Good Research - News Articles

[slybydesignq45t]

As I sat down thought about all the things I enjoy and dislike about my Q45, I realized what makes anybody want something. Advertisement! I said to myself, if I was back in the early 90's how would I be enticed into purchasing a Q45. What was the mind set back then. So after a couple of hours of internet searching I have found these.

http://community.seattletimes....14773

http://community.seattletimes....98810

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/f...58260

http://www.businessweek.com/1996/41/b3496132.htm

I think you will have fun reading these. Cut and paste if need be.

The only thing that has me utterly confused is the price drop in the Q45. A 1990 could be had for a couple hundred, 1994-96 could be had for no more then $2,700 no matter how many miles or how pristine. Its kinda sad when you think about it. How is this the flagship and all other cars appreciation is much better. For all the reviews and accolades the Q has gotten it ranks the lowest in retail value period. A bone stock Camry of the same vintage could be had for much more.
Modified by slybydesignq45t at 3:30 PM 11/4/2008

[Kiven422]

That was an interesting read, thanks.

[Infinitiguy19]

The first article is dead wrong about the Q45T, From what I have heard the HICAS doesn't help you park the car at all its only at highs speeds, Am I wrong?

The second article was short and didn't look like the guy new much about the car.

The other were acceptable.

[Mark Linkous]

Running costs. The G50 Q45 was so far beyond it's time. Hell, my 2004 M has a less sophisticated suspension. That being said, repairs are spendy. Just changing the spark plugs requires skill. Saying nothing of chain guides, plenum removal, etc... And if the Q has an active suspension, add a couple thousand dollars minimum for upkeep. Will still cost around 2000.00 to make an active car conventional.Cheers,ML

[infinitinut2]

You know, I waited and waited to see a REAL car, when Nissan brought the Q45 out, but got nothing other than esoteric BS advertisements! Toyota had hit the market with their LS400. They had a dealer in Charlotte that had one salesman dedicated to taking a LS to folks who had voiced an interest. I had done so. One day, a fellow came into my office, and my secretary came in and said "there is a guy from some funning sounding car company who wants to see you". Anyway, we go down to the parking lot and there is a LS400. He gets in and tells me to get behind the wheel. I ask if he is going to put all of those champagne flutes on the hood and let the car idle. He says, no, start the engine and floor it! I said NO WAY not wanting lots of engine parts coming through the hood. But, floor it I did, and nothing blew up! I was impressed. Now, THBS, when buying my 3 year old Q from Infiniti dealer, I never looked back!

[slybydesignq45t]

These cars by far at some point should go up in value, but wont. No car maker in the world would ever build a car this sophisticated. I appreciate being able to own one of these rear relics and hopefully God willing I can continue to turn heads in my ride.

[Kiven422]

The first article is dead wrong about the Q45T, From what I have heard the HICAS doesn't help you park the car at all its only at highs speeds, Am I wrong?

Yea the HICAS system does not help you park for shiza! Although the back wheels still turn at low-parking speeds.

The HICAS system is truly an awesome system!

You will never notice the difference unless you are a dare-devil.

To give you an idea - Interstate 5 has some extremely bumpy roads as it curves. A regular RWD car doing 120mph through a curve can totally lose control over one of the many bumps that are just comfortable enough for 80mph..........

.... This car... I can't believe it! When you go over those bumps your car tends to catch air.. and if curving the back will spin out WHILE IN THE AIR..... THIS CAR CATCHES ITSELF WHEN IT TOUCHES THE GROUND AND THE FEELING OF CONTROL YOU HAVE!! I swear you can outrun sports cars on that highway.

To give you another example---and I used to do it ALL THE TIME!

It is scary even at 40mph but at the same time you have more control than u think

This HICAS system will let you drive in heavy rain with completely bald rear tires WITHOUT SPINNING OUT...... I have only spun out once on bald tires+ rain and that was AFTER i put the Q45a 20MM sway bar! Even worse .. it was completely without warning!

If you try that PLEASE make sure you have good front tires! you need thread on the front as the rear only follows the front!

I tried to keep the post short, but this vehicle is a superior machine! And there is just so much more you guys are missing out on!

Also... HICAS sucks for the track.... but you have twice the handling and control on the road!

[slybydesignq45t]

I totally agree. In other cars driving at speeds higher then 65mph I can feel the back end, but in the Q45t if you go full speed in a turn you can actually feel the entire car making the turn verses the back or front end turning after your in the turn. Did I say that right.

[Kiven422]

Yup I think you have it...

At first I couldn't feel the difference... then one day my friend was driving and from the right lane jerked the wheel all the way to the left...

The car changed lanes without angle-ing... first time we could intentionally feel the back wheels turn.. .it was some mad funny shiza

[TBrack]

HICAS wouldn't let me tuck my tires under, glad I don't have it

[slybydesignq45t]

Its funny because I drove in the rain for the first time a couple of days ago in the Q. I was quite surprised how at 40mph the car didn't vibrate or went sluggish at all. In the other cars I've owned, while driving in the rain I can feel much of the wet road under me, which kinda let me pace my self on turns, but the Q just kept really steady.

I also noticed the turn thing one day doing about 65mph on a 45 mph turn. I swear I thought the car was going to screech out and the front would come down like in other cars, but the Q took the full turn in and evened up coming out. After that day I started turning much better at higher speeds and turning the steering wheel more towards the turn, verses turning it opposite the turn coming in to stay in lanes like other cars I've driven. The down side to this feature is when you get into any other car, you have to remember your not in the QT

[TgduMg]

Well ladies and gentlemen, we were bamboozled by Nissan USA/Japan.

The Q45's engine, like its dimensions, has been downsized. The original Q45 had a potent 4.5-liter V8 with 278 horsepower. The new version comes with an extremely competent 4.1-liter V8 rated at 266 horsepower, paired with a smooth-shifting four-speed automatic transmission. The engine change was made to cut costs by reducing the number of engines in the Nissan family.

Yet the VH45DE was still being used for the JDM market President until MY 2002.

As with the Z32 300ZX, the G50 likely didn't meet the more stringent US side impact standards for 1997. Or so we were told anyway.

Nonetheless. Nissan remains my preferred auto manufacturer.

Danisiti 1

[2005Q45er]

I agree!

[Jesda]

You know, I waited and waited to see a REAL car, when Nissan brought the Q45 out, but got nothing other than esoteric BS advertisements! Toyota had hit the market with their LS400. They had a dealer in Charlotte that had one salesman dedicated to taking a LS to folks who had voiced an interest. I had done so. One day, a fellow came into my office, and my secretary came in and said "there is a guy from some funning sounding car company who wants to see you". Anyway, we go down to the parking lot and there is a LS400. He gets in and tells me to get behind the wheel. I ask if he is going to put all of those champagne flutes on the hood and let the car idle. He says, no, start the engine and floor it! I said NO WAY not wanting lots of engine parts coming through the hood. But, floor it I did, and nothing blew up! I was impressed. Now, THBS, when buying my 3 year old Q from Infiniti dealer, I never looked back!

I went from a '92 and '90 G50 to a '98 LS400. The LS, by far, is the most comfortable, detailed, and well-built car I've ever experienced, but the transmission is garbage. The Aisin 5-speed doesn't break, but it waits forever to respond to throttle changes, and jerks badly when pushed hard.

Like a disobedient dog, it poops all over the driving experience. And what the hell is up with the RV-like monster steering wheel? Its like Toyota went nuts taking care of the details but missed the big picture.

G50 Q45 and K-body Cadillac Seville are my favorite 1990s luxury sedans.