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

[bamaQ45]

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.

[skylinez]

How much do you want for it? I am in need of a front clip that has all the parts that I need for a swap. Also, what caused the engine to die? Or should I ask, is it rebuildable?

[Infinitiguy19]

don't think he aid anything about the motor being bad but I don't think he said he was going to part it out either.

O yea bamaQ45 you should buy a 91-93 q45

[superuber]

Post pics of interior!

[bamaQ45]

How much do you want for it? I am in need of a front clip that has all the parts that I need for a swap. Also, what caused the engine to die? Or should I ask, is it rebuildable?

Engine is fine. Well, it does have knock sensor code, I did the valve cover job and the plenum job was on my list this spring with Wes's how-to already downloaded. Everything else is fine, it has been a great car! Transmission gave way out of town actutally (in Montgomery). I am making plans to haul it back with an auto transport. I already miss it. I have to decide what to do with it.

BTW, I can appreciate the 90-93 Qs, but this will be my primary transportation, so I am going to go with something newer, not brand new, but newer.... hence the internal debate over the 03-04M45 and the 03 Q.

[bamaQ45]

Post pics of interior!

I'll try to get some pics when I get it back home.

[Q45denver]

If the transmission is the only thing wrong, I think you'd be better off selling it complete to someone to fix and drive another 200k.

[Infinitiguy19]

200k that a bit exaggerating ain't it I think it only has less than 100K then it will need a new motor.

[maxnix]

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.

That is a personal statement. Don't you have $3K saved for major component replacement?

Remember, this is a $55K (in 1994dollars!) car. Present value is a reflection of deferred maintenance. What other car can you buy that will go for another 150K miles for the $6K (assuming other systems were likewise ignored) to rehabilitate?

Members know that yearly maintenance costs exceed book value, but so do payments, depreciation, and lack of satisfaction of newer cars.

G50 don't die, they are abused to death.

[maxnix]

200k that a bit exaggerating ain't it I think it only has less than 100K then it will need a new motor.

Nope, you need to read more here. No maintained motors ever have failed.

Most newbies don't understand the technical sophistication of hte engine nor the precision to which it was built. Ferrari, Mercedes, BMW, and Porsche would have killed for this engine in the 1980's.

[qship96]

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).

Did the transmission just die out of the blue, or did it give you warning signs,and if so, for how long? What was the maintenance history of fluid changes,every 30k or not?

[ScottJackson]

fo' shizzle. If it went out all at once, check the shift solenoids, foo'! From there check the line pressure. It may not be a toasted trans after all. I wish it were closer to me, I'd try to weasel it off your hands for as cheap as possible, as a complete car.

Yeah, the VH45 is a sound engine and was ahead of its time by a few years. Was it the greatest engine ever built? No, but it's a good one and far better than average given its age.

[skylinez]

So are you willing to sell the whole car? And if so how much?

[bamaQ45]

That is a personal statement. Don't you have $3K saved for major component replacement?

Remember, this is a $55K (in 1994dollars!) car. Present value is a reflection of deferred maintenance. What other car can you buy that will go for another 150K miles for the $6K (assuming other systems were likewise ignored) to rehabilitate?

Members know that yearly maintenance costs exceed book value, but so do payments, depreciation, and lack of satisfaction of newer cars.

G50 don't die, they are abused to death.

It's not a question of abuse or maintenance dollars Mr. Negative! I have maintained my car with regular service at the dealer and with my own two mechanical hands. transmission has been serviced and flush regularly. How do you think I got to 213K with the original everything on my Q. Even Q45tech would agree, I got my money's worth if the original transmission lasted this long. There were warning signs as the trans would slip in the morning when cold and operate smoothly after warming up. I made my decision to replace at that point.

The question is a personal one.... for me it was putting those dollars into this car or putting them toward something newer with 21st century features.

What else would last that long? How about another Infiniti! That's why I am looking at the last generation Q or the Y34 M car. Geez, sometimes it's not all about what you think Brian. It's personal decision about what I think.

Let's don't assume someone abused their car, especially if it's been maintained and rolled up 213K miles. How many on this board have rolled up that many miles. Have you? Some have I am sure, but not most. Enough on that. Back to positive please.

Modified by bamaQ45 at 9:11 PM 3/18/2008
Modified by bamaQ45 at 9:19 PM 3/18/2008

[bamaQ45]

fo' shizzle. If it went out all at once, check the shift solenoids, foo'! From there check the line pressure. It may not be a toasted trans after all. I wish it were closer to me, I'd try to weasel it off your hands for as cheap as possible, as a complete car.

Yeah, the VH45 is a sound engine and was ahead of its time by a few years. Was it the greatest engine ever built? No, but it's a good one and far better than average given its age.

