[slybydesign]

Ok, heres the scoop. I was looking for a second pleasure car. Something as big or bigger then my E320. I was looking for a couple of months so I wasn't rushing. I had my eyes set on a couple of W140's but the prices where still too high for me and the ones that fell in my price range needed repairs.

So I went to a dealer ship and they had a 1994 Infinity Q45 sitting on their lot. Pearl White, Trunk Spoiler, Heated seats, Sunroof, Original Chrome Infinity Rims (Which was the first time I've ever seen them on a Q), the interior looked like it was hardly ever sat in (which was a plus). The leather was about 95% perfect which is an extremely hard find. The Bose sound system was cleaner and clearer then the one in the E-Class and it came with a 10 Disc changer mounted in the trunk. It has the EQ controls by the ash tray. The only flaw was some paint chips on the bumper, which is nothing. I looked this car over up and down, especially checking for rust, no rust what so ever, no paint over spray, no body damage and has a clean California title. It also has Hydrolic air suspension, and puts out over 278 Hp. It had all the original floor mats in a pristine condition and all the records. He is changing all the belts today. I gave him a deposit, and once the belts are changed I will be able to really see what she can do. I have done allot of research on the 1994 Q45 which seems to be a very good year for this car as far as repairs go. And as far as cost of repairs, well, we own E320's so you feel me. As far as the engine goes, I have checked other Q45's and the one thing I didn't like in other Q's was how much vibration came from the engine on start up, especially the 1997-2000 models I've looked at. But this thing started right up and idled smooth with very little noise almost non noticeable vibration. I didn't test drive her because of the belts needing changing, and the dealership had them right there and will have them changed today.

I will let ya'll know if I end up buying it or not.

 

[E-Class Owner]

What is...

the dealer asking for this thing of beauty and joy forever?

A few years ago a I was at an auto auction and a couple of these were up for bid; the auctioneer was literally begging for bids, and these cars went really cheap.

Comparable Lexus and Acura cars were going for significantly more money. There has to be a reason....

Good luck in your choice.

JR

 

[slybydesign]

Its very easy, these cars (Infinity Q45's) where marketed extremely poor but built to compete with Lexus LS400, BMW 7, and Mercedes S. It was Nissan's entry in 1989 to the American Luxury market. The commercials they used heart them and the initial design, 1989/90-93 hurt their sales. They introduced the 1994-96 models as an aggressive way of competing and spent time building a competitive option to the other full size luxury cars. In the end their initial campaign and flawed timing chain, and transmission cooling system hurt the name. By 1994 these items where addressed. MSRP at the time was $45,000 to $50,000 depending on what model you got. At the end the early Q45's fell to bad advertising. They actually got really great reviews for the 1994 model year. The Q45 in America and produced in Japan as the "President" and was/is Japans highest domestic (to them) vehicle produced, reserved for highest politicians, diplomats and executives.

The other reason these things are so cheap, is because of maintance cost are to high to justify the cost of operations, but on the other hand if kept up you will have a car that can go well beyond 250,000 miles. It is the basterd child of Luxury Vehicles. I have read the reviews of people who own them, and they all scratch their heads in terms of resale value. Right now you can pic up a Q45 for a couple of grand easy.

Thats why Nissan stop shipping them to America under the Q45/G50 name. Because the marketing stigma left with Q45 by name. The replacement is the M45. Even still it is very hard for Nissan to gain their holdings on the Luxury car market with Mercedes, BMW and Lexus holding the kings thrown.

Nissan is doing good with their sports coupes - G Series. If I buy this car, it will be the first Asian car I will own. I love my E320, so we'll see. Its still not set in stone, but I am 98% sure I will buy this particular one do to the condition its in. Also something I forgot to mention is that the gas millage for the Q45 is terrible. Thats why I am basically going to drive it on the weekends and certain week days.

I guess to own a Q45 would be a personal preference and not a status preference.

 

[E-Class Owner]

Yep...

the ones that finally sold at auction were in the $2-3,000 range and that was a four or five years ago. There were basically no takers.

