I am looking for a great car cover with a $50 budget?

[Infinitiguy19]

Well I am getting sick of my car, Lack of help/support from locals, "Friends"...So I need to take a break for while from this car and its projects.

I am looking for a quality car cover for less than $50 and if it has a Infiniti logo maybe "Q45" on it as well all the better, But if not so be it. I am going to the local Nissan dealer so hopefully Nissan has their owner car covers.

Oh and by the way this will be my last topic for a while.

[qship96]

how will you get around if you put the Q away for awhile? Sounds like you have Q burnout- maybe just try driving and enjoying it for what it is,a 18 year old car, for awhile instead of always worrying how to make it what its not or monkeying with it....

[Infinitiguy19]

I love the car too much I think so I need a break from it. I mean I wanted to make a computer program for it, I have the Google search, Calender and more background the same as my Avatar. I am a die hard Q fan but I need to give myself a break. It also doesn't help to add to the fact that yesterday I was repairing the rusted rear section of the rocker panel and found out it was rotted. I opened up a 1 inch long by a couple of millimeters wide hole. I almost cried! So I spray painted it and never looked at the Q for the rest of the day. I contemplated replacing that entire section but then came to my senses their after.

I sure hope this car appreciates in value because I hate being wrong! But compared to BMW and Mercedes Benz, Infiniti really dropped the ball. They could have made the Q better in some ways and supported it better in others...

So for the rest of this year the Q and I will not be seeing each other very often.

[BCC93QT]

I think you've become obsessed. Get a beater, 5 speed minivan! I got sent home sick today im trying to work on it but im beat

[BadQ45t]

There is no such animal for $50 bucks. A Nissan cover at dealership discount is like $80, they charge retail like $125. For $50 you can go to Target, Pep Boys or Costco and get a non-custom cover that is made out of breathable material that can stay out in the rain, but that cover will last you 6-9 months and then be ready for the trash bin.

If you want a decent really solid cover the min is probably that $100 price point, the best coveres sell for $200-300 hundred. By far the best covers are custom for you car so that the mirrors pockets fit your car perfectly and that helps in a big way to keep it from blowing away in the wind.

If your not going to work or use the car you can always buy a non-cotton one, Technolone was what Covercraft had and now every seems to have that same type of materials. These are green-blue ones that have the waffle like pattern. These allow your car to dry in the rain without issues.

$50 is not enough for anything custom....not even close.

[Infinitiguy19]

Man I love how this forum asks me to log in every time I come to this site.

And whats worse is I called up a dealer and found that they no longer make or have any stock left of the G50 (1990-1996) Infiniti Q45 car covers. And I asked them if they have any FGY33 (1997-2001) Infiniti Q45 and one dealer said this other dealer does. I call up the other dealer and they say they don't have it. So I am disappointed to say the least but the only difference is that it would say Infiniti on it and it would have openings for the mirrors.

So I guess I am getting a Costco car cover.

All I am worried about is Snow, Rain and freezing temps and below. And I would rather the cover rip or get destroyed than the car suffer. I want a cover with a Guarantee like Costco at least as well because if it doesn't have a Costco or Craftsmen Guarantee then its disposable like a Cell phone or some new cars.

And I have other cars I can get where I need to go so no worries their and to top it all off my work place is within walking distance.

I think you've become obsessed. Get a beater, 5 speed minivan! I got sent home sick today im trying to work on it but im beat

Thats rare because most work places work people to their death case in point China and the Ipod factory.

[paranoidjack]

Paul qship is right, it is an 18 year old car and will never be what you want it to be. Many of us (myself included) are way overcrazy about our cars, but with a DIMINISHING return on investment (you will NEVER see the money you are hoping to see out of this car), money spent replacing nonessential rusted objects etc is just pure wasted money.

Make it RUN well, it is a car and that is its primary purpose. Everything you fix will only make you fix more, the problem is not the car but your perception of what you require the car to be. You have to lower your standards. A proper paint job ALONE with body work will cost you over $5,000. Forget EVERYTHING else, seats, interior, engine, transmission, engine compartment, suspension....

If you are not a millionaire, just make it run well. Keep it clean and love it for what it is, not for what it was 18 years ago.

[BadQ45t]

You can order covercraft from Cosctco and it would be custom fit to your car, more than $50 bucks but it will last a long time and fit your car perfectly.

[AZhitman]

I sure hope this car appreciates in value

Not gonna happen, brotha. Here's why:

I was repairing the rusted rear section of the rocker panel and found out it was rotted. I opened up a 1 inch long by a couple of millimeters wide hole.

Use it for what it is: Transportation.

Put your money someplace where it will increase in value.

[qship96]

Even without a spec of rust, the Q is no investment grade collectable..........drive the balls off it til it dies. I would not even waste $50 on a cover for it at this stage of its life.....its not like you are trying to protect the finish on a brand new vehicle.....it has been exposed to the elements for 18 years already.....whats a cover going to do at this late stage of the game?????? I always envision my Qs last day as a run in a demolition derby!!!!

[Infinitiguy19]

The thing with me is I want everything near me to be the best it can possibly be eg: Cars, Computers...

When I got my 1991 Q45 I didn't know much about cars. I didn't know the engine was supposed to be so smooth at idle that you could not feel it running or so quiet that you can not hear it run either. I didn't know that it was supposed to be sports car like or stop extremely quickly. My first Q saved my life more times than I can remember. I wish I could go back to those days where I wasn't spoiled with knowledge of what the G50 Q45 was like new, I really do. Because then and only then would my standards be lower and if anything my standards are not high enough right now.

