Hello all!
New car to the forum. Lots of questions, but a bit about me:
182,000 miles
Loaded base model
No mods to Wheels, paint, main engine/transmission parts
Everything works
Also a 97 Maxima driver
Current known issues:
Radio/a/c lights faded on one side, plan to replace
Power steering pump (noisy, barely functioning)
No belt on a/c compressor (possibly a previous failure/by-pass)
Leaks Windshield wiper fluid (haven't found where yet)
Probably averaged a C+ on overall maintenance (oil/coolant/transmission)
Bad front struts
So I'm sure the dealer cost is $5,000 in parts and labor. BUT, My plan is to bring this car back from the dead and get it in shape. So far I did oil, filters, wipers....basic stuff that needed immediate attention.
However, the engine on this thing is a bit scary, despite using similar parts as the maxima. Already today it beat me up just to get the oil plug off. Thought of doing power steering pump, but I am limited on time and tools as I purchased it out of town. Looking like having to pay someone to do it.
I'm just hoping the car isn't too much of a money pit. Very spur of the moment buy, but been looking for months. It probably will be for the first couple months, but hoping a long distance drive burns off any gremlins lurking under the hood.
I was bought for $1,000: Trick or Treat
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Q451990
- Moderator
- Posts: 11030
- Joined: Tue Jul 23, 2002 8:21 am
- Car: 1990 Q45 - 118K, 2022 Toyota 4 Runner, 2004 Frontier M/T - 108K, 2012 Xterra (Mom's), 2023 Rogue (Inlaws)
- Location: Columbia, SC
- Contact:
Re: I was bought for $1,000: Trick or Treat
to NICO and the Q45! It sounds like you have your work cut out for you... The factory service manual is a great help and available at www.infinitiservicemanual.comRe: I was bought for $1,000: Trick or Treat
Thanks for the link! I know this will be a work in progress for sure. But, there's enough good about the car that outweighs the bad.
However....today was kinda bad. I took it in to do the power steering pump. Fixed, but after getting a proper mechanic to look it over, needs 3 other things fixed. The steering noise from the pump is fixed, but the steering handling is shot because of the control arm. And oil is leaking like a mother f***er from the crank something seal. He also cited rack and pinion which I'm hesitant on for various reasons.
I won't say I regret buying it, but now I'm a little over my head feeling disappointed. I know it was a steal buy, but I just don't like the idea of immediately having to fix stuff. I can't drive it out of town in the condition it's in.
It also pisses me off how someone can f*** up a car in 189,000 miles. My maxima has over 350,000 miles, and it's never had multiple problems at once. Everything tended to wore out overtime....and was never an immediate replacement except the alternator.
I just feel kinda annoyed buying someone else's problem so to speak lol. But, it's a nice car. Inside and out is so clean, but it's been so neglected. People get reliable cars and abuse them because they are reliable. It's not right.
I'm hoping over the next couple weeks, I can get everything fixed to atleast make it road worthy. Feeling pressed as I don't want to be stuck doing major car repairs anywhere around late November thru January as holidays tend to affect my income.
However....today was kinda bad. I took it in to do the power steering pump. Fixed, but after getting a proper mechanic to look it over, needs 3 other things fixed. The steering noise from the pump is fixed, but the steering handling is shot because of the control arm. And oil is leaking like a mother f***er from the crank something seal. He also cited rack and pinion which I'm hesitant on for various reasons.
I won't say I regret buying it, but now I'm a little over my head feeling disappointed. I know it was a steal buy, but I just don't like the idea of immediately having to fix stuff. I can't drive it out of town in the condition it's in.
It also pisses me off how someone can f*** up a car in 189,000 miles. My maxima has over 350,000 miles, and it's never had multiple problems at once. Everything tended to wore out overtime....and was never an immediate replacement except the alternator.
I just feel kinda annoyed buying someone else's problem so to speak lol. But, it's a nice car. Inside and out is so clean, but it's been so neglected. People get reliable cars and abuse them because they are reliable. It's not right.
