Thinkin' bout buyin' the Q45

[RAP]

I've been reading this forum for a few weeks and gaining some insight.Fact of the matter some three years back I thought about buying the Q45 but went with the Acura Legend instead. I do like my Legend but I can support another dependent and I'm opting for the Q45 to keep my Legend company

I find this forum somewhat better than the Legend forum regarding postings. Seems more adult oriented and sticks to the topic of Q45. However the Legend forum does have some good and useful info although diluted with fun topics. So I really don't want to be unfair and probably poster age has something to do with it. Not above a little kibitzing myself.

I have been perusing Ebay for the Q45 offerings and find some interesting cars for sale in Florida. Probably a good place to find old people owned and well cared for Q45's. I have also been reading the ads in my local paper and finally one interesting offering popped up.

A 2000 Anv. Edition, Pearl white/tan leather, loaded, garaged kept and LADY owned since purchased at 12000 miles. Plus the car is not very far away from home. 100000 miles on the odo.

First the Anniversary Edition. What does that mean? Better built, special features, sales gimmick? Unimportant?

Did ALL the 2000 production models come with the active suspension? I have read some posting on the active and although a car having one is not a deal killer I would prefer not having that type of suspension. I do understand that we're talking about a luxury car here and they come with lots of pazzaz stuffso...

I also recently became aware the the Q45 does still have the rear wheel drive arrangement and I really thought that this car had gone to the front wheel drive also. I like that feature.

I have not yet purchased the requisite FSM but waiting until I found THE CAR.

Finally concerning the 2000 Q 45 that I plan to look at this weekend, the asking is $11000.00. NADA has that car, as is, at $10950.00.I'm thinking $ 9500.00 should be a fair price. OR that is about what I would offer at this juncture. I've seen some nice looking Florida cars on Ebay offered at attractive pricing. Wadda ya'll think?

Seems like I get carried away writin' don't I. Anyway I do appreciate reading this forum and of course find all the postings informative and helpful for the DIY' ers. DIY is what I'm faced with since there aren't any Infinity mechs close by. The car is known where I live but not many around.

Catch ya'll lata. Jack Parr

[maxnix]

1.) First the Anniversary Edition. What does that mean? Better built, special features, sales gimmick? Unimportant?

2.) Did ALL the 2000 production models come with the active suspension?

3.) I have not yet purchased the requisite FSM but waiting until I found THE CAR.

1.) It's a variation on the t model with real maple interior trim and body colored pull handles on the exterior. I have posted a couple of times the running changes summary.

2.) Thankfully, no. Some like them, and I appreciate what the adjustable shock absorbers (not active suspension) do, but I don't require it.

3.) FSM are free for the download. TSB are not.

You're doing great, just keep reading.

Welcome to NICO

[Haitian_King]

Hm.

A 2000 with 100K? That blows. My Q is a 92 and I hit 88K just recently.

Garage kept means nice paint. Under the hood is a different story. I haven't met too many ladies that are fanatical about the engine and transmission maintenance of their vehicles. I have yet to meet a woman who CARES about a Q. Plenty of them drive them, but not like us.

Where the hell was this lady going that she put 100K miles on in 7 years?

F that.

[paranoidjack]

Hm.

A 2000 with 100K? That blows. My Q is a 92 and I hit 88K just recently.

Garage kept means nice paint. Under the hood is a different story. I haven't met too many ladies that are fanatical about the engine and transmission maintenance of their vehicles. I have yet to meet a woman who CARES about a Q. Plenty of them drive them, but not like us.

Where the hell was this lady going that she put 100K miles on in 7 years?

F that.

I have a 2000 anniversary Q, tan on pearl. I absolutely love it. Not one person gets into the vehicle and doesn't comment on how nice it is (I am extremely anal about daily interior cleanings).

I bought my car with 72k last May with 19" wheels for $15K. It was perfect inside and out. Haitian, some people use their car for more driving and some use their car for less.

Then I wrecked it, rebuilt it, repainted it, and better than ever! Search for my posts and you'll see plenty of pics of the accident and afterwards.

The car looks brand new.

For the record, I have put 43k on the car since last May. It is my work vehicle and I am a district manager for a large corporation and do tons of driving. It drives as well with 122k on it as it did with 72k.

I did however overhaul the entire suspension with new OEM parts from Joe @ http://www.everythinginfiniti.com

If you have any questions feel free to PM me and I'll give you my cell number.

The Legend is a nice car, but doesn't touch the Q in ANY respect short of SLIGHTLY less expensive maintenance.

Get it, you won't regret it.

[Haitian_King]

I guess. But ever since I was a kid, I was told to be wary of any car over 100K. Especially if it's less than 10 years old. Everyone that sees my car is impressed by it's condition.

