To Q or not to Q...

[Slamnasty]

Hi all. I'm new here at NICO, but not new to Nissans/Infinitis in general.

My current ride is a 93 Maxima SE-5, and I've been toying with the idea of trading 'er in for an Infiniti. I've been tooling around AutoTrader.com for a while now looking at used Infinitis, and I've talked to a few people about Q45s, but not at much length. People tell me to get a 90-96 Q, saying it's a lot of fun and a very nice car, easily the equal of the Lexus LS400 (another car I've been considering) of the same time period. The one area people have warned me about is the auto transmission, and I know that Infiniti used a transmission cooler on the 94-96 versions because of transmission failures in the 1G-A models; how much of a worry is this aspect of the car realistically? A couple people have told me the 4-speed auto is pretty weak on reliability, but I'm looking for real-world experience from a larger sample of owners. I am also aware of a plastic timing chain guide issue that was addressed by the factory.

Another thing I'm concerned with is repair costs. Obviously the older the car the more likely something is to break. Add to that a luxury name and engine and things change drastically when compared with a Maxima. According to ConsumerGuide.com, the 90-96 Q45's exhaust system costs about $1700 to replace...is it really this much? Are there any other high-cost areas of the car that any of you have experience with (auto climate control, traction control, etc.?

I wouldn't really be doing any mods to it if I got one, just thinking about it because it's powerful, inexpensive luxury, and I'd like to step into the Infiniti realm if it's feasible. Any insights are appreciated.

[AZhitman]

Whew!!!

Too tired to reply at length right now, but here's the quick and dirty:

1) Welcome to NICO - you have found the Holy Grail of Q45 info.

2) You're in PHX?? I have an immaculately-maintained (OK, psychotically maintained) and modified 95 Q45t that you're welcome to check out and drive, help you make a decision.

3) A 90-96 Q will pummel an equal-vintage LS400 in just about every capacity. No competition there, nothing more needs to be said.

4) Chain guides = 90 to mid 93 issue.

5) Exhaust system on the Q is damn near buletproof. Find one that needs replacing (rust, damage), then you don't want that car.

6) A Q45 is no more expensive to maintain than a Maxima, especially considering the wealth of info we have here for DIY work, the discounts we receive on parts, and the fact that we have regular "Tech Days" here in Phoenix where you can get lots of stuff done for FREE.

7) I'll be glad to go look at any prospective Q's with you to make sure you get a "keeper".

[maxnix]

I'll be glad to go look at any prospective Q's with you to make sure you get a "keeper".

That is a bonafide great offer! Don't let it pass.

[Slamnasty]

Thanks for the greetings.

Wow, and thanks for the offer. I would definitely like to take you up on it if and when you have time. I'm not quite in the "ready to make a move" phase yet, but the Q has always had my eye. But as good as the Max is, I think I could use a change.

Your Q wouldn't perhaps be the one-owner example I saw on AutoTrader.com earlier tonight with only 68,500 original miles on it, would it?

I'm not much of a DIYer, partly because I have no garage at the moment. But the group deals is certainly a plus.

[Slamnasty]

Oh, and I'm actually in Tempe at the present time.

I also spend a lot of time over at Maxima.org of course.

[pito11213]

Well since I just went from a Q to a 94 SE 5 speed I think I can help. Now my Q was not in 100% condition as Hitman but here is the skinny. I had a 90 Q. I had a transmission cooler installed. The transmission is pretty good for the Q. Now I must say the only way a Q can be considered "cheap" to maintain is if you do every repair yourself. Parts are still expensive even with the discount. Especially once you factor in delivery prices. You will also find that anything you need cannot be purchased at autozone or parts stores. I would get another Q if I could get one with 100,000 miles that has been maintained well. Records are important trust me.

[Rex]

Spending any time with a well maintain and performing at (or above) OEM specs will be a good "gauge" for when you test drive any. It will help you to negotiate from a position of personal knowledge, that's always a great tool. Also, always be willing to walk away.

[AZhitman]

Your Q wouldn't perhaps be the one-owner example I saw on AutoTrader.com earlier tonight with only 68,500 original miles on it, would it?

