Need Help Checking Out A 1990 Q45 In Hicksville, NY

[thejfed]

Hey guys, this is my first post. Currently own a 1990 300ZX as a summer toy and been keeping my eye out for a nice first gen Q45. I found one at a small used car dealership in Long Island, NY. Hicksville to be exact. I've talked to the guys on the phone and they seem ok. I live in Minnesota and would hate to fly out to find a mess. Trying to find someone who is local and pretty knowledgable when it comes to older Infiniti/Nissans to maybe check this particular Q45 out for me as a preliminary measure. I'd also need to find a really good mechanic out there that isn't associated with the dealership to do a once over. Wondering if there's anyone out there willing to help me out.

[OwnerCS]

Welcome to NICO!

I wish I had a business trip to Queens coming up then I could catch a LIRR to my old workplace station there in Hicksville.. Though we've got much expertise in Massachusetts and Maryland.

Now that I think about it, I remember a member from Jersey City back in the winter.

One way to consider a check out would be to find a 300ZX member in the area that owns or has access to one of the OBD1 diagnostic tools like Consult, Blatz, or EcuTalk. If someone could capture the vital signs with one of those tools, many members here can analyze.

I think would remember a member from Hicksville since I once worked there some years ago.. Outside of that, I don't remember seeing anyone from like Mineola, Carle Place, Westbury, or further out on the island.

Some members check in once every few days.. Hopefully someone in the area can help.

[OwnerCS]

Before I completely forget..

There is a section on www.q45.org with buying advice.

Check it out at the following URL.

http://www.q45.org/advice.html

[Q451990]

to NICO!

I hope someone comes along soon that can go do a pre-buy inspection for you.

Heath

[thejfed]

Thanks OwnerCS and Q451990. Appreciate everything. I looked and it seems there are two Infiniti dealerships near this guy. I'm thinking before I buy it I make him take it to the dealership. I talked to the dealerships which have no clue who he is. They only want $120 to do a full inspection on the Q. Figured if I did it twice at two different dealerships I can get a decent idea of what shape this car is in. Thoughts?

[thejfed]

Forgot to mention, this Q is a 1990. It has 63,xxx on it all original. One owner. They want $6k. I told them that's crazy and am thinking I'm willing to pay between $4-4.5k. It's champagne with burgundy interior. Looks like a time capsule...

[maxnix]

Can't think of anyone knowledgeable up there and still here.

$4K is nuts as if the timing chain guide has not been done, the next start could be its last.

[thejfed]

I noticed you guys are pretty hung go on the timing chain thing. I'll be honest, I've heard of it, but the people I know have never done it....I'm sure you all know the company Stillen...? I know the crew there and one of the owners has had a slew of first gen Qs. He has also heard of the timing chain guide thing but never replaced any of his. Only thing he's ever had happen was the transmissions went out somewhere between 150k and 200k (which seems reasonable for a car). So I completely understand the timing chain thing, but have a hard time since no one I know (including a respectable tuner in the industry) seems to ever replace theirs or have problems....again, I'm sure it's a real issue. Just having trouble grasping the need to do it....doesn't mean you shouldn't ;-)

(Not trying to come and start a fight, honestly. Just expressing experience and really looking forward to hearing back. Really liking Nico forums. Been lurking half the day.)

[maxnix]

I saw one 1992 Q45 in my neighborhood that lasted 180K with the original timing chain guides.

On the other hand, we had a 6 month period where 4 1992 failed catastrophically. Do some searching. We are not hung up as it is a known fact is is not if the orginal guides will fail or not, but when.

As to your Stillen guys, I bet they change their oil frequently. There seems to be anecdotal evidence that fresh oil will help preserve the non-metal backed guides.

Now, you may be able to tell us why Nissan changed to the metal backed guides in 1994?

[thejfed]

Again, not trying to start anything. I've read the facts and agree, clearly they shouldn't have been plastic.
So for a perfect condition 1990 Q w/ 63k on the clock, what's a reasonable asking price.....one owner. They want $6k. That's absurd considering I'll probably have to get the guides done...

[maxnix]

Again, not trying to start anything. I've read the facts and agree, clearly they shouldn't have been plastic.
So for a perfect condition 1990 Q w/ 63k on the clock, what's a reasonable asking price.....one owner. They want $6k. That's absurd considering I'll probably have to get the guides done...

I would say $2K - $2.5K. The under plenum hoses are shot also, and the suspension rubber is hard as rock candy. You are looking at about $5K there unless you are adept with the tools and have them and the time. Then you are still in for at least $3K for parts. How does the ATF and PS look? R12 for the AC is not inexpensive. And I would want to see that car on a lift and check out the corrosion from being in NY, One of my G50 is from Brooklyn, but it was only used to go into the city for dinner as the owner had a city car.

