Would you keep a '91 Q that is in need of the dreaded chain guide job or would you jump onto this '94 for $4K? Consider it costs approximately $1500 for the chain guide job, and this deal becomes a $2500 proposition. But what else can go wrong with the '94 that I should factor into the equation?
http://www.craigslist.org/nby/car/39576164.html
The Ultimate Q Question: To Keep or Not to Keep
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maxnix
- Posts: 22627
- Joined: Mon Jul 22, 2002 8:11 pm
- Car: 1995 Infiniti Q45
1995 Infiniti Q45t
2000 Infiniti Q45
Really depends on the maitenance history of each. 1994 and 1995 are the best sorted and most reliable G50, but theymust be maintained. There is more to a Q45 than chain guides.
Also, the 1994 and 1995 have some amenities the earlier ones lack. The earlier ones weigh a little less and accelerate a little faster with the first gear start. But current design chain guides are a must.
Also, the 1994 and 1995 have some amenities the earlier ones lack. The earlier ones weigh a little less and accelerate a little faster with the first gear start. But current design chain guides are a must.
If your 91 is in great shape and you kept up with everything, just do the guides. If your Q is in need of major services besides chain guides, that 94 isnt a bad idea. I put my Q up for sale, but changed my mind and ended up doing the guides. This fall hopefully I'll have the plenum crap done too.
-Jesda
-Jesda
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elwesso
- Posts: 30810
- Joined: Sun Feb 23, 2003 4:52 pm
- Car: 94 Infiniti Q45t 5 spd
2007 BMW M Coupe
2007 Infiniti G35 S 6MT - Location: Indiana
- Contact:
I do agree with Jesda.... What kind of stuff have you done??
It would have been more painful for Jesda to get rid of his Q since he had just had the pump, controller, 7/8 injectors, and some other stuff... Not to mention his exterior condition is just awesome..
Enlighten us, and as you think out loud it should tell you exactly what you want to do... It always helps me, thinking out loud on NICO!!!
If its in really nice shape its probably worth more to you than anyone else...
It would have been more painful for Jesda to get rid of his Q since he had just had the pump, controller, 7/8 injectors, and some other stuff... Not to mention his exterior condition is just awesome..
Enlighten us, and as you think out loud it should tell you exactly what you want to do... It always helps me, thinking out loud on NICO!!!
If its in really nice shape its probably worth more to you than anyone else...
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Q45tech
- Moderator
- Posts: 14296
- Joined: Tue Apr 30, 2002 3:19 am
- Car: 1990 Q45 342,400 miles 22 years ownership with original engine
1995 G20t 5 speed 334,000 miles 16" 2002 wheels - 205/50/16 Sr20ve vvl
I can Assure you that the $1,000 I paid for guides at 100,000 miles was less than the 28% point of the $32,000 it has cost to 267,000 miles.
Heck I spent more than that [$1,000] on a driveshaft and all the labor to get it perfect. 16 replacement shocks cost way more [every 60k].
Fixing AC wear and tear is $2,000 or more.
Measely $1,000 for guides is chump change compared to 9 sets of tires at $125 each is $4,500.
Boy do I feel for the G35c guys with $250 tires that don't last 20,000 miles. They'll spend that much in 100,000 miles.
All in all the 94 probably will be less expensive to maintain over the next 100,000 miles but prorating the $4,000/100,000 = 4 cents per mile probably makes things a wash.
Heck I spent more than that [$1,000] on a driveshaft and all the labor to get it perfect. 16 replacement shocks cost way more [every 60k].
Fixing AC wear and tear is $2,000 or more.
Measely $1,000 for guides is chump change compared to 9 sets of tires at $125 each is $4,500.
Boy do I feel for the G35c guys with $250 tires that don't last 20,000 miles. They'll spend that much in 100,000 miles.
All in all the 94 probably will be less expensive to maintain over the next 100,000 miles but prorating the $4,000/100,000 = 4 cents per mile probably makes things a wash.
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greg_atlanta
- Posts: 1111
- Joined: Tue Jul 23, 2002 4:37 pm
- Car: 2008 G35 Journey Sedan, silver/black (no sunroof), 1992 Q45 (in a past life)
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JT_MONEY_2004
- Posts: 409
- Joined: Wed Jun 30, 2004 12:14 pm
- Car: 1990 Q45, Pearl
Records are a HUGE +, pay attn to detail (open your eyes, nose and ears) leaky hoses, valve covers, rear main seal and other seals, DRIVE IT... Hard, fast, slow, over bumps. check out condition of ALL fluids, open oil cap look in. let it run for a while, look for smoke accumulating then coming out tail pipe. Those are some things i'll do, those other guys can advise on the technical stuff.I would definately consider a '94 with that mileage in that color for that price. I just bought a '90 w/ 71k for $4k and then another $1k for guides, complements to T3. I actually wanted a '94, couldn't find a good one for what i wanted to spend. Good luck.
