Hi I'm new to this forum and thought this would be the perfect place to ask about a car I'm thinking of trading my car for (private party).

The car has been owned by a an elderly CEO and been used for commuting clients (almost all freeway miles). The car is in EXCELLENT condition, just had the huge service done at Infinti dealership (timing belt, transmission flush, etc). It looks like it has been babied and has all service records all done at the dealership.

My question is, how much would it cost in general to maintain (If driven cautiously and "normally")? Is it reliable?

I've talked to mechanics and they've all said that although it is high miles, it all matters how it's been taken care of. They also said they favor Japanese cars and said they are very reliable.

However, it is an Infiniti. So I was just wondering how much it would cost to maintain and service costs, when my next big service would be, etc.

Thanks so much I appreciate the help, just kinda need to make my decision soon

 

i have an 06, it burns a little oil but its really not a big deal to me. i have 60k miles on it right now. honestly i think youll be ok, 96k miles its not too much for a vq engine. just make sure you keep up with the oil, the 05 and 06 burn oil.

 

They dont have timing belts.

but maintenance can be high for things like brakes, tires, and the little things that are bound to happen. Since it doesnt have a warranty I would find a really reliable mechanic to do the little stuff for you and just take it to the stealership to do big things.

 

If the dealer told you timing belt, i would keep searching!

 

The thing is with this car is that the problems are fairly small but annoying. Problems like window motors, radio/stereo crapping out, wheel bearings, throttle body sensors, O2 sensors, camshaft sensors. If your ok with tools and can do DIYs, you should be ok.

Oil consumption are usually noted and happens in early and low mileage G, from what I've seen. Being that the car is at +90k miles and still going strong(i'm assuming), that means either that the car is one of the few that didn't get that issue or it has been fixed and swapped with another engine. Also with that many miles and being owned by the CEO, It's also a good possibility that all the other problems were already fixed, maintained and out of the way. Also, it'd be even better if he was selling it dirt cheap.

 

I think it was a timing chain? Sorry I'm not too good with cars. What kind of little things do you think? Any stuff I can fix myself? I've replaced the battery and window motor in a bmw e46 3 series, and done small stuff like installing amp wiring and subwoofer, headunit, speakers, etc.

Thanks for the help btw!

 

Yeah yeah although I'm not an expert on working on cars, I do enjoy learning and doing DYI's. Do you think the wheel bearings, throttle body sensors, O2 sensors, camshaft sensors are all things I could replace myself? You made a good point that he probably replaced them, but just in case. Are the parts on these japanese cars alot like Fords (dumb question, I know), pretty easy to replace and install? Or like BMW and Mercedes where you basically need to take it to the shop anytime you want to do something?

Thanks again~

 

anyone?

 

I think it's fairly easy...but that's me. There's tons of DIY in this forums that helps with practically every issue I've mentioned. Also, there's a manual somewhere around that's available. If you can get that 2006 G35 for an 03 or 04 price, I'd say get it.

I'm not sure how domestic car parts are, but I think the worst part is paying for the G parts which are a little expensive for me, but not too extreme like BMW or Mercedez parts. Also, G or 350z used(and 100% working) parts can't be found as easily as hondas or acuras at your local junkyard, IMO. Chances are, you'll end up paying full price at a dealership parts.

 

I've heard from numerous people that big problems such as transmission won't go wrong, but small things like motors and radio will. I had a jeep grand cherokee laredo and the motor for the window that I replaced cost me 65 bucks! How much are g35 motors, i've heard they are notorious for dying

 

$263.50 and fwiw they aren't necessarily known for "dying", but rather carbon build up which gives the illusion that it is on the verge of dying. (ie. windows slowly rolling up) There's also a DIY for removing carbon build up on here too.

 

96k on a four year old car, time to move on. Studies have proven that time and time again, most cars start breaking down about 80K. Find something else and leave this dead horse alone. My DD is a 2k SE Max, it too started breaking down (starter, radiator fans, radiator, etc.) right at 80K. I had provided spotless maintenance befor the fact. Bought my 2K6 Coupe several years ago and only drive it every once in a while. Just find one with low mileage so you won't have to worry about spending your whole paycheck on it every weekend.