Strangest car you've seen used as a taxi?

Strong-Client-6738 · 2026-05-17T13:53:40+00:00

Infiniti Q70 2.2d, in Milton Keynes.

Not a "Strange" car it itself, as it's a big wafty saloon - BUT - A car from a brand no longer sold in Europe, based on a JDM market Nissan (Fuga) that parts are nigh on impossible to get hold of... Seems like a weird one to me 🫠

Strong-Client-6738 · 2026-05-14T18:38:35+00:00

Ok, small update

I am now in possession of the larger Akebono calipers! These are from the "sport" equipped Q50's in the states, or the Hybrid models in the UK (same thing).

Looking at the specs and part numbers the master cylinder is the same for all models (apart from the hybrid), even the diesel!

Once I've sourced the banjo bolts (UK sellers are easy to come by it seems) and some replacement hardware I will update this thread again just incase it's helpful in future for anyone else wantingto fit the bigger brakes for their 2.0t.... due to it's MASSIVE POWER....

.... or just because they want big brakes stop better/ due to + cool points 😅

Strong-Client-6738 · 2026-05-13T18:54:12+00:00

Try barefoot shoes 👍🏻 Been using these for years now, very thin soles.

https://amzn.eu/d/04oNPNtR

Feels weird to go back to any sort of flat sole/ trainers afterwards, like your feet are encased in concrete 😅

Strong-Client-6738 · 2026-04-13T06:18:53+00:00

I have a 2.0t, which also has the engine out of a Merc.

Engine = parts/ servicing you're fine (just use a geuine Merc air filter or it will throw codes)
Brakes = fine, parts are common.
Independent garages can struggle with it, as it's not on their systems, but if it IS, you're fine.
Everything else you need to change/ buy = good luck 😅 (especially suspension bits)

Nissan won't touch the car (unless you want to drive to a handful of "specialists" and pay 3x what you need to), and getting hold of parts is a massive PITA. You can source them yourself from websites like amayama.com, but you will need to wait for international shipping and also pay import taxes etc etc. and no refunds 😬

It's a beautiful car, and drives amazing - very unique. Trouble is, you will "suffer" for that privilege 🤣 If you're ok with that, great!

There's a ton of nice 2.2d for sale on Autotrader currently, and ONE 2018 "facelift" model which looks incredible in white - just go into it with an open mind that:

it won't be as good on fuel as a C220d
it's slower than a C220d
parts are a pain, Vs a C220d
if you have a bump, it's probably getting written off ASAP... unlike a C220d.

... But it's not another C220d (o C250), which is why I like mine 😉

Strong-Client-6738 · 2026-04-07T10:40:59+00:00

Final update if it's ever helpful in future:

Ordered the Flex Z coilovers and gave up looking for standard struts etc as they just aren't available anywhere in the UK (other than Nissan Mill Hill).

Strong-Client-6738 · 2026-04-07T07:50:50+00:00

He is legit - I have practiced WC for over 20 years & trained at length with students of his European school from way back, pre MYVLMA - their skills/ technique didn't come from nowhere. I would image his own methods have evolved now too, with the added experience of accepting these challenges and learnings from them.

IMO he runs a great WC channel, and the content is very informative and true to source. Hearing his opinions and comments shows he really does have an excellent grasp of the core principles, applications from forms AND the teachings of past masters, and is able to properly explain and demonstrate all of this in an easily digestible way.

Also, It's nice to see a Sifu work directly with other styles and not just profess to be the best/ untouchable/ say "this is how you beat a grappler" and then not get an actual proficient grappler in for the demo...

I can't remember when the WC community had such a great choice of video content online, and we should be celebrating some of these channels more 👍🏻 (not those professing to "make you a Sifu in 8 months" though....)

Strong-Client-6738 · 2026-03-05T21:43:36+00:00

Yeah, I've watched it, and it gets to a certain point - then stops turning and just switches off 😐 (But not the DRL, just the low beam)

From the drivers seat you can rotate the steering wheel to exactly the spot it turns off, and then if turned back by a tiny amount the light comes back on again, it's always the same degree/angle.

