This car is scary! I'm scared...

[98_Q45]

It's been a nightmare today with my "new" Infinti. Finally after leaving it in storage for 3 weeks, I thought I had saved enough money to fix it ($700).

Turns out I need 2 lower control arms and rack and pinion. As in...when I brake, you can see the wheels pop backwards. Steering is like trying to steer the titanic, takes a mile just to switch lanes. The good news, I found a shop with a guy who knows what he's doing and for a "reasonable" price. I called another shop, they quoted me $2,500!!!!!

The main part is the control arms. $150 each at my guy, the other shop said $f*** for two control arms but $250ish for their reman racks.

I'm starting to feel like mechanics may see/hear Infiniti and think $$ signs. And I can't afford expensive repair bills. I'm not that kind of guy to go spend $2,500 in 1 day at a shop. Never needed to do that in 10 years of owning late 90s used cars. The guy I go to was straight with the price, and I can't complain. But, I'm just in between on whether I made a stupid decision or not to buy

There's all this stuff that needs to be fix, e.g. A/c compressor and now I think heater core...as the heat isn't working. Overall, everything essential works...but it's been neglected. Whoever had it just f*** it up. It was about to make a GREAT junkyard car, but I seen its potential and I'm just wondering how expensive is this gonna get. I can do many things myself...and my mechanic said once this suspension issue is fixed, I'll be good to go. But there's some other stuff lurking I'm concerned about.

I like the car, but I know I'm stuck with it now. Trying to re-sell it would be difficult as I don't have the time or inclination to interview potential buyers. Plus, it's overall in good shape. But I just hope I'm not going to be paying stupid prices everytime something needs replacement.

Lesson learnt: never buy a $49,990 car for $1,000 in a different state lol. Not that I was ripped off, but it's been a true test of my resilience and problem solving trying to drive it back. Fun, but frustrating at the same time.

[EdBwoy]

Steering is like trying to steer the titanic, takes a mile just to switch lanes.

I feel for you bud; but at least the thing still has 4 wheels, at least one door, a seat + seatbelt and goes forward... also it (eventually) turns in the direction you want it to, right?

Unless you feel otherwise, sometimes it's just a matter of personal comfort. I don't think these cars are money pits, and I think you'll be back in love with it pretty soon.
I assume the previous owner just didn't care and probably would have kept driving it like that, thus incurring close to zero maintenance costs.

[elwesso]

The control arms are going to have a bushing and a ball joint to replace. Most other nissan bushings would work there.

heat could be one of the blend doors under the dash isn't working.

[samsooka]

Are your actual arms shot or just the ball joints? If you just need the ball joints I just recently replaced mine with eBay ones “Y33 Ball joint” bring it to a shop to press it in and it’ll be just fine or you can do Moog # k9818 Which people have said presses right in and was my 2nd choice if the eBay ones didn’t work, but they work just fine and have been in for a month so no complaints here.

[98_Q45]

Hey guys thanks for responses. I'm back with some better news: replaced rack and pinion and I can finally steer! Lol. That's what was causing the erratic steering. So that was $600 parts and Labor (which is a good deal considering I was quoted $1200 on the maxima). The lower control arms are supposed to arrive tomorrow. Apparently there is 1 control arm shot. Shot as in, going over a parking lot hump...it just goes KABOOM lol. So I'm just going to have the mech finish it...once I get this thermostat gasket to stop leaking. Hoping that'll also fix the heat issue.

Also, went to change spark plugs and coils...well that's filled with oil. So now, valve cover gasket needs to be changed.

But yeah, I'm still in love with it but I just hate the work needing to be done lol. I may have made it sound like worse than I thought is, but just looking at it inside and out, you wouldnt think. It's still solid. Nothing is broken or not working except the phone which...is sadly obsolete.

So driving down the street it defitently get its stares, but I can't really use the v8 like I want because of the issues pending. But...I've gunned it half way here and there, and getting to 100 mph will be effortless lol.

[BadQ45t]

Once you this car sorted out you will be rewarded. I remember when my tension bars were macked up and then the difference with a fresh rack. This is/was a very solid car but the deferred maintenace your dealing with is the reason that you can buy these so cheap