Is this worth the trouble?

[Dylans3960ccs]

the car in question is a 94 Q45, so . . . is this worth the trouble?

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/cto/1954816047.html

[OwnerCS]

Welcome to NICO!

Are you buying it for a parts car or to it make drivable again?

[Dylans3960ccs]

trying to make it drivable again, these cars are very cool and I'd love to own one so maybe this is my invitation lol.

[BadQ45t]

I hate to say it but walk away. The Q even this older model is too expensive to fix versus a similar run-down Camry, Maxima etc. The parts are just too much and not plentiful.

Unless you really want to do this as a project and you don't have an issue dropping 3-5k into it I'd run away. that said, if that is your budget and you know how to do alot of the work it would be a fun project. I wouldn't be surprised if you ended up spending 5k on it, which is still cheap considering the alteratives.

[Dylans3960ccs]

so what your saying is that the transmission's toast...

you sure it doesn't just need a valve body rebuild?

[BCC93QT]

First off. 500$ is a great price on any running car with out any transmission problems. Even if you want to part it out and sell it I myself would probably take 200$ of parts given the invite. Second, depending on how many miles, history, any so many other things to evaluate you never know. given that it is a 16 year old car chances are it is not worth it but hell, its not worth it money wise to keep spending on my Q but i know what i got so i dont feel guilty.

[Dylans3960ccs]

well anyway, what would it take to fix it?

a valve body rebuild or a new transmission?

[OwnerCS]

One sentence to look out for is: "Car runs, does not pick up speed til it gets to 35mph." This weekend I drove a 96 model that seemed like the same thing. It was throwing a check engine code. Took it to Autozone for a reading, and it needed $500 worth of parts. The knock sensors are under the plenum -- which is no small task. Figure replacing all vacuum hoses with the plenum job. I knew I would be out $1,000 just to get it running somewhat right again -- outside of any transmission work.

Cars of this vintage are great for being a restoration project or fair weather cars. Some parts are no longer available from Nissan/Imfiniti. So if one of those discontinued parts breaks, you might not be able to drive it for some weeks while you find a source to build or overhaul a part. A member from Long Island had a power steering line break to find the part is no longer available. I don't know how it turned out, but the only alternative was to seek out a hydralic repair shop an hope they will take the time to help.

I really love my Q -- but I know I can't rely on it as a daily driver. So far I've been waiting a month for an external OEM transmission filter. If this was a critical part, and I was using it as a daily driver, I would be renting or borrowing a car for a month until the part arrives.

Folks here don't want to be a downer, but we don't want to lead you down a primrose path either.

[goody90q45]

One sentence to look out for is: "Car runs, does not pick up speed til it gets to 35mph." This weekend I drove a 96 model that seemed like the same thing. It was throwing a check engine code.....

If there's no CEL on the Q the OP is looking to buy it could also mean a fuel delivery problem and might be something as easy as a fuel pump and FPCU. I'd try jump starting it to see if the CEL comes on, maybe bypass the FPCU and even pull engine codes.

[Dylans3960ccs]

thank's for the input everyone, I think that I may have to pass on this though.

I never thought it would be a problem to get perishable parts on a car like this, but that's what the forums are for I guess