I am familiar with the "President," and the "Skyline" and the "Cedric", etc. having worked for a Japanese company for a good number of years and having spent some time in Japan.

Nissan had made more than its share of strategic errors since importation began back in the 1960s; that is why they dropped from "ruling the roost" 1970s to almost an "also ran" status in the 1990s.

I won't say that it is a bad product, and if the price is right, why not? One thing to remember though, you will also be paying "President" prices for your replacement parts as well...

Good luck,

JR

 

[slybydesign]

the ones that finally sold at auction were in the $2-3,000 range and that was a four or five years ago. There were basically no takers.

I am familiar with the "President," and the "Skyline" and the "Cedric", etc. having worked for a Japanese company for a good number of years and having spent some time in Japan.

Nissan had made more than its share of strategic errors since importation began back in the 1960s; that is why they dropped from "ruling the roost" 1970s to almost an "also ran" status in the 1990s.

I won't say that it is a bad product, and if the price is right, why not? One thing to remember though, you will also be paying "President" prices for your replacement parts as well...

Good luck,

JR

Thank you E-Owner, so its nice to know you have a history with Nissan products.

 

[acarter53]

Sly,

I owned the younger brother of the Q. I had a 1995 J30t. It was my first Luxury car. The car was great! It was pearl white on tan leather with the gold package and spoiler. It was one of the best cars that i have ever owned. This car was the reason that I now have the E430. I would purchase it if the price is right. I also got it fairly cheap because of the poor job Infiniti did with advertising. The cars were beat out by Lexus and Acura pretty badly.

 

[Musikmann]

Good Luck and please keep us posted. When you get a chance, how about some pics?

 

[slybydesign]

Sly,

I owned the younger brother of the Q. I had a 1995 J30t. It was my first Luxury car. The car was great! It was pearl white on tan leather with the gold package and spoiler. It was one of the best cars that i have ever owned. This car was the reason that I now have the E430. I would purchase it if the price is right. I also got it fairly cheap because of the poor job Infiniti did with advertising. The cars were beat out by Lexus and Acura pretty badly.

Thanks for your input Acarter. Your testimony seems to be what most Infinity owners have to say. I am exciting, but thoughtful, because at the end of the day its a used car which will need attention for me to feel confy driving more than just weekends. I know things like, fluids, brakes, tires, hoses, belts (being changed) filters, brake rotors, will all need attention before the summer kicks in. Plus I will go to the Infinity dealership to have the tranny serviced, and have an oil chance. Then my plan is to have the O2 Sensor, Spark plugs, and Alternator looked at. These seem to be the most common things to go on a used car. These are the things that went on my E-Class when I first got it, so I expect the same with the Q45.

 

[slybydesign]

Good Luck and please keep us posted. When you get a chance, how about some pics?

Will do, if I actually buy I will do a crazy monster detailing this Saturday then I will post pics, but I still have to test drive her and feel out the tranny and suspension, but who knows. Its funny, because the dealer didn't have a price tag on her, he told me he was holding it for his son, and was going to put his son's SUV on the lot. The story on how I even ended up at this dealer ship is funny, but thats another story for later.:thumbsup:

 

[yumling]

Make sure timing belt is changed. Read about failing T belt guides. These are interference engines so when belt fails that is the end of the engine

 

[slybydesign]

Make sure timing belt is changed. Read about failing T belt guides. These are interference engines so when belt fails that is the end of the engine

Thank you Yumling, actually I feel kinda lucky, because the timing chain guild issue was with the 1990 through 1993 models, along with the over heating transmission. Both of these issues where addressed in 1994 with a new metal timing chain bracket and a second cooler unit and external transmission filter in the transmission.

Its funny because I read as much as I could and triple checked what may else go wrong especially high millage. I feel comfortable with the car and the cost of up keep. Seeing as I am buying out right and will only drive for pleasure for about a year. When I am done financing my E320 I will trade both in or sell both for something nicer in 2010.

 

[slybydesign]

OK, so I purchased the 1994 Q45T last night. One of the first things I did was changed all the belts and tensioner. And wow, the belts where about to go, so I am happy I did it.

Here is how I feel about it.

