Here's my dilemma. I was perfectly fine with my 2k3 SE TE rims until I started helping my friend to find some rims for his Accord. In my search, I ran across Tony Fernandes's Maxima:



Well, I just wet my pants when I saw these rims (Nakayama Phantom GT-R's)



If I buy, I would get the 18x7.5" with 235/40/18 tires (probably Michelin Pilot Sports). The rims are pretty reasonable ($205) but the whole package will cost me about $2,000.

Now here is my question, am I out of my mind to dump $2000 in my 2k3 Maxima? I hate to spend this much money on a depreciating item knowing that if I ever sell the car my money will most likely be down the drain.

Will the difference in handling make up for it? Or will my ride just be rougher and will I regret not riding on my stock 17's (which are pretty comfortable - not that great handling)?

Anyone?

 

Guys, here's something to think about as well. All you guys that add thousands and thousands of dollars into your cars in mods, just don't ever total them. I am a claim rep for an insurance company and I work in the total loss unit. Check your insurance policies before you go dropping all that money into your cars. If you were to ever total it, you would be out a TON of dough. Insurance is only responsible (at least where I work) for the fair market value of a vehicle if you total it. You have the option of removing whatever you want to, but beyond that, it won't add any value to your car. The fact is, the vast majority of people out there would probably pay LESS for a car with a ton of mods than a stock one. Mods are considered personal preference items, and thus limits your market signigicantly. Just remember that anytime you put thousands of dollars of stuff into your cars.

 

Yep. I could not agree more. However, any mods that I do are bolt-on stuff that will allow me to return the car to stock when / if I sell it. The stereo stuff will be used for my next ride, but rims? I guess I'm not sure if it's worth dumping 2K into a 26K car (after 4 months probably 20K ).

 

I've heard guys say that going from 17 to 18" rims crosses a line. It's like the point of diminishing returns. Basically, the benefits of a larger tire start to get chewed away by the fact that you will be making the car slower. I'm not speaking from personal experience, just experience relayed to me, lots of it.

When a mod actually hurts performance, it's rice. The rims are definitley bling_bling.

But hey, if you're willing to make your car slower for the sake of bling, may the bling gods smile upon thee and make thee happy!

 

that is two grand you can use as part of a down payment on a home...which will appreciate in value as fast as your car depreciates in value

I can of course guide you in your quest since I only paid $80 bucks for my rims new out the box.....and yes...if they had cost as much as the ones you are considering I would still be on the stock steelies--most likely missing a hubcap or replaced them with target "chromies" lol

so you aren't necessarily stupid for wanting them...we all are materialistic when it comes to our cars...I just think that you should invest the money in someway that will repay you in the end


ask asu174 how he feels about spending on his car since he joined the org


you could also donate some of that money to the server upgrade

 

235 40 18"s are out of spec on an 18 x 7.5" wheel. The minimum recommended width is 225.

I would hardly consider 18"s "bling bling". 19"s or higher are when you start to "bling".

$2000 is a lot for a set of wheels abd tires. But if you like them, then go for it. I spent that much on mine and love them. Yes, the ride isn't as smooth, but I'm also dropped almost 2 inches.

 

I think the other issue for me with the wheels is that the SE rims are nice. I think if you lower the car the look of larger rims is good tho. Every time I think about different rims I look at my car and think .... man those are nice for factory equipment.

 

The rims look like SSR GT1 knockoffs..... chk my homepage.
As far as a rougher ride than the OEM 17s, that all depends on whether you maintain the same "rolling radius" as the stock setup- check this site- Tire size calculator it also depends on whether or not you increase your unsprung weight.

My ride comfort stayed the same since I kept my "rolling radius" the same and I reduced my unsprung weight. The SSRs are spun-forged. I don't think the Nakayamas are....

 

With the way my wheels give out all the time under WOT, I think I could use a little less power They make the rims in 17", but I figured if I'm going to get new rims (big IF at this point) I might as well get something bigger.

