J30 compared to Q45

[bullittandy]

My folks are thinking about a J30, do any of you Q45 guys have any expereince driving one? How does it compare? Especially to a 97+?

[Rex]

It's smaller, less powered, heavier and has dated looks yet the resell seems to be better than a Q?!?!? .

The drive, assuming the suspension hasn't been trashed, is nice, maybe a little floaty.

Areas to watch out for areTiming belt (ever done)Water pump (should have been done with t-belt)Trans - add external cooler

Over all nice cars, just think a 3/4 sized Q.

I'd recommend a similar year I30 for a better overall experience. Assuming your parents don't care about RWD/FWD

[Q45tech]

The I30 is just a fancied up Maxima, so more techs are familiar with it's repair.The J30 needs a 300zx specialty shop or dealer to avoid the average mechaics disasters which can cripple a fine car.

Not to say that the average mechanic cannot easily destroy a Maxima but they have to try harder.

[NY94J30]

I owned 2 J30s (1994, 1996 T) before my current Q (1999). The J has a much smaller, more intimate, feel, both inside the cabin and as a whole. It took me some time to feel comfortable in the bigger Q. While I wouldn't call the J floaty, neither the standard nor touring model J was as tight as my touring Q. Gas mileage was only minimally better, too; I was lucky to get 24mpg on a long hwy trip. Good tires are also important, as the rear end is very easy to get loose. Rex is right about the timing belt (105K on 95+, 60K before), as the VG is an interference engine. All in all, it was a great car, and a great looking (IMO) and unique car, and if there were more low mileage examples, I might have another one.

Feel free to ask any specific questions.

[Jesda]

J30 is a sweet car. The interior is a half step nicer thanks to a few details, cost of ownership is far lower, and the handling is superior. It feels very "together" as one solid piece of automobile.

But its slow. Not painfully slow, but not the highway screamer the Q is.

[q45p]

I owend a 95 j30 I loved it had it for about 10 yeats I just got my q last year I never had any problems with my j30.

[bullittandy]

I owned 2 J30s (1994, 1996 T) before my current Q (1999). The J has a much smaller, more intimate, feel, both inside the cabin and as a whole. It took me some time to feel comfortable in the bigger Q. While I wouldn't call the J floaty, neither the standard nor touring model J was as tight as my touring Q. Gas mileage was only minimally better, too; I was lucky to get 24mpg on a long hwy trip. Good tires are also important, as the rear end is very easy to get loose. Rex is right about the timing belt (105K on 95+, 60K before), as the VG is an interference engine. All in all, it was a great car, and a great looking (IMO) and unique car, and if there were more low mileage examples, I might have another one.

Feel free to ask any specific questions.

Thanks, this is good info (and of course to everyone else). The part about it being smaller will appeal to my mom since it will be her car. It seems that there are tons of trashed examples, few low mileage ones, kind of like early 90's Q's.

I also think that they are great looking, first time I ever saw one until the last time (yesterday)-but lord do I hate those reverse lights.

On a related note, it seems that the 2000+ I30's are so much cleaner, better cared for than the 98/99 models. I can't remember the last time I saw a 98/99 that had clean wheels and shiny paint.

Tech, good to know the 300TT comparison, I read a thread somewhere on here where a guy put a 300Z engine into a J30 and the problems he was having make some of the stuff on the Q45 board look like child's play.

[Rex]

Just to clarify my "floaty" comment. I was making that assumption based on him looking for ~97 J's and the high likelihood that they were still on the stock suspension. There's a difference between fresh, trashed and just 10 year old suspension parts.

Also, there were both J30 & J30t models. The small spoiler does alot to break up the "egg" looking rear.

I looked at picking one up a time or two, but "decent ones" were usually going for more than I paid for Da Beast, and I just couldn't justify that?!?!

[Q45tech]

Unsure about the so called engine swap since the J30 and 300zx and AT are indentical in the non turbo version.The 300zxtt AT and Q45 transmission are identical.

Onwers are able to easily destroy their car if they try hard enough.

Eventually J30 has problems with CAS and VVT solenoids, when depends on whether the oil was changed every 90 or 180 days............more frequent oil changes can stretch these repairs by double the mileage.

[AlabamaDan]

I loved my J30. Absolutely loved it. If my wife would let me have 4 cars, I'd buy one tomorrow. Things to watch out for are the timing belt. It needs to be changed at 120k I think for the 97. The newer models have a teflon belt. For some reason the door panels seem to wear on the top where someone would rest their elbow. I can't tell you how many I saw like that. I think the window regulators are also a weak point.

Like I said, I'd buy another one tomorrow. I think they're a blast to drive. They are still RWD and have the V6 like a 300ZX. The body is a little heavy, but I like the way it fishtails when making a left turn!

If you buy a black one I've got a nearly new set of floor mats I might sell. I've been saving them for when I bought another, but I don't think it's going to happen.

[paranoidjack]

My folks are thinking about a J30, do any of you Q45 guys have any expereince driving one? How does it compare? Especially to a 97+?

andy it really is a fun car. Fits like a glove, and has all the power you need for a little cockpit, especially for your folks if they are not speed demons.

The car is abysmal in the snow. Worst car I've ever driven in the snow, far worse than my Q or crown vic. Even worse than my buddy's v8 dodge RWD pickup....

I got stuck one time in an inch of snow/ice, took 2 hours with 2x4's, shovels, etc.. to finally break free.

If your folks don't like driving in the snow, this is probably not the car for them since there is no TC.

But god damn, what a fun car to drive. Engine sounds so sweet. Off the line I think it's faster than my Q.

EDIT: I see you're in ATL. Maybe winter won't be an issue then.

Knock sensors also seem prone to go on these motors. Mine went at 115k.

[Q45tech]

Wierd, since the J30 rear suspension is a mini me clone of the Q and 300zx...the only differences are caused by the J30 slightly narrower track.VLSD are common to both just gear ratios are different due to need for more revs for V6 to pull J30 weight.

Maybe your choice of correct winter ice/snow tires for conditions.

[Haitian_King]

I loved my friend's J30t. Really nice.

[93jdirty']

Alabama dan how much for the black floor mats???

[paranoidjack]

Wierd, since the J30 rear suspension is a mini me clone of the Q and 300zx...the only differences are caused by the J30 slightly narrower track.VLSD are common to both just gear ratios are different due to need for more revs for V6 to pull J30 weight.

Maybe your choice of correct winter ice/snow tires for conditions.

Most likely, yes. I think I had some bridgestones on there. I have toyos on my Q, and they are truly amazing in the snow.

The lack of weight and traction control I don't think helped.