High-Mileage Q45's -- Check In Here If You're Over 200,000 Miles...

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maxnix
Posts: 22628
Joined: Mon Jul 22, 2002 8:11 pm
Car: 1995 Infiniti Q45
1995 Infiniti Q45t
2000 Infiniti Q45

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qship96 wrote:Especially for those who bought brand new or low mile cars- kind of tough to purchase a 8-9-15 year old Q that has been thru 3-4-5-7 owners with high miles and expect sudden use of premium fluids and agressive maintenance to undo years of wear from less than stellar previous owners.Why so many new owners of old Q become frustrated and throw in the towel as all systems begin to fail before their time.
Why condition and verified maintenance history is the key. Color or even model are very far back in the distance for a smart buyer.


silver2k2
Posts: 494
Joined: Thu Feb 15, 2007 8:03 am
Car: 1994 Q45 Ivory Quartz/Tan

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or just wait. I wanted a Quartz Tri Coat or Black, and finally found what I wanted after 6 months of talking to craiglists posters. Orig owner all oil changes at 3k since new documented

Busbin
Posts: 35
Joined: Tue Nov 22, 2005 4:54 am
Car: 1990 Q45, 1993 Q45, 1994 Q45a

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I have all of you beat, but with a different car (my Q's only have 70, 120 and 110 miles). But I bought a 1965 Pontiac Tempest Custom convertible when I was 15. It cost $3,050 at the dealer. Has a high-performance 326 engine. I drove it all through high school, and three degrees at three different universities (lots of road trips).

And continied to drive it until my early 40's when I bought my first Mercedes, then BMW's etc. Then I passed it to my little sister for a few years. Then I took it back for several more years. Then my cousin in Detroit took it to his 5,000 square foot garage and did a frame-off restoration. He still has it in his collection.

Back then, I was single and changed all my on oil, and did all my own work. So are you ready for this? When I passed to my cousin in Detroit, the car had 451,000 miles AND HAD NEVER BEEN IN ANY SHOP FOR ANY REPAIR.

How is this possible? One big cast iron block motor - no power steering, no power brakes, no air conditioning. I changed the oil every 2,500 miles for 30 years. Changed out plenty of brakes, alternators, etc. but the engine was never re-built! One valve cover was still original and had never neeb removed. It did burn quite a bit of oil at the last.

Jim in the mountains

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slybydesignq45t
Posts: 356
Joined: Wed Jun 04, 2008 9:27 am
Car: City Bus

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Nice, that is very impressive for any car. I was looking at a clean *** Q with 180,000 and got scared off, but I may reconsider. I tend to like vehicles with under 150K but have purchased with slightly higher millage in the past.

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paranoidjack
Posts: 1417
Joined: Mon Oct 03, 2005 3:57 pm
Car: 2012 M56s
2003 M45
2001 QX4
2000 Q45
1998 Pathy
1996 J30

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I feel alone here! Y33 with 165k...quit my 50k/year job so she'll probably not see 200 for 2 years at least....

mobil 1 at every 3k, flush fluids annually. ($400...why not? That's $35/month!!!)


maxnix
Posts: 22628
Joined: Mon Jul 22, 2002 8:11 pm
Car: 1995 Infiniti Q45
1995 Infiniti Q45t
2000 Infiniti Q45

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Was that the 326 V8? Hydraglide and drum brakes?

qship96
Posts: 6624
Joined: Sun Nov 24, 2002 11:31 am
Car: 1996 Q45

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Was the hydraglide the same as chevys powerglide? I remember tooling around as a teenager in my friends fathers old convertible 67 vette 327 V8 with 2 speed powerglide auto tranny- high or low!!! And we complain about the Q 4 speed tranny!

jmorasch
Posts: 162
Joined: Sat Jul 14, 2007 12:39 pm
Car: 91 Q45 x2

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most miles Ive gotton out of anything,my Qs logged 201k. sad to say I sold her to a guy I work with today.needed front wheel bearings soon,but ran as good as the day I bought her.Im down to one Q now and Im looking For another one....

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goody90q45
Posts: 3679
Joined: Wed Aug 17, 2005 2:07 pm
Car: 1992 Q45 (sold)
Location: Orangevale, CA

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239,000 miles on the 90Q and she runs and looks great. This is the 2nd time I've owned this Q and the original owner, Ardvarkus, a Yahoo Q45 original member, spent $1000's on new tranny, chain guides, etc., etc., etc..

