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Q45 Troubles
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Comments
My friend had a 90 Q45 for 18 months and never had a problem with it. I was reading him some of the problems last night over the phone and we began laughing uncontrollably because it just doesn't seem possible that these owners all experienced these major problems. At least they kept their sense of humor. However, it is very frustrating to pay big money for any product and not have it work right and then have to pay high repair bills.
I checked this site because I was considering a used Q45. It seems 95 might be the best year, before it was downsized and still had a lot of power. Someone pointed out that apparently the 96 model had less hp and /or torque.
It was so unfortunate, since it was a killer car, but that amount of trouble in 31000 miles is just ridiculous. So we traded it in with just 70,000 miles on it for $5000 - I couldn't afford to keep it and eat too. Being a sucker for punishment, we got a 2 yr old '96 Taurus SHO - and, amazingly, no problems whatsoever. 31,000 trouble free miles, and this car rocks - I love it. Suppose I shouldn't tempt fate.........
Jonty in Austin, TX
Have you been over to our Sedans conference yet? There are several topics underway discussing this vehicle, and they may have some very helpful information for you.
I suggest you use the Topic Search feature on the left side of the page for Q45 and check out the topics listed under Sedans.
The Smart Shopper conference is also a valuable resource for folks looking to purchase either a new or used vehicle - you might like to take a look at the topic list there to see what topics are underway that could be helpful to you.
Good luck, and again welcome.
Pat
Community Leader/Maintenance & Repair Conference
Thanks
I see you visited the Sedans conference. Did you ask this question there: Infiniti Q45 ?
Your host, Bruce
with 50,000 miles for $15500. I currently own an 89 Maxima that has been good except for a more than average number of repairs. Advice?
The Sedans conference is the best place to look for buying advice. Our conference here focuses on maintenance and repair issues for the vehicles our members have already purchased.
Good luck!
Pat
Community Leader/Maintenance & Repair Conference
Overall I am very satisfied with my car and it drives extremely well. However, I want to ask about three minor problems and one question I have on this car to see if any one else is experiencing the same problems on their new Q's. I have noticed a shimmy in the steering wheel at about 50-60mph and again at 80-85mph. I have had it back to the dealer now twice. Each time they have said one of the tires was not quite balanced. However, I still have the problem and noticed it when I bought the car. At that time I signed and still have a "Special Conditions of Sale" form that indicates that if I am not satisfied I can swap out for another Q45. However, I am sure if I want to swap out for another one that it will be a major hassle if it will be done at all. I now have about 1800 miles on the car
I also notice that at a certain speeds(40-50) I see and feel the gear shift handle moving forward and back slightly. I cannot feel anything in the driver's seat, but if I am in the passenger seat(which is not often) I feel a very very slight lurching or vibrating. It stops when the speed changes and the gearshift handle quits moving.
One other thing that I notice is that at about 40-45mph, if I am cruising along and take my foot off the gas, as one would if the car in front of you slowed down, the transmission does a very noticeable, somewhat of a bump, downshift. The dealer has said this is a downshift from overdrive, is nothing and occurs on all Qs.
Finally, I am 6'2", with long legs and have realized that I just cannot get back far enough to be comfortable in the seat. The car drove so great relative to what I was previously driving, I just didn't notice at the time I test drove it. Has anyone done anything to get the seat to go back further?
These problems may seem minor to many, but when I buy a car with a list price of $51,000, I expect perfection.
You cannot expect perfection in a car with rear drive and only 45% of its weight on its drive wheels. The first time you are on snow or ice you will hate yourself for choosing this model.
Other unrelated posts on Edmunds note short life of front brake rotors and oil leaks from the differential, as well as ignition cutoffs in rain.
I have a 95 Q soon due for its 60,000 miles service which, I understand, is going to be quite costly. Does anyone have any insight as to how much bargaining is possible, and what I should consider a good price? Thanks.
Alot of people will say it's a waste of money. My thoughts are that the Q45 is a great car but expensive to maintain. By trying to save a few bucks, all that will happen is that you'll get burned with expensive repairs in the end. I'm sure you won't see it as a waste.
I have also found out about the jerk of a down shift and the pulsating feeling I encounter at 50-60mph. They say it is the torque converter. I am wondering if I am the only one experiencing this problem. The symptoms are: Just over 40mph I feel the car shift into overdrive. If I take my foot off the gas, the car jerks. The other is that at 50-60mph if I just cruise, neither accelerating nor decelerating, the transmission and car itself seem to pulsate, not always, but enough to bother me. IS anyone else experiencing this?
As for the heat in the driver's side, I have not noticed it. However, I am in Florida and seldom have the AC turned off.
I finally found a Toyota/Nissan expert to service the car for me, for the total cost of $580, which also included a brake service and a front end alignment, which would have been extras at the dealerships also.