I'm hoping over the next couple weeks, I can get everything fixed to atleast make it road worthy. Feeling pressed as I don't want to be stuck doing major car repairs anywhere around late November thru January as holidays tend to affect my income.
Re: I was bought for $1,000: Trick or Treat
A lot of skill and knowledge is required to have a good outcome when buying a car for $1,000. You practically need to be a mechanic because almost nobody sells a car for $1,000 if they know it is working and does not have any major repair issues pending. Most people are selling at that price because they have been told of major work required to keep the car road worthy. A seller that has kept up with problems as they arise will be asking for more money than $1,000 and will show receipts to prove that the car does not have a ton of deferred maintenance.
I was willing to pay $3,500 for my 2000 Q because the seller had owned it for 15 years and had all the receipts for all repairs that had been done. I could check off the major systems of the car (cooling system, suspension, etc.) that had already been overhauled. So far we have put over 20,000 miles on the car and have not had any major bills. The car is surely not perfect as it still has some oil leaks, but it has been worth the purchase price thus far.
I was willing to pay $3,500 for my 2000 Q because the seller had owned it for 15 years and had all the receipts for all repairs that had been done. I could check off the major systems of the car (cooling system, suspension, etc.) that had already been overhauled. So far we have put over 20,000 miles on the car and have not had any major bills. The car is surely not perfect as it still has some oil leaks, but it has been worth the purchase price thus far.
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Q451990
- Moderator
- Posts: 11030
- Joined: Tue Jul 23, 2002 8:21 am
- Car: 1990 Q45 - 118K, 2022 Toyota 4 Runner, 2004 Frontier M/T - 108K, 2012 Xterra (Mom's), 2023 Rogue (Inlaws)
- Location: Columbia, SC
- Contact:
Re: I was bought for $1,000: Trick or Treat
Well, hopefully it has "good bones" as we say in the real estate business. If the engine isn't a sludge bucket, the transmission had had some kind of fluid maintenance, etc. - you could end up with a pretty reliable Q in the end. It might be worth a deeper paid look by your technician to see where you're going to be when it's all done to be sure it's worth it. A good look inside the valve covers, maybe a compression test...
Re: I was bought for $1,000: Trick or Treat
Good wisdom here.... nobody sells a car for $1,000 if they know it is working and does not have any major repair issues pending. Most people are selling at that price because they have been told of major work required to keep the car road worthy. A seller that has kept up with problems as they arise will be asking for more money than $1,000 and will show receipts to prove that the car does not have a ton of deferred maintenance.
To the OP, welcome aboard. At least it's got the basics of a car working well, right? That is the engine responds when you step on the gas pedal and you get going. No funny sounds, no smoke, no warning lights on the dash etc.
Unfortunately some people do exactly as you described. I've seen people buy Honda civics or Toyota Corolla because of the perceived reliability... drive the crap out of them and not do basic maintenance then wonder why they are "suddenly so unreliable".
On the steering rack, it's good to double check, but the issue wasn't uncommon for these models.
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ZiprHead
- Posts: 110
- Joined: Mon Jan 02, 2017 11:30 am
- Car: 1999 Infiniti Q45 base
- Location: Saginaw, MI, USA
Re: I was bought for $1,000: Trick or Treat
I bought my 99 for $1150. First thing I had to have done was the PS pump. The mechanic replaced the pump but didn't realize the reservoir was plugged at the filter, causing me to have to have the steering rack replaced and the new pump is now squealing too. It's working okay so I'll drive it like that until it doesn't.
As far as the A/C belt, they may have removed it because of a noisy idler. That was my issue.
Keep working at it. It'll be expensive but the drive will be so rewarding.
As far as the A/C belt, they may have removed it because of a noisy idler. That was my issue.
Keep working at it. It'll be expensive but the drive will be so rewarding.
Re: I was bought for $1,000: Trick or Treat
Thanks for the replies. Having trouble with the site right now so can't quote everyone. Not sure if it's my connection or the servers, but it's not loading up properly.
Anyhow...after some further self-inspection, along with an emissions testing and having codes scanned, I sort of know where I stand now.