I've owned it for 2 months this time around and except for the ongoing fluid changes and optional upgrades (wheels) I've only had to spend $45 on her- A glovebox hinge ($5) and a key ($40). This car is a pleasure to drive and I'd take her anywhere with confidence.

northt
Posts: 27
Joined: Tue Apr 05, 2005 8:47 am
Car: 12 M37x

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Current 95 is a baby, one owner all service records from Infiniti and only 109,000 miles. The last one, a 94 went 182,000 before some idiot (who shall be nameless) rear ended a mazda while stupidly retrieving a cell phone from the floor where he dropped it trying to clip it to his belt. The one before that ,a 93 went 240,000 and change until somebody rear ended me while stopped in traffic on the interstate. The first one, a 90 went only into the 90's with chronic transmission troubles and a noisy timing chain. I traded it off before I had to spend 10 grand in repairs.

Expect that this one will be the last. They're pretty much all gone now and parts are starting to get hard. These, with the exception of the 90, have all been reliable daily drivers. Don't travel with work as much as before so I expect it will take me a long while to get this one over 200. Mobile 1 since day 1 with everything I own and tranny flushes about every 50 thousand. When this one goes I'll prolly switch to Lexus GS 300s. Interior is not a sturdy but an all around great car.

96Qowner
Posts: 2720
Joined: Tue Sep 07, 2004 12:11 pm
Car: 1996 Q45

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I'm at 217,000 now.

I bought the car with 147K about 4 years ago and I've put about $11,000 into it, all paid labor. The original tranny is still strong and shifting smoothly. I'm the third owner - the other two were a couple of older husbands and wives in Louisiana. No repair records from them, but apparently they took decent care of it.

It's gonna need a driveshaft and new front suspension before it takes another road trip. No sign of injector troubles yet, but I've been able to avoid ethanol locally by buying marine gas - only have to run ethanol on road trips.

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CStalin
Posts: 35
Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2008 11:46 am
Car: 1995 Infiniti Q45

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I just passed 209,000. I bought my car with 204,000.So I've put on about 5 thousand miles in about 4 months.

Busbin
Posts: 35
Joined: Tue Nov 22, 2005 4:54 am
Car: 1990 Q45, 1993 Q45, 1994 Q45a

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My old 1965 Pontiac convertible had a 326 cast iron block V8 with a big four barrel carburator. It had a 2 speed automatic transmission. With no power brakes, steering or air conditioning, when you lifted the hood the only thing there was a motor and a battery.

I could drop a football through the engine bay with no problem - doubt if I could get a golf ball to drop through any of my Q's!

Because of the simplicity, I could fix everything on the car, and parts were cheap - drum brakes, alternators, U joints, water pumps, distributor caps, etc.

And no kidding at 451,000 miles the car had never been in any repair shop. And when he bought it from me, my cousin gave me what I had paid for the the car new 30 years before - Talk about getting good value!

Jim

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jimbyjimb
Posts: 492
Joined: Thu Apr 03, 2008 8:57 pm
Car: 1992 Q45

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That's pretty good. My Q only has 184k, but on a different note I used to see Shuttle Express vans with 5.2/5.9 magnums with up to 700,000 miles. Once wrenched a Detroit Series 60 with 1,400,000 miles and still pulling 55,000lbs cross country. That's just diesels though. I'd like a diesel Q.

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Warspite
Posts: 48
Joined: Thu Aug 24, 2006 2:52 pm
Car: 1994 Infiniti Q45t

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I picked up my '94 G50 at 212K milles, and 2.5 years later, I'm at 228K.

Averaging around $2,500 per year in repairs and routine maintenance.

I'm due for another round of repairs (Check engine light is on, but I'm the one having ECU/Consult problems, so I don't yet know the extent of the repair work needed this time).

QMasta45
Posts: 3
Joined: Tue Apr 27, 2010 6:07 pm
Car: 1997 Infiniti Q45 V8

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My 1997 Infiniti Q45 has original EVERYTHING except radiator, tie rods, power steering pump, and clutch hub for the A/C compressor. Thats it. I currently have 280,889 miles on it (4-27-10) and it runs like it is brand frickin new! :) :) I bought this car from a distant friend for $2000 USD!! I've had my fair share of maintenance and other dilemmas but nothing major at all. I burn a little more oil than most but what can you expect from a 17 year old guys first car!?!?!?!!! I have worked on it all myself and some help from my auto tech guys at my high school. This car may be old but it still hauls!! Looks and age may be defying but in the end age is nothing but a number and another win under my belt. :) :) Some may call it abuse but i say using the potential at hand...... I have gotten this car up to 148 mph verified by garmin gps and scary enough felt like i had plenty more left!! I have raced civics, gs300s, G37s, G35s, evos, even a camero ss out of all of the many i have raced i have won 75% of the time. The car is flawless and seamless inside/out and i'll ride until the wheels and motor stop. Come drive around dallas and you'll see me in my pearl white 97 Q45 always with a smile on my face. :) :) I THINK IT IS SAFE TO SAY I AM IN LOVE WITH MY 1ST CAR AND IT IS LITERALLY A PART OF ME!! :wavey: :mike :chuckle: :woot:

