im buying a 97 Q and i just had some general help questions

[krazyfil]

Hey everyone, I don't post here very often, almost close to never..... Anyways the reason I am posting now is because I am about to buy a 97 Q45, but it has about 350k... But I'm getting the car for 2 grand, good deal I think.

Its an older gentleman who takes it everywhere like work and church and stuuf and he already said he has no fear of it not passing smog and he will gladly pay for it too.

My question is, with the mileage being that high is there anything I need to worry about? Or do these motors generally last a long time? Another question I have is as far as aftermarket performance optins what is available and anyone know where to get some good rims cheap like? Thanks again for the help

[qship96]

At 350,000 miles it is a total crapshoot, and has 1 foot in the grave.I would pass this "opportunity" up as there are plenty of much lower mile examples out there for similar dollars.

[krazyfil]

Well where are these good deals u speak of? Everywhrre I've looked they want at least 2-2.5k for like a 91 or a 95 with body damage and other issues, all in all this car is in outstanding condition other than the miles, but they are all freeway miles and he said he has all the maintenance records as well

[oldmako]

That's too much to pay in my opin.

I picked up a choice 99 for $4500 with 120K. These cars cost a small fortune to maintain. With that kind of mileage I'd bet that a whole bunch of it is worn out. Even if you are Joe the Wrencher, the parts alone will kill you. Think about it...350,000 miles of bumps and heat. 350K of butts in the seats, feet on the carpet, road grit into the rad and windshield. 350K of dried out rubber and beat up bearings. A million hours of heat on every wire under the hood. Think the oil has been changed 90 times?

If you had to replace ONLY the transmission and struts, you are at least $5000 into this ride. So, now you have a car with 350K for 7 grand.

If you must have it, and he has a foot thick stack of RECENT receipts, then jump. I wish you all the best.

My council would be to spend about 5K upfront and find a schweeet 99-01 with around 100K. It can be done with a bit of patience. Even then, you will skating on thin ice with regard to future maint and what not...gnomesane?

[krazyfil]

Well the thing is I only have 3k to work with, and like I said other than this guy, most people want just as much or more for much older Q's with body damage or expired tags and such.... Am I jjust not looking in the right places?..... There is one a 91 q45 the guy wants 1500 for it with like 125k I think, but I like the look of the new ones better

[oldmako]

3 grand is a bit schlimmmmmm for one of these mothers. You'll spend a grand on a suitable set of tires. Spark plugs? 100 bucks at Autozone. Injectors are what....80 bucks a pop? Same for coils? If you can only pony up three C's, look for a nice Mazda Millenia.

[krazyfil]

Blegh a fwd car? Hell no! I would rather take my chances with the Q lol.... Is 2k a reasonable price for a 94 with about 125k on it?

[Victor]

By California law the seller is responsible to get the car through smog test, so he isn't doing you any special favor by saying he will pay for it.

[krazyfil]

I know that, but most people usually try to avoid it or don't wanna pay for it at all, so its just kinda cool he is actually volunteering... But I changed my mind on the car already, I didn't realize that it went down to the 4.1l v8... But thanks for the help guys, I'm just gonna go with either this 91 or 92... But back to the other questions... Where are some good places to find decent rims or performance parts?

[maxnix]

I didn't realize that it went down to the 4.1l v8... But thanks for the help guys, I'm just gonna go with either this 91 or 92... But back to the other questions... Where are some good places to find decent rims or performance parts?

With only $3K of capital, you can't even afford to restore a G50 if it were given to you. You could restore a free FGY33 in excellent condition, but could you afford to run and maintain it?

You certainly don't want an early G50 unless it has the new chain guides, a new transmission, new suspension, new radiator, under plenum hoses, plugs, VC gaskets, brakes, new rear subframe, good differential and steering rack and maintianed and recharged AC. And then only if it were a gift.

How can you even think of "rims or performance parts" on a bicycle budget?

[NightRiderQ45]

How can you even think of "rims or performance parts" on a bicycle budget?