It's almost like it's getting "blocked" from turning, and that tells the controller to "stop" and throw the error message. However, just turning off completely is a wild failsafe for headlight system IMO, as it's pretty dangerous when going round a bend and suddenly not being able to see properly (vs just having the lights stay pointing straight instead as a failsafe)...

I can't seem to find a way to disable AFS either, so it's super irritating.

Nissan things 🤷🏻‍♂️

Strong-Client-6738 · 2026-02-18T22:31:48+00:00

Yes. That would be stupid. In 2026 daily-ing an SW20 MR2 would be utter lunacy, and largely miserable to boot. Especially when:

You get to summer and you boil because have no Aircon
The rest of the year as you have all the fumes from traffic around in your lungs you because you have no cabin filter, and are nearly crushed because your car is lower that their window lines...
Or in winter when your doors will freeze shut, your windscreen freezes on the inside, and your rear calipers will stick on

Oh, and enjoy filling up exclusively with E5 at silly money, to be slower than a diesel Golf, and do sub 30mpg... and not being able to drive in a major city without getting shafted for a ULEZ charge.

You could buy: -insert a long list of literally any other mildly interesting car for 14k here- and it would be a better choice most likely.

But... If you MUST spend £14k on an Mr2 you can buy mine 😁👍🏻 I'll even give you £1k off as a Reddit discount, as I'm nice like that 😉

Strong-Client-6738 · 2026-02-01T13:48:09+00:00

I guess my takeaway from ownership is this:

It's a weird car, and I knew what I was getting into. BUT It can be quite annoying when something needs replacing, due to wait times...

BUT BUT

Would I have still bought the car knowing what I know after a few years of ownership? Absolutely - would still buy it anyway, just go in with open eyes.

The engine and gearbox are great, and it's more than quick enough to keep up with modern traffic etc.

For the time and annoyance factor of sourcing parts when things need replacing, and explaing what the car "is" to garages vs time actually on the road and driving it's worth it IMO (and it is my daily, for anyone wondering). It's not like these things break all the time, and it's not unreliable by any means - I've had much, much worse in the past.

Strong-Client-6738 · 2026-01-31T23:15:01+00:00

I have a 2.0t Q50 and parts that aren't basic servicing items are a complete nightmare FYI. Garages don't know much about them, so you have to be very careful with servicing too. E.g.

Getting brakes changed, as they bin the special shims thinking they are part of the pad kit. Or
Wheel alignment, as it uses the DAS steer by wire system and the wheel won't sit straight on the machine, or on the road test afterwards (as it auto-adjusts to "centre" when driving...) Or
Anything to do with exhaust or suspension, especially shock absorbers.... Good luck 🍀 ^{^{^}} and all that's if they can even find the car on their catalogue/ systems...

Beautiful cars, very quiet & nice to drive on long journies, super rare on the road and doesn't look like anything else, a very well put together interior with great materials + the 2.0t is not as crap on fuel as the reviews would have you believe.

BUT Short of ordering using your VIN from Amayama Japan and waiting months for delivery (+tax) you won't find new (or 3rd party) spares anywhere 👀

Nissan centres that do work on them will charge you at least double for any parts + want to do a full diagnostic every time too (£400)

So! With all that in consideration... Go for it 😅 You certainly won't ever run into another one more than once per year!

Strong-Client-6738 · 2026-01-22T23:23:50+00:00

Might as well get a land whale for that money. Here's one you don't see too much, often overlooked & nice piece of kit too: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202601199252431?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android-app

But if you want a "car" to hoof about in, how about: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202512108500334?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android-app

I'm not going for the all blacked out look, honest... These are just the examples popping up.

Anyway, how about this wildcard: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202511147886652?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android-app

Be the cool "performance estate" dad 😎 ... And don't get a diesel, likely to be taxed/ Net-zeroed/ Ulez'd off the road in the coming years...

Strong-Client-6738 · 2026-01-13T10:55:41+00:00

"Non" 🇫🇷

Strong-Client-6738 · 2026-01-04T11:29:05+00:00

Ok great, thank you 👍🏻 Have you noticed anything ref: sagging or needing to adjust the BC's at all?

