Which Y33 would you choose?

[Brokenbc]

So my Kouki S14 got stolen last weekend. The insurance company will be cashing me out next week and I have my first kid on the way so 4 door it is but i'm not giving up having a cool car.

I've decided I want a Y33 and there are only 2 within 300 miles of here with black interior (a must for me). So the question is... which would you choose? Silver or black, 97-98 or 99-01.

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/...t=166h ... c/...t=129

I plan on putting on CIMA headlights (if I can find them), I want the grand touring grill that faulk has, and also a set of the tein/KYB combo, and a nice set of wheels. after all thats done its time for a carputer and replacement of the crappy bose system.

[elwesso]

I and most others prefer the 99 and up, they have more features and overall it seems to be a better buy. The expensive adjustable suspension wont matter to you since you plan on switching the shocks anyway.

Silver on black is always a cherry combo, easy to maintain exterior with a super nice interior.... First one concerns me because they dont even know what size motor the Y33 has.

There arent really any nasty issues they fixed on the later model Y33 vs older ones, so really a 97-01 is going to be a good choice...

But if you want a cool car, youll want to get a G50 anyway!

[Rex]

Silver over black and good condition/maintainence records would be the deciding factors for me .

[maxnix]

Without Infiniti dealer performed service and maintenance history nor Infiniti Senior Tehcnician inspection report quite impossible to determine.

Always buy the best serviced car in the best condition, regardless of color. Don't foolishly limit your choices based on color. EVery Q45 color has its appeal, but a neglected one can be a heartache and a budget buster.

Eric at Beaverton Infiniti is a damn good Senior technician. Trust his decision.

[BadQ45t]

good advice, I like the 2000 Anniversary myself, I have a 97' and if I was to buy again I'd get a least a 98' so I could get the analog clock. I think you should decide if you want the nav and all the goodies they put in the last two years or the 97-99 before they put all that stuff in. If I was keeping the car for a long time, I'd get a 99 and avoid those extra fancy screens and have a less complicated setup....but I sure like the Anniversary Edition.

I think you will find that the advice you already got was the best, the most documented service record is the best bet at either Infiniti dealer or a good mechanic with docs more so than year at this point.

Good luck, these are great cars and are all very reliable when well cared for....

[Brokenbc]

[QUOTE=BadQ45t]I think you will find that the advice you already got was the best, the most documented service record is the best bet at either Infiniti dealer or a good mechanic with docs more so than year at this point.QUOTE]

Everybody here seems to put ALOT of emphasis on good maintinance records and dealer servicing. Does that mean that being a little negligible will destroy this car? I was under the impression the VH motor was as sturdy as all the other nissan motors and I know that my 240 Ka24E was unstoppable even after 220K miles of just plain abuse and my buddies sentra was at 300K also with poor upkeep.

Question #2. does anybody know of a good mechanic up in the seattle area that I could have go look at the Q i'm thinking of getting that I might be able to call and have him go test drive it and check it out then I can pay him when I drive up to pick up the car? Is that how people normally buy cars from out of state or is there a better method?

PS... there is one in chicago that being sold by a private seller thats even cheaper and its got the heated seats that i'd like and its lower miles. Any recomendations for infiniti mechanics in chicago?
Modified by Brokenbc at 6:00 AM 1/2/2007

[Q45tech]

The only damaged engines we've seen are from lack of oil changes.If you follow the 90 day 3750 mile interval it appears they all last 300,000 miles.................we have a few salesman 97-99Q approaching 300k.

We have seen a few sludge buckets [pulled valve covers to view] which were destroyed prior to 130k.

Owners can destroy any vehicle!

[elwesso]

The VH is as strong if not more strong than any of Nissan's motors, however, NO motor withstands bad oil change habits, no matter how well built it actually is.... The VH seems especially sensitive to bad oil change habits.

The VH can handle abuse in that you can drive it like you stole it every day and it will last a long time, but you cant neglect maintenance. Not unreasonable....

You probably shouldnt try and get a Y33 with NAV since its all CD based and basically outdated, you might as well install a up to date nav system, but then again youd have the place to put it....

99 was the first year to get an analog clock back..

Main reason you want to buy a WELL MAINTAINED car is because parts are more expensive for Q45s. In 240 land, if you blow an AT you just put in a 5 speed and call it a day... Or buy a used AT that someone who swapped in a 5 speed did. Unfortunately, you cant do that with a Q.

[Q_SHIP]

Build quality is the same from 97-01. it's all a matter of preference on style. I prefer the 99+.

Plus you gain some nice options including the nicer wheels with the T Model, HID's with the T model, The rear sunshade, and the Analog clock that adds a touch of class to the car.

[Falkdesigns]

There are virtually no differences other than: tail lights on trunk, head rests on back seat, clock, and optional HID's and Nav, otherwise it's the same car. IMO, I'd look for the best condition one and go with that.

I'm almost at 3 years with my baby and I love it more than ever.

[Q_SHIP]

Oh by the way, I have a 98 coming in with 90k on it. I'll be priced around $10500 on the car. if you want more info, let me know.

