Hi everyone. I am looking at a used Q45 to use as my daily driver to and from work. I have always like the Q45s and my family has had a couple of newer ones (97 and 99 i believe). I am looking for something around $5,000 and have found quite a few fairly nice condition cars, but with higher miles (130k-150k). One in particular is a 1993 with a full service schedule. I am worried about the chain guides. What years did this problem affect? ANy other major issues with 93-95 Qs as these are the years that are in my $$$ range. Thanks everyone!
Brian
Which year Q to buy
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AZhitman
- Administrator
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- Car: 58 L210, 63 Bluebird RHD, 64 NL320, 65 SPL310, 66 411 RHD, 67 WRL411, 68 510 SR20, 75 280Z RB25, 77 620 SR20, 79 B310, 90 Z32, 91 GTi-R, 92 Silvia Qs, 98 S14, 23 Z.
- Location: Surprise, Arizona
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Welcome to NICO - Hope you find the perfect car for yourself! We're glad to help.
93 still had the chain guide issue, and any Infiniti dealer can run the VIN and tell you if the guides were done.
94-95 are generally the best "bang for the buck" as they're still new enough to have not fully deteriorated (and still have transmission life left) but old enough to have depreciated attractively.
90-93 were the fastest of the bunch, with the 90 considered to be the quickest. 94-95 lost a tad of performance for more comfort, and the 96 was hampered by the introduction of OBDII. 97-01 are slower yet, regarded as bulletproof mechanically, and still bring a good price.
Whatever you do, take any potential purchase to T3 for a pre-buy inspection. T3 is the "mecca" of Q45 repair, and is located in your city.
Keep in mind that a pre-97 Q is not cheap to maintain. However, many of us on a tight budget are still able to maintain our Q's IMMACULATELY with the help of the experts on this board, a factory service manual, and a weekend in the garage here and there.
93 still had the chain guide issue, and any Infiniti dealer can run the VIN and tell you if the guides were done.
94-95 are generally the best "bang for the buck" as they're still new enough to have not fully deteriorated (and still have transmission life left) but old enough to have depreciated attractively.
90-93 were the fastest of the bunch, with the 90 considered to be the quickest. 94-95 lost a tad of performance for more comfort, and the 96 was hampered by the introduction of OBDII. 97-01 are slower yet, regarded as bulletproof mechanically, and still bring a good price.
Whatever you do, take any potential purchase to T3 for a pre-buy inspection. T3 is the "mecca" of Q45 repair, and is located in your city.
Keep in mind that a pre-97 Q is not cheap to maintain. However, many of us on a tight budget are still able to maintain our Q's IMMACULATELY with the help of the experts on this board, a factory service manual, and a weekend in the garage here and there.
Thanks for the reply! Ok, so guides are an issue on this car. I sent an email to the owner inquiring about if the fix has been done or not.
transmission life? Are the trannies an issue on these cars?
T3? Is this one of the Infiniti dealers here in Atlanta? More info, as this could could a valueable resource.
Thanks again:)
Brian
transmission life? Are the trannies an issue on these cars?
T3? Is this one of the Infiniti dealers here in Atlanta? More info, as this could could a valueable resource.
Thanks again:)
Brian
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AZhitman
- Administrator
- Posts: 54541
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- Car: 58 L210, 63 Bluebird RHD, 64 NL320, 65 SPL310, 66 411 RHD, 67 WRL411, 68 510 SR20, 75 280Z RB25, 77 620 SR20, 79 B310, 90 Z32, 91 GTi-R, 92 Silvia Qs, 98 S14, 23 Z.
- Location: Surprise, Arizona
- Contact:
Brian - Search for T3 (especially in the Online Mech forum). It's a repair shop specializing in Q's - All Infiniti Master Techs. Our own Q45tech (Dennis) is affiliated with them, and he's one of the foremost experts on the 90-96 Q.
Actually, I'd recommend spending a full day (or two) reading that forum.
transmission life is 100K - 150K, depending on maintenance. Most have been poorly maintained. If you can find a car that's had a few flushes/filter changes in its lifetime, it's a good sign.
Actually, I'd recommend spending a full day (or two) reading that forum.
transmission life is 100K - 150K, depending on maintenance. Most have been poorly maintained. If you can find a car that's had a few flushes/filter changes in its lifetime, it's a good sign.
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Q45tech
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- Car: 1990 Q45 342,400 miles 22 years ownership with original engine
1995 G20t 5 speed 334,000 miles 16" 2002 wheels - 205/50/16 Sr20ve vvl
Whenever you buy a used lux car always assume it was sold because the owner got bad news! Like the car needs repairs equal to half its value or worse. This is very rare on 97 but common on say 95 and below.