Its a big car that drives as a big car. Squeaking coming from the dash. I plan on doing several important things to it in the next couple of months, like spark plugs, MAF change, tranny flush, oil change. The tires are new, belts new, brakes real good.

The drive is amazing, smooth and yet very very powerful.

In comparison to the E320. I would have to say, you can tell your driving a 1994 luxury car, verses the Mercedes which almost felt like your driving something of todays standards. Side by side, the E320 would be, in my opinion, a slightly better car only because of the handling. The Q45t is too smooth, steering is almost like a Lexus, but the E320 steers like a sports car. In the Q45T the sway on turns is noticeable. The E320 had little to no sway. The bells and whistles in the Q45T are much greater then the E320.

All and all I really like the Q45T, from certain views it looks like an American car, which is how they wanted the design to do. In terms of car design, I like the look of the 1994 Q45T better then my 1998 E320, but I like the way the E320 drives way better. The Q's engine idles smooth and quite, the E320 is a bit louder. The Q on the other hand picks up allot of road noise on certain pavements.


Sound. They both have a Bose system in it, but the Q45T has a really awesome EQ control which allows you to better control the sounds. After careful listening, I would say the E320 has a better built speakers, but there is a 5 year gap in Bose speaker designs. Maybe with some research I can find the defference in the two types of speaker set ups. But don't get me wrong, the Q45T Bose system is louder then the E320's, and is very clear, and would have been superior for 1994. The E320's Bose system isn't as loud but for some reason comes in all directions. Where as on the Q it has more bass noticeably coming from the back. The E sounded to me more surround soundish.
I am happy I have both to be honest. My E320 needs quite a bit of work, but I will keep both as long as I can afford it.

 

[eric242340]

Be very careful with the transmission as the forward clutches tend to burn and the worst part is; Its almost impossible to buy the parts, even japan said we dont have those parts in stock, which is a good indicator that this is a common failure on their transmissions. Otherwise its a nice drive:thumbsup:

 

[Quadcammer]

did you just say an E320 corners without any sway?

Sorry, but my 430 rolls like a boat in turns, and thats entirely expected given its a luxury car.

 

[acarter53]

did you just say an E320 corners without any sway?

Sorry, but my 430 rolls like a boat in turns, and thats entirely expected given its a luxury car.

+1 I came out of a BMW 740il and into my E430 and at first i thought the springs were worn out when i first drove it. But, I'm use to her now.

 

[e430wy]

i had a black on black 1990 Q45 in the late 1990s. i bought it with 100,000 miles on it for under $10,000. Drove like a champ. those cars were a steal back then due to the high rate of depreciation. i liked the 1994s even better with the grill. i still turn my head when i see one.

 

[slybydesign]

Thanks for the advice guys. I guess the E320 has sway but nothing close to the Q45T. When driving the Q45 you know you are driving a Big Car. I am 100% confused on why its called a Mid_Size Sedan, there is nothing mid size about this car. Its a extreme pleasure to drive. The interior cabin is very well designed. Viewing from every angle is easy. Road noise on certain pavements are noticeable, but its has been like that for most cars I've owned.


Little things I did so far, was to get a brand new pully tensioner, and two of the three belts changed. It stalled on me 6 times at high temps and was pushing around 1500 RPM's in stop and go traffic. So I took the entire MAF apart and cleaned the shit out of it. Now it idles below 1000 RPM's and has a noticeable increase in power.

Heres the thing about this car that I like allot. You really don't see them on the road that much if at all. When you buy a car, most of the time you start picking your car out like crazy, I have yet to see another 1994 Q45T in any color on the road. I took the Q45T badges off and clay bard the sh*t out of the car and the Pearl White Shines like a gem. A female friend said she had never seen a Pearl White car, that actually looked Pearl. The funny thing I had to very expensive cars pull up next to me on the highway so far.The design of the 1994 Q45T is almost timeless, but I will say this, you do know your driving a mid-90's car. All in all the looks are great and you have to be into Q45's to appreciate it.