But when you guys are right you are right.

If it makes any difference I finished both Rear Shock Tower Bars just minutes ago. If it does make a difference then I might have to break my promise.

[qship96]

Time marches on.....even "if" you could find a brand spankin new 90-96Q with zero miles on it stored at some secret Nissan museum, it is severly outclassed in every catagory by newer designs.......it is not fast, it does not handle well, stop well, ride great, or blow cold A/C or anything else on par with newer cars in its same class...most brand new $30K cars are better all around than the old Q.....like I said, time marches on. 278 horsepower was alot in 1990.....now we have 4 cylinder econoboxes producing that, and many lux cars are at 400+ HP.....the Q is like a friendly old former racehorse that has become a pet, it no longer can compete, but it has earned its keep.

[OwnerCS]

It's always good to take a break from any project to study and reflect on all of your past success.

Remember that all logic and reasoning goes out the window when you start working with classic cars.

Here's a story about a guy who says he has invested over $50,000 in his 1972 Fiat.

When I was in high school in 1973, I worked after school at a Fiat dealership. I remember that series of Fiat quite well.

Have you ever heard the expression Fix It Again Today or Fix It Again Tomorrow?
LOL -- I sure got to witness today and tomorrow in real life in those days. It sure made me glad I drove a 442..

http://blog.hemmings.com/index.php/2010 ... -130-coupe..

[BadQ45t]

No, it was "Fix It Again Tony"!!!! I had a Fiat 73' 1200 for a year, it was actually a good car, ran well and was great in the snow!!!

I agree, the Q will not appreciate in any-shape-form. I have seen the Z32's on Autotrader no appreciate but lower mileage cars are holding value pretty well. I think if you had a 5k 93' Q that was in a perfectly conditioned garage it would still only fetch 8 to 10 grand max, just not a collectors car.

[OwnerCS]

No, it was "Fix It Again Tony"!!!! I had a Fiat 73' 1200 for a year, it was actually a good car, ran well and was great in the snow!!!

LOL - I've got too many friends named Anthony or Antonio to use that one.. :-)

1974 was the beginning of the bad really years. Emission control design problems, constant backfiring, electrical system issues, and timing belts that would break at about 45,000 miles. I remember seeing customers break down into tears at the service counter when told their two year car's (out of warranty) engine was destroyed from a timing belt break or when they had to wait 4 months to get a suspension part. I did learn how to deal with hysterical customers at a relatively young age from that experience.

Most cars go through a bottoming out period during the 20 to 25 year mark.
Interesting value trend on the article in this link.

http://www.hemmings.com/hmn/stories/201 ... ture2.html

[Infinitiguy19]

Just how good are OEM car covers?




































I ask because I got one in December!!!

I found the OEM car cover for my car (G50) and I got it for a great price as well!!!

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/ts ... directlink

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/al ... directlink

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/18 ... directlink

For those wondering what my great present and surprise would be on Christmas, Well this is it!!!

I will get more pictures of the box but I must say this made my Christmas!!!

[goody90q45]

Did you get it for $50 or less? Details. Nice find.

[Infinitiguy19]

I got it for a little over $50 but it goes for much more. A Infiniti dealer in Colorado had it sitting for a while and I called them and made a deal. I was almost ready to buy a FGY33 (1997-2001 Q45) OEM car cover but this one came in time.

Whats cool is that on the box their is a date (of when it was made?) which is also when I got my driver licence!

Good things come to those who wait!

[paranoidjack]

Nice find dude! $50, Merry Xmas!

[OwnerCS]

NIce find for sure.. Glad you got one of those obscure finds..

[Infinitiguy19]

Thanks Jack and Owner CS, If anyone is looking for rare parts let me know. I am lucky like that!

[OwnerCS]

Thanks Jack and Owner CS, If anyone is looking for rare parts let me know. I am lucky like that!

Yes you are indeed!

[elwesso]

thats pretty cool! I would have guessed that there would be no more OEM fit G50 covers left...

I agree with the others too.. There is definitely "diminishing returns" on a car this old... I have all kinds of things wrong with my Q that 95% of the population would never notice, but I know.. I think whats more important is knowing whats important and whats not, and knowing what issues need addressed immediately and what doesnt...

IF your engine hits on all 8 cylinders and all 4 gears work in the transmission, and your fuel pump isnt making noise, drive the sucker..

Im sure a lot of people feel the same was as I do, that I personally like having a car that I don't feel guilty about putting all kinds of miles on.. I am on the fast track to putting 25k miles/year on my car, and that doesnt phase me at all.. not sure how many other people can put so many miles so cheaply on their cars, factoring in gas, insurance, depreciation, and maintenance.

[BCC93QT]

Meh, I can get oem car covers from japan BUT, your better off not knowing the price and buying another Q. Honestly i put 20k miles in 16 months. Can't say problem free but for a body with 225k and an engine with around 160k i am very suprised. I've been kinda beating on it occasionally... as well as monday with the 20 inch snowstorm and some 120mph drifting at the airport.... As long as the car doesnt brake your bank and you enjoy it to whatever extent you can.... isn't that the whole point? Snowy Massachusetts at its finest