Need Help making a decision ...

[ca18tt1978]

Guys just wanted your imput on this car this is a post on craigslist Also what would and could cause these problems

The car has some minor issues: ABS light is on TCS (Traction Control System) light is on Slip light is on

1997 Infiniti Q45

Mileage: 168,000 Engine: V8 4.1 Liter Transmission: Automatic Drivetrain: RWD

Air Conditioning Heat AM/FM Stereo Traction Control Power Steering Cassette Leather Power Windows Single Compact Disc Dual Power Seats Power Door Locks Premium Sound Sun Roof Telescoping Wheel Dual Front Air Bags Alloy Wheels Cruise Control ABS (4-Wheel) Heated Seats CD Changer Books/Keys

Asking: $3875 Or Best Offer;

Kelly Blue Book says the car is worth more than $7000 on a dealer's lot. Don't go and get ripped off. I'm warning you.

Those are all sensors, I'm currently driving the car and I couldn't tell you how those sensors affect the performance of the car because I can't tell. The car drives excellent. The BIG V8 engine under the hood makes no noise and really performs fine.

Please no scammers, shippers, exporters, or transporters.

This is a great buy, I mean the engine and transmission along is worth more than my asking price and interior and exterior is in excellent condition

[ca18tt1978]

And also could someone plus post a readable link to this http://www.nicoclub.com/articles.php?id=217450

I tried to read this but couldnt understand any of it

And also does anyone think thats a good deal (the post above ) for that price even with whats wrong with it .

[gammer_ghn]

what condition? how is the body? and as far as you have explained ide bring down the price to like $2500 to $2800 and be sure to have some money to fix the stuff because she will suck it alllll up = ] mine is at 115000 and well i had to change all the belts and that was about $350 and thats primitive stuff!

[mtcookson]

And also could someone plus post a readable link to this http://www.nicoclub.com/articles.php?id=217450

Here you go: http://is.rely.net/3-12-3019-l...w.jpg

[ca18tt1978]

Here you go: http://is.rely.net/3-12-3019-l...w.jpg

Thank you very much for that link .

And as far as the body go's from the pics the man sent me it looks good no major dents or no rust just some small dings . Paint is in 8-10 condition and its black on tan . Well thanks guys let me check on some fundage and get back to the man selling that Q

[oldmako]

It's seems a bit pricey.

Greetings from a fellow Virginia redneck and recent devotee of the Q.

Not to bust your bawls but the engine and trans are probably not worth more than 1500 bucks. Just look at all the "buy it now" engines on ebay....anywhere from 700-1200 and transmissions for 3-500. Most of those are claimed to have significantly less mileage. Most have a puny 60-90 day warrantee...but who wants to replace a big component twice? I assume that they are lying about the mileage but what the hell. One can buy an entire parts car for 700-1000....which may or may not be wrecked. A great value IF you can store it and cannabalize it at your leisure to be sure, but a fair amount of work.

While it seems like a good deal, with that mileage there could be plenty of hidden expensive gremlins hiding within. Unless you can verify the mechanicals condition(s) and previous owners maintenance habits ($pendy-$pendy) than I think you ought to get it for less. Forget about Kelley, Edmunds and NADA.

I watched and compared those numbers to internet ads and ebay to get a feeling for what sellers were actually getting for the cars, and it's usually much less. I picked up a gorgeous 99 with 120K for 4500 and I paid too much for mine.

IF the car checks out mechanically then it may be a good deal. But if the trans goes in the first year (few seem to last much longer than 150,000-175,000 from what I read here) you're out serious bucks to get it replaced with a quality unit. And if the suspension bits are old, toss in another grand or so. New coils and injectors run around 70-80 bucks each...whats 16 times $80? Sure you can toss in used parts but you could easily spend 3-5000 in the next 20,000 miles if it turns out to be a hangar queen.

If the car proves to be mechanically sound, and if you have the desire to fix the things that will inevitably go tits up then it may be a fine car for you. But talk the guy down. These mothers require hi-test which is on it's way to who knows what per gallon. Most will avoid it for that reason alone and that will put you in a good position to haggle.

I LOVE mine. I use it as my highway blaster and so far it's been worth the hassle and expense. Good luck with the background check and it's final price.

