what to do
12-14-2004, 07:46 PM
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 15
what to do
Im 16 and ive got a 1995 maxima. so far ive gotten intake and new shocks. i want to get a rear sway bar because when i get to high speeds the rear starts to break loose. the only one ive found for a reasonable price is the Progress rear sway bar. what other options are there?
also, how can i get my parents to let me get more mods?
also, how can i get my parents to let me get more mods?
12-14-2004, 08:09 PM
#5
Originally Posted by OkoYoko123
Im 16 and ive got a 1995 maxima.
Originally Posted by OkoYoko123
so far ive gotten intake and new shocks. i want to get a rear sway bar because when i get to high speeds the rear starts to break loose.
Originally Posted by OkoYoko123
the only one ive found for a reasonable price is the Progress rear sway bar. what other options are there?
Originally Posted by OkoYoko123
also, how can i get my parents to let me get more mods?
12-15-2004, 03:05 AM
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2001
Posts: 866
Sorry to say, but at the age of 16, I would think you need to learn to control the car stock at lower speeds, then work your way up from there. Adding a RSB definitely adds oversteer, and at your age you just don't have the experience to start flinging a strange handling car around at speed. Master the basics before you even think about attempting high speed manuevers. I've scraped up too many teenagers off the streets who couldn't control a slow, stock car. Adding performance mods to a teenage (read inexperienced) driver's car is a recipe for disaster. And a lot of times it isn't the teen that is hurt the worst, but his friends riding with him or other innocent motorists.
You may also want to get a job so you can pay for the mods yourself instead of mooching off Mommy and Daddy. Hate to sound my age, but young people who are just given things they want usually grow up to be adults who think they deserve everything for nothing and have no real work ethic. If you pay for the mods yourself, they will mean much more to you, and you'll learn the value of work and money. You'll also take much better care of something you worked hard for. I'd suggest saving money to attend a professional driving school before you add any mods to your car. You'd be surprised how a trained, experienced driver can take a slower car and out drive an inexperienced, untrained driver in a full-fledged sports car. And the trained driver does it much safer, too. When I mention a professional driving school, I'm talking something like Skip Barber's or the National Academy of Professional Driver's course offerings (I did Tactical Police Driving). High school driver's ed is not a professional driver's course, and doesn't come close to teaching you necessary skills to control a car at any high speeds or in an emergency. After you've mastered those skills, get whatever mods you want and practice with them to learn their feel. then have fun (but legally).
Having said all that, for all the other teens out there, if the shoe doesn't fit, don't sweat it.
As for RSB, I have the Progress bar, and like it. It adds oversteer, but I've been driving rear-wheel drive cars (read oversteer) longer than a lot here have been alive. People say the Addco is adjustable and the Progress is not, but to adjust the Progress all you do is move the mounting point on the trailing arms (same as the Addco I believe). I have mine adjusted farthest from the rear beam so I get less oversteer. This, along with my FSTB and RSTB make the car about as neutral as I can get it without re-doing my whole suspension. And with the road conditions where I live, lowering my car is not an option.
Sorry for the rant, but I think what I wrote is very sound advice if you want to stay alive and un-injured. If it offends some of the younger crowd, so be it. Hope I don't scrape you off the concrete someday.
Dave
You may also want to get a job so you can pay for the mods yourself instead of mooching off Mommy and Daddy. Hate to sound my age, but young people who are just given things they want usually grow up to be adults who think they deserve everything for nothing and have no real work ethic. If you pay for the mods yourself, they will mean much more to you, and you'll learn the value of work and money. You'll also take much better care of something you worked hard for. I'd suggest saving money to attend a professional driving school before you add any mods to your car. You'd be surprised how a trained, experienced driver can take a slower car and out drive an inexperienced, untrained driver in a full-fledged sports car. And the trained driver does it much safer, too. When I mention a professional driving school, I'm talking something like Skip Barber's or the National Academy of Professional Driver's course offerings (I did Tactical Police Driving). High school driver's ed is not a professional driver's course, and doesn't come close to teaching you necessary skills to control a car at any high speeds or in an emergency. After you've mastered those skills, get whatever mods you want and practice with them to learn their feel. then have fun (but legally).
