Question From A Potential Q45 Owner

[Fly_R_Die]

So as of now I drive a 2000 Audi A4 and long story short I'm starting to hate it. My dad has a Q45 and I really want to take it off of his hands. Its a 1997 with just over 100,000 it still runs and drives just fine. I've read through the other forums about maintenance and it seems a lot cheaper than an Audi. I wish I had the money for that true VIP look but as a college student that probably out of the question. So questions. Is it easy to get around the V8 when things need to be replaced? Whats the best way to lower a Q45, coilovers I assume? Where do I find Cima parts such as the grille and hood emblem?

[Q451990]

to NICO! That series of Q45 is pretty solid. The typical repair issues include

-replacing the coil packs, which seem to develop roving misfire problems
-replacing the knock sensors and their subharness
-replacing the hoses under the plenum
-typical suspension rehab

Otherwise, that car responds very well to typical fluid maintenance and care.

Others can tell you more about cosmetic enhancements... there's a decent amount of aftermarket support out there.

Good luck!

Heath

[q45touring]

Personally, being a college student myself, and having owned a 1999 q45t, I wouldn't recommend it. You will stay broke trying to keep up on common problems mentioned above. The coil packs alone, replaced all at once, will run you $700+. Don't even start on the suspension because at 100k miles it's probably due.
Look for a more reliable Infiniti if you really want one. We also have a 2000 i30t that we absolutely love. It's been very good to us and with only 77k miles, we hope it will last for a while.
Again, speaking from a college student, don't push yourself into the poorhouse... I lost my a** on my q45, and it was meticulously maintained... Don't make the same mistake.

[Fly_R_Die]

I figured the cost for maintenance and such would still be lower on average than that of my Audi. Even if worse comes to worse could I get parts from other Nissans from a junkyard.

[BadQ45t]

WTF, seriously...an I30, you get what you pay for. I have 97' with 100k on it and the car is the most reliable car I have ever owned. I have replaced the suspension, any car is due for that at 100k, I did mine at 70k. the knock sensors, coil packs are all still just fine. You can do those in one move, get all parts off the top and replace them all at once. Compared to an Audi this is a dirt cheap car. Compared to an I30, a Maxima in a tuxedo, well you just get what you pay for. A luxo V8 rear drive unique Infiniti or a Nissan redu (a good one I like the Maxima) which of course is cheaper. Who about comparing an ES300 to a LS 430?

The car will roll for a hell of a long time. Don't bother lowering it unless you really want to keep it for a long time. Replace the shocks and struts with KYB SR Specials that you can find out there from Japanese importers and save you Cima money for good fluids and replacement of necessary parts.

[Fly_R_Die]

Well I did plan on lowering it a bit and adding a decent set of wheels. But definitely not slamming it.

[Wiggler]

I wholeheartedly agree with BADQ45t.... I thought for a long time to sell my 99t, but you can't get much for them these days... but then again... it's not my daily driver. Everyone seems to say it is the most dependable of all the generations... despite being the weakest on the power spectrum... I think the looks alone of the 2nd gen touring edition are timeless, I hate what has become the modern day look of a "sedan" these days. With the ever shrinking length of the trunk lid, most of them look NOTHING like sedans anymore...
Oh, a Cima grille from Japan will probably cost a good $200 or so... the Benz looking ones... some of the wire mesh designs are more expensive.. I bought mine on Ebay.

[Fly_R_Die]

And that's what I love the most about the Y33 is the look and it has a lot more space with a lot more comfortable ride than my A4. And they get so sexy as soon as you lower it and put a set of wheels on it. I just don't want the Q to turn into a money pit (like my Audi) the only other owner before my dad was my grandmother who only drive it maybe 200 miles a month and anytime something was wrong she took it straight to the Infiniti dealership. So I know maintenance was kept up properly.

[q45touring]

Don't get me wrong, I absolutely loved the car while I had it. Smoothest riding car I've ever had the pleasure of driving. The room in these things is fantastic. These are true weekend/highway cruisers. They get looks everywhere you go because you don't see many around. Mine had 95k miles and ran like a champ aside from the occasional misfire from the coils acting up. I love the looks of the late 90's Infiniti's. The q45t and i30t being my favorites.
Anyways, good luck. Pictures are a plus!

[Fly_R_Die]

Heres two pics of her. Its still really clean inside and out. Just needs a good detail job, left tail light assembly, and new wheels (I can not stand those wheels). It currently resides in the garage because the heat doesn't work and my Dad doesn't feel like working on it.

[rabsusa]

So as of now I drive a 2000 Audi A4 and long story short I'm starting to hate it. My dad has a Q45 and I really want to take it off of his hands. Its a 1997 with just over 100,000 it still runs and drives just fine. I've read through the other forums about maintenance and it seems a lot cheaper than an Audi. I wish I had the money for that true VIP look but as a college student that probably out of the question. So questions. Is it easy to get around the V8 when things need to be replaced? Whats the best way to lower a Q45, coilovers I assume? Where do I find Cima parts such as the grille and hood emblem?

dont even think abt coilovers until you have run the car for at least 18 months to workout the bugs, you ;ll regret it if you don't........imho as a student better to get a 94-97 series honda accord, served me pretty good, in fact still have the car,,,this is not a car you can run on a shoe string budjet, n it gets worse with age, ,,,,,typical of any make model car

[BadQ45t]

don't listen to rabsusa. You already know this is a clean and well maintained car. Who knows what a used accord (you couldn't have picked a decent Nissan on a Nissan board) is in decent working order? My 97' has cost me very little more than an Accord would have, properly kept a Q is only a little more than a Honda and way nicer to drive.