They always think I've misspoken when I say 88K miles. They always assume 188K because of it's age.

[RAP]

Hm.

A 2000 with 100K? That blows. My Q is a 92 and I hit 88K just recently.

Garage kept means nice paint. Under the hood is a different story. I haven't met too many ladies that are fanatical about the engine and transmission maintenance of their vehicles. I have yet to meet a woman who CARES about a Q. Plenty of them drive them, but not like us.

Where the hell was this lady going that she put 100K miles on in 7 years?

F that.

Wellll it didn't take long I see. The included quote above is an example of what I meant by the rather low standards of the Acura Legend forums.

Let's see further. Not that I much care about what someone calling himself " Haitian King" says, but that post is a downright affront directed towards women. Seems like I've recently read some post by a female new owner of a Q45 and she came across as smart versus smart azz. Nuff said.

Further having spoken to the lady owner about her car the Q45, that I am interested in it seems that her hubby just bought her a new BMW, they have four cars now and she wants to sell the Q 45. She further told me that the oil was changed regularly at 3000 miles and the car was maintained as required. I have no reason to disbelieve her at this juncture.

The "100000 miles time to sell this clunker" no longer means much today. As anyone who has had the opportunity to actually work on cars today will tell. My Legend is at 138000 miles right now and runs like a scalded cat. Actually runs way faster than I dare to go. Doesn't use a drop of oil through the engine combustion process and barely any seepage elsewhere.

Further seems like folks just really like to brag about the high mileages their Q's have and are achieving. Ditto for the Legend. so....

Don't mean to come across as a smart azz myself but casting disparaging remarks about my or anyone else choices in cars or anything else is not constructive to put it mildly, and that does get my goat.

See ya'll Jack Parr

[elwesso]

Welcome to the asylum RAP....

Hatian king is still a n00b, he will learn the true ways of the Q45 very soon...

The VH series motor in the 90-01 Q45 will last you forever. There are plenty of people on the forums with over 200k on their cars, ive seen plenty of Q45s with more than 300k. in fact, a friend of mine has 278k on the original motor and trans!!! Yeah, the trans is a little tired but not bad for 278k miles with no trans cooler... FWIW, my BMW is in way nicer shape cosmetically than my Q is at 138k...

Saying that a car is worth less is pretty stupid IMO. Personally, i think it might make it worth more, since they wont try and fiddle with things themselves. They just take it to the shop and have them replace muffler bearings and flush blinker fluid... Rather that than some idiot who thinks they can drive 10k miles on a single oil fill of amsoil or redline and think they're actually helping the car........

Heres the most MOST IMPORTANT part. Keep those fluids fresh. if you keep your fluids fresh, you may have a few things here (outside of wear items like suspension, brakes, etc..) .. likewise, having records of said fluids being changed is a huge HUGE plus... You know, its nice to see things like suspension and brake parts being replaced, however whenever I buy a used car I assume all that crap is going to need to be replaced as soon as I get it, so I dont really care if its been done or not because its all coming out and going into the garbage.

Overall, theres VERY FEW problems with these cars, so I would feel extremely confident buying the car and having it be problem free.

[maxnix]

I guess. But ever since I was a kid.....

Since? Already?

Hatian king is still a n00b, he will learn the true ways of the Q45 very soon....

Provided he learns to search and read!

Read the guide above. The most important thing in pre-inspection evaluation is the service history. Every Infiniti has a dealer performed service history. Obatin it and her records. It will tell you where to focus the mechanical inspection by the Senior Infiniti Technician.

I would budget for plenum removal and cleaning, valve cover gasket replacement, new plugs, mechanical exchange of ATF ( and install auxiliary cooler), PS, brake fluid and refrigerant (with drier), drain and refill of differential and oil and all filters (including cabin).

Tires? Brakes? Tension rod bushings? Tie end rods? Tires? Brakes?

Check cars.com, autotrader.com and cragslist.org A lot fo losers on eBay, but the occasional cherry also.

Caveat Emptor!

PS: I have a 1990 Legend LS also. 180K

[elwesso]

Gentlemen,

This is no way to welcome a new person into our community. I will not stand for it, your posts were deleted by me. You can keep it out of my forum, thank you.

[maxnix]

Cool.

[Haitian_King]

Sorry Wes.

Welcome to NICO Jack.

Oh, Brian, I wouldn't get rid of my Q at 100K, I just wouldn't buy a car with more than 12-15K/year. Just a quirk i guess. I bought my 92 at 83K. It was driven an average of 5533 miles per year. (Before I bought it) I'm going to own it until I die, or some sort of freak accident completely destroys it.