The problem with 90-93 is to find one with low miles but even by 100k many things are worn. The 93 stickered for $46k and in 11 years many things are worn.
Think before you buy because a $5,000 lux car can easily cost you another $4-5,000 to get it 90% right and then another $2000-$3000 per year thereafter to keep it that way.
Tires and brakes.
We did a prebuy this week on a pristine looking 92 Q45a we quoted $11,700 to return it to mechanically good condition. I'm sure we missed a few thousand more worth of required work.
Needed a transmission, active work, and ac work, engine work
The problem with 90-93 is to find one with low miles but even by 100k many things are worn. The 93 stickered for $46k and in 11 years many things are worn.
Think before you buy because a $5,000 lux car can easily cost you another $4-5,000 to get it 90% right and then another $2000-$3000 per year thereafter to keep it that way.
Tires and brakes.
We did a prebuy this week on a pristine looking 92 Q45a we quoted $11,700 to return it to mechanically good condition. I'm sure we missed a few thousand more worth of required work.
Needed a transmission, active work, and ac work, engine work
1994 Infiniti Q45, 100k - $6800 (local here)
Conservative Estimates:Chain Guides - $0OEM-spec V-rated Tires - $520Brakes - $450Tranny Flush/Pan Drop/Filter Change - $300?Fuel Pump, Filter, Cleaning gas tank - $430
Thats basics, without more advanced catchup work such as cleaning the TB and plenum, and an injector rail flush. That also assumes the suspension, valve covers, fuel injectors(!), radiator, and transmission are in good shape. All used cars need work such as this after a decade of service.
If you get a 93 model, basically add $1500 for chain guides to the purchase price. You -must- have them done if they have not been. You must! (I'm driving from Spokane WA to Atlanta GA to visit T3 in August.) Search the forums, call T3. Its apparently an old gas station-turned-shop run by automotive geniuses.
What you'll find is, after all the work is done, you'll still save thousands over buying a used Lexus LS400 of the same year in the same condition. And you'll have a significant performance advantage over the Lexus, which is hard to put a price on.
Take a serious drive across the country or in the mountains and hills through some dips and curves, you'll catch yourself smiling.
The Q45 is not unreliable. In fact, its ridiculously reliable with good preventative maintenance.
Conservative Estimates:Chain Guides - $0OEM-spec V-rated Tires - $520Brakes - $450Tranny Flush/Pan Drop/Filter Change - $300?Fuel Pump, Filter, Cleaning gas tank - $430
Thats basics, without more advanced catchup work such as cleaning the TB and plenum, and an injector rail flush. That also assumes the suspension, valve covers, fuel injectors(!), radiator, and transmission are in good shape. All used cars need work such as this after a decade of service.
If you get a 93 model, basically add $1500 for chain guides to the purchase price. You -must- have them done if they have not been. You must! (I'm driving from Spokane WA to Atlanta GA to visit T3 in August.) Search the forums, call T3. Its apparently an old gas station-turned-shop run by automotive geniuses.
What you'll find is, after all the work is done, you'll still save thousands over buying a used Lexus LS400 of the same year in the same condition. And you'll have a significant performance advantage over the Lexus, which is hard to put a price on.
Take a serious drive across the country or in the mountains and hills through some dips and curves, you'll catch yourself smiling.
The Q45 is not unreliable. In fact, its ridiculously reliable with good preventative maintenance.
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maxnix
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- Car: 1995 Infiniti Q45
1995 Infiniti Q45t
2000 Infiniti Q45
How deeply do you want to go? How much do you want to know?96LT4 wrote:What would a typical pre-buy inspection cost for a Q45? - Brian
A few hundred can save you thousands. Show stoppers come early, so don't cost much.
Start with a search of the VIN at a dealer. Might as well be chummy with a service manager. Eventually you will probably use the dealer for some services.
About years:
90-93:quickest w/ 90's and early 91 leading this bunch a bit.Trannies weak in 91, but any 91 you are likely to buy will have transmission replaced already.This generation also has a bit of a teutonic flavor in its interior appointments, ie a bit stark and business/driving oriented.
94-96no need to do chain guides, a numbe rof reliabilty improvements more lux features, prettier in many ways.Interior a bit ritzier.Softer set-up (shocks, steering,) and a tad heavier.More Lux than performance and a bit slower but with still a lot of performance left.
97/98: complete redesign from teh first two types of Q. Smalller engine w/ more economy, easier to work on, no guide job needed.Lots of good features, nearly bulletproof if properly maintained one of the least expenisve V8 Luxosports on market in maintenance (and purchase).Lighter car than the earleir ones which partially makes up for weaker engine.
Fred...
90-93:quickest w/ 90's and early 91 leading this bunch a bit.Trannies weak in 91, but any 91 you are likely to buy will have transmission replaced already.This generation also has a bit of a teutonic flavor in its interior appointments, ie a bit stark and business/driving oriented.
