So I totalled my beloved 90'Q.... should I fix it?

[DrewQ45]

Some of you might remember the issues I was having swapping out the differential a month or so ago. Well, after my 3rd installation (swapped in a low mileage 96') I got it right. Still greasy from the install, I took it for a test run... nothing special, I was on the highway and wasn't speeding. I was enjoying the peace and quiet of the ride (finally) looked down for a second and rear ended someone hard enough to cause a 4 car chain accident. Guess Murphy's law was out to get me and didn't stop till it did.

The Q had pretty bad front end damage but I was able to drive it home... No chassis damage... (I wiped out a 93 maxima which in turn bent the bed of a dodge ram pretty bad)... The old girl didn't even spring a leak but everything got bent up pretty bad. I would need to replace the hood and everything forward of the fenders including the radiator support and everything attached to it (radiator, condenser, headlights etc., etc.

Barely getting a grand back from the insurance company and I can't be bothered to fight with them at this point.

Most of you know I sell parts now an then on the forum so getting the parts is no issue...in fact, I already have most of them already. The labor?...I'm still not sure how much that will run as my body guy is dragging his feet.

Here's the dilemma... GAS PRICES!!! Should I bother to invest in fixing an 18 year old Q with well over 200K with current gas prices only set to rise? At best, I'll end up with a nice, fun to drive GAS Guzzler that only takes PREMIUM FUEL... I've already picked up an 03' 4 cylinder accord which takes regular. Yeah, it's no Q but hell, it gets over 30mpg on the highway. Just saw on CNN this AM that gas prices today may pale in comparison with future predictions of $14 - 15 a gallon.

So... Fix or part it out? Mind you, it's a highly modded car so parting it out wouldn't be such a bad idea.

...Drew...

[Victor]

I wouldn't fix it, part it out. Even fixed up it would still be a salvage title car, forever tainted as far as resale value goes.

[DrewQ45]

I wouldn't fix it, part it out. Even fixed up it would still be a salvage title car, forever tainted as far as resale value goes.

Resale value is never a consideration with these cars.

[Q45tech]

30 mpg on highway will seem painfully bad when gasoline is $5.50 gallon the same as 22 mpg today.

Just as $9 gallon with 50 mpg will be in near future.

All that truely works is to decrease mileage driven.

As in certain parts of the world a 3 cylinder car will be a luxury.

You can buy 10,000 gallons of ethanol today for $24,200.........$2.42/gal

This will turn out to be the best investment of your life if you have somewhere to store it.

I'll check the Honda Accord Forum for you!

Ty is now collecting old 4 cylinder 5 speeds as a profit making venture.....pre OBD2 only need apply.

[yodawill2000]

The Geo metros are going for a small fortune on Ebay .. By small fortune I mean alot more than the original sticker price

[DrewQ45]

30 mpg on highway will seem painfully bad when gasoline is $5.50 gallon the same as 22 mpg today.

Just as $9 gallon with 50 mpg will be in near future.

All that truely works is to decrease mileage driven.

As in certain parts of the world a 3 cylinder car will be a luxury.

You can buy 10,000 gallons of ethanol today for $24,200.........$2.42/gal

This will turn out to be the best investment of your life if you have somewhere to store it.

I'll check the Honda Accord Forum for you!

Ty is now collecting old 4 cylinder 5 speeds as a profit making venture.....pre OBD2 only need apply.

Yeah, but the Q owner's pain will also be increasing...

Tech... I'm already seeing the difference. With the Honda, I can get a little over 350 miles out of a tankful of REGULAR. Can't recall how much I could get out of the Q running PREMIUM but it wasn't nearly as pretty... Same reason why corollas are selling like hotcakes and Yukons/Suburbans are sitting on the lots. I learned a lot while car shopping... The Q's gas co$t with premium is close to an avg SUV running regular when you compare dollar amt. (maybe more depending on SUV model). Remember too, this is ATL... we drive horrendous amt of miles per year.

Those who haven't sought a 4 banger yet will be doing so in the near future... in fact, they may be looking at mopeds.
Modified by DrewQ45 at 3:30 PM 6/2/2008

[maxnix]

Yeah, but the Q owner's pain will also be increasing...

