Re: 88 & 87 - 4000CSQ & 5000CSQT's

[jdouglas@mitre.org (jason douglas)]

>I'm in the market for an 88 (possibly 87) 4000 CSQ or a 5000 CSQT.
>I was wondering what all of the possible options on these cars are. Were 
>ABS and Air bags standard or even options?

ABS was definitely available then on the 5000S. No gas bags - the Germans
don't seem to 
really believe in them the way we do. Of course, everyone there wears their
belts......

> How about the oil temp, oil  pressure, etc gauges?

Not available (does the trip computer include these any of these?)

> Is it pretty reasonable to 
>expect it to go over 200K? (without rebuilding everything) I would like 
>to keep it a long time (10 years or more).

Yes. No. Yes.  The car WILL require maintenance, a lot more than you are
used to with a Nissan.  The later the model year, the fewer the problems you
will have. Very few of the problems will be with the drive train - they are
largely ancilliary
items.  All but the steering rack and pressure accumulator seem to stem from
incorrect maintenance (common, even on dealer serviced cars).
 On the brighter side, many items. like clutches and brakes, last a very
long time.  
The parts are frightfully expensive at the dealers, but there are many cheap
places to
get original equipment parts through the mail.  The cars are fun to work on,
and you will
be able to get advice and instructions here for nearly every repair you are
likely to do.
In addition, if properly maintained these cars stay in very good condition a
very
long time.  There are several members of the list with over 300,000 miles on
the 4000 and 
5000s.

> I think I'll find that either  car will be a good deal nicer then my 83 Sentra

Thats quite an understatement.  Its not even fair to consider them, really,
th ey are in
such different classes.

> My second choice is a Sentra SE-R.  

??? This strikes one as particularly interesting because the cars are so
different.  If you are willing
do live with a Sentra, perhaps you should also consider a FWD audi.  Yes
quattro is nice, but
you will find that a less fancy model (like my 5000S) will cost you a lot
less.  Without Quattro, leather
seats, ABS, etc. etc. its downright affordable, enough so to make anbody on
this list to take it over
the Sentra without a second thought (I think).  My '86, for example, is only
worth a paltry
~$3000 these days!

Thank you for any help/comments! Hopefully I'll be putting an audi 
>in my sig soon. :)
>
>'83 Sentra coupe (loud!)
>
Finally, I'd say that the 4000 and 5000 are very different cars. Maybe I'm
out to luch, because
my "4000" was really a VW Quantum (mechanically very similar).  In addition
to the size difference,
the 5000 has an entirely different feel.  Its much more of a luxury touring
car, not quite as tossable, 
supremely comfortable for hours on end at speeds on the interstate that
would get you put in jail!
The 4000/Quantum has more of a small car feel, and is probably better for
the small twisties and for
urban assault.  If you get the 4000, look for the 5 cylinder. Both the 4 and
5 are bulletproof, but the extra
displacement is nice to have.

Jason Douglas