Looking to purchase a 2000 Q45 Anniversary Ed - what should I look for?

[the_franchise]

Yes, I posted yesterday that I was looking at a 1990 Q45, but my wife will not budge on not getting a car that is at least from 2000 and up. So, I found a decent ad for a 2000 Q45 Anniv Edition, and I am going to go look at it this weekend probably.

What should I be looking for on this vehicle? Any known defects/problems on this model year? The mileage is 100,000 and the price is $9,900 - it seems a bit low, which makes me worried a bit. The single pic looks good though... Opinions are welcome!

[Q_SHIP]

Y33's are damn near bullet proof. There really isnt much to look for to be honest. It would be nice to have some service history with the car though.

[elwesso]

read the sticky above... Theres not really much to look for, outside of what you should be looking for buying a used car.

[maxnix]

Assuming the shock absorbers are original, price the replacement through Joe.

Get the Infiniti Dealer performed service history first.

Check the ATF via the white paper towel test. Check oil, brake fluid, ps fluid, and coolant also along with both engine and cabin air filters.

If you can live with the maple, it is a great car.

[the_franchise]

I love the maple! Thanks for the tips. I got the green light from the wife to take a look at it this weekend, but she is hesitant on the mileage.
Modified by the_franchise at 10:17 AM 2/3/2006

[the_franchise]

Also, what is everyone's opinion on the price - of course without seeing it? My wife is concerned it is too low, and something is wrong. Blue book is $11,555 or so, but I have seen the Ann Ed selling between $8,000 and $16,000 - a wide range.

[elwesso]

100k is nothin on those cars...... they can routinely see 250-300k without too much difficulty.

[Falkdesigns]

read the sticky above... Theres not really much to look for, outside of what you should be looking for buying a used car.

No offense Wes, but the sticky above doesn't contain a lick of information for Y33 buyers.

100k miles is nothing on these cars provided it's been maintained correctly. I got mine with 75k on it just about 2 years ago and I'm up to 95k now. I love my Q and my wife loves it too.

[maxnix]

I love the maple! Thanks for the tips. I got the green light from the wife to take a look at it this weekend, but she is hesitant on the mileage.

If it's not one thing, it's another thing with her... Nothing is good enough.

Get the VIN and the dealer performed service history first. Then you know at what you are looking.

[elwesso]

No offense Wes, but the sticky above doesn't contain a lick of information for Y33 buyers.

100k miles is nothing on these cars provided it's been maintained correctly. I got mine with 75k on it just about 2 years ago and I'm up to 95k now. I love my Q and my wife loves it too.

Kev, you are kind of right, there is substantial information that can be ascertained to apply to the Y33, however it doesnt really address Y33 directly...

Hit me up on AIM, im going to redo the sticky at the top to help the 97-01 and 02+ buyers some.

[Q_SHIP]

I bought mine with 144k on it almost a year ago. I now have 161k if this helps.

[96Qowner]

I was leaning towards the 90 Q45 on your other thread, but at that price the Anniversery Edition is the better deal. Q45 are unappreciated by the masses, and that affects the price, so don't be too concerned over that.

If the maintenance history checks out, go for it.

[the_franchise]

You've got to be kidding me! I contacted the owner, and it has been sold for months! WTF? It has been on this site for months, and not taken down. RRR

So i'm back to the 1990 Q45, or a new one I found. A 1998 Q45T with 111,000 miles at $6,750. Considering the small price difference of the 2, I may lean towards the 1998 - I have verified the vehicle is still available, so I am going to look at it tomorrow. it is actually at a dealership. Again, I may have problems with the wife though...

[maxnix]

Don't think the 1998 has HID. Look for 99 up.

[elwesso]

Franchise, go drive both and tell us which one yo ulike better......

[hannibal]

^ That gets em every time!

I love the look of the Y33, but theres something about the G50's extra hp. But I second Kevin's motion to add some mention of the Y33 in the FAQ.

99 and up have HIDs and different tail lights. Dont worry too much about the below KBB price. Let the other folks pay for names like Lexus and Benz while we snatch up the used Q's.

[the_franchise]

Wow - I just test drove a 2000 Anniv Edition at a local dealership. Well out of my price range, but it was my first Q45 drive. I have rode in the cars before, but never drove one. Wow!

I am taking the 1998 model for a spin tomorrow, and I am eager to compare. The 1998 model is 1/3 the price of the Anniv Edition, and if it is anything close to this, wow!

[the_franchise]

By the way, I am fairly new to the Q45's, and i'm wondering what the Y33 and G50 models stand for?

[the_franchise]

Also, is there a way to determine what version a model is, i.e. Q45a, Q45t, etc. with the VIN # ?

[Falkdesigns]

You guys trip over 10 hp and your G50 is nearly 300 pounds heavier. I'll take 10 less hp and 300 pounds less weight with a stiffer chassis for the win.

Franchise, glad to hear you love driving it! G50, Y33 and F50 are chassis codes for the different generations, 1, 2, 3. If it's a Touring, it will say Q45t on the trunk badge.

