I had to do it... test drove a '99 Q45t.
02-12-10, 01:22 PM
#46
Most of my friends trade-in their BMW or Benz before the warranty expires. The cars they actually buy to keep have been Japanese. LOL The '02+ Avalons are pretty nice and the ones that have a few mods are pretty hot IMO. Big trunk unlike our LS's.
As for the warped rotors...braking technique. It has been discussed so a search should turn that thread up. At a few ticks south of 150K, mine still has the original rotors. The stock pads are a nice combo here.
As for the warped rotors...braking technique. It has been discussed so a search should turn that thread up. At a few ticks south of 150K, mine still has the original rotors. The stock pads are a nice combo here.
02-12-10, 06:44 PM
#49
02-14-10, 03:30 PM
#51
The Q's do look nice modded. For comparable years in the LS to Q, the Q's were significantly lower valued. For what we got in the '97 LS it would have equated to an '01 or '02. Plenty of car for the $$ but these like the M must not have the appeal stateside to compete with Lexus.
I liked the M too but the GS is a nicer car IMO.
I liked the M too but the GS is a nicer car IMO.
02-15-10, 08:13 PM
#52
Agreed. Here's my story about Infiniti and Lexus. My '98 Q45 was stupid ugly in stock form, but once completed, it was definitely a classic look. I bought it back in late 2005 after coming from a history of Nissans including a '97 Maxima, '95 240sx, '92 240sx and a '97 Infiniti I30. Back then I was searching for both 2nd gen LS400's and 2nd gen Q45's. Taking the cheap way out, I settled for the Q45 banking on my knowledge around Nissans. I thought it would be cheap to maintain, and it was. Comparable LS400's at that time as well as now are about $1-3K more than 2nd gen Q45's. While owning my Q45, I also picked up a '95 Toyota Supra and got familiar with the build quality of Toyota along with how the maintenance costs are, which when its DIY, it's about the same with Nissans. I sold my '98 Q45, picked up a '94 Infiniti Q45 (1st gen) for crazy cheap as a daily commuter car, but then sold it after a month realizing how it didn't compare to my '98 Q45 as far as build quality and design. After daily commuting with my Supra and trying to get away from sports cars and get back to sedans, I picked up a '96 LS400. Definitely realized the R&D Lexus put into this car and how much better it is than the Q45 in build quality, design, performance, and ride comfort. IMO, in stock form, the LS looks better than the Q45, but if it matters to some, when lowered on wheels and kitted, the Q45 to me has the edge. With that being said, I almost bought an '03 Q45 or '03 M45, but wanted to head towards Toyota/Lexus cars. Yes, you can fit lower offset and wider wheels on the Q45's if that's what you care about, but after owning both Infiniti/Nissan and Lexus/Toyota, I like Lexus so much more that I bought my wife a '97 SC400 because I became familiar with their V8 engine and figured its much cheaper to maintain and insure than if I went with a BMW or a Mercedes which we were looking into getting before we ended up with the SC. If I ever have to choose a next car, it currently would be a 3rd gen LS. The amount of car you get for the price is so nice. Just my thoughts. Thanks for reading. 
Last edited by Benji; 02-15-10 at 08:17 PM.
02-15-10, 09:31 PM
#53
Lead Lap
Thread Starter
Agreed. Here's my story about Infiniti and Lexus. My '98 Q45 was stupid ugly in stock form, but once completed, it was definitely a classic look. I bought it back in late 2005 after coming from a history of Nissans including a '97 Maxima, '95 240sx, '92 240sx and a '97 Infiniti I30. Back then I was searching for both 2nd gen LS400's and 2nd gen Q45's. Taking the cheap way out, I settled for the Q45 banking on my knowledge around Nissans. I thought it would be cheap to maintain, and it was. Comparable LS400's at that time as well as now are about $1-3K more than 2nd gen Q45's. While owning my Q45, I also picked up a '95 Toyota Supra and got familiar with the build quality of Toyota along with how the maintenance costs are, which when its DIY, it's about the same with Nissans. I sold my '98 Q45, picked up a '94 Infiniti Q45 (1st gen) for crazy cheap as a daily commuter car, but then sold it after a month realizing how it didn't compare to my '98 Q45 as far as build quality and design. After daily commuting with my Supra and trying to get away from sports cars and get back to sedans, I picked up a '96 LS400. Definitely realized the R&D Lexus put into this car and how much better it is than the Q45 in build quality, design, performance, and ride comfort. IMO, in stock form, the LS looks better than the Q45, but if it matters to some, when lowered on wheels and kitted, the Q45 to me has the edge. With that being said, I almost bought an '03 Q45 or '03 M45, but wanted to head towards Toyota/Lexus cars. Yes, you can fit lower offset and wider wheels on the Q45's if that's what you care about, but after owning both Infiniti/Nissan and Lexus/Toyota, I like Lexus so much more that I bought my wife a '97 SC400 because I became familiar with their V8 engine and figured its much cheaper to maintain and insure than if I went with a BMW or a Mercedes which we were looking into getting before we ended up with the SC. If I ever have to choose a next car, it currently would be a 3rd gen LS. The amount of car you get for the price is so nice. Just my thoughts. Thanks for reading.
I know one day I'll go to a Lexus LS400, but I think my next car is going to be another Legend Coupe 6-Speed. I just miss that car and the way it drove.
02-16-10, 11:29 AM
#54
Lead Lap
Thread Starter
Quick question:
It seems that the Toyota Avalon has been recommended numerous times, but I assumed that you guys were referring to the early 90s to 1999 Avalons.
What do you guys think about the 2000-2004 Avalons? Do they also use Camry parts? Is it overall cheap to maintain? How about engine/tranny? Are they reliable without any major known problems?
It seems that the Toyota Avalon has been recommended numerous times, but I assumed that you guys were referring to the early 90s to 1999 Avalons.
What do you guys think about the 2000-2004 Avalons? Do they also use Camry parts? Is it overall cheap to maintain? How about engine/tranny? Are they reliable without any major known problems?
02-18-10, 06:42 PM
#58
Lead Lap
Thread Starter
02-18-10, 08:58 PM
#60
Lead Lap
Thread Starter
I really don't think it's asking too much. Again that's asking price. I talked to him and he seemed like he would negotiate.
The car has service records and 70% tread on tires. I believe the brake pads/rotors are up to date as well.
There's 1996-1997 Avalons with a little less mileage asking for $3,500-$4,000.
The car has service records and 70% tread on tires. I believe the brake pads/rotors are up to date as well.
There's 1996-1997 Avalons with a little less mileage asking for $3,500-$4,000.