Q45 vs. LS400

Post by **Heath** » Fri Oct 31, 2003 12:03 pm

Okay folks. I did some searching and didn't come up with any real heads up comparisons... I know the opinion here will/should be biased toward the Q45, but I'm pretty much down to the LS400 and the Q45... Both seem to have great qualities... Both seem to have a high dollar repair around the 100K mark... Either one I go with I'll do the work myself most likely, I'm pretty handy with a wrench as long as its mostly R&R type work...

I'm hoping to spend in the 6-10K range... The less the better of course... I'd prefer the Q45t I'm thinking (if I go with the Q), if they have the options that I need... This car is going to be for my wife, she grew up in So Cal and isn't really handy with the snow quite yet... We live in CO so we want things like Traction Control, Heated Seats and I have to have a sunroof/moonroof, I'd prefer the moonroof if only availiable in certain years... So can any of you tell me why I should go with the Q or the LS and why??? I really want the most bang for my buck and the most reliability... I have another thread floating around here somewhere but its not quite like this as in I'm 99% positive that its between the Q45 and the LS400 now... With the Q I'm probably thinkng between a 1993-1996 and with the LS I'm thinking about the same...

TIA everyone...

PS, what problems should I look for on the Q besides the chain guides and I'll add a transmission cooler...

Post by **sachmo12345** » Fri Oct 31, 2003 12:03 pm

The Q45t has active suspension which is pretty expensive to fix. My dad has one and over time it deteriorates and is very rough riding

Post by **WesAllen** » Fri Oct 31, 2003 12:03 pm

Not all q's have the active suspension, the "t" does not come with it. The "a" is the only one with that option.

Post by **maxnix** » Fri Oct 31, 2003 12:03 pm

In those years, the 1994-1995 Q45 is the best car. But I would choose neither for winter work in Colorado.

Quite frankly, I would go with the one in the best condition, or get one of the old Honda AWD wagons for low traction situations.

Post by **szh** » Fri Oct 31, 2003 12:03 pm

Heath,

Till your wife gets used to driving in the snow, I would also second Maxnix's suggestion to get something cheapo to start with. Learning to drive in snow can be a challenging experience to car bodywork.

Z

Post by **elwesso** » Fri Oct 31, 2003 12:03 pm

The Q is NOT, repeat NOT a good snow car..... TCS does essentially nothing in the winter..... TRUST ME!!!!!

If you wanna make it a winter car (and you are already an experienced winter driver.....), you need 4 things.....

1. Studded snow tires for the rear, and preferably non studded for the front2. 100lbs of weight in the trunk (sand or salt, so you can use it to get unstuck)3. A small plastic shovel.....4. A chain (so someone can pull you out.... Thanks infiniti for the tow rings in the front)

I would also recommend having a blanket and some other essentials........

As far as LS vs Q....... I would say the Q, but it depends on what you want..... The LS is a bit more smooth and quiet, but doesnt have near the power or the handling.... Both are pretty equal when it comes to maintenance and reliability.... I dont know how Lexus parts compare to infiniti parts....... The lexus also does have a bit more rear seat room.......

I dont think you can get a moonroof for the Q, but a sunroof is standard (almost sure)..... I would assume the same about for the LS.....

But, you should be able to get a 94 or 95, in GREAT condition with GREAT maintenance, and under 100k for 6-10k easy..... I think you'd be much harder pressed to find a LS that meets that criteria...... Unless you wanna go down to about a 90-93 in the lexus.......

The Q45t doesnt really have options that the std Q doesnt have, except for the touring package...... in 90-94 it had HICAS 4 wheel steering..... 95+ dropped this...... All Q45t's had a rear sway bar, which the STD lacks.... Heated seats and TCS are fairly common options.....

Chain guides only apply to 90-93...... 94+ is safe..... transmission problems can usually be detected by driving...... If it shifts pretty strong and the fluid is good, its probably OK......

Post by **PalmerWMD** » Fri Oct 31, 2003 12:03 pm

RWD cars like the Q are no problem in the winter.remember <everyone> used to drive them in the winter.

It's all in the tires.

I was kinda looking for a cheaper older Q as a winter car from a NICO member.

Fred..

Post by **Heath** » Fri Oct 31, 2003 12:03 pm

Okay, let me dispell what everyone assumes living in Denver/Littleton CO is like... We're not always under 10' of snow... Just because we have good skiing dosen't mean that the whole state is like that... Yes, Denver is cold in the winter time... BUT, we have 310 sunny days per year (more than even Miami), if we get snow its usually gone w/in one week, and off the roads the same day or the next... We probably actually have to drive in the snow less than a dozen times per year, and if we do have to go out in the snow thats part of why I have a 4x4 SUV... Tara can drive that if we know snow is coming...