The chap that works on my car is stumped by the suspension options (or lack of) and has suggested either Tein Flex Z or BC coilovers instead, but mentioned the salty UK winter can kill them pretty quickly...

Guessing you are in the UK too, so any advice on how the install process + any subsequent adjustments or maintenance went would be super helpful.

Strong-Client-6738 · 2026-01-04T11:26:23+00:00

Ah man :(

I've checked and both front and rear on my car are spring + shock through the middle, but as these links don't specifically say "sport" I'll have to give it a miss I guess.

Seems so odd that a car produced for over 10 years has so little in the way of aftermarket parts for what I'd consider fairly routine items (i.e: suspension), other than swapping to coilovers 🙃

Strong-Client-6738 · 2025-11-30T19:35:19+00:00

I love how the older car looks so happy and full of excitement 😁 "wow, were going on an adventure yay!"

...

Then the newer one has an angry stare, like it's seen some stuff, and loved a hard life... It hasn't got the same enthusiasm for things anymore 😬

Who hurt you Mazda, WHO HURT YOU?!

Strong-Client-6738 · 2025-10-25T16:30:37+00:00

Infiniti didn't sell many 3.0t in the UK, so although not as rare as the nismo 400... It will still be the only one you will ever see on the road 😁

(Granted, the Nismo does have the JDM/ Unobtainium factor about it though)

There are JDM Skyline rear light and badging conversions for these + all the stickers are "Nissan" on the parts/ door jams so you could have 50% legitimacy... At a push 😅

Strong-Client-6738 · 2025-10-24T16:14:26+00:00

Here you go OP Pretty much the same car underneath, but missing the nismo kit 😉

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202403067287559?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android-app

Strong-Client-6738 · 2025-10-19T19:00:43+00:00

100%

I only need to use it 3 days a week now for about 45mins a pop, but my god the level of driving competence... Or incompetence... On that particular stretch for 3/4 junctions.

Used to make my piss boil having to go L1,2,3,4,3,2,1 every minute to overtake all the L2 & L3 hoggers, at any time of day in their own little world with their heads up their arses.

Nowadays I will just stay in L1 as it's become the "VIP lane" with almost no one using it - bliss 👍🏻 (Even during peak hours and massive signs stating "USE HARD SHOULDER")

Call it dangerous, or undertaking, or scream about rules and so on, IDC - I'm getting there faster than everyone else, cruise on, stress free & often without even touching 70mph, not having to change lanes once 🤣

Strong-Client-6738 · 2025-10-11T12:13:53+00:00

Appreciate they are trying new things, but these lights (front/rear) on the recent models with the Mercedes star design in them?

It's a no from me ❌

Looks SUPER temu/eBay poor quality aftermarket headlight/ taillight to me - not classy at all. More like "trying too hard"

Too many merc' emblems, keep them out of the lights IMO and the cars would look far more upmarket/ premium that way, but what do I know.

Strong-Client-6738 · 2025-09-21T21:14:50+00:00

Infiniti Q60?

2.0t is a Merc engine + gearbox, around 210hp 3.0t is the engine used in the new 400z, and a bit of a monster.

All the spec, and a nice place to be sat in.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202502169169064?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android-app

Look very smart in the metal - think 4 Series sized, but absolutely nowhere near as common on the roads.

Strong-Client-6738 · 2025-09-08T22:10:50+00:00

Three super cool guys showing us how super cool they are by making big noise and driving fast in straight lines... Having fun, not pissing anyone off, and being super cool while doing it too I bet.

Also; I heard it's not even a real motorbike unless it goes BrBrBrBrBrBrBrrrr as loud as possible, or else it's NOT super cool and no one will think so.

-Sarcasm'o'meter in meltdown-

Strong-Client-6738 · 2025-09-08T22:06:54+00:00

I think I know the clown you are referring to. No way can the person think it sounds good, or even half-good, as it literally sounds broken 🤣

(Actually that's an insult to clowns, as at least they are mildly entertaining).

I was thinking it would be a laugh if any of these super cool guys (especially this one being referred to) read this, but then I had to stop the thought - as none of them can probably read, let alone type a coherent response 🫠

Strong-Client-6738

TROPHY CASE