New guy looking @ 2000 Q45 AE. Want your .02.

[Royalty]

Hello all,I'm Arlo and I'm new here but hopefully I'll own one of these glorious cars.aI have my eyes set on a 2000 Q45 w/ 140k on the clock for $2500.

I want to know what I should, look, listen, smell for when I go check it out.

I saw the buyers guide but it doenst say much for the 2nd gen Q45.

I saw this threadhttp://forums.nicoclub.com/zerothread?id=358166

but just want to see if there was anything anyone wants to add.

[sublime187]

Welcome. I love my 2000 AE model. $2500? What a steal. I would be weary at that price that this car is in need of some work, or is a little beat up. I've owned mine for about 9 mos, and I bought mine with 67k miles for 9900 (apparently I picked the crappiest time of year to buy, and also right before v8's really bottomed out in price). So far, I've had an issue with a power steering line leak, subframe bushings being a little noisy, and what I believe to be some torque converter chatter. None of these seem to be major problems, and I've dealt with the first 2. I love the car, great ride, great look. Gas wise, I get about 18MPG. If the car is in good shape you will LOVE it. If not, it could get REALLY expensive.

The other guys will give you the heads up about what specifically to look for, just thought I'd share my experience.

[ViruzOne]

I also own a An Ed. Q45. Mine is just around the corner to hitting 100K.

Main thing to look out is service records. Either from Infiniti dealership or any or all receipts from the previous owner of typical service done to the car. Look for basic stuff like constant oil changes, filters and fluids, suspension, bushing, alignments, etc. A neglected Q is going to cost you in the long wrong.

to sublime187:

Dont feel bad, i paid 11K for mine just last year... I should of waited another year and i could of been in a 02-03 M45

[Royalty]

well as far as i know it has a rod knocking. I've found engine local for about 8-1k and install from teh first person i spoke too was 1200.

All in all if the car checks out and thats all i have to face then a little over 4500 is still a steal.

I think.

What say you?

[maxnix]

well as far as i know it has a rod knocking.

RUN!!!! The only way that rod is knocking is because the engine (most likely OCI) was severely abused. That implies teh rest of the car was treated in a like manner. There are many other still maintained expamples of this car out there that will be less headache on the long run.

Never have heard of a VH41DE with bad internals as it is so lowly stressed. It took some serious and concentrated abuse to achieve that condition. I repeat, RUN!!!!

[Royalty]

aww damn it. I was really hoping to get lucky. Is there no hope?

[maxnix]

You are buying a broken sow. No amount of lipstick is going to change that and you will be heart broken on the long run.

These cars are virtually bullet proof when maintained to minimum OEM specifications. Look elsewhere unless you are on a mission to spend a lot of time and money resurrecting this car as opposed to enjoying one in good condition for less money spent eventually.

Read the buying guide again! The main lesson is that maintenance history is everything! Brand does not matter without service records and inspection. You inspected, it failed. Move on. There is no bargain here. Only a black hole for your time and money.
Modified by maxnix at 9:08 AM 11/19/2008

[Royalty]

sighagreed.

thank you gentlemen. Guess I'll buy a maxima instead. sniff sniff

[Jesda]

A Maxima isn't a huge downgrade. Its smaller, but sportier. Enjoy.

[Q45tech]

With any 9 year old car don't forget to reserve enough $3,000 for a replacement transmision plus the normal $3,000 for misc things seller skipped.

The early Nissan and other brand CVT cost $5,000 alone to replace so be sure what you are buying.

[maxnix]

For durable transportation, you could do worse than a turn of the centruy Maxima or I30t. Remember, service history and inspection report trumps color, year and model trim.
Modified by maxnix at 2:25 PM 11/19/2008

[bullittandy]

Don't listen to these ninnies!!!!

If you really can get the car and fix the problem for $4500 then you've got yourself a steal!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Of course the car was abused but these cars are tough so take chance-you're obviously a gambler (who else buys a car with a blown engine) so gamble.

[Maneater]

What makes them nannies?

[Maneater]

You're telling me he has 18,000 posts and he knows nothing?

[Romeo5k]

DONT BUY IT PERIOD.. and yes im yelling... would you buy a house with no walls and broken foundation for 50 grand? Sure u put about a good 100 grand in and u will be just rite.... but dam the pain and stress in between that time.... pfft.. I wouldnt.. And as for Maxnix, HE IS THE BIGGEST PAIN IN THE ARSE ON THIS SITE (imho) But he knows his stuff, and he is dam good. He can tell u about ur car better than you can and he is hardly ever wrong. With his help, you will get far and not stuck on a dark road with no phone reception. i still love ya maxnix.. One day ill throw a set of 24s on your Q for ya :-)

[bullittandy]

Don't listen to these ninnies either! LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Jesda]

I would pay good money to see our friend Brian driving a donk.

