Gentlemen,
I love my '91 Q45, and plan on keeping it as long as I can provided that the maintenance and repairs costs are within reason. Since I'm not mechanically inclined, I prefer that an expert work on my car but at the same time I don't want to get ripped off. I have a number of repairs that I need to have done on my Q. Do any of you have a recommendation in terms of a good Nissan/Infiniti mechanic who has expertise on Q45s and love to work with Q45s in the northern California region (San Francisco to be exact)? Any of you NICO members enjoy fixing and upgrading Q45s as a hobby? I would drive any reasonable distance as long as I know that that mechanic is as passionate as I am about taking care of my Q. Please correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think this NICO site has any specific list of recommended mechanics for members to refer to, right? It would be tremendously helpful if such a resource is available out there.
Thanks in advance for any leads!
Reputable & Inexpensive Q45 Mechanic
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maxnix
- Posts: 22627
- Joined: Mon Jul 22, 2002 8:11 pm
- Car: 1995 Infiniti Q45
1995 Infiniti Q45t
2000 Infiniti Q45
http://www.jerrytucker.net is the best in CA. 98Q45t (Jeff Leeds) knows someone in NorCal. Search for his posts with shop or mechanic thrown in.
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Q45tech
- Moderator
- Posts: 14296
- Joined: Tue Apr 30, 2002 3:19 am
- Car: 1990 Q45 342,400 miles 22 years ownership with original engine
1995 G20t 5 speed 334,000 miles 16" 2002 wheels - 205/50/16 Sr20ve vvl
When someone thinks of [calls] me as a "Mechanic" instead of a TECHNICAN, I always extract retribution by adding a few hundred to the estimate.
Semantics is very important to people who might have spent $50,000 on their tools, test equipment, and tool box.
"within reason" SAN FRAN is the one of the most expensive places to unreasonably chose to live.
Semantics is very important to people who might have spent $50,000 on their tools, test equipment, and tool box.
"within reason" SAN FRAN is the one of the most expensive places to unreasonably chose to live.
I always thought "technician" is the least improper use of the title. You don't hear the general public refer to these professionals as master technicians, do you? I generally acknowledge these individuals as master mechanics. Just as there are pharmacy "technicians" and there are x-ray "technicians", the graduated title (once they get there) is a pharmacist or a doctor. Regardless, I don't see any insult in either designation because each respective title holds their own merit.
You may have hit the nail on the head there Q45tech. It is exactly because I live in the Bay Area that I'm seeking repairs at a more "reasonable" cost. Most of the population around here, including myself, suffer from the high living standard not by choice. Rather I'm here for school and I've got to make the best out of it while enjoying driving one of the best luxury vehicles: Q45.
You may have hit the nail on the head there Q45tech. It is exactly because I live in the Bay Area that I'm seeking repairs at a more "reasonable" cost. Most of the population around here, including myself, suffer from the high living standard not by choice. Rather I'm here for school and I've got to make the best out of it while enjoying driving one of the best luxury vehicles: Q45.
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Q45tech
- Moderator
- Posts: 14296
- Joined: Tue Apr 30, 2002 3:19 am
- Car: 1990 Q45 342,400 miles 22 years ownership with original engine
1995 G20t 5 speed 334,000 miles 16" 2002 wheels - 205/50/16 Sr20ve vvl
Cars are very technical now and most certfied Master Technican have at least a 2 year Associates Science degree in Automotive Technology.
Independents in Atlanta charge $70/hr or about $ 15-20 less than dealers.........that is about the least you can expect.
I pay the techs $40/hr cash to work on mine after hours/weekends so in SF,CA expect $50-$60 after hours.
Almost any business must mark up basic salary labor costs 2-3 times to stay in business and pay the benefits and other over heads.
Cerified techs are rare because the good ones are working and there were so few in the beginning because so few dealerships.Newer techs haven't seen enough of the older Q to have much of a clue.
Anyway labor is less than half of the equation as typical repairs are 55% parts and 45% labor.........except for the few labor entensive jobs: plenum hoses, knock sensors, spark plugs, turbine sensors, front and rear main seals, and resealing valve covers
Independents in Atlanta charge $70/hr or about $ 15-20 less than dealers.........that is about the least you can expect.
I pay the techs $40/hr cash to work on mine after hours/weekends so in SF,CA expect $50-$60 after hours.
Almost any business must mark up basic salary labor costs 2-3 times to stay in business and pay the benefits and other over heads.
Cerified techs are rare because the good ones are working and there were so few in the beginning because so few dealerships.Newer techs haven't seen enough of the older Q to have much of a clue.
Anyway labor is less than half of the equation as typical repairs are 55% parts and 45% labor.........except for the few labor entensive jobs: plenum hoses, knock sensors, spark plugs, turbine sensors, front and rear main seals, and resealing valve covers