Opinions on 2000 Q45 Anniversary Edition?

[KA13]

I found a 2000 Q45 and was wondering if there is anything I should watch out for if I look at it. I've been dying for a luxury car for awhile now and with my 240 being herself I just need something reliable that I'll enjoy being in. I've read about the chain guide issues on the earlier models but was unsure if the later models were also plagued by any problems. Any help you can give me would be much appreciated.

[goody90q45]

Here's a link to the "Thinking About Buying A Q45" sticky. After reading the thread I think your biggest issue is going to be the cost of the strut replacement. Don't be scared away by the recalls, every Q has had them. Other than that I think most every owner has been very happy with their AE. I'm sure you'll hear from some owners but the link will get you started.

zerothread?id=157239

[maxnix]

The most important thing is the Infiniti Dealer performed service history. The second in the inspection by an experienced senior Infiniti technician after you both have reviewed the history.

FGY33 are extremely reliable, but ignoring due diligence is not a wise option on any acquisition.

[paranoidjack]

The most important thing is the Infiniti Dealer performed service history. The second in the inspection by an experienced senior Infiniti technician after you both have reviewed the history.

FGY33 are extremely reliable, but ignoring due diligence is not a wise option on any acquisition.

Buy it! I don't think you can buy a better car for the money. I bought mine with 72k on it, I have 150 now. This is only 2 years of driving...I have taken very good care of her except for one bang0up, but the car is fantastic.

Drive it with AC on full blast on a hot day. Idle at enough stoplight to feel comfortable the car doesn't "skip" at idle. If so, you will be plagued with the mystery problem many of us are...and then mysteriously aren't.

[KA13]

Thanks everyone. I think I'm going to talk to the place on sunday, its at a Carmax in California so I would have to pay to have it shipped to Tennessee. Is 12,000 unreasonable for one with 76,000 on it? Just trying to be prepared, I wasn't on my 240 and payed for it in the end. I might hit up an Infiniti/Nissan dealer and see if they have anything on the backlot in the form of a Q while I'm out looking.

Oh, btw Paranoid, the one I'm looking at is a twin to yours. Not sure if all annivers. are white or not.

[maxnix]

I would obatin the Infiniti service history first, then fly out there and have the inspection performed, then drive it back. Many horror stories about shipping and buying cars sight unseen. You cannot see the important small stuff on the internet like the color and smell of ATF.

[qship96]

I wouldnt pay a dime over $9,000 for a 9 year old Q, and then only if it was a 1 owner, perfect looking car with NO paintwork, and immaculate looking with complete service records.....and passed a complete checkup by an experienced tech

Hell, I wouldnt even buy one period in todays market, with the current and projected future fuel prices!

[maxnix]

I rather agree withthe first part, but not the second. The FGY33 is not a bad sedan for touring or commuting. But I live in the land of pickups and large SUV, so the Smart car has no appeal whatsoever from a safety standpoint.

[bullittandy]

Thanks everyone. I think I'm going to talk to the place on sunday, its at a Carmax in California so I would have to pay to have it shipped to Tennessee. Is 12,000 unreasonable for one with 76,000 on it? Just trying to be prepared, I wasn't on my 240 and payed for it in the end. I might hit up an Infiniti/Nissan dealer and see if they have anything on the backlot in the form of a Q while I'm out looking.

Oh, btw Paranoid, the one I'm looking at is a twin to yours. Not sure if all annivers. are white or not.

$12K is alot of money for that car, I'd say that 10K is absolute top price for a 2000 and it better be PERFECT. For 12K you could buy a 2002/2003 Q45!!

[KA13]

Alright then, looks like I'm making a few calls to dealerships to see what I can find.

[paranoidjack]

Alright then, looks like I'm making a few calls to dealerships to see what I can find.

Yeah, I paid 15 for mine, over 2 years ago, and it was IMPECCABLE inside and out, with a set of 19" wheels and new wraps.

12k is way too much. Print literature off the net, other cars like it on ebay, etc.....

good luck!

[IceCubeFoSho]

I paid $6K for mine a little over one year ago with only 96K miles, anniversary edition and all... Lets just say I got a REALLY REALLY REALLY good deal. I've had 0 problems, the only thing was I had to replace tires and there were two chips in the window. Everything else was pretty much in great condition (Not perfect due to things like rock chips). Now I've got like 104,500 miles and I still haven't changed my spark plugs, but I have to purchase a new A/C Unit for the house, and thats $1500 so I'm holding out on getting the plugs since they still work fine. Infiniti really knows how to manufacture cars well.

Oh and I have seen a few smart cars in Houston, its pretty odd/funny. One guy has his father drop him off to class in a yellow smart and I've always felt like tipping it over when I walk past it occasionally. Most here opt for Civics and Corollas when it comes to mileage which I think might end up being smarter choices.

[burgy240]

I paid 6,400 for mine and it was in GREAT shape. Just had high miles 132K.... but I bought it 9 months ago....

[qship96]

Everything about that post scares me!!!!!

