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1998
INFINITI Q45

Starts at:
$49,900
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New 1998 INFINITI Q45
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Available trims

See the differences side-by-side to compare trims.
  • Luxury Performance Sdn w/Touring
    Starts at
    $49,900
    18 City / 23 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas V8
    Engine
    Rear Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • Luxury Performance Sdn w/Touring
    Starts at
    $49,900
    18 City / 23 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas V8
    Engine
    Rear Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs

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Expert 1998 INFINITI Q45 review

our expert's take
Our expert's take
By
Full article
our expert's take

I loved the first Infiniti Q45, which debuted in 1989. It was a big, substantial-feeling, luxury sedan that had an edgy, rather than sumptuous, personality. And its dealers promised top-notch customer service.

But annual Q45 sales quickly peaked at 14,622, and Infiniti was forced to tinker with the car.

Today, after years of changes, the Q45 is all mainstream and not edgy any longer. It’s smaller than the original and has a smaller, more fuel-efficient V-8.

But customers still rave about the service at dealerships, and Infiniti is at or near the top of the J.D. Power and Associates customer satisfaction studies. Best of all, sales of the rear-wheel drive Q45 are improving. I guess that means edgy is out, and pleasing and mainstream are in — sort of like the new Calvin Klein ads.

Frankly, I was expecting not to like this new, pleasant Q. But I did.

Don’t get me wrong. It’s not the same as the old one — not in style, not in looks, not in ambience and overall feel. But it’s a good car, nonetheless, in a mainstream luxury sedan sort of way.

Where the original tended more toward a BMW feel, this one leans more toward Lexus. Where the original Q blazed its own distinctive path, this one incorporates familiar traits from other luxury sedans.

For example, this Q has a much softer ride than before, cushioning riders against bumps with veracity a la Lexus. That’s because, in part, the former front multilink suspension — a pretty sophisticated setup — is replaced with a less expensive, more mainstream MacPherson strut system.

It works well to absorb nearly every pothole, expansion crack and rough spot on the road and makes for pleasant highway road trips. But some drivers might find it a bit too soft and feel the weight shift a bit too much in those tight corners.

Like other “luxomobiles,” the Q’s interior now is oh-so-warm, bathed in soft leather and shiny wood. It’s packed with nearly every feature known to the auto business. Outside, the grille has showy chrome, quite a departure from the original’s more minimalist style.

While I loved the large size of the first Q, I found myself enjoying the more nimble feel of this one. Built on the platform of a Nissan Cima, a model sold in Japan by Infiniti’s parent company, this Q45 has a wheelbase that’s two inches shorter, with a trunk that’s 2.2 cubic feet smaller than before.

Infiniti moved around some of the interior space, so front legroom is shaved about a half-inch but rear-seat legroom is improved. The car is about 200 pounds lighter, too. But I found that unless you’re used to carrying around a trunkload of cargo, you’re not likely to quibble with the resizing done by Infiniti.

You might, however, question the change in engine, especially when you realize that the “45” in Q45 stands for the former 4.5-liter, double overhead cam V-8. The new engine is a 4.1-liter version of tha t engine.

But remember that this car is some 200 pounds lighter than the earlier model. This means the 1998 Q’s power-to-weight ratio is pretty close to the original and, indeed, there’s still good, strong performance from this power plant.

The car is responsive when you need it for highway passing, for example, but smooth and controlled in city driving. It gets better gas mileage, too, with this smaller engine.

With a few more miles in this new Q45, I just might forget about the old one.

SPECS

What we drove: 1998 Infiniti Q45t, a mid-size luxury sedan with 4.1-liter, double overhead cam, 32-valve V8 and a four-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission.

Base price: $49,900

Price as tested (includes options and delivery charge): $50,395

Curb weight: 3,890

Length: 199.6 inches

Turning circle (curb to curb): 36.1 feet

Standard features: Two fro nt air bags; a ir conditioning; micro-filter system; power windows, door locks and outside mirrors; two side air bags; leather seats; 10-way power front seats; traction control; power sunroof; fog lamps; 200-watt Bose AM/FM audio system with eight speakers, cassette player and in-dash compact disc player; rear defroster; cruise control; Homelink transmitter; dual trip meters; antilock brakes; remote keyless entry; front seat belt pre-tensioners.

