Just bought my first Q45! Oh Crap!

[Silverdot]

I went on Craigslist and bought a 95 Q45 for $1600. Honestly I was just looking for a car to get back and forth to work. I had no idea what I was buying or how awesome the car really is. I just spent tonight reading the owners manual. I'm finding all kinds of buttons and functions that I had no idea were even there. While cleaning the car today I found a 6" thick manual in the trunk. The receipt was being used as a book mark and the book cost $145.00. Score! I was going to look for a Haynes manual and saw that they didn't have one. So glad I found that. I'm also glad I found this forum. I've learned so much just from reading. Let me tell you guys about my car.

The Bad

The guy I bought it from said the transmission was replaced at 160K miles. I didn't believe him until I saw the receipt. I thought I was good but then I got into the car to go to Taco Bell and saw the error "Transmission Malfunction". I found a post on here about how to put it in diagnostic mode and see the error code. Going to try that out tomorrow. I turned the car on and shift into Drive and then push the gas and nothing happens. I then put it into reverse and it backs up. Then put it back into Drive and it goes. At first I thought I just had the parking break on. (That thing is crazy) I think it may have just needed a second to warm up, or I'm an idiot and did something wrong.

The other big thing is the passenger side door and rear passenger door don't open! I wasn't about to force it open either because knowing my luck I wouldn't be able to put it back. The windows don't go down either. Kind of makes me feel like I only have half a car. The shop down the street wants me to pay $100 just to look at it. I might need to just price shop around on that one.

Starting it up is scary. I read in the owners manual that sometimes when it's hot you may have to put the gas pedal down to help it start. That seems weird to me that they would put that in the owners manual. I also found a radiator fan in the trunk. I don't know if that has anything to do with it. I saw some receipts that the previous owners had some work done on the alternator. I'm getting it checked out tomorrow at a shop. I don't like the feeling of "is my car going to start today?"

The Good

ALL THE BUTTONS! Have you guys checked out the seat control buttons? Freakin awesome! I feel like I'm in the captains seat on a spaceship. Granted the interior looks awful, seats are torn, spills everywhere, but I did my best to vacuum and clean it up. Got a brush out on all the small grooves and wiped everything down.

It's a super smooth ride. I can really feel the transmission shifting, but as far as the road and turning, changing lanes etc. It's super smooth. If you don't watch your speed you can get into trouble. I didn't even notice I was going 80 on I-35.

Hopefully I don't have to spend too much money on it. If I can make it a few months and save up the money I spent on it I'll be happy. Based on what I'm reading here the car should last me a long time. Well at least long enough to get one that's not 20 years old. I love the forum and you guys are awesome. Thanks for all the threads and info!

-Ken Tabor
Austin, TX

[OwnerCS]

Welcome to NICO!

[Turbon8er]

I thought I was good but then I got into the car to go to Taco Bell and...

there's your problem... the Q is more of a 'Whole Foods parking lot' kinda car.


.. but srsly. Welcome, dude! You'll probably find guys on here that have dealt with the same stuff. Just hit the Search button in this forum for specific matters.

[Q451990]

Hey now... Taco Bell is going high end. They jacked up the $1 five layer burrito to $1.59 and I'm out!

to NICO Silverdot!

I wouldn't worry about pressing the gas pedal when starting the car. I've never heard of anyone actually having to do that... I'm guessing it's a CYA thing that Nissan put in there so that they'd have a "that's normal" excuse in certain circumstances that have never really happened in the real world.

The transmission deal is troubling... was it a factory transmission or aftermarket rebuild? You might try replacing the filter screen and changing the fluid - but I have a feeling that's going to be a problem. These transmissions don't need to "warm up" to engage. Let us know what the self test says - maybe you'll get lucky.

Heath