I have an '06 Infiniti FX45. This vehicle has been great for me, very few, minor repairs in the last 175K miles. It has developed a minor front end clunk when braking - which is making me crazy. My first inclination is to use this as an excuse to replace the front end parts, which have never been touched (so everything except the struts and strut mounts). Looking at tie-rod ends, inner and outer, I see that I can get a new OE rack for a few hundred dollars more, combined OE with bushings and control arms, this would be my first major cash infusion at probably $1,500 all in (I can do the labor).
At 175K, I have not had an AC, Alternator, Engine, Transmission, Power Window, radar cruise control, etc. problem. I have had to replace the engine fan and clutch as well as a cam position sensor and valve covers and maybe the rear brake calipers, although I'm not convinced they needed to be replaced.
The paint is great, the interior is perfect except for a crack that is developing on the side of the driver's seat (which apparently, they all get), I spent a lot of time many years ago making this vehicle silent inside w/ sound deadening and sticky pads - it has no rattles or vibrations - aside from that new creak.
My concern is that the engine is a one off that was only produced in this configuration for about 2 years in very limited numbers - they are hard to find. The transmission has been perfect, but how many miles can it have left? The engine has had piston slap since it was new, and a dull rod knock noise that has also remained unchanged (I have recordings about every 30K). It currently burns no oil between OCI - which is very rare for this particular high-rpm 32 Ti valve engine.
I prefer it to the newer model, which is probably what i would replace it with, I haven't seen anything I would rather have. The new V8 model was made in even more limited numbers and IMO doesn't drive as well as the old one - but they are newer and should add a few more years of service - assuming I get a good one. The newer ones have ~400 HP, but are heavier, not as free-revving and still about 5.2 seconds 0-60, which is only a few tenths faster than mine.
I know the history of this one, if I were to buy a newer one (the last year they were made was 2014) I could be facing similar repairs to what I am on the old one.
I guess I am wondering if it is a bad idea to put much money into a 12 y/o vehicle that may have another year or two left in it. I also really enjoy not having a car payment. I could fix the creak for a couple hundred dollars, but at the same time, If I am going to pull the control arms off, why not do the whole job and use parts that will last the life of the vehicle.
With the current miles, the car is probably worth about $6K. Did I mention that I like not having a car payment?
I guess I am at a fork in the road and I need to figure out if I want to commit to replacing the tranny and/or engine when the time comes - usually around 220K in these from what I have seen. I drive 20K a year in it, so maybe two years if I am lucky. I am just getting ready to drive it on a 3K mile vacation and if I am going to do the front end work I would like to do it before I leave.
I guess the front end work is only slightly higher than a set of tires, which typically last one year with my driving.
I am not against driving it until it will go no more and then scrapping it. Assuming zero residual value, my cost per mile has been ridiculously low for a vehicle like this. I bought it for a good price when it was slightly used.
Thoughts?
At 175K, I have not had an AC, Alternator, Engine, Transmission, Power Window, radar cruise control, etc. problem. I have had to replace the engine fan and clutch as well as a cam position sensor and valve covers and maybe the rear brake calipers, although I'm not convinced they needed to be replaced.
The paint is great, the interior is perfect except for a crack that is developing on the side of the driver's seat (which apparently, they all get), I spent a lot of time many years ago making this vehicle silent inside w/ sound deadening and sticky pads - it has no rattles or vibrations - aside from that new creak.
My concern is that the engine is a one off that was only produced in this configuration for about 2 years in very limited numbers - they are hard to find. The transmission has been perfect, but how many miles can it have left? The engine has had piston slap since it was new, and a dull rod knock noise that has also remained unchanged (I have recordings about every 30K). It currently burns no oil between OCI - which is very rare for this particular high-rpm 32 Ti valve engine.
I prefer it to the newer model, which is probably what i would replace it with, I haven't seen anything I would rather have. The new V8 model was made in even more limited numbers and IMO doesn't drive as well as the old one - but they are newer and should add a few more years of service - assuming I get a good one. The newer ones have ~400 HP, but are heavier, not as free-revving and still about 5.2 seconds 0-60, which is only a few tenths faster than mine.
I know the history of this one, if I were to buy a newer one (the last year they were made was 2014) I could be facing similar repairs to what I am on the old one.
I guess I am wondering if it is a bad idea to put much money into a 12 y/o vehicle that may have another year or two left in it. I also really enjoy not having a car payment. I could fix the creak for a couple hundred dollars, but at the same time, If I am going to pull the control arms off, why not do the whole job and use parts that will last the life of the vehicle.
With the current miles, the car is probably worth about $6K. Did I mention that I like not having a car payment?
I guess I am at a fork in the road and I need to figure out if I want to commit to replacing the tranny and/or engine when the time comes - usually around 220K in these from what I have seen. I drive 20K a year in it, so maybe two years if I am lucky. I am just getting ready to drive it on a 3K mile vacation and if I am going to do the front end work I would like to do it before I leave.
I guess the front end work is only slightly higher than a set of tires, which typically last one year with my driving.
I am not against driving it until it will go no more and then scrapping it. Assuming zero residual value, my cost per mile has been ridiculously low for a vehicle like this. I bought it for a good price when it was slightly used.
Thoughts?
