Has Q93a a permanent home? Need advice.

[Randall Cauffiel]

I have a 1993 dark green with beige interior Q45a with a10-CD Sony changer in the trunk. 73,300 miles. The inside looks like new except for minor wear on the drivers seat. The outside has had periodic dealer detailing, d.i.y. polishing and looks almost like new. It has received all recommended maintenance and all repairs at the dealer. I have all the invoices. Tires for Summer are Yokohoma AVS DB about half worn. For the Winter I have TSW after market wheels that look similar with Michelin Pilot Sport Alpine with 5-6000 miles on them.

Known issues from my and the dealer's inspections:1. The dealer has reported for years that the valve cover gaskets leak oil. No detected effect. No visible change in oil level at any time.

2. The dealer reported the rear actuators were leaking fluid. The suspension fluid reservoir is visibly unchanged over the past 2 years after they replaced the front actuators.

3. There are rusty areas about 2” square on the rocker panels at the rear of the rear doors. They look easily repairable. There was a quarter-sized rust through on the top of the rocker panel about the middle of the passenger side rear door. I repaired it a few years ago and that seems ok.

4. The car slipped off a scissor jack (don’t ask) tearing and partially caving in the rear 12” of the rocker panel on the drivers side.

5. There is rust along the bottom 3/8” of the drivers door with the paint blistered 3/4” up the door at one point.

Once upon a time there was an outstanding body shop near here. A couple of years ago I talked to the local Infinity body shop about other matters and in the politest of terms they told me that they replaced panels and repainted with approximately the same color. They did not know of anyone who did touch-up and fine work.

I am hoping to do a lot of touring to places where they haven’t even heard of Infiniti. I do not want to do so with a 14-year old car of any make. I might fix it and keep it for winter driving if I could garage it but zoning regulations make this very difficult.

Can 4 & 5 be fixed at a reasonable cost? How? Should I fix it or sell it? Advice? Please...

Advice? Please...

[Ozzie]

KEEEEEEEP IT!

It sounds like a good car..... there are lots worse ones out there.

And it sounds like your active suspension is still in good working order. (Definite bonus)

If you wanted to sell it, I'd take it...... Will you ship to Australia??? (j/k)

ANY decent body shop, who manages to stay in business should be able to fix those dents/rust with no problem.

Of course the Infiniti body shop wanted you to replace the panels..1: Less work for them2: They make more money from you.

Go to a shop with a good reputation, they CAN fix it without replacing the panels.Paint can be colour matched easily.

Good Luck!