I'm contemplating the purchase of a 1999 Q45 w/96K miles

[Infinitiwannabe]

I have been leasing for several years and my 2002 Altima lease is up and I'm looking to get either an 02 maxima/I35 or the 1999 Q45. Any recomendations?

[CrimsonQ]

yeah, buy it Im looking at an Annv edition 2000. Great cars from what ive read

[maxnix]

Depends on your need and use.

RWD luxury V8 sedans are a whole different world from FWD transportation boxes. While the former can make a long commute much nicer and less fatiguing, the latter are cheaper when used for the same purpose.

On a cross-country trip, both work well. But with the Q45, only lack of sleep and the need for gas and food will keep one from going 24 hrs. or more at a time. They easily devour highway miles in total comfort, effortlessly, at throw-away-the-key speeds.

[elwesso]

On a cross-country trip, both work well. But with the Q45, only lack of sleep and the need for gas and food will keep one from going 24 hrs. or more at a time. They easily devour highway miles in total comfort, effortlessly, at throw-away-the-key speeds.

agreed... With ample sleep, 12 hours of driving is no different than listening to music in your living room... its great.

[johngalt]

yours has a bit less miles than the one I recently bought in December, but let me tell you - after 2 months and almost 6000 miles, I am happy with my car. It was in near immaculate condition when I got it (I found some minor things later on that I never noticed before) but the comfort, smoothness, the active suspension of my Touring *and* the ability to punch it when doing 70 and feel the roar are well worth it.

I commute 35 miles to work (one way) every day, and it eats the miles up like there is no tomorrow. I have not made a *long* trip in it yet (over 8 hours) but I did take it around the area on an extended 3 hours drive that lopped off some serious miles and was *extremely* happy with the comfort of the ride. I hope (soon!) to be able to take it to Chicago for a weekend (planning on end Feb).

[Jesda]

I actually found the 3rd-gen Maxima's cloth seats to be much more comfortable than the 90-93 Q's over long distances. They kept me very alert and well supported with absolutely NO back fatigue. Maybe I have a weird back; I dont know.

I think the 90-93 seats are more comfortable than 94-96, but the 94+ power lumbar adjustment could make a world of difference. The 2000 I sat in was pretty darn nice, but I havent been in one long enough to know how it'll fare over a long drive.

I cant say either whether the later Maximas/I35s have changed dramatically in seating comfort over the 3rd-gen I own, but I know the rear suspension in later I35s/Maxes results in poorer ride quality compared to older Maximas, and especially compared to the 97+ Q.

Realistically, drive wheels dont matter much when you're going 100mph in a straight line, as I've discovered while piloting all kinds of cars across the midwest (among my favorite: a spartan '95 Mazda 626). The first and second generation Q45s aren't particularly well balanced compared to a lot of RWD cars, so expect some understeer and the need for extra rear weight in snowy conditions. A few modifications may take care of that to some degree.

On a simple value for money proposition: The Q45 wins handily.

Oh, and welcome to NICO!

[johngalt]

Coincidentally, my mother still has her '92 Maxima GXE (all stock), and I have to agree - those are some damn comfortable seats!

However, I have also found that my '99 Touring is simply, more comfortable - could be the leather, could be the power adjustments (including the steering telescoping / tilt), or simply could be the fact that it always goes back to where I had it set last when I put the key in the ignition. Overall, if the seats in the '92 Max were to be reconditioned (well, driver's seat anyway - the rest are almost perfect) and mine were to be as well (if needed, since I don't have a reference to check - all 4 seem to feel the same) then I would still go for the leather in the long run.

[MinisterofDOOM]

Obviously the Q is going to be "more car" than the Maxima. I love my maxima, and my dad's maxima, and am one of the biggest Maxima advocates around.

But if it was down to a choice between an 02 Maxima and a 99 Q, I'd take the Q in a heartbeat.

And I definitely have to agree with Jesda...my 93 Maxima's seats are incredibly comfortable.

