Q_SHIP wrote:Now thats a nice buy.

Yeah one nice thing about living in an extremely car image conscious area (Boston, MA suburbs, though right now I'm in school in VA) is that the values on the really high-end cars like the Q fall very quickly as new models are introduced. The flip side is that anything with a Lexus badge is disgustingly overpriced.

What would it cost me for a decent set of M45/Q45 18s to replace those hideous stock 16s?

Probably about 800-1000 for the wheels in perfect shape with new good tires.

elwesso wrote:Probably about 800-1000 for the wheels in perfect shape with new good tires.

Would I have rubbing issue with the stock F50 or Y34 tires? I know on the G20 the stock 1999-2002 15s with the stock tire have rubbing issues on the 1991-1996 models which came standard with 14s...lower profile tires are needed to fit them on the 91-96s.

There should be no problems with any rubbing at all.

The second one you posted is pretty sweet too. I really love the black on black.

NO i dont think you would.. Should be just fine.

Prices on these are coming down fast too http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/...dptop

I'm not looking to buy ASAP so I'm wondering how far the prices on these will fall in the next year.

If your not in a huge hurry, wait till July/August, nice used cars, especially ones from high-end manufacturers tend to be a bit more pricey in the spring. July/August is traditionally along with Christmas, the slowest time in the used car market. That's when prices bottom out and the quality of off-lease vehicles is higher. August/September is also when a lot of car manufacturers launch their next calendar year models. This aids in depreciation.

driverdriver wrote:If your not in a huge hurry, wait till July/August, nice used cars, especially ones from high-end manufacturers tend to be a bit more pricey in the spring. July/August is traditionally along with Christmas, the slowest time in the used car market. That's when prices bottom out and the quality of off-lease vehicles is higher. August/September is also when a lot of car manufacturers launch their next calendar year models. This aids in depreciation.

Yeah I'm definately not in a hurry. My G20 is in great shape so it's not like I NEED a new car.

driverdriver wrote:If your not in a huge hurry, wait till July/August, nice used cars, especially ones from high-end manufacturers tend to be a bit more pricey in the spring. July/August is traditionally along with Christmas, the slowest time in the used car market. That's when prices bottom out and the quality of off-lease vehicles is higher. August/September is also when a lot of car manufacturers launch their next calendar year models. This aids in depreciation.

correect

This is turning into an awesome thread!!

Faulk, I get a bonus in the late summer, I'm goign to setup a springs, shocks and install with you, that just sounds too good to be true. I have KYBs on my Z, Maxima and love them there too. I need that drop, drooolll.

I'll ping you 7-8 weeks before.

How hard of a job is it to replace the struts? And is this something any Nissan dealer could do or would I have to take it to Infiniti to have done?

I wouldnt even bring it to nissan. Any mechanic even at some of the smaller places should be able to do it.

Bad, sounds good, I'll be waiting to hear from you.

Yeah, any decent mechanic can do the struts. The rears are simple, but the fronts are a genuine PITA, however, they can still do them no problem, it's just time consuming on the front.

I know my guy in LA could do it, but do you need to remove the back seat or anything to do the rears. I'd rather go with someone that has done it before.

Where in LA are you?

Okay, now I've got an issue. It seems that a large car that would fit my needs very well (luxury featues, nav, reliable) would be a 2002-2004 Acura 3.5RL. I think the Y33 is a better car, but the FWD (RL) vs. RWD (Y33) is the only thing that has me even considering RLs. Help me put the RL out of my mind!

I have a few points that might make you not wanting the RL:

1. The RL's interior is nice, especially the center console, but exterior is bland. 2. Its curb weight is too heavy being a V6 FWD car (3920 lbs. vs Y33's 3890 lbs.) so I don't think gas milage would be better than an Y33. 3. 225 hp/231 lb-ft aren't enough for a 4000 lbs sedan. It is too weak, make the car really slow. Y33's V8 is barely adequate. 4. One more thing about the RL's 3.5L engine: it is outdated. It is the only Honda's engine without VTEC. How's that for a flagship car? Even the 2002 Odyssey's 3.2L has 240 hp.

