Going to look at a q45 tommorow please help !!!

[94Q]

Im going to see a 94 q45 tommorow below was the description on the ad :

1994 infinitii q45 only 102k miles cold a/c everything works.. belts, spark plugs, air filter, fuel filter, upper and lower radiator hoses, new radiator, good tires all the way around and new brakes all the way around. power windows, power door locks, power sunroof, power seats, cold a/c, leather, cd player, alloys, fully loaded with only 102k actual miles on it..well it ran great and NOW DOES NOT RUN.NEEDS A FUEL PUMP @ $240-$260 NEW....i don't have any more money to invest so I'm losing alot of money as it is...in brand spanking new parts I've spent over $700 alone and that's not including the labor to have this all done..priced low to sell. i don't wanna play games and waste time........stripped it's worth even more..and yeah i do have all four center caps i forgot to put them on..$650 FIRM CALL ME TO PICK UP

I know its real cheap, what things should i take a look at before saying its a deal??

Im thinking its the fuel pump control module (ebay $50 fix) or the fuel pump (99$ on ebay)

please let me know what you guys think , I have been looking for a good car under 1000$ Im not expecting anything perfect, I have had an 89 240sx, 2005 protege5, 2002 protege mp3, 93 mustang lx , 05 hyundai tiburon .

I have modified all the cars myself , so im pretty good at turning doing my own mechanic work .

Thanks for the help !

[AlabamaDan]

There's a few threads on here about buying a Q. They're pretty high maintenance if you want to keep them running well. The problem with a car not running, is that you don't know for sure. I've bought a couple trucks that just needed this or that to learn they needed a whole lot more.

[paranoidjack]

Im going to see a 94 q45 tommorow below was the description on the ad :

1994 infinitii q45 only 102k miles cold a/c everything works.. belts, spark plugs, air filter, fuel filter, upper and lower radiator hoses, new radiator, good tires all the way around and new brakes all the way around. power windows, power door locks, power sunroof, power seats, cold a/c, leather, cd player, alloys, fully loaded with only 102k actual miles on it..well it ran great and NOW DOES NOT RUN.NEEDS A FUEL PUMP @ $240-$260 NEW....i don't have any more money to invest so I'm losing alot of money as it is...in brand spanking new parts I've spent over $700 alone and that's not including the labor to have this all done..priced low to sell. i don't wanna play games and waste time........stripped it's worth even more..and yeah i do have all four center caps i forgot to put them on..$650 FIRM CALL ME TO PICK UP

I know its real cheap, what things should i take a look at before saying its a deal??

Im thinking its the fuel pump control module (ebay $50 fix) or the fuel pump (99$ on ebay)

please let me know what you guys think , I have been looking for a good car under 1000$ Im not expecting anything perfect, I have had an 89 240sx, 2005 protege5, 2002 protege mp3, 93 mustang lx , 05 hyundai tiburon .

I have modified all the cars myself , so im pretty good at turning doing my own mechanic work .

Thanks for the help !

Better verify it's just a fuel issue!

[maxnix]

i don't have any more money to invest so I'm losing alot of money as it is...

please let me know what you guys think

You are in over your head. If you don't have at least $3K cash kitty, you will never be able to restore the car to the point it can be maintained for $3K annually, prorated. An imported luxury V8 is the last thing you need.

Are you sure you even need a car? Seriously, it's time to save, not spend.
Modified by maxnix at 8:25 AM 5/25/2009

[elwesso]

I agree.. Plan on spending at LEAST another 1000-3000 on making the car right after the initial cost... The Q isnt really a car you can play the "if it aint broke dont fix it" game, because it will bite you hard down the road!

[BLACKonBLACK98]

You are in over your head. If you don't have at least $3K cash kitty, you will never be able to restore the car to the point it can be maintained for $3K annually, prorated. An imported luxury V8 is the last thing you need.

i believe he was quoting the ad where the seller stated "i don't have any more money to invest...". could still be true but that has not been established.

to the op, if you understand the cost of proper repairs/maintenance and you can afford and justify it then go for it, just don't be surprised when that $650 turns into $6.5K real quick.
Modified by BLACKonBLACK98 at 7:01 PM 5/25/2009

[unknown007]

I agree.. Plan on spending at LEAST another 1000-3000 on making the car right after the initial cost... The Q isnt really a car you can play the "if it aint broke dont fix it" game, because it will bite you hard down the road!

