TO DO, OR NOT TO DO, THAT IS THE QUESTION!

[INFINITINUTCASE]

...or:

$2,000-$3,000 SPENT ON MAINTANING A $1,000 CAR!!!

My 1992 Q is showing near 157K. Still drives wonderfully (near 22 mpg at 80 mph on 1,300 mile trip recently) and does not look its 22 year age, me taking care of my cars! My mechanic says definitely worth spending $$$$ on below p/m. Could go in and buy any car I want w/ cash, but - cannot get my head around letting new car sit in a garage for 6 months at a time between homes in South Carolina and New Mexico!  Now, your thoughts on...

Having my mechanic/his folks do the under plenum rubber that I bought from Joe/IOS some years back (I have never had ANY smells/leaks from under there, POSSIBLY attributing that to - during a/c season - always popping open the hood upon entering the garage, or maybe even at rest stops).

T-3 in Atlanta did guides, a/c dryer/oil cooler, other things maybe 10 years ago, at over $2K back then!  1st gear TCU added shortly thereafter.

I have spent less than $200 on repairs over the years, lots on maintenance.

If I agree for him do do the job, I will let the garage keep the car all summer, to work on at their leisure. Can you folks recommend anything else they should do while under there?  I put new plugs (argh!) in at 120K. I will give mechanic folks the IOS phone # in case he runs into any issues.  Really getting pressed for time getting away from here, so might not have time to order any that you recommend.

Was thinking about having them drop trans and replace filter, and maybe do a 3rd flushing, this done at T-3, Dennis/Q45 taking me to buy all the synthetic Mobile 1 things.  Also, per a talk w/ Ty at T-3 a few years back when thinking about taking it down there for the plenum work.  Ty said to give thought to:

- Upper links
- Knock sensors
- 0-2 sensor
- Tension rods/bushings
- Cooling system flush
 - A new a/c dryer????????

I must admit to often lusting over some of the new iron out there, BUT I cannot abide allowing a new, high end auto, to sit in my garage for 6 months at a time!  But, even after spending the above on my beloved Q, I will still own a vehicle that might fetch $1,500 if sold!!

In advance, thanks to all who read/commiserate/respond!

Infinitinutcase

[AZhitman]

Great post.

It's not about what the car is "worth," because we're using the wrong definition of "worth."

And, the reality is this: The car fetches you $1500 if you sell it - BUT, what will it cost to replace it with a similar-performing car?

$40k? $50k? So, then, that's what your car is "worth" - to YOU, because that's what you save by keeping it.

As far as that list, to my recollection, everything Ty listed (as well as the under-plenum hoses) are typical problem areas.

Wish you were closer to AZ - Friend is a retired Infiniti Master Tech (with Infiniti since 89) who owns his own shop now.

[INFINITINUTCASE]

Wish you were closer to AZ - Friend is a retired Infiniti Master Tech (with Infiniti since 89) who owns his own shop now.


...uhhh, I will be in SW NM in a couple of weeks! Car has been out there before, so...I guess another visit might not hurt! Also, seriously considering home in Tucson area, fed up w/ E. Coast!

BTW, you make excellent $/emotional sense!

[AZhitman]

Shoot me an email (greg AT nicoclub.com) and I'll pass his info along. He was the only person I trusted to take care of my '95 Q.

Time to relocate - AZ is awesome!

[INFINITINUTCASE]

Will do, Greg!

Again, thanks for your wisdom!

[INFINITINUTCASE]

Admittedly IT challenged, cannot get email to you; therefore, try [email protected].

[OwnerCS]

Great post.

It's not about what the car is "worth," because we're using the wrong definition of "worth."

And, the reality is this: The car fetches you $1500 if you sell it - BUT, what will it cost to replace it with a similar-performing car?

$40k? $50k? So, then, that's what your car is "worth" - to YOU, because that's what you save by keeping it.

As far as that list, to my recollection, everything Ty listed (as well as the under-plenum hoses) are typical problem areas.

Wish you were closer to AZ - Friend is a retired Infiniti Master Tech (with Infiniti since 89) who owns his own shop now.

To Greg's point, how much depreciation will you see with a newer $40k? $50k car? Any money spent to refresh our current cars goes directly into providing utility and enjoyment for an asset that is already fully depreciated.

[INFINITINUTCASE]

Again, very excellent points, and I greatly appreciate such! Must take another near 400 mile trip tomorrow, this made palatable by the Q's road qualities. Now, if I could only do something about the deplorable driving habits of many out there!

[Q451990]

John,

Sorry... I totally dropped the ball replying to the email you sent asking what I thought. I'd go with the under plenum stuff plus knock sensors and their subharness if the old ones show any signs of cracking (and they probably will if they're original). I'd also do the cooling system flush.

As far as the rest of it, there's not much overlap in terms of labor. If the suspension feels OK and isn't making noise, I wouldn't get to excited about changing out parts for PM at this point.

As far as sourcing parts, Joe is no longer with IOS, and in my opinion their customer service has suffered for a few years anyhow. I gave up on them a couple of years back. I've been using www.orderinfinitiparts.com for a couple of orders. I've never gotten anyone on the phone, so they're pretty much online-only in terms of ordering. The good news is that they're in Charlotte NC, so FedEx Ground works like overnight or 2nd day shipping for my location.

Good luck!

Heath

[AZhitman]

Heath - Joe handed us over to Dan Smith at IOS ([email protected]) and he's been pretty good at taking care of NICO folks so far.

[life602]

Shoot me an email (greg AT nicoclub.com) and I'll pass his info along. He was the only person I trusted to take care of my '95 Q.

Time to relocate - AZ is awesome!

Can I please get that info as well please.

[maxnix]

Time to relocate - AZ is awesome!

Except for the ACN crapgas.

[INFINITINUTCASE]

B:

Hope to visit friends in Austin & Lakeway this summer, but Austin friend is saying Texas pastors are again telling folks to pray for rain, last time this happened, Austin nearly washed away!

A station close to us sells 93 w/o ethanol for folks who stop in to buy boat gas! About a 40 cent premium over other 93 gas, but worth it!

[AZhitman]

Shoot me an email (greg AT nicoclub.com) and I'll pass his info along. He was the only person I trusted to take care of my '95 Q.

Time to relocate - AZ is awesome!

Can I please get that info as well please.

Sure thing! PM sent.