My 94Q has died! What to do? What to do?

[Q45denver]

Sounds like they only replace the soft parts. But if they also warranty labor might be worth the risk.

[maxnix]

Y34 and and F50 are quite good, but with more electronic do dads and manufacturing shortcuts, not quite up to G50 or maybe even FGY33 long term. But that is just beginning to be known.

Ever price the filters for the seats?

One thing that I cannot add besides more airbags is a cabin filter. 6 or 8 speed automatics would be compelling also.
Modified by maxnix at 8:00 AM 3/19/2008

[Mark Linkous]

Hello,I did the seat filters at the 30,000 interval. Ouch indeed. I regards to airbags, the car has thorax airbags, seat airbags,etc. The only area there is not one that is applicable would be knee bolster I suppose. Also, I thought the car had a cabin microfilter. I am 100% witcha about the electronics thus the extended warranty and plan to turn it when the warranty lapses.M.L

[maxnix]

You do have a cabin filter. Only the G50 didn't in the big V8 sedans.

Did you do the seat filters yourself? I hear it is mostly labor intensive. Annually, it could add up. Cabin filter is realtively easy on FGY33.

[Mark Linkous]

Hello,No, the dealer did it during the 30k service. I was shocked at how much they charged, but, really like the car. Also, in Florida, running the cooling quite often. When I go to the car, I will look at the invoice and see what they charged.Cheers,M.L

[maxnix]

Think about seat air passages becoming clogged. I would learn how and so it annually. The cabin filter change probably costs $150 at the dealer. The filters from Joe are less than $40 and about 35 min. of your time the first time.

[Mark Linkous]

Hello,I think I will order them today. Thanks for the tip. It has been about a year and that is an excellent point.Cheers,M.L

[superuber]

That is because you have not budgeted a maintenance reserve.

Whats that for? I don't understand that. If my car breaks, I fix it!

[maxnix]

Whats that for? I don't understand that. If my car breaks, I fix it!

Using which funds? Depreciation is a separate expense from maintenance and repair.

[szh]

Using which funds? Depreciation is a separate expense from maintenance and repair.

True, there is a difference, but since I like to keep my cars for as long as I can do so, the current depreciated value of my 2003 M45 is kinda not relevant at all for me.

My approach to new car buying is simple: put aside cash every month as if I am making a car payment, into a good interest bearing account (www.ingdirect.com)! Then, when it comes time to buy, I have the money to make the purchase outright.

No lease and no interest whatsover. I started this process way back when (although I did have payments on the cheap econobox I bought out of college ... a Ford Fiesta back in 1979), and since 1986 or so, I have not made any car payments whatsoever. Just bought the cars and driven it off the lot. And, with one exception, the cars have been brand new and kept for years.

Z

[maxnix]

Yeah, I had one car I bought with credit. Never again.

As my Dad said, if you don't have the cash, you can't afford it.

[DrewQ45]

Well finally, after 12 years & 215K miles, the transmission on my 94Q has died, totally. Not really willing to put $$$ into the car. Repair cost about what the car would be worth. Do I sell as is, or begin to part out this beloved car of mine? Good interior, nice body (green w/tan interior).

Some advice from members would be appreciated.

Looking at puchasing the Y34 M45 or the 03 Q45. Both are nice... can't decide yet.

Car anyone? parts anyone? Thanks in advance.

Bama, can you post up some pics of the car? Interior/ext.

[bamaQ45]

Yes I will post pics when I can get the Q back home from Montgomery. 200 miles from home when trouble hit. Probably won't be until next week.

Still considering suggestions to repair and keep or sell. Just don't really want to fight the wife on that project.

Don't really know the demand for a nice Q with a blown transmission. I'm thinking about it. I don't know what I will take for the car yet... not $500. I would consider something north of $1500 maybe. Could get more if I start selling wheels, seats, switches, computers, components, ets....

My thanks to all the members for your input. Great advice and food for thought. I am heading over to the M45 forum to study up on the Y34. and still here for the F50.

[maxnix]

You'll get more parting it out. I think T-3 wouild only pay $500 for a perfect interior with a good engine.
Modified by maxnix at 5:14 PM 3/19/2008

[superuber]

Using which funds? Depreciation is a separate expense from maintenance and repair.

I never really thought about it. I just kinda pay for it. I guess you either have it or not. I think it's that simple. I guess some of the younger guys here are learning. Budget, whats that?

