Y33 or F50 which would you choose?

[xiaphin]

Like the title says which one would you choose and why. Looking at both right now and wanted some input from both sides. Have read the FAQ sections already. Fell in love with both when I was in Japan years back.

[Skibane]

Obviously, I'm biased - But I much prefer the Y33's styling. In comparison, the F50 looks rather conventional - not a look that says "luxury car", IMO.



Even the F50's engine compartment got the bland treatment...



Also, while all Y33 models years were pretty trouble-free, the first year of so of F50's had some significant bugs, including an oil consumption problem.

On the negative size, the Y33 isn't as powerful, and lacks some of the modern electronics. Also, with the last Y33 having rolled off the assembly line some 10 years ago, it's now harder to find a used specimen in really clean condition.

[mcrews]

get a 2006 F50

[xiaphin]

get a 2006 F50

Knew you would chime in on this seeing how you've got almost 300k miles on your 02'. Assuming you say 06' F50 due to t being more reliable and less "buggy" than the 02'. Care to elaborate?

The years I'm looking at are a 98' and a 02' so an 06' is out of my price range. Drove the 02' yesterday. Really smooth ride, steering felt great, no engine or transmission hesitation, no vibration in rear from wheel bearings. Had electronic suspension dampening and VDC which owner said he didnt even know about. Tailights look like they had been replaced, at least one of them. Drivers side had yellow halo, while passenger had clear (the circular housing in the pic at the bottom.) Found this post here 2002-q45-tail-lights-amber-yellow-clear ... 05746.html which explains it, found after posting originally. Owner said it consumed a half quart every 3000 miles which from what I've read is normal for this car. Headlamps were really yellow from UV. Any place to find a VIN decoder for the Q45's?

Looking at the Y33 this Friday which has 20k miles less on it. Anything I should look for in particular besides what has been stated in the FAQ section?

[djwarner]

Gee, I knew if I hung around here long enough I would be able to pass on links that I originally got here....This is My VIN decoded:

http://www.decodethis.com/Default.aspx? ... A72M005186

My '02 uses 1/2 to 1 quart every 3,000 miles. I've found that my car uses less oil with Mobil 0W-40 and it works just as well as 5W-30 recommended.

[maxnix]

Y33 Cedrics and Glorias are JDM only.

What the Us got as the 1997-2001 Q45 is a variation of the FGY33 Cima.

What the FGY33 has is the mostly bullet proof VH41DE and the heavier duty RE04 transmission along with VLSD.

What the F50 has the RE05 and the VK45DE and not LSD along with a lot of whiz bang electronics. Avoid the 2002 unless it has been fully updated.

The G50 rules them both.

[Q451990]

Now this is an interesting discussion!

I think it depends on what you're looking for in terms of relibility vs. styling and gadgets.

I personally prefer the styling and gadgets of the F50, and if money for repairs isn't an big concern, I would go for it. I'm not saying the F50 is a clunker or needs a net behind it to catch falling parts - but we have seen more pricey failures with it - like instrument cluster backlighting failures, as well as engine issues. If you can find one with a good maintenence history I think it's as safe of a bet as any luxo-sport car of that era.

Have you considered the early M45? It's very much a cross between the two...

Heath

[xiaphin]

Thanks for the VIN decode djwarner

Looked up the 02' and it said its a base model. Did the base model come with VDC and the Electronic Suspension? Thought that was Sport Model only.

Avoid the 2002 unless it has been fully updated.

Thanks for the info. Fully updated meaning exactly what? Car hasnt been serviced at a dealer for duration of 4th owner but at an Infiniti only shop. Asked about TSB's and recalls but he had no records of any kind.

I think it depends on what you're looking for in terms of relibility vs. styling and gadgets.

Have you considered the early M45? It's very much a cross between the two...

Heath

Car will be a DD so it needs to be reliable but gadgets are a plus, though expensive to fix. If anything does go bad/break I will be fixing it so this is important. Considered the M45 but its out of my price range at the moment. The F50 had a low price so I had to check it out. Its got 140k on the clock and priced way below what I've seen on the net. Half those miles are all highway.

[BadQ45t]

I would try to at least get a 03' or 04' if you cannot find and/or afford a 06'. For a DD a G50 is out of the question, there are just zero out there IMHO that can be made into a dailiy driver as a 2nd-3rd-4th hand car. While they were and are great cars for their day, there time as a DD are over.

I would agree with the suggestion for the M45, personally I love that car for the money right now. Take a drive in a 06' M45, there are lots more of them out there than Q's as well.

[mcrews]

the 06 just because it is completely loaded and a great value. It will last a long time.

note: only at 240,000

the updated refrerence has to do with the hesitation issue. ud notice if it wasnt done. see posts by jason burtman back in 04-05

[Rex]

What the FGY33 has is the mostly bullet proof VH41DE and the heavier duty RE04 transmission along with VLSD.