So the TCS really sucks that bad huh... I guess I was hoping for more... I test drove a 740 iL on a snowy night a couple of years ago and was AMAZED at how well it worked in that car... Uphill, in the snow from a dead stop and it didn't spin a tire...

elwesso, your responses about the chain guides, transmission and what not are exactly the kind of info that I'm looking for, thanks a bunch...

Oh and Palmer, I agree with your comment about RWD cars wholeheartedly!!!

Keep the info on what to look for coming guys, thanks a bunch...

Post by **elwesso** » Fri Oct 31, 2003 12:03 pm

I guess I was a little hard on TCS.... its GREAT for keeping the car under control (like sliding around), but lets say you are stuck (even on level ground), it wont do anything for you there..... Going up hills and stuff it works pretty good, and would probably work wonderful with some weight in the trunk (the 740 is quite a bit heavier, and probably has better weight distribution... The Q has hardly any weight in the back)......

Post by **Heath** » Fri Oct 31, 2003 12:03 pm

Yeah, if I'm stuck I don't expect it to get me out... Just to make the ocasional snow drive a bit easier... I was thinking about getting some blizzaks or snow tires of some sort for it though...

Post by **PalmerWMD** » Fri Oct 31, 2003 12:03 pm

The TCVS has always worked well for me in Minensota snow.I used to own a 92 with TCS and worked well on unplowed driveways.

Chain guides are only an issue to take care of on 90-93's.

Fred...

Post by **Q45Viper** » Fri Oct 31, 2003 12:03 pm

TCS is fine and frankly if I had to choose between an LS400 and a Q in the snow I would take the Q, and my opinion may hold weight as I have owned both. I had to turn off the trac in the Lexus to do anything in the snow. If you have good tires with lot's of tread, AND you know how to drive in the snow you will be fine, I have trucked around in 4-5 inches of new snow in the Q with no problems, keep the revs low, keep it in second gear, which is easy on a 92 (little joke there), and keep it moving and you will not get stuck. Having said that I grew up in Michigan on rear wheel drive cars. If you wish to be kind to your wife get her in a good used 4whl drive subaru...as good or better relaibility for the same miles as a Q. Or any good used front wheel drive Japanese product..Honda, Acura, Mazda.....or how about an I30T?

Post by **AZhitman** » Fri Oct 31, 2003 12:03 pm

LS400 are NOT quieter. In 1994, Infiniti thickened all the window glass and added more soundproofing. I have a videotape that shows the Q in heads-up competition against the LS400, the Caddy, and... (I can't remember the third car). It trounced all three in every category.

While I'm biased, I'd tell you if I thought an LS was the better buy. Unless you're 65 or older, you'll enjoy the Q far more.

Don't get me started on the styling differences...

Post by **Heath** » Fri Oct 31, 2003 12:03 pm

Smaller car just won't do... The I30 is in the same size class as the ES300 and there was NO room in the back seat of that... We'll probably sit in an I30, but I really don't think its going to be big enough...

Post by **Rex** » Fri Oct 31, 2003 12:03 pm

I have and article that put the LS, Q, BMW, MB and ?Lincoln? or some mix of 94/95's like that against each other and the Q recorded the lowest road noise of all cars.

I can add more details/answer more questions Monday when I'm in the office. Yes, I keep the mag at the office for reference/reading

Post by **elwesso** » Fri Oct 31, 2003 12:03 pm

I have the article that Rex scanned.. Email me and Ill foreward it to you......

Post by **maxnix** » Fri Oct 31, 2003 12:03 pm

Heath wrote:Smaller car just won't do... The I30 is in the same size class as the ES300 and there was NO room in the back seat of that... We'll probably sit in an I30, but I really don't think its going to be big enough...

I think the Maxima/I30 is actually larger in the back than a G50 Q45. The FY33 Q45 seem to have more room also.__________________Brian1995 Q45 & Q45t & 2000 Q45

Discover the power of the button!

Post by **Heath** » Fri Oct 31, 2003 12:03 pm

Great, so whats a G50 and an FY33...

Post by **maxnix** » Fri Oct 31, 2003 12:03 pm

G50 is the Q45 platform from 1990-1996, and FY33 is the Q45 platform from 1997-2001, and F50 is the Q45 platform from 2002 on to at least 2004.__________________Brian1995 Q45 & Q45t & 2000 Q45

Discover the power of the button!

