Just bought a 1992 Q45a with 203k miles on it for $1,000 but...

[tophatpainter]

I am a new Infiniti owner. I knew right away it was a car worth owning even if it meant putting a lot of money into it to get it right. I talked him down from $1100 because the power steering pump needed to be replaced and he had the part. He said he'd already done the timing on it.Good stuff.Then I find out that the pump he pulled wouldn't fit our belts (is this because of the active suspension?). The pump is a bit smaller in general. I was told I could swap the pulleys, but I'm not sure what kind of problems that would cost. I have a mechanic taking a look at it for me, one that worked on foreign market luxury cars (Nissan/Infiniti's included) but needed some other input.Also, the car seems to have a high pitched drone when driven above 30-40, like it's revving high. The RPM's are around 1700 though, and I've read in other threads that this could be from the drive-train or from the transmission mounts. And the ACTSUS does not work. Could this be from the pump being blown? The ACT is all dismantled under the hood and it handles like I'm on a lake, but I read that it might cost something like $2,000 to fix. It also smokes like crazy out of the exhaust and some times from the catalytic converter. Yay.I'm new to cars. At least to cars that need this much work. But, my wife and I are both ready and willing to fix this car up (yep, my wife WANTS me to spend time and money fixing this car up), but aren't really sure where to start. I'm not 100% sure that the chain guide issue was taken care of when the timing was done, but we can probably find that out tomorrow when I talk to the mechanic. I saw that the Active Q's were rare enough for people to submit video proof of sightings and thought I should start asking around about what to do to them. Thanks in advance.

[seldomseen]

Congrats on the new purchase! However, the cost of parts and cost involved in fixing this car just to get it running halfway reliable will easily cost you $10,000+

How much money have you budgeted to get this car operating properly? In all honesty, the grand you spend would probably been better off used toward a down payment on a newer vehicle with far less miles.

[tophatpainter]

I'm starting to see that it will cost us quite a bit to get this thing running good, but I think it'll be worth it. We were expecting a daily driver, turnkey car (which goes to show you I don't know jack about cars) and didn't really plan to be putting so much money into it. But, as much as $1,000 would go towards a newer car, the payments would have eaten me alive. Aaaaannnddd I have not just terrible credit, but a might tasty repo on my record. On top of the terrible credit. Live and learn. The mechanic I mentioned said he had a motor that will more than likely fit this car, but I don't remember the specs. Purchasing this car has made me a little obsessed with fixing it up nice. Is that what usually happens? Normal, well mannered folks all of a sudden become Infiniti addicts? I'd heard of such a thing with VoltzWagens, but not with luxury Nissans.As far as budget, I can do without my left arm and we've been thinking about our first born...

[seldomseen]

Good luck with the project! Post some pics of the progress you make with your new ride!

[AdamLowther]

Please get rid of this car. If you read the FAQs and listen to advice it should become readily apparent that it is a losing cause.

Even if you send it to the junkyard, the $1000 hit now will be cheaper than spending one more dollar on it.

Sorry.

[Q45tech]

Everyone needs projects and hobbies. They are all expensive.A lot less expensive than children or spouses.

[tophatpainter]

That's what it looks like. It just isn't feasible at the moment. With any luck the mechanic I talk to tomorrow will have some better options than to just eat $1,000. I am hoping, at the very least, that I can get the power steering fixed and consider selling it. Or engine swapping. To be honest, if I have to put this thing on the side and get something else as a daily driver, I'll do it. I've seen more talk about making this a good car than I have of tossing this car away.

[Infinitiguy19]

Keep your car because I have learned though being on NICO that it takes: Time, Money and Knowledge to restore or maintain a car.

If you want to find out all you would ever want to know talk to Keith AKA texasoil.

You can reach keith here: http://www.activesuspensionsys....html

And if you want any info on any other part of the Q45 beside the active suspension system email me (which is in my profile).

But to sell the car ....How can you be sure it will be in better hands than you???

Good luck and Welcome to NICO.
Modified by Paul Wall at 7:04 PM 10/19/2009

[Peterofdevon]

Hi,

If you are a master automobile mechanic/hobbiest and have a heated garage with a lift- or if you don't mind spending 15 to 20K. Then have fun. I love these cars. Been driving a G50 since 1992, had five, two in the stable today. I would not touch this one though.



Peter

[seldomseen]

If you purchased this car as a long range, EXPENSIVE project, then you're in good shape. But if you purchased it hoping to turn it into a reliable car with little money....you bought the wrong car!

Even if you could fix the car yourself, the cost of the parts alone would give little reason to do so. If you decide to scrap the idea of trying to fix this car---consider parting it out online. You may be able to recoop some of your losses.

[Infinitiguy19]

I bought a 1991 Infiniti Q45 in the hope of making back 100 times what I bought it for. So far I have made a conciderable amiunt but I don't remmber the exact amount.

And its been more than ONE YEAR since I last had the car.

So as you can see there is not much demand for parts no matter how low I go on the prices. I am not selling TPS sensor for $15 plus shipping (like one person asked me) and I am not selling airbags for brand new prices either.

