How much can I get for a damaged 97 Q45?

[thehacker3]

Hey guys,

One of my cars is a '97 Q45 and this was my first car I've ever driven. I was madly in love with it back then, until one day tragedy struck. My father was pulling out of a spot and it was dark (the car also had tinted windows at the time) so he did not see a car coming up from behind. Long story short, the drivers side door is really badly damaged and the chasis is a little bent in at the point where the other car hit.

The car does not cost much to maintain. It currently has 170k+ miles but is already showing signs of giving up (knock sensors need to be replaced and something is wrong with the transmission because it always kicks when going in/out of 1st gear). We pay about $700/year for insurance.

What would be the most logical and cost-effective thing to do with this car? We don't drive it much, but it's nice having a 3rd car in the house just in case of emergencies. How much would I be able to get for it? What if I were to part it out?

[bullittandy]

About $5000 after two years of selling parts.

[thehacker3]

That's a lot more than I would have normally expected...

My family's plan was to run the car until it just gave up and died. At that point, would it still be worth parting it out, or just junking it for $500 or something? Considering keeping a lump of metal around the house that cannot really be moved..

[Q451990]

How do you come up with $5000 in parts?

Heath

[BadQ45t]

Ya, that is just crazy talk.....it is worth $500 or really charity case given a bent frame and body damage.

[thehacker3]

I can definitely see $1000 in parts, but $5k does seem a bit on the high side.

What would you guys recommend doing - what my family plans? Just running it till its death and then donating?

[bullittandy]

Actually, $6000, that's what I got out of my junk 1997 Q45.

[Da Dark Jedi]

Run the figures thru KKB & Edmunds to see what it's value is. You're right no Ins co will cover it other then liability, which means more cash for them. How much is the frame damaged, does the doors still funtion? Parting it out is time consuming and work, unless you'll let the buy dismantle the car for their part(s). Otherwise drive it ( everyday ) until the wheels fall off.

[thehacker3]

Run the figures thru KKB & Edmunds to see what it's value is. You're right no Ins co will cover it other then liability, which means more cash for them. How much is the frame damaged, does the doors still funtion? Parting it out is time consuming and work, unless you'll let the buy dismantle the car for their part(s). Otherwise drive it ( everyday ) until the wheels fall off.

The frame is slightlyyy bent inward. The doors still function normally as in the close, open, lock, and unlock. I can't roll the window down more than half-way. "What should I do after the wheels fall off?" is my question.

It's still good for 130mph but there's a lot of wind noise now at those speeds

[Da Dark Jedi]

Post it in the classifies here and see what it'll bring. The junk yard will give you maybe $100.00.

[BadQ45t]

Take it a charity when your done...they will give you $500...hey before you do that I want you cup holder assembly!!!

[thehacker3]

I fear we have the same cupholder problem. Does the "door" to the compartment get stuck?

[BadQ45t]

The little arm that drops down to keep the cup/can in place snapped off on mine, so now unless you put a bottle of snapple or vitamin water it moves around. No way to replace that as the little plastic nib broke off and Nissan wanted $175 for the whole assembly so I have been living with it for a long time now.

[thehacker3]

Oh, I see. Well it may be a while until I donate my car and it's parts so a temporary solution could be to use the 2005 Q45 cupholder. It's hard to explain what it is.

http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/veh ... er-480.jpg

that says "remove for 1L bottle"
I think you understand where this is going

[BadQ45t]

I will see if that fits, that is a much simplier design..most of the 97' design is simple and that was testiment to how few things broke or went wrong with the car.

If you do decide to part out please e-mail me at [email protected] so we can make a deal on that part, i would love to have the original back but not for $179 that Infiniti wanted for it.

[OwnerCS]

A guy on Craig's List is trying to sell one for "part out" -- has it listed for $800.

http://littlerock.craigslist.org/pts/2235344316.html

[BadQ45t]

He will not get that know that for sure unless the interior is spotless and there is someone out there looking for an interior upgrade.