[HashiriyaS14]

Let the other folks pay for names like Lexus and Benz while we snatch up the used Q's.

Especially because the Q's are better cars anyway....

Test driving my first G50 tomorrow

[elwesso]

^ That gets em every time!

I love the look of the Y33, but theres something about the G50's extra hp. But I second Kevin's motion to add some mention of the Y33 in the FAQ.

99 and up have HIDs and different tail lights. Dont worry too much about the below KBB price. Let the other folks pay for names like Lexus and Benz while we snatch up the used Q's.

IM currently adding information and redoing all the stickies for Q45 relatd info! I just read it, and it is abysmal at best!!!!

By the way, I am fairly new to the Q45's, and i'm wondering what the Y33 and G50 models stand for?

G50 is the chassis code for 90-96 Q, Y33 is 97-01 Q

Also, is there a way to determine what version a model is, i.e. Q45a, Q45t, etc. with the VIN # ?

give me your vin on email ([email protected]) and ill pull it for you, i can also do VIN background checks (=carfax)

Stop your bellyaching kevin, no one was hating on the Y33...

[Falkdesigns]

And you answered his question about Y33 and G50 which I had already answered

[maxnix]

Also, is there a way to determine what version a model is, i.e. Q45a, Q45t, etc. with the VIN # ?

Yes. Post the VIN.

It will also tell you when you get the service history. Don't go blind on me now, son.

Read and understand this explicitly. Get the service history!

[Jesda]

This NICO member has free Carfax:[email protected]

E-mail Darren your VIN number with a "pretty please" and "thank you" and "you rock" and he should reply with a Carfax report.

[the_franchise]

Thanks for everyone's input, and the carfax help. Unfortunately, I checked out one of the two 1998 models today (The other one was already sold), and I was not impressd with it. It had some rattling noises under the car, the brakes made noises like the rotors were warped or something, and the moon roof did not work at all. Besides, I didn't care for the color (it was labeled green - more like a green metallic). I really prefer a black or pearl white model.

I did take my wife with, and she was quite impressed. We cruised around for 20 mn's, hitting 90 mph with no effort on the highway (she loved that - NOT!). But she did like the car, and she was saying she'll be jealous if I get one of these. This was in reference to how smooth the Q45 was compared to her 98 Escort we were driving back home in, hitting every pothole all the way back. I think the nicest car I ever drove until I drove my first Q45 yesterday was a newer Cavalier. Uhhm yeah... That's like comparing apples to oranges... or more like comparing an apple to a chimpanzee. It's just not even comparable!

I have had many of you suggest looking at the older G50 styles - Yes, I really do think i'd prefer one of them, but it's just not happening with the wife. I will keep everyone updated when i have more choices available again in my area. There just aren't many available right now - i'd say 9-10 in the city, and nearly all do not fit the criteria of price, age, color, etc.

[Q451990]

Please see my other post under your 90 thread. Go look w/o the wife first - then it'll be time for negotiations.

Heath

[HashiriyaS14]

This NICO member has free Carfax:[email protected]

E-mail Darren your VIN number with a "pretty please" and "thank you" and "you rock" and he should reply with a Carfax report.

Just for future reference, I also almost always can do CarFaxes. If my term has expired and someone wants one done, I'll just renew it, as I probably use it ~20 times a month as-is.

[maxnix]

Thanks for everyone's input, and the carfax help. Unfortunately, I checked out one of the two 1998 models today (The other one was already sold), and I was not impressd with it. It had some rattling noises under the car, the brakes made noises like the rotors were warped or something, and the moon roof did not work at all. Besides, I didn't care for the color (it was labeled green - more like a green metallic). I really prefer a black or pearl white model.

I did take my wife with, and she was quite impressed. We cruised around for 20 mn's, hitting 90 mph with no effort on the highway (she loved that - NOT!). But she did like the car, and she was saying she'll be jealous if I get one of these. This was in reference to how smooth the Q45 was compared to her 98 Escort we were driving back home in, hitting every pothole all the way back. I think the nicest car I ever drove until I drove my first Q45 yesterday was a newer Cavalier. Uhhm yeah... That's like comparing apples to oranges... or more like comparing an apple to a chimpanzee. It's just not even comparable!

I have had many of you suggest looking at the older G50 styles - Yes, I really do think i'd prefer one of them, but it's just not happening with the wife. I will keep everyone updated when i have more choices available again in my area. There just aren't many available right now - i'd say 9-10 in the city, and nearly all do not fit the criteria of price, age, color, etc.

Look for condition, Infiniti dealer performed service history and the inspection report from th esenior Infiniti technician. Then buy the best one, regardless of model.

[miata007]

I got to agree the most on this advice. Let a qualified technician check it out in addition to the service history. From my experience on my 97Q, check for engine oil leak under the car (near power steering pump, exhaust manifords). Don't get it if there are oil leaks which are extremely costly to repair.

007