So unless you get yourself a time machine and go back to when people were actually making money of parting out Q45's, then you restore the car or sell the car to a NICO member.

Like I said if you have knowledge and some time you can go very far in life.

[Q45tech]

Just imagine a 1994 Q45a in 2020 when gasoline is $15 per gallon and the dollar is worthless.

[qship96]

Just imagine a 1994 Q45a in 2020 when gasoline is $15 per gallon and the dollar is worthless.

Yeah, and the new 2020 2 cylinder cars beat the old Q in acceleration while getting 50 miles per gallon!!!!! Kinda like the current 6 cylinder sedans available at your local dealer today.

[tophatpainter]

If you are a master automobile mechanic/hobbiest and have a heated garage with a lift- or if you don't mind spending 15 to 20K.

The mechanic I found is ASE certified and used to work on foreign luxury cars. His father worked for Nissan in the engineering department and they are both Nissan fans. He also backs everything up he does in writing with a warranty even though he does this part time now. Rather than find a mechanic that works on cars I found a car lover who became a mechanic. And his garage is even heated.What I find the most interesting is the differences in cost and enthusiasm. If this were an American muscle gem I feel like there'd be a lot more people interested in the challenge. Ok, sure, lets say it costs us $20,000. Please, please tell me where I can find a brand new luxury car for $20,000? One that performed as well as these cars did and can? Should I go with Jaguar? The main factor for this car being worth it is that it is a rare car to fix up. I can go multiple routes with it and it will, in the long run, be worth every penny. This is something my wife and I are willing to put our money, a lot of money, into. I'm an airbrush artist, so this, I'm sure, will give me access to even more people that might be interested in great airbrush art. Getting into fixing this car is the type of thing my kids will see and be influenced by.The mechanic I'm going through can see the value in this. He was the type to show me what to do as he went so I didn't always have to take it back to him. He saw the challenge in fixing this car and shared in our enthusiasm.

Just imagine a 1994 Q45a in 2020 when gasoline is $15 per gallon and the dollar is worthless.

I know right? What makes you so sure that we will even burn fuel?

Keep your car because I have learned though being on NICO that it takes: Time, Money and Knowledge to restore or maintain a car.Good luck and Welcome to NICO. Modified by Paul Wall at 7:04 PM 10/19/2009

Thanks for the welcome and the advice. I'll be emailing Keith today. [IMG][/IMG]

[CINNALOCKS]

I am curious (AdamLowther) why you would tell him to please get rid of it. You have what 39 posts, been here for how long a year or so? If he has an interest in the car, why not keep it and do it right?

Most of us love the car, it is not about the money. Some of us bought the car thinking we were smarter than the previous owner and learned quickly that we were not and should have bought another newer car.

Those of us who like the car, know we have to pay for whatever we drive, even after payments are made, if we want a nice looking dependable piece of transportation. So we keep the car, save our money and do what needs to be done, for the pleasure of driving this one of a kind piece of equipment.

I personally enjoy having a vehicle that does not look like every other vehicle on the road, is fifteen yrs old, still has style, comfort, power and character not shared by current models.

Keep the vehicle, make it right and you will not be sorry!!!!!!!


Modified by CINNALOCKS at 11:50 AM 10/23/2009

[CINNALOCKS]

[BLACKonBLACK98]

What I find the most interesting is the differences in cost and enthusiasm. If this were an American muscle gem I feel like there'd be a lot more people interested in the challenge. Ok, sure, lets say it costs us $20,000. Please, please tell me where I can find a brand new luxury car for $20,000? One that performed as well as these cars did and can? Should I go with Jaguar? The main factor for this car being worth it is that it is a rare car to fix up. I can go multiple routes with it and it will, in the long run, be worth every penny. This is something my wife and I are willing to put our money, a lot of money, into. I'm an airbrush artist, so this, I'm sure, will give me access to even more people that might be interested in great airbrush art. Getting into fixing this car is the type of thing my kids will see and be influenced by.The mechanic I'm going through can see the value in this. He was the type to show me what to do as he went so I didn't always have to take it back to him. He saw the challenge in fixing this car and shared in our enthusiasm.

if you can realistically afford to put the money into the car and genuinely appreciate the car enough to justify doing so then, by all means, go for it.

the member base here is about 50% experienced owners who's main focus is simply keeping the q on the road, 49% new owners that didn't know what they were getting themselves into, and the remaining 1% being new q45ers trying to do something special by any means necessary. the 50% will naturally group you with the 49% on simple probability, which explains the common responses.

[AdamLowther]

Hi Cinna,

Fair question.

I guess because:

1) the engine is "smoking" - so not knowing much more about the car, assume he needs some significant engine work @ 200K + Miles with previous owners who have obviously not kept it up, it seems unlikely that the engine work is minor. Any kind of shop labour on a import V8 DOHC makes it close to the cost of the car to come up with a diagnosis. He has mentioned swapping engines, which is fine if he has the time. But that isnt plug and play all the time, + the cost of installation. + chain guides. 2) The car handles like it is "On a lake" obviously the ACTSUS needs some work.