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Infinitiguy19
Posts: 7787
Joined: Sat Dec 22, 2007 4:58 pm
Car: 1993 Infiniti Q45 188580 Miles
1994 Infiniti Q45a 240000 Miles

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Glad your happy with the car. I think 1997-1998 Q45's are closer to the G50 than the 1999-2001 Q45's. I say that because the ASCD (Cruise control) master switch is on the dash next to the TCS switch. Where as the later Q's got the switch relocated to the steering wheel. I also like the tail lights, always was a sucker for long tail lights. And yes I despise Toyota with a passion.

But I honestly doubt you beat a Camaro SS, Evo, G35 and G37.

QMasta45
Posts: 3
Joined: Tue Apr 27, 2010 6:07 pm
Car: 1997 Infiniti Q45 V8

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The Camero SS I kept up with him until 90mph. The G37 was just a lil too nimble for me. Some G35's I have kept up with and even won a couple times. Nothing major. I stay as careful as i can. My Q is my baby and I love it 280K+ miles baby still kickin'!!!!!!!! And i agree the long taillights are very nice. Soon im gonna have to change out the 02 sensors i know they have to be shot im idling kinda rougher than usual. No check engine light though.

:dblthumb: :bigthumb: :wavey: :woot: :mike :crazy: :yesnod :cool:


1997 Q45

Q45tech
Moderator
Posts: 14365
Joined: Tue Apr 30, 2002 3:19 am
Car: 1990 Q45 342,400 miles 22 years ownership with original engine
1995 G20t 5 speed 334,000 miles 16" 2002 wheels - 205/50/16 Sr20ve vvl

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"I traded it off before I had to spend 10 grand in repairs." ......327,500 miles
I just barely topped a total of $50,000 [since 1990] in repairs this weekend.
So far this year only tires, alignments, tension rod, tie rod ends, window regulator, pads, rotors, shocks, and belts plus ac recharge and all misc fluid replacements.........~ $2,100 in parts and liquids.
Windshield is still cracked and I still need to replace almost ALL BULBS this year for the 3 year cycle.

It is a never ending battle if your standards are high* but most things last more than 4 year or 60k [except shocks, battery, belts and liquids/filters].

* the tighter you keep the suspension [especially after lowering] the faster the rubber isolators wear. Trying to see how fast you can make a 20 year old 4,000 pound car go around corners sure takes a toll on suspension pads BUT it is such a pleasure to drive when everything is new and perfect.
The half as old with 140k AMG needs everything in suspension replaced AGAIN who says MB makes them strong and better and the vehicle is 470 pounds lighter.

OwnerCS
Posts: 1771
Joined: Thu May 27, 2010 4:34 am

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Q45tech wrote:"I traded it off before I had to spend 10 grand in repairs." ......327,500 miles
I just barely topped a total of $50,000 [since 1990] in repairs this weekend.
So far this year only tires, alignments, tension rod, tie rod ends, window regulator, pads, rotors, shocks, and belts plus ac recharge and all misc fluid replacements.........~ $2,100 in parts and liquids.
Windshield is still cracked and I still need to replace almost ALL BULBS this year for the 3 year cycle.

It is a never ending battle if your standards are high* but most things last more than 4 year or 60k [except shocks, battery, belts and liquids/filters].

* the tighter you keep the suspension [especially after lowering] the faster the rubber isolators wear. Trying to see how fast you can make a 20 year old 4,000 pound car go around corners sure takes a toll on suspension pads BUT it is such a pleasure to drive when everything is new and perfect.
The half as old with 140k AMG needs everything in suspension replaced AGAIN who says MB makes them strong and better and the vehicle is 470 pounds lighter.
Congratulations! Is the MB the replacement?

Q45tech
Moderator
Posts: 14365
Joined: Tue Apr 30, 2002 3:19 am
Car: 1990 Q45 342,400 miles 22 years ownership with original engine
1995 G20t 5 speed 334,000 miles 16" 2002 wheels - 205/50/16 Sr20ve vvl

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No the MB AMG 1999 C43 is the inferior spare which is a little faster due to it's lighter weight and smaller interior and trunk size.

People expect a AMG to beat them not a Q45 so impossible to use the term replacement.