Anyway after I got it back the spitting and sputtering continued and I took it back. They then determined that the injectors were leaking and had to be replaced ($2K+). Well I was already $800 into it and said go ahead. When I got it back about a week later, I noticed a burning oil smell. I took it back thinking it must be something with the injectors--but no, it was the head gasket on both sides. They swore they did not touch these during the injector repair> Another $800 later I'm ready to get out of the car for almost anything. The Infinity dealer changed hands and that could be part of the problem, but I just don't get the good feeling I had with my first Q
Anyway after I got it back the spitting and sputtering continued and I took it back. They then determined that the injectors were leaking and had to be replaced ($2K+). Well I was already $800 into it and said go ahead. When I got it back about a week later, I noticed a burning oil smell. I took it back thinking it must be something with the injectors--but no, it was the head gasket on both sides. They swore they did not touch these during the injector repair> Another $800 later I'm ready to get out of the car for almost anything. The Infinity dealer changed hands and that could be part of the problem, but I just don't get the good feeling I had with my first Q
We repair about 2300 units [Lexus & Inf combined]annually at our unique dual independent shop.
http://clubs.yahoo.com/clubs/infinitiownersclub
10,000 posts on Q45 repairs and problems
Never buy an old expensive car without an expert checking everything even a Lexus and always expect at least $3,000 of rehab on any of them if the engine is perfect.
I drive a 90Q with 212,000 miles bought new in 1990.
My temp gauge is properly calibrated and it read okay.
And to those of you who bash the Q, i.e. Consequencer, "Buyer Beware". Purchasing ragged out junk from someone who did not take care of it from day one has nothing to do with the brand. There again, you can get a lemon in anything. I own a Lexus, albeit an SUV, and my Q and there's no question that Toyota would be gone before my Nissan.
The fan speed is controlled by an electronic module, fail safe is to run wide open...the fan speed module will need to be replaced ...behind glove box to the left of fan motor vertical quasi rectangular unit mounted in cooling unit.
I bought mine as an "off Lease" "Certified Pre-Owned" Infiniti 1998; its a 1995 sedan. It had 40K miles and all the service records so I felt like I was buying a properly maintained car. I have 114K miles on it now and I just replaced both the king pins due to a squeeking sound. $400 fixed the problem. I hope this is not like a government project that requires continuous injection of money to keep it running.
Please let me know if you are getting a funny noise from your trunk area after a long trip and you are sitting still listening to your car run. I'm getting a high pitch whine.
Thanks.
I hope this
Idle speed ,cruise speed, and WOT and 3 minute very cold warm up speed.
As fine dirt from dirty gasoline wears the 8 brushes the current increases as the pump slows down changing the intensity and pitch of the unit, a frying sound listening in the trunk is a sign of extreme stress caused by not changing the fuel filter every 20,000 miles. Don't delay changing the pump every 70k or so as waiting too long will leave you stranded and burn out the speed controller [another $500].
Whenever the pump is changed make sure the fuel level is 1/4 so you can see if dirt has accumulated inside tank, which must be removed or you will just trash a new pump quickly.
Owners should always keep a 1/4 tank minimum to cool the fuel and pump plus this disperses the dirt so it doesn't constantly assault the pump.
We get lots of 90-96Q flat bedded in with failed pumps because owners don't heed our warning hoping to squeeze a few more miles instead of spending $500 they end up with 2 days lost, a $100 tow bill and $1,000 in repairs. Two owners last year were so ignorant that they [to save money by towing the car in themselves] with rear wheels on the ground - blowing the transmission so they got a $4500 bill instead.
http://clubs.yahoo.com/clubs/infinitiownersclub
You can look at in different ways I suppose...it has been recommended by many that if the chain guides haven't been replaced (they haven't) that they should be. If not, they can break, leading to bent/broken valves, and a resultant multi-thousand dollar engine rebuild. That chain guide job costs about $1600. For less, I could buy the warranty and if the worst happens, the repair would be covered by the warranty. Same goes for any potential transmission problems (not that these early Q's have any transmission problems or anything...),injector problems and any other major system problems. Thoughts?
But seriously, you MUST read carefully about the "exclusions", as this is the REAL value of your policy. Not all warranty policies are the same, and they can vary considerably. Also, it would be good to know who the backer of the warranty really is, and if they are a well-rated company or if they operate out of a tent.
This of course depends upon how well the car was reconditioned for sale and previous maintenance standards. But age is the killer of rubber hoses and suspension components.....low mileage 10 year old cars are a concern because they may have only had fluid services once per year if owners mistakenly assumed they were in the abnormal Normal category [7500 mile oil changes].
Maybe you'll be lucky and many of the know issues were changed under warranty.
Sounds like an ideal situation, has another Q, loves both, but family demands, trips to lake, etc., necessitated the inevitable minivan or suv purchase.
Consumer Reports warns that the '92 are prone to brake & electrical problems & owner has addressed the brakes & some of the electrical issues.
Any specific response to the above as well as info in general is most appreciated as this is my first luxury car after years of conservative wagons, sedans. Fuel economy? Expensive maintenance, high theft likelihood? Anything that pops into your head.
Thanks,
curiousQ
Generally if the 90-93 chain guides have been replaced the next most expensive failure will be the tranny $3K-$4k for a rebuild, driveshaft replacement around 120k $1k, then the AC compressor/evaporator, then rubber hoses under plenum 70k-140k depending, then the rest of normal lux car accessories that fail..plus tires, shocks, brakes that wear faster due to weight and power.
Do not assume that an $6,000-$13,000 90-94 Q will be inexpensive to maintain just cost less than a BMW 740 to buy, insure, and maintain.
A bad buy [not having everything checked by an expert] could easily result in a maintenance and repair outlay over a few years exceeding the cost of the vehicle ......the highest 2 year cost on record was $11,000 worth of repairs and maintenance in a 90Q from 103,000 miles to 162,000 miles...this did not include an engine or transmission which had already been changed.....now the 94 and up models don't have nearly the expensive issues the earlier units did.