Done with infiniti. Learned my $4000 lesson and worth every penny

[longrunQ]

I gave the q -well I sold it because the guy gave me $1- to Azhitman's friend yesterday. I hope he can get it on the road cheaply.

I look back at buying the Q and realize that it really did help me get more mature. I guess I was looking for some kind of credibility as an undergraduate- or something.

Anyhow, the lessons I learned are

I'll never again consider the intial purchase price. I'll consider running costs. For the record, I think $6000 is far too much to pay to replace an engine.

A new bread and butter sedan (accord or camry) is better than an old luxury car.

I'll never again purchase another infiniti. Nothing against infiniti cars, but they are esoteric and have esoteric repair costs.

Honda is the car to have. No flash, but ultra reliable

dont trust mechanics

I guess that's it. I wont miss the q. I look forward to getting my honda accord and actually driving headache-free and cost-free for many years.

[maxnix]

For the record, I think $6000 is far too much to pay to replace an engine.

Well how about for a new VR6 two valver from VW? That's what a friend of mine was quoted when his guide timing chain cratered after 30K on the last new one they dropped in. He runs nothing but Mobil 1.

My wife, on her Ford twin cam all alloy V6, spent in Excess of $6K because of RTV gasket problems in the block, bad O2 and catalytics, AC compressor seals and clutch, and engine clutch, and tires. It's much to her chagrin thata the Q45 has been less expensive, but over fewer miles (thanks Joe and the board).

Hondas are great, but not immune from maintenance. If you don't want to spend a dime, get a Hyundai.

Infiniti's are inexpensive exotics if well maintained. The other part of the lesson is independent shop micro-economics, which Dennis has expostulated upon in the posts.

Experience is knowledge earned dearly.

[Q45tech]

The same lesson are learned with V8 Audi, BMW, Mercedes, and Jaguar, Porsche, even Lexus to a lesser extent.If you want 32 valve V8 power in a heavy car it will cost you unless you buy a pickup truck...........that's another story.

4 cylinder Hondas cost 8 cents per mile to keep perfect. Q 16 cents per mile.But buying an undermaintained example means you get to pay what the previous owner didn't. Pretty simple you buy a used one and it will quickly cost you $3,000 to $8,000 to get them right before the 16 cents starts.

When you see an old guy driving an older big Mercedes you gotta give him credit he was once and maybe still is rich or his brother owns the dealership.

We just had a 1991 LS400 come in for a 250,000 mile tune up, the orginal owner spent $2700 and promised to come back in two week for the other $3100............each time he was picked up by wife in Jag convertible...........he kept telling us how he hated her car as it cost twice what his Lexus did to keep running. They have 2 other cars at home as spares.

The average used car [all brands] sold this year was $9300...thinking of a $5,000 car as a bargain is sure wishful thinking.

http://www.canadiandriver.com/...r.htmh ... ls...7.asp

[longrunQ]

Well how about for a new VR6 two valver from VW? That's what a friend of mine was quoted when his guide timing chain cratered after 30K on the last new one they dropped in. He runs nothing but Mobil 1.

My wife, on her Ford twin cam all alloy V6, spent in Excess of $6K because of RTV gasket problems in the block, bad O2 and catalytics, AC compressor seals and clutch, and engine clutch, and tires. It's much to her chagrin thata the Q45 has been less expensive, but over fewer miles (thanks Joe and the board).

Hondas are great, but not immune from maintenance. If you don't want to spend a dime, get a Hyundai.

Infiniti's are inexpensive exotics if well maintained. The other part of the lesson is independent shop micro-economics, which Dennis has expostulated upon in the posts.

Experience is knowledge earned dearly.

Sorry about your wife's situation. Regardless of that though, 6k is still too much. She should trade it in and get a honda, or toyota. Same goes for your vw friend.

you said that Qs are inexpensive if well maintained. I dont consider it inexpensive the $3k required per yer to keep a q "well maintained" . Just ask q45tech.

