test drive 94 q45

[airman]

Hi folks,

In search of my future Q test drove today another candidate and want to ask you if it's worth to buy.

It's 94 Q45 std (+TCS, +heated seats), 95600 miles, black/black.

This is what I found so far. Some terms I use may sound funny since I don't know exact translation and am not American so please bear with my language.

Full report with photos will be available at http://www.petrovs.com/carbuyi...k.htm It takes some time to upload pics.

The seller sais car had light rear end collision (straight bumper hit). Only bumper was damaged and it was replaced.

It has 17" Cagar rims that says nothing to me. It's, probably, cheapos, Q looks good with them though. I guess that is the reason why they were put. Almost new Z-rated Bridgestone Potenza on those rims, but... rear left tire is Goodyear Eagle, at least with the same specs. Rotors visually looked ok.

Black leather interior in decent shape. Leather is moderately worn but no significant scratches and cuts. Cabin is clean but not perfect. Tint is awful: bubbles and wrinkles. Needs to be redone.

Exterior is not perfect either. Door's edges have small dents and scratches. Things are really bad in the front. Hood has a lot of dings and couple of matte spots on the top. I'd repaint hood and bumper that has scratch on the right side.

I'm not a mechanic and not familiar with Q engines but some things under the hood looked suspicious. It looks that one of three visible pipes (exhaust collector?) is covered with oil or some dark scale. There was light smell of burning oil after highway test drive.The battery is 700CCA, brand new.Radiator's fan has cracks, needs to be replaced. There is some gome on the two central pipes of the cover. Belts look good and feel tight.

Test drive

Noise behind the rear seat, I guess it's fuel pump on the way out. Check Engine light (not the engine pictogram itself but bar above) came on after warming up.Slight steering wheel vibartion at highway speeds that is more noticeable if you apply brakes.I didn't drive Qs too much but this one looked like having some problems with performance. Why do i think so? At 70mph I floored it, it dropped on second gear and din't accelerate much. I barely overtook a minivan going 85mph. Acceleration was very slow I think. Another time, entering on ramp (at wot) it was going good up to 60-70mph and then suddenly went up to 4h gear and stopped sharp acceleration, tacho dropped from ~6.5K to ~2K.

I quoted some numbers to seller:- fuel pump: $500- tires match: $150- under plenum cleaning, resealing, changing hoses: $800-1200- front end repair (source of vibration): $600 - 800- check engine light (O2 sensor, injectors?): $100 - 1000?- radiator fan: $50- paint work: $300-400- re-tint: $200

I'm gonna take it to mechanic before I buy it but given all that found is this car worth $5000 (the price I would buy it)?Asking price is 7500 and KBB private party 5860.

Thanks!

[shaginator]

burning oil may mean leaky valve (rocker) covers, front seal, oil pressure switch, worn pistons, or all of the above. (ouch)

check engine light problems indeed can be from 11 different things including o2 sensors, or injectors by they can also be from knock sensors (which won't light up the MIL on a '94 Q unless it's causing a secondary problem), leaky intakes, bad maf's. etc...

cracked radiator fan, bad sign. how's the actual radiator look?

from my brief time here, I've learned that 7500 for a car that you described would be really steep -- for anyone, but especially for a NICO old-timer. In fact, member Sopdadope has a awesome deal for his early-model Q in the buy/sell/trade section, and it's a lot less that the asking price you mention (sounds like it's in tip-top shape too) .

[Q45tech]

Why do yo think a $52,000 car gets down to $5,000 [in 9 years] because it will cost $35,000 to make it look and BE like brand new. At 95k all the cheap miles have been used up and it appears the owner didn't do much repair or maintenace.You can't do it [make like new] because you can't duplicate the paint.

Your list ONLY came to $3,000 [average for most examined cars].....those that look pristine........your desription sounds like a poor condition car.

Remember to double or triple your estimate then you will be safe.

New EVER buy a car without a written list from an expert and then get a second opinion!

[airman]

That's what I thought. It's not worth even $5K. The seller would go for that as I understood from initial negotiation (my price was 4K).

I corrected link by the way. You can see pictures now.http://www.petrovs.com/carbuyi...k.htm

I'll look for another one. Almost dozen Qs checked so far :-).Thank you, guys

[Q45tech]

There were around 22,000 94-95 Q to chose from and at any moment 2,000-4,000 are for sale....and 2,000 [guess!] are in junk yards from wrecks.It is a fine line in determining the value to you on a 94 since fewer things fail prior to 100k but they are worn just the same.

