Thinking about 02/03 Q45

[cadillacq45]

My Cadillac is getting old, (I love Cadillacs, but its time to try something different) so I'm thinking about getting an 02-03 or later Q45. My question is how reliable are these cars. They seem right on par with a Lexus LS430, but I've read a few posts about transmission and catalytic converter problems. That 340 hp engine is the real draw, and I've seen a few that are in the 12-15 thousand dollar range, and that sounds like a deal compared to an LS lexus. What do you guys think?

[cablemn]

Just pulled the trigger on a 2002. Picking it up on Wed. I was looking at the Cadillac Eldorado or Seville but the ride felt sloppy to me. And too low to the ground. Also the northstar V8 was nice but not close to the powerful quiet you get from the Q. From what I've read the Q is somewhat as reliable as any other car with bells and whistles. You just have to keep up the maintenance. when a whistle breaks fix it. As far as I'm concerned you get your moneys worth with a Q45. Plus there are plenty of good used Qs out there in the 13G range. Don't overpay. It was not a popular car when it was new and it still isn't. They sit on dealers lots for quite a while. Offer low. I paid $12,600 for one in clean condition with 90k. the car was over 52k new just 6 yrs ago. Good luck with your search.

[Jesda]

Nice collection of cars!

The most important thing isn't the price, its how much maintenance has been deferred and dumped on you. The VK45 V8 is known to consume oil (in a way that can lead to other problems), so keep an eye on that.

[Q451990]

I would lean toward the 03 if you find one with a good maintenence history. It has a slightly more agressive differential gearing, as well as lots of improvments with the transmission computer and throttle control that may or may not be updated on the '02.

Heath

[qship96]

Get the Lexus..... better ride,much nicer interior,rock solid mechanicals,great at holding value,more panache

God that hurt to say.....WAKE UP INFINITI.......

Years ago,I fell in love with a wonderful sedan that just happened to be a q45......now I want to like the current model BECAUSE it is a q45..How did they lose their way.and can the next gen Q again capture the glory?

[cadillacq45]

Jesda, I recognize you from Cadillacforums, I'm soccer_eldorado on that site. In regards to the oil consumption, I'm used to that with a northstar (had three of them). Would you say the Q45 is similar to the Caddy reliability wise (I'm guessing its much better on the whole). I've never had a problem with any of my caddys, despite the issue with headgaskets, which I fortunately have never encountered.

In comparison to the Lexus, I agree, but the LS is much much more, almost twice the price for a decent one (04+). I think the 01-03 LS is starting to look old. Maybe I should just get another good old Cadillac, but I was just thinking the Q has such a unique look (from a distance, they look like and Audi A8 from the rear).

[qship96]

If price is a main concern,get the Q....you will have a hard time getting a better car for the money,but to answer your original question about being "on par" to the LS430,it is not,and that is reflected in the marketplace prices as you have stated

[mhoepfin]

I went from a 2002 Seville STS to a 2002 Q45 Sport to a 2004 VW Phaeton in the period of 6 months

The Phaeton is in a different league altogether, but I would say the Cadillac STS was slightly better than the Q45. I had the STS for a year, and I think I enjoyed driving the STS more.

That said, the F50 Q's are great cars, and if you get a Sport model it will be a lot of fun to drive. My biggest issue with the Caddy and Q was headroom, which became more frustrating over time.

Good luck, either way you can't go wrong I think.

[cadillacq45]

Well it's not that the LS is unaffordable, but the the price of a Q is so dramatically less that it makes it look like a no brainer- now the LS430 is up there with an S-class when is comes to sheer extravagance, but if the Q is at least as good as a Caddy, I'd like to give it a shot, at 13 k, you could pretty easily pay cash for it. However, it the Q is going to be like an S500 (i.e. lots of COSTLY repairs-in the $1,000 a pop range), I'll shelve the idea. You guys seem really informed.

[Q45tech]

Buy what ever car allows you to purchase a 100k/7 year factory extended warranty and get 2 years of covered service before expiration.To get this you may be fored into a low mile 2004.

Modern cars have way too many electronic gadgets and that is usually where the expense repair resides.

