soon to be q owner

[the_momo]

Well after what was a long time with s chassis cars, I am moving on...

My last s13 recently ventilated its #2 cylinder in spectacular fashion on the highway, leaving me without a vehicle.

Ive been eying g50's for a while now, and from the information I have gathered I am looking to a 94-96 q. I would rather not deal with the timing chain guide issues if i can avoid it altogether, plus i find the later years to be more attractive anyhow.

My budget is roughly 5000 for vehicle and related expenses (ill be buying near the end of June) and from what ive seen that puts me in the near or over 100k mile 94-96 q's. Other that the basic wear items inherent in any vehicle, is there anything specific that I should be aware of? I have been spending some time going through the various faq's and technical info I've found here and whats avaliable on q45.org.

So I guess is there anything anyone has found that I should look for before buying or what to expect during ownership? I've got a pretty good idea of what to look for in general when buying a used car, just covering all my bases as I'm hoping to enjoy this vehicle for a while, I'm rather tired of driving worn out 240's and just want something of real quality.

Thanks in advance all and as soon as I take ownership I'll be sure to include words and pictures of the wonderful journey to ownership that I'm sure it'll be.

[maxnix]

Welcome to the luxury side. Read the sticky above. It is all about service history. Some members who maintain there cars better than the general public have cars for sale. Your budget precludes paying over $2K, so all are going to be over 100K unless you find that widow who has garaged one for 10 years.

[the_momo]

Thats what I'm hoping to find, although I'm not holding my breath.

The only problem that I'm seeing with the vast majority of cars on NICO is that they are all rather far from me, not that its really a problem, but I'd rather find one less than 500 miles away.

I am keeping NICO as my main source for looking, for just the reason you stated. Hopefully it'll work out in a timely manner, but I think this time im going to take my time and find the right one, not just one in general. Thats been my problem with my s cars.

[maxnix]

momo,

Your main problem is you are solidly in the rust belt.

I wouldn't buy a car within 500 miles of Ann Arbor, and when I got a nice southern car, I would not drive it in the winter.

Good luck.
Modified by maxnix at 1:00 PM 5/15/2008

[qship96]

Brian is correct.In Maryland almost every 90-96Q has rust developing in both rear wheel arches, rocker panels under both rear doors, and even on the front shock towers.Infiniti dropped the ball in properly treating these areas to prevent corrosion.

I have yet to see a single 90-08 Lexus LS with ANY rust in Maryland, so it can be accomplished with the proper build and protective coatings during construction.

[the_momo]

The more I look the more I remember why I am moving to Texas next year.

Buying cars in Michigan just blows, period.

I did find one in Wisconsin that was a dealer maintained one owner 96t. I believe it spent most of its life in Utah, so I'm going to investigate that further.

The reality of it is I'm going to have to travel, but who knows. Maybe something spectacular will happen, I have until the end of June to find the perfect example.

[maxnix]

Wait until you move. Really.

[StarPD]

Wait until you move. Really.

What he said.

[Q45tech]

Florida is the best place to buy used Q [and any lux car] but watch out for car used up North then making the final trip to the elephant graveyard.

My son used to buy exotics/lux in Florida and truck to LA and make a profit.With FL number 3-4 in housing crash/ foreclosure shop there.

Remember Q [V8] cost almost $2,000 per year more to drive than a I4 and that's after you've fixed everything!

[the_momo]

I"m no stranger to expensive daily driving, before my last s13, I drove a 400whp SRT-4 with 680cc injectors...yeah that was an economical choice for a dd......

At any rate, I am rationalizing going out of town for a vehicle by doing some research on my potential move (Amarillo, TX) and acquiring a vehicle.I should have no problem finding something within that area that is up to my standard.

I certainly would wait till I move to get another vehicle, but I am in need and can really only sustain myself through the summer with my current situation as I am borrowing a vehicle from my dad to drive when wether doesnt permit me to ride my motorcycle. Working 40+ a week and 5 days a week for school and I need some stability in my transportation.

I have relinquished my hold on getting something local simply because most of what I've found in the surrounding areas is grossly overpriced or just garbage. It seems that from south of Tennessee and west of Indiana I am finding decent examples. A few on the east coast too, but not as many. As a whole, the midwest is showing better bang for the buck than most other areas.

I'll still hold out till my time draws closer, but at least I have an idea of what is going to be necessary.

Thanks for all the responses! I am getting more excited with every passing day!

[Victor]

California cars have no rust, plus southern California has an above average percentage of luxury imported cars compared to other parts of the country. There are usually at least 50 Q45s for sale within a fifty mile radius of my home here in Orange County at any one time. Check the Orange County Recycler or Craigslist for some examples.

[maxnix]

At any rate, I am rationalizing going out of town for a vehicle by doing some research on my potential move (Amarillo, TX) and acquiring a vehicle.

Well, finding a good Q45 in the high plains is probably about as likely as seeing a Facel Vega in the grocery store lot in most other places. Also, the dust does a number on the paint if the car is not protected better than most rnachers and farmers care to do.

Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, Austin or even OK City may have one for you though.

California cars have no rust, plus southern California has an above average percentage of luxury imported cars compared to other parts of the country. There are usually at least 50 Q45s for sale within a fifty mile radius of my home here in Orange County at any one time. Check the Orange County Recycler or Craigslist for some examples.

With the early G50, the problems with SC cars is the crap gas which kills injectors and the long uphill drive to Lost Wages which fried the early transmissions with no coolers.

[Kiven422]

The G50 is a great car... I can't find another perfect luxury vehicle. This is a car thats dedicated to the driver.

Be ready to replace the valve seals, all shocks, fuel pump and control unit, and just for preventative maintenance--the belts. Not something needed to be done right away though.

Its faster than a Stock SRT-4. And once you pass 100 you can be polite and say bye bye. JUST REMEMBER GAS IS EXPENSIVE -- well in CA

[the_momo]

We're at 4.19 a gallon for premium.

For having 400whp, my srt wasnt really all that fast, was a low end power fwd car that got no traction, and went out of the powerband when it did, that is why I sold it. If it had been a rwdvehicle, I'd probably still have it.

Either way, I'm probably going to Texas sometime this summer, so wether I get a car down there or not, at least I get a small getaway. I'm seeing some nice examples around Chicago area, even though well within the rust belt, no all are poorly maintained examples.

I'm sure it'll work out, i have faith it will.