It's gone.... mechanic at dealership ... $3500 for new, another mechanic not at dealership says $1800 replaced used. Yet another says $1100 used.

Problem as we know, is knowing history of candidate replacement and in the end, I did not want to replace with suspect tranmission and then sell to someone. I would rather the new owner make that call, or as I said, there is the option to part it out.

I am sure there is demand here for her parts... just not sure my wife wants my beloved Q coming apart in the driveway ( on cinder blocks the minute the tires and wheels are gone...lol). a few bumps on the body, interior and electronics are in great shape. MAF is about a year old. Rotors are new last summer. Also have two spare radios.

I would like to sell whole first, before the disection begins.

[bamaQ45]

So are you willing to sell the whole car? And if so how much?

make me an offer

[skylinez]

$500.00

[Q451990]

First of all, congrats on getting that many miles out of your OEM transmission!

If you have the new car itch and you're going to scratch it - more power to you! A couple of thoughts on this. Remember that getting the same quality car at this point is going to be difficult. It's pretty commonly thought that the quality of the Y34 and F50 are not up to the standards of the G50. I once asked in another thread, what would be an appropriate replacement for the G50 series Q - quality wise, and never got a good answer.

Also, please don't fool yourself (or try to fool us) with the "the repair costs more than the car is worth" argument... The depreciation on either car you're considering will be more in one year than your quote for a NEW transmission. No daily driver is an investment. They are all depreciable assets that eventually are sold by the pound for scrap... it's just up to you to decide how much of your $$$ is going to toward that depreciable asset.

Good luck!

Heath

[Jesda]

I strongly suggest finding another used clean Q.

[bamaQ45]

Well said Heath. I think that's the same point Brian was making. I just didn't care for the "abuse" comment. I agree, the depreciation remaining on my beloved Q is minimal compared to F50 or Y34 models I am considering. In fact, many times over the past few years when repairs to the Q were neccessary, I quickly concluded making those repairs was preferable to the annual costs associated with buying and maintaining a newer Infiniti or other car for that matter. I rationalized I could maintain my Q for less annual costs than car payments and maintenance for the type of new car I would want.... even if that car was still covered under warrantly.

I think now, after 12 years, and buying newer cars for my daughter, also an infiniti owner, volvos and cadillacs for my other daughter and wife, I am ready to look at driving something different.

The Y34 M45 is a different feel than the Q... different suspension, except for that awesome engine....more throaty sound. I kind of like it., but I am already missing my G50. The F50 appeals to me, but hell I can't find too many to consider buying around here. Hard to find... Not interested in buying new M45, way too much a depreciating asset brand new. I'd rather someone else take the first year or two hit to the sticker price.

So back to topic, ready to sell the Q to someone who has a project, or feels a reman transmission will give her new life. I'll probably just post in FS forum. AS IS.

[bamaQ45]

Jesda, We have had some things in common. We both have been Infiniti/Cadillac owners. We have cross posted in the cadillac forums (made mods to my SRX). Thanks for the advice.

[skylinez]

Well, I made an offer. But if it isn't good enough then counter with one that you like. Business is business, let's make a deal.

[Mark Linkous]

Hello,While depreciation is a factor, the F50 and Y34 still offer stellar value. 2003 M's have dropped to the 17-20 range. I would recommend a 2004 so that a Infiniti Elite warranty is a possibility. There is no doubt that the VH is/was a more robust motor. The most important thing if considering a F50/Y34 will be finding one with full documentation. Oil consumption is a gremlin especially with previously leased cars. The consensus in the M forum is how the engine was initially broken in will have profound impact on consumption. My 2004 with 40,000 miles has taken a quart over the past 20,000 miles. With the F50 Q , the ballast for the headlights seems to be an issue. With the M, not so much. The big difference beyond styling between the two is the size of the rear seat. The Q has one, the M is cozy to put it kindly.Good luck and sorry your Q requires restoration,M.L

[maxnix]

1.) Even Q45tech would agree, I got my money's worth if the original transmission lasted this long.

2.) The question is a personal one.... for me it was putting those dollars into this car or putting them toward something newer with 21st century features.

3.) What else would last that long? How about another Infiniti!

1.) Yes, so aren't you glad you have those funds set aside for major component replacement? Nothing lasts for ever, as Dennis has documented. All systems will eventually require replacement.

2.) Like what? OBD II? More airbags? Navigation components? Air bags maybe a valid considertion, navigation cna be added, and who else has power head rests.

3.) Nothing is made as well as the 1990-1995 Japanese luxury imports when they had to prove they belong. Everything other than the exotics has been shaved down to the last millimeter of thickness and employ lowest cost components that will survive.

