The Q is effectively dead.

[Jesda]

First, here's a review of the refreshed/revised 2005 Q:http://www.automotive.com/2005....html

Quote »Here's the bottom line: for all of you fans of the invigorating 90-93 Q45 waiting for the sequel, don't hold your breath. This third-generation model may be the fastest in history, but in every other way it's closer to the second than the first. As far as the Q45 goes, Infiniti stopped chasing BMW a long time ago.[/quote]Quote »...the Q45 seems to share the bang-for-buck advantage of its G35 and M little brothers. But think back to the Q45's interior: does "generally comfortable" cut it? Take one ride in the back of a BMW 7-series and you'll feel like you're sitting in the Astrodome; no one will feel that way in the Q's quarters. Despite the vast dimensions, inefficient packaging keeps it stuck in the EPA "mid-size" category while all others, save the Jaguar, graduated to "large" some time ago. Aside from snobbery, super-roomy seating is the only point of stepping up to this class, isn't it?[/quote]Quote »Infiniti has three sedans. Two of them reek of class-leading excellence and unparalleled value. This is the third.

It's time for a new leader.[/quote]Still no news of a replacement for the once-almighty Q. The flagship is sinking.

The 1990 Q45 sold 12000 units with only 51 dealers. The Q this year will sell less than 700 with over 170 dealers.

May 2005 Sales Numbers:

[vicQ45]

so sad. at least we still got the m. they need to bringg the pres over and smash lexus and bmw.

[PalmerWMD]

that 78 in may not all year..In any case the general point is taken

[PoorManQ45]

Even worse, look at the I30. Only 49 in may

I personally don't like the c pillar design of the [insert model after G50 here], it's just too damn large.

[DominickJ30]

Why would people buy an I35 when they can have a MAX or ALTIMA cheaper. Everyone is going for the damn g35 sedan. I see at least 50 a day when I drive.

[Jesda]

Even worse, look at the I30. Only 49 in may

Yeah, but they stopped making those a while ago and discontinued the model. I like all the Qs, but none have really been sales hits. I say its time for a J35.

[PoorManQ45]

Yeah, I think it's time for for a G25 or G26, as in RB 25/26

[GreenQ45a]

Infiniti Needs to step it up and do the followingmore engine options and a Power model for each car.Like the BMW "M" Series.

Q56 and Q45 Sedan.......

M45 and M35 Sedan ... Done

FX45 and FX35 ... Done

With 2 engine options to choose from it give more options to the customer which will make happer customers.

Benz and BMW both offer ther 3,5,7 series with 2.5,3.0,4.0,4.5,5.0 and so on.

So you can go for pwr or just the styling.

Just my thoughts...

[gniknave]

Infiniti Needs to step it up and do the followingmore engine options and a Power model for each car.Like the BMW "M" Series.

Q56 and Q45 Sedan.......

M45 and M35 Sedan ... Done

FX45 and FX35 ... Done

With 2 engine options to choose from it give more options to the customer which will make happer customers.

Benz and BMW both offer ther 3,5,7 series with 2.5,3.0,4.0,4.5,5.0 and so on.

So you can go for pwr or just the styling.

Just my thoughts...

I couldn't agree with you more. Fred Jackson and I both had the same idea saying that they should go back to their roots and use the G50 as a template, then go from there.

Seeing how they flipped the M from a no seller to having magazines raving about it, I'm quite confident they can do the same with the Q.

[350zQ45a]

See, yet another person commenting on the 90-93 MODELS as being the only real performance Q ever made.

Sorry guys but every Q after that,was just a compromise to try to sell more cars.Funny they never sold more then they did in 90-93

The 94+ changes were pretty much exactly what the Americans whined about on the 90-93, only the 94 didn't sell any better. So Infiniti went to the Y33 an even more watered down lexus wannabe, until finally the F50 which had a ton of horsepower, but a confused character.

Doesn't mean they arn't all great cars and a joy to drive in their own ways, but the 90-93 was the original vision, and should be reproduced or let the Q name die off

[GreenQ45a]

I agree I think the Gen 1 G50 is the fastest Q GM just played out the style with the copy cat Olds 88 and the FORD's Crown Vic's...

I thought the Sodem valves on my 93 stunk after racing or it could have return canistor...

I LOVED my 93 base

I LOVE MY 94 Active TCS everything....

I will buy a gen 1 HG50 (Q45a) for guting and racing the transmission was sick...much faster than my 94 and my 94 Active only gets 360 - 380 a tank

My 93 got 400 - 420+I was the 2nd owner....

[5zigen]

I can only make one conclusion...

Let the Q line die away, and let the M line take its place.

After reading tons of things, I can honestly say that the Q line fell off after the G50. Usually cars are supposed to get better as time increases but that's not that situation for the Q45...

[gniknave]

I can only make one conclusion...

Let the Q line die away, and let the M line take its place.

After reading tons of things, I can honestly say that the Q line fell off after the G50. Usually cars are supposed to get better as time increases but that's not that situation for the Q45...

I disagree with letting it die. One reason why it just won't sell THIS year is because the M45 sport has the EXACT same MSRP as the Q! Which would you want? Duh!

With the M45 now being a major player, that's the only proof they need that a slot for the Q still exists. The Q's styling isn't up to date anymore, I think that's the major problem right there. They need to come up with something daring, edgy, and aggressive. Look at the XJR, 7 Series, S Class, and the A8. All beautiful cars. The current Q is a nice but confused car. It's lines clash, the stance is awful (back looks lower than the front), and it just doesn't fit in with the rest of the "ruthless" lineup.

With Nissan/Infiniti's trend setting styling, I know they can come up with something that'll stick.

