Looking at a Q45

[iandrew89]

Looked into buying a few cars and nothing ever ended up going through so I now have found a 2001 Infiniti Q45. Silver with black interior. Super clean and runs like a dream. Only downfall is it has 238k on it. Price is $3000 coming from a buddy of mine.











What do you guys think??

[qship96]

LOOKs to be in good condition......but never go just on looks on an old high mile car,especially a expensive one with even more expensive parts. If he doesnt have receipts documenting all maintenance going back for years,skip it regardless of how shiny it looks.At 238K, many expensive parts are at/near the end of their expected lifespan- not a problem as long as you know this and are prepared to spend the $$$$ to replace them as they fail-

[life602]

Too true or u know how to do the work urself otherwise ill pass,wouldn't want to spoil a friendship for a car.but if u still wanna get it do som/e research on buyin some parts like suspension,motor mounts,bushing,etc..and then decide also check how much mechanics charge per hour in ur state...I got me an 02 and everytime I have to change my spark plugs I almost take a dump in my pant...what 10 bucks per spark plug...wtf..

[Jesda]

Three grand seems a little high unless the interior is near perfect, the tires have 80% tread remaining, and there's a pile of records.

[BadQ45t]

I would also strongly suggest you find a local transmission shop to look carefully at the transmission, also see how many times your friend put in fresh fluid. If the transmission dumped 1k after you buy it you may as well have it towed directly to the charity organization.

I would say there is alot of other risk, but 3k isn't alot. However, if you have to dump 5k into it in the next year, the number climbs quickly. Give us some help with some full sets of records and tell us how often you see full fluid exchanges/flushes (and if possible what type synth or conventional), full tune-ups including spark plugs, and especially other things like Knock Sensors (they are shot if original), coil packs, alternator, starter, shocks/struts. Those are all at end of life at this mileage, so if he's not done them you will have to shortly.

If these are all taken care of, 3k is fair. If not then this is a ticking time bomb and I'd tell him to pawn it off on someone else or lower the price to 1k and just drive it until it explodes and you get a $500 charity deduction.

[maxnix]

Condition of fluids and maintenance history is critical. Check all. If no auxiliary transmission cooler and no history of mechanical ATF exchanges, then your are in for a new transmission very soon, which is about $3K at best. Ask him how many times the upper intake plenum has been removed and the interior EGR pipe cleaned or replaced. If he gives you a "Huh?" or "Never" response to any of the above, offer $1K or $1.5K if he is your brother in law and it is his birthday.

Scanning with a good OBD II code scanner will help you know if the coilpacks are failing.