Maybe the real lesson learned is to only buy HONDA. Rock solid reliability and high mpg = unbeatable combination

[maxnix]

Maybe the real lesson learned is to only buy HONDA. Rock solid reliability and high mpg = unbeatable combination

Oh, I have owned Honda and still have a 1990 Acura Legend LS, which I like very much. Transmission replacement cost about the same, but the Acura cannot be flushed, and the filter is internal, and only accessible by dropping the transmission. They all need maintenance. I particularly dislike cogged belt driven cams, much prefer chains. And FWD is a real dynamic compromise, but does give greater interior space efficiency.

On the road, very few cars compare with the Q45. It is a dream, and only about 2-3 mpg worse than the Acura. The difference is it can perform with ease where the Acura is running at top rpm.__________________Brian1995 Q45 & Q45t

Discover the power of the button!

[Repo Man]

Longrun, thank you for helping my dad load the car onto the dolly and getting him down the road. I truly appreciate all that you've done. I certainly hope that you can find motoring bliss in whatever you decide to drive. My mother-in-law has an Accord and it is buttery-smooth.

We will get the Q back on the road and keep you and everyone else up to speed on it's progress. My dad should be back between 3 and 4 today and then it shall begin.

Best of luck my friend!

[longrunQ]

repo man,

I had no idea that the person who got the q was a member of this board. Azhitman never told me. It makes me even happier. I really hope that you enjoy it my friend.

[PalmerWMD]

Longrun:

I wish the very best with your future car plans.An older V8 luxury car an graduate school are not a good combination, as I have found out myself.

Fred...

[Q451990]

Longrun,

Good luck... I think the problem you had was a mis-match with expectations and income (or at least willingness to spend). It'll be interesting to hear from repo man exactly what happened to your engine. The Q is not a budget car unless you are into DIY - then you can maintain it for about the cost of having someone else work on a lesser car.

You seem a bit soured on Infiniti, but I can tell you - a FWD Nissan (Maxima or Altima) would run circles around most Hondas and have similar maintenence costs. I have nothing against Honda - my first car was an 86 Civic and I drove the hell out of it. Like any other car it had minor issues... never ending CV boot/joint replacements, wiper motor, wheel bearings etc... but for the most part rock solid. Toyota is a very well built car, but for the most part boring. Nissan has great quality and a little more styling and performance orientation.

Heath

[elwesso]

A Q is a good car to have if you like DIY...... Mainly because the jobs are really time consuming, but not really hard..........

I have done plugs, tstat, power antenna mast, coolant, ps fluid, etc...... and all those could have EASILY cost me 1000 to have done at a dealership...... The only things I have done by a shop are things that have to be done.... like tires, alignment, air conditioner stuff, etc........ Everything else Im going to do...... Which makes the Q a tremendous value........

This may sound weird, but I kinda like all the little things going wrong with the Q...... It gives me something to do!!!!

[Sopdadope]

I look forward to getting my honda accord and actually driving headache-free and cost-free for many years.

True dat! I've raved endlessly about the Q but I don't miss those headaches at all.

Matter o' fact, I won't even be owning cars anymore. Here are my future rides:

[lessthanjakejohn]

Quote »Maybe the real lesson learned is to only buy HONDA. Rock solid reliability and high mpg = unbeatable combination [/quote]

boring.

[longrunQ]

But buying an undermaintained example means you get to pay what the previous owner didn't. Pretty simple you buy a used one and it will quickly cost you $3,000 to $8,000 to get them right before the 16 cents starts.http://www.canadiandriver.com/...r.htmh ... ls...7.asp

The guy I pity is the one who gets a well maintained, low mileage q then finds that he has to spend an additional $8,000 almost at the get go, and keep spending big through the life of the car.

[longrunQ]

Longrun:

I wish the very best with your future car plans.An older V8 luxury car an graduate school are not a good combination, as I have found out myself.