Having said all that, for all the other teens out there, if the shoe doesn't fit, don't sweat it.
As for RSB, I have the Progress bar, and like it. It adds oversteer, but I've been driving rear-wheel drive cars (read oversteer) longer than a lot here have been alive. People say the Addco is adjustable and the Progress is not, but to adjust the Progress all you do is move the mounting point on the trailing arms (same as the Addco I believe). I have mine adjusted farthest from the rear beam so I get less oversteer. This, along with my FSTB and RSTB make the car about as neutral as I can get it without re-doing my whole suspension. And with the road conditions where I live, lowering my car is not an option.
Sorry for the rant, but I think what I wrote is very sound advice if you want to stay alive and un-injured. If it offends some of the younger crowd, so be it. Hope I don't scrape you off the concrete someday.
Dave
12-15-2004, 04:58 AM
#9
This is kind of embarrassing to read...if you ask for money from your parents, especially for mods, you really don't deserve to drive ANY car. Learn responsibility, and pull your own weight. I'm sick of getting a bad rep on this forum because people my age can't be mature.
12-15-2004, 05:41 AM
#11
Originally Posted by OkoYoko123
Im 16 and ive got a 1995 maxima. so far ive gotten intake and new shocks. i want to get a rear sway bar because when i get to high speeds the rear starts to break loose. the only one ive found for a reasonable price is the Progress rear sway bar. what other options are there?
also, how can i get my parents to let me get more mods?
also, how can i get my parents to let me get more mods?
12-15-2004, 09:37 AM
#14
Don't get mad. 
We are all jerks on here. I know what you mean cause most things require credit cards to purchase. You're just going to have to use your words carefully when you ask your parents. Try including your parents in the modding. ie. having your father/mother help you install the mods and let them drive it afterwards. They'de probably appreciate it more. And the most important thing here is to stay safe.
We are all jerks on here. I know what you mean cause most things require credit cards to purchase. You're just going to have to use your words carefully when you ask your parents. Try including your parents in the modding. ie. having your father/mother help you install the mods and let them drive it afterwards. They'de probably appreciate it more. And the most important thing here is to stay safe.
12-15-2004, 09:56 AM
#16
BTW a rear sway bar will not prevent your rear end from "breaking loose" at high speeds. The effect you are experiencing has to do with the poor aerodynamic styling of the Maxima. To solve this problem, get an OEM spoiler or lower the car (Bernoulli's Law of Physics) with some springs. The car will be more stable at higher speeds after that. Do it right though and DO NOT cut corners.
But my rear end has never broke loose.
12-15-2004, 10:54 AM
#21
Originally Posted by OkoYoko123
I do drive saftly, its just at the times i do drive alittle more wild it starts to break loose.
12-15-2004, 12:02 PM
#22
Originally Posted by NightRider
BTW a rear sway bar will not prevent your rear end from "breaking loose" at high speeds. The effect you are experiencing has to do with the poor aerodynamic styling of the Maxima. To solve this problem, get an OEM spoiler or lower the car (Bernoulli's Law of Physics) with some springs. The car will be more stable at higher speeds after that. Do it right though and DO NOT cut corners.
OEM spoiler ?
It's there for looks. It doesn't produce any downforce or any other aerodynamic effect.
It looks nice but it won't stablize the car in any way.
12-15-2004, 02:30 PM
#24
Go Hokies!!
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 402
Just turned 18.. all my mods were paid for by me (car also) from my hard earned money.. I wouldn't even think about asking parents for money for mods to my car. My parents don't even really know how much cash I've put in, if they knew, I'm sure they'd be dissapointed, oh well.
I've practically emptied out my bank account on my car, but it's all for the fun. Right now, there's really not much else to spend my money on (besides going out, etc.).
I got most of the basics done to my car, just need to think about getting an intake (with stock muffler?), and rims in the future (when I have more cash ready to put in the car).
Dan
I've practically emptied out my bank account on my car, but it's all for the fun. Right now, there's really not much else to spend my money on (besides going out, etc.).
I got most of the basics done to my car, just need to think about getting an intake (with stock muffler?), and rims in the future (when I have more cash ready to put in the car).
