Newbie Questions - 1998 Q45t

[VikingLS]

Hi, I came across this forum and it seemed like the place to post some questions with regard to a 1998 Q45t I am looking at.

I am looking at purchasing a 1998 Q45t, and while I am a previous Nissan Maxima owner, I am not familiar at all with the cost to maintain a 1998 Q45t.

Is this car on the expensive side to maintain, and what are some things to look for or consider in my purchase decision? Does all service have to be performed at the dealer? Are timing chain a problemas they were with Maxima's?

[Q45tech]

A V8 in a heavier car with rear wheel drive will cost more than a FWD V6.

Tires, brakes, 2 more spark plugs, more stress on transmission and AC.

Every added lux option will have to be maintained.

The 97-01 Q are easier to work on but have different designs in suspension, Infiniti parts cost more than Nissan parts.

My GUESS is that it might cost $1000 more per year plus gasoline increment and insurance plus tag/title annual costs probably less than $2000 in total more per year to operate and maintain over the same year Maxima.................depending on mileage and previous maintenance and repairs.

The trick is to not buy someones's deferred repairs as every used car needs $3,000 or it wouldn't be for sale.

A 9-10 year old car often has 100-150,000 miles just when the maximum repair costs occur

Early to mid 90's was the opitimy of low cost Maxima ownership.

[maxnix]

Wecome to NICO.

No, the timing chains are not a problem.

Read the guide above in the stickies.

Get the Infiniti Dealer Performed Service History.

Have it inspected by a senior Infiniti technician.

Best to have service by someone knowledgeable about the VH41DE.

It costasmore to maintain with 2 extra cylinders and near 2 ton dry weight. But you won't confuse it with a Maxima.

To really learn how to buy, do a lot more reading here.

[VikingLS]

The current owner (private seller) of the 98 Q45t is asking 6900 obo in here in Indiana. It has 93k on it, and is well below the NADA book clean retail value of 9200. I am wondering if he is trying to pass his problems onto someone else by selling the vehicle - it almost seems to be too good of a deal.

What are the maintenance milestones for a Q with this many miles?

[VikingLS]

Well I just did some checking and the closest Infiniti dealer is 90 minutes away, which does make getting it checked out before purchasing an issue. I typically use my regular local guys for checking out car purchases. Will there be things that they will miss?

Also, will I be able to get the service history even if I am not the current owner, and would I do that by calling a dealership?

[Falkdesigns]

You should be able to call the dealer, give the vin and get the history faxed to you. Price is very cheap, 93k is still pretty low miles. A good mechanic can at least give you an idea from looking and listening. I've had mine over 3 years and it's been an excellent car to me.

[maxnix]

Yes, if you have a relationship with a service writer or manager. Otherwise the current owner can get it for you.

Think about plugs, shocks, check the condition of all fluids.

[VikingLS]

I have read the stickies at the beginning, and if the maint. history and Carfax check out, what regular maintenance items should I look having done at first? I am definitly not a DIY person, and given my lack of a local Infinity dealer, is it okay to have them done elsewhere?

Also, I am a member of a lot of forums/lists, and the valuable info you guys offer up here (and so quickly) is nothing short of amazing.

Thanks so much and I hope to become a Q-owner very soon!

[maxnix]

Start by replacing all fluids and filters first, unless known to be correct type less than 1 year old.

Check very carefully underneath for rust.

[VikingLS]

....and given my lack of a local Infinity dealer, is it okay to have them done elsewhere an my local guy if they say "yes, we work on Infiniti" ??

[Falkdesigns]

There's no Y in INFINITI. Your local mechanic that specializes in Japanese cars, and works on Nissan should be fine IMO.

[96Qowner]

I also live nowhere near an Infiniti dealer, but Nissan has been able to do most anything I need. With rare exception, most NICO members have not been much impressed by Infiniti dealers. The dealers tend to want to throw parts at any problem, and usually don't have much of a history of common issues.

No matter where you take it, it'll be up to you to know what needs looking at - most of the time, you'll also have to diagnose it yourself, or know where to look. At least Nissan is familiar with the basics, has the necessary Consult software, and has access to OEM parts.

But NICO can take care of you. You're right, it's a great forum. Welcome.

[VikingLS]

Well I do have a Nissan Dealer about 15 miles away, so that looks to be my solution. So if I make an appt to get it checked out there, will they be able to access the Infiniti service history as well?