[maxnix]

It was inspected by an Infiniti dealership just before the sale and the only things they could find wrong with it were it needed new tension rod bushings, a fan belt, windshield wiper blades, and one shock had leaked a very small amount of fluid. So far she didn't fix any of the problems and it is running strong except she says the steering wheel is starting to vibrate above 65 mph.. Could that be the tension rod bushings getting worse? She doesn't know much about cars

She lets her friends drive the car when she isn't using it with the proviso that they bring it back with a full tank, so she said she hasn't bought gas in three months.

Wow. Piling up deferred maintenance, now the serious and expensive failures begin.

Hope you have a $5M umbrella policy when one of her friends has problem. You have obviously already writtten off your daughter.

[bullittandy]

The previous two posts are examples of what makes this board good, but not perfect.

Offering no advice and then insulting a guy's parenting-yeah Nico!!!!

Start a new post Victor and lets get those problems solved.

[qship96]

Not rocket science to replace wiper blades, shocks, fan belts, or tension rod bushings........just requires mindset to maintain in order to prevent bigger problems. Driving with worn fan belt could leave the girl stranded on the side of the road or overheated and destroyed motor, worn wiper blades could lead to an accident due to reduced visibility.

Worn shocks and bushings could lead to accelerated wear on related suspension components, increasing overall cost and complexity of repair and soil the driving experience in the mean time.

[qship96]

replacing worn items that affect the safety of the driver{like wiper blades/fan belts} and protect the investment made in the car are hardly "throwing money at it" or"devoting her life to it".....We are not talking about putting shiny wheels on the car, or touching up a scratched bumper.....or fixig a broken radio.

There is a huge difference in spending to protect ife and the value of the asset, and blowing money and time on frivilous cosmetics....sounds like both of you need to rethink your priorities regarding this.

Certainly wouldnt buckle up in any airplane she is responsible of maintaining!!!!!

[maxnix]

Yeah, that's the whole point. Why neglect safety and perforomance items when you are the mentor and setting the example?

I loaned my first car to a couple of friends to drive back from the coast for one's graduation. They were not speeding nor racing. Just screwed up at night. They rolled it and totalled it. Didn't have a car for quite a while after that.

[Victor]

I deleted my other posts as I don't want to hijack this thread. I don't know why I responded to you in the first place, my apologies to the board.

[NightRiderQ45]

Certainly wouldnt buckle up in any airplane she is responsible of maintaining!!!!!

True...Honestly Victor, please get those items fixed on the car. The fan belt is cheap, but if it breaks then you are going to shell out $$$$ to fix it. Especially if one of her friends are driving it and it over heats, crack heads...it will be a sad day for your wallet. There is no type of way that I would let me college friends drive my car. It's not theirs, so they will drive it any kind of way...kinda like when you use a rental car.
Modified by NightRiderQ45 at 11:34 AM 8/11/2008

[maxnix]

It's not theirs, so they will drive it any kind of way...kinda like when you use a rental car.

Most of my generation would treat a rented or borrowed better than their own. Younger think rentals and borrowed are an opportunity for abuse.
Modified by maxnix at 12:34 PM 8/11/2008

[sublime187]

it must be an unpleasant experience to become a bitter old fart. at least it apparently ensures that you are overly anal about your car care habits.

[Q45tech]

Just remember that every used V8 Japanesae and EU car will need $3,000+ to return it to near new operating condition. Some may need $10,000 so an expert evaluation is necessary!

Without serious testing average technicans won't know if the AT, AC, diff, or engine is on its way out.

[NightRiderQ45]

Most of my generation would treat a rented or borrowed better thatn their own. Younger think rentals and borrowed are an opportunity for abuse.

A opportunity to abuse...what a dumb statement given the fact that they have your insurance information and YOU would have to pay/be liable for ANY abuse they find once you bring it back. Please stop with your asinine statements. BTW, I don't know anyone who treats a rental BETTER than their own car. I guarantee that NO ONE on this board would purchase any type of car from a rental dealer including your generation.

Maxnix...I don't want to hear anything about integrity from you. Once again, after your comment stating that you empty your cash savings to pay brand new cars with cash...your statements holds no value with me. It just proves how silly you are at times. Contribute to the board instead of making asinine statements ok. Once again Victor, make sure you get those items fix on your daugher's car asap.

[Q45tech]

I thought we had a prohibition on Political Statements in post , guess I was wrong so I'll add my own take!

[maxnix]

it must be an unpleasant experience to become a bitter old fart. at least it apparently ensures that you are overly anal about your car care habits.

Yep, it is really bitter treating borrowed property with respect. But I sleep well at nights.

My cars run great, thank you!

"The unexamined life is not worth living." - Aristotle

[NightRiderQ45]

I thought we had a prohibition on Political Statements in post , guess I was wrong so I'll add my own take!

Nope, not to my knowledge. I didn't hear you complain when a couple of members had Ron Paul political statements in their signature. I guess you can't stop a grown man from acting their shoe size... . Please don't jack the thread!

[maxnix]

I guess you can't stop a grown man from acting their shoe size!

What's that sayiing a bout being able to fill someone else's shoes, or at least walk a mile in them? But I guess that person has to be beyond crawling age to know.

[NightRiderQ45]

What's that sayiing a bout being able to fill someone else's shoes, or at least walk a mile in them? But I guess that person has to be beyond crawling age to know.

LoL....that I can agree with. I'm still a vibrant young'n!