question about '94 Q45a

[alexander]

I have found a great looking 1994 Green Q45a in Marin CA.

It has 80 k miles and has been serviced by the Infiniti of Marin dealership.I have a 1996 Q45 and seem to recall, on this forum, that there is an issue with the Q's with the 'a' active system.Can someone enlighten me.They want about 6 grand for the car.Alex

[maxnix]

Active suspension maintenance is what you would be undertaking.

http://www.q45asuspension.com

Review the Infiniti Dealer performed service history carefully to know where you stand on rehabilitation.

[Q45tech]

Nothing significant other then the active adds $9,000 worth of components half of which will need replacing..................plus swap and rehab labor.

A leaking strut is $1000, a flat [after 7 years the Nitrogen pressure charge dissapates] costs $300-$1000 to replace EACH.

Not sure if you are saying they want $6,000 or are giving you $6,000 to take off their hands......................usually there is no retail difference between standard and active because of the extra maintenance costs it requires.

80k is low for 14 years old but all rubber is the same as if it was 200k [enviroment does matter so +-].

We warn prospective buyers to aways have $3k in cash to fix things, in this case $6k might be necessary depending on what breaks in the first 12 months.

After that you can maintain as new for $2500 per year.

[alexander]

Thanks for the info.I'll pass on it and just put that $$ in the bank to keep my '96 in prime shape.

[elwesso]

Bottom line is on the active you have to really be dedicated to making it work right, and you can appreciate what it offers... Not too many people are willing to do that... For what you get, a system that offers probably about 2000 in maintenance costs over 60k miles is a bargain..

6k is a little high unless its had the accumulators replaced and the actuators dont leak. If its like minty-mint, it might be worth it.

[qship96]

The negatives far outweigh the positives when it comes to the active suspension on the Q

[elwesso]

I highly disagree... The active doesnt really have any "problems" other than things that just fail due to wear... If you dont have leaks then all you need is a fluid change and a set of accumulators... Leaky actuators are another story.

Bottom line is a fully functional active is unlike most cars youll drive especially from that era. If you havent driven one yourself, then your missing out.. Picture a Q with a better ride than with a new stock suspension and no body roll, dive or squat under the curves.. Of course, if you dont drive your Q like that to appreciate it than thats different..

Like I said, its not for everyone but those can appreciate it, but the statement that the negatives outweigh positives I do not agree with.. Owning an active Q is about like owning 1.5 standard Q.

[qship96]

Sorry Wes,but as I am a little older than you,I have driven both versions back to back brand new at the dealer more than a few times,and disagree-even brand new,and under full warranty,the active model was not worth the price difference to me {or the majority of new owners who purchased/leased new Q`s}

Take the warranty out of the equasion,add in 12-17 years of wear and tear,add up the additional component replacment costs, and the lack of ease of service by todays techs due to unfamiliarty with the system,and you have the perfect recipe to sour your ownership experience

[elwesso]

I agree with your point.. Which is why I said its not for everyone. Today, the cost difference is negligable in fact sometimes actives go for less money since they do tend to be more of a hassle... In essence its a $5000 system than can be rehabilitated for about $1500 assuming its not trashed...

Its a subjective thing if you think its "worth it" IMO... To me, it might have been worth it. To you, obviously not.. To most, probably not.. Let me further clarify that by saying that for most people its not worth the hassle.. only if you are dedicated to making it work yourself.. Theres simply no one around ANYWHERE that can work on active Q and actually know what their doing, unless you live near Keith.

I guess, maybe for me its easy to say "oh theyre not that bad" since I could probably do most of the work on an active car myself, vs someone who doesnt do any work themselves, they probably couldnt pay someone enough money to get their car in a semi-operational state...

[maxnix]

Although I havent even ridden in one, with Keith Bowers knowledge and this board, I would be tempted to buy one if I didn't have three others to maintain.

In my 7 years on this board and its predecessors, I notice there are two types of active drivers. Those who don't understand what they got into and convert or drive it into the ground, and those who restore it (with Keith's help) and never drive a non-active G50 model again. 3QJay is one of the latter.

[thejapino]

I don't know if it helps any but if you're still considering buying it and need parts, I saw an active in All-Auto wreckers in SF 3 weeks ago. Of course its now missing its sway bars (hehe, best $50 spent).

[ericthered]

Just before I read this thread I was looking at an ad for that car on Craigslist.$6,995. There was no pics of the drivers seat, and I wanted to see another pic of the center console to be sure it was really Q45a - it should have seat heaters and traction control on it, too.

I occasionally think about getting a Q45a... If you want one, and this is for real, too, then this would be a great car. Last year produced!

http://www.californiamotors.co...27447

On the other hand, I have two Q's now, and the rest of my family wants smaller cars, not bigger ones. :-(