I might Buy it - 1997 Q45T

[slybydesignq45t]

Ok, I kinda know what you guys might say, but I wanted to ask anyway. I have an opportunity to purchase a 1997 Q45T Black on Badge with 173,000 on the clock. I can have it by Saturday. The price is about $4,000 lower then average retail at the moment, due to it having a salvage title. I don't want to post the price I am paying because I negotiated well below the sellers asking price and the car is still for sale. The car was in an accident last year and the Hood, bumper and side fenders need changing. The guy purchased it back from the insurance company and started to fix it up. It was then purchased by a lady 10 months ago who is now tired of the cost associated with fixing a Q45. From the detailed pictures she sent me I can see the TCS, ABS, and SLIP lights are on but no other light is one. She has done oil changes ever 3,000 religiously. This is her daily driver. A week ago she lost the title, but assures me its hers. In fact she has agreed to obtain the second title prior to me purchasing the car. So now I ask what to you guys think. The car drives good, engine is smooth, transmission shifting good. Its about a 6/10 inside and out. I figured with some TLC this car can look really good. The biggest issues I have noticed are all cosmetic.

[maxnix]

The biggest issues I have noticed are all cosmetic.

I would suggest you need to work on your powers of observation and analysis.

RUN!

[AdamLowther]

Just a thought, it will likely be cheaper at the end of the day to buy a clean Q.

Think of the costs to bring it up to a 9/10 (Bodywork, paint, who knows what else + issues with the title when you are all done) and see how that compares to a streight car with a clean title. Also, you should expect to negotiate on a clean car as well, dont compare the selling price of the car you are looking at to the list price of a clean car.

In buying my current Q (96T) , I was fussy, and still got a good price. Now I have a car that looks and drives great, with no big surprises waiting for me. An this was in Canada, where there are not alot of Q's on the market.

Take your time would be my thoughts. But to each their own.

[slybydesignq45t]

Thanks guys I figured that much. I figured about $2,000 worth of cosmetic work inside and out, seeing as there is a Salvage yard with everything I would need 15 minutes away from me. I figured having that advantage would secure the deal. I have purchased a salvaged title car before so that part doesn't scare me away. I have also noticed that even at the lowest posted price for a 1997-2000 Q45 I would still be $1,000 under after all the work. But I see what ya'll are saying and to be honest, I didn't want to go crazy on it. I guess I will wait, just wanted to see what other DIY'selfers thought.

[miata007]

I would pass.

The car is near end of life unless you want it for parts.

007

[slybydesignq45t]

[Victor]

Also remember, a salvage title car will always sell for less than a non salvage car in identical condition, so what you save now you will lose when its time to sell it. Also make sure the registration is current and you get the pink slip and there are no liens against the car. It is also the sellers responsibility in California to get the car through smog inspection.

[Q45tech]

Any car with 173k is only worth $500 junkyard value + say $1,000 or $1500. Looking at it another way a 12 year old car is worth 7% of new MSRP or $3500 less any cost to bring up to standard.

Vehicles values HALVE every 3 years 50%, 25%, 13%, 7%

You never use the Retail section and then you use the auction prices plus a few hundred.

[Q45tech]

EDMUNDS SAYS:

1997 Infiniti Q45 Touring (1997.5) 4dr Sedan Trade-In Private Party Dealer Retail National Base Price $2,839 $3,871 $5,295 Optional Equipment $0 $0 $0 Color AdjustmentDark Green $0 $0 $0 Regional Adjustmentfor Zip Code 30067 $25 $34 $47 Mileage Adjustment173,000 miles $-1,419 $-1,419 $-1,419 Condition AdjustmentRough $-1,054 $-1,418 $-1,920

Total $391 trade in $1,068 private $2,003 retail

Looks like $1,000 is a fair price and then you get to throw in $9,000 in repairs.

[slybydesignq45t]

EDMUNDS SAYS:

1997 Infiniti Q45 Touring (1997.5) 4dr Sedan Trade-In Private Party Dealer Retail National Base Price $2,839 $3,871 $5,295 Optional Equipment $0 $0 $0 Color AdjustmentDark Green $0 $0 $0 Regional Adjustmentfor Zip Code 30067 $25 $34 $47 Mileage Adjustment173,000 miles $-1,419 $-1,419 $-1,419 Condition AdjustmentRough $-1,054 $-1,418 $-1,920

Total $391 trade in $1,068 private $2,003 retail

Looks like $1,000 is a fair price and then you get to throw in $9,000 in repairs.

wow. OK, well that is extremely close to the price I'd be buying it for. Q teck or max, can I forward ya'll the pix and ya'll tell me what ya'll think?

