I’ve got a Q45. Actually, more correctly, I’ve owned four Q45s. My first was a 1993, the first generation, with 278 horsepower. It was the luxury car that defined sport and it was unique and a class leader. My next was a 1997. I enjoyed it, although it was less edgy and didn’t seem as fast. But then came my real love… the 2002. The last generation of Q45, and definitely the finest. My current Q, a 2004 model, is from the same generation and with just a couple of extra features not previously available on the ’02.
My other car is an NSX, so it should make sense that even when I choose a big, old-man, luxury vehicle it’s gonna still be a tech-laden hot rod. And that is exactly what the Q45 is. Although they currently aren’t producing the Q45, the rumor is that they are developing the next generation currently. Meanwhile, you can pick up fantastic deals on low mileage used models – if you can find an owner willing to give theirs up!
Why? Well, because the third generation models come with more features than any other car on the planet! Here is a sampling of the stuff I’ve got in my 2004 model:
Features
340 Horsepower, 0-60MPH in 5.9 seconds!- Voice controlled climate, audio, navigation systems
- Heated and cooled front seats
- Heated, reclining rear seats
- Powered rear window shade plus manual rear door shades
- Powered remote opening/closing rear trunk lid
- Rear view backup camera system
- Rear armrest control over audio and climate systems
- World’s most powerful, Gatling gun headlights
- Laser guided cruise control system
- Active suspension with sport mode
- Tire pressure monitor system
Commercials
Here are all of 2002-2006 Infiniti Q45 commercials I could find. This first one is “The Speed Effect”:
The Speed Effect commercial is quite fitting considering that the 35A V8 in the Infiniti INDY CAR shares features with the 340-hp V8 engine used in the Q45 luxury sport sedan. Both engines have the same 93mm cylinder bores and 112mm bore spacing. Other similarities include: titanium valves, dual overhead camshafts with four valves per cylinder, sequential multiport fuel injection and an aluminum block with molybdenum-coated pistons.
This next one was a fantastic commercial advertising the rear view monitor:
And this one was great for the voice command system
Here is one called “The Problem With Following the Crowd”:
This last one was called something like “Anthem”. It’s also known among Q45 aficionados as the “Where are all the cars we were promised?” commercial. It was a fantastic idea, considering everything the Q45 does, but I think the commercial was poorly executed.
There were also some great commercials for the older models. This was a funny one from the 1996-2001 models:
Here is a very cool vid of a Q45 on the dyno doing a 150 MPH run. The engine sounds so sweet…
It just kills me to see them do this to my baby… but the car earned a 5 star crash test rating, and here you can see why.
More Information
- You can find manuals and guides for the 2005-2006 Q45s on Infiniti’s site here.
- Here is the “quick start” guide to the 2005 model.
- Automobile magazine’s review of the 2002 model
- Motor Trend magazine’s review of the 2002.
One last little thing… It’s possible to access the “hidden menus” and drive with the rear view camera turned on. Here is how, but be very, very careful in there. You can really screw some stuff up.
- Turn car on.
- Turn radio off.
- Depress and hold the [INFO] button and roll the audio ring-dial back and fourth 8 to 10 times.
if i am buying a used one should i be worried about a former owner using regular gas (not premium) ? i heard that it can damage the engine and make a 100k car drive like a 200k or more in some premium cars.
i got a g35 as well and its the best car i ever had. infiniti/nissan makes some great cars. im looking into a skyline gtr as my next car. My buddy had a NSX and has over 100k hard driven miles and runs like a champ.
I guess Greg is not ‘up’ on his reading. I would suggest edmunds.com, consumer reports, JD powers, just to name a few places where, with little effort, you too may find the answer to the quality and reliability debate. It is that the Lexus and Infiniti’s are rated 1 and 2 in those categories while BMW is rated 26th. Hmmmm
…Oh Jim- it doesn’t matter to me where my Q is parked. It only matters that $ for $ , value, reliability and performance, the valet is a sucker, just like you for falling for slick marketing ( a mis-guided belief that a BMW is actually a quality car) and spending so much money on such a huge piece of junk.
My G35 is still my favorite vehicle. When the lease is up, I’m seriously considering getting a G37. Infiniti RULES.
I’ve never seen a man love a car as much as John P. loved his 3rd Q45…nice ride, best feature was the ability to mess with the audio from the back seats. Its a stupid feature unless you have someone else drive your car…and that is usually reserved for Rolls, Maybachs, etc. So, back seat is the spot to be in a Q.
It might be an old man’s car, but John has an NSX so that gives him an exception in my book.
Jimbeau made the best point though, your Japanese Sedan, Sports car and Truck lack a certian quality…if I were you, I’d go with this stable: M5, 911 GT3 RS, G55.
it’s a great feature if your in the backseat and your busy lol
waaay! out of my price range, but sharp looking car
hmmmm… the dreamcar here in the Philippines
Name: Multicab (build on a Suzuki chassi)
Engine: 600-660cc, 3 cylinder watercooled
speed 0-60mph: maybe a minute on a looooong downhill-run, on flat street … never
extras: loud horn, sometimes you can close the window mechanicaly. can be started by pushing it in the third gear. accomodates up to 20 persons
engine replacement: 300 – 400 US$
cheers
Rhoody
Heh, I remember the Gatling gun headlights on the Q. I always kept a close on eye on the Q and the LS since they were so alike, but Infiniti’s were either cheaper or were easier to get cheaper on the used market.
Quality seemed a “smidge” off, but that’s common with Infiniti when compared to Lexus.. that’s always been L’s bread and butter. Great car though and you’re right, you can pick up a used one in very decent condition for a high 20, mid 30 price tag :)
I must admit, I do think that these cars are a bit for an older generation when I see them on the road. I never really thought or read about them much. And after that post, I’ll have to say that I respect them a little bit more (even if I still wouldn’t consider buying one for 20 more years).
Haha also Jason’s comment is pretty amusing.
Ok… You had to see this coming from me….
340 Horsepower, 0-60MPH in 5.9 seconds! (You got me by 15 ponies and .10 of a second)
Voice controlled climate, audio, navigation systems (Got it)
Heated and cooled front seats (got it)
Heated, reclining rear seats (have the heat, but no recline)
Powered rear window shade plus manual rear door shades (funny, my rear and sides are powered)
Powered remote opening/closing rear trunk lid (got it. Great option as you know I HATE finger prints on my deck lid. How did you find out about this option anyhow?? ;-) )
Rear view backup camera system (wish I had)
Rear armrest control over audio and climate systems (just heat controls on mine)
World’s most powerful, Gatling gun headlights (Whatever)
Laser guided cruise control system (damn, I wish I had this, but I know its available now)
Active suspension with sport mode (we could always hit the track for this one)
Tire pressure monitor system (got it and it’s a pain in the ass)
Here’s the most important feature about my BWM over your Q45. When we leave the restaurant, mine will be parked up front by valet, while your Q will be parked in the lot be the valets….
Don’t hate the player man… Hate the game…
j-
Please….pfffft because you paid to park it upfront
This is the perfect post to follow “Welcome to the Recession” :)