I'm not much of a DIYer, partly because I have no garage at the moment. But the group deals is certainly a plus.

Not my car, but worthy of a look if the price is right.

No need to be a DIY'er, we have several experts, an air-conditioned garage and all the tools you'll need. The only requirement is that you bring beverages, help out, watch and learn. Tech Day is the best!

[gniknave]

Not my car, but worthy of a look if the price is right.

No need to be a DIY'er, we have several experts, an air-conditioned garage and all the tools you'll need. The only requirement is that you bring beverages, help out, watch and learn. Tech Day is the best!

Greg, you ever have someone take a nice long drive for tech day? I'd be willing to do so once I finish my Q's guides (hopefully today) and get er back on the road. Let me know when you have a day and I'll consider the drive.

[elwesso]

I mirror what people ahve said

The Q45 transmission is only an issue if ill maintained... Dennis said his 2nd transmission is still going strong at 180k+ with perfect maintenance...

over the long haul, its going to cost as much for a 9093 Q as it will for a 1st gen lexus and even less than the lexus for the 94 Q...

If you do DIY then its really not a big deal at all.....

When you first get the car, plan on replacing the suspension (yeah, all of it), brakes, tires, plenum hoses, and so on... These are the things that wear out with age and not with mileage...

IMHO since the 94s are now 12ish years old (made in 93) so i consider ones that have 130k but perfect maintenance (of NICO standards) equal or better (!) to a "normal maintain" Q with 100k or less...

What the previous owners did will determine what you are required to do!

[vicQ45]

prepare to dump a bit of $$$ in at first. it's supposed to pretty much settle down after that. I used to have a 93 maxima gxe(digital climate control, CD/tape, leather, that sucker was loaded for a 93 max!). loved the car, a lot easier to fix, but not nearly up to Q standards in any area. if you've got time and money and are good with DIY then you're pretty much guaranteed happiness in Q-land

[Slamnasty]

The suspension is one of my biggest concerns as well. I've owned 2 Maximas, and both have/had expensive suspensions. But replace ALL of that? That'd be at least another grand on top of the car cost itself, not taking into account DIY of course.

I understand the point about finding a higher mileage well-maintained Q over a low-mileage one: the lower-mileage one may be more prone to breaking since not everything is nearly as broken in, and engine seals could be weaker. I drive 12-13k a year, so that would probably affect a 12-yr old 68k car more adversely than a 120k car.

So the basic idea is, 94-96 is the best route (oil cooler on by factory, car is less old, more features, etc.)....?

[AZhitman]

Correct.

And suspension is NOT as pricey as many would have you believe.

Tokico blues and a few bushings, plus upper links if needed, can be done for less than a grand, and less than half that if you DIY.

Keep in mind, you'll have to assess the car on a case-by-case basis. Most people that hop into an un-maintained Q45 from 94-96 have no idea it's in need of those things, since even a worn one rides like butter.

We're all just a pretty meticulous bunch here, which makes things seem worse than they realistically are.

Saturday we're having Tech Day at my place, the Q will be available for you to take for a long drive - email me for directions. We'll get started around 10 am and usually go into the wee hours, sometimes we keep working on into Sunday evening!

[maxnix]

1994-1996 are the most reliable builds of the G50. There is no ATF cooler per se on any Q45, only heat exchangers. You will learn this and a lot more when you read the previous posts.

Remember, you are buying a imported luxury V8 sedan priced in the mid-$50K ten years ago. There is no further discount for labor and parts because of its age. The price you are paying now reflects maintenance deferred.

Spending $1K on a suspension to replace degraded rubber, bushings, and worn out shocks is nothing in the long term, unless you don't have a cash reserve in the short term.

[Slamnasty]

All good points. AZHITMAN I shall email you about Saturday.

[Death by Mullet]

I just got a 94 q 45 and I love it. Though I have only had it for a month, I plan on keeping this vehicle for a long time. It rocks! Fast, beautiful, excellent ride, well built, and did I say fast? I recomend it for sure.

Mullet