First of all here's my newest "mod"!
Well obviously it' not really a mod - it's a new 2K3 base Merlot SE 6-speed (had 12 miles on the odo!) - the only additional options are body colored splashguards and floormats.

Just got it yesterday for $21.6K at 0.9% financing for three years. I think I got a good deal but nevertheless I'm having a little bit of buyers remorse this morning (but I guess this is normal). I've still got my 2K1 so I'll be putting it for sale in the next couple of days.

I think I'm going to swap rims and tires and sell my 2K1 with the 17's from the 2K3. I've got Michellin Pilot Sport A/S's on the 2K1 and really want to keep these (they've got PLENTY of life left). Plus I'm looking forward to the extra horses the lighter rims will free up on the 2K3.

Anybody try this? Was there a noticeable difference in acceleration and power? According to SteVTEC's article going from stock 17's to 16's is equivalent to eliminating about 250lb's from curb weight.

Oh as far as drving impressions: I love it! The shifter is not bad at all, the power, and especially torque, are definitely there, and the engine revs as smooth as silk.

 

If I were you I would leave the 17's on the 2k3!!

 

you won't be able to hit WOT with 16's, unless you have some d*mn sticky tires. my 17's with stock potenza's can't hold the ground, 16's will intensify this effect. BTW, welcome to the Merlot and Maxima Community

 

As long as the tires are sticky, he will be able to hit WOT no problem. Get rid of the RE92's and put some performance tires on there and you wont have nearly as bad of traction problems.

 

The 16"s will look like crap. Leave the car as is and just get some better tires.

 

Try 16's with slicks at the track

 

love that color!!!

 

He said he had Pilot A/S on his 16' wheels.


~limsandy

 

NIIICE - another Merlot Max! Keep the 17s man - the tires on the 16s look too fat IMHO.

Sell them as a set and put the money towards new tires for the 17s. If you're hard on them they will be toast real quick.

Gotta a good price - sounds like you saved a lot of money that can be put towards mods!! Hehe..

 

I thought of going to 16" MAYBE 15" just for a smoother ride.

any downside to this ????

03 GLE with 17" Turanzos 1500 miles

 

15's

 

as is, I'm startin to think my stock 17's are too small.....If you go with 16's, ur car's gonna look like it's rollin on donuts!!

 

Thanks for the compliments everybody!

You were all right - I put the 16's on, and although the car DID feel peppier and got up to speed a little quicker, the trade-off in handling and ride quality was too much - even considering the 16's ARE Pilot Sport A/S's.

I'm sticking with the stock 17's and getting better tires, probably the A/S's as well.

 

Are we back to the over-hyped subject of wheel size ?

 

only one... 15s won't fit on a 2k2/2k3. There are very few wheels that clear the calipers.

And trust me, I had 16s on my 2k2 all winter and it looks pretty bad. Get better tires, don't go down in size.

 

 

you sure 15's wont fit

 

I see 02/02 with the 16" 5 spokes pretty often here, the tailpipes are the 01 style on them too, not the nicer polished tips. Strange to see, looks like an 01 except the Hids, front end and side skirts. I dig the 01 style myself anyway

 

 

 

i've had 16's on my 2k2 for about 2 months now. one thing you'd notice for sure is that with the smaller wheels, i'm able to chirp 3rd a lot easier than before. performance, i don't notice any difference. maybe it's there, i dont' feel it.
tires are crappy, but i don't care. they're mainly for winter use....i plan on upgrading soon, just haven't had the time. if you're wondering what it looks like with 16's, here you go. big gap, but that's gonna disappear in 36 hours, and counting......

 

what happened to the stock 17's?

 

traded with a .ORGer (name held in witness protection program) for these 16's + cash. again, i was planning on upgrading the wheels, so why have nice wheels for winter use. i figure with the 16's, i'll have a thicker tire wall, so better for its intended use...winter.

i've already had quite a few people notice "hey, how come you downgraded your wheels...you're going the wrong way"

 

How can there be a big gap? Aren't he 16's and 17's about the same O.D.?

I thought only the sidewall would change,but the diameter would be the same.

 

Actually.I think your car looks pretty good !!

 

thanx...molded rear valence really accents the rear nicely. the stock 2k2 side skirts seem to blend enough, although stillen side skirts are coming soon. spring is here and i bought everything throughout the winter, so now to find the time to mount them.

that day i actually hand-glazed the car, so it's got a real deep shine too it...WOOO HOOOO!!!

pic of valence...

 

Did your car ride any smoother with the 16's ?

That's what I'm lookinbg for.

 

wish i could tell you man...but i haven't the slightest idea. i just chirped easier (i assume lighter wheel caused that) but comfort, this is NYC. nothing feels good here.

 

Ahhh,the famous roads of NY

 

sorry, the statements were meant to go together. When I wrote "There are very few wheels that clear the calipers" I meant to say "There are very few 15s that clear the calipers."

 

ahhhhhhhhhhhh BTW tsw revis fit nicely

 

Are we back to the Cali guys correcting thier ETs for altitude


Dave

 

So now you are hating on Cali guys.. , it must suck to live out in the sticks and wonder what it's like to roll in perfect weather all year long. Snow tires ? WTF is that ?

 

Being a newbie,and a first time Maxima Owner,I'd like to find out whatever I can about these cars,and how I can "personalize" it.

Would it always be wise to search each forum to see if a subject has been discussed before,or should I just ask a question ??

What's the procedure ??

 

Ask a question and get flamed - but at least you'll get some useful info!

By the way, ASU - you forgot the part about how 110 degrees in the summer is a cool day in Arizona! "Perfect weather"...not so sure