New guy needs some help

[I-WANT-A-Q]

I am thinking of buying a 90 Q45. Im a college student without a lot of money and the price is good for me. The guy thats selling the car said that it needs the timing guides repaired or replaced. I am a Maxima guy and dont know much about Q's yet. How much would it cost me to have the guides replaced? Im just trying to find out how much I should expect to spend before I buy this car. Any and all help is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance guys.

[DAEDALUS]

Welcome! I'm sorry to break the news, but a '90 Q costs quite a bit to own. The guides will cost anywhere from $1200 at an independent shop up toward $3000 or more at a dealership. The person who owns it obviously doesn't want to shell out the money. Do a search for "chain guides" using the search function to find out the details.Then there are all the other things which tend to go bad on old Qs, like transmissions (if it's original), fuel pump, struts/suspension, driveshaft, etc. Fuel mileage isn't great, 15-20mpg typically. A tuneup will cost $500 or more. It's a fantastic car, but it's no Accord or Camry. We do have members looking for cars/parts. If you decide not to get the car, please forward the info along.What year/major are you in? Penn State?

[greg_atlanta]

I'm a college student without a lot of money and the price is good for me.

PLEASE don't buy the car. If the buyer says it needs timing chain guides I'm assuming they've already broken. That means you need a new engine ($5000+). Not to mention $10,000 of other work in the next year or two.

It's the worst car in the world for a college student unless Mom/Dad are paying ALL the bills!

Luxury cars are best for an upper-income clientele, even if they're cheap on the used market.

I'm 30 and doing pretty well, but still live like a college student in some ways. It's too big a financial struggle to bring an old luxury car back to life!

Get a Civic. Easy to sell when it's time for your next car.

[I-WANT-A-Q]

Are you trying to be funny or something. A civic? I have two Nissan Maximas that i am selling and I want a Q. I was only looking at this one because he wasnt really asking anything for it. Thanks for the help on how much it would cost I appreciate it. But the civic thing is kinda offending.

[DAEDALUS]

We're not here to offend. When I was in college I would have been happy to have any mode of transportation better than my 10-speed.

[I-WANT-A-Q]

Thanks for the help guys. I hope nobody thought I was serious about being offended. I was just kidding. Thanks for welcoming me.

But then again wouldnt anyone be offended by the word "civic"

[firstq]

The problem is that guides are what you start with - and then the story goes on and on...

[greg_atlanta]

Not trying to offend... just trying to suggest a more cost effective alternative. I've run up WAY too many credit card bills fixing my car and hate to see someone else do the same thing.

If you have two Maximas why not sell just one? It's almost always more cost effective to keep what you have.

The Q is a great car -- best car I'll ever own -- but spending $10,000 on repairs & maintenance in 3 years (and I had it easy, no major problems) makes me want a Civic sometimes!

[I-WANT-A-Q]

I thought about keeping my max but I have had four maximas over the last four years. But I always wanted a Q. I found out that the trans has been replaced. I told the guy if he got the guides fixed and let my mechanic check it out afterwards then I would split the cost of the repair with him and still purchase the car. He hasnt gotten back to me so I guess hes thinking about it. I'll keep you guys posted.

[Q45tech]

$10,000 in 3 years is such a small amount [relatively] depending on the mileage in those three years ........remember I spent $17,000 but that was over 90,000 miles. The next 51,000 miles [2.5 years] only cost me $8,300...............17.9 cents per mile for 5.5 years of maintenance, repairs, and upgrades [maybe $1000 total].

I would jump for joy if I could ever have a less than $3,000 year EVEN with my 35% parts discounts, $40 an hour labor [plus my do it yourself]...............the car always needs something but even replaced parts have a finite life.

The problem is now that I am only driving 15,000 miles per year the $3,000 seems more expensive.......20 cents per mile.But with insurance and gas misc the car is only costing around $5500 per year to drive.....now

Old designed lux o sports are expensive to maintain.Last year I changed: the transmission, the alternator, rear shocks, ac compressor and lines, the dryer, the condenser, both front headlight assemblies, master cylinder, front brake lines, RF kingpin, and the blower fan.

Next year front shocks, and upper links, lots of rubber items, a new windshield [again], a rear speaker, knock sensor harness are already on the early repair list............hey that's $1500 at my cost and it isn't even New Years yet. Oh I forgot new rear rotors and pads, and an alignment and 2 more tires in the spring.I'll bet the $3k gets spent by June.

Hopefully I making the situation clear. About what you can get yourself into!

[PalmerWMD]

If youbuy a Q buy one on our Buy/Sell board.

I frequently see great cars in great conditon there.

Fred...

[AZhitman]

I agree with what Fred says 100%.

No seller in his right mind would post a lemon Q here - And if they did, the guru's here would see right through it.

Most NICO cars are "overmaintained", and it's all Dennis's fault.

p.s. Quella thanks you Dennis.

[Q45tech]

Apr 8= almost 100 days [5,000 miles] and only things done have been rear rotors and factory pads, a transmission flush, and 2 front tires plus checking the ac charge [just for fun].

$360 my cost plus $120 [discount Sunday labor].........how long will I put up with the front shocks they have 47,000 miles and will be 3 years old in July [those lowering springs eat them up fast].

So far so good at 247k. The plugs [plenum hoses/cover reseals]were replaced at 200,000 so maybe early 2004.