[maxnix]

I would lean toward the 03 if you find one with a good maintenence history. It has a slightly more agressive differential gearing, as well as lots of improvments with the transmission computer and throttle control that may or may not be updated on the '02.

Heath

The 2003 and later also had a myriad of improvements to the elctronics that aren't seen.

The main thing is to obtain the Infiniti Dealer Performed Service History for any vehicle before even inspecting it. Look for proof of 3,750 OCI. Get an Infiniti dealer backed extended warranty if you can.

[cadillacq45]

What is a 3750 OCI? Im guessing these aren't quite DIY cars like a Cadillac or a Lincoln. From what you guys just said, I'm gathering that electronic failures aren't uncommon, and that does sound scary as many of those modules and computers are in the thousands I'm sure.

[maxnix]

3.750 Oil Change Interval is the severe duty OEM recommendation. This would apply to any vehicle used in an urban environment.

As far as reliability of electronics and engineering, the Nissans are superior to domestic by quite a bit. It's just with all the doodad gizmos on the newer cars, when they fail, they are expensive to replace and hence the recommendation for an extended dealer backed warranty (as opposed to a 3rd party company that can and do go bankrupt) for any make of new luxury sedans.

Anyone notice that GM has ceased development on any new high tech V8?

[Q45tech]

extended dealer backed warranty ????

There is no such thing as an Infiniti dealer backed warranty.

There is the 'Nissan/Infiniti Warranty Corporation' Warranty

2002+ lux cars contain about $8700+ in electronic modules, the 1994 Q has $6300, my 90 Q only has $4900 [and I have a spare for every single one]...............even seat belt and cruise which have never failed in anyone memory without owner help [drills, liquids, screw drivers,etc]

[cadillacq45]

What's something that typically goes wrong? Do these things have anything similar to Mercedes' air matic suspension (and thus likely problems). I'm guessing the brake modules may fail from time to time as well, as I see many member reporting rapid brake wear. Q45 tech, I'm guessing your an infiniti tech, what do you see normally?

[maxnix]

extended dealer backed warranty ????

There is no such thing as an Infiniti dealer backed warranty.

There is the 'Nissan/Infiniti Warranty Corporation' Warranty

Which is only offered through the dealer. The dealer does not back any 3rd party warranties they may also offer.

[maxnix]

What's something that typically goes wrong? Do these things have anything similar to Mercedes' air matic suspension (and thus likely problems). I'm guessing the brake modules may fail from time to time as well, as I see many member reporting rapid brake wear. Q45 tech, I'm guessing your an infiniti tech, what do you see normally?

Not changing the brake fluid will cause porblems in any car, especially the ABS unit. Why we recommend new owners cahnge all fluids unless there is documentation that it has recently been done.

Brake modules do not fail. Not even sure what one is.

Infiniti tends to use smaller rotors for EPA MPG. So often require trueing. Brembo blanks seem to be more stable.

[BadQ45t]

I'd drive them back to back, an LS430 and a 03' Q45. I think that the Q is not outclassed in any way, but the LS is a great car. My dad had one, he just traded it in for a LS460. I drove his 430 and BOOOOORRINNG and I didn't feel tha way when I drove the 03' Q45...that said, I am not a fan of the 3rd gens looks but I think mechanically it will be as bulletproof as the LS. I'd for sure get an 03 or 04' as the 02' has a few things that yoiu need to make sure are fixed or there are issues.

Have you looked at a 06' M45 Sport? You coudl get one of those for about the price of an 03-04' LS and it WAY more fun to drive and I think would be more "me" but that is a personal preference. My dad wanted me to buy his LS430 but I passed (kept my 97' Q45). Now if he sells his LS460 that might be a different story. I have not driven it without him in it, but I think that is a BEAST, but need to borrow it without him in it!!

[xerexabante]

I had some Brake rotor issues, I replaced 3(OE) in 9 mos, after that I did a research through our suppliers. They recommended the Stop Tech Drilled Slotted, uo to now at 6 months. They feel wonderful. Massive of power and no more warpping issues.

That has only issues I have on my 02 F50.