Oops, you're from the buckle of the rust belt. I have never seen so many see through cars in my life as I have there.

[thejfed]

OY! Alright so here's the full deal. Father and I have a 1990 300ZX 2+2 as a toy. I sold my daily driver and am looking fora new one. I can't decide on what to get so I started considering getting a "runner." My uncle had a 1990 Q back when they came out. He ran it to about 95k and then dumped it for a 2000 A8. I've always had a fetish for this car. To my knowledge (starting to question that...) they seemed like ridiculously reliable cars outside of the guides. The above has me running scared....You've outlined $8 right off the bat....Since I have the Z I'm not sure I'm ready to sign up for a project car..yet.

Love the Q...but not sure I am ready to have a daily driver (or my fianée will marry me) that is going to end up being a money pit....

Yea I knew about the rust stuff. Again, probably going to have an Infiniti dealership do a full inspection if I go through with it. But you've got me nervous now. I was fairly convinced it was going to be ready to go (aside from guides)...

[OwnerCS]

When I got mine, I knew going in that I would need to spend about $2,000 to take care of guides, injectors, hoses, and all so I budgeted $3,000 to completely cover it. I Knew the engine had about 5,000 hours on it and the way it was driven and garaged -- so I think it is worth it.. I've known about the car for over 10 years now. My sons also wanted a project car so I jumped in on this one.. The project has definitely been a lot of fun..

Looking back at last year, I easily spent $3,000 on parts. That amount included the purchase of new Phase II injectors, alternator (Nissan reman) all new hoses, chain guides, O2 sensors, knock sensors, knock sensor wiring harness, transmission filters and hoses, seals, gaskets, water pump, belts, power steering hoses..

[maxnix]

When properly maintained they are extremely reliable cars. But making a daily or even occasional driver out of an early Q45 is an undertaking. If you really want a G50, look for a good 1994 or 1995 one as they have fewer things to correct and a few more amenities.

[thejfed]

After they added the grille it lost some of the appeal (IMO). How much of this stuff do Infiniti dealerships know?

[maxnix]

Almost none as the senior techs trained in 1989 succumbed to the sales slump in the late 90's early 00's, or just plain retired. No one in MN of whom we know. Almost no one takes a G50 to the dealer, but a few techs have one.

The previous posts on this board are your best resource.

[thejfed]

Oh, sorry. The car I'm looking at is in Hicksville, NY on Long Island. So I'd have the Infiniti dealership out there look it over. At least they'd be able to tell the condition of the rubber and suspension bits. Also be able to give me an idea of any underbody rust.

[LongBeachCoupe]

My Nissan Tech can/will give you honest advice on it and can perform any needed repairs issues etc.
He is a Nissan Tech @ Advantage and has been a loyal friend for several yrs.

[thejfed]

No kidding?! Nice. Can't believe I might've found a mechanic out there that could look at this thing and give me an honest opinion. The place I found the car said they'd be more than willing to take it to any dealership at my cost to have it checked out (if they wouldn't I'd call that a red flag). Do you live out that way LBC?

[BadQ45t]

Just a note on the timing chain guides, my dad had a very nice 92' that was owned by an older couple that sold it to him. The car was PERFECT in every way at 42k on the clock when he bought it. I had just joined this board around that time (the first incarnation of this board) and everyone was talking about these. He serviced the car at Infiniti of Ventura in CA and the service manager was his buddy, the owner of the dealership was a very old familiy friend. He assured my dad that this was an "urban myth" and he should worry about it. Anyhow, dad ran the car to 92k with TONS of things going wrong, luckily he'd purchased a warranty for $1400 bucks when he bought the car, he cashed about $4500 out of the warranty. The day the warranty ended he sold the car and 1 day after he sold it the timing guides blew out. He being an honest person gave the guy a refund and the car was a charity case.

He had to replace so many things I cannot even being to remember all the repairs....but my take is if you make this into a daily driver it will be a daily battle fighting failures and gremlins. I had the car for 6 months while he wasn't using it and had constant gremlins that I fought. I finally ended up buying a 97' which at first seemed like a car I would never buy (less horse, etc) but this car has been so reliable that i have never regretted it. You must know that your signing up for a alot of repair work and with you winters not sure how the salt and winter weather will work out. With that said, offer them 2.5k firm and see if they bite. Nobody is going to give them 6k unless a big sucker walks in there.

