Which Q45 Is Better?

[Haitian_King]

Veterans - Quick question.

Did I sound like this, way back when?

I think I feel what you all must have felt.

I feel old now.

unknown - PLEASE! Don't buy a Q. Seriously. It's just not smart. Especially if you're unfamiliar. I got lucky with a 92 with 83k on the odometer. It still hasn't been a walk in the park. My Q still has a 65k blank spot in the service history. I have no clue what happened from 1998-2007.

I'm fortunate because I bought one in fairly great condition for it's age. I also lucked out in having an Infiniti Senior Tech (trained on the G50) close by.

Take this into consideration. If you buy it and you need the guides done, you can't just take it into any shop. If you do take that risk, you can expect a phone call from the mechanic, apologizing for the destruction of your car.

These cars aren't cheap to maintain, at least not at first. I have 2 separate bank accounts for the Q. I kid you not. 1 for miscellaneous parts/repairs, the second is a savings account so that I won't be too pressed if a MAJOR Q-related issue arises.

I also scour eBay and craigslist for Q parts to hoard, as well as take note of G50's on the street and the houses they belong to, so that I'll be one of the first to know if it'll be available for sale or cannibalization.

I hope I don't sound like a nutcase.

[qship96]

Yeah , you sounded alot like that! Then Brian and I gave you the cold hard ugly facts!!!!

By the way, where have you been biiiiooottttcccchhhh? Thought you may have been pinned under your Q!

[Kiven422]

Okay, get an Audi... so you can lift the engine just to replace timing belts, while I just gotta get the fan out the way.

Maintenance is nothing on the Q45. Its like a Honda, but that level of ease comes with every Nissan, along with bulletproof reliability.

[unknown007]

well i bought the 1993 Q45 and handles like a brand new car.pulls like its brand new.interior works and everything.just need body work.the guy has the recipet of inspection and labor it was 1200.good or no good deal.member it has 116k miles

[Infinitiguy19]

I would say you could have done with 1000 bucks but that what I got mine with 114,000 but yea that's a great deal what am i saying.

[unknown007]

well only reason why it was 2k was because if it didnt have minor body damage on hood,fender,rear driver side window,driver rear view mirror,and rear veiw mirror it would be 3500 but i mean im happy.i just want to paint it all white hahaha.because it has white with gold on the bumper not shiny gold paint gold.any ideas if the 94 front end can fit the 93?

[Infinitiguy19]

No sorry the fender, bumper, hood and what ever else you might want to put on it will not fit because of the restyled front end but if you have money and just want to do a 94 conversion then do it.

You cant find a 90-93 anywhere?

I want to do on my 93 (interior only)

[unknown007]

so if i buy the hood,fenders,and bumper it wont fit?dang.........i dont like the front end look.......

[Infinitiguy19]

Hey wes did you measure the differnces between the 91 and 94 exhaust valves?

[qship96]

Wow, less than 90 days ownership and already you have it listed for sale.Somehow, I am quite sure many of us could see this coming from day one, as it is a poor choice of cars for a teenager with limited experience and funds.........

[Victor]

I read this thread late but where is Antioch, California, out in the middle on nowhere? In southern California at any one time there are probably 30 to 50 Q45s for sale, don't know why you restricted your choices to two cars.

[tmak26b]

I think some owners need a reality check, most 1st gen Qs are not worth over $4K. They can ask for more, but usually you are not going to get more than that.

Maintainence and repair are different stories, I blew a radiator after two weeks of ownership. Of course I drive it like a beater, I dont try to restore it. I just try to keep it realiable and safe and comfortable.

[Infinitiguy19]

Wow dude I have watched some of you previous posts and I must say you really hate Q's so do us all a favor and stop wasting our time with your worthless undermining posts and leave.

[tmak26b]

Wow dude I have watched some of you previous posts and I must say you really hate Q's so do us all a favor and stop wasting our time with your worthless undermining posts and leave.