[vicQ45]

i think we need a reival of the J. A J35 and J45 would be nice to see. not sporty, but sleek, elegant styling that made the j so classy in the first place. and of course, no fwd crap! infiniti needs to lose the sporty look on at least one car to possible cut into some jag/lexus sales. classy=expensive-looking=sales=world peace

[90Q45blue]

A J35 or J45 would be a terrible idea. How would it be different from the G and the M? A curved butt?

Nick

[90Q45blue]

Comparing Infiniti to BMW:

The G35 is our 3-series, and it has smoked BMW's in comparison tests.The M35/45 is our 5-series, and it has beaten BMW's in comparison tests.We have no answer for the 7-series. That's Infiniti's problem.

Build a new Q45 and charge 60k plus for it. It's ok, everyone else does. Just make it worthy of the name again please.

Nick

[Jesda]

A J35 or J45 would be a terrible idea. How would it be different from the G and the M? A curved butt?

Nick

Consider the MB CLS but on a smaller scale. A midsize luxury sedan shaped like a coupe. Perhaps when the brand is more mature.

[90Q45blue]

Consider the MB CLS but on a smaller scale. A midsize luxury sedan shaped like a coupe. Perhaps when the brand is more mature.

That doesn't seem like a bad idea, but you're right. The brand name must mature first...A LOT.

Nick

[vicQ45]

problem with the g/m/q is they lack the classy lines and attitude of the old J. theyre sporty and look mean, but you gotta have something that looks plush, heavy, and smooth. think of a jag xj8. infiniti is only appealing to the young, performance-minded market. they need to focus on the lexus ls/jag xj8/town car market as well. not everyone wants a sports car that can take corners at high speeds and such. also steal some of lexus/toyota's merketing team!! damn infiniti marketing. that's the biggest killer

[Jesda]

you gotta have something that looks plush, heavy, and smooth. think of a jag xj8. infiniti is only appealing to the young, performance-minded market. they need to focus on the lexus ls/jag xj8/town car market as well. not everyone wants a sports car

I see your point. But going for the Lexus/Lincoln market proved unsuccessful in the late 90s. Even Cadillac gave up after taking a beating from Lexus, and moved on to performance-oriented luxury cars. Toyota is powerful!

[redmanfx]

I think the 90-93 Q's will be collectors items in the future due to everything being discussed in this thread. If a person who has any other luxury car were to drive a pristine 90-93 Q45 they would most likely be quite impressed and should they drive an active Q of the same period there is no doubt the experience would facilitate a lasting distinctive memory of a most incredible drivers experience. Isn't that what collectors look at?

To the handfull of us who know what these cars bring to the table and what a car this Q is, to be designed around the driving experience with the luxury added AFTER is what make the 90-93 a most unique vehicle indeed. The power and control of the Q are the exception to the standard luxury model.

red

[AZhitman]

The 03-04 M45 was the most accurate incarnation of the 90-93 Q45 to date. Nothing else has really captured the spirit of those cars.

As much as it pains me, the 03+ Q has done nothing for the brand, it's more of a placeholder than the 03-04 M was, and it's time to let it go. Unless they're planning on using the 5.6 and making it a true BMW / Benz - killer, then let it die.

Thwe M35/M45 is clearly the future of the company, and BMW / Audi / MB are scared sh!tless about this car - People are raving about it everywhere you look.

Now, the next-generation G35 will take some cues from the M, and fulfill that market niche (wants an M but can't afford it), and that panache will trickle down to the Altima (wants a G35 but can't afford it).

[qship96]

03-04 m45 was a dog walking along with the 02-05 q,side by side,neither was a sales success in the market.the real q died 10 years ago.

[Falkdesigns]

I hope they do something for an all new Q. I agree that the rear seats lack leg room, and with the reclining rear seat tilted back, the leg room sucks even more. However, comparing it to a 7 series is kinda unfair as the 7 is much more expensive.

If Infiniti only made one "real Q" then I'll take my Infiniti whatever it is over an early or current Q. The only Infiniti I'd rather have is the 03-04 M or the new M.

[GreenQ45a]

Your Infiniti "Y" series to the bone...

[Aus94Q45]

It won't be a collectors' item. Only two mass produced cars out of Japan have any collectors value or resale value in the US -- the old Landcruisers and the original Z's. The rest, regardless of how great they were in their day, depreciate like rocks and stay there. Drive it till the wheels fall off, run it hard and enjoy! Maybe Infinity will do a retro Q one day!

[elwesso]

It won't be a collectors' item. Only two mass produced cars out of Japan have any collectors value or resale value in the US -- the old Landcruisers and the original Z's. The rest, regardless of how great they were in their day, depreciate like rocks and stay there. Drive it till the wheels fall off, run it hard and enjoy! Maybe Infinity will do a retro Q one day!

It wont be a universal collectors item like some muscle cars are and things like that, but they will be collectors items to some. I plan on having a nice luxury car collection as I get older... I think the Q deserves and is meant to be driven rather than being a relic...

[AZhitman]

It won't be a collectors' item. Only two mass produced cars out of Japan have any collectors value or resale value in the US -- the old Landcruisers and the original Z's.

Far from true.

Roadsters are going bananas, old 411's, Bluebirds, and pickups are climbing fast... 510's are skyrocketing, and even 240sx's have been selling for FAR over bluebook. An early Datsun pickup recently sold at Barrett Jackson for an obscene sum.

That doesn't even take into account the old Supras (climbing in value), early Hondas (like the 600), the list goes on.

It's such a good market, in fact, that Hemmings felt it necessary to create an entirely new publication (which they were LOATHE to do, they're so domestic-centric) covering Japanese collectible cars.

[Jesda]

I think once the rice and drift fad goes away, 240s will come back down. Luxury is forever!

[Aus94Q45]

Do not get me wrong -- I am all for it! Just historically, it has not been a good bet.