Dan
12-15-2004, 03:48 PM
#28
LoL, damn I feel bad for this kid. I was reading it too and lughing like damn this kid is sad and agreeing with everyone, but then after he replied I re-read it and was just...Wow. LMAO you people ripped him for no reason. Oh, well you got some good info from these guys here.
Just be creative and slick, like you do with women.
Just be creative and slick, like you do with women.
12-15-2004, 04:07 PM
#30
Well, since you say you have a job, and pay for all of it, save up and go to a professional driving school (Skip Barber, etc) and that will make them more accepting that you know how to handle your car better than most drivers in those situations after taking the course. If they throw the statement that non-standard parts weren't meant to be there and might possibly break something, tell them that you'll pay for it if you break it. It will show some maturity on your behalf at least.
12-15-2004, 05:10 PM
#31
Originally Posted by OkoYoko123
i pay for it myself. i just dont have any way to get the stuff. i cant order it myself or ne thing. thanks for bein jerks tho.
12-15-2004, 05:15 PM
#33
well if thats the case, just lie to them hopefully they dont know much about cars, u can just tell them that a part needs to be replaced... for example, if your flex pipe or somethin is going, just tell them yur getting a new y-pipe and replace the entire thing with a performance y-pipe or something...
12-15-2004, 05:19 PM
#35
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 15
[/QUOTE]well if thats the case, just lie to them hopefully they dont know much about cars[QUOTE]
unfortunately, my dad used to be a mechanic. he knows too much about cars to try and pull that, ive tried before..
i would buy my gf stuff but im single right now, too young to be in relationships.
unfortunately, my dad used to be a mechanic. he knows too much about cars to try and pull that, ive tried before..
i would buy my gf stuff but im single right now, too young to be in relationships.
12-15-2004, 05:29 PM
#37
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,415
how did i miss this one? 
let's begin...
i've been posting on car forums since i was like 10, 11... dreaming about mods, and driving... and i've heard it over and over, and really have grown up more than i thought i could in the time since... but you may get something out of this even though it is not what you asked for...
how's it goin man? it's good that you work for your mods (i work for $5.4/hr i know it's hard)... nice car btw...
i honestly don't think you need "driving school"... as suggested earlier, but whatever you do please make sure you are always paying attention...
any mod you add, whether it be making you faster or safer has little to do with the outcome of the situation... you control what you do...
you can have the fastest and unsafest car in the world, and as long as you are aware and "mature" about what you have earned and the situation you are in, you are respected by others more than you think...
you hear it from your parents all the time i'm sure... but if you tell them, an intake, turbo, nitrous, or any other mod will not alter the way you handle situations, or how you take precautions then i think you will be set... especially if you are paying...
take care...
let's begin...i've been posting on car forums since i was like 10, 11... dreaming about mods, and driving... and i've heard it over and over, and really have grown up more than i thought i could in the time since... but you may get something out of this even though it is not what you asked for...
how's it goin man? it's good that you work for your mods (i work for $5.4/hr i know it's hard)... nice car btw...
i honestly don't think you need "driving school"... as suggested earlier, but whatever you do please make sure you are always paying attention...
any mod you add, whether it be making you faster or safer has little to do with the outcome of the situation... you control what you do...
you can have the fastest and unsafest car in the world, and as long as you are aware and "mature" about what you have earned and the situation you are in, you are respected by others more than you think...
you hear it from your parents all the time i'm sure... but if you tell them, an intake, turbo, nitrous, or any other mod will not alter the way you handle situations, or how you take precautions then i think you will be set... especially if you are paying...
take care...
12-15-2004, 05:29 PM
#38
hmm... well just tell him that u want to add some aftermarket parts to your car then, and if they dont let u... then 18 is only 2 years away lol my parents r the same way to some extent, theyll let me do some stuff but not whatever i want, but i turn 18 in 5 months anyway so no biggie 
12-15-2004, 05:34 PM
#40
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,415
Originally Posted by OkoYoko123
i would buy my gf stuff but im single right now, too young to be in relationships.
you don't have to think of a relationship as some sort of forever bond... if you like hanging out and the personality of someone then hang on to it... i can't say if i will be with her a month from now, but i'm still in it because we have yet to grow tired of each other and have grown so close that it's like we are dating, but best friends as well...
you don't always have to spend money...