Kiwi Newbie checking in

[GaR]

Hey all,

I recently bought a Q45, and was immediately impressed with the vast quantities of awesome it has.



It's registered as a 1996 Nissan Infiniti. Y'see, Q45s were never sold new in New Zealand. This one however, was never registered anywhere else, and was first registered in NZ in '96.

I'm told that it was brought over from Australia (where they were available, apparently) when brand new, for the director of Nissan NZ.



Although it's registered as a '96, it has the VTC. I assume it was manufactured in '95.



It has full leather interior, and no heated seats (probably an Aussie spec thing - I don't imagine bum warmers are necessary over there).



It has no speed cut that I know of (it screams past 200kph, anyway), and a 260kph (~160mph) speedo.

So yeah. Awesome car. And quite rare in this country too.

::edit::

I'll post up some interior and engine bay pics later on _b

[Razi]

Wow awesome, nice find!

So there's only 1 in NZ or something? Specially imported for the Nissan director in NZ?

[GaR]

Wow awesome, nice find!

So there's only 1 in NZ or something? Specially imported for the Nissan director in NZ?

Only 1 that was actually NZ new, as far as I know.

I've seen 2 others. Ever. And one was a shell with no engine or trans. Or steering rack. They were both pre facelift.

[GaR]

The cluster, note the 260k speedo.

And yeah, 174000km on the clock.



The car cost me $5000NZD, which is something under $4kUSD, I think.

The interior is pretty much spotless



and the mighty VH45DE. I'd marry this engine, if it weren't a crime against nature.

[maxnix]

Nice find. Does it have the gear selcted display in the dash between teh speedomter and the tachometer?

Here's a helpful hint, remove all the keys from your ring except the fob and ignition key. Your ignition cylinder will last much longer and you don't want the expense or trouble of replacing a whole lockset.

Only the 1996 OBD II US version of the VH45DE was missing the variably timed intake camshaft. Nono of the Us models had the side marker light behind the front wheels either.

What is the switch in the console?

The leaping kitty on the hood is the best mascot I have seen yet.

[96Qowner]

Great score GaR! A low mileage, one-of-a-kind! You should find everything you need on NICO. Welcome!

I love the interior color. I've only see the paler tan with the exterior Diamond Jade (DJ2).

[MR. Q]

sweet ride!

[xerexabante]

sweet ride!

Sure is.

But I am The real Mr. Q

LOL

[Infinitiguy19]

t

Nice find. Does it have the gear selcted display in the dash between teh speedomter and the tachometer?

Here's a helpful hint, remove all the keys from your ring except the fob and ignition key. Your ignition cylinder will last much longer and you don't want the expense or trouble of replacing a whole lockset.

Only the 1996 OBD II US version of the VH45DE was missing the variably timed intake camshaft. Nono of the Us models had the side marker light behind the front wheels either.

What is the switch in the console?

The leaping kitty on the hood is the best mascot I have seen yet.

Thats the "TCS Off" switch I think.

[Razi]

Ah! The warning lights panel and the diagnostics panel are in opposite spots!

Cooooooool

[GaR]

Thanks, all.

I've already had a good look around the resources on here - I imagine I'll be hanging around for a while

Nice find. Does it have the gear selcted display in the dash between teh speedomter and the tachometer?

No it doesn't. It's only displayed on the shifter gate itself.

Here's a helpful hint, remove all the keys from your ring except the fob and ignition key. Your ignition cylinder will last much longer and you don't want the expense or trouble of replacing a whole lockset.

Dang. That's a new one.

'course, if the Infiniti key didn't weight ten bloody kg by itself... :P

Only the 1996 OBD II US version of the VH45DE was missing the variably timed intake camshaft. Nono of the Us models had the side marker light behind the front wheels either.

What is the switch in the console?

The leaping kitty on the hood is the best mascot I have seen yet.

If you're referring to the rectangular switch just in front of the central armrest, that's the TCS-off switch.

The cat's called Dipper. He's a menace.

[maxnix]

1,) I've already had a good look around the resources on here - I imagine I'll be hanging around for a while

2.) No it doesn't. It's only displayed on the shifter gate itself.

3.) Dang. That's a new one.

'course, if the Infiniti key didn't weight ten bloody kg by itself... :P

4.) The cat's called Dipper. He's a menace.

1.) You'll learn a lot and keep a great car in great shape.

2.) Then it's not a JDM model. Chally had one of the few Australian models, but he hasn't been around too much lately. I bet they didn't.

3.) Yeah, but the key is in the ignition cylinder when operatiing, so it does not contribute to leveraged weight on the key ring and thence the ignition lock cylinder.

4.) Cats like Q45 hoods. Good to have a guard.

[lino]

2.) Then it's not a JDM model. Chally had one of the few Australian models, but he hasn't been around too much lately. I bet they didn't.

If it's not a JDM model then what is it?

[Chally]

The JDM ones had to be over 10 years old before they were allowed to be imported. Nissan Australia only had 4 dealers Australia wide (maybe 5) so they didn't sell many. Most of the imported ones were gen 1 Q45's & most had active suspension, which invariably, needed attention.

The one above is definitely the same as mine. No need for engine mods.
The speed will be limited to the 250Kph mark.... mines not

BTW, mine got stuck in a Hail storm & got a $12,000 paint job thanks to insurance. Nice!

[blastermaster]

Clean car! I was in NZ recently and loved the open roads. The Q should be fun to drive around the Firth of Thames!