Tech... I'm already seeing the difference. With the Honda, I can get a little over 350 miles out of a tankful of REGULAR. Can't recall how much I could get out of the Q running PREMIUM but it wasn't nearly as pretty...

So will everyone's! If you are in a salaried job, be sure to get a raise ASAP.

I can easily get 400 miles on a tank on the highway. I won't be downsizing until the pickup drivers do, that's for sure.

Past tense of the verb to seek is sought. It is not weak.

[DrewQ45]

So will everyone's! If you are in a salaried job, be sure to get a raise ASAP.

I can easily get 400 miles on a tank on the highway. I won't be downsizing until the pickup drivers do, that's for sure.

Past tense of the verb to seek is sought. It is not weak.

So true Maxnix. The gas situation is getting crazy. Miles per tank as stated are for mixed driving. I'm not sure how much I can get running strictly highway. Remember though that your tank is full of premium. Appreciate the correction on the verb. I know better too!

[maxnix]

Wonder if there is market for a Q45 Rickshaw?

Hope you can recover. So sorry for your loss.

[Q45tech]

Well it will remove all the those poor people who make less than $100k per year.

Driving a Q will again regain some of its luster as a rich man's car that it was when brand new.

$8,000 per year in gasoline and $3,000 in repairs. [Maybe $4k with annual injectors].

Up to now people could skimp on repairs and just put gas in it.

More nice gray seats for me.

[sijoko]

More nice gray seats for me.

It's always good to be an optimist when the country is going to hell in a handbasket and the New World Order is shoved down our throats. LOL.

Reminds me of a children's book that I had when I was 8 years old. I still laugh when I think about it.


Modified by sijoko at 4:18 PM 6/2/2008

[DrewQ45]

Well it will remove all the those poor people who make less than $100k per year.

Driving a Q will again regain some of its luster as a rich man's car that it was when brand new.

$8,000 per year in gasoline and $3,000 in repairs. [Maybe $4k with annual injectors].

Up to now people could skimp on repairs and just put gas in it.

More nice gray seats for me.

Yeah Dennis,

You'd definately look rich driving around... I can see pulling up to you in your beautiful gray Q and saying..."Excuse me, do you happen to have any gray Poop?"...

Oops...make that Gray Poupon.



I do have some beautiful gray seats front and back if you're interested. Pretty much flawless since my upgrades. Thats if I decide to part out.
Modified by DrewQ45 at 5:04 PM 6/2/2008

[unknown007]

Here's the dilemma... GAS PRICES!!! Should I bother to invest in fixing an 18 year old Q with well over 200K with current gas prices only set to rise? At best, I'll end up with a nice, fun to drive GAS Guzzler that only takes PREMIUM FUEL... I've already picked up an 03' 4 cylinder accord which takes regular. Yeah, it's no Q but hell, it gets over 30mpg on the highway. Just saw on CNN this AM that gas prices today may pale in comparison with future predictions of $14 - 15 a gallon.

I know it's alot of money but i really wouldn't let gas prices take away your beloved 90' Q.In my case i got a Q45 with 116k miles and with the gas prices i said DANG!!!im stupid!!!but i wasnt going to let gas ruin it all for me.I'll just later in a year or two get a 4 cyclinder and then use the Q for weekends.Well just hope you make the right choice.

[elwesso]

Have any pics of the damage, if you could get away with just replacing body panels its not that bad, but once you step inside a body shop you'll be fighting a losing battle real quick!

Id either keep it as a second car and fix it up as time goes by. If you cant do that, part it out and make a couple grand on it.

[Q451990]

It sounds like you've already made up your mind... I guess I would wait for your body guy's estimate, but if you're not really wanting to drive it - maybe it's time to say goodbye.

On a side note... that low mileage 96 Q donor that you used for your differential... would you know if it's injectors are available?

Heath

[heywier427]

fix it!

ive been there, removing the rad sup. is not that critical. if you had all the replacement parts laid out in front of you it could be done in a day.

zerothread?id=170820

[DrewQ45]

She's coming back to life!!! She's on a rack right now.

...Drew...