If spend $5k on a 94 and another $5k [immediately] on repairs and deferred maintenance it is stll one heck of a car even if you spend $2500-$3000 each subsequant year.Over 5 years you only spend $20,000-$22k plus interest ins, tax title, gas and you can still dump it for $1500 for parts.

Most new lux owners end up spending $12,000 per year or $60,000 for 5years you get almost the same for slightly more than half say $35,000/5= $7,000 per year

[jimb]

I think you can do better! Keep looking.

[AZhitman]

Airman - Are you looking on AutoTrader.com? If not, you should. It's a great resource, and it means the seller thought enough of their car to take a pic, spend the $35, and post an ad.

Several nice 94-95 Q's for sale here in Phoenix. Stay away from ANY Q from a snowy climate. There are so many in AZ/CA/NM/NV/UT/TX/FL for sale, there's NO real smart reason to look elsewhere.

I agree with other members - That one sounds abused. Any 95 you look at should still be pretty much perfect, even at 100K miles.

[airman]

Airman - Are you looking on AutoTrader.com? If not, you should. It's a great resource, and it means the seller thought enough of their car to take a pic, spend the $35, and post an ad.

Of course, where else? I also use cars.com, and asked Grubbs Infiniti to inform me about clean trade-ins. This particular one was found on Autotrader.http://www.autotrader.com/find...=1994

Quote »Several nice 94-95 Q's for sale here in Phoenix. Stay away from ANY Q from a snowy climate. There are so many in AZ/CA/NM/NV/UT/TX/FL for sale, there's NO real smart reason to look elsewhere.

I agree with other members - That one sounds abused. Any 95 you look at should still be pretty much perfect, even at 100K miles. [/quote]

I've seen several 95s. None of them were close to perfect. Why, oh, why people hate these cars so much! :-)

[airman]

This Q is claimed to be overmaintained:

http://www.autotrader.com/find...=1994

http://www.home.bellsouth.net/...atcut

T3 mentioned btw. But the price... and it's not local.

[AZhitman]

Hmmmm. Well, best of luck on your search. I have looked at 5 or 6 94-95's here in town for sale (over the past year) and 3 were at least as nice as mine, which is as pristine as you'll find. You're on the right track, but keep in mind a well-maintained low-mileage 94-95 will cost you a lot more than $5K. $9-11K is more likely, and the PERFECT one I saw recently had 81K miles and sold for $13K.

I think Brian (maxnix) has one of the best-preserved 95 Q's on the site, but that's just because it hasn't hit 40K miles yet!:D

[AZhitman]

The price on the one you posted is NOT out of line. In fact, that's a good deal, especially if it's been well-maintained. And having a clean service history performed by T-3 is worth a TON of $$$.

If you're looking in the $5-6K range, try looking for a 90-93.

[airman]

The price on the one you posted is NOT out of line. In fact, that's a good deal, especially if it's been well-maintained. And having a clean service history performed by T-3 is worth a TON of $$$.

If you're looking in the $5-6K range, try looking for a 90-93.

I wish it were that slick. From the telephone conversation with this guy, I understood that 120K service was done at T3. And the current owner is not the first one, but third. I'm going to get service records and we'll see if it's good as claimed.I'd pay 8-9K for perfect 94. But this one is not low-milage (127K) and perfectness is not proved yet.

[AZhitman]

Sounds like you're on the right track.

That one did about 14K per year, which is towards the high end of normal. There are lots of lower mileage 94-95Q's out there. Saw one with 48K on eBay last week, and several here in Phoenix under 90K.

I have 91K on a 95, which is low-average.

[maxnix]

I thought I saw a low miles one (was it Austin?) recently.

I think it is worth the extra $4K-$5K to get nearer 70K miles, or less. Maintenance records and an inspection by qualified technician is a must.

[EWT]

I'd keep looking. I probably looked at 10 cars before finding the 95 I finally bought. It had 69K miles, was in good mechanical condition, wasn't my first color choice, and wasn't perfect cosmetically (some dings and scratches), but it is probably a 95th percentile car for 1995 cars still on the road. There are nice cars out there, but it may take some looking. I've found that most sellers' definition of "good condition" isn't the same as mine. Take your time and find one in good shape. It's worth the extra money.

[airman]

I think Brian (maxnix) has one of the best-preserved 95 Q's on the site, but that's just because it hasn't hit 40K miles yet!:D

Does he ever drive?

[maxnix]

Does he ever drive?

