So I really need a drop so that I can get some bigger rims and not look like a monster truck. I've been lurking around and thinking about just getting some lowering springs, but im worried about the stress it would put on the struts (car has 141,XXX). Would you guys suggest picking up struts too?..or would I be okay with out em. Im in school and kinda crunched for money in terms of getting coilovers. Any input?...thanks guys.

 

If you want to do it right, get struts.

Illuminas is what I have.

Tight on money getting wheels tires springs and no struts? Come' on!

 

good struts are more important than bigger wheels

 

Yeah I know I guess if I want it done correctly I shouldnt cut corners. I just dont wanna stretch budget too far.
For the springs I was looking at some H&R's

 

This.

 

Probably not the input you're looking for, however: a 10+ year old sedan with over 140,000 miles... you may want to pocket that money for your next ride. Seed a new savings account just for that purpose.

 

Oh come on. He wants to mod his car. I am sure we can all relate.

Here is some useful infomation:

http://www.shiftice.com/spring_strut_decision.html

 

We all relate to that. That's why 95% of us are here. But you have to have reasonable goals, knowing when money is better spent elsewhere, or saved for a more rewarding purpose. He asked for input on this consideration, and that was my input.

Well, that's my input from my current POV. If presented with that same, level-headed suggestion 25 years ago, I would have said, "Screw you, I need side-pipes on my Trans Am!"

 

Are your struts still original? If so you should really be replacing those struts. Lowering your car puts more strain on the struts. At that mileage those have to be near end of life(if original) before putting the extra strain into the suspension. I think the options in this thread should all be taken into consideration.

Not altering the suspension and saving for a different car may or may not be a route you want to take. I would look at it in terms of how much longer do you plan on keeping the vehicle realistically? Think about anything thats currently a problem or that you think may become one in the near future and make sure it is worth investing the money into it. If you decide you want springs be smart and get some struts. The last thing you want to do is spend all the money or do all the work to put springs in and have your struts fail and now you have to do it all again, or worse drive on blown struts. Not only is it an awful feel, its unsafe.

 

I agree. I had a buddy with a WRX that since buying it new (at about 22k) has put about 20k worth of work into it over the last 3 years (it's an 04 I believe). I spent about the same on a new car earlier this year.

My car rides better, handles better, sounds better, I would say it looks better, and is just as fast. Easiest.mod.ever.

 

Sorta fun to actually mod though

20k in mods ..

 

I remember trying to mod my Maxima while on a school budget, it's tough. There is so much to do and you want it all as soon as you can. The only think I can recommend is that you take the advice of others and don't skip. I can tell you from my personal experience I went the cheapest route the first time I did everything. Again, the first time. Because I kept choosing that cheaper route I eventually had to do the same mods over again due to parts breaking or wearing.

It is worth it to save up that little bit extra and get quality and do it right the first time. Some people learn it and some don't, some never will. It will save you time/money down the road though in 2-4 years.

 

Careful, man, Roy's in the house with his turbo-charged Max.

 

I've been modding these POS's for 10 years .. is wrong with me. I'm being serious, imagine what car I could have now with all the $$ spent on modding and paying my cars off?

 

Eh, it was for me back when I had my Max. At this point, I would probably stick to a few simple aesthetic things to make the car a bit more unique, but that's it.

And not all of that was just in mods... some of it was used in fixing a few of the "mistakes"

 

mines got 204k on it And im still modding....if properly taken care of they will last until 260-300k ....besides a used motor is like 400 with 50-80k on it...or at least aorund here

 

I got 240k on my 95 and 121k on my 03 .. and still modding.

 

I was referring to spending a little extra and getting quality parts rather then skipping and getting low cost low quality parts. Parts not cars . I'm basically the same way, If i'm driving the car and I want to mod it, i'm going to.

I remember my first y-pipe, I bought a used non stainless and I live in upstate NY. it was cheap and worked out Ok for awhile. Then it rusted and broke and I was left with no choice but to buy another one. Even though I didn't know how much longer I was going to keep the Max I went stainless to avoid any future problems. I could have spent a little extra originally and saved myself from buying another y-pipe 2-3 years later. That was the point I was trying to get across. Do it right the first time even if it costs a little more upfront.