What the F50 has the RE05 and the VK45DE and not LSD along with a lot of whiz bang electronics. Avoid the 2002 unless it has been fully updated.

The G50 rules them both.

That sums it up right there.

[xiaphin]

What the FGY33 has is the mostly bullet proof VH41DE and the heavier duty RE04 transmission along with VLSD.

What the F50 has the RE05 and the VK45DE and not LSD along with a lot of whiz bang electronics. Avoid the 2002 unless it has been fully updated.

The G50 rules them both.

That sums it up right there.

Never really been a fan of the G50 in the US although I do like the President.

the 06 just because it is completely loaded and a great value. It will last a long time.

note: only at 240,000

the updated refrerence has to do with the hesitation issue. ud notice if it wasnt done. see posts by jason burtman back in 04-05

Thought your post about water pump and Texas said 280,000 miles, I misread it. But 240k is still a nice amount of miles. What does the VIN decoder say your 02' is? This 02' came up as base but it has the electronic suspension, mossy woodgrain interior, back window and rear glass automatic privacy shades, and the 18" wheels. So its got to be a sport, right?

Didnt notice any hesitation so that must have been fixed with previous owner. Current owner didnt know when transmission filter and oil had been changed. Same goes with the Diff fluid so my guess is never. Did not check the headlights, forgot, nor did i check the gauge illumination but the head unit functioned just fine.

I would try to at least get a 03' or 04' if you cannot find and/or afford a 06'.

I would agree with the suggestion for the M45, personally I love that car for the money right now. Take a drive in a 06' M45, there are lots more of them out there than Q's as well.

Cant find a 03'-04' in my price range. Love the M45 but cant afford it right now maybe later. Let yall know what I think about the FGY33 on Friday.

[djwarner]

The fixes for hestiation and/or downshifting was to replace the accelerator pedal and update a black box. Mine was never updated because it was an early production run and the black box had to be replaced rather than updated.

To be honest, I've never really had a complaint with the way the original version drove. I think whether you had a complaint had more to do with how you held your foot on the accelerator pedal. If you pushed the top of the pedal, a spring would get compressed before the pedal shaft moved. If you pushed down near the center or bottom of the pedal, things worked just fine.

I'm not into performance driving other than an occasional peel out from a stoplight, so the downshifting never really bothered me either.

If you're looking for a boulevard ride, I would shy away from the '02.

[mcrews]

OK,
rAN THE 'DECODER' AND IT CAME up as a 'base w/ 17 rims'.
So the decoder is not quite accurate.
I also have the 'mose wood', 18 x 7.5 rims, electronic suspension w/ switch on dash.

Burtman had posted about the rear tail lightbulbs several yrs ago.

Dj, funny that you dont think of it as a "blvd ride". I kinda do. Like you I drive easy. When I have had loaners like the M35/45, I was surprised at the difference in the transmissions compared to the Q. THe Q seemed much 'softer'. Of course since they both have the ecm that 'learns' how you drive, the loaners were probably driven hard.
In practical terms, I think of the Q45 as a luxury/Sport Car and the M45 as a Sport/Luxury car. They both are well appointed but the M45 ride seems tighter. I acually liked getting back into the Q after a day in the M45.

The G's were COMPLETEY a sport type of ride. Kind of a low level buzz alday from the higher rpms and tighter ratios and tighter suspension

[xiaphin]

Figured that VIN decoder would be off a little bit since Nissan/Infiniti seemed to mix and match options/packages alot. Feel like the M45 would have a stiffer ride and more be more sporty than a Q. Saw Burtmans post on the tailights, weird.

If you're looking for a boulevard ride, I would shy away from the '02.

By boulevard ride do you mean luxury sedan cruiser? If so the F50 falls into that category for me. Its larger, has more gadgets and amenities. Gives off more of an upperclass/high paid business man feel more so than the Y33.

Whichever one I decide to buy will go VIP after a year or two.

Any last words of advice before I check out the FGY33 tomorrow?

[Rex]

If your long-er term goals is to "make it your own" and work on it yourself, I think the "33" is going to be better 3-5 years from now, as there's just more availability. Not to mention it's VIP-ability ... if that's a word.

Heck, you don't have to do nearly as much to have this great look

[djwarner]

Sorry guys. Typo should have said..."If your are looking for a boulevard ride, I WOULDN'T shy away from the '02."

My wife's G25 has a seven speed transmission with a normal and sport mode. Drives like two different cars depending on which mode you choose.

[xiaphin]

If your long-er term goals is to "make it your own" and work on it yourself, I think the "33" is going to be better 3-5 years from now, as there's just more availability. Not to mention it's VIP-ability ... if that's a word.

I like cars that can be worked on by someone who isnt a factory trained professional, the direction that newer cars seem to be going nowadays with all their gadgetry. Think you might have coined a new word VIP-ability!!!