So should even the most basic stuff (oil changes) be done at a dealer - I drive about 30k per year, so I get an oil change about every month!

Thanks again, you guys rock!

[VikingLS]

sorry about that typo - I knew I should have taken typing in high school

[Rex]

It's cheap for 2 reasons

Deferred maintenance (gonna cost someone, don't let it be you)orBeen trying to sell for a long time ... which most likely means the current owner hasn't spent much money on the mechanicals as they have on the cosmetics as they've been trying to sell it.

Either way, it most likely is going to need some repairs. Now keep in mind these (probably) aren't repairs necessary for it to be driven for the next year to 18 months, but if you want it to last (and drive/behave) like the car it was.

[96Qowner]

I do a bad bad thang - I have my oil changed at Jiffy Lube.

But mine is one of the serious franchises - good midwestern work ethic, etc. It's best to bring them quality oil filters, though. For other fluid exchanges and flushes, BG is usually good.

http://www.bgfindashop.com

Looks like you have 4 of them in town.

Unless you can find the dealer than did the work, and they still have those records, you can do as well as the dealer by calling Infiniti with the VIN, yourself. Nissan might have access, though - worth checking on.

[VikingLS]

No Jiffy Lube for me, thanks!

And it was good to see that the shop I always go to was in the list! So you usually take your own filters to your BG shop? Since I will have it done quite frequently, which do you suggest?

[maxnix]

Get the M1 from Joe as he has a killer price. Don't forget crush washers.

[96Qowner]

Mobil 1 oil filters are acceptable - Infiniti OEM is best.

We have a parts sponsor that knows more than most dealers and offers NICO members a discount. Joe at 1-888-216-5328

[bullittandy]

The current owner (private seller) of the 98 Q45t is asking 6900 obo in here in Indiana. It has 93k on it, and is well below the NADA book clean retail value of 9200. I am wondering if he is trying to pass his problems onto someone else by selling the vehicle - it almost seems to be too good of a deal.

What are the maintenance milestones for a Q with this many miles?

I don't think that there are any inherent problems in the 97+ models. My 97 has 227K miles and runs perfect. Infiniti's have atrocious resale value which is part of the reason this is such a good deal. Any mechanic that works on Japanese cars can give a prepurchase inspection imo.

[maxnix]

I don't think that there are any inherent problems in the 97+ models.

There was an alternator recall on certain 1997 Q45.

The M1 is a better oil filter than the OEM thimble.

While any mechanic can give you a pre-but inspection, one has to question its value if the mechanic is unfamiliar with the car. Many Nissan mechanics who think they can work on a Q45 have never seen a VH series engine.

Get all the rest of the filters from Joe. Don't forget the cabin one.

[VikingLS]

Why is that? Is it because of competition from Lexus?

"...Infiniti's have atrocious resale value "

[maxnix]

Consumers are lemmings and buy lables and brands. Q45 are realtively unknown.

[VikingLS]

Better for us purchaser's then!

BTW, just an update that I went a test drove that 98 I have been asking questions about. It drove very nice and was in good condition. I haven't checked out the Carfax yet, but the owner said he had it for only a year. I asked him about prior owners and where he purchased the car, he was very short and didn't divulge a lot of info. Then I asked him for maintenance histiory and he said he did all the maintenance himself. I also noted he had dealer plates on the vehicle, but I saw the vehicle at his residence.

While I really enjoyed the ride, this owner was somewhat shady, putting it nicely.

I'll keep looking and keep posting, thanks so much to all for their answers!

[maxnix]

Personally, I prefer the later 1999+ FYH33 for their many improvements.

I wonder if you are on the verge of discovering a salvaged title?

[Rex]

There is a 97 or so Q45 for sale in IN by a NICO member zinkie13, IIRC. CHeck the classifieds, he's looking for $8k or less, and it's been well maintained, just has a little interior door wear.

[VikingLS]

okay here's a REAL newbie question - what's a salvaged title?

[Jesda]

It basically means it was totalled at some point.

Avoid, unless its a killer deal and you get the frame and other bits checked out.

[Rex]

It basically means it was totalled at some point.

Avoid, unless its a killer deal and you get the frame and other bits checked out.

Yes, an insurance company wrote the car off as a total loss, and paid the claimant in full (or close). The car usually cannot be insured for "full coverage" ever again, and it may not be eligible for a loan either.