General Ramblings

[reggiegsd]

Well, I’ve owned this car (a 94 Q45 base) for almost two years now and I must say I am very pleased with it. Most cars I buy I start off excited by a new toy, but as time goes on, the detail failures, shortcuts, and limitations take the fun out of the car. I traded a BMW 740 for the Q for exactly these reasons. But, with the Q and a bit over 40K miles of use, this car just gets better and better. I’ve learned to live with the only complaints, no head room and the placement of the parking brake.

I bought the car with just under 70K on it and now have just over 110K. In this time I’ve had two failures, fuel injectors (cost over $3300 because I was on the road and had to pay a dealer) and a left front wheel bearing (same bearing as a 300ZX). No other failures.

I change the oil 4 times a year and do specific maintenance with each oil change. I budget $300 for each oil change and do whatever will fit. Last change was a trany flush (3rd time) and screen replacement (1st one). Next one will be the front of the engine, water pump, pullies, belts, hoses, fan and clutch (This may be a bit over the $300).

Since owning the car I’ve done: Trany cooler 3 trany flushes Trany screen Trany mounts Upper links (2 times) due again soon. Compression rods Right front wheel bearing Added rear sway bar Nylon sway bar bushings, front and rear Strut brace Tokico blues front and rear with new boots and bump stops Brakes front and rear with new rotors SS brake lines 8 fuel injectors Wheels and tires

With the exception of the fuel injectors and wheels and tires, this was all done on about $100 a month. I admit I’ve done a lot of the work myself, but its doable. If you treat this car like a 62 Falcon and run it ‘til it breaks, it will eat you alive.

OBTW, does anyone else go through a set of upper links each year.

A good Q45 is about as good as it gets.

[Jeff Williams]

Sounds like you've been busy.

I bought my '94 Q last April. It had 105,000 miles, and a trashed transmission (Literally broked by a brake drum at 80 mph, by a partner in my office). But I got the car (In great shape!) for $2,300.00 cash

I put a new transmission in, and 17" wheels and tires, a low-budget STB, a K & N Cone filter, front & rear brakes, and Bosch platinum +4 plugs. Now I have 150,000 miles on the car. It needs struts, and I want to add the rear sway bar. I bought 2 new tension rods, but have done no more repairs.

I change the oil, add fuel injector cleaner, and Lucas oil treatment once a month. I plan to flush the transmission, soon. I have had no problems with the car, yet.

I have about $5,000.00 invested, including maintenance, and plan to get another 150,000 miles, before I trade it for an M45 (By then, the 2003 models should be about $15,000.00 used).

I totally agree with you about the car. I have yet to drive anything that I like better, for the long haul.:ylsuper

[PalmerWMD]

Those cars are awesome.I have driven nothing else for my last 4 cars.My next car will be another used Q or an M45.

Fred...

[greg_atlanta]

Must say my '92 Q at 185k miles is better than ever.... new tires always makes me fall in love again (just installed Yoko AVS Int. 225/60/15).

[natsoundup]

I have to agree my 90Q with 153k miles is feeling better than anytime I can remember in the last 5 or 6 years...

New upper links, tokico blues, and rebuilt Bose amps in the last 16 months did the trick. I am looking for another 18 months...and then I think I will let her go.

I am already looking at 94-96's and 97-98's as a possible replacement.

[Jeff Williams]

Tell me about these upper links...Is this in the rear? I have the new tension rods for the front (mine are cracked, and the rubber is degrading). I have the Tokiko Blue's on order, but have not cosnidered any other suspension repairs/enhancements.

[natsoundup]

The closest thing I can compare the upper links to are an upper control arm in older american cars. (in the front)

they are "H" shaped.... take about 1/2 hour to 45 mintues to replace per side.... if you have a lift and power lift, quicker...

They seem to tighten up the handling of the car. You know you need them for sure when your suspension squeaks during cold weather (below 45). Some replace them every 30-40k miles... I went much longer... probably should have replaced them say at 80k miles....

The blues in combo with the upper links and tension rods should be awesome..

I have yet to replace my tension rods...it's the next piece of the puzzle...

90Q 153k

[Jeff Williams]

My right front strut "crunches" or "squeaks" when it is cold, but there is nothing in the rear, that I can hear. These are in the rear, right?

At 152,000 miles, I bet they are still the originals. Thanks for the info.

[DAEDALUS]

There are links both front and back, but these are on the front. I've heard that squeaking can be sway bar bushings, tension rods, or upper links. In my 4 years experience, though, it's always been bad front upper links that cause squeaking over bumps. At your mileage, they're at least 52,000 miles overdue!

[Jeff Williams]

Cool! I will start another piggy bank called "Upper links"

I am looking for another 150,000 miles out of the car, over the next 2 1/2 years.