This is the "33" that I saw in a little country town where my girlfriend, at the time, was from. Made me want one.
Not fully VIP but does have a Junction Produce kit, I think, on it.

[xiaphin]

So just looked at the FGY33 earlier. Has maintenance history up until 98k miles. Trans fluid change at 55k. Car drove more sporty than the F50, stiffer, the steering was alot heavier. Felt small inside as well. Transmission shifted smoothly while driving but when engaging reverse and drive it "squatted/hunkered down" more so than I would like. Couldnt tell I changed from P to R or D in the F50.

Chagning the trans fluid and filter help the shifting engagement?

Still cant make up my mind between the two. Price difference is only $500. Leaner more towards the F50 at the moment eventhough if something breaks its gonna cost more.

EDIT:
Ran the CARFAX on the F50 and it shows up as a Fleet vehicle. Read that this could mean couple things. Sold at auction - which it was after first owner (bank took back maybe?), a rental, or company owned vehicle

Odometer rollback in 2009? WTF is that about. Accident report in 3/29/2011 rear end damage - that would explain the difference in tail lights. Explains the low price. Gonna have to eliminate this one I do believe.

[NightRiderQ45]

FGY33 without a doubt. My car had 256k and was easily going to get to 300k. I was in love with my car until the tornado totaled it. Was actually the best thing that happened. I purchased the Lexus GS300 and been in love with it ever since.

[djwarner]

Autotrader lists 133 F50s currently for sale.

I wouldn't look twice at a car with mileage rollback either, but there are more available out there.

[mcrews]

So just looked at the FGY33 earlier. Has maintenance history up until 98k miles. Trans fluid change at 55k. Car drove more sporty than the F50,
EDIT:
Ran the CARFAX on the F50 and it shows up as a Fleet vehicle. Read that this could mean couple things. Sold at auction - which it was after first owner (bank took back maybe?), a rental, or company owned vehicle

Odometer rollback in 2009? WTF is that about. Accident report in 3/29/2011 rear end damage - that would explain the difference in tail lights. Explains the low price. Gonna have to eliminate this one I do believe.

The first owner could have traded it in. THe dealership didn't want it as a used car so the sent it to the auction. Back in 05 when I bought my 02 for $23k, the first owner was having his son run it thru the Oakland Auction ( son had a dealer lic)
i bought it from the dad since the title was still in dad's name.

[pearlyq]

I bought my 02 a month ago and I love the styling and interior. But it does cost quite a bit to do almost anything to it. I've never owned a vehicle that rides as good as this does. Don't get me wrong I like the y33 body style too. I just wanted a car that looked just as good as a 2010 model without the price.

[maxnix]

FGY33, F50 and Y34 have basically the same suspension design.

[xiaphin]

Drove a Y34 yesterday and IMO it falls in between the FGY33 and the F50 on ride smoothness. Y34 had lighter steering than the FGY33 but no where near as light and smooth as the F50. Do believe a 04' F50 is calling my name, it has more of a luxury feel than the other two. Didnt go with either of the 2 cars I was looking at previously.

[mcrews]

FGY33, F50 and Y34 have basically the same suspension design.

yeah, and they are all just clones of the maxima......

THe value of your comment is??????????????



oh, I know, the poster shouldn't go drive them and compare them because they are all the same.........and that any 'precieved difference is just in his head.

[xiaphin]

FGY33, F50 and Y34 have basically the same suspension design.

yeah, and they are all just clones of the maxima......

Geez how many cars you guys want me to test drive?!?! hahaah

[maxnix]

FGY33, F50 and Y34 have basically the same suspension design.

yeah, and they are all just clones of the maxima......

THe value of your comment is??????????????

oh, I know, the poster shouldn't go drive them and compare them because they are all the same.........and that any 'precieved difference is just in his head.

There are these books that have been around a view centuries called dictionaries. Find one and look up the words "similar" and "alike." Have someone read the definitions to you if the words are to difficult to pronounce or you become frightened or confused.

There, is little Binky less scared now?

[maxnix]

Looked up the 02' and it said its a base model. Did the base model come with VDC and the Electronic Suspension? Thought that was Sport Model only.

Avoid the 2002 unless it has been fully updated.

Thanks for the info. Fully updated meaning exactly what? Car hasnt been serviced at a dealer for duration of 4th owner but at an Infiniti only shop. Asked about TSB's and recalls but he had no records of any kind.

The base model did come with 17" wheels the first few years.

The 2002 need a TSB specified throttle update. This costs about $1,200 if not done under warranty.

[thehacker3]

I have both a 1997 and a 2005.

Let me just go ahead and say that the 2005 is better in every single way. And at this age, the Y33 will end up costing more than its worth in repairs within a few years.

I haven't had any serious (>$100) issues with the 2005 during my ownership.