The hidden costs of Q ownership - family trip to Disney World

[jjbuzzman]

I love these old Q's and have owned 6. Right now, I have 3. But in a recent bout of mental weakness I bought a 4th - a really nice Q45a out of Arizona. And right here you single guys can quit reading since you won't understand much of what follows (I know because I was a single guy until I was 46).

So my wife says "FOUR of these old cars? Are you going to build another garage or what?" Then she suggests I sell one or more of them. At which I reminded her of the kid-to-Q rule, being our agreement that for every new kid she gets (she loves kids and we have adopted 4) I get one more old Q45. But she said that rule stopped with kid #3.

So I give in and sell my all original, non-NICO'ed '91 with 68,000 miles. Well, the body was not so hot anyway. But then she mentions that maybe I ought to sell my black 1990 too! I say "What? I already gave in on the 3 kid-to-Q rule!" At which she adds "But this Active model you just bought, what with the accumulators, actuators and all, really has the service load of 2 regular Q's, so from a practical perspective you'd still be at 3." So I say "What! How did you know all that about an "a" model? Have you been reading the Forum behind my back?" To which, she just smiled.

Then after some silence, she says, "Maybe we can work something out here." And for you single guys still reading this, a word to the wise - watch out for those words - they don't always mean what they sound like. So then I knew what was coming - "If you'll let us all go to Disney World for a week you can keep your '90 - I know you love that old car." But it's not like she doesn't benefit - I let her drive my 100% NICO '93 complete with Stillen tower brace and Q45a rear sway bar! On previous mention of the brace and sway bar she said "I'd gladly swap them both for one decent cup holder." Thus, you see what I'm dealing with here.

So I was kind of stuck, and thought I might have to play tough guy when she added, "I know this trip will be expensive with 4 kids and all, but I tell you what, if you want to take the new Qa down to T3 in Atlanta for a make-over, I won't say a thing, because the trip and the make-over will cost about the same thing."

To what I say "Listen, your logic on all this doesn't make sense," and she replies "I'll tell you what's illogical - having 4 old Q's you have to work on all the time when you could sell them all and get one good Honda, complete with 4 cup holders."

So after a contemplative pause, what else could I say but, "Disney World here we come!"

[gammer_ghn]

wellll good luck disney world and 6 people thats a good $2000-3000 if your lucky and as far as the Q45s go why dont you find a few good ones <that are better than your current ones and sell your old Qz and have a higher base for improvements with less money on the better Q? or buy a 97+ and show her all the cup holders she wants. but as far as your lady goes we can win fights we can just do things our way and act like they are cool with it or we dont know they disalike it.

[Haitian_King]

Damn dude. I wish I could have had a 91 with 68k. That's f-ing amazing!

[Jesda]

Another Q is saved. Great story.

Its funny, most Q owners end up owning more than one. I've had two, and I feel like a third could be around the corner, most likely a 94-95t.

I've been talking lately about things like marriage, especially as I approach 30. Maybe that will have to wait.

[maxnix]

If cupholders are her major concern, get hre a FGY33.

Whose wife took the G50 to 140 mph?

Some are better in the parlour than the driver's seat.

[maxnix]

Its funny, most Q owners end up owning more than one. I've had two, and I feel like a third could be around the corner, most likely a 94-95t.I've been talking lately about things like marriage, especially as I approach 30. Maybe that will have to wait.

Jesda, as another late bloomer not married until 45, let me remind you that good girls are being made every day but good G50 are rarer and not made anymore.
Modified by maxnix at 9:52 AM 4/3/2008

[Rex]

Good read.

If you read closely, she's a very good negotiator. She took you from the previously agreed upon "kid to Q rule", revised it to say there's a 3 Q max, then got you to agree to the Disney trip to get you to keep the 3rd Q, that really should have never been on the table. Send her to the next time you need a raise, mortgage, house, etc.

Oddly enough, I've been thinking of thinning my 4 car herd. Only 1 is a Q (Da Beast), that I said I'd never sell ... wow I'm down to 1 Q .