[maxnix]

It's not about pictures, but verified service history and mechanical condition, primarily.

Salvage title is screaming RUN AWAY NOW! FAST!

[slybydesignq45t]

It's not about pictures, but verified service history and mechanical condition, primarily.

Salvage title says RUN AWAY NOW! FAST!

LOL, ok, it was to good to be true.

BTW, if anybody needs a good parts car, I am willing to help ya'll with this purchase. I think it would make an awesome parts car. Its located in LA.
Modified by slybydesignq45t at 11:47 AM 2/5/2009

[NightRiderQ45]

I would suggest you need to work on your powers of observation and analysis.

RUN!

Exactly! The whole time I was reading this, I thought this guy was kidding. Its eviden that this car is a ticking time bomb to the savage yard...

[slybydesignq45t]

OK, OK, I know I deserve the bashing.....



I just had to ask, you only get smarter by learning whats stupid......

[q45ondubs]

what does it exactly need..q45 parts can be expensive depending on your finance especialy if your exterior parts from the dealer ...and ask yourself are you buying this car to keep and fix and keep it for your self because in the future you will not be able to get that money back if you sale it..but if its gona be a car you just want to fix up and keep and your not worried bout the value then hey get it. just because it has high miles doesnt mean its no good..for all you know the trany could have been replaced and major work could have been done on the car already to wher major parts are good as new..the only down fall is that its salvaged...

[unknown007]

what does it exactly need..q45 parts can be expensive depending on your finance especialy if your exterior parts from the dealer ...and ask yourself are you buying this car to keep and fix and keep it for your self because in the future you will not be able to get that money back if you sale it..but if its gona be a car you just want to fix up and keep and your not worried bout the value then hey get it. just because it has high miles doesnt mean its no good..for all you know the trany could have been replaced and major work could have been done on the car already to wher major parts are good as new..the only down fall is that its salvaged...

Why you keep putting dots.....and then continue to type....just wondering because i get b***hed at for my grammar....lol

[Drake57]

I've owned and driven literally dozens of cars with salvage titles in the last 35 years. The color of the paper that the title is printed on has no effect on the way a car runs. Nowadays insurance companies handle claims rather stupidly, usually a salvage title is issued any time repair costs exceed estimated car value.

It does however scare potential buyers, so the seller of a salvage titled car must take that into consideration, along with the condition of the auto body. Assume that after repairs the car is worth what's known as finance value, which is in general the max value that a bank will lend for a given vehicle, so subtract a realistic repair cost estimate including paint, materials, and your time from finance value to give yourself an idea of what it is worth in it's present condition.

[bullittandy]

If it truly only needs a bumper, hood and fender and paint then thats not too hard of a repair. The ABS light is likely a $25 relay. Small parts can add up so take that into account too.

If you plan to drive the car into the ground then a salvage title car is a great bargain. If you think that you might EVER sell the car on the open market don't bother because you'll eat all those expenses.

I've got -$10 in my salvage 99 Touring and love it!

[Drake57]

PS I traded a running $500.00 car for my 1992 Q45, put an OEM fuel pump and another five hundred dollars in other parts (including a starter from Advance) and I am well pleased with it. It does not have a salvage title, but that wouldn't have given me a moment's pause - all I needed was to hear the engine hit a few licks on starter fluid.

Yes I know this was once a $50,000.00 car, somehow it seems like a smooth, quiet, beautiful, nice running $1000.00 car to me.

My next project is to reupholster the front seats.

[slybydesignq45t]

Kinda makes me wish I had purchased it, but as ya'll can see I was slammed for even thinking about it. It did look pretty good from the picks, but the thought of having to hassle with the title was my draw back, not so much the condition of the car. I am still looking for one in my price range. Maybe by the summer I would have found something. At this point, I had to open my range of car makes and models so I hope its a Q45 I will have next but I am also including W140's, Caddy STS and LS400's so we will see when all is said and done.