Switching Q's-need advice.

[Q45denver]

After having my engine go south for the second time in three years. I'm faced with the dilemma as to whether to pay $5000+ for another used engine for my old car (1990 Q45 with 156K miles) or switch to a lower mileage 1994-1995. In as much as the latter models are reportedly much more dependable and don't have the fuel injector problems that have plagued me in the past, I have half decided to buy a 1995 with 120K miles for $4000. The interior, exterior and mechanical condition of the 1995 and the 1990 (except for the engine) are in similar condition. I have made some upgrades to the 1990 like the built in radar, front and rear sway bars, slotted disk brakes, Tokicos, wider wheels, CD changer, etc. that I could swap to the 1995 without too much effort. The only fly in the ointment is that the 1995 feels too much like a luxury car in that it is not nearly as tight or quick as the 1990. Part of the this may be because it lacks the improvements that I made to the 1990. The 1995 appears to need a valve cover reseal, new spark plugs and injector cleaning which might bring up the performance a little. Other features that are lacking in the 1990 that the 1995 has include remote control, traction control and heated seats which would be much welcomed here in Denver with winter coming up. My concern is that I have been unable to get any service records prior to the past year for the 1995. Another concern is that the steering wheel is slightly loose when pulling /pushing up and down on it and the air bag appears to be slightly off center. There is no evidence of prior accidents. I optimistically estimate that it would take another $1000 to get the 1995 in similar condition to that of the 1990 before the engine went thereby getting me back to the $5000 it would cost for a new engine. I would benefit however by having a car that it 5 years newer and with a higher resale value and hopefully more dependable. Also I might be able to get a few bucks for the 1990 or turn it into a long term project. What to do? Buy a Toyota?

[elwesso]

Dude you SO need to buy Docs Q... $6000 for that car, which is negotiable is a steal.. you have all service records, and impeccible maintenace...

DONT LET IT GET AWAY... Take a loan, beg borrow and steal! This is the Q of a lifetime, and I mean that.....

Whenever you talk Q.... think $1000 will really mean 2500.....

[Q45denver]

Where is it again? I'd have a hard time buying a car I haven't seen or drivven. Also how would I get it to Denver? Why don't you buy it? Not saying I wouldn't buy a car sight unseen it because I have done that before its just that it would be alot easiler to buy the local 1995 Q for $4000 even though it might not be in as good condition. BTW I just looked at a couple of 1995's at local dealers and they were severely trashed even though over the phone the dealer said they were in excellent condition.

[AZhitman]

I agree with Wes.

STRONGLY.

Like, you need to talk to him ASAP!!!!

[AZhitman]

Also, the diff in ride and handling between the 90-93 and 94-96 is overblown.

I wish you could drive mine. The differences were minimal, and are eliminated once you add Tokico Blue and rear sway bar.

[Jeff Williams]

I concur.

The suspension upgrades will make the difference.

Go for some 17" or 18" wheels next.

I pushed a 740iL on the way home. He got nervous over 120 MPH. I let him slide & just hung with him. He had his wife and child in the car, and I didn't want to danger them in raffic, so I just fell in behind. I did get home 15 minutes faster, though.

[elwesso]

Hey it can be like the olympics and the torch... He could drive it here, and I could drive it part of hte way to meet you...

ITd be worth your while to fly in there and drive it back over a weekend... DO IT! Contact this guy NOW!!! NOW NOW NOW!!!

Seriously, this is probably the best Q ive seen on NICO for sale, since the sale of Z (szhosian) 95 Q... GOD that thing was IMMACULATE.....

[Q45denver]

Have you seen the car in person? Its in MA right?

[nuQ]

I STRONGLY agree with the guys here!!!!! check doc'sQ out first! no one has a crystal ball with future repairs, but,,,,,,,,i would buy a highly recommended Q from this site over ANY Q with a questionable past and from owners i didn't know!!! just my 2 cents

ps--i bought my 90Q from a member here,,,,and it's turned out to be the best automobile decision i EVER made!!!!

[PalmerWMD]

Its seems to be lovingly cared for by Nico member.

I would buy it if I was in market for a Q.

Fred..

[elwesso]

THe car is in maryland, i think......

If i could, id almost paypal the guy the money and fly out there......

Also, this car has been in the family, i think he said it was owned by his parents before he got it, maybe I dont recall... I think that he said he has some relation to the fist owners.. That said, if itsthe case, Id say its a 1 owner, and 1 owner Qs with less than 100k are nearly unheard of.....

[rover3l]

When I bought my Q45a off ebay in 2003, I bought a discount 1 way ticket to NH and drove home the same day.

[Q45denver]

You've got me thinking about it. You should get a job as a used car salesman.

[elwesso]

Who were you talking to??

[Jeff Williams]

You can give Wes a 5% commission. He needs some money, to buy Fred's Q.

[elwesso]

You can give Wes a 5% commission. He needs some money, to buy Fred's Q.

Make that past tense