Unlike most people, I tell it like it is. I like my car, but I am also not blind about it. Spending $2K on a car and try to spend $2K for a new front end is simply not smart. You are better off using $4K to get a newer one to begin with. It's just common sense, not a knock on anything. I wouldn't do it to a Merc., a BMW or any cars. If the repair cost starts to exceed the value of the vehicle, you might want to think twice about your decisions....

I have driven and owned many cars, it's not hard for me to come up with a comparsion or opinion.

[MinisterofDOOM]

As to the topic:I LOVE the belt-buckle and non-wood interior trim. Aside from that I'd rather have a '94 or '95.

I like my car, but I am also not blind about it. Spending $2K on a car and try to spend $2K for a new front end is simply not smart. You are better off using $4K to get a newer one to begin with. It's just common sense, not a knock on anything. I wouldn't do it to a Merc., a BMW or any cars. If the repair cost starts to exceed the value of the vehicle, you might want to think twice about your decisions....

I can see where you're coming from, but you're making it PURELY a matter of dry-hard facts and numbers. To most of us, who are automotive enthusiasts and could likely enjoy driving just about ANYTHING, there's more to it than that. The "value" of most of our Qs exceeds the cars' potential resale. Resale value ONLY matters if you intend to re-sell the car. Otherwise it's irrelevant.

I would also argue the "better to have a newer car" statement. The age of the car is UTTERLY irrelevant beyond maintenance costs. If you're willing to pay to get the car into like-new condition, the age ceases to matter. And in the case of many cars, an old car that's been restored is better than a new car. There are MANY MANY things about new cars I don't like, and I'd say most of the denizens of the Q forum agree with me on them. That's why many of these Q owners who could easily afford "better" or newer cars don't. We don't WANT newer cars. We don't want different cars. Name another 300hp rear drive luxury sedan you can own for under $4000. Do it. You can't. So the "paying more than it's worth to keep it running" is irrelevant because there's NOTHING comparable you can replace it with for it's value. My old Maxima was the same story. The car wasn't worth jack as far as cash, but that cash wouldn't buy anything even approaching a sad immitation of the Maxima itself. It's not what the car will sell for. It's what the ALTERNATIVES sell for that determines when you're spending "too much" on a car. And even that only matters if you WANT the alternatives. And as the E38 7 is still in the $20,000 range and a Lexus LS hardly provides the same engaging drive the Q does, I'd have to say I'm in the "I don't want something else, I want a Q" camp.

You have to realize that for us, cars are toys, not tools. So paying "more than it's worth" isn't always a bad thing. Our cars' values are measured by how much we enjoy them and nothing else. I put way more into my Maxima than it was worth and don't regret it at all.

[maxnix]

I think some owners need a reality check, most 1st gen Qs are not worth over $4K. They can ask for more, but usually you are not going to get more than that.

Maintainence and repair are different stories, I blew a radiator after two weeks of ownership. Of course I drive it like a beater, I dont try to restore it. I just try to keep it realiable and safe and comfortable.

To me, and most others here who do maintain there cars, $4K would be lucky to get you a ride in it. You confuse book value with real value.

Most newbies herewho buy used beaters and don't restore them have beaters and have no idea what a properly functioning Q45 is like. they just have a sub $5K piece of junk that is about to cost them more than they will pay to repair it. Reliability, safety, economy, performance and comfort are illusions with an unrestored G50.

[tmak26b]

I agree to what you say up to a certain point. For the money, the 1st gen Q is a very good buy. I have purchased cars that are more expensive, yet they are not nearly as nice. As far as total cost, I don't know if that truly is the case. With parts and maintainence being so expensive, keeping these old cars in great condition gets tougher and tougher. Also the hassle and the worry of owning an older car can be annoying, especially for someone who doesnt work on cars. If I was in college and have time, that wouldnt be a problem. As far as spending money above what the car is worth, i guess that would be your choice. On top of what is necessary, any extra you dump into the car will go straight out the window. Just ask the guys who modified their cars. Your insurance will usually not pay you more than what the market value is too.