Just realized that all 4 cars we have are been 4.000 and 4.494 cc

southernguy531
Posts: 2
Joined: Wed Jan 16, 2019 5:25 pm
Car: 2002 infiniti q45 sport

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I bought my 2002 infiniti q45 in october 2001. I have put every mile on it (222,000). I have had very minor problems. I recently took my car in to an infiniti dealer and told them 'go over the car thoroughly and tell me what needs to be done.' I got the car back with a changed serpentine belt and an oil change. I'm confident I will get 300K out of this car and enjoy the ride through it all.

BadQ45t
Posts: 3249
Joined: Fri Jul 26, 2002 7:54 am
Car: 21' Leaf SL Plus (wife's car)
05' X-Terra S 4x4
97' Q45t SOLD! Miss the old girl
84 300ZX (Original Owner)
2016 Mercedes Benz S550e V8 Power and 35 MPG
Location: Half Moon Bay, CA

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Wow I just saw this thread, blast from the past in the first page with guys not seen here in YEARS. I am a junior guy with only just turning 120k on my 97, but my 85' Nissan Maxima got to 295k when the stupid replacement tranny I (foolishly) had installed by AAMCO (ripe off place) failed after 50k and I decided to throw in the towel.

komradklaus
Posts: 19
Joined: Fri Jul 21, 2017 8:20 am
Car: 1996 Infiniti Q45t
1999 Infiniti Q45t
Location: Illinois

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My '96 Q45T is at 339.8K right now. I got rust on the strut towers and I leak more oil than I burn gas, but the beast still runs. Hang in there fellas, these cars can reach truly insane mileage.

BadQ45t
Posts: 3249
Joined: Fri Jul 26, 2002 7:54 am
Car: 21' Leaf SL Plus (wife's car)
05' X-Terra S 4x4
97' Q45t SOLD! Miss the old girl
84 300ZX (Original Owner)
2016 Mercedes Benz S550e V8 Power and 35 MPG
Location: Half Moon Bay, CA

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Wow that is crazy. My 97' doesn't have on spec of rust on it except for the brake rotors, which living near the beach in Northern California happens to every car.

98_Q45
Posts: 491
Joined: Mon Oct 16, 2017 12:12 am

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I’m nearing 220,000, runs better than it did at 185,000. However, not sure if I’m running on borrowed time. Still have to figure out why the TCS/ABS light comes on/tranny starts bucking when slowing down while car gets in temps below 70 at startup. Goes away once car warms up, so not a major worry. But it can stall mid-motion when that happens. Nothing like going into a turn and the engine stalls.

Doing regular oil changes, car washes, changed 1,000 parts...eventually neglect can be mitigated, with patience and a little $$$ at it every couple months.

Drake57
Posts: 199
Joined: Thu Jan 24, 2008 3:36 am
Car: 1992 Q45, 1990 Q45 (parts), 06 Sportster XLC, 85 XJ6, 08 4Runner, 89 Suburban 4WD, 75 Honda CT90
Location: Georgetown, TX

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205,000 on daily driver with original 1992 engine and trans, though I did replace timing chain guides, only recently replaced original alternator. I run mobile 1 hi mileage multi viscosity from WM. I sometimes wonder about the oil pump, I get some valve train noise right after cold engine starts. I have really nice powerplant in parts car with 110,00 miles, so that's in back pocket. I hope for lots more years with this wagon...!
:mike

MarkZ28
Posts: 23
Joined: Thu Oct 18, 2018 4:58 am
Car: 1996 Q45

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My 96 has 230k on it. Appears to have original engine and trans/diff. Burns no oil, no leaks that I see, trans is pretty good, shifts fine. Changed rear diff oil, was dark but not bad. Probably been serviced in its life though. Most everything works. Drivers rear window regulator just died thpigh, hard to find one anywhere I normally go for parts.

HollywoodJackson
Posts: 262
Joined: Thu Oct 23, 2014 1:35 pm
Car: 2004 Infiniti G35
1990 Nissan 240SX Hatchback
1990 Nissan 240SX Coupe
Location: Hollywood, CA
Contact:

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MarkZ28 wrote:
Tue Feb 26, 2019 3:48 pm
Drivers rear window regulator just died thpigh, hard to find one anywhere I normally go for parts.
I can probably pull that part for you. How much are you willing to pay for it, including shipping?

All the best,
~HollywoodJackson~

MarkZ28
Posts: 23
Joined: Thu Oct 18, 2018 4:58 am
Car: 1996 Q45

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Im in northeast Alabama, so shipping will be high. I have seen some go for $155 from a dealer new. I have emailed a dealer for their cost since parts was closed after 5. Im hoping to pay less than that for a used one with shipping.


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