Q45 Questions

Post by **maximabob** » Mon Apr 21, 2003 5:14 am

I am in the beginning stages of replacing my loyal and beloved 1990 Maxima, and I am leaning towards a pre-1997 Q45. I have started my research, but I have a couple of preliminary questions:

Active Suspension: I am interested in the Active Suspension system, but I am concerned about replacement and repair costs. I expect to drive this car until it has well over 150,000 miles. How reliable is this system in high-mileage cars? How expensive is it to repair/replace parts? Am I asking for trouble in looking for this feature? How can I easily determine if a particular car is equipped with the Active Suspension?

Touring Model: Besides the lip spoiler, what features are added in the Q45t over the standard Q? I have seen a Q45t with a woodgrain interior, but I wasn't sure if that was an add-on or part of the Touring package.

Are there any specific problem areas I should consider when looking at Q45's?

Thanks for any and all assistance.

Post by **AZhitman** » Mon Apr 21, 2003 5:14 am

Welcome Bob!

The 90-96 Q's are quite plentiful here on the boards. Without going into TOO much detail, the 90-93 (grille-less) Q's are a bit faster and less luxurious. They also suffer from the dreaded "chain guide" issue, which can be terminal if it has not been addressed. The 94-95 models are a bit cushier, a tad slower, have upgraded chain guides, and IMO preferable since they're that much newer (and you may be able to get an aftermarket warranty - a necessity with an older sport-luxury sedan). 96 is generally not as popular as performance took a dive with the introduction of OBDII (also reduced the amount of DIY options).

The "a" model is most easily recognized by the "a" on the decklid (Q45a). HARD to find, and expensive to maintain, but fortunately we have one of the active suspension gurus right here at NICO (texasoil) who sells recharged nitrogen accumulators to restore active functions.

The "t" model added a rear anti-sway bar and some other suspension tweaks. Not much else worth noting.

No real pressing need to hold out for a "t" (or an "a" in my opinion). Find a clean, maintained regular Q, buy an aftermarket warranty, add the rear sway bar, upgrade the tires, and perform some routine maintenance (which we can walk you through) and you'll have a world-class car with capabilities exceeding many newer (and more expensive) sedans.

Spend some time perusing the Online Mechanic forum and use the Search function - There's TONS of great info here.

Welcome again!

Post by **maximabob** » Mon Apr 21, 2003 5:14 am

Thanks for the info. Especially the information about the 96. I knew the 97's with the new body style took a performance hit, but I wasn't aware that the 96 was similarly anemic. Sounds like I will avoid the "a" model and not hold out for a "t".

One more dumb question... do all Q45's have a solid sunroof, or were any produced with a glass roof? I really like the glass roof in my Maxima. It's obviously not going to keep me from buying a Q; I'm just curious.

Post by **AZhitman** » Mon Apr 21, 2003 5:14 am

All solid. You'd love that if you lived here in AZ...

Good luck with your search. If you find one, I'm sure someone here on NICO lives close by and would be glad to have a look. If you can, search areas with good climates to minimize rust... autotrader.com is a great resource.

Post by **Jeff Williams** » Mon Apr 21, 2003 5:14 am

Bob, I do miss my glass roof, especially when I am with the Mrs., on the way to dinner, and she dos not want to get the har messed up, or on a beautifully clear night, when I want to listen to my stereo, without the extra wind noise. The remedy is, tell her you like her hair up, and get a subwoofer. (This works).

You see, I have owned 3 Maxima's(1990 GXE, 1992 SE 5-speed, and a 1995 SE Automatic), and currently own a 2000 I30t Sport.

I can drive the Q for hours, and not get tired. It is an amazing car. Beware, once you get your wife in one, she will probably not want to drive anything else.

I only wished I had bought my Q sooner.

Post by **maximabob** » Mon Apr 21, 2003 5:14 am

Jeff-

Good to hear. My Max is a 5-speed, and I am going to miss shifting. I have never loved a car as much as that one. 150K on it, and it still pushes you in the back when you downshift to fourth at 100 mph. I'm sure I will love the Q just as much, but I will miss the old girl.

Unless I can find a convertible Q45, I don't have to worry about my wife taking it.

When she's not hauling the kids in the van, ragtops are the only way to go for her.

Post by **greg_atlanta** » Mon Apr 21, 2003 5:14 am

The '90-'94 t models have HICAS rear wheel steering, but it's very subtle and barely noticeable. All t-models have 16 mm rear sway bar, but you can add a sway bar to a non-t model ($235 for kit from Scottsdale).

'99+ models have glass moonroof, '98 and earlier have steel sunroof.

Be prepared to spend $5000+ in first year in rehab unless you find a Q45 with an extensive repair history. '94-'96 is ideal mix of performance and reliability. Nice '90-'93 models are very hard to find.

