maybe buying my first Q45

[quicksilver03]

ok let me start off by saying thanks for running a great site, i have found your buyers guide and technical articles very useful

now the Q

1995 Infiniti Q45

92k miles

Champagne color (real infiniti name?)

interior is excellent

Body is excellent

clean carfax, one owner car

it is a dealership and they offered a warranty with alot of options

Motor

-i can see coolant under the intake manifold-i can see oil under the chassis, leak coming from?-needs brakes as it shakes like a 100 year old person when you hit the brakes

ok heres my question(s)

common oil leaks?

any info on independent dealer warranties?

any other useful info

thanks

NooB

(kyle)PICS
Modified by quicksilver03 at 10:13 PM 10/17/2007

[greg_atlanta]

Needs new coolant and fuel hoses, needs valve cover gaskets, & needs brake pads and rotors (total $1500-2000, but not unreasonable).

I'm surprised the dealer would offer a warranty on a 12-13 year old car. Get more info on the warranty and read every line.

How much are they asking?

[quicksilver03]

asking 3500 but im going to take him down a little more bc of the brakes and coolant, oil leaks.....resonable?

i think so....but i need a few more opinions

thanks for the input

oh also*** 1500 labor including? cause i can do the work myself

parts should cost that much

brakes i was planning on doing new pads and rotors

and maybe the valve covers...but i dunno

[qship96]

parts alone will be easily 1500,if not 2500 when you really get into it=joe at scottsdale infiniti has best prices=but even thru him the plenum kit is 800,all 4 rotors and pads/shim kit is 500,valve cover gaskets/plugs 100+,right there you are at 1400 roughly,not including whatever else you run into or labor

[quicksilver03]

parts alone will be easily 1500,if not 2500 when you really get into it=joe at scottsdale infiniti has best prices=but even thru him the plenum kit is 800,all 4 rotors and pads/shim kit is 500,valve cover gaskets/plugs 100+,right there you are at 1400 roughly,not including whatever else you run into or labor

ah, thanks, but am i suppoed to use valvecover gaskets and rtv, or?

also, anyone try ebay rotors?

what do the hoses cost?

what is included in the plenum kit?

thanks again

[qship96]

Ebay rotors blow-stick with factory or brembo or powerslot

plenum kit includes all hoses -air,fuel,and coolant under the intake{where you are seeing coolant pooling}and knock sensors that are replaced when plenum is removed to get to the hoses

95 uses gaskets on valve covers

[DrewQ45]

You can do it much cheaper...

Have your rotors turned and the problem might go away... or... Get slotted and drilled rotors from irotors.com. Get decent pads from your autoparts store, reuse the shims you currently have. If your current pad are decent, reuse them. Flatten any grooves they may have by rubbing on flat concrete or sandpaper. I have loads of used brake pads and brake parts in my garage. (I'm a junkyard dog)... Don't think I'm afraid to use them either.

Hoses... you can purchase most hoses from auto parts store. Just make sure they are of the same or better grade than OEM. Some have specific bends that you won't be able to match, buy those from Joe.

Find out what's leaking and where before you buy valve covers. Have your engine cleaned (carefully) so you can spot leaks.

..Drew...

[qship96]

Do it right once and pay the costs to do so,or pass on the car.If you are not prepared to spend 1500-2500 on parts alone,this is not the car for you

[quicksilver03]

ok so i really want this car, however theoretically i can drive it without fixing these things, right?

i will fix them in this order

1-brakes2-oil leak3-coolant

sound good?

as long as i keep an eye on the coolant level and oil level i should be good driving easy, i think....anyone agree?

i am prepared to spend the money on this car, but not all at once, moneys kind of tight now and i think this car will be reliable enough for a month or two, till i can finish with the coolant leak, anyways, i think i could just check these before i drive it everytime, and keep extras in the car, like a tipical nissan driver, lol, ive had a couple of 240's, ka and sr, i just want reliability, and i know that having a coolant leak and an oil leak is not reliable but this car will be after im done, if that makes sense? i dunno im really tired, more/any/all input good or bad will be greatly appreciated from this NooB

sorry for the novel

[Jeff Williams]

Welcome to NICO!