213K for a transmission is a good service life. Throwing in the towel now is a personal financial decision. So far, I haven't been tempted to part with the dollars and suffer the depreciation of new car replacement. $3K -$6K out of my pocket seems for a well functiong G50 seems a lot better than $65K plus another $30k -$45K in depreciation. My choice.

Abuse is maintenance not performed. We all abuse our cars by using them. The only question is for how long until wear items are replaced.

Time for a new transmission or scavenge it or sell it in its diminshed state. Your choice.
Modified by maxnix at 5:53 AM 3/19/2008

[maxnix]

While depreciation is a factor, the F50 and Y34 still offer stellar value. 2003 M's have dropped to the 17-20 range.

Good luck and sorry your Q requires restoration,

Well, you can't have it both ways. Either a particular model depreciates faster than others and becomes a bargain, or it holds its value and does not, relatively speaking.

All used cars require restoration. It's only a question of degree and what the new owner does not know about.

[elwesso]

Clean G50s are getting really hard to find these days... If you've done a lot of PM to the motor, it may not be a bad idea to throw in a new trans.

Personally, what I might consider doing is picking up another car and keeping the Q. If you have the space its hardly worth getting rid of.

The next best option is to part it out but even thats a huge bummer! I would either part it out or keep it, selling as-is is going to a be a huge loss..

Find yourself a good used trans and go from there.

[Mark Linkous]

Hello,I beg to differ. I purchased my car two years ago C.P.O for around 28k with the Infiniti Elite warranty. The car has the premium and tech package and had 25,000 miles upon purchase. Now, the car is worth probably 20-21k with 40,000 miles. I would say this high given the condition and fully transferrable warranty. During this time the only things done have been a new shift knob and a steering wheel. Both were no big deals and purely cosmetic. No mechanical issues whatsoever. So, I have had the car two years and have lost maybe 8,000 dollars. Most who have purchased a 03-04 M feels the same in regards to value.M.L

[oldmako]

http://www.phoenixhardparts.com/

I don't mean to hijack this thread but the folks on the link above have rebuilt transmissions for $1050 plus 300 shipping (includes core back to them).

Now, I don't pretend to know squat about this shop or the quality of their transmissions. Hopefully others who have experience with them will opine. The QMaster typically has rather unpleasant things to say regarding rebuilt transmissions...even those done by seemingly reputable repair shops. One of his criteria is how often the shop even sees a Q transmission. These folks have a rather short list of rebuilts on their site and guess what one of them is?

It appears to this casual reader, that the go-box is THE weak link in these cars propulsion systems. It's pathetic that they only last such a short life given the robust transmissions many others build these days....but that's another thread.

So, if there are enough Q's floating around with transmission problems, perhaps this shop has found a niche and is offering a reasonably long lived rebuilt unitfor a fair price. I don't know what the current tab is for a Nissan reman, but the last quote I read here was over 3 grand.

If you own a car which has minimal retail value (seems like all of the G50's and many FY33's), it's not an easy choice to drop $4000 or so on a Nissan unit. Perhaps there is a reasonable, cheaper alternative, which is capable of giving reasonable service life.

My gorgeous 120K mile $45,000 car cost me $4500 bucks. If I thought that I could get 80-100K MINIMUM out of a phoenix transmission, then I'd buy one. I figure that by the time this car amasses 250K miles, it will be time to let it go since general maintenance is so expensive. But I sure plan on getting to 250K.

Perhaps you could drop 2 grand on your current car and flog it for another 5 years? Whatever you buy (if used) is going to cost you an extra $1500-2000 within the first 6 months as you "find" stuff which is inop or not up to your standards.

I always plan on spending another 15 percent or so above the purchase price to fix stuff right off the bat. It just the nature of buying used.

Anybody know anything about Phoenix Transmissions?

[maxnix]

I beg to differ.

No mechanical issues whatsoever.

So, I have had the car two years and have lost maybe 8,000 dollars. Most who have purchased a 03-04 M feels the same in regards to value.

That is because you have not budgeted a maintenance reserve. Things are still wearing out, so it is just a question of preventative maintenance and its effect on the rate of wear.

[Mark Linkous]

Actually, I have always budgeted money for both maintenance and repairs. Always have. All maintenance has been done at the dealer. I will sell it prior to the warranty ending though. I suppose my point in all of this is while the Y34 is not as stout as the G50, no question, it is still a very good car. Also, the Y34 offers all modern amenities. Heated/cooled seats, nav, intelligent cruise, HID's, etc... Also, as long as oil consumption is not an issue, the motor is great.Cheers,M.L