94-96no need to do chain guides, a numbe rof reliabilty improvements more lux features, prettier in many ways.Interior a bit ritzier.Softer set-up (shocks, steering,) and a tad heavier.More Lux than performance and a bit slower but with still a lot of performance left.
97/98: complete redesign from teh first two types of Q. Smalller engine w/ more economy, easier to work on, no guide job needed.Lots of good features, nearly bulletproof if properly maintained one of the least expenisve V8 Luxosports on market in maintenance (and purchase).Lighter car than the earleir ones which partially makes up for weaker engine.
Fred...
Jesda wrote:What you'll find is, after all the work is done, you'll still save thousands over buying a used Lexus LS400 of the same year in the same condition. And you'll have a significant performance advantage over the Lexus, which is hard to put a price on..
What a GREAT way to put it!
Fred..:bowdown
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Q45tech
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- Car: 1990 Q45 342,400 miles 22 years ownership with original engine
1995 G20t 5 speed 334,000 miles 16" 2002 wheels - 205/50/16 Sr20ve vvl
Almost every car we see for inspection needs shocks, some suspension work, transmission mounts and motor mounts. Usually the AC doesn't cool as to spec.......then engine, and transmission work.Ok yes oil senser leak and valve cover reseal and a space betwen radiater and condenser clean out.
At T3 $68 gets you a quick and dirty inspection and a rough estimate of costs.............but it is only a very short drive test. A really complete test with a 15 minute drive at 70 mph [to test the brakes hot and acceleration, AC at cruise etc. and computer diagnosis would only double it to $140.
At T3 $68 gets you a quick and dirty inspection and a rough estimate of costs.............but it is only a very short drive test. A really complete test with a 15 minute drive at 70 mph [to test the brakes hot and acceleration, AC at cruise etc. and computer diagnosis would only double it to $140.
Thanks for the help everyone! I am going to go out tire kicking this weekend. If I find a Q that i think i like and want T3 to have it inspected ($140=well worth it), do I need an appointment? What is the address to T3 and a phone number. I think I am going to stick with the 94-95s. Thanks again for all the help.
Brian
Brian
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jmatas
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I've got a couple Qs you may be interested in...My personal car is a dark green/black 94 t w/ 90K miles (tan leather). Dealer and T3 maintained. My mom is selling her 91 Q w/ 150K. This used to be my car, and is also T3 maintained.
I'm upgrading to a G35 coupe and am looking to sell my Q. I've owned it for about 10 months, and had T3 do the pre-buy inspection at the time I bought it- it has all records since the day it was purchased. You can email me at [email protected] if interested.
I'm upgrading to a G35 coupe and am looking to sell my Q. I've owned it for about 10 months, and had T3 do the pre-buy inspection at the time I bought it- it has all records since the day it was purchased. You can email me at [email protected] if interested.
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QuickSilver
- Posts: 144
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Brian,
I agree with Fred- definitely jump at the opportunity to buy one of jmatas' cars. The only question is which one.
I spent two to three month's trying to find the right '94 or '95Q, until I drove a '91Q because it was dirt cheap. The difference in performance was surprisingly noticable. I ended up buying a '92Q with about 100k miles, the guides done and dealer replace transmission with about 50k miles. With the major issues solved, I chose performance over what thought was a classier look.
At first, I didn't like the nose the earliest Qs, but I have grown to prefer it over the chrome grill of the '94 and '95. I also now prefer the more durable interior of the earlier years,which I believe have been brought back in the new FX45.
I guess your decision will have to be base on the specifics of each of jmatas' cars, but in general I now prefer the earliest years, though I thought I preferred the '94 and '95 when I was your situation. It does seem you can't go wrong with either car. The differences are subtle now, but you will grow to appreciate them over time as have I.
Steven
I agree with Fred- definitely jump at the opportunity to buy one of jmatas' cars. The only question is which one.
I spent two to three month's trying to find the right '94 or '95Q, until I drove a '91Q because it was dirt cheap. The difference in performance was surprisingly noticable. I ended up buying a '92Q with about 100k miles, the guides done and dealer replace transmission with about 50k miles. With the major issues solved, I chose performance over what thought was a classier look.
At first, I didn't like the nose the earliest Qs, but I have grown to prefer it over the chrome grill of the '94 and '95. I also now prefer the more durable interior of the earlier years,which I believe have been brought back in the new FX45.
I guess your decision will have to be base on the specifics of each of jmatas' cars, but in general I now prefer the earliest years, though I thought I preferred the '94 and '95 when I was your situation. It does seem you can't go wrong with either car. The differences are subtle now, but you will grow to appreciate them over time as have I.
Steven