How this relates to the OP, if you get springs or want to, get struts. If you don't, you could potentially looking at spending more money down the road(could be a short road) then it would cost to do it all upfront the right way the first time. Good luck!

 

merovi reads like he can easily put himself in the OP's shoes, so his is good advice to heed, even if he does keep using the word "skip" instead of "skimp".

 

My first y-pipe was the best ever. 4th gen Stillen 1st gen equal length, 250$ used. I could for tossing it instead of repairing it.


Oh shat it's grammar day today. time is recess.

 

Every day is Grammar Day, man.
A better Org through good communication skills.

Free the Whales.

 

I'll say what i want



Good advice is good advice.

 

I didnt get on here for a couple hours and my thread blew up with responses holy sh*t lol
-But anyways im going to have the max for a while. The milage may be somewhat high, but its been pampered. It was my first car, im 2nd owner. Dude before was a real freak. He gave me all the products he used like wax, cleaners, etc. (kinda creepy) It was his wifes car so of course it always got the garage. I may be younger than the average member on here but I dont abuse it like you would expect. Its never been tracked or just ran the wheels of it. Almost all miles have been HWY, if that matters any. Just going from class/work and back. Almost always put premium in. Engine/Tranny run smooth as ever. I think if car was lacking in any area it would be chassis/suspension. The ride is getting kinda rough. Got the typical front end clunk as well.
-Im also doing some preventative maintenance things. Im getting new pads and rotors soon as a gift ( some gift ). I replaced cats and alternator last year. Recently used seafoam and def. feel less gummed up. NGK Iridiums will be in as soon as they come in at my local shop.
-So I guess I have come to the conclusion to not get springs without the struts. I'll just keep the wimpy 15" until later date. PS - they came on the car at purchase, and YES i know the tires look like balloons, look pretty cheesy..like im trying to hard haha..so dont flame them please..im aware

I appreciate all the responses guys. If you couldnt tell im a little new to the modding scene. SHOW ME THE PATH TO A SUCCESSFUL
MAX!! haha

 

Just do it right the first time and save time and money. Putting lowering springs on stock struts that have seem so many miles will bound to blow sooner or later.

 

Yea, definitely go with some aftermarket shocks especially if your on 140k mile stockers

 

The average new car note runs $325mo and over a course of a year thats $4k not including higher insurance costs. IMO i believe once a car is paid off thats the best time to mod it..

 

OP I think if you are serious about handling get some coil-overs.. If your looking for just to lower the car for a better stance get some lowering spings with new struts..

 

I can't really argue with that, because that's exactly what I did. Bought my Maxima brand new on a 5-year loan. Started modding right about the time it got paid off. My thinking, a well-cared-for car should remain solid from ages 5 to 10. Whereas the OP is hitting the ground running at age 10.

That's the diff. Hence my uninspired advice.

However, I'm going to walk it back now. OP, try not to suffer regret from financial decisions, and do whatever makes you happy.

 

How low are you looking to drop it. ......and some kyb gr2 would be a good fit those are struts just if u didn't no

 

Search this subject there plenty info on this.......already!

 

if your interested i could save you some money on the springs portion, i got a set of old maxspeeds that you could have for cheap. pm if your interested.

btw...in my opinion no matter how high the miles are, you can always mod it to make it that much better or even run longer. you said it was pampered before you had it and it sounds like your doing the same. keep up the work and your already on your way to having a clean modded max.

 

I've got a set of BBS I need to get rid of.

You're local... Lets deal.

 

Them tires are super sticky, no?

 

hey are those BBS's off of an EVO X?

 

dont be crazy get some struts in there always avoid danger ! if you want the best of the best go with tokico illuminas however they are very expensive

 

Get both and will feel a way better ride or some coilovers some run around 800 or so!

 

thanks for the bump