driveshaft, fluids, brakes, tires, engine rubber components (hoses!), and so on..... For the active, its about an extra $800 to make that perfect.. However, with an active Q45, it is the best riding car youll ever have.. Its a very complex system.....

Id suggest some reading, thers no real easy answer...

I dont know if you are into DIY, but you can easily make the Q45 an affordable car with DIY and cheaper parts from our sponsors.. There are many low incomes (students) here that easily maintain a Q45...

It **will** be more expensive than your accord, an altima, or even a maxima... but the car you get will...

Im on my second Q45 and I love every minute of it!

[maxnix]

Well, one of my Q45 was rescued from Brooklyn when the owner decided that other than for an occasional drive down the Eastern seaboard, a Q45 was inapprpriate in that environment. I love cars, but any car in NYC is subject to indifferent abuse and incredible operating expenses and overhead. If you don't do a lot of traveling, I would say it is a real luxury, and wasted on congested urban streets.

On the highway, it is true love.

Quite frankly, with a good technician, a good dealer, and parts from Joe, it is quite in line with a lot of less expensive cars to operate. The trick is staying a head of the maintenance curve. Once abused precision parts start requiring replacement, it can get very expensive, as is true for many even less expensive cars.

Read the guide on how to buy a G50 Q45 for a primer.
Modified by maxnix at 9:39 PM 5/9/2005

[jamesmost]

Brooklyn boy here lived in the heights w/my Q for4 years lots of good hwy to open her up but it is alot more expensive then a honda which i had as well i think wes is being kind when he says 3k to bring up to specsawsome car though

[Q45tech]

When we do prebuy inspections we give the potential owner the bad news, that anywhere from $3,000 to $12,000 is need to bring Q back.

The 94-96 non active are usually less expensive to bring back to near new mechanically.

Many people drive them fine in conditions that are far away from as near new performing.........depends on your standards.

But V8 are always twice as expensive to keep up compared to 4 cylinders.....just a RWD are always more expensive and 4,000 pounders wear everything faster: shocks, tires, suspension, trannies, tires.

[96Qowner]

Absolutely no comparison to a Honda. None. I was spending less than .10 per mile to keep my 376K Accord in shape. A Q45 will be triple that. 96k isn't bad, but the suspension probably needs $1000 in bushings and shocks, and you'll want to find out how well the transmission was maintained.

Repair records, repair records - if you can't find them, you'll want to think twice about future expenses. Scheduled maintenance is important in a Q45.

But ... 96k isn't bad.

[Edit] I see that I misread the model - Q45a, not Q45 - An Active suspension will need a system recharge, NOT shocks and bushings, sorry. Expensive ($1000-$2000) but a very nice design feature.
Modified by 96Qowner at 9:16 AM 5/13/2005

[Q45tech]

Actually my 90Q has only required $40,300 in 15 years/284,000= ~~14 cents per mile........however T3 probably has saved me $12,000 in the last 8 years, and [I've probably done $3,000 in personal labor and a few thousand in discounted labor] so that would be 20.1 cents per mile at dealer prices.

The 2 highest cost years were $7,000 and $6,000 respectively [just after 100k to 170k] but they were 35,000 mile plus annual driving years.....still only 20 cents per mile.

Not looking at the cost per 100,000 miles driven or not keeping a USED car at least 100,000 miles [6 years] skews the numbers. A $3,000 transmission only cost $500 per year prorated but you must keep the car 6 years.

Can't back out once you commit to expensive replacements........drive it till it rots.........speaking of rotting ----time for plenum hoses AGAIN been 84,000 miles and 5 years.............People get scared and they don't have the cash available to replace a transmission and those other things.

Long term view a must!

[louiegz]

Well, one of my Q45 was rescued from Brooklyn when the owner decided that other than for an occasional drive down the Eastern seaboard, a Q45 was inapprpriate in that environment. I love cars, but any car in NYC is subject to indifferent abuse and incredible operating expenses and overhead. If you don't do a lot of traveling, I would say it is a real luxury, and wasted on congested urban streets.

On the highway, it is true love.

I'd have to agree. I go into Manhattan about once a week in my Q and I can honestly say that it's not the best city car. You'd be better serviced with a newer Accord or something similar. I don't know if you park in a lot, but you'll have to fine bigger parking spaces on the street. Not only that, in city driving, you'll only get about 10 or 12mpg. I had a 94 Honda Accord and it would do about 17-18mpg. Gas in the city is expensive and you have to use premium for the Q. You can get away with regular in lesser cars.

Infinitigal, you also said that you think the car your looking at is a Q45a. The a stands for active suspension and when that goes, your looking at big bucks. I don't have an a, so I don't know the expence, but when it goes, they say it's like riding on a skateboard over bumps. Not very fun. If you do decide to go for it, just make sure that it works and get as many service records that you can get on the Q. And this goes without saying, do a lot of reading on the NICO forum and you'll learn like I have.

[PalmerWMD]

Helen we all love the Q's but if your mechancic is telling you its expensive to maintain it is compared to an accord ( but not compared to BMW in same class like 7 series).

Even so repairs while rare will occur with a used car especially driven in NYC, on a Q they are rarely less than $1000 and I have often spent much more.

Still much cheaper than a V8 BMW but still real bucks.

Also, it is a Q45a ,unless suspension is in great shape expect to spend $$ to get it back up to par.

You sound like budget is a concern to you, add to this the fact that you are in NYC which is a terrible environment for a car, that truly excels on the open road and I would recommend a different automobile.

Keep in mind that the kind of punishment NYC mets out on suspension, is especially expensive on cars with hi tech suspensions ,sucha s this one.

And the benefits of that suspension, you wont be able to realize in NYC ( i lived there).So unless you are in subruban LI and dont get to the city much and have at least the purchase price again comfortably on hand for follow up items, I would recommend against it.

Fred..

[nuQ]

this is whats great about NICO,,,,,,,, real honest answers. the Q is an awesome car to own and i've never regreted a single second of owning one (esp. my 90Q, which according to everyone, is the most maintenance of any year---i've been lucky, nothing major). i would say that driving a Q around nyc would be like putting combat boots on a racehorse. just bought an 87 bmw 325 is, and THAT would be much more fun and practical in the city. on the highway is where the Q loves and few other cars can match that performance!!!!!

[dgeorge_c]

Just curious, what is the price range you are negotiating in?

[texasoil]

Swapping out the accumulators on a Q45a doesn't cost much more that replacing the struts on a standard suspension. Othe rproblems with active suspension are extremely rare