Try to pinpoint the coolant leak. It could just be the pressurized cap. Once you ahve the coolant leak identified, then get the appropriate parts from Joe. Go ahead and get a new pressurized cap. The valve cover gaskets are about $30 for the set. Buy new plugs while you are in there, because you have to tear down to the plugs to replace the VC gaskets. You can also take this opportunity to clean the EGR and throttle body thoroughly.

You need not remove the plenum to get to the valve cover gaskets, and plan on about 4 to 6 hours to replace them. This includes cleaning time, and some time to familiarize yourself with the engine bay.

Remember: "Cleanliness is next to Godliness".

Check all your belts and hoses before you place your order to Joe.

Go with the cheap rotors on eBay. The drilled and slotted ones don't warp. The non slotted or drilled ones will warp. Get OEM brake pads from Joe.

Check your end links, tension rods, strut boots, bump stops, sway bar bushings, and ball joint play when you have the wheels off to do the brakes. You might have another $1,000 in parts awaiting you there.

The car is awesome, I hope you get it, and enjoy.

I usually buy one around $4000, then drop another $4000 to $6000 in it to make it ride and drive like new.

Definitely flush out the brake fluid while you have the wheels off.

You need to flush out all the fluids as soon as you can. Oil, transmission fluid, PS fluid, rear end gear lube, brake fluid, coolant, and TCS fluid (if equipped).

[quicksilver03]

thanks for the input, also i know there is a killer how-to section anyone got the link for the replacement of the coolant hoses?

oh and thanks for the welcome to nico im glad to be here, and glad to say im a nissan driver

oh and who is joe?

also any Q enthusiasts here in tampa/st. pete?
Modified by quicksilver03 at 12:52 AM 10/4/2007

[MCovington]

I have a 95 Q also and love it. It had 135k on it when I bought it. I also noticed a oil leak of some kind during my inspection of the car but could not tell where it was comming from. I now know it is comming from the power steering leaking. It's not leaking bad just about an ounce between oil changes. Do check for a humming fuel pump which is located in the trunk. Mine was humming but I had no clue what it was until after I bought it. Part cost about $275.00. Also look at plastic fan at motor mine is cracking around the hub due to age of plastic. Cost of part close to $100.00 OEM part, no one carries it aftermarket. Other than you can not find a paperback repair manual for this car I really like the ride. Everything you will need to know you can get it here. They are a wealth of knowledge.You did not say if it was a active suspension or not. Active suspension will cost big money to repair when something goes wrong.

MarkGreensboro, NC

[quicksilver03]

no active suspention here, maybe coilovers or blues in the future?

[Aus94Q45]

Don't forget the knock sensors and harness; reseal injectors; o2 sensors, upper links, tension rod bushings, shocks, steering rack boots, etc. etc.

How does the transmission fluid look and smell -- big issue here. What about the differential oil -- ever changed? Those two will set you back $6K+.

If money is tight and reliability is an issue, I would hesitate on this undertaking. If you read the posts here, you will spend $3K to $4K in the first year for a '95 (or older) to do the "deferred" maintenence that was blown off by the prior owner.

The car is not near as simple as a 240. Once all this stuff is done to the Q, then it is easier to maintain, but still $1.5K to $3K a year to keep her runnning right.

Also, at this age you WILL experience "electronic gremlins" -- virtually every electronic operation has its own control module -- each window, seat, speaker, pump, etc. While they are easy enough to replace, the parts can be expensive. Used parts are a temp cheap fix. Just an ongoing PIA.

I don't say this to discourage you, but the $4K asking price seems to be at the higher end of resale -- for a car that obviously has not been kept to that standard. The next owner will pay that cost. Its eye candy! The car was built great and body, paint and seats, hold up very well. Its what is underneath that is important to the long term health of the car. Just be careful not to get in over your head. I would not pay more than $2.5K to $3K for the car you described no matter how good it looks.