[Jesda]

I cant believe that was almost eight years ago. Anniversary I believe has the analog clock among other things that I can't remember at all.

[RAP]

Gentlemen,

This is no way to welcome a new person into our community. I will not stand for it, your posts were deleted by me. You can keep it out of my forum, thank you.

Hmmmm I'm supposin' you deleted some post that were again disparaging and if they were directed towards me I really would have liked reading and responding to them. I've got a pretty good handle on the English language and am able to come up with some zingers if needed. However I understand your desire to not let this forum slid down into the mud. Further I am fully fluent in French and currently studying Spanish so... Also Wes if you can retrieve them, THE DELETED POST, somehow, PM 'em to me

Further, about what I really started this thread for, my desire to purchase a Q45 and my actual first looksee and driving eval of a 2000 year model.

The car is nice, well cared for and pretty much looks it. No door dings, a big issue with me. Nice white pearl paint that would easily glow with a spit and polish. Interior like new, almost, with a nice smell; Very important also. All in all a very nice looking car in and out.

The engine compartment is spotless.

Drove the car for a few miles, gently, and I'm duly impressed. Smoooooothe runnin' engine and I mean smooth. The true meaning of "purrs like a kitten" for sure. Very satisfying, to me, when an engine runs like that.

But, always a but, the windshield is cracked clear across just below eye level. That is something that should have been replaced prior to offering the car for sale IMO. The lady did say she would deduct the replacement cost of the windshield but still... I just spent 600 bucks replacing the windshield and trim on my Legend. One headlight is infected with plenty of visible moisture, condensation? What causes that?

The trunk is small. Wife issue. She likes to tote stuff around and big trunks are her bag.

That NAV feature? Nice and GEE WHIZ I suppose but not really something that excites me. In fact it's more like "what the hell is all that about"? and distracting IMO. The Bose radio? is a 2" by 7" strip of control unit? that is mounted low and hard to work from the drivers position. Of course there are the wheel mounted buttons.

Car occupants are sitting low or the windows are mounted to high, whichever. Initially the feeling is like being closed in.

The wheels are 17 " and the tires, Bridgestone Potenzas, are like new. The wheels are in excellent condition and not "curbed"

There are wires leading to the top of the struts. I thinking that the car has the active suspension? There is a button that says "OFF and SPORT" on the dash? I couldn't see any of those "little tanks" that are used to pressure up the struts? However I didn't go that far into an underside inspection since the car appeared so well maintained.

All in all this IS a nice and well cared for 100.000 mile Q45 for someone to buy without qualms. Probably not me though. Although we talked to the seller , she left the keys on the seat and told me to take it out for a spin if she were not home and I did. Turns out she was inside her lavish house after all which, BTW, also contains her $ 98000.00 BMW, the Q45 replacement. Think these people have the bucks to have a car maintained by a dealer? ? ?

I think the one issue that really turns me off about this car is the NAV system. I'm sure I could master it but I don't think my life needs something like that.However I repeat, for someone that like those gee whiz gismos this car is a nice and would be a good buy.

Catch ya'll lata. Jack

[Haitian_King]

Wasn't really anything about you. I guess it was more about my firendly little joust with Brian. Wes was right though, it wasn't the place to have it it in. My apologies if it ruined your welcome.

[maxnix]

Think these people have the bucks to have a car maintained by a dealer? ? ?

I think the one issue that really turns me off about this car is the NAV system.

When Wes threw the baby out with the bath water, you lost my insistence to obtain the Infiniti Dealer performed service history, and her records of course.

The CD based navigation was only updated once and is not desirable.

All Q45 have the gas tanks above the rear axle for safety and handling reasons. Your wife will never be happy with one due to impact on trunk size. A pity.

Maybe an vintage Roadmaster station wagon would light her fire?

[1990QOwner]

Welcome to the Nico Forums . If I came across a newer Q with 100,000 that was well cared for than I would jump on the deal. A Q should go 300,000 miles IF well cared for.

[1990QOwner]

I have yet to meet a woman who CARES about a Q. Plenty of them drive them, but not like us.

Where the hell was this lady going that she put 100K miles on in 7 years?

F that.

Actually, I know people who put 50,000 miles on their cars in 1 year. I have an aunt that owns a Q and she is a wild driver (that is why her husband got her a Q) but she keeps the thing shinning all the time and takes very well care of it.

[Haitian_King]

Wow.

But like I said I have yet to meet one. I'm sure that there are some out there. Just not around me.

[maxnix]

I have an aunt that owns a Q and she is a wild driver (that is why her husband got her a Q) but she keeps the thing shinning all the time and takes very well care of it.

There is my wife and mother also!

[96Qowner]

And then there are wives like these:

Wife took it to 140 mph this week