Post by **BadQ45t** » Mon Apr 21, 2003 5:14 am

FYI, I would hardly call any Q45 enemic when it comes to power. I have a 92' (Dad's car that I've had for last 5 months) and a 97'. While the 92 is faster no doubt, I have very few "issues" when trying to pass or blast up a hill or two.

Just an FYI, the 90-96 are very sweet, but I don't get tired of my 97' either. It has super luxo features, rides like a dream. Try driving a touring 97 or 98, it is certainly stiffer than my 92. I drove a 96 and 97 back to back and I think that the 97 was faster, it is 400+ pounds lighter.

Post by **elwesso** » Mon Apr 21, 2003 5:14 am

right now, the 94 seems to be the best bang for the buck. Lower prices and just as good as 95. I have a 94 with 120k, and got it for 5500 in Noblesville, IN (which is near where I live), with some issues (front seats are not too good and it needs a tune up).

Have you ever been to lake wawasee?? I go there quite often, and will be there next weekend to work on my Q (my aunt and uncles own Griffiths Marina).

Post by **Rex** » Mon Apr 21, 2003 5:14 am

I'll chime is as that's what these forums are all about.

I got my hands on well kept 94Q last July. I don't know, but I know of the previous owner. He had a Ferrari 308 traded it for the Q45 and a Lotus Espirit. When his wife's lease on her Lexus ran out he traded the Q back to the same dealer for some SUV. Not sure what else he's gotten, but he always has a couple of toys. And has always taken extremely good care of them.

Back to my point, I'm sure I was gonna make one.... Oh yeah, Looked and looked and came to the conclusion that I wanted a "mildly" used mid 90's Q. I liked the power of the early 90's, but (and I'm gonna hear some about this) the grill-less look just doesn't work for me. I love the looks of the late 90's styles, but I would have had to bought a model with a ton of miles and didn't want that.

Sooooo long story short, I agree with the others that the 94-95's are the best car to be found for the money, not just in Infiniti's.

Post by **maximabob** » Mon Apr 21, 2003 5:14 am

Wes-

I used to go up to Wawasee all the time in high school. The parents of a girl I was dating had a sailboat there. I got one of my best speeding tickets on the way there. I came over a little rise on a county road and there was a sheriff coming the other way. He clocked me at 92 in a 45. (After I got on the brakes.) Expensive ticket, and unfortunately it was in the girl's parents' Saab 900 Turbo. (They had gone ahead in the Suburban) They didn't really see me as son-in-law material after that. She was cute, too.

Post by **elwesso** » Mon Apr 21, 2003 5:14 am

Got any names, we (as in my family) know almost everyone on that lake!

Hey, I wanted to let you know, there is a 92 Q45 for sale at ed martin honda in Anderson. It is 3700, and its a 1 owner. It may be something worth looking at, since it is a one owner. Its not on the internet, but if you want me to, i can get you some information about it.

Post by **maximabob** » Mon Apr 21, 2003 5:14 am

Thanks for the tip, Wes. At $3700 I'm guessing it's got more miles than I'm interested in. I tend to keep cars for a long time, and I want to start out well under 100K. I'm also probably not going to buy until June, after I get back from a summer vacation. Just starting to get info together.

Her family moved to Oregon 10 years ago when their business failed. I think they had a few creditors chasing them, so I'm hesitant to mention any names.

Post by **elwesso** » Mon Apr 21, 2003 5:14 am

Fair enough, and Good luck finding a Q!! They're awesome!

PS- 3700 may get you a car with low miles and no chain guides done, or a higher (120-140k) mileage car with chain guides done. Take in mind, people on this board have early 90s Qs and they last well into the 240k range. Just food for thought.

Post by **PalmerWMD** » Mon Apr 21, 2003 5:14 am

the owner of T3 automotive has a 1990 Q with well over 400,000 miles on it ,original engine (with one valve job).

Fred...

Post by **elwesso** » Mon Apr 21, 2003 5:14 am

And there were many bugs fixed from 90-92! Id say thats pretty good!

Post by **PalmerWMD** » Mon Apr 21, 2003 5:14 am

There were some small improvements over the years mostly to smoothness and reliabilty.

In 93 a small additional transmission cooler was added and sodium filled exhaust valves dropped.many of the later production 93's had the improved style guides.

Many say the first 18 months of production were among the strongest Q's.

Also it appears the first few weeks of Q45 production were delivered w/o a speed governor (165-170 mph <actual> top speed):eek:

Fred..

Post by **qwikQ45** » Mon Apr 21, 2003 5:14 am

Hey just to chime in. I have a 93 Q that I bought off a good friend. We settled on a price of 3 grand and after putting another 3 grand into it, the thing runs like a brand new car. It is so sweet to pull along side most of these new luxury cars and watch their faces in amazement as all they ever see from that point on is the fat rear end of my car. With just a few upgrades, this car handles like my Dads 99 Corvette. When friends of mine go for rides they just cant believe that this big four door car moves and handles like a sports car. I am forever a Q fanatic!!!

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