[RAP]

What is a 3750 OCI? Im guessing these aren't quite DIY cars like a Cadillac or a Lincoln. From what you guys just said, I'm gathering that electronic failures aren't uncommon, and that does sound scary as many of those modules and computers are in the thousands I'm sure.

Your intended purchase is DIY able depending on how much you want to learn about it. There is a service manual available thru download as advertised on this site.There is also one available in paper book form that cost me 300 bucks for a 2000 Q45.

I DIY my '95 Acura Legend and plan to do most repairs myself on the Q45, if and when they come up, or have a couple of local guys do them for me under my supervision.

There is much more information here on the older model Q45 as you will notice if you spend anytime here. Don't see much on your intended purchase.

I am studying the FSM and lo and behold the suspension of this grand 2000 car is damn near identical to the 240 SX. So much for advanced high tech. The various electronic components that control the engine works are called the same as the 240 and do the same thing. There are a few more things that are on the new engines of course like individual coil paks, TCS control, knock sensors but nothing to be alarmed about, and the trans shifts electronically. I don't have the sport model or the model with that fancy suspension. Nor the NAV.

The brakes are nothing but hydraulic brakes with an ABS system that is not going to interfere with normal brake function if it does go out. There are no modules, granules, or house rules, just ordinary disc brakes with small drums in the rear for the parking brake.

Like formerly stated, I have no knowledge about your intended purchase but it can't be a whole lot different from the 2000.

But I repeat you need education.

My 2000 came from around Miami and I purchased,last Dec, from an individual thru Ebay. 93000 miles, in excellent condition for 8751.00. I rarely see one on the road around where I live, nor your intended purchase. I guess they're considered the DOGS of the car world

Anyway good luck.

Jack

[Jesda]

If you've done DIY on a FWD Northstar, you can do DIY on anything.

The most common fail item on the 2002+ Q45 is the engine itself, and unlike Lexus and Cadillac, Infiniti NA is getting stingy on warranty coverage, sometimes passing the blame to owners for garbage that came out of the factory.

There's a small Cadillac owners meet coming up in Miami if you're interested.

3.750 Oil Change Interval is the severe duty OEM recommendation. This would apply to any vehicle used in an urban environment.

As far as reliability of electronics and engineering, the Nissans are superior to domestic by quite a bit

Anyone notice that GM has ceased development on any new high tech V8?

The VK45 is more dependable than the FWD Northstar but both are less reliable than the Ford Intech modular V8. The RWD version of the Northstar is 80% new.

As for GM's choice to back off on OHC V8 development, have you noticed the 35mpg CAFE? GM and Nissan get 300HP+ out of a DOHC VVT V6. What in the world is the point of continuing development of a V8 if the gains in power are minimal? The Northstar goes back to 1993.

GM has instead put its time and energy into specialty OHV NA V8 engines that compete with BMW's V10 and produce copious amounts of power (600hp+) from a motor thats small, light, and easily packaged into sports cars (2009 Corvette ZR1).

I'm not fond of oil life monitors, but Honda uses the same system as General Motors now. I prefer the simple mileage counters used by Toyota, Ford, and Chrysler.

People on this forum tend to think that because their 90s Nissans were great, that the same is true for new ones.Thats not always the case.

[RAP]

The most common fail item on the 2002+ Q45 is the engine itself, and unlike Lexus and Cadillac, Infiniti NA is getting stingy on warranty coverage, sometimes passing the blame to owners for garbage that came out of the factory.

Now you got me worried! Is the engine installed in the 2000 Q OK? Should I line up a junker?

I don't intend to change oil everyday ! ! ! Maybe around 5000 miles though.

Jack

[Jesda]

97-01 used the VH41, which is a rock solid engine with a stellar reputation.

[BadQ45t]

I wouldn't be too worried about the 03' Engine. I think Jesda is a bit warped now towards Nissan/Infinit if they are not 1992s. I think you will find it pretty close to bulletproof. The 97-01 is a 4.1 liter engine, less power but you can get a 2nd gen for alot less money. That said, if was able to get a newer one I'd do it for the power and cool interior. I have a 97' at 90k an essentially zero issues engine or otherwise.