Let's face it, most of the Q45's I see in California where people (on average) take better care of their cars are starting to look very ugly. Gen 1's are about 90% rust buckets and Gen 2 are about 75% rust buckets. What was sad is now I see Gen 3's (not very often) that are clearly not well taken care of and looking ugly. I assume most of them are 2002-2004 since 2005-2006 Infiniti hardly sold any of them. So how many people would be willing to spend $800 for part out car that is that crashed and doesn't run.

[thehacker3]

He will not get that know that for sure unless the interior is spotless and there is someone out there looking for an interior upgrade.

Let's face it, most of the Q45's I see in California where people (on average) take better care of their cars are starting to look very ugly. Gen 1's are about 90% rust buckets and Gen 2 are about 75% rust buckets. What was sad is now I see Gen 3's (not very often) that are clearly not well taken care of and looking ugly. I assume most of them are 2002-2004 since 2005-2006 Infiniti hardly sold any of them. So how many people would be willing to spend $800 for part out car that is that crashed and doesn't run.

I agree with gens 1, 2, and 2002 of gen 3

My '05 looks pretty mint though, and I bought it used after 2 owners with one of them being a rental company

I don't think your statement can apply to members of this forum, though. people like us generally keep our cars maintained pretty well.

[BadQ45t]

for sure, the members here are the obvious exceptions to the rule. My 97' with 94k looks super clean but so does my 84 300ZX and my 05' X-Terra. I have to say I see so few 3rd Gens that I don't have enough of a sample size to really generalize.

What is so sad the guy up the street had a 92' A model that you could hear literally squeeking as it went by...he finally sold it and bought a Jag. One day I was walking by and saw him and commented "you got rid of your Q45" and he said "yes, that was a rust bucket piece of crap". You THINK!!! His garage is filled with crap so he doesn't park inside, he clearly never washed it never mind waxed it, and we live 1/8th of a mile away from the Pacific Ocean in one of the most foggy parts of the SF Coastline!!!! Now about 2 years later the new Jag is starting to look like crap too...while my 13 year old Q is inside without a drop of rust and looks as good as it did in 2000 when I made my deal on it. I never understand why people do not take care of nice cars.

[thehacker3]

...What is so sad the guy up the street had a 92' A model that you could hear literally squeeking as it went by.
...
I never understand why people do not take care of nice cars.

My neighbor's cars are both in horrible condition. They both squeek like crazy and his subaru SUV sounds like a sherman tank - you can hear him coming/leaving home from a block away.

I think that most people don't really care for their cars. They just see them as modes of transportation from point A to B. Very few people look at cars as status symbols or things that need to be maintained. What I'm confused by is WHY someone would buy a nice car to begin with if they belong to that group that doesn't care for their cars.

Clearly, the last owner of my '05 was one of these people. The oil was changed regularly, but this guy never changed ANY filters (except the oil) for all 95k miles. I have a picture of what the intake air filter looked like after I bought the car; because of those with weak stomachs, I'll avoid posting it here. The interior is alright, although there are cuts and nicks in the leather. I am mystified by how mint the exterior is...

[tfvesquire]

Take it a charity when your done...they will give you $500...hey before you do that I want you cup holder assembly!!!

Sorry to hijack this thread, but if either iof you needs the cupholder assembly, I have an extra complete unit with the cupholder "separator" piece still intact and functioning. Will do $35 shipped.

Let me know either way via email or PM.

Ted

[BadQ45t]

done, I didn't see a PM listed, mine is [email protected], I will send you a check on faith!! send me an e-mail.

[tfvesquire]

Hi Jeff:

Wanted to let you know I rec'd your check on Saturday. I will get the cupholder ready to ship this week for you.

Thanks,

Ted

[BadQ45t]

Thanks man!!!!! I was hoping that it came. Cash it and mail it!!! Thanks man, this board rocks sometimes.