Well, I'm coming into the final stages of working out a budget for my Maxima once I buy it. I plan to spend $5500 on the actual car including taxes, notorizing, etc. Now, I know I want this to be my dream machine, but I also can't make all the improvements at once. I've drafted a plan consisting of three phases of upgrades, which start with the most bang-for-buck upgrades and also upgrades which are the most noticeable/necessary. I plan to take out a loan large enough to complete the first phase immediately after purchase.

Phase 1 - $775
This phase is mainly audio equipment and maintenance parts that should be replaced because of mileage at or above 100K.

1. Knock Sensors $100
2. O2 Sensors $100
3. Brushed Aluminum Dash Kit from bdtrims.com $120
4. Sony CDX-F5710 Head Unit $160
5. Pioneer TSA-1780R 6.75" round speakers, 2 pairs $140
6. XM Radio Service $10/mo
7. Pioneer TS-W300R Subwoofer $50
8. Jensen PS260 2-channel amplifier $70
9. Materials for custom enclosure $25

Phase 2 - $895
This short phase consists of unnecessary items that will make driving more pleasureable.

1. Budget Y-Pipe $200
2. Roadmate 300 GPS ssytem $460
3. Whistler Pro-58 Radar detector $85
4. Window Tinting 30% or better $150 (complete guess on price)

Phase 3 - $1100
This phase is about uncheap performance.

1. Bridgestone Turanza LS-V tires $400
2. Xenon bulbs $200 (again, a guess at the price)
3. Custom Paint accenting (add a little blue, maybe) $200 (guess)
4. Better sounding muffler $300

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So, what do you all think? What would you change? The car I will probably buy is a 1998 Maxima GLE.

 

I thought you might be a weirdo until I saw your age. I was the same way when I was 17. Too bad life doesn't always go as planned. You'll learn that sooner or later.

Best of luck

 

buy a Y pipe first, and you might not need to replace KS and O2 right away if they are still good. Also, if i were budgeting, I would do performace mods first. The bose that comes with a GLE is not THAT bad, and you can live with it awhile as is or just add the sub in the beginning. Other beginning items you might want to consider are cold air or otherwise upgraded intake and susprension upgrades. WIth the max being what it is, I think fun-to-drive mods are more worth it. But really, it's all about what you want. Get what is most important to you first. Oh and one more thing, if your going to put HIDs in it, do it right and go with projectors. You'll be happer in the end.

 

Phase 1 - $775
This phase is mainly audio equipment and maintenance parts that should be replaced because of mileage at or above 100K.

1. Knock Sensors $100- only need if dead
2. O2 Sensors $100 - only need if dead
3. Brushed Aluminum Dash Kit from bdtrims.com $120 - good
4. Sony CDX-F5710 Head Unit $160 - sony? ehh i like to stay away from sony, but thats my personal preference
5. Pioneer TSA-1780R 6.75" round speakers, 2 pairs $140 - ok....
6. XM Radio Service $10/mo - do you really like this? im not a fan of XM, but if you like than dont mind me
7. Pioneer TS-W300R Subwoofer $50 - get a better sub
8. Jensen PS260 2-channel amplifier $70 - get a better amp
9. Materials for custom enclosure $25 - thats fine

Phase 2 - $895
This short phase consists of unnecessary items that will make driving more pleasureable.

1. Budget Y-Pipe $200 - would actually be the 1st thing i would do
2. Roadmate 300 GPS ssytem $460 - do you really need this? i mean 500 is a lot of money
3. Whistler Pro-58 Radar detector $85 - def buy a better radar detector
4. Window Tinting 30% or better $150 (complete guess on price) - good

Phase 3 - $1100
This phase is about uncheap performance.

1. Bridgestone Turanza LS-V tires $400 - again do you really need new tires?
2. Xenon bulbs $200 (again, a guess at the price) - do you mean HIDs? if so than get projectors, do not put HIDs in the stock housing, terrible output. and plan to spend more than 200
3. Custom Paint accenting (add a little blue, maybe) $200 (guess) - no idea about this one
4. Better sounding muffler $300 - might as well just get a custom bent 2.5 inch cat back for around 200 and get a muffler, and i doubt the muffler will cost 300 dollars


WHERE IS THE SUSPENSION UPGRADE!?!?!?

 

Half of the stuff is pointless ricer gear. You have your crap all wrong. First maintenance stuff, got that right, then performance stuff. Of course you might not be into performance, if that's the case do the stuff you want most first.
PHASE 1
do # 1, 2, 4, 5
PHASE 2
do 1 and 4, other choices are garbage
PHASE 3
do 1 but better tires, who spends $300 on a muffler?

 

i like my answer better

 

That's because you don't know any better.

 

ur gunna get a loan at 17??? ur crazy my brother did that and still lives at home because of it and hes almost 23... bad idea. his was like 18000 though. but o well i guess u will learn.

 

Use that money for tuition/books/food/college ... Beer

 

I didn't know suspension upgrades were so high in demand. What exactly should I plan to get as far as suspension?

As far as some of the other things said here, and no I don't mean to be insulting, but no I will not get a better sub and no I will not get a better amp. I understand pioneer isn't known for its subs, and jensen isnt known for its amplifiers, but just the same I am not known for my huge paychecks. Those things can be upgraded later if need be.

I got all the equipment needed to work with an XM Ready HU for $25. Usually the reason people don't go satellite is because of up-front costs...but heck for $25 I couldn't pass it up!

Anyway, thanks for all the advice, in return I offer you...more questions! Well anyway, usually I am not a huge speeder, maybe 10 mph over so I figured I might not need the Y-pipe for a while. Why should I get this first?

About the Radar Detector, yes I should get a better one.

 

your paychesk arnt that big and yet you want to drop 500 dollars on a gps system? uh ok...

 

trust me, you are going to want looks first, i would rather drop the car first, intake and ypipe
then you can do whatever you want after that.

 

Y pipe is the most cost effective horsepower increase you can do. It will usually gain you 20 HP. It doesn't mean you have to speed, but you can get to the limit faster

 

Hey I spent about $5k on my car, and look where im at.

 

I don't even have $1k in my car Xander, wtf did you spend $5k on?

 

Rota Rims and tires, $900, Gorrila lugnuts $30, wheel spacers $30, In Dash DVD player $1400, Pioneer Headunit $250, Alpine Amp $200, Infinity 12in sub $200, Homemade intake $70, Budget ypipe $190 (canadian dollar was strong at the time of purchase), Aftermarket Muffler $100, KYB AGX $340, Maxspeed Springs $90, Motostorm UDP $110 plus belts $30, a pair of Tenzo R Rally Type racing seats $470, FSTB $40, pair of Mazda Millenia wheels $140, BF Goodrich DRs $238, clear corners $30, seat belt pads $25, homedone red/clear taillights $6 =
$4889......close enough to $5k (some prices for parts that got installed professionally, labor charges was not factored in, although majority of the parts were installed by me.)

Thank you DAVE, now everyone know what exact mods I have on my car.