Looks are 99% of the reason I want these, I'm just hoping there will be some performace benifit for $2K

 

Actually, larger rim does not = heavier rim, particularly when it comes to the stock rims.

spta97...if you like that look and you care about weight...take a look at the SSR GT1 rim...same design and superlightweight...I think the 18"x8" wheels are about 19 lbs, which is lighter than your stock 17's. My SSR Type-C's are 16 lbs at 18"x8.5".

Otherwise, no...you are not stupid.

 

dammit you're supposed to be on my side

 

$2k is pretty expensive. I'm only spending about $600 for all 4 rims (that's w/o the tires). I'm getting 18" Motegi MR7s and here in SC there's a place that sales them for about $140-150 a piece for 18s. I don't want to spend a lot on rims when those look good too.

 

Well, I already have a house but I totally understand what you are talking about. I've spent so much money since I got this place (probably about $40k) that I've been concentrating on my Max lately (lighting, RSB&FSTB, stereo system) for a change of pace. The 2 grand on rims could go toward my central air..but they are so nice looking!

Hey...I just checked your homepage...you have a TON of mods

 

19 pounds is correct.........bling bling!

 

Yea, they are a total knock off. From what I've seen the SSR GT1s are an A$$ load more cash. Also, they come in silver which I preferred rather than chrome.

Thanks for the link to the tire calc, I lost it and was looking for that link forever!

What is "spun-forgred"? Does it make the rim stronger?

 

"Now here is my question, am I out of my mind to dump $2000 in my 2k3 Maxima? I hate to spend this much money on a depreciating item knowing that if I ever sell the car my money will most likely be down the drain."

If the rims make you feel good, then spend that money. I see so many Civics on the street now with so much money pumped into them and a Civic cost much less than a 03 Maxima. All vehicles depreciate so I never consider my vehicle purchase as a financial investment

 

Really? The guy at Tirerack.com told me that 235 was the stuff! Thanks for the info, I would hate to have a blow out due to wrong info.

I really didn't think that $205/rim was that bad. The tires I know are way to expensive but everyone keeps raving about these damn Michelin Pilots!

Well, I guess I could depreciate it over 5 years....

$2000 =
$400 / year =
$33 / month =
$1.11 / day

I guess the 17 year old Vietnamese girl I was going to adopt might have to wait

 

I am glad I have not spent a NICKEL on my car.



Gimmie a break. Yes, there are better things you can do with your money...but that is why it is called a HOBBY! Last time I checked, my new deck did not put down 300 HP!

 

 

That's the other problem. The rims I have now look awesome, especially since they are the Titanium Edition. However, those would become my "winter" rims (not that I drive my Max in any snow) and these would be the summer rims!

 

See TIRERACK's page: Link:

It explains why forged is stronger than cast...and the SSR GT1s are Semi-solid forged (not spun forged).

 

Hmmmm...something else to think about.

How much did you pay for your rims?

 

Got them from the RACK....$400ea. Pricey, but worth it if you want low weight. I love them.

 

Ouch!

 

umm...your grill is pretty bad looking...

could you give me some info on how you did that??

thx..

 

Exactly! If you like the look of these wheels, I suggest getting the SSR's. They are 18 X 8 and this will allow you to put on a bigger tire (more comfortable ride). In addition, you will be getting a quality product. I saw some GT's for sale on Ebay a couple of days ago. As for getting rid of the OEM wheels, I waited until I needed new tires and I decided that I would rather spend the money on new tires/wheels than on just tires for the OEM 17 X 7 wheel (stupid 7" wide wheel )

 

I would get those rims after your OEM tires wear out. Guess what. I love thos rims too. It looks 100x better in person.
However, if I had a 17" SE rims already, I wouldnt get new rims/tires just yet. I am still rolling on OEM 98 SE rims becuase I like them so much. However, when my bro's 2k GXE tires wore out, it was gonna cost $500 just to replace the tires. We spent $200 more and got aftermarket 5spoke rims and tires. Thats was a smart move.

 

my rims look kinda like those.. but smaller