Fred...

thanks a lot fred. I concur. The v8 luxury and grad school dont go together... at all. Repo's dad said he was getting an engine in kentucky so I assume its yours. I hope that we can let bygones be bygones... I might need some help or information or something from you in the future, or vice versa.

thanks again.

[maxnix]

Matter o' fact, I won't even be owning cars anymore. Here are my future rides:

Great if there is no wind, no rain, no more than one friendly passenger, you don't have to carry anything, go on the highway, or go 75+ mph.

[G8R45]

Maybe when Honda or Acura build a V8, powered rear wheel drive platform with seating for 4 and a large trunk, I might give them a try. Until than, forget it.I will not ever drive a front wheel drive vehicle if I can help it.

[longrunQ]

Longrun,

Good luck... I think the problem you had was a mis-match with expectations and income Heath

heath, that is the honest truth. You could not have said it better. The Q was my fourth car, and I never in my wildest imaginations expected that a [japanese] car could be so expensive to maintain (I should have known when my air filter cost $35 for a regular OEM... I had never before paid more than $8 for an air filter)

what was bad was that I had to drive fearfully , at under 2000 rpms most of the time. I was expecting at least the level of reliability that my friend's 1989 honda accord had. he has had it for years with hardly any trouble, and when he does have trouble its not expensive to fix.

vive la four- cylinder

[maxnix]

I never in my wildest imaginations expected that a [japanese] car could be so expensive to maintain (I should have known when my air filter cost $35 for a regular OEM... I had never before paid more than $8 for an air filter)

About $10 from Joe. Need to by some more, soon.__________________Brian1995 Q45 & Q45t

Discover the power of the button!

[Jesda]

longrunQ:

I completely understand your decision, as $6k is a lot of money to spend for a student. However, I'm a college undergrad who just dumped a drab, dull Accord in mint condition with 116k and acquired an old Q45. Just spent $1600 this year bringing her up to speed due to the last owner's neglect, and will be spending $1500 more this year on chain guides. After that, its relatively smooth sailing and any expected parts that may go bad on a luxury car with 179k.

I have budgeted $2500 per year for maintenance.

For a Q45, $6k for a new engine is not what I consider high. For a Honda Accord, I would consider that high. But I have different standards when repairing a Q and repairing that Accord. In fact, I prefer sinking a lot of money into the Q over a small amount into the Accord, because I feel that the money spent on the Infiniti is far more rewarding and yields a greater return.Rewarding/Greater Return = Joy

The two cars have two different purposes. The Accord is intended to please the wallet. The Q45 is intended to please the driver. Unfortunately, you expected the Q45, based on Nissan's reputation and its Japanese origins, to run forever without a hitch... that only happens on appliances like the Accord, Maxima, and Camry. Try stepping up to a Lexus LS400/LS430 or a Toyota Century (JDM) and watch as those seemingly high Q45 maintenance costs are dwarfed. Also keep in mind that the Acura NSX, known as a reliable exotic, is reliable and affordable to maintain when COMPARED TO fellow exotics. Its still expensive if you compare it to the Accord, Camry, or Impala. A friend of mine just shipped his Ferarri to Portland for a $6000 tuneup and oil change.

Driving, to me, is not just something I have to do to get from place to place.

When work is over, I always take the long way home. In the morning, I leave early so I can have some extra time to take back roads. In the evening, I'd rather spend an extra hour in my car than get home early.

Its what I do for pleasure.

Its a matter of choosing your priorities I guess. I choose pleasure.

[BadQ45t]

You should most certainly include Nissan in your "honda or toyota" rant. I have a 85' Maxima that has 275k on the original motor, if the motor goes I can get a new one for $750.

Take a look at the new altima or max, just as or more reliable as an Accord or Camry and maybe you will find your car in the parking lot on your first try instead of putting the key into the trunk of 6 camry's like I did with my Mom's the other day in a big parking lot. Bottom line, Camry and Accord BORRRRING.