I honestly believe $6500 for Wes's Q is a steal. Transmission fully serviced. Nasty plenum job done. Suspension completely revamped. If you can handle a few scratches and a ripped driver's seat (interior is otherwise clean and tidy) you'd be saving thousands of dollars over time.
I've driven his Q, and can say its quite nice. If I had the money, I would have taken it off his hands by now.
-Jesda
I've driven his Q, and can say its quite nice. If I had the money, I would have taken it off his hands by now.
-Jesda
I appreciate all your feedback fellas...
I should have provided some history, so here's my story. Once you read it, could you share your thoughts on what I should do?
My car looks almost exactly like Jesda's emerald green '91 G50, but mine has the added factory spoiler even though it's not a "T" model. Here are the things I've invested into it so far...
1) engine swap with a JDM that is supposedly less than 60K miles (have added 25K so far w/o chain guide replacement)2) transmission swap with a JDM unit that is also less than 60K miles (at the same time as the engine swap)3) external transmission cooler was added at the same time4) replaced fuel pump & control unit at dealership 5) replaced low & high power steering hoses6) replaced stock rotors with new set of Brembo rotors and ceramic pads7) added '97 Touring rims with 5-spoke 16" wheels8) 4 new tires at same time of brake replacement9) 2 new O2 sensors in the front10) replace stock TCU with '93 TCU with first gear start11) replaced all radiator hoses 12) replaced power antenna 13) added '94 center console with arm rest and cup holder (fits perfectly)14) replaced taillight & center reflective piece with '94 taillight treatment to add that chrome look15) injectors are still good (knock on wood) since BG 44K is added every 3 months Now the bad...1) didn't replaced the chain guide because I wasn't aware of the problem (until I found NICO) when I had the engine swap done almost 1.5 years ago 2) eventually the plenum job will have to be done
I've replaced all fluids and intend on replacing all the fluids every year (i.e. power steering, brake, differential, transmission flush, etc.) as long as I own the car. Needless to say, I've been taking good care of it, so I know the engine will last for quite a long time. However, what's the risk of taking on a 110,000 mile Q since I don't know if the previous owner has taken meticulous care of it (as I have on my current Q at supposedly 60K)?
I would agree with you all that Wes' Q is a better bet than off-forum Qs, however it simply isn't practical since we're more than 2000 miles apart (and no, I'm not going to make that road trip like Jeff is doing now). Not to mention, the price isn't at all competitive...even in California, where the prices are relatively high, the '94-'95 Q can be bought for below $4K...Wes is $6500, albeit well maintained. As everyone here knows, depreciation on these Q are dropping faster than a rock (I realize that myself since I have invested many times more into the maintenance of my current Q than the car is actually worth - but hey, I'm a Q fan just like the rest of you). So should I jump on the current Q advertised for $4K, which the owner is motivated to sell for $3500? I'll bet I can even bargain for less...
I should have provided some history, so here's my story. Once you read it, could you share your thoughts on what I should do?
My car looks almost exactly like Jesda's emerald green '91 G50, but mine has the added factory spoiler even though it's not a "T" model. Here are the things I've invested into it so far...
1) engine swap with a JDM that is supposedly less than 60K miles (have added 25K so far w/o chain guide replacement)2) transmission swap with a JDM unit that is also less than 60K miles (at the same time as the engine swap)3) external transmission cooler was added at the same time4) replaced fuel pump & control unit at dealership 5) replaced low & high power steering hoses6) replaced stock rotors with new set of Brembo rotors and ceramic pads7) added '97 Touring rims with 5-spoke 16" wheels8) 4 new tires at same time of brake replacement9) 2 new O2 sensors in the front10) replace stock TCU with '93 TCU with first gear start11) replaced all radiator hoses 12) replaced power antenna 13) added '94 center console with arm rest and cup holder (fits perfectly)14) replaced taillight & center reflective piece with '94 taillight treatment to add that chrome look15) injectors are still good (knock on wood) since BG 44K is added every 3 months Now the bad...1) didn't replaced the chain guide because I wasn't aware of the problem (until I found NICO) when I had the engine swap done almost 1.5 years ago 2) eventually the plenum job will have to be done
I've replaced all fluids and intend on replacing all the fluids every year (i.e. power steering, brake, differential, transmission flush, etc.) as long as I own the car. Needless to say, I've been taking good care of it, so I know the engine will last for quite a long time. However, what's the risk of taking on a 110,000 mile Q since I don't know if the previous owner has taken meticulous care of it (as I have on my current Q at supposedly 60K)?
