Quella in Critical Condition, Possibly For Sale, Transplant Pending...

[AZhitman]

Well, it's finally happened.

The beloved Quella, the car that got me involved with NICO and all of you in the first place, has given up the ghost.

Not quite sure what the cause was, but it seems to be catastrophic engine bearing failure related to overheating.

Temp gauge had been acting funky for some time, I cleaned and tested the sending unit, but apparently that wasn't the culprit, and she went down fighting, bringing Stacey and Saraya home from Tucson in a plume of smoke.

At any rate, she is in need of an immediate heart transplant.

I am leaning towards swapping in a JDM takeout motor with 35-40K miles (I have access to one) which will set me back approximately $2K.

The rest of the car is in great condition, with a beautiful interior, good paint, no dents, and more new parts than I can count.

I have over $7K in receipts for new parts and service over the past 5 years (she was under full warranty to 114K miles), and she's one of the better-maintained Q's in the U.S, with lots of tasteful and functional modifications.

KBB value on the car ranges from $4305 to $6370 with a good motor, and I believe the mods are worth another $1500 at least, so I am open to suggestions, offers, crazy trades or constructive criticism.

Please note: I'm kinda busy, so please don't contact me if:

* you're not familiar with this type of car* you want to ask me if you can install a 5-speed* you want to know if I'll swap you for a 240 Coupe shell* you have $2000 and some pocket lint to spend* you live a long way off and want it delivered* you hate dropping $60 on a tank of Premium* you drive like an old woman and hate 300-hp sport sedans* you also have a Q with a bad motor and need a shoulder to cry on

Otherwise, I'm easy to find: [email protected]

[Jesda]

[mcastro]

SO sorry to hear about Quella...that is a beautiful car, and having just plunked down several bills for those busty tires...man.

Aside from the heartache/disappointment, I am sure you are thinking of what other options you might have besides sinking more money and energy into the ol' girl. But you'll be lucky to get even close to what the car is worth to you, and probably even market wise.

I hope you keep her. Aside from coming up with all that cash, it probably would be worth getting her the transplant and back on the road, in the long run.

[Jeff Williams]

Sorry to hear about her death, Greg.

I think you should deduct the cost of the JDM engine swap from the KBB price, and let her go to a NICO brother interested in doing the swap.

Find yourself a black Q with relatively low miles, and sink what you get from Quella's sale into refabbing her to like-new operation.

I know what it feels like to put a lot of money into a car like that. I am right there with you. Unless you are going to drive her a lot, she is not really worth puting that kind of money in her. That is why I let Layla go, before something catastrophic happened. A blown Q is barely worth $1000 on the street. Probably less .

[maxnix]

Hope you get the swap done.

Failed water pump?

[szh]

Ouch!

Sorry to hear the bad news.

Z

[elwesso]

Most likely a water pump or Tstat... Doesnt matter how good you maintain it as long as you maintain the right things!!!!!

Anyway, what I would consider doing is, IF the compression looks good and it doesnt appear the head warped at all (IE head gaskets are still golden) then Id just replace the rod bearings.. You can do that in the car and then at LEAST you could sell the car running.. I would personally look inot that option first, especially after looking at the pictures with the head off on your Q, looked like brand new!

If all thats wrong with the engine is the rod bearings (Its very iffy at this point) then just replace those and get the car running again!

First thing Id do is have a leakdown test done. They do these on the headgakset failures for the northstars... They put the cooling systme under pressure and see if theres leaks, but an important step is to LEAVE it under pressure for a while to make sure that it maintains pressure! If that passes, then check compression... If compression checks, then you can assume you have a good engine sans good rod bearings.. if you get to that point, replace the rod bearings and take it sideways... HOPEFULYL the crank isnt scored too much.. if its not too bad you can get these little emry pads that allow you fix it up nice in the car.....

[pito11213]

Greg I see you keeping the Q because you already want more than $2000. Only a true Q lover would even consider giving you that.

I think with your skills and considering how long you have had her I would keep it

It is probable that you have the funds to do a good swap.

So it started with a slight overheat or what? I hope my boy JT is reading this cause he needs to stay on top of his baby Q.

[redmanfx]

That really does bite the big one Greg!!

I get a real sense your tired of messing with the Q, but your in a pickle because you've put so much into it and it's going to cost even more to get her right again. I feel you want a more maint free car and that's not going to happen even after you get the JDM engine, so hmmmmm, what to do..... It's going to be hard to find $7k for the car, but I think with the JDM engine and all the mods that you could get 6K if you have time. A special listing on eBay (of all places) could fetch a really nice price, since the Q's are blistering there right now. Especially if you do a really good write up explaining it's history and it's assumed NICO selling value to a non NICO buyer.

I say keep it, fix it and count it as a business expense since you can use it as the NICO car for business and future dealings! Tax breaks etc..etc... Think smart and you will come up with the best solution. Heck, how about the NICO time share Q??? All business all written off.

Doesn't Chip Foose live out west??

[3Q Jay]

a moment of silence......i feel for you.no one thinks your car is worth what you do.no one will ever think my active is worth what i do (sweat,love,....). i dread the day it gets hit.

anyway, do you still want the car for its intrinsic value?if so, fix it and vow never again.

the real question is what does Stacey want?