[paranoidjack]

...Looking back at last year, I easily spent $3,000 on parts. That amount included the purchase of new Phase II injectors, alternator (Nissan reman) all new hoses, chain guides, O2 sensors, knock sensors, knock sensor wiring harness, transmission filters and hoses, seals, gaskets, water pump, belts, power steering hoses..

...and a BOATLOAD of rags

What a beauty she is

[thejfed]

BadQ45t,

I actually assume if I don't end up with it, some *ahem* person will buy it for $6k. But they will have no idea what they are buying. They'll be buying it cause it's an "affordable luxury car..." The car is being advertised as , "This is the cleanest, most luxurious, lowest mileage car in the country for under 6 thousand dollars!!" So....you can tell what kind of person will end up with this if I don't. Someone who really wont know what they are getting into..

[thejfed]

This is the listing for the car... http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail.js ... d=60020900

[Infinitiguy19]

Black fluid in the Master Cylinder reservoir that is also a little low means a full fluid replacement with a possible replacement of brake pads.

Does it have the OEM battery cover with positive cable cover? 99.9% of the cars I see don't!

The wheels are clean but the front left has two wheel weights, something must be wrong there.
http://www.dealerrater.com/classifieds/ ... XLM002618/#

And the coolant fill cap is on backwards.

[thejfed]

Good observations. I noticed the coolant fill cap was on backwards. ;-)

[SteveTheTech]

That is a good looking Q. Although if I where in your shoes I would seriously consider shipping it. Even if you have an illusive Q45Tech give the car its blessing there is no saying a 21 year old car with so few miles will do well over such a long trip. There are allot of things that just must have dried out over the last two decades. Long Island is less than ideal when it comes to salt exposure from not just sea air but harsh winters.

Be careful with that.

IMO- that is not the best DD you can get for 4500. Be very careful.

[thejfed]

Oh if I buy it I'll end up shipping it. *sigh* I'm not so sure what I'm going to do anymore. You guys know a lot and have scared the Q out of me when it comes to this car as a daily driver. Reason I wanted it is I've always had a thing for it and thought it would be a cheap daily driver. Not so sure about that anymore.

[BadQ45t]

It is very clean but I bet it sits on that lot for awhile. Given gas prices and the color of the car, it will not fly off that lot. I agree with your last post, this is not a good daily driver. I wish I had garage space as I would love that as a musem piece but serious you can find more reliable daily driver (for sure not as cool) for 6k that will a much better purchase. If this was a local buy I would say go and barter with them, but given how far away it is from you and the variables I would think 2-3 times before I moved on it. You can find a good 2nd gen for 6k easily maybe with a little more mileage but with way fewer gremlins introducced at the factory and can be pretty fun too (and much more modern than a 90' Q).

[maxnix]

Black fluid in the Master Cylinder reservoir that is also a little low means a full fluid replacement with a possible replacement of brake pads.

Or the ABS system which is spendy. Make sure it has the under engine tray.

I would want a cash kitty of $10K just to feel safe. Again, nowhere near $6K. I have seen better later models for less here, but are very rare. If you really want to know, read all (every one of them!) of Q45tech's posts starting from the first one here. InfinintiGuy has a link to some of his even earlier posts somewhere on here. Once you read these, you will realize what it takes to maintain a1990 (or any early G50 Q45 and even later ones) to as new standards.

I drove my 1995 from Brooklyn to Seattle. Great drive once I got out of Chicago. It had 26K and was 6 years old.

[SteveTheTech]

It is very clean but I bet it sits on that lot for awhile. Given gas prices and the color of the car, it will not fly off that lot.

I agree. Anyone who knows these cars would run the hell away once you see those wheels and the big emblem. Personally I'd never think of anything older than 94.

I thought I was the only one who thinks that color is...interesting to say the least. I hate that interior color.

Or the ABS system which is spendy. Make sure it has the under engine tray.

I would want a cash kitty of $10K just to feel safe.

I drove my 1995 from Brooklyn to Seattle. Great drive once I got out of Chicago. It had 26K and was 6 years old.

That is not to mention the airbags which only have a lifespan of 10 years, the control units and wire connections all over the car.

10k would be a good place to start. That is using factoring any updates in maintenance that would be required to take the car from a garage kept beauty to DD. Even with the low miles everything might need to be replaced. I would start with anything exposed to fuel...filter, plugs, inspect all injectors.

We had a 91 with 200k and expired tags from '01 it looked like it had been sitting for years, in a garage but still it was bad. ALPHA readings where 125 in closed loop due to leaky hoses, but it ran.