What year Q's have the "kinks" out?

[J30Man]

I did a search and could not find this info anywhere (although I would think this questions has been asked before).

I have been interested in getting a Q45, and wanted to know what year is best to look for as of when the guides issue was fixed, etc... any other items...

Anyone know of a website or FAQ with a writeup on this? It is between a Q45 or LS400, and I can get a newer Q45 for less than a LS400, so I am partial to the Q.

[Q45denver]

The 1994 or latter models have the updated guides.

[Jesda]

Definitely 1994.

http://www.q45.org/buyingadvice.htmlhtt ... hinfo.html

New injectors, new interior, new body, metal chain guides, better transmission cooling.

[Q45tech]

The reason the used LS400 is more expensive than the same year [94-95]Q is that the repair costs are lower up thru 150- 200,000 miles.

Costs of ownership: gas, insurance, maintenance and repairs, interest, tag + tax will pretty much equal out over a 5 year 75-100k interval.

You pay $3,000 more up front and a few thousand just after you buy the car or less up front and more just after and each year there after.

The 97-2001 Q41 seems to be a maintenance and repair wash with the same year Lexus.

Unless one buys an air suspension Lexus or active Q!!!!!!

Each brand has it's own individual failure components which are quite different.........but shocks and rubber bushings are common to both.

The 98 LS has the 5 speed transmission and significantly more power than the 97-2001 Q41 and can be quite an excellant buy if you know what you are doing. $11-$13,000...................just $3,000 more than the 98 Q41.

The LS is more prone to PS pump and ac failures than the Q and of course the timing belt replacement costs but the brakes are a tiny bit more robust.

Any car can turn out to be a real dog so you must have a very detailed independent expert evaluate and calculate the condition of all systems to extrapolate the future repair costs.

A 98 LS has the same or greater performance of a 90 Q [at least up to 100 mph] and can be made to out handle one easily with tires and sway bars and alignment number changes [suspension is fully adjustable].

[elwesso]

Good info tech...... I didnt realize the LS suspension on the 98+ was adjustable... pretty cool, and negates the need for any suspension mods, unless of course you want lowering springs...

Depending on what you want, youll probably want either a 94/95 or a 97-01.. If you want a faster (especially above 70, 0-60 is pretty close) car then get a 94/95... if you want a slightly bigger car with a more plush ride and a little more room, get a 97-01...

[J30Man]

Unless one buys an air suspension Lexus or active Q!!!!!!

How can you tell which Q's have active suspension? Are they the ones with the "Auto/Sport" button? If so, any other cues to the existance?

[Skibane]

The 98 LS has the 5 speed transmission and significantly more power than the 97-2001 Q41 and can be quite an excellant buy if you know what you are doing. $11-$13,000...................just $3,000 more than the 98 Q41.

My copy of KBB shows quite a bit bigger difference in the retail price: $19.9K versus $14K (around 30 percent).

For Y33s produced near the end of that model's run, the difference gets even bigger: $35.6K vs. $20K for a 2001 model (around 42 percent) - You can almost buy 2 Qs for the price of one LS!

[Jesda]

Active Qs are badged Q45a, and they have height adjustment switches and an extra fluid reservoir under the hood.

[maxnix]

Good info tech...... I didnt realize the LS suspension on the 98+ was adjustable... pretty cool, and negates the need for any suspension mods, unless of course you want lowering springs...

The latter of course won't do much (maybe .02G improvement in lateral roadholding). Tires are much more important, unless you want a parking lot queen. Wes has done a nice job adding extra components to make G50 suspension fully adjustable.

All Q45a are active.

I vote for the JD Powers winner as the best long term reliability winner for 1995. 1994 are nearly as good, but had many minor running changes until late in production cycle.

Read everything here before buying and you will save yourself a lot of grief from making a poor decision like not obtaining the Infiniti Dealer Performed Service History first before inspecting the car.

[elwesso]

Not to dog on the 95s, but the 94 actually had in my opinion nicer door panels.. Youll notice on a lot of 95s the door panels flake where the person puts their arm... This doesnt happen on 94s, because the door panels are made of a different material. Its hard to tell, but when I helped sean rebuild his Q, which is a 95, i went back and forth within 5 seconds and you could tell... the stitching is different too.. Whats interesting is the leather seems to be made of a thinner material that might last a little better...

personally outside of the active Q I see the ultimate as the 94 Q45t.. last year for HICAS (which I like) and a few other things..

I can tell anyone from personal experience that lowering springs wont help true handling, but it certainly helps the car from whailing all over the place.. Certainly makes it more "tossable"...

[J30Man]

Active Qs are badged Q45a, and they have height adjustment switches and an extra fluid reservoir under the hood.

How is the Q45a different from the electronic adjustable Q45t of 97-01? I have seen a sport/auto switch on the Q45t model which sounds electronically adjustable also.

[elwesso]

The shockson the 97-01 is simply an adjustable damping shock. It can get stiffer or softer based on a switch... The 91-95's active suspension is controlled by the computer, based on roll sensors, G sensors, and so forth..... The 97-01 shocks just adjust the stiffness of the shock, they dont react to different driving conditions like the active suspension...

[Skibane]

The shockson the 97-01 is simply an adjustable damping shock. It can get stiffer or softer based on a switch.

As I understand it, the stiffness of the shocks on the 97-01 AS models is controlled by computer, rather than a simple switch. From the Owner's Manual:

Quote »The active damper suspension controls dampening force and restrains the movement of the vehicle body. It assures stable driving when the vehicle moves up and down on large rolling roads or when the vehicle rolls at cornering with a high centrifugal force.

The damping force of the shock absorbers can be adjusted to the level you desire. Set the switch to the position you desire while the ignition switch is ON.

Set the switch to the AUTO position for normal driving. THE DAMPING FORCE WILL AUTOMATICALLY ADJUST ACCORDING TO THE ROAD SURFACE AND DRIVING CONDITIONS (emphasis added).

Set the switch to the SPORT position when you desire a firm feeling all the time.[/quote]
Modified by Skibane at 11:20 PM 6/20/2006

[BadQ45t]

97 did not have the adjustable suspension...also remember some of the older LS's require a very expensive timing belt change at 120, cost my brother like 900 bucks.

If you find a 94' which was my favorite in the first gen, it would have to be very clean and well off compared to buying a 97-01 which are just alot newer. If I were you I'd try to find an 00 Q Anniversary Edition, those were sweet.