[gniknave]

Greg I'm gonna make this one quick. I just spent 2k getting my transmission rebuilt on my 90, and even though it's in great condition inside and out, it doesn't touch yours! Point being, if I can drop 2k in a 90, you can do it too. It's a no brainer man, keep the damned thing.

[Q45tech]

Even if the JDM gets delivered for $1250, you still have guides [90-93] and all the things to change:

Oil chain and guide if not done in aboveKS and harnessWater pump and Tstat and hosesSpark plugs and valve cover resealPlenum coolant, air and fuel.........injector o rings.Idler bearings and beltsAC recharge and new dryerOil, filter, coolant, PS etc.

[Peterofdevon]

Here's an idea...

Keep it and work it out with the rebuild-take you time and do it right

*AND*

Buy another to drive as you do the above. There have been some good prospects out there lately; a beige 93 in FLA with 75K just to start.

My 93 went to 217K without any issues! Wish I could say for the 94.

Think positive! Thoughts from Philly for you!

Peter

[Q45tech]

ODOMETER mileage in many respects is just an illusion!

I'll find a less dramatic picture.

[AZhitman]

Well, I can assure everyone that Quella's mileage has not been tampered with, it's actually reading HIGHER than ACTUAL because of the 4.08 rearend. Currently at 124K, probably actual = 115K.

I would consider selling her without the engine replacement if anyone wanted a project.

[AZhitman]

Even if the JDM gets delivered for $1250, you still have guides [90-93] and all the things to change:

Oil chain and guide if not done in aboveKS and harnessWater pump and Tstat and hosesSpark plugs and valve cover resealPlenum coolant, air and fuel.........injector o rings.Idler bearings and beltsAC recharge and new dryerOil, filter, coolant, PS etc.

Dennis -

I'd be buying a 94-95, so no guide issue.KS are new.Water pump / T-stat would be replaced on new motor.Plugs are in hand, as is VC seals.Underplenum hoses - Already bought, waiting...Idler bearing - Not gonna bother at less than 40K.Belts are cheap.No need to recharge AC, as I wouldn't open the system.Oil, filter, coolant all in stock here at the garage.

[Jesda]

Greg's gonna buy an LS400 and take up a career in accounting.

*ducks*

[gabossie]

That's a shame. Hope you keep it around and bring her back to life.

[jamesmost]

Well, I can assure everyone that Quella's mileage has not been tampered with, it's actually reading HIGHER than ACTUAL because of the 4.08 rearend. Currently at 124K, probably actual = 115K.

I would consider selling her without the engine replacement if anyone wanted a project.

thats an horribly low milege to Loose a Q engine.

[gniknave]

Dennis -

I'd be buying a 94-95, so no guide issue.KS are new.Water pump / T-stat would be replaced on new motor.Plugs are in hand, as is VC seals.Underplenum hoses - Already bought, waiting...Idler bearing - Not gonna bother at less than 40K.Belts are cheap.No need to recharge AC, as I wouldn't open the system.Oil, filter, coolant all in stock here at the garage.

So then what's the point of getting rid of the car that got you involved here in the first place? Do you really want to be one of the many that end up saying "I wish I had kept my G50"? You have a bunch of parts, and all you have to do is get the engine. You're already further ahead than most people are when failure time comes.

[Repo Man]

Keep it. Fix it. Love it.

[Q451990]

I'm going to fall in the "keep it" category.... The car you already own is one you know much better than buying something else. Finding a cosmetically pristine Q is difficult to say the least.

Didn't you have a weird valve issue on this Q a few years back? I suspect something catastrophic happened to this engine before you bought the car.

Heath

[Dano]

Bump for a SWEEEEEEEEEEEEEET car. I can vouche for the cleanliness and immaculate care for this machine as I've riden in it many a time and even driven it a few times to the parts store.

Greg, I wish you could fix it as that car doesn't deserve any1 better, and it's just so NICO...

But, with 4 cars already in need of some form of motor work, I can see y this is such a predicament

-Dan

[TgduMg]

Keep it. Fix it. Love it.

Agreed! Quella is just too beautiful to let go.

Nice avatar BTW repo.

I like it too!!!



Danisiti 1

[PoorManQ45]

I'll sell you an entire Q45 for $500.

[desertq45]

Greg... I'm in the "keep her" camp too...

As you know I plowed $4-5k into my pristine "one owner" 1990 not long ago just to bring it back to spec... and frankly I haven't regretted it a bit.

People are blown away all the time when they learn my car is 16 years old... they just don't lose their appeal.

Having seen and driven yours I'd say that $2k plus extras is a no-brainer. Where else are you going to get that nice of a ride for that money?

What really sucks is that I know you maintained the thing like one of the family and it STILL happened. That is the worst part.

Hang tough bro...

[AZhitman]

Greg's gonna buy an LS400 and take up a career in accounting.

I'd buy an LS400 if they weren't all festooned with pink triangle stickers and smell like Astro-Glide inside.

[AZhitman]

I think it's gonna get a new motor - I just need to "get away" from it for a while, let the sting wear off.

Certainly didn't need a visit from "Unexpected Bill".

[elwesso]

Greg, you can give methe VH out of your Q once you pull it

[AZhitman]

You got it lil' brotha.