3) TopHat said himself that he is "new to cars"

Hobbies are good and I certianally have spent more than I should have on something I enjoyed doing. But is anyone doing him a favor by encouraging him to put more $ into this car? Maybe if he had the tools, shop and knowhow, but without that its gonna cost a ton.

If he's looking for a base for a project car, he may do better to start over, esp. considering how inexpensive a decent running Q is.

Long, but you asked.

PS. Ive had two Q's now and do the work myself, so Im not completely in the dark, even though I have posted <40 times.

[tophatpainter]

Hi Cinna, the engine is "smoking" - so not knowing much more about the car, assume he needs some significant engine work @ 200K + Miles with previous owners who have obviously not kept it up, it seems unlikely that the engine work is minor. Any kind of shop labour on a import V8 DOHC makes it close to the cost of the car to come up with a diagnosis.

The mechanic has determined there is an oil leak that is causing the smoke (since the majority of the smoke is coming from around the catalytic converter, not the engine or the exhaust pipe). The leak is mild, but has been with the car for a little while and I will be pressure washing the engine so we can determine where it is coming from for sure. Oddly enough, the engine runs beautifully. The only real noise seems to come from the drive-line. Also, he is charging $40 an hour in a fully operable shop with signed, in writing warranty for any work he does. I also plan to be there as much as possible for all the work that is to be done on the car. And his dad used to work for Nissan around the time these cars either started production or were coming off the line.I am very thankful for the warnings. Don't misinterpret that at all. I am heading those warnings in what ways I can and looking at other ways to fix whatever might need to be fixed. We are pricing parts, getting into touch with people who have messed with these cars, and getting a good idea of what we will need to put into this. At this point in time though, my wife wont actually let me get rid of the car even if I wanted to. We are looking at other Q's to buy to make one Q if necessary. And I know this isn't an episode of pimp my ride where I'll walk into the garage and it'll be all done (unless, of course, someone wants to make that happen... I mean, I'm just sayin...). I think the only thing that is making us hesitate is that it is an active Q with so much destruction done to the suspension. I will save my own life by not telling people on here what the general idea is with the suspension, but lets just say we are saving our pennies to git er done.Hopefully I will have some pictures to put up soon of any major repairs we end up going through. Thanks again for all the helpful advice.

[AdamLowther]

Well sounds like you are on the right track then. Best of luck. I have enjoyed many hours wrenching, I know what you mean.

[lino]

The mechanic I found is ASE certified and used to work on foreign luxury cars. His father worked for Nissan in the engineering department and they are both Nissan fans. He also backs everything up he does in writing with a warranty even though he does this part time now. Rather than find a mechanic that works on cars I found a car lover who became a mechanic. And his garage is even heated.

You're so luck to find someone like that. That's a blessing. It's hard enough to find anyone these days that takes pride in their work. It would be nice to meet his father and get his thoughts.

What I find the most interesting is the differences in cost and enthusiasm. If this were an American muscle gem I feel like there'd be a lot more people interested in the challenge. Ok, sure, lets say it costs us $20,000. Please, please tell me where I can find a brand new luxury car for $20,000? One that performed as well as these cars did and can? Should I go with Jaguar?

Definitely not a Jag (unless it's an e-type .

I think it's wonderful that you and your wife agree on what you plan on doing. I'm not against the idea of a Q45a. I'm not opposed to what you feel is fit to invest. The only thing I'd suggest is be absolutely sure that your car is the one you want to invest in. If yes then you're all set. If no, then take your time shopping because there are so many Q45s to choose from for very little money. Also sometimes the difference between buying a car for $2000 more can mean the difference of buying a car with 150,000 miles less.

Whatever you decide to do, you have nothing to worry about because you found a great place. There are lots of extremely wonderful people here that are willing to help and answer any questions. Best of luck with your project. I'm looking forward to see how you make out.

[tophatpainter]

I think it's wonderful that you and your wife agree on what you plan on doing. I'm not against the idea of a Q45a. I'm not opposed to what you feel is fit to invest. The only thing I'd suggest is be absolutely sure that your car is the one you want to invest in. If yes then you're all set.

At first we weren't sure. We really liked the car and what we read on here regarding all the issues, we had second thoughts. But after talking with each other and with the mechanic we found, we settled on this one. I think the main reason is that it has a lot of work to go into it. We have to put so much more care into it than we would a more user friendly car. When this car is up to par, it will be much more rewarding. And oddly enough, we like the idea of having an active Q and seeing what we can do to make it active again.

Whatever you decide to do, you have nothing to worry about because you found a great place. There are lots of extremely wonderful people here that are willing to help and answer any questions. Best of luck with your project. I'm looking forward to see how you make out.

It's the information we found on here that made us decide to keep the car. The fact there is support for our Q addiction and the people on here who have been through it as Q owners make us pretty confident that this is what we want to spend out time on. I can see people really love these cars and I can see why they do. That and I just figured out how to make the steering column reset every time I turn the car off and open the door. I chuckle every single time.