Exactly!!! LMAO! Sorry fella, but this isn't the car for you if you are on that budget. Oldmako, plugs are around $60 from Autozone not $100. Even cheaper than that if you can catch a special from Joe.

[bullittandy]

The only repair that I have HAD to complete on the three Y33's that I've owned are the valve cover gaskets (and everyone needed them).

The Y33 is a car that can be bought and run. If you want one (and don't care if it runs as new) buy it.

The assumption that is made in all of these types posts is that EVERYONE wants their 10-20 year old car to run "as new." But this is an assumption and an opinion, some care, some don't.

I like my cars to look good, washing and waxing them regularly but I'm not fixing tiny dents and painting them so they look perfect. Mechanically, my 99 has got a small vibe coming through the shifter-I don't LIKE it but i can LIVE with it-until it grinds away at my soul!!! LOL

[krazyfil]

See that's all I'm wanting though is the car to get me from point a to b, I don't care about making it some "vip" car... I just want a smooth comfortable ride, although I don't like the fact it got dumbed down to the 4.1l but hey I guess ill save on gas right.... I'm having a dughter born in feb and I want something nice and safe for her to ride in that's all, routine maintenance like oil changes and spark plugs and crap is no problem, my main concern was wether I had anything to worry about like the stupid chain guide issues or anything else, since I believe this was the first year they went to the smaller engine right? Well lemme know if this is a good deal, for just a basic non vip car.... Thanks again

Phil

[maxnix]

For what you want, the later 1999-2001 with the side air bags and other improvements would be better.

But your budget it is too low. Around $10K and you should be able to do it.

[Rex]

A 350k mile 97 for $2k is not a bad deal.

But let me ask what some others have in their own way. What will you do if the engine or transmission dies in the first few months (year even)?

[krazyfil]

Ok, well first off I don't have 10k obviously lol

2nd, if it foes I I'm basically fubar

3rd... I have another question, I just called a guy about a 95q with only 140k and he told me the only thing wrong with the car mechanically is the computer has to be reset... Wtf does that mean?

Ooh and does the 97 come with the bose system still and the heated seats standard like on the earlier models?

[maxnix]

Heated seats only on t and ae models.

Computer needs to be reset? Bid red flag! Maybe the 1995 can be fixed.

If you spend enough time here and know what to look for, it could be worth investigating. Ask him for all service records, investigate, then report back.
Modified by maxnix at 11:48 AM 11/6/2008

[Rex]

Ok, well first off I don't have 10k obviously lol

2nd, if it foes I I'm basically fubar

3rd... I have another question, I just called a guy about a 95q with only 140k and he told me the only thing wrong with the car mechanically is the computer has to be reset... Wtf does that mean?

Ooh and does the 97 come with the bose system still and the heated seats standard like on the earlier models?

Don't worry, very few looking at used Q's have 10k, that's part of why you're getting the responses you are. No one wants you to have a 2 ton anchor in a few months.

Fubar is a bad way to be, worry more about the mechanical condition and less about everything else. It would be horrible if you had to decide between diapers or parts by Summer time.

My guess is he means it's throwing a CEL "check engine light", and he thinks a simple reset will get you past smog, etc. That's a big gamble given the unknowns. But it might be worth pulling the codes to see what needs fixing and use that to talk him down.

Not all pre-97's came with heated seats, but I'm pretty sure all Q's came with a Bose system up through the 01 models at least.

The one thing to keep in mind is these cars are only selling used for cheap prices, because they're going to need expensive repairs, you just don't know when.

Read up on the costs (new, used, Autozone, etc) of the following:Knock sensorso2 sensorsAlternatorsSpark Plugs

And the effort to replace them.

At 350k, even a well cared for transmission - external ATF cooler added early in it's life, annual flushes (not just drain/re-fill), both internal and external filters changed, etc - may be near the end of it's life. Price one of those, even a claimed good low mile used one.