I would agree with you all that Wes' Q is a better bet than off-forum Qs, however it simply isn't practical since we're more than 2000 miles apart (and no, I'm not going to make that road trip like Jeff is doing now). Not to mention, the price isn't at all competitive...even in California, where the prices are relatively high, the '94-'95 Q can be bought for below $4K...Wes is $6500, albeit well maintained. As everyone here knows, depreciation on these Q are dropping faster than a rock (I realize that myself since I have invested many times more into the maintenance of my current Q than the car is actually worth - but hey, I'm a Q fan just like the rest of you). So should I jump on the current Q advertised for $4K, which the owner is motivated to sell for $3500? I'll bet I can even bargain for less...
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elwesso
- Posts: 30810
- Joined: Sun Feb 23, 2003 4:52 pm
- Car: 94 Infiniti Q45t 5 spd
2007 BMW M Coupe
2007 Infiniti G35 S 6MT - Location: Indiana
- Contact:
You have done a lot more things than I thought... new engine/transmission, your good to go.....!!
Obviously here you have 15 good things and 2 bad things... ANd the latter 2 arent even that big of a deal (compared to the rest)... The choice is obvious to keep the car...... And dont go for a 94 as everything else is already taken care of that fails..... Do the guides, and plenum and you will literally be SET for a LONG TIME
However, I will argue to your point about the "average" Q.. Lets put it this way, you dont do your own work, correct?? if not then look at it this way...
My Q has $2000 worth of work done IN PARTS!! That obviously doesnt include labor, and all the maintenance items that are high labor (plugs, KS, plenum hoses, o2 sensors, etc) have al been done.....
Sure you can buy a cheaper Q for $3500, even say $3000, but unless you do your own work, YOU WILL NOT FIND A BETTER DEAL. I had Jesda offer me over the past winter about 8000 for it (which its obviously isnt worth that, he likes the shiney wheels).....
Obviously here you have 15 good things and 2 bad things... ANd the latter 2 arent even that big of a deal (compared to the rest)... The choice is obvious to keep the car...... And dont go for a 94 as everything else is already taken care of that fails..... Do the guides, and plenum and you will literally be SET for a LONG TIME
However, I will argue to your point about the "average" Q.. Lets put it this way, you dont do your own work, correct?? if not then look at it this way...
My Q has $2000 worth of work done IN PARTS!! That obviously doesnt include labor, and all the maintenance items that are high labor (plugs, KS, plenum hoses, o2 sensors, etc) have al been done.....
Sure you can buy a cheaper Q for $3500, even say $3000, but unless you do your own work, YOU WILL NOT FIND A BETTER DEAL. I had Jesda offer me over the past winter about 8000 for it (which its obviously isnt worth that, he likes the shiney wheels).....
BLING BLING!!! 
Thankfully I didnt pay that much for Wes's Q, as I would have had to slave away in the office and find a second job. This summer I vacationed and got plastered instead, and I still have a damn fine Q45 to come home to.
You've got quite a list of things done. I'd hate to see your old Q sold to someone who wont put the time and money into it that you have. So keep her purring!
-Jesda
Thankfully I didnt pay that much for Wes's Q, as I would have had to slave away in the office and find a second job. This summer I vacationed and got plastered instead, and I still have a damn fine Q45 to come home to.
You've got quite a list of things done. I'd hate to see your old Q sold to someone who wont put the time and money into it that you have. So keep her purring!
-Jesda
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squeefoo
- Posts: 1053
- Joined: Tue Jul 22, 2003 5:10 pm
- Car: 1990 Infiniti Q45
1994 Nissan Maxima SE
1999 Infiniti I30
2003 Nissan Maxima Titanium
2006 Nissan Xterra Off Road
2012 Infiniti G37x S
This '94 you're looking at may need: transverse links, struts, torsion rod bushings, king pin bearings and races, lower ball joints, plugs, cam cover reseal, plenum/cleaning/hoses, trans. mount, drive$haft, and who knows about the fluids... ETC.It does have 100k (the point of necessary comprehensive service) on it and even if you spend only half of what you already have... AGAIN. It could be a can of worms or it could be a killer deal, it's the $4000 dollar question.