Worth the investment?

[METerry]

I'm at a cross road with my beloved '93 Q45. I bought the car new and it currently has about 180K on it with no major problems but the "small" items have accumulated to a point where 1.) I don't have or want to take the time,, and 2.) the costs and time to run down parts will be significant (but not huge, in the scheme of things). The timing chain parts are done, water pump replaced, fuel pump replaced, along with a host of other repairs. No known problems with the engine or transmission but the lights on the interior switches are failing, the radio antenna doesn't work, the CD player has mysteriously failed, drivers side seat is worn, etc., etc., etc. It appears that I could spend a lot of time and money that probably couldn't be recovered depending on how long the major parts last.Has anyone been though this process and would you reccomend embarking on the "freshening" process?

[bobotech]

Paging Jesda to the white courtesy phone.

Jesda, please pick up the nearest courtesy phone.

[maxnix]

I'd say go drive some other cars then drive yours and remember what it was like when it was maintained.

If you are ready for a transportation appliance, get a new Honda. If your cajones still work, fix the cue. You will know after your test drive.

Your car is good for another 120K minimum, but you will have to maintain it.

[SUB ZERO CAR FANATIC]

I think its worth it,but im in love with theQ45 ,and always have been since i seen my first one when i was about 20, i told my self then that one day i would own one of these one day! I obviously had to wait for another 15 years because i could not afford a $50,000 at 20 years old,hell im 35 now and i still cant afford a new one,but thats why i have a older Q,and besides the G50 is my favorite.I have a 1993 Q also Dark Emerald Green exteriorand EggShell-White interior, except for dash and center console,its browna very beautiful color combination. What color is yours? I have restored all my interior, installed rebuilt transmission,ordered a japan motor with 37,000 miles on it , took it completely apart cleaned everything re-lubed every moving componet that should be,honed cylinder walls out,same with heads. i had to take engine apart to swap heads so i figured i would go through it and check everything and do a good cleanup and lube and flush,all new fluids too. The motor i ordered was for a 94 they told me it would go right in,at that time i knew very little about the Q, so i didnt know about the differences with CAS connecters and several other things, so the motor company said if id swap the heads to make it work they would pay for a complete engine gasket set and they did. Long story short, its been a long 3 years restoring the Q45 but i think its well worth it when you see the finished product,its very nice. I cranked her for the first time since i have owned the car just 2 days ago,talk about a happy camper!!! good luck.

[lino]

I think its worth it,but im in love with theQ45 ,and always have been since i seen my first one when i was about 20, i told my self then that one day i would own one of these one day! I obviously had to wait for another 15 years because i could not afford a $50,000 at 20 years old,hell im 35 now and i still cant afford a new one,but thats why i have a older Q,and besides the G50 is my favorite.I have a 1993 Q also Dark Emerald Green exteriorand EggShell-White interior, except for dash and center console,its browna very beautiful color combination. What color is yours? I have restored all my interior, installed rebuilt transmission,ordered a japan motor with 37,000 miles on it , took it completely apart cleaned everything re-lubed every moving componet that should be,honed cylinder walls out,same with heads. i had to take engine apart to swap heads so i figured i would go through it and check everything and do a good cleanup and lube and flush,all new fluids too. The motor i ordered was for a 94 they told me it would go right in,at that time i knew very little about the Q, so i didnt know about the differences with CAS connecters and several other things, so the motor company said if id swap the heads to make it work they would pay for a complete engine gasket set and they did. Long story short, its been a long 3 years restoring the Q45 but i think its well worth it when you see the finished product,its very nice. I cranked her for the first time since i have owned the car just 2 days ago,talk about a happy camper!!! good luck.

What did you do to your interior and where are the pics ?

[Q451990]

It appears that I could spend a lot of time and money that probably couldn't be recovered

Just remember that cars are not an investment. You can't put money in to any car (except for a few collectables) and get it back... it's a depreciating asset. So it comes down to intangibles... like "how mad will I be if I have this seat recovered only to have a transmission fail in a year?" or "do I have the itch for that new car smell?"

The bottom line is that almost any repair on an old Q can be done for the price of 12 month's depreciation on a comparable new car... not to mention the actual cost of paying for the new car. So fixing your Q is a wise choice financially - if you want to do it.

Everything you mentioned can be fixed fairly easily. Most of the parts are still available new...

Good luck deciding!

Heath