hello;
i just bought a 1993 J30 in excellent shape for a very reasonable price. this forum is excellent with a lot of knowledgeable and helpful people on it. i do have a couple of questions i'm hoping to be able to get some help with. the dealer i bought the car from represented it as a 1993. when i did a carfax search, indeed it was manufactured in 1993, and the car was originally bought from the dealer in march 1994. my confusion results from the fact that it seems to have some features that i believe where only introduced on the '94. i have heated seats, heated mirrors and dual airbags. however, i also have a four speaker stereo system (bummer) and the original floor mats with J30 embossed on them. is there such a beast as a 1993.5? i'm also wondering if the timing belt would be the kevlar one that needs to be changed later on. is there an "easy" way to tell without taking it to a mechanic. i'm also thinking of buying a dash kit for it. does anyone know what the factory "kit" is ... e.g. dark synthetic burl? how would i match it. i prefer to ignore the dealer i bought it from as they are uniformly unhelpful unless money is flowing from my pocket to theirs'. anyhow, apologize for the long post, but this new acquisition has piqued my interest in cars. thanx.
J30 1993.5?
Congratulations on your new ride. It is possible to have some 94 features on your 93 J. The 94 also had the old style timing belt that required replacement at 60,000 miles. However, if the timing belt has been changed then the new style kevlar belt was almost certainly installed and you're good to go for 105,000 miles from the point of replacement. Water pump, thermostst, drive belts and hoses could be suspect at this point, though.
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maxnix
- Posts: 22627
- Joined: Mon Jul 22, 2002 8:11 pm
- Car: 1995 Infiniti Q45
1995 Infiniti Q45t
2000 Infiniti Q45
Dash Kit
Quote »i'm also thinking of buying a dash kit for it[/quote]
After you have upgarded everything to as new stock, look at http://www.burtmanindustries.com for a dash kit.
After you have upgarded everything to as new stock, look at http://www.burtmanindustries.com for a dash kit.
thanx for the info. one thing i forgot to mention is that the owners manual is for a 1994. is it possible to upgrade the stereo system to a six speaker configuration cheaply? i have "chatted" with jason regarding the dash kit, but i'm still unsure about the best match. i'm considering two options ... getting a real wood veener kit, but my concern would be installing them over the factory pieces. will the new pieces still be flush enough to the dash not to look weird. i'm also thinking of buying a kit that matches the factory installed pieces and not installing those specific pieces over the factory pieces (lots of pieces going on). this is cheaper and i'm trying to figure out what the best match would be. appreciate all the help.
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Mayhem_J30
- Posts: 2643
- Joined: Tue Apr 30, 2002 2:00 am
- Car: Ummm...My Car
- Location: Louisville, KY
6 speaker upgrade...
you would definately need the reciever for the 6 speaker system. i 'd be curious to find out if the amps and speakers are the same for the normal 4 speakers (2 door/2 rear). If so it could be fairly easy. just install the speakers in the a-pillars and wire up the new deck and you'll be ready to go. this is all speculation of course
you would definately need the reciever for the 6 speaker system. i 'd be curious to find out if the amps and speakers are the same for the normal 4 speakers (2 door/2 rear). If so it could be fairly easy. just install the speakers in the a-pillars and wire up the new deck and you'll be ready to go. this is all speculation of course
VIN
hello;
i believe (from memory) that the tenth digit in the VIN is a "P", which i think is a '93. it just strikes me as curious that the owner's manual is 1994, and i have some of the other upgrades but not all. guess i will have to break down and go back to the dealer and get more info. anywho, love the car and it was way cheaper than the Acura TLS or BMW 325i that i was also considering (new). G35 coupe looks pretty attractive also ... maybe in three years. i was going back and forth between new and used for months before i made my decision on the J. i was, and am, concerned about the age of the J, but hopefully it will work out OK. had to get a vehicle since the rx-7 that i've been driving for the last 18 years was no longer meeting my needs. still ran well, but the body was rusting (like mine, come to think of it) and it was to small. gave it to my daughter-in-law and she is happily "zooming" around in it now. i'm in canada and you wouldn't believe the pricing on these vehicles. the new 2003 accord coupe is $35,000 + taxes and the dealers ain't dealin' ... don't want to even contemplate the Acura, BMW or G35. i could have stretched and bought new, but decided the opportunity cost of that money was not desireable since i (like most everyone else) have lots of other places to spend money with an unfortunate limited supply of same. man, this probably way more information than required so i will sign off. thanx for all your help.
i believe (from memory) that the tenth digit in the VIN is a "P", which i think is a '93. it just strikes me as curious that the owner's manual is 1994, and i have some of the other upgrades but not all. guess i will have to break down and go back to the dealer and get more info. anywho, love the car and it was way cheaper than the Acura TLS or BMW 325i that i was also considering (new). G35 coupe looks pretty attractive also ... maybe in three years. i was going back and forth between new and used for months before i made my decision on the J. i was, and am, concerned about the age of the J, but hopefully it will work out OK. had to get a vehicle since the rx-7 that i've been driving for the last 18 years was no longer meeting my needs. still ran well, but the body was rusting (like mine, come to think of it) and it was to small. gave it to my daughter-in-law and she is happily "zooming" around in it now. i'm in canada and you wouldn't believe the pricing on these vehicles. the new 2003 accord coupe is $35,000 + taxes and the dealers ain't dealin' ... don't want to even contemplate the Acura, BMW or G35. i could have stretched and bought new, but decided the opportunity cost of that money was not desireable since i (like most everyone else) have lots of other places to spend money with an unfortunate limited supply of same. man, this probably way more information than required so i will sign off. thanx for all your help.