I drove a 1984 300ZX when I was your age, you should buy something you can afford to maintain, seriously, without enough income you shouldn't be buying an older 8 cylinder luxo car. When you have a 6 figure income, than it is time, or if you're going to learn to do stuff yourself. For me, I am useless with a wrench, thank god for my 6 figure income!

[Q45tech]

My dad learned the same lesson back in 1962 when he bought a used 55 Coupe Deville Caddy, my son learned the same lesson when he bought a brand new Special 1989 Turbo Pontiac TransAM that has sat in a car museum for 6 years for $20,000......3 years later it was abused and broken and towed away for $4,000 needing a new engine and transmission.

Both of them now drive older pickup trucks [one GMC and one Nissan]. Both of them have about the same income for differing reasons..............at income under $30k per year cars are a big expense.

[Metroyed]

An essay on reliability

For starters, i beleive that some cars are far more reliable than others. From the day that the car is put together, some companies just do a better job. Some people however are going to say that one company is better than another, and some graphs are going to show some manufacturers higher than others.(i.g. Lexus ranked #1, BMW ranked #5, etc.). The problem with this is that when it comes to USED cars, i don't care how reliable the NEW car was, used is used, and a car that's not maintained simply won't run good. I do agree that honda's are very reliable cars, my father bought a brand new accord and has driven it over 100k with not one single repair. On the other side of this, i bought a used civic(my first car) and have had to put in almost 7k in repairs and parts on it because the person before me obviously had not maintained the car. This included a new motor after 135k, VERY low for reliable companies such as honda. I guess in conclusion, it doesn't matter what our opinions are. I have a long list of companies i would be very happy owning cars from.In my opinion Honda, Toyota, Nissan, Infiniti, Acura, and BMW's make reliable cars with fantastic features. but the catch is that they have to be well maintaied and cared for if they're going to last. It seems ignorant to me to blame a company when your car goes bad, and then realize that the person before you was not up on oil changes, car care, and general maintanance.

Maybe this is all crap, but it's also my opinion.

[1qckser]

I purchased my Q as a project knowing it would be costly but worth it to keep up, I drive a SE-R with a ton of mileage on it but yet is totally reliable, I will keep the Q as long as I can, and now that I have a 2nd motor and transmission my worries are a whole lot less, thanks to everyone on the board I have had nothing but joy with my Q.

[Sopdadope]

Great if there is no wind, no rain, no ore than one friendly passenger, you don't have to carry anything, go on the highway, or go 75+ mph.

There's not a stretch of road in Cambodia that permits 30mph speeds, the roads are that bad. Traffic's so congested there, driving a car becomes a nuisance in itself. Well you could...but you'd probably sacrifice your kidneys, pancreas and the rest of your vital organs.

[maxnix]

There's not a stretch of road in Cambodia that permits 30mph speeds, the roads are that bad.

In Cambodia, I would be a lot happier with a mule or a water buffalo, I am sure.__________________Brian1995 Q45 & Q45t

Discover the power of the button!

[Sopdadope]

Hitching a ride on a water buffalo in a bustling city would be cool though. Imagine the PO'd hordes when their bikes, mopeds or cyclos slip and slide in those cowpies....needless to say, they wouldn't be a happy bunch. Hey! Now that I think about it, a buffalo-drawn carriage would look badass with a body-kit, blingin' rims and maybe even one of those 747 wings! :ylsuper

[Jesda]

Photoshop? Anyone?

[Repo Man]

Let me quote: "Cambodia? MAAAAAAAAAAAAAN!!!!"

What are you doing in Cambodia Sope? It's really hot there and they have weird bugs.

[elwesso]

I dont think cambodia has internet access......

[AZhitman]

Olu (longrunQ), if you're still here, it was a pleasure knowing you and talking with you.

I wish you all the best in your future endeavours, regardless of what you're driving. Please pop in and keep in touch on occasion.