Looking to buy a 92 Q45?? Help!!!

[alarsen77]

Hi guys i am looking at a 1992 Q45 with 80,000 original miles on the car. The guy that has it now got it about a month ago and got it from the original owner. I don't think the chain guides have been done, but not sure. He is asking 3200 OBO. Do you think this is worth it for this car seeing as it might need the chain guides done? Other than that the car runs smooth and rides so nice the interior is CLEAN the body has some dings and needs a good wash and the front bumper has some paint peeling. Also has an extra set of wheels with snow tires on the car. So let me know what your thoughts are on the car and the price.

[maxnix]

Two words: service history. What is it?

Good news is you are not too far from

Keith Vanmeter Auto Repair(856) 415-2022395 Wenonah AveMantua, NJ 08051

for an accurate assessment of its condition.

[alarsen77]

The original owner took the car to the dealer for all service according to the guy that has it now. The guy that has it now has only had it for a month and hasn't had to do any service on the car. He just lost his job and has 3 cars and needs to get rid of this one. Upon looking at the car the motor sounded good the antifreeze in the car looked very clean. Very smooth running and shifting. Sounds like the car had a slight exhaust leak towards the middle-front of the car. Other than that i am not sure i would have to see if i could get a hold of the original owner for any more info but not sure if that will be possible.

[Q451990]

You, or the current owner should be able to have the dealership pull a full service history report by providing the VIN.

Heath

[maxnix]

No mention of ATF, brake, or PS fluid. Very expensive systems to replace if fluid is allowed to deteriorate.

[alarsen77]

ok i will call the dealer i have the vin # for the car did a carfax on it and it showed up clean. But the timing chain guides are something that have to be done i would think. What do you think on the price of the car? Is it worth $3200 if the fluids have been changed, knowing the chain guides will probably need to be done.

UPDATE: Called the dealer and they said that it is against the law for them to release any records to me.


Modified by alarsen77 at 1:15 PM 5/31/2007

[96Qowner]

The main question seems to be - is the car worth $3200?

I'd say yes. That's about average for a G50 with no apparent problems. Of course, without a maintenance history, it's always a crap shoot. I suppose the reason you can't get the records from the dealer is that you're not the current owner. If you own it, you can call Infiniti, itself, and they'll recite the records over the phone to you. Maybe the current owner can be persuaded to do that.

In addition to the chain guides, you'll also have to budget for a plenum job before too much longer - the hoses and harnesses are going to be brittle by now, the knock sensors will be fried soon, valve cover gaskets will need replacing - another $2000 or so.

But it's a fair price if there are no surprises.

[alarsen77]

Well as far as having that done do you think it is something that would need to be done immediately or something that can be done within the first year about 12,000 miles?

[96Qowner]

Heheh, well most things can be done "later". If the knock sensors are fried, the ECU will retard timing and you'll have less power. If the hoses are going, you'll find out this winter - gas leak under the plenum. If the valve cover gaskets are going, they'll drip oil on the exhaust and it'll will smoke and stink.

You won't find many NICO posters who will recommend that you put off fixing things. But sure, you can. That's the thing with a $3000 Q45 - they only cost $3000 because they need $6000 in deferred maintenance.

The knock sensors really should have failed by now. See if you can find out if they were replaced. With any luck they did the other stuff at the time.
Modified by 96Qowner at 11:03 AM 5/31/2007

[maxnix]

UPDATE: Called the dealer and they said that it is against the law for them to release any records to me.

True, social engineering a good service writer is a must.

But you know who that owner is through carfax or a title search.

Contact him and get his written permission. Even a phone call to a service writer or manager might suffice.

[alarsen77]

if i end up getting this car do you guys recommend using synthetic oil and what oil filter do you find is the best?

[mxr662]

I am the second owner of a 1990 with a bit over 60000. I have replaced many bad parts and found many more for future projects.

I've probably spent at least $2000-$3000 on the timing chain guides, injectors, hoses, gaskets, water pump, master cylinder, brake fluid, transmission filter, BG transmission flush.

Now I can drive the car.

Future work will include AC, tires, struts, a lot of rubber bushings, sunroof R+R.

Many more things can be added to this list. If I had to pay labor there is no way I could afford to do these things. The car is a blast to drive and well worth the effort for me.

Andy

[96Qowner]

Whether you use synthetic or dino, the oil change interval is far more important. I think about half of NICO posters use dino. The filter should be Mobil 1.