Not all the time is it true but I suggest taking this advice.My hood was bent it flew off, my coolant hose needed replacement and it blew up,etc.Just inspect the car and hand some extra in hand for the mechanical repairs.

[qsiguy]

Like the others said, this isn't a car you can normally just pick up for a few hundred bucks, spend a few hundred fixing it and have a car that will give you another 100k miles. My daily driver 94 Toyota p/u I purchased for $700 and other than tires and oil changes haven't had to do a thing to it in a couple years...not likely with a Q but it could happen.

That said, if it looks to be in decent cosmetic shape and you can confirm w/receipts or something that the parts he claims were replaced were actually replaced I would jump on it in a heartbeat. Of course with me there aren't many mechanical issues with the Q I am intimidated by.

[jimbyjimb]

Buying a Grandpa-perfect Q is stupid, buying a non-runner is insanity. If I could turn back the magic hands I wouldn't have bought mine because now every other car is too loud, too harsh and too slow. But, every other car is much, much less hassle and money to maintain. Plus, with ethanol killing our injectors left and right it's just one more reason to not buy yourself into a nightmare. A clean Q is a job as is, a questionable Q is just plai dangerous to your mental health and bank account. Sorry to be a Donnie-downer but if you buy a Q you will pray for death sooner or later. The good times are great but the bad times are a hellish nightmare.

[elwesso]

Buying a Grandpa-perfect Q is stupid, buying a non-runner is insanity. If I could turn back the magic hands I wouldn't have bought mine because now every other car is too loud, too harsh and too slow. But, every other car is much, much less hassle and money to maintain. Plus, with ethanol killing our injectors left and right it's just one more reason to not buy yourself into a nightmare. A clean Q is a job as is, a questionable Q is just plai dangerous to your mental health and bank account. Sorry to be a Donnie-downer but if you buy a Q you will pray for death sooner or later. The good times are great but the bad times are a hellish nightmare.

This is probably the best summary of Q ownership ever....

[maxnix]

Yeah, they are not the least expensive car to restore and maintain, but the investment of time and effort is returned many times over.

[jimbyjimb]

For the initial investment you can't find a car as well rounded as a Q in every department. For a purchase price of 2g or under you get a 4k lb car that does an easy 15, tops out at 160, turns very well for its girth, has a great sound system especially when age is considered, is super comfortable and the safety of mind if you hit anything short of a Mac truck you won't be the one that gets crushed. I do all the work myself, buy from I of Scottsdale, my local CarQuest and occasionally online and I have put a cool 3-4k in past initial purchase, and it still needs shocks, tension rods and probably bushings. That is me doing 100% of the labor. When the transmission goes...ouch. And it will someday. Trust me, unless you have a garage full of tools and a hefty bank account you don't mind throwing away on a car of which the finest examples struggle to catch 3.5k on a resale, then forget any Q. Run. Go buy a new car instead since they're desperate to sell, since you'll have a hefty down payment and possibly a couple years payments into your Q shortly.

[maxnix]

Yeah, saw one of those formally shiney new Saturns with the paint peeling off it, headliner hanging down, crap finish on dash. It must have been at most 5 years old.

[jltibbs]

It can be a real pain especially since you (as did I) have no apparent experience with a Q. I was lucky to know Wes and learn from the other Q guys. An added bonus was that my normal mechanic just happened to be an Infiniti certified tech. His specialty? Q45's. So, my advice, don't buy it.

Plus, with ethanol killing our injectors left and right it's just one more reason to not buy yourself into a nightmare.

I don't understand where all these fuel injector issues are coming from to be honest. Wes, were the injectors in my Q ever replaced to your knowledge? I have used Shell V-Power every since I picked this car up from Keith. With the exception of the fill up at the Sunoco just outside of Keith's neighborhood on the way home. The only problem I have had "with a fuel injector" was when I got the 'leaking fuel injector' code. My mechanic said it was the MAF plug, which had been updated. He replaced the plug and I haven't had a CEL since.

[jimbyjimb]

Similarly I have seen many shiny Saturns with respectable owners that after 15 years still look and run beautifully. It's climate, attitude of the owner. Various factors contribute to a vehicles degredation,build quality being one. No doubt the G50 is one of the best built cars from an assembly line considering even after much neglect the interior/exterior still LOOK good. NO one is arguing that. But, if you're going to argue a Q is a more practical and less expensive car to own than a Saturn or equivilent then I am surprised you haven't drowned in your own foolishness.