[skylinez]

Well bama, if you happen to part it out let me know. I am only really interested in the engine bay and the ecu. Or better yet, pretty much the front clip minus the transmission. I am doing a engine swap into my 240z and need everything in the engine bay area just in case. If this is something you are interested in down the road let me know, I live in Nashville,TN. Just give me a buzz. 615-594-7174.
Modified by skylinez at 1:38 PM 3/20/2008

[Warspite]

So far, these are all great comments, but back to square 1.

I picked up my 94Q45t when it had 211K. That was almost 2 years ago, and I just hit 225K. Yea, the transmission is slightly sluggish when cold, but after 5 min warmup, it works fine. So, I'm only racking up about 5 or 6K miles a year, and the last thing I'd need is a monthly payment.

So, it all dpends on how much driving you are doing. Consider all you put into the car as "sunk costs," since they're already in your Q. Even newer used cars could have bad transmissions, as in the case of my stepson, who just HAD to have a Grand Marquis (98). 3 months later, rebuilt transmission, torque converter, control arm, shocks, EGR valve, the laundry list is endless.Drove up the actual cost of the car by $4,000.

SO, if you REALLY love your Q, get your transmission replaced ot rebuilt, especially if everything else you've kept up with. At least you'll know what else would have to be addressed, as opposed to picking up a later model, where the "gotchas" might be plentiful.

Go with what you know!

Good luck! (Gee, I wish I could have the SEATS!)

[ScottJackson]

I'd say fix it. If the car is worth $1500+ to you, you're best off putting in a fresh trans. You could have your trans pulled and then take it to a decent shop to get it rebuilt. You won't get $1500 for the car with the bad transmission (unless you're REALLY lucky). You can make some money parting it out, but that's very labor/time intensive and makes a big mess of parts everywhere. Up to you on that of course. If you're looking to buy a newer car that's built well and has done a lot of depreciating, I think the E39 BMW is a good one.

[bamaQ45]

well, I joined iserve and I have over ten posts, but I can;t seem to insert the iserve images. any help would be appreciated....joe

[Q45tech]

Dealership Parts Department sell local shops Nissan rebuild 94 transmission for about $1800 exchanged. Then the shops mark up the parts usually to MSRP $2250, then the swap labor [sensors] and transportation of transmission back and forth to dealer. Add in a new transmission mount and a flush of in rad cooler or a new external cooler and ATF fill and you get to ~~ $3,000- $3100 with tax.

225k is very long life.

[ddrumman]

well, I joined iserve and I have over ten posts, but I can;t seem to insert the iserve images. any help would be appreciated....joe

I know we have a sticky at the top on how to post pics, however this is the one that I found to be the most helpful.

zerothread/254009

Good luck!

[Jesda]

Using which funds? Depreciation is a separate expense from maintenance and repair.

I don't believe everyone has to kitty away $300-$600 a month for repairs, because some folks have the cash to spare or access to cheap credit. But I suppose thats not the norm here, lol, as people tend to freak out over small expenses.

As I've done better personally, I've been driving newer cars. But sometimes I think its best to just pick up a nice G50 and care for it. The problem is, repair costs weren't much lower than my payment, insurance, and depreciation.

I'm spending more to drive a newer car, but I also have peace of mind from fewer miles on a one-owner vehicle. As many on NICO know, I put on the bulk of my mileage each year traveling to other states, so knowing that I'll make it from coast to coast is important. I have roadside coverage from BMW, but it doesn't do me much good if it takes forever for someone to come tow me to a dealer or if there's no cell signal [do you hear banjos?], and BMW doesn't pay for airfare home.

Something to chew on as Qs continue to age. The argument for buying used tends to favor less complicated cars.

[Q45tech]

I wouldn't call a 90-93 Q complicated [at least to starting and running] compared to a new V8 vehicle.

That's the rub comparing a V8 to I4, I6 or V6. Comparing a 4,000 pounder to a 3,000 pounder.

If you can't keep a 90-93 running I really feel for you with a 2002-2008 after warranty.

Think about one stop shopping {CAS} vs 3 different located cam/crank/flywheel sensors!

You must be an electronic engineer and computer/software genius without a Consult III and another $10,000 in test equipment and access to Nissan on line diagnosis system. Where Techs and engineers chat and store symptoms and solutions.