New Owner 1997 Q

[CJQ45]

A big Hello to all ...

Just bought a 97 Q45 with 65k for $8700. What do you guys think. The car looks and drives like new. The previous guy was the org. owner of the car - he had all maintaence records from 4000 miles to 63,000 miles - all from the dealer.

Its such a shame that these cars dont hold there value; to us who know what the car is all about - its a steal at that price as for as i'm concerned.

Ok - heres the deal:

1. Last "major" service was performed on 45k. (fuel filter, oil, coolant drain and transmission filter)

2. The drive belts look worn, probably need to change them.

3. I cleaned the throttle body, MAF and inspected under the hood - looks good. No brown build up in the engine either.

From all who own the car - any major things to "look out for?" on the 97's.

I have a 94 Q - I still think its better than the 97. 97 is nice - but too much of a float feel - and the steering is toooooooo sensitive at low speeds. My 94 Q still has that - go get'em boy feel. Attached are a few pictures of my 94 Q.

Quick question on the Q:

How the &%**% do I pull out the computer from the pass. side to do a code check. I got the two screw - bottom and backside. The plastic that covers the harness is too big to pull out straight - it touches a metal joint. Without removing the harness, I cant get the top screw. I tried to pull it to the side enough to pull the harness out - unitl I heard part of the plastic crack - then I stopped. The maximas are so simple to read - why couldnt they make this the same way?

q1: 94 158kq2: 97 65k

[Q451990]

Congratulations! The 97 with it's OBDII computer will probably throw a "check engine" light with any error, so I doubt you'd need to do a code check. The OBDII system is MUCH more sensitive than the older OBDI.

You might go ahead and download service manuals for both Q's at http://www.infiniti-techinfo.com for $20 with the one day "viewing" subscription. Just be sure to have a good connection and plenty of time.

Heath

[duck3986]

I have a '98 and if the plugs are original, I'd suggest doing new plugs.

Don

[Q45tech]

8 year old car ~~ $8700.........20% [80% off] of its usually discounted MSRP [$45k] sounds normal to me..........you just lucked up and found a low mileage unit 65k for a high mileage price.Flush the transmission now change filter, clean magnet, change the diff fluid now, replace the shocks and bushings, vacuum down AC change the oil and dryer then recharge.......you will add years of cheap service.

When you buy a used car, HIGH depreciation is your friend, now keep the car till you sell it to a junk yard for $700. 8-10 years from now.

[duck3986]

Q45tech,

I'm curious, why replace shocks if they're not gone? My '98 has 94k miles and they seem fine.

Also, how do you change the oil and dryer on the AC system? Can the recharge be done at home?

[Q45tech]

Negative, AC work requires specialize evacuation, weight, and cleaning equipment. Reoiling system, etc.If you have to ask how you are probably not qualified.

How do you know the shocks are good have you tasken them off and tested them on a specialized Shock test machine. Are they [rears] in excess of >185 pounds damping force when tested at 1.0 ft per sec expansion rate? {the rears only expand 3.25" so you must measure the force in 270 milliseconds with a better than 5% accuracy}

http://www.spa-uk.co.uk/dynamometers/pmd.htm

I can assure you than after 60,000 miles 4 years every Nissan shock made will not be as stiff as brand new........usually 50-25% as stiff!

[Q45tech]

Infiniti Q45 FSM use to have shock specs, but not for the last 8 years because a few owners actually had theirs measured [and came in with a certified graph from a lab] and got them replaced under warranty! Not really worth it since labor is more than the shocks [except on some 97-01 Q fronts].

Infiniti quickly stopped giving out info that could be used against them in the 60 k warranty.

Shocks are a wear and tear item along with all rubber parts. Why the 4-60k warranty vs 6-70k on drivetrain.

We have never had an owner complain [except for the prices] or ask for their old worn shocks be restored in place of the new ones.......which we would be glad to do under our customer satisfaction warranty.....We always save old shocks for a few days. They never call back because the change is OBVIOUS........if anything they complain that the ride is too harsh with new shocks......especially when changed in cold weather.

Shocks almost never leak the oil out for at least 7-8 years, the high pressure nitrogen charge just leaks out affecting the rebound first.

Similar to what happens with active suspension but in reverse........the ride gets softer instead of harder.