Its a used car thats needs some attention and for the price I paid, another $2000 wouldn't be a bad investment. About 90% of the electronics work, such as heated seats. Some don't which is expected of this year. I will do all regular maintenance to the car before any minor upgrades.

Towards the end of this year, I will go to a dealer and see about possibly financing a new car seeing as paying on my Mercedes has put me in a good position. I figure if I had both cars to trade in I might not have to put any money down. I may keep the Q45T as a secondary fun car.

Oh, its shit on gas...LOL...thats why it will remain a fun weekend vehicle and not my main source of transportation.

 

[jimmypop]

Make sure timing belt is changed. Read about failing T belt guides. These are interference engines so when belt fails that is the end of the engine

thats 89 - 93--- 94 and up have the metal backed guides

check out nicoclub.com
i am jamesmost there i have a 95Q all modded up:
95Q w/TCS-Tokico blues w/Eibachs, 20mm rear sway bar, NICO switcher ecu,JWT tcu, K&N open CAI, solid urathane sub frame & sway bar bushings, Stillen upper control arms rear, SPL's front, Stillen strut tower brace, BBS-RK rims - 245/45/WR17 95W - Pirelli PZero Nero M&S, Stillen adjustable tension rods, all urathane bushings, Hella HID headlights & driving lights, t-spoiler, Stillen 2.5" cat back exhaust (removed the 2 cans under the car, lower cats & gutted uppers), B&M trans cooler, SS braided brake lines, Power Slots w/Hawk HPS pads. 91 transmission w/performance rebuild, 2,800 stall Billet Dragon torque convertor, additional clutches, cranked up pressure solenoid, crosshatched clutches & shift kit. Powertrain industries driveshaft. Timing advance to 17. JDM motor installed w/45k miles. Body freshly painted,JDM clear lenses,all rear plastic smoked out w/35% film, windows tinted, GTR32 rear 4.08 gear synthetic fluids

 

[slybydesign]

thats 89 - 93--- 94 and up have the metal backed guides

check out nicoclub.com
i am jamesmost there i have a 95Q all modded up:
95Q w/TCS-Tokico blues w/Eibachs, 20mm rear sway bar, NICO switcher ecu,JWT tcu, K&N open CAI, solid urathane sub frame & sway bar bushings, Stillen upper control arms rear, SPL's front, Stillen strut tower brace, BBS-RK rims - 245/45/WR17 95W - Pirelli PZero Nero M&S, Stillen adjustable tension rods, all urathane bushings, Hella HID headlights & driving lights, t-spoiler, Stillen 2.5" cat back exhaust (removed the 2 cans under the car, lower cats & gutted uppers), B&M trans cooler, SS braided brake lines, Power Slots w/Hawk HPS pads. 91 transmission w/performance rebuild, 2,800 stall Billet Dragon torque convertor, additional clutches, cranked up pressure solenoid, crosshatched clutches & shift kit. Powertrain industries driveshaft. Timing advance to 17. JDM motor installed w/45k miles. Body freshly painted,JDM clear lenses,all rear plastic smoked out w/35% film, windows tinted, GTR32 rear 4.08 gear synthetic fluids

9999999999999% Of what I just read I didn't under stand....LOLOLOLOLOL:surrender:. But I bet that sh*t is hot. I don't drive my Q much, but man, its a real joy to drive and cruise, and the Q45T moves fast for a bug car. I merge easy some times to fast. I won't mod at all just fix the little things. I do wish my E-Class was running, because I would be driving it as my daily driver. The gas millage on the Q45T doesn't suck, it gulps...LOLOLOL

Jimmy, it sounds like you have your souped up hard, oh I'm originally from East New York Brooklyn, nice to see another New Yorker up here.

 

[oneforall]

did you just say an E320 corners without any sway?

Sorry, but my 430 rolls like a boat in turns, and thats entirely expected given its a luxury car.

+1 on what you said, I have been driving BMWs for the past 10 years( first 325i, then 525I and 525it) before I bought my E320 wagon, the E320 wagon sway a lot more than my old BMW 525IT in cornering. Compare to the 525i or 325i, forget about it. The E320 wagon felt like a big boat compared to the BMWs.