This is THE resource for Q ownership. There is no better forum for any car on the road than right here. If you do buy it, post often as these guys will steer you in the right direction. They know more than any dealer or any local garage about these cars.

Good luck.

[qsiguy]

The Joe they are referring to is Joe from Scottsdale Infiniti in Arizona. He gives NICO guys great deals on OEM parts and is very helpful and knowledgeable.

http://www.nicoclub.com/subpages/addirectory.shtml

Heres his actual link, top one was just to the advertisers page.http://www.infinitipartsusa.com/
Modified by qsiguy at 2:29 PM 10/4/2007

[Rex]

To be brutally honest, if

... moneys kind of tight now...

Then a Q45 (or any 12 yr old luxury car) isn't the right car for you.

[quicksilver03]

To be brutally honest, if Then a Q45 (or any 12 yr old luxury car) isn't the right car for you.

thanks but it will not be in the next couple months, is my point i was trying to make earlier, i was tired but yeah...thanks

The Joe they are referring to is Joe from Scottsdale Infiniti in Arizona. He gives NICO guys great deals on OEM parts and is very helpful and knowledgeable.

http://www.nicoclub.com/subpages/addirectory.shtml

ill keep that in mind, ive read alot of great things about 'joe' sounds good to me

Don't forget the knock sensors and harness; reseal injectors; o2 sensors, upper links, tension rod bushings, shocks, steering rack boots, etc. etc.

How does the transmission fluid look and smell -- big issue here. What about the differential oil -- ever changed? Those two will set you back $6K+.

If money is tight and reliability is an issue, I would hesitate on this undertaking. If you read the posts here, you will spend $3K to $4K in the first year for a '95 (or older) to do the "deferred" maintenence that was blown off by the prior owner.

The car is not near as simple as a 240. Once all this stuff is done to the Q, then it is easier to maintain, but still $1.5K to $3K a year to keep her runnning right.

Also, at this age you WILL experience "electronic gremlins" -- virtually every electronic operation has its own control module -- each window, seat, speaker, pump, etc. While they are easy enough to replace, the parts can be expensive. Used parts are a temp cheap fix. Just an ongoing PIA.

I don't say this to discourage you, but the $4K asking price seems to be at the higher end of resale -- for a car that obviously has not been kept to that standard. The next owner will pay that cost. Its eye candy! The car was built great and body, paint and seats, hold up very well. Its what is underneath that is important to the long term health of the car. Just be careful not to get in over your head. I would not pay more than $2.5K to $3K for the car you described no matter how good it looks.

This is THE resource for Q ownership. There is no better forum for any car on the road than right here. If you do buy it, post often as these guys will steer you in the right direction. They know more than any dealer or any local garage about these cars.

Good luck.

transmission is new and the fluids look good and do not smell burnt, i looked down in the oil cap and its pretty clean in there, havent checked the diff but there are no leaks, and knock sensors will be done when i do the coolant leak, as they are accesible when the plenum is off, also the steering gear and suspension look good as well,

[superuber]

I would NOT suggest driving the car with a coolant leak! To many horror stories about overheating. Buy it and use another car until you have ALL the items updated. Or you could drive it for maybe 6 monthes and then get another car. Hey, it's your money (and engine) to blow not ours!

[maxnix]

theoretically i can drive it without fixing these things, right?

i will fix them in this order

1-brakes2-oil leak3-coolant

sound good?

as long as i keep an eye on the coolant level and oil level i should be good driving easy, i think....anyone agree?

i am prepared to spend the money on this car, but not all at once, moneys kind of tight now

No, not reliably. If you don't have a cash kitty to immediately sink $3K into this car, you will never catch-up on the maintenance.

Try to locate a good four cylinder economy car.

Maybe next time it will work out for you. Remember that buying a $55K old imported luxury V8 is not the way to go if you don't have the cash at hand and some tools , skills, and an understanding of the FSM, TSB, and the previous posts on this board.

[superuber]

Try to locate a good four cylinder economy car.