[96Qowner]

... Then after some silence, she says, "Maybe we can work something out here." And for you single guys still reading this, a word to the wise - watch out for those words - they don't always mean what they sound like ..."I know this trip will be expensive with 4 kids and all, but I tell you what, if you want to take the new Qa down to T3 in Atlanta for a make-over, I won't say a thing, because the trip and the make-over will cost about the same thing."

LOL!

Oh yeah, been there. So, you end up spending twice as much money ... uh huh. Been there.

[jonseyq45]

Great story......

Before I got married, my father offered two bits of advise.

#1 Don't marry a crazy woman, it's bad enough marrying a sane one.

#2 There are 2 books of logic. One is the normally accepted one, the other is for women. Very few pages are the same in either.

(This advice can apply to future wives as well)

[Jesda]

Jesda, as another late bloomer not married until 45, let me remind you that good girls are being made every day but good G50 are rarer and not made anymore.

That sounds like a good bit of wisdom... and economics.

[lino]

Why not buy her a 4-Cupholder equipped Honda, sell off all your Qs except for your favorite one and tune it and mod it to your taste, then tell her that your Q is off limits to her. She gets her cupholders, you end up with a special toy. I'd rather have one great Q then several that need work.

What is the story with your Active car? Condition? Colors? Mileage?

Btw Have fun at Disney

[lino]

Its funny, most Q owners end up owning more than one. I've had two, and I feel like a third could be around the corner, most likely a 94-95t.

I knew you'd be back . Good luck with the search.

[szh]

I am in the middle somewhere in terms of Infiniti ownership ... have owned three Infiniti's: two Q45's (sold or traded in) and now on my first M45!

Z

[jjbuzzman]

The active Q I have coming can still be seen at ebay 200207856830. It has 69,000 miles and the cleanest bill of heath I have ever seen - bought and serviced at the same dealership - even tires, batteries, washes and detailing done at the dealership. The longest oil change interval was 3,200 - with most averaging about 2,500. This older, original owner would bring the car in and tell the service manager to go over it thoroughly and fix anything in question. It's had about $5,000 in service work in the last 5,000 miles - brakes, strut boots, water pump, belts, hoses, plugs, steering rack, bunch of flushes, new tires, upper links, more and more. I talked them into running a complete suspension CONSULT for free ($300 otherwise I hear) and even the active system is working perfectly (or so they say).

I'll look it over more closely after it gets here, then probably get some new accumulators from Keith Bowers and take it to T3 for updates (suspension bushings, maybe plenum hoses, etc.). If I'm going to take on an old active Q, (which is probable cause for commitment to a mental institution), at least I am hoping this is a good one to start with.

[Mark Linkous]

Hello,Congrats. It looks amazing. I cannot believe how good the leather looks.Cheers,M.L

[goody90q45]

If I'm going to take on an old active Q, (which is probable cause for commitment to a mental institution), at least I am hoping this is a good one to start with.

James your wife should have had you committed when you filled the garage with 3 Q's but if you let her make this active Q her daily driver I think she could be happy. It looks like a great car and hopefully the active suspension components have had the same attention over the years as the rest of the car. Enjoy.

[alexander]

Buy a VW Phaeton.

All your woes and woories and $$$ will go to this car.the Q's will seem like childs play

[konatown]

Buy a VW Phaeton.

All your woes and woories and $$$ will go to this car.the Q's will seem like childs play

Phaeton can be substituted for any of the full size Teutonic sedans

[lino]

The active Q I have coming can still be seen at ebay 200207856830. It has 69,000 miles and the cleanest bill of heath I have ever seen - bought and serviced at the same dealership - even tires, batteries, washes and detailing done at the dealership. The longest oil change interval was 3,200 - with most averaging about 2,500. This older, original owner would bring the car in and tell the service manager to go over it thoroughly and fix anything in question. It's had about $5,000 in service work in the last 5,000 miles - brakes, strut boots, water pump, belts, hoses, plugs, steering rack, bunch of flushes, new tires, upper links, more and more. I talked them into running a complete suspension CONSULT for free ($300 otherwise I hear) and even the active system is working perfectly (or so they say).