***Disclaimer*** I am a neophyte Q owner and I have been sipping Jim Beam for the last hour.

[maxnix]

It's all about maintenance history and condition. Pull the Infiniti dealer performed history for a clue where to dig deeper with the Senior Infiniti tech who does the inspection.
Modified by maxnix at 3:13 PM 4/3/2008

[Jesda]

For not much more you could find a Y33 Q in much nicer shape with fewer miles. Any used luxury car will need work, but this sounds like a potential mess.

I don't doubt it will see 300k, but it wont do so without time and money.

I've bought a lot of cars with 200k, give or take a few, but only when the deal was hard to pass up. This one is passable.

[ca18tt1978]

Thanks guys i've talked to the owner and he says he has service records from pep boys and jiffy lube (lol) i had to giggle . So i think this one is gonna go by the way side . Well now gonna keep looking for something a lil better .Thanks again guys you been a big help .

[maxnix]

Good choice. Kind of like saying the house was built by Goofy.

Keep looking and keep reading here.

[oldmako]

The longer you wait and the more you troll (read here) the nicer the car you'll end up with. You'll probably be able to spot potential maintenance issues faster and identify those the previous owner either avoided or repaired. I wish that I had spent 6 months to a year here before I bought, but cest la vie. I gots what I gots and I'm happy. It sounds kinda gay, but when I walk out and see my car I still smile.

I think that fuel prices are going to continue to drive Q prices down in the coming months. If you really want one you'll get one cheap and have a nice pile of cash with which to begin the cars rehabilitation.

The nice thing about an expensive car is that SOME folks really open up their wallets to maintain them. Find one of those parked in some old dudes garage and you're set.

[maxnix]

I think that fuel prices are going to continue to drive Q prices down in the coming months.

Funny thing is if one pays attention to car tests, the new EX35 gets about the same mileage as the G50.

Got to get a tin box with a four banger to do significantly better.

[oldmako]

A big reason why buying this car was such an easy decision. To get in the high 20's (mpg) you get into a class of vehicles that command a high price due to their efficiency. And yet you are left driving a buzz box in many cases. So I have to spend 5-8 thousand more up front to get 3-4 more mpg? Made no sense to me. I am averaging between 20-23 with my car and it's hard to find fault with that given the level of comfort, quiet and performance that I enjoy. My foot is what drives the average down as I use it primarily on the highway. 60-65 on cruise control equals 23. 80ish with the Chuck Taylors equals 20. It's also a hell of a lot more fun.
Modified by oldmako at 7:14 AM 4/4/2008

[Q45tech]

Simple engineering says a 4.1\4.5 engine should get 9% better MPG unless you are force to increase diff gearing by 3.694/3.538 = 4.4% then the net will be 9 - 4.4 or 4.6 to 5%. Improving 60 mph MPG to 22 x 1.046 or 23 MPG.

This 1 MPG improvement saves 30 gallons in 15,000 miles of steady highway speed or $1,000 over the legal 10 year life.

And the coverse when the 2008 same sized engine gets worse MPG than the 1990.http://www.fueleconomy.gov/FEG...shtml

What happens when you increase top gear to tire ratio from 2.45 to 2.79,. almost 14%

[bullittandy]

Thanks guys i've talked to the owner and he says he has service records from pep boys and jiffy lube (lol) i had to giggle . So i think this one is gonna go by the way side . Well now gonna keep looking for something a lil better .Thanks again guys you been a big help .

That SLIP/ABS/TRAC light is almost certainly a $25 relay.

I bought my 97 with 194K and have put 42K miles on it with no breakdowns. Only two mechanical failures were a tag light bulb and the ABS relay (see above). I've spent a bunch on regular maintenance but the thing is, there are no money savings buying a car that has 100K versus 175K, struts, valve cover gaskets, K/S all need to be replaced anyways.

Buy that car.

[1994InfinitiQ45]

My TCS,Slip,AIR bag, & BRAKE pad worn lights flash. I've had the brakes, & rotors replaced several times, and those lights wont go off. I've driven my car 4 hrs without stopping. No problem at all. The biggest thing with Infiniti's are oil leaks (not all) and struts (1994 and older). It sounds like a good deal...but be sure to CARFAX his ***! And I love craig'slist!! haha