So I spend a year fixing my Q45 and then...I want to sell it?

[DoinkMobb]

I bought my Q45 a year ago because my 1.8L Impreza died on a Friday and I needed to get to work on Monday. I bought a Q45 because it was pretty cheap, it was a RWD sedan and it was moderately quick.

So now a year later, I've logged who knows how many hours under and/or hunched over the engine bay of the damn car, busting my knuckles and scraping my arms up. I've spent a decent amount of money replacing various things, but I've learned a lot in the process. It's been fun in a weird sort of way.

The car is at the point now where it's not leaking anything, it's idling smoothly and quietly, the gas mileage is back where it should be, the brakes are up to snuff once again and it gets me where I need to go with no problems. Yes, there are minor annoyances I'd still like to address, but all the major problems are taken care of.

I feel like I want to enjoy the fruits of my labor now. Hell, I put a lot of time and money into the Q, too much to just turn around and sell it now. But...it just makes more financial sense to spend a few hundred on an engine to get my Impreza running again and then sell the Q for whatever. I guess I could keep the Q as a long highway trip/back up car, but the $$$ would be useful too.

Dammit.

[BadQ45t]

I don't want to burst your bubble but the 94' Q ain't gonna bring you a whole lot despite you hard work under the hood. You didn't mention the mileage or condition of the car, but with V8 cars on the outs despite our lower gas prices, I can tell you whatever you paid you can figure that is about what your likely to get for it now.

I'd say get the Impreza running again for sure, that is your daily driver. I have a 97' Q with 90k miles and it is very clean inside and out and runs as well as it did the day it rolled off the factory floor....and I'd be lucky to get 5k for this car. My paint is nearly perfect, the enginer runs like a top, the car is lowered with 19" M45 rims etc...but these are older V8's and nobody wants them anymore. I drive it less than everyday now, I have a 2005 X-Terra that does daily duty and the Q comes out on sunny days and for work situations where i need to have a cool set of wheels.

Keep it, you'll never get your investment back.

[maxnix]

A well restored G50 on a a road trip is a joy to behold. At 22 mpg, few cars can match it, and they cost much more.

[DoinkMobb]

I don't want to burst your bubble but the 94' Q ain't gonna bring you a whole lot despite you hard work under the hood. You didn't mention the mileage or condition of the car, but with V8 cars on the outs despite our lower gas prices, I can tell you whatever you paid you can figure that is about what your likely to get for it now.

All the money I put into it was the price of being able to get to work and back reliably - I don't expect to recoup those costs. I didn't pay much for the car and I'm pretty sure I can get more than what I paid for it. Any money I'd get from selling it would be a bonus anyway. It's not like I have to pay off a car loan or anything.

The Q45 actually makes me want to take long trips due to the comfort, quiet ride and power at high speeds. A Hyundai Accent is not suitable for 2+ hour trips, that's for damn sure.

[jltibbs]

Recently, I have driven my Q more than usual since gas has dropped in price. I know I should not be doing so, but I can't help it. I love my Q. Even if I'm driving to the gas station and back. My daily driver is a 2DR 93 Sentra SE 1.6 5MT. I do not care for it much at all, besides the fact that it costs $18 or less to fill up on premium and it gets 35 MPG. Even though my Q runs well and all that really needs any attention right now (besides some minor body work) is the valve cover gaskets, I can't leave it parked like I did when gas was pushing $5 PG. Maybe it's a boredom thing Buy something new for the Q. We did just get through with Christmas, did you get the Q anything?

[elwesso]

Good luck selling the Q.

I try and tell new Q owners that you either need to plan on one of 3 things as your fate for the Q.

1. Buy it and enjoy it for what it is, and pay the money to maintain it and drive it till the wheels fall off.

2. Do nothing to do it and drive it till the wheels fall off and have a huge paperweight in your driveway.

3. sell it and lose a bunch of money or maybe not be able to sell it regardless.

[Q451990]

Recently, I have driven my Q more than usual since gas has dropped in price. I know I should not be doing so, but I can't help it.

What's wrong with driving the Q? Enjoy it, have fun, redline it! This may be the last time gas is so cheap that you can do this without your wallet tapping you on the shoulder asking you what the heck you think you're doing!