[Maneater]

DONT BUY IT PERIOD.. and yes im yelling... would you buy a house with no walls and broken foundation for 50 grand? Sure u put about a good 100 grand in and u will be just rite.... but dam the pain and stress in between that time.... pfft.. I wouldnt.. And as for Maxnix, HE IS THE BIGGEST PAIN IN THE ARSE ON THIS SITE (imho) But he knows his stuff, and he is dam good. He can tell u about ur car better than you can and he is hardly ever wrong. With his help, you will get far and not stuck on a dark road with no phone reception. i still love ya maxnix.. One day ill throw a set of 24s on your Q for ya :-)

[JOHNQ]

give him $1500-2000 for it , change all fluids, put lucas in the oil and tranns with the fluid change and if the noise is still there sell it for what you bought it for

[maxnix]

give him $1500-2000 for it , change all fluids, put lucas in the oil and tranns with the fluid change and if the noise is still there sell it for what you bought it for

It's real easy to risk other's moneys or cars.

[NightRiderQ45]

give him $1500-2000 for it , change all fluids, put lucas in the oil and tranns with the fluid change and if the noise is still there sell it for what you bought it for

I don't know about the transmission, but I will definitely NOT advise putting Lucas in your oil. I've seen a clip online where the lucas doesn't mix well with the oil. Don't get brainwashed by the "turning gearwheel" display you see at AAP and AZ.

[qship96]

give him $1500-2000 for it , change all fluids, put lucas in the oil and tranns with the fluid change and if the noise is still there sell it for what you bought it for

Lotions, potions, and tonics can not magically "repair" a wornout or broken hard part......despite what they claim.

[Romeo5k]

I would pay good money to see our friend Brian driving a donk.

My point exactly.. i think he would kill me for even putting it close to his car.. But thats a face that would be priceles to see. As for this subject i think its over.. u have enuf comments and honest opinions to make ur own. Its ur money and ur headache.. hope u make the right decision.... BTW... the cheapest parts u can prolly find for ur car is at Oreilly, and its not recomended. But best way to do this is.. What is the worst scenario? Can this car be part of the worst scenario? If so, price all parts at Oreilly.... Now find a book or a good friend or ask a mechanic what the book time to fix these things are? Now multiply that by 75$

Now like someone said above, what if its not as bad, simple lucas can fix. Then you are good, but for how long? More wear and tear on a damged car cause more damage, a damage that will have u want to just light the car on fire. So like i said ou really dont have to listen, just use ur own judgement. and compare thoughts... Im thru with this thread for now... cya.!

[JOHNQ]

bought my second 99qt for $3000. 120k. new bridgestones. body and int. is minthorrible tapping accompanied with occasional squeal when steeringses light on for misfire and knock sensor codesthen misfire cyl #1 after flooring it on hwy entrance ramp during its stumblebrakes causing steering wheel shakesunknown location/unseen ps fluid leak

did oil change with dino and lucas trans drain n fill with matic d fluid and lucas trans fixdiff drain n fill with pennzoilchanged #1 coil with used leftover and new spark plug and air filternew napa blanks with oem padsfilled ps with lucas ps stop leakalternator went 2mo after purchase

drove it 6 months 4000 mi nowdid an oil flush then refilled with dino and lucasno fluid leaks so far redline s1. got 23mpg to Atl City doing 70-80 drives and accelerates like a champ nice lookin daily beater for nyc/nj streets

i am not changing anything on this until something breaksim doing my own bulletproof y33Q/lucas experimentwill keep you nannies posted

[Romeo5k]

OOoooooOO i see it .. dont ya? N-E one else see it? Ever 2 mos.. Something weird happens eh?

[JOHNQ]

not as weird as your cars

[Romeo5k]

hahahahhah. nice one..

[Royalty]

once again. thanks all for your input.

I'll just sit back and wait and see what else happens by my way.

[maxnix]

Lotions, potions, and tonics can not magically "repair" a wornout or broken hard part......despite what they claim.

Next you are going to tell me the Great Pumpkin and Santa Claus won't be showing up this year. Fie on you, sir!

[maxnix]

I'll just sit back and wait and see what else happens by my way.

Always the best strategy to get the one you want and will be worth maintaining.