Options on test vehicle: None

EPA figures: 18 mpg (city); 23 mpg (highway)

1998 INFINITI Q45 review: Our expert's take
By

I loved the first Infiniti Q45, which debuted in 1989. It was a big, substantial-feeling, luxury sedan that had an edgy, rather than sumptuous, personality. And its dealers promised top-notch customer service.

But annual Q45 sales quickly peaked at 14,622, and Infiniti was forced to tinker with the car.

Today, after years of changes, the Q45 is all mainstream and not edgy any longer. It’s smaller than the original and has a smaller, more fuel-efficient V-8.

But customers still rave about the service at dealerships, and Infiniti is at or near the top of the J.D. Power and Associates customer satisfaction studies. Best of all, sales of the rear-wheel drive Q45 are improving. I guess that means edgy is out, and pleasing and mainstream are in — sort of like the new Calvin Klein ads.

Frankly, I was expecting not to like this new, pleasant Q. But I did.

Don’t get me wrong. It’s not the same as the old one — not in style, not in looks, not in ambience and overall feel. But it’s a good car, nonetheless, in a mainstream luxury sedan sort of way.

Where the original tended more toward a BMW feel, this one leans more toward Lexus. Where the original Q blazed its own distinctive path, this one incorporates familiar traits from other luxury sedans.

For example, this Q has a much softer ride than before, cushioning riders against bumps with veracity a la Lexus. That’s because, in part, the former front multilink suspension — a pretty sophisticated setup — is replaced with a less expensive, more mainstream MacPherson strut system.

It works well to absorb nearly every pothole, expansion crack and rough spot on the road and makes for pleasant highway road trips. But some drivers might find it a bit too soft and feel the weight shift a bit too much in those tight corners.

Like other “luxomobiles,” the Q’s interior now is oh-so-warm, bathed in soft leather and shiny wood. It’s packed with nearly every feature known to the auto business. Outside, the grille has showy chrome, quite a departure from the original’s more minimalist style.

While I loved the large size of the first Q, I found myself enjoying the more nimble feel of this one. Built on the platform of a Nissan Cima, a model sold in Japan by Infiniti’s parent company, this Q45 has a wheelbase that’s two inches shorter, with a trunk that’s 2.2 cubic feet smaller than before.

Infiniti moved around some of the interior space, so front legroom is shaved about a half-inch but rear-seat legroom is improved. The car is about 200 pounds lighter, too. But I found that unless you’re used to carrying around a trunkload of cargo, you’re not likely to quibble with the resizing done by Infiniti.

You might, however, question the change in engine, especially when you realize that the “45” in Q45 stands for the former 4.5-liter, double overhead cam V-8. The new engine is a 4.1-liter version of tha t engine.

But remember that this car is some 200 pounds lighter than the earlier model. This means the 1998 Q’s power-to-weight ratio is pretty close to the original and, indeed, there’s still good, strong performance from this power plant.

The car is responsive when you need it for highway passing, for example, but smooth and controlled in city driving. It gets better gas mileage, too, with this smaller engine.

With a few more miles in this new Q45, I just might forget about the old one.

SPECS

What we drove: 1998 Infiniti Q45t, a mid-size luxury sedan with 4.1-liter, double overhead cam, 32-valve V8 and a four-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission.

Base price: $49,900

Price as tested (includes options and delivery charge): $50,395

Curb weight: 3,890

Length: 199.6 inches

Turning circle (curb to curb): 36.1 feet

Standard features: Two fro nt air bags; a ir conditioning; micro-filter system; power windows, door locks and outside mirrors; two side air bags; leather seats; 10-way power front seats; traction control; power sunroof; fog lamps; 200-watt Bose AM/FM audio system with eight speakers, cassette player and in-dash compact disc player; rear defroster; cruise control; Homelink transmitter; dual trip meters; antilock brakes; remote keyless entry; front seat belt pre-tensioners.

Options on test vehicle: None

EPA figures: 18 mpg (city); 23 mpg (highway)

Factory warranties

New car program benefits

Basic
4 years / 60,000 miles
Corrosion
7 years
Roadside Assistance
4 years

Certified Pre-Owned program benefits

Age / mileage
Months from In-Service Date (ISD): Less than or equal to 60 months from ISD | Vehicle Mileage: Less than or equal to 15,000 Miles | Greater than 15,000 Miles but less than or equal to 60K miles
Basic
6 years / 75K miles from original ISD | 6 years / unlimited miles from original ISD
Dealer certification
167-point inspection

Consumer reviews

4.8 / 5
Based on 11 reviews
Write a review
Comfort 4.8
Interior 4.7
Performance 4.6
Value 4.5
Exterior 4.7
Reliability 4.6

