Newbie...need advice

[big_monz]

Whats up all,

I've been brousing the forum here and need some direct adivce. I am looking at purchasing a 2002+ Q45 and want some guidance as to the quality of this car as a used car purchase.

I read the consumers reports guide for 2006 and it stated that the Q45 was approx. 4/5 as far as total value, but it had low ratings for I beleive engine and brakes and possibly exhaust.

Are there some common problems with this car to look out for? Also what types of things should I look for, or look out for when looking at used models.

I live in Toronto where it does snow heavily at times, how is the Q in the snow?

And finally, as a daily driver, how does it do on gas? I dont really have a lead foot, but do drive in rush hour morning and evening.

Any help in this decision would be much appreciated, linking your responses to relevant past posts would also be great.

Thanks

MONZ

[AZhitman]

Welcome aboard, Monz!

The 02 Q is a LOT of car for the money, it has not held its value well... Anytime you can get a 4-year-old $60K car for under $20K, it's a good move.

Any "luxury" car is going to have its share of maintenance issues, but I don't think the F50 is any worse than the offerings from Acura, Lexus, M-B or Cadillac.

I'd bet on 15 MPG in mixed driving, but some of our other Q owners may have better info.

[bigjimmy]

I recently purchase a 02 Q45 premium with 49k miles. It replaced a Lexus SC300. So far, I'm very impressed. I get 19 mpg mostly spirited city driving. From my research, things to watch for is puff of smoke at start-up possible sign of oil consumption. If you can test drive it, some 02's hesitate when you stomp on the gas at 40 mph, a chip needs to be reprogramed or replaced, expensive if it's out of warranty. The idler pulley can come loose and be noisy. There are several Technical Service Bulletins that address these issues, I haven't seen any issues on brakes or exhaust.Besides this site, there is not much info on F50's, I think it's because there just aren't many of them out there. I've had mine for 4 months and have yet to see another F50 on the road. Navigation system is awesome, I upgraded to 6.5 version of DVD from zenrin. Voice recognition is pretty useless. Back seat is comfortable for adults. Some controls are awkward, A/C and radio control are same shape and close to each other, enter button on navigation usually has to be pushed more than once. Only other complaint is the gas light comes on at 1/4 tank, and if you ignore it navigation will ask you if you want it to find you a gas station. I run the car until it's on E and it always takes 18 gallons to fill and the tank hold 21.4 gallons. I have no buyers remorse. So far I love the car.

[ceningolmo]

Only other complaint is the gas light comes on at 1/4 tank, and if you ignore it navigation will ask you if you want it to find you a gas station. I run the car until it's on E and it always takes 18 gallons to fill and the tank hold 21.4 gallons.

I don't know this as fact, so take it for what it is worth. But, I would guess that infiniti built the "gas light" to be intentionally conservative on fill-ups. Nissan/infiniti are notorious for craptacular fuel pump longevity. They burn up quickly once the fuel level is below the level of the pump...

infiniti is probably putting the warnings up early in order to prevent premature replacement of your fuel pump!

[elwesso]

Welcome to NICO monz.

Read the sticky above, you're concerned with the F50 Q45...

Basically all the issues that are "known issues" on the F50 were mainly on the 2002s and the 03s have much improved designs on various things... Get a 03 if you can, the price difference isnt much and you get a lot more...