I'll look it over more closely after it gets here, then probably get some new accumulators from Keith Bowers and take it to T3 for updates (suspension bushings, maybe plenum hoses, etc.). If I'm going to take on an old active Q, (which is probable cause for commitment to a mental institution), at least I am hoping this is a good one to start with.

Looks like a fantastic car. It may still cost you a few $$$ but probably less than the average used Q. The car looks super clean in the pics and between getting accumulators from Keith and service from T3, you should be in top shape in no time. Best of luck with it and definitely keep us posted with your progress.

If you get a chance, take a pic of the 4 Qs for us

[ddrumman]

It blows me away when I hear of people that own a few (vehicles) of the same kind. There is a guy in the MG forum that I belong that has 6 of them.



I guess I'm weird. It would suit me more to have 3,4 or whatever # of cars, all be different.

James, That A in AZ looks amazing. Good luck with it. It was a 92A that I drove back in October of 91, that made me go completely bananas over the Q. You know, we've all heard the stories "until you drive a Q in OEM condition you really don't know" etc. Well, I drove one (quite a bit) that was brand new for about 6 months when an old buddy of mine leased one. As far as sedans go, it was the most impressive car I'd ever driven, until I drove a 2004 BMW 745LI. BTW, base Qs, like mine, were nowhere near the same feeling as the A. Obviously they were brand new as well.

[Jesda]

Buy a VW Phaeton.

All your woes and woories and $$$ will go to this car.the Q's will seem like childs play

Buy with warranty, then promptly discard! They're insanely pleasant though.

The only full size german luxury car I'd trust in terms of reliability and ownership cost is the E38 7-series, either V8 (98+) or V12. That was just before BMW goobered it up in 2002. MB W220s are supposed to be pretty easy to care for, but they're dull.

There's a strong love or hate debate on the E66. I believe its an example of everything that went horribly wrong at BMW since the turn of the century.

[qship96]

[QUOTE=Jesda]

Buy with warranty, then promptly discard! They're insanely pleasant though.

I gotta disagree with that advice.... not only will you get killed in resale value flipping it short term, but what good is a "luxury" car if it inconveniences you with nagging quality issues causing you to waste your time servicing it, or breaking down, even if the repairs are covered by warranty? Kinda takes the "luxury" right out of the ownership experience

[lino]

Buy with warranty, then promptly discard! They're insanely pleasant though.

I would never buy one. Maybe a short term lease for like $399/month including full warranty, otherwise there are many other much more interesting options. A car like that without warranty is worse than owning a Q45 ACTIVE and not knowing Keith!

The only full size german luxury car I'd trust in terms of reliability and ownership cost is the E38 7-series, either V8 (98+) or V12. That was just before BMW goobered it up in 2002. MB W220s are supposed to be pretty easy to care for, but they're dull.

The E38 is a great car, but can be about as expensive to maintain as a G50. They have a couple of known issues but overall are great. I am a big fan of the car and especially the last ones.

The E65/E66 have treated my friends very well. They keep telling me that they are real pleased with their cars and have had no issues whatsoever after a couple of years of ownership.

I agree with you that the MB W220s are very dull. They are real boring and are floaters. My friend just sold his S500 Designo after only a short time of ownership. He said the suspension took a big beating and he felt the car was too boring for him, so he bought a BMW 545i. He is loving the 545i.

[konatown]

The E38 is such a gorgeous car. That may be my next purchase.

[Haitian_King]

I've wanted one since 95. I still look for them. They're prevalent, but not as cheap as Q's.

[Jesda]

Buy with warranty, then promptly discard! They're insanely pleasant though.

I gotta disagree with that advice.... not only will you get killed in resale value flipping it short term, but what good is a "luxury" car if it inconveniences you with nagging quality issues causing you to waste your time servicing it, or breaking down, even if the repairs are covered by warranty? Kinda takes the "luxury" right out of the ownership experience

Thats a good point. However, like the Range Rover I drove, the biggest hit in depreciation has already occurred by this time, so a year or two of driving won't result in that severe of a loss compared to buying new.

And yeah, having it in the shop all the time would be a definite PITA.