Post by **elwesso** » Fri Oct 31, 2003 12:03 pm

Q45 rear seat room is very lacking..... Ive found it dissapointing to find there is more rear leg AND trunk space room in a 1993 cadillac sedan deville, which is considerably smaller in exterior dimensions......

Im almost 6ft, and with the seats almost al the way back I have a hard time fitting......

Post by **WesAllen** » Fri Oct 31, 2003 12:03 pm

elwesso wrote:Q45 rear seat room is very lacking..... Ive found it dissapointing to find there is more rear leg AND trunk space room in a 1993 cadillac sedan deville, which is considerably smaller in exterior dimensions......

Im almost 6ft, and with the seats almost al the way back I have a hard time fitting......

Well I am 6 5 so I don't even reach into the back when my front seat is pushed back.

Post by **BadQ45t** » Fri Oct 31, 2003 12:03 pm

I think if you're spending that small amount of money the Q will give you more car no question. My brother has an LS and I like the car, but it is boring. I have a 97' and most people acuse the 97-01 of being "Lexified" but I have to tell you in the Touring format (and with my 245/45 17 tire and 17" rims) my car is much sportier than his. However, the Lexus has a bigger back seat (by far) and a bigger trunk.

Post by **Heath** » Fri Oct 31, 2003 12:03 pm

Okay, well we went out and test drove a 95 Q45t today... Pretty nice, I really liked it... While we were there we also looked at a 2000 I30t, and there was actually a decent amount of space in the back of that car too... We also went over to babies R us and my wife realized that baby seats aren't nearly as big as she thought they are... So now the looking around and everything basically gets to start over with some more of the mid sized cars back in the loop... Like the ES and I30... Possibly even the J30 as well..

Post by **Q45denver** » Fri Oct 31, 2003 12:03 pm

The 1994 or 1995 Q with traction control would be my choice. I put the Michelin Alpins Pilots on in the winter and it handles the white stuff pretty well. Plus the dry traction and handling is hardly affected. The Nokian Hakkapeliitta rates even higher and can be studded. A JWT 3 mode TCU would be nice, I have a 1993 with first gear start and find that it overpowers the brakes in slippery conditions. I plan to install the the second gear start TCU again this winter. The 1990 to 1995 Q45 is almost impossible to beat if your looking for a large rear wheel drive luxury sedan. The touring option would be a worthwhile option on the 1994-95 model (firmer shocks and rear roll bar).

Post by **Heath** » Fri Oct 31, 2003 12:03 pm

Well my wife threw a wrench in my monkeyworks today... We went over to the Infiniti dealer to test drive a 95 Q45t that they had... Well just as we get there someone else takes it out for a drive... So while we're waiting we sit in an I30t and I said see this has a good amount of room too, she's like "Yeah, this could work too"... GRRR... So I said well lets actually go and look at baby seats to see how big they really are (the whole reason for a family car is to fit kids in the back right)... So we get over to Babies R Us and sure enough, they're MUCH smaller than she thought... Hell we could probably get a friggin civic!!! So now my search begins AGAIN... I'm looking at cars in the Accord, Camry/ES, Maxima/I30t range... Grrr... But on the other hand, they're cheaper to buy and cheaper to maintain so that makes me happy...

Post by **maxnix** » Fri Oct 31, 2003 12:03 pm

The 1995 Q45 has a center mounted child seat mount and and is one of the safest cars made, now or especially then. Check with your insurance company on its rating vis a vis the others your are considering.__________________Brian1995 Q45 & Q45t & 2000 Q45

Discover the power of the button!

Post by **VimyJ** » Fri Oct 31, 2003 12:03 pm

Get the wife a Maxima or I. Nice cars. FWD. Roomy. Quick.

Post by **BadQ45t** » Fri Oct 31, 2003 12:03 pm

It I30 can be had cheap and has enough horse to get you around. The I35 is alittle nicer, but the deals on the I are great, it is front drive which will be better in the winter.

Post by **deftdrummer** » Fri Oct 31, 2003 12:03 pm

get a 1997 lexus SC400 and you would be happier than you would with either of those infinity's :-) They only run about $10k now too

Post by **elwesso** » Fri Oct 31, 2003 12:03 pm

If you bothered to read his post, he needs a family size car........

An SC is DEFINITELY not a family car.....

Q45 vs. LS400

Q45 vs. LS400

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