Back at home for thxgiving break, a classic mountain road finally beckoned me. This is the first time I have taken the Maxima up here with less than three people in it. And in short, holy ****! In cold weather the VQ will HAUL ***, and it handled pretty damn well to boot. Turn-in wasn't great but as soon as you get the car planted in the turn it just pulls through (with a complaint or two from the inside front tire).

This is coming from a guy with 155k, no engine mods, stock SE suspension (well, a front strut brace and koni adjustables set to 1/4 turn short of full soft) and stock SE 16s with a set of 215/55ZR Avon Tech M500s. I dunno, but whoever says this car can't handle worth a damn is just plain wrong.

Taking this car redline to redline was an absolute joy, just made me that much more glad that I didn't settle for an automatic. I absolutely LOVE this car. Oh, and I need a friggin' rear sway bar. How much do they normally run?

 

Sway bar is around 120$.

VQ definately pulls better in colder weather. Too bad it takes its toll on traction

The real problem with these cars as far as handling goes isn't really the live beam (despite what turd gen guys will tell you. They're just VQ jaleous ), it's the fact that stock 4th gens have more wheelgap than a Dodge Ram, Toyota 4Runner and Pathfinder put together. A simple 1.5" drop with reasonable spring rates will transform any 95-99.

 

Damn, not bad. And there's nothing wrong with a lack of traction.
Yeah, the wheelgap sorta bothers me, but then again, I don't want to hit my underbody on anything. It's a tradeoff. =) I need to look into some H&R sports soon though... a mild drop wouldn't blow out konis, would they? That's all I really want.

 

Sounds like you had a lot of fun. pretty sweet.



OT: will the 4th gen lose to a focus in terms of handling? my friend has an '01 (not zx of svt, regular... le i think?) and he claims that he will easily outhandle my max...

 

depends on conditions and driver, id say go for it. what he might have in handling you make up for in power, so itd be fun to watch...

 

ah yes the tempation to take full potential of the vq im lovin it

 

^^ ^^

Went out the other night with some buddies since I am home for the holiday as well. Haven't been out and around my home area for quite some time now. Was amazed at what the max turns into at 90+. It seems like it just starts to breathe and wants to be pushed harder. I am stock as well, and 156k. I am still amazed at nissans quality of the VQ motor after 3 years of ownership. Waiting for winter to be over, then finally starting to mod for even a bigger grin on my face!

 

The rear beam on the 4th gen will actually let it outhandle many smaller cars on smooth, dry roads. Even a GLE will make better skidpad and slalom figures than a 3rd gen Acura Integra LS. The problem is when the road gets bumpy...

 

Yeah, I took mine up in the twistys a couple of weeks ago for the first time. Stock powerplant with H&R's and illuminia's set to 5. It was cool foggy and the VQ really surprised me. I thought about reverting back to the soft SE suspension, but a mountain road will get you hooked

 

the cold weather feels like such a boost that when its slightly humid out i dont even want to disappoint myself by mashing the pedal and feeling the difference. Too bad i live in houston and its cold here for like 2 weeks out of the whole year. Hopefully i can properly mod to where it wont matter if its cold or not...but yeah, if its cold i'm losing traction all over the place, in my auto.

 

VQ=the win

 

sounds like you had some fun times man. The cold weather is only good for one thing apparently.
-Ryan

 

cold weather = VROOOOOM!!!! roar of the beast. i'm almost stock and i def agree... cold is faster! +new tires (toyo proxes tpt)= no traction complaints! there's a road off of rt. 70w that exits onto kings hwy in cherry hill that is WAY fun! it's banked and is basically a big S shape. i've been having speed trials on it, and got up to 60 around the bend... with my old tires! o man talk about the g's! it's like u just had sex when u get to the end.

 

I'm gonna leave this thread now...yea.




On the other hand, I have nothing but good things to say about my Proxes TPT as well. Great tire.

 

looks like we have a keiichi tsuchiya on the org