[hannibal]

The center dash portion is different. But I guess this is covered under Kevin's reference to the clock.

1997-98

1999-2001

And 97Q45t's in dash VGA monitor

[maxnix]

The center dash portion is different. But I guess this is covered under Kevin's reference to the clock.

1999-2001

My dash stack is all black from the radio up. 2000 Standard.

[Q_SHIP]

Mine too in the 99 T

[MAX_POWERS]

That is a picture of my dash, I installed a wood grain kit so that is why it's diffrent. I perfer 99+ Q45s. They come with hids, glass moonroof, and the analog clock. I would go for the 99 , it's a Q45T. The black one is just base model Q45.

[Falkdesigns]

Although, it's more expensive to manufacture the steel sunroof.

Honestly the differences are so minimal, it should really come down to which one is the best condition, and most well maintained.

[johngalt]

having had the '99T, I would go for ti again if I could - but maintenance is going to be key here - I pounded the hell out of the accelerator with the car and didn't have so much as a speck of oil on the ground, and I and the previous owner stuck to the schedule close to clockwork, using M-1 synthetic only in the car, and until the deer took it out it was hands down the perfect car.

Take good care of it and it takes good care of you.

[bullittandy]

The only damaged engines we've seen are from lack of oil changes.If you follow the 90 day 3750 mile interval it appears they all last 300,000 miles.................we have a few salesman 97-99Q approaching 300k.

We have seen a few sludge buckets [pulled valve covers to view] which were destroyed prior to 130k.

Owners can destroy any vehicle!

I've got 230,000 miles with OCI average of 7000 miles.

[BadQ45t]

So start to tee up ones you find on this thread and we'll walk you though it, get something well serviced and you will have a great car regardless of the year.

[hannibal]

That is a picture of my dash, I installed a wood grain kit so that is why it's diffrent. I perfer 99+ Q45s. They come with hids, glass moonroof, and the analog clock. I would go for the 99 , it's a Q45T. The black one is just base model Q45.

Hope you dont mind me posting your pics. I just grabbed them off CarDomain (obviously)...

[BadQ45t]

Funny I much prefer the steel roof, I had glass roofs in my Maxima in the wifes Mits Galant and found them useless and I had more issues with them.

I like the 99' but I'd take a 97 or 98 with lower miles and better and documented servicing...that is really what you want to find, someone like from this board that flush their fluids, do oil changes like clockwork, and do not ignore the basics. With documentation!!

[Brokenbc]

So i've decided it'd be ok to drive a couple thousand miles to get a good one if I have too. I don't like blacked out headlights that the 2000 and up have. another question... what all does the touring model add. I know its expensive to replace but does it break alot? should I avoid it?

I'm going to be very shallow when purchasing this car. basically i'm making sure its EVERYTHING that I want which means it MUST be black on black.I'm now looking at this one in chicago...http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/...=1757I'd have to replace the wheels in a quick minute but it looks like upgraded brakes too.

and this one in cali...http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/...t=860the one in cali is touring edition, is lowered has tint more miles and 3 grand more cost. Also, if he just did the springs a not struts then the struts won't last very long right?

I know you guys are going to say go with the one with better maintenance records but i'm not going to call up all 50 of the Black on BLack Y33 owners to ask them about their records. I just need a good couple cars to look at. Insurance looks at my S14 on monday so the quest will officially start then. I think.

You guys help me find the right Q and i'll be here as the forum stereo expert for a long time. That BOSE system is a joke (even for a stock system).

[Q_SHIP]

I honestly would not buy either of those. i would want a 100% stock and unmolested car to start with. Just my 2 cents.

[maxnix]

So i've decided it'd be ok to drive a couple thousand miles to get a good one if I have too. I don't like blacked out headlights that the 2000 and up have. another question... what all does the touring model add.

That BOSE system is a joke (even for a stock system).

All later t and ae models have the raccoon headlight surrounds, which goes quite well on a black car with the black grille. You can change out the surrounds later if you prefer the chrome.

Actually the Bose is quite good for an OEM unit. Pretty accurate really.

If you insist on being a slave to color , well, at least you are buying in to a genereally reliable model.

Q-ship's advice is quite sage.

[Jesda]

Always, always, always buy on condition and history. The little features don't mean much in the long run. You can always add wood trim or change the headlights and trunk lid.

[Jesda]

Actually the Bose is quite good for an OEM unit. Pretty accurate really.

Old people are deaf.

[maxnix]

Old people are deaf.

Huh? True, but I can still hear distortion pretty easily, something most young people cannot.

[Jesda]

[Q_SHIP]

Huh? True, but I can still hear distortion pretty easily, something most young people cannot.

So true.

[Rex]

Honestly the differences are so minimal, it should really come down to which one is the best condition, and most well maintained.

Condition can be the biggest regret long term.

There are several "good looking" color options out there. Find a well maintained car that's been taken care of, and you can spend more funds on tweaking it to your liking, rather that rebuiilding/repairing it from neglect.