The bad news is my car wouldnt pass emissions in the purchased state. But the good news is I am taking it to a state that does not require emissions. One of the codes is reading "multiple misfires". I can feel it misfiring, but I think it may be as simple as spark plugs or boots???
Also, after doing more DIY maintenance (removed air intake, cleaned TB, removed and cleaned fan belt), I see that the car is not as neglected as I thought. Mainly just wear and tear. Nothing that can't be fixed. It just needs some serious TLC, and a full on engine bay cleaning as the previous owner did tell me the old radiator blew up...In turning the compressor clutch by hand, it sounds like the insides got fried so will have to replace (older cars in hot states seem to always have a/c problems. The Maxima is from a long winter state and the compressor is still going at 360,000).
On the flip side: I know someone who bought an Acura Legend 91-94 or something for $1,000. That car is so beat up, he'd have to pay someone $1,000 to buy it. add to the fact he doesn't know s*** about fixing cars. His Sunroof doesn't work, the center console has nothing there, and paint is horrendous. I think initially it was somewhat okay, but then he f*** it up even more. My friends don't know I'm a mechanic on the low, so I keep my mouth shut.
For the most part though...everything exterior on the car is passable and in working condition and I get the occasional stare because it's a long, dark tinted gold car. If it's anything like the Maxima, It should only take me 1-2 years to fully restore it, including paint touchup, suspension, seats, etc. it's already looking better just changing the mats and steering wheel cover. But don't mind. To me it's fun to bring solid, reliable 90s cars back to life.
Just sucks though because it's now slow at work and can't get the money together to fix what I need so I can drive it home. So it's in storage just waiting.
Anyhow...after some further self-inspection, along with an emissions testing and having codes scanned, I sort of know where I stand now.
The bad news is my car wouldnt pass emissions in the purchased state. But the good news is I am taking it to a state that does not require emissions. One of the codes is reading "multiple misfires". I can feel it misfiring, but I think it may be as simple as spark plugs or boots???
Also, after doing more DIY maintenance (removed air intake, cleaned TB, removed and cleaned fan belt), I see that the car is not as neglected as I thought. Mainly just wear and tear. Nothing that can't be fixed. It just needs some serious TLC, and a full on engine bay cleaning as the previous owner did tell me the old radiator blew up...In turning the compressor clutch by hand, it sounds like the insides got fried so will have to replace (older cars in hot states seem to always have a/c problems. The Maxima is from a long winter state and the compressor is still going at 360,000).
On the flip side: I know someone who bought an Acura Legend 91-94 or something for $1,000. That car is so beat up, he'd have to pay someone $1,000 to buy it. add to the fact he doesn't know s*** about fixing cars. His Sunroof doesn't work, the center console has nothing there, and paint is horrendous. I think initially it was somewhat okay, but then he f*** it up even more. My friends don't know I'm a mechanic on the low, so I keep my mouth shut.
For the most part though...everything exterior on the car is passable and in working condition and I get the occasional stare because it's a long, dark tinted gold car. If it's anything like the Maxima, It should only take me 1-2 years to fully restore it, including paint touchup, suspension, seats, etc. it's already looking better just changing the mats and steering wheel cover. But don't mind. To me it's fun to bring solid, reliable 90s cars back to life.
Just sucks though because it's now slow at work and can't get the money together to fix what I need so I can drive it home. So it's in storage just waiting.
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Q451990
- Moderator
- Posts: 11030
- Joined: Tue Jul 23, 2002 8:21 am
- Car: 1990 Q45 - 118K, 2022 Toyota 4 Runner, 2004 Frontier M/T - 108K, 2012 Xterra (Mom's), 2023 Rogue (Inlaws)
- Location: Columbia, SC
- Contact:
Re: I was bought for $1,000: Trick or Treat
Multiple misfire is likely coil packs. It's a common issue for your series of Q, and the best fix seems to be replacing all 8 coil packs. OEM parts, or Hitachi (OEM supplier) from someplace like RockAuto seem to yield the best long term results.