But since you're also considering the Maxima/I I'll give you my $0.02Why pay more for a less attractive car? The fifth gen Maxima is one of Nissan's best body styles of all time. The I35, while not unattractive, doesn't come close to the Maxima in terms of looks. The I is a model I've never understood. It's always been less attractive than it's brother, and at the same time more expensive. It's paying for a label, which is pointless to me.Also, a five speed maxima is much easier to find than a 5 speed I35, but that may or may not matter to you.

[BadQ45t]

If I was you I'd look for an Anniversary Edition 2000 rather than a 99' It has some nice goodies and the price shouldn't be a heck of a lot different.

I bought a 97' in 2000 at 42k and have 84k now. I had one problem with it, a faulty gas door fixed under warranty. My shocks are now worn out and my tension rods were worn out but other than that it is just regular up keep.

With the 2000 you will also have a chance to get warranty on a 2000 (7 year on drivetrain) which is a nice thing to have for a year or so.

Overall I love the car still 6 years later and plan to drop a grand or so into the suspension soon but overal you will be hard pressed to get more for you money.

[elwesso]

I sat in a Y33, and the seats were really comfortable, but for hard driving likely not as supportive as the G50... They seem wide which again is great for long distances... but i could see myself sliding around..... Maybe thats because 2 of me could fit on one seat..... Guess i dont have enough junk in my trunk?

[maxnix]

I sat in a Y33, and the seats were really comfortable, but for hard driving likely not as supportive as the G50... They seem wide which again is great for long distances... but i could see myself sliding around..... Maybe thats because 2 of me could fit on one seat..... Guess i dont have enough junk in my trunk?

Very true. They are more cushiony and more softly sprung and flatter.

Like I said, the Y33 is designed totally alternatively to the G50. Everything is done a different way. Yin to Yang.
Modified by maxnix at 7:10 AM 2/10/2006

[johngalt]

Yeah, I read that here and also read that in another post, and kinda want to get a feel for the older 1st gen Qs to see just *how* different they are. Mind you, I *love* the way my car looks, and seeing some of the things that they added for the 2K / anniv edition makes me consider getting another one, but I can ill afford to do that right now.

@Wes - well, I gots lots junk in my trunk, and I don't slide around as much, so I guess it is well designed for peeps like me that travel light and like the room inside as opposed in the trunk.

[maxnix]

Yep, a couple more inches of room inside, and about 6 inches less depth in the trunk.

[Infinitiwannabe]

Which goodies are included o the 2000 model?

[BadQ45t]

You can get an Anniversary Edition Q and get the Navigation system and a nice wood trim steering wheel, a bunch of special AE badging. You get everything the touring package had too with some sweet rims.

not sure what else, but I know that there are days I regret not digging for that extra 20k whenI bought my 97' in 2000 to go for the brand new AE. If you can find one it would probably not be that much more than a 99' at this point.

[Jesda]

I found the 94-96 seats to be a bit wide even for me, and I have a thoroughly bulbous behind. Strangely enough, the Miata fits me perfectly.

[maxnix]

Which goodies are included o the 2000 model?

The 2000 came in 3 models; standard, t and ae. Read my post about the revisions year to year.

I would suggest the navigation is to be at least not sought out if not avoided as it was CD based and only updated once. Don't confuse it with the current Nissan DVD based navigation. Heated seats and the real wood maple trim in the ae model, along with a 6 CD trunk player are about it for options.

ae and t models get electronically switched shock absorbers which are more expensive to replace. The 17" 5 spoke t and ae wheels were subject to a recall across a certain VIN range, so check the service history and the VIN first thing.

None of the models has the out side mirror dipping feature of the G50.

[nchopp]

...I have a thoroughly bulbous behind...

[MattB]

The 2000 came in 3 models; standard, t and ae. Read my post about the revisions year to year.

I would suggest the navigation is to be at least not sought out if not avoided as it was CD based and only updated once. Don't confuse it with the current Nissan DVD based navigation. Heated seats and the real wood maple trim in the ae model, along with a 6 CD trunk player are about it for options.

ae and t models get electronically switched shock absorbers which are more expensive to replace. The 17" 5 spoke t and ae wheels were subject to a recall across a certain VIN range, so check the service history and the VIN first thing.

None of the models has the out side mirror dipping feature of the G50.

I sent an email to the company that makes the nav software and they said a new CD set is coming out...