Yep, too much. Bought in June with 26K. Now at 38K. First 3K was Brooklyn to Seattle.

Texas Q has 57K. Not driven very much, mostly by Mom when she winters there.

[airman]

low milage Q on ebay, local seller

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...=6264

but don't no if I want 96 :-(

[AZhitman]

Skip the 96, but there's a nice low-mileage Ivory Pearl Quartz 95 for sale on eBay also. The price is right.

[airman]

Skip the 96, but there's a nice low-mileage Ivory Pearl Quartz 95 for sale on eBay also. The price is right.

this one?http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...64#lg

[AZhitman]

That's the one (sorry I had the color wrong).

It'd be a good idea to run the service history, but the miles and $$ are right if its nice.

[airman]

I'm going to check this out:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...=6264

[maxnix]

I'm going to check this out:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...=6264

Lotta miles, no mats, only one remote(?), non-factory CD Player (FM modulated?), 79° on Climate control?

Check it out carefully. I still say few good cars come to Ebay.

[PalmerWMD]

Sorry Brian:

Lately I been disagreeing with you a lot :oface

I like it .

Often the floormats are cleaned seperately, I have often seen them kept elsewhere.As for the heatre being on that number I dont think it means anything. Check it out and enjoy.

Fred...

[Aus94Q45]

Speaking of new mats, Joe has several on sale. I bought a new set for $85. Did not realize how bad my old ones looked until I saw them side by side. Big and brainless "upgrade" on the interior. The inside looks and smells almost new!

[maxnix]

Sorry Brian:

Lately I been disagreeing with you a lot :oface

I like it .

Fred...

That's cool. But as a survivor of two chain guide failures, you know better than most that a pretty body can hide an internal nightmare waiting to happen. (Remember, we are talking about cars here.)

That's why I encourage all prospective owners to inspect, verify maintenance records and lack of body damage, and have a Q45 technician inspect the car also. I doubt you would disagree with that. One cannot drive a jpeg, so I wouldn't make a decision to purchase based on one.

That is why I overpaid for my low miles Q45s, because they were aggressively maintained (beyond factory recommendations) by their owners. I think they are worth it. As Dennis has stated so accurately, a stock maintained G50 Q45 is a better performer than 98+% of the cars on the road or even available new today. Few manufacturers can match its build quality.

[airman]

I skipped that one. Too scary to buy on auction... Talking about maintanence, I've not seen Q which was maintained at least of half of this board standarts. People just take advantage of how much abuse these cars can take.

These two looks good and supposed to be aggressively maintained (I like this phrase :-):

http://www.autotrader.com/find...=none

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http://www.autotrader.com/find...=1994

http://www.home.bellsouth.net/...atcut

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Brian, are you in in Austin now? I found this one on yahoo:

http://classifieds.autos.yahoo...&cf=1

Do you think it's worth to check. It's from dealer, but he sais it's one owner in excellent shape.

[maxnix]

I skipped that one. Too scary to buy on auction... Talking about maintanence, I've not seen Q which was maintained at least of half of this board standarts. People just take advantage of how much abuse these cars can take.

------------

Brian, are you in in Austin now? I found this one on yahoo:

http://classifieds.autos.yahoo...&cf=1

Do you think it's worth to check. It's from dealer, but he sais it's one owner in excellent shape.

Airman, your email is blocked, but I am not there until April.

There are a couple of other members from there who may check in. Austin dealer is pleasant, but retrogressive.

I think you are honing your skills well to get the correct Q. First run a VIN at a dealer, then run CarFax. Saw one for sale nearby, 1994 with 51K miles for $9K obo. Was afraid to look at it in case it was in good shape and maintained. I am vaguely thinking of getting an a model, but haven't committed. Or maybe I should say, I haven't been committed, yet.

[airman]

One more test drive

http://www.cars.com/search/use...=null

The story repeats: fuel pump, cracked fan, squeaking front suspension (struts were just changed seller said), no 90K service done. I asked owner why 90K service was not done and he said: "Why? It runs great, it does not need anything." :-)

Another funny dialog with seller asking 9500 for 100K 94q :- How do you justify this price for the car?- It's a great luxury car, very reliable, very well maintained, my wife loves it, blah...- Ah, ok. What kind of maintenance have you done during the last 20-30K miles?- I regulary changed oil! (looks very proud)- Anything else?- No. Why? It didn't need a thing!

:-)

[maxnix]

You are honing your skills well, Airman. Cast your net widely.