Have you driven an RL? I am not a Honda basher but that is a dog, I would get a TL type S before I'd get the RL. It is so underpowered and lackluster. While the Y33 is not the fastest car i have ever driven, you get it going in a straight line and it moves and it is clearly a V8, the RL is a DOG. If you really want front wheel drive, go with the I30 or TL Type S.

The RL is way out of its league. Its like Danny Devito trying to compete with Nancy Kerrigan in figure skating. And in its league, its beaten by its own sibling, the TL. Its also beaten by the now-discontinued Cadillac Seville.
Modified by Jesda at 10:53 AM 5/1/2005

The TL Type-S is outclassed by the I35 IMO, especially considering the TL's high transmission failure rate.

I worked for an Acura dealer one summer so I drove RLs a lot and it didn't feel that bad, especially once it got up to speed, but then again the Y34 M45 and BMW 740i both blow it away. I'll probably go out and drive a Y33 and an RL back to back when I get the chance so I have a good comparison.

On another Far Away forum, there are about 5 previous new RL owners who have ditched them for Y50. Not a direct answer, but an indicator.

maxnix wrote:On another Far Away forum, there are about 5 previous new RL owners who have ditched them for Y50. Not a direct answer, but an indicator.

Yeah I really don't like the new RL either. A Y50 would be awesome but is a little out of my price range...I'm still hoping for a Y34.

MattB wrote:Okay, now I've got an issue. It seems that a large car that would fit my needs very well (luxury featues, nav, reliable) would be a 2002-2004 Acura 3.5RL. I think the Y33 is a better car, but the FWD (RL) vs. RWD (Y33) is the only thing that has me even considering RLs. Help me put the RL out of my mind!

My sister-in-law has an '03 RL

-Interior wise in my opinion its nicer than the Y33. Its got real wood on the steering wheel.-Its a dog in off the line accleration, but when hits its i powerband its pretty good. It has a V6 which is economical for everyday driving. It doesn't require premium gas, regular is recommended in the manual.-Because its front wheel drive there is understeer and body roll especially when pushed hard.-Its much better than my RWD J with snow tires in snow.

I know most of us are biased towards Infiniti. Take one out for a test drive and see if you like it. It's your car buying decision.

MattB wrote:
Yeah I really don't like the new RL either. A Y50 would be awesome but is a little out of my price range...I'm still hoping for a Y34.

The dealer where I bought my M has another one for 22,998. Mileage is a little high (51k and it doesn't have as many options, but for that price it is hard to beat).

st3 wrote:
The dealer where I bought my M has another one for 22,998. Mileage is a little high (51k and it doesn't have as many options, but for that price it is hard to beat).

That's a really good price...if I can find an '03 Y34 with decent options and below 60K on the clock by the end of next summer I'll buy it. There is no question that my #1 choice is a Y34.

The other thing I've noticed is that the RL forums aren't nearly as active as NICO or G20.net or any other Infiniti boards I'm on.

MattB wrote:
That's a really good price...if I can find an '03 Y34 with decent options and below 60K on the clock by the end of next summer I'll buy it. There is no question that my #1 choice is a Y34.

The other thing I've noticed is that the RL forums aren't nearly as active as NICO or G20.net or any other Infiniti boards I'm on.

Nice, we need some more Y34 owners on here

st3 wrote:
Nice, we need some more Y34 owners on here

Hopefully I'll be one soon...I loved that car on first sight.

BadQ45t wrote:I know my guy in LA could do it, but do you need to remove the back seat or anything to do the rears. I'd rather go with someone that has done it before.

Where in LA are you?

Im in the South Bay, you? My guy in L.A. (Rosecrans near 405, LAX area) is also very good, I've worked with him, he's worked on Nissan racing 300z's from the early 90's (Stillen endurance cars) and been my mechanic for about 5 years now, also refered to another Nico member who was very pleased. You don't take out the rear seat, you get to it through the trunk. The only thing you take out is the carpet wall in the trunk.

Another argument for Y33 over Acura RL: timing chain (Y33) vs. timing belt (RL). I know I'd much rather have the chain.

I know this thread got buried a bit, 305 at Rosecrans is cool. My guy Z Expert is on Venice. He rocks for my Z and Maxima service and he's learning to work on Infiniti's as we speak...I figure this fall sometime I have the money to get shocks, springs and installs for both of them. I'll ping you than Faulk!