Should I buy this Q45??

[Infinity727]

I have a chance to buy a 1990 Q45 from a mechanic I know. It has 140,000 miles, and is in pretty good shape inside and out. It has three problems:

1. The A/C works [good, becuase I am in Phx, AZ where it is 110 today]. However the A/C indicator display is broken.2. There is a 4" spot in the middle of the windshield, where it appears a rock hit it. 3. The passengers windows and the one in back have gotten stuck in the down postion.

He is aksing $1500. Is that reasonable?

For now, should I be able to a least get the windows raised on the passenger and back winodws - or is that pretty difficult?

[elwesso]

Welcome! We have a few guys from AZ, maybe they could take a look at it.

All of those things you listed are common issues, except the windshield obviously..... The climate controllers frequently go bad, they usually cost about $100 to have rebuilt...

The window regulators are broken causing your issue with the windows. All you gotta do is take off the door panel, raise up the window by hand, and then put some vice grips, a clamp or something to hold it up until you can fix it.....

Have the chain guides been fixed?? If not, i think id pass on this one.. Id only consider if it was perfect cosmetically and has had a good maintence history...

[Infinity727]

Thank you for your reply and help. Ouch.... amy not be such a good deal< i am glad I asked.

The chain gudie? I never thought of it, I take it that is a known problem? I might be able to get this guy to do it for a couple of hundurd more,

On the climate control, it works, the display just doesn't work. I was hoping that would be easy to fix. I take it the whole unit has to be replaiced?

I could get by with just the passenger's windows working... but I imagine the regulator is going to be pretty expesnive?

[elwesso]

1. Thank you for your reply and help. Ouch.... amy not be such a good deal< i am glad I asked.

2. The chain gudie? I never thought of it, I take it that is a known problem? I might be able to get this guy to do it for a couple of hundurd more,

3. On the climate control, it works, the display just doesn't work. I was hoping that would be easy to fix. I take it the whole unit has to be replaiced?

4. I could get by with just the passenger's windows working... but I imagine the regulator is going to be pretty expesnive?

1. Sure, and I agree2. Yeah, check http://www.q45.org for more information on the guides. Basically what happens is the timing chain guides are made of plastic and they often break and it can cause the chain to jump and cause a total loss on the engine.3. Yes.. the display panel goes out... 4. The regulators are like 100 or so... not too hard to DIY install..

my opinion... Pass on this one!

[Infinity727]

Thanks again. I am on my way over to talk to the guy again. He does a lot of engine rebuilds, I might be alble to get hm to throw in fixing the chain guide. Or find out it is has been done [the car appears to ahve been maintained pretty good], If not, I'll keep looking for another "deal".

[Infinity727]

I have yet to get back to see the car, but I called and asked about milare, he has a couple of Infiniti' and thinks he might have got them crossed, THIS one might actually have 180, 000. If I could ask two more question:

Is that too much for the cost? $1500

How does that affect the chain guide issue, can I assume it was replaced?

[maxnix]

I imagine the rear window problem could have led to a significant degradation of the rear leather especially.

If you purchase this car, do you have another $3K in reserve for unexpected repairs and maintenance? We get really nervous around here when no one mentions the documented Infiniti dealer performed service history, nor the color of the fluids.

My gut feeling is if he can't get the display nor the rear window regulators repaired, he is not much of a tech, and there are probabaly a lot of hidden problems caused by deferred or incompetent maintenance that will expire a $3K savings account in short order.

All it takes is a OEM rebuilt transmission and it is mostly gone. Because the motor mounts and all suspension rubber is probably like coke right now. Be very careful.

[Infinity727]

maxnix - thank you also. Good points.

I called him and here is the story. The car was given to a H.S. auto shop in Calif. However, the engine ran fine, and window repair isn't what they want to teach the kids. So this mechanic gets the car and was going to fix it and sell it for $2500. Then he decided to just sell it as is, becuase it runs all right for $1500.

Still, you all make good points. Last thing I need is to throw in another 3k.

Anyway, I check the ads and foujnd a few 1991 and 92 Q45s selling for $3k, with everthing working, and repair records.

Thanks for the hlep.

[maxnix]

Anyway, I check the ads and foujnd a few 1991 and 92 Q45s selling for $3k, with everthing working, and repair records.

Please do read the posts on this board. There is no such thing as a used car without deferred maintenance. Regardless of the car, but especially with an imported luxury V8 sedan, you need to have a kitty in reserve for the unexpected, and to perform the deferred maintenance. Please don't cash out in purchasing any used automobile.

[Infinity727]

I got that - with a car that old, trouble should be expected. And you better have the money [ or a good credit card]. That is a good reminder.

And btw, I finally saw the car. turns out the two side widonws and windshield were broken out by vandels. Even with that, the interior was flawless. And the exterior was quite good. However, the engine ran rough, and the A/C [my main reason for wanting another car]. seemed a little weak.

For now I'll just throw another $600 to get the A/C fixed in my Lumina, and leave money in myh account for anything else that goes wrong [interestingly the power windows and engine run fine].

The good advice is appreciated.