Heath

[666-g50]

my q is my daily driver and ill have to say i wouldnt put the time and money into a car i cant enjoy. owning a q45 is like have a savant for a child.its alot of work and it might seem retarded to those who dont know, but to anyone who has seen it preform they know its genius

[jltibbs]

What's wrong with driving the Q? Enjoy it, have fun, redline it! This may be the last time gas is so cheap that you can do this without your wallet tapping you on the shoulder asking you what the heck you think you're doing!

Heath

I knew I jinxed myself by driving it too much. The other day my driver door regulator took a dump on me.

[Q45tech]

With the price of gas so low just think you have an extra $2500 per year to spend on repairs before the Feds and State raise fuel taxes by that amount to help fund the bailouts.

[DoinkMobb]

I enjoy driving the car, but if I have another ride available, I should sell it now while gas is cheap. Anything I get for it will be extra money and it would be nice to cut my fuel expenses in half.

Right now I'm trying to drive it more to get some use out of the damn car before I sell it and to keep the miles off my wife's car. I love it on the highway, but it's a bit unwieldy in parking lots.

If I give the Q a thorough detailing of the paint and under the hood, I'm sure I could sell it someone. Even if I lose money on it, oh well, that's how it goes.

[maxnix]

Better a live restored G50 than any Imprezza, no?

[DoinkMobb]

Better a live restored G50 than any Imprezza, no?

Any Impreza? Absolutely not. Some Imprezas? Maybe.

I'd have to say that my weak 1.8L Impreza bests my Q45 in most of the categories that count to me. It'll outhandle the Q by a mile, gets 30 mpg city on 87, repeatedly stops on a dime with little fade and it's a 5-speed. Yes, it's slower than hell and kinda buzzy, but it's not without its charm.

Hmmm, my youngest brother will be driving soon. Maybe he'd be interested in the car. I wonder how quickly a 16 year old kid could destroy a Q45 through lack of maintenance?

[qship96]

How can one compare an Imprezza to a Q? One is a cheap appliance-like tin can, and the other a flagship luxury car. Completely different missions.

[DoinkMobb]

How can one compare an Imprezza to a Q? One is a cheap appliance-like tin can, and the other a flagship luxury car. Completely different missions.

It's Impreza with one Z, not two.

I dunno, my 2006 STI didn't seem cheap, appliance like or tin can like. My 1995 Impreza, however, is definitely a cheap appliance like tin can. But it's cheaper to run, cheaper to maintain and more fun to drive (in certain aspects).

[Q45tech]

We don't allow or at least seriously discourage comparison of I4 or V6 with V8 and reference cars should be of the same weight otherwise just a worthless taking up of space and Inet resources.

[DoinkMobb]

I bought a 1996 Impreza wagon a few months ago and I'm officially done with the Q45. I have no desire to own it anymore. Honestly, I couldn't afford it right now either, since my commute is now 50 miles a day.

No more used luxury cars for me man, no way. Not worth the trouble. Owning the Q was an experience and a lesson. You had to be a damn Q45 scientist/engineer with expendable cash to keep this car happy. I'm surprised at how much maintenance I did myself, but I don't have the time or the money (or the love) for the car.

I'll stick with my practical, cheaper, easier to maintain Imprezas. Boxer 4 > V8. Haha!

[Q45tech]

Absolutely, old lux V8 are not for the poor or the undereducated in vehicle technology and repairs. They can cost twice as much per mile to drive than a basic light weight I4.

Something that is learned the hardway.

[maxnix]

With a 50 mile commute on a realtively open and flowing highway, I would prefer the G50 to almost anycar, and certainly any 4 cylinder aand almost all V6.

Well, the good news is at least you learned something.

[DoinkMobb]

With a 50 mile commute on a realtively open and flowing highway, I would prefer the G50 to almost anycar, and certainly any 4 cylinder aand almost all V6.

Well, the good news is at least you learned something.

It's not quite highway, but I'm getting near hwy mileage in my Impreza. Commuting in the Q45 would cost me approx. 65% more money per month...of course you could argue that the ride would also be 65% quieter and smoother too.

Yeah I learned something along the way. You and Q45tech were helpful in a stern "sink or swim" sort of way also. So now I can check Japanese V8 Luxury Car off my list.

[Q45tech]

The finest compliment I've gotten in a long time thanks!

"Q45tech were helpful in a stern "sink or swim" sort of way also. So now I can check Japanese V8 Luxury Car off my list. "

[maxnix]

It's all choices. Do come back around though.