Most recent

  • the best riding car i have ever driven

    I this this is one of the best cars on the road. it has all the features that a luxury car should have whit the quality of a Japanese import.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    1 person out of 1 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • this is the nicest car i ever owned

    this is luxury in every form. the car runs and looks great! It has power sunroof, leather interior, memory/power seats, and a lot of leg room.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Transporting family
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    1 person out of 1 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • Oldie but a goodie

    If i had the funds to repair I would not sell it. It is a great car just old and in need of some tlc
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 3.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 3.0
    0 people out of 1 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • 1998 Infinity Q45T, Black 4 Dr Sedan

    The car feels and look like a classic black limousine with plenty of space inside. Relaxing to drive.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 3.0
    Value 3.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 3.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • Awesome

    Best car I ever owned! No mechanical problems EVER! Changed oil, tires, brakes and belts only! No idea why Infiniti quit making them?
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • I liked this car so much I bought a second one.

    I bought a 1998 Q45 in 2007 with 78K miles and drove it 100K miles in five years. I broke down the cost per year and it was cheaper to own than my last Corolla. I'm about to pick up a clone of this car, and this time I'm getting it for $6K with only 54K miles on it. The car rides great...just the right mix of road feel without being too stiff. The steering feels right, the power when hitting the gas is very entertaining. Considering this car was $50K now and if you look hard enough can get a low mileage Q45 for less than $7K....you can find no better buy. I've seen Sentras and Corollas going for more and they are just little buzzy cars.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • best of the best

    I own a 1999 Q45 and LOVE this car. It's my second Infinit( had a J30 ) and always hope to drive Infiniti. Excellent cars and worth every penny
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • Most inexpensive car I've ever owned

    Think about it! Bought it in 2000 used, 2 years old, with 65,000 miles for the reasonable price of $16,000.00. looked like a brand new car out of the show room from an Infinity dealer here in NJ. Never had any trouble or put any money into it. Still working as good as when I bought it. chances are I will get another 30 or 40K miles out of it in the next 3 or 4 years with no troubles, and will be doing it in luxury, listening to the best Bose sound system I've ever heard, without interruptions, and.... in style!. How can you beat that after 12 years of reliability!
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 4.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • Reliable luxury for ten years!

    I have owned my 1998 Q45 for nearly ten years. It had 62k miles when I bought it and now it has 165k. It's never had an oil or transmission leak and never had an electrical problem. I've done brakes, front springs, knock sensors and MAF. That's it. It still runs like it has another 100k left in the motor. I've wanted a new car for over a year, but every time I drive a BMW, Lexus or others, while some are nicer, I still end up feeling like my Q is as good for a fraction of the price.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • BEST ROAD CAR FOR A SMOOTH RIDE

    WE HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE SINCE 1998 AND IT STILL DRIVES AS SMOOTHH AS ID DID ON DAY ONE. tHE FEELING IS LIKE BEING IN A NEW CAR EVERY TIME WE GO SOMEWHERE. THIS IS AN ECXEPTIONAL VEHICLE.
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • Q45 is a great understated car.

    Perfect luxury car with excellent reliability. It is fully loaded car with decent price. Infiniti quality is better than Lexus.
    • Purchased a New car
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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FAQ

What trim levels are available for the 1998 INFINITI Q45?

The 1998 INFINITI Q45 is available in 1 trim level:

  • Touring (2 styles)

What is the MPG of the 1998 INFINITI Q45?

The 1998 INFINITI Q45 offers up to 18 MPG in city driving and 23 MPG on the highway. These figures are based on EPA mileage ratings and are for comparison purposes only. The actual mileage will vary depending on vehicle options, trim level, driving conditions, driving habits, vehicle maintenance, and other factors.

Is the 1998 INFINITI Q45 reliable?

The 1998 INFINITI Q45 has an average reliability rating of 4.6 out of 5 according to cars.com consumers. Find real-world reliability insights within consumer reviews from 1998 INFINITI Q45 owners.

Is the 1998 INFINITI Q45 a good Sedan?

Below are the cars.com consumers ratings for the 1998 INFINITI Q45. 100.0% of drivers recommend this vehicle.

4.8 / 5
Based on 11 reviews
  • Comfort: 4.8
  • Interior: 4.7
  • Performance: 4.6
  • Value: 4.5
  • Exterior: 4.7
  • Reliability: 4.6
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