[krazyfil]

Well when I asked the guy if it was a CEL he said it wasn't that, he said his mechanic said the car needs to be brought in and hooked to their computer, he also said they haven't really driven it since they bought it cuz they didn't realize it had a v8 in it... Sounds kinda bogus to me so ima just let that one go.

As far as parts costs and such, I will never choose between baby needs or car parts, she has a car already, so if it came down to it we would just continue using her car.. I haven't had a car for the past 7-10 months so it wouldn't matter to me if I had to wait a while and fix something.

But I was reading the "so u want to buy a q45" post and I noticed in the y33 section some of the recalls like the alternator, how would u go about checking to see if that was ever fixed or if this model is affected? Will nissan still service it for free even though its been 10 years if it is still in fact the original "which given the miles doesn't seem likely lol"

And as far as the "bicycle budget" comment... I came asking for a simple question, from some knowledgable people, if I wanted to talk to a clown I'd go to a circus ok, so for future reference, keep stuff like that to yourself. If u don't have any useful info then don't say anything. I only asked if u knew any places to get them... As in what I do with my money or my car is my choice and u shouldn't worry what I do with either.

Phil

[maxnix]

The recall is by VIN.

Some nice road bicycles cost in excess of $7K.

The point is if you blow your wad on the purchase price, you won't have a cash kitty to restore and maintain any car. On a FGY33, you should have a $3K cash kitty after purchase to correct the deferred maintenance.

[krazyfil]

Well that I can understand, but I honestly don't ever plan on buying ANY car that I have to immediately turn around and dump 3k into... But as far as the vin number thing, can I just bring it down to nissan and will they look it up for me for free?

[maxnix]

What do you think used means? Why do you think the previous owner decided to part with it? You may have to only spend $400, $1,200, $2K initially, but if your transmission goes bad, you will eat up almost all that $3K cash reserve. New fluids and filters alone will cost you $400. Brakes and shocks much more.

I hear the Versa is about $10K new. All you will have to dump into that is a new tank of gas until service comes up.

Yes, ask your friendly service writer or manager about the recall with the VIN in hand. Hopefully you have cultivated such a realtionship.

[NightRiderQ45]

Heated seats only on t and ae models.Modified by maxnix at 11:48 AM 11/6/2008

Not true my friend. My non t/ae 98 have heated seats.

[maxnix]

Mine does not. It was true on the G50, but maybe active also included heated seats after a certain year.

Do you still have your OEM window sticker?

[Rex]

Well that I can understand, but I honestly don't ever plan on buying ANY car that I have to immediately turn around and dump 3k into... But as far as the vin number thing, can I just bring it down to nissan and will they look it up for me for free?

If the seller is motivated, they should provide you with maintenance records.

Call Infiniti Customer Service with the VIN, maybe you'll get lucky and find someone willing to read off the history.

[Rex]

Mine does not. It was true on the G50, but maybe active also included heated seats after a certain year.

Do you still have your OEM window sticker?

My 1st Q45 (1994) was not a "t" nor active and had heated seats. I never had the window sticker.

[maxnix]

My 1st Q45 (1994) was not a "t" nor active and had heated seats. I never had the window sticker.

Well I know it wasn't standard on the standard models, so it may have been a stand alone option. I know all t in 1995 had them as part of the package.

Call Infiniti Customer Service with the VIN, maybe you'll get lucky and find someone willing to read off the history.

Not unless you are registered as the owner.

[tangywaffle]

Not unless you are registered as the owner.

not true. i used to be a customer service advisor at a nissan dealership. with the potential of having a new customer with a 12 year old infiniti with 350k miles... just call with the VIN and explain the situation. it's just a point and click for them. they'll do it if they know what's good for them.

[krazyfil]

So I can just call them and ask for a history report? Or just call and ask if my vin number has any recalls? Or can I do both?

[maxnix]

not true. i used to be a customer service advisor at a nissan dealership.

My comment applied only to national Infinti Customer Service, not dealer customer service.

Even some dealers won't give you the information if you don't own the car. Why it is so necessary to have a good realtionship with a writer or manager.