Lets be nice!Remember, he's a newbie!

[96Qowner]

$3500 is a good price for that car with that mileage, and from the looks of the engine.

It's just that at around 120,000 miles you run into some major expenses, as everyone has detailed. Be prepared. Most of us have sunk the $6000-8000 required to restore them to like-new condition. The leaky hoses are typical. The valve cover gaskets are typical, etc - so there's no reason to think less of this particular car.

Fuel pump usually fails around that mileage (which often takes out the Controller with it), so check for loud buzzing from the trunk when you first turn the key.

[qsiguy]

Don't listen to the people telling you not to buy. Go for it especially if you can get them to drop the price because of the issues you've noticed. If you can do all/most of the work yourself you can do it for much less then everyone is saying. Don't get me wrong, you WILL have to spend some money but compared to a newer comparable vehicle you'll end up with a really awesome ride for less money.

Parts for plenum job/valve cover gaskets, and brakes shouldn't cost you over $1500 unless you have some major problems with your brakes or find something else major when you get in there. Get the rotors turned if they aren't too thin and get decent pads and you are good to go. I've been using Autozone pads for years and keep getting new ones for free when they wear out and I have no complaints about them. Others say they are junk but whatever works for you.

[quicksilver03]

Lets be nice!Remember, he's a newbie!

thanks! well, despite all the forewarnings i think i am picking it up today, and probably going to get the warranty the dealership is offering, its really a great deal IMO and i will have some pics up after a good wash/wax/detail by me

thanks again for all the input

i never would've looked under the plenum for coolant, haha

thats the main thing

[superuber]

Well, In that case-congrats! Hope to see you around the forum.

Start researching nico for info. about the jobs you need to do.

Welcome!

[quicksilver03]

chyeaaa boiii

gotta get tehm coiloverss

i had tein type flex coilovers on my s13, lovvvvvved them

what does a bigbody car handle like with coilovers?

[maxnix]

You really want to restore the car to as new OEM conditon before blowing money on coilovers and the like. Really.

Time to start reading the previous posts, including all by Q45tech!

[MattB]

thanks! well, despite all the forewarnings i think i am picking it up today, and probably going to get the warranty the dealership is offering, its really a great deal IMO and i will have some pics up after a good wash/wax/detail by me

thanks again for all the input

i never would've looked under the plenum for coolant, haha

thats the main thing

If they're offering a warranty, why can't you just have all the non-wear items (like leaks) fixed under warranty?

[Jesda]

GET THE WARRANTY -- I assume you meant the dealer offered an aftermarket warranty.

It will pay for itself over and over with a car like the Q45. Just note that most warranties don't cover seals and gaskets, so the valve cover job is your own problem.

[quicksilver03]

GET THE WARRANTY -- I assume you meant the dealer offered an aftermarket warranty.

It will pay for itself over and over with a car like the Q45. Just note that most warranties don't cover seals and gaskets, so the valve cover job is your own problem.

valve cover job is no big deal for me, i like to wrench every now and then, prolly picking up this gem (lol) monday, car will remain stock for a long while before i even think of upgrades, at most will be deleting the muffler, to replace with some pipes and tips, sounds good to me.....

If they're offering a warranty, why can't you just have all the non-wear items (like leaks) fixed under warranty?

that was the plan,

You really want to restore the car to as new OEM conditon before blowing money on coilovers and the like. Really.

Time to start reading the previous posts, including all by Q45tech!

[quicksilver03]

ok after much speculation, i decided against getting the gold car....

well thank gawd that i did bc two days later, i found a mint 95' Q45, with just under 89k miles on the clock, runs perfect, new a/c new brakes, and the list goes on, SAHWEET no leaks, couldnt fiind anything wrong with the car!!!

heres the bad news, car is going to sit for a while because my license is suspended for another two weeks, ugh ****, whatever

now i can detail the thing!

pics up as soon as i get my new camera, thanks again for all the help

i saved some money up, and came across some other money, so heres the future mod list: get rid of that suitcase muffler, HID's, springs, blues, wheels, tint