[jimbyjimb]

It seems to hit like a blind guy playing darts. I don;t know about your state, but on the West Coast we're all a bunch of stupid hippies that don't get it that Ethanol isn't helping the environment and as such it's state law on my side that it be in all fuel. Not every dead injector can be blamed on ethanol either. Could be age also. To my knowledge the injectors on my Q were never replaced until I replaced no. 4, so it could have been the age factor as Wa has had ethanol in fuel for a while. Not all gas stations in all states have ethanol in the fuel either. See comment about blind guy (no offense, blind people).

[jltibbs]

Understandable. We only saw the introduction of ethanol (or alcohol, as some around here call it) a few years ago. I don't know man.

[elwesso]

It seems to hit like a blind guy playing darts. I don;t know about your state, but on the West Coast we're all a bunch of stupid hippies that don't get it that Ethanol isn't helping the environment and as such it's state law on my side that it be in all fuel. Not every dead injector can be blamed on ethanol either. Could be age also. To my knowledge the injectors on my Q were never replaced until I replaced no. 4, so it could have been the age factor as Wa has had ethanol in fuel for a while. Not all gas stations in all states have ethanol in the fuel either. See comment about blind guy (no offense, blind people).

HAHA... Nice post Jimby

As we all know, 94-96 have much less failure rate than 90-93. Ethanol is a factor, but clearly the 94-96 injectors have a superior design for long term reliability, whatever that may be.

[maxnix]

Similarly I have seen many shiny Saturns with respectable owners that after 15 years still look and run beautifully.

Maybe if kept in a garage and not driven. The start out running like Singers and end up running like cement miser in not too much time, at least the ones I have seen. But neither hae I seen one mor than 5-7 years old lately.

Texas is hard on paint. One can quickly tell who does it right (Infiniti and Lexus, most MB and BMW) and who doesn't (any American headquartered company).

[jimbyjimb]

I absolutely agree with you, Max. 100%. It is so easy to see where, when buying a car like a Q or most MB or BMW products, especially those of yore with metal and leather rather than plastic and vinyl, the extra cash goes. But it is paid for. Alot. Whereas, I see, constantly, daily, many a cheap Honda Civic/Accord that is 15-25 years of age, has had no major mechanical issues outside of normal maintenance still out causing trouble on the roads. Simplicity works, such, the most mechanically simple cars on the road are often the most long-term reliable and inexpensive to own vehicles. Ford CV's, although seemingly most hated here, are one of the most durable, dependable and reliable cars to own along with being cheap to own as well. What with modern technology a new cheap front driver has many gizmos and a significantly improved ride, performance, reduced noise levels, blah... Technology has also allowed the very simple CV, basically a run of the mill ladder frame, solid-axle design like any 60's, 70's American, to ride smooth and be quite comfortable. Sure the cheesey interior blows and the exterior needs repainting every 7-10 years, but is stil phenominally less expensive to own. Also, it should be noted that most old Honda products have a higher resale than most Infiniti products of the era. A 92 Accord in decent shape will fetch more in Seattle than any 92 g50 or g20 in near perfect shape. The bar has raised, and a newer V6 Accord will outperform our aged Q's in most ways and be sufficiently less expensive to maintain once purchased to justify the slightly louder freeway noise and lack of metal and leather inside. Point A to B is a vehicle's main purpose, and out of every car I've ever owned the Q is the worst by far at achieving it's primary objective efficiently and inexpensively. That being said, when it does achieve it does so with suppleness and comfort. Keep in mind my Q was exceptionally well mechanically maintained and I myself maintain it well in accordance with tradition. In terms of now, the Q is simply outclassed with the extreme efficiency and power output of much smaller vehicles to which technology has improved immensely since the Q's birth. Given the choice, I, obviously, would not be a Q owner, as I would rather compromise in certain areas for the primary objective to be more economical to obtain. Hence, my 76 Toyota pickup complete with Ethanol-resistant Carburetion, emissions exemptness and rediculous inexpensivity and simplicity. I am, however, a simple man.

[jimbyjimb]

Wes, thought results that 94-96 style being more resistant were inconclusive? I've been known to disappear for periods of time but when last I doshonored NICO with my presence I thought Q45tech said 94-96 were showing a similar fail-rate as earlier, less evolved pintle injectors? Any other developments? Also, as a side note, driven your 5 speed to the point of half shaft huckage yet? Interested to see how your DT holds up to your manual swap, or if the fun factor has increased sufficiently to bring your driving style to an all time low in terms of gentleness and fuel-tank life.