Best Bang for the Buck Upgrades?

[monkeybear]

What would you all say are the best bang for the buck upgrades for the Nissan Versa? What gets you the most for the money? I have maybe $500 to spend and I just don't know what to spend it on.

Thanks!

[Ever Victorious]

Depends on what's most important to you.

Handling... either springs (Tanabe or Eibach) and/or a front strut tower brace would make the most difference for a small amount of money.

Performance... CAI. Right now there's not much in the way of inexpensive power mods for the V.

Cosmetics... A spoiler. You can get a factory spoiler or even a Stillen spoiler for your car in this price range.

You could also get a decent set of rims, and just buy tires when you get up some more scratch.

Audio... You should be able to get a head unit and a set of speakers for this amount. This will take care of the S's rather... uhm... lacking stereo. Plus you can get some neat features, depending on the head unit you pick.

[monkeybear]

What would the springs do for me? Would they void my warranty? Would they lower the car? How would they be affected by pot holes or speed bumps?

[07blueversa]

The AEM CAI would be a good one in my opinion. That, and HID's. U could do both for under $500.Just trying to help...

[Great White Versa]

If you do decide to get the AEM CAI, get it at autoanything [1]. During checkout it will ask for a coupon code, a quick google search will yield a plethora of coupon codes, one of which will give you $25 off. End result is the AEM CAI at your door in a few days for under $200.

1 - http://www.autoanything.com/ai....aspx

[monkeybear]

Sweet coupon code deal.

What are HIDs?

[CodeRed]

Sweet coupon code deal.

What are HIDs?

Oh god, where is Clipsed?!

[monkeybear]

Oh god, where is Clipsed?!

I'm sure you could tell me. I just need to know what H I and D stand for and I am sure I could google the rest.

[CodeRed]

It is a high intensity bulb that is a replacement for stock bulbs. They come in many colour temp's spanning from pure white to purple/blue. They are illegal for the most part (unless installed in the proper housing). A proper housing would be a projector lense with a cutoff. The Versa dosn't come with projectors so installing HID's would be illegal because the light tends to be scattered all over the road blinding oncoming traffic. I hope this helps you a little bit I know for sure Clipsed will hop in this topic in explain it to you a little more in depth.

[Clipsed]

I'm here!!! lolz, HID stands for High Intensity Discharge, it is a different type of lighting. To utilize HID, you would need either a specially designed reflector for HID, OR a specially designed projector for HID use. Halogen (which the Versa uses) and HID are completely different, their output and the focal point of the bulbs are not the same. You have 2 options, either upgrade to higher wattage bulbs, OR retro in some HID projectors from another car like a Porsche (as I have) e55's, FX's, Murano's, or new 06+ 350z, the list goes on. See my sig to get an idea.

[Clipsed]

It is a high intensity bulb that is a replacement for stock bulbs. They come in many colour temp's spanning from pure white to purple/blue. They are illegal for the most part (unless installed in the proper housing). A proper housing would be a projector lense with a cutoff. The Versa dosn't come with projectors so installing HID's would be illegal because the light tends to be scattered all over the road blinding oncoming traffic. I hope this helps you a little bit I know for sure Clipsed will hop in this topic in explain it to you a little more in depth.

lol you posted while I was typing. But yes, stock HIDs come in 4100K-4300K which is almost pure white. These kits you see on e-bay are HIGHLY illegal, and the NHTSA and DOT are really cracking down on the importers, distributors, retailers, and even the people who install them. Even if you were to get the Tiida headlights which were designed for HID use, you would still be illegal, because they are designed for RHD, and two, you would be losing light output where you need it, because we drive on the left. When I do anything with HID's, I only use OEM components which come off of wrecked vehicles, usually the ones that are considered a total from a side or rear impact, and the front of the vehicle was not damaged. These are actually just as cheap as a kit, but much more reliable, and will probably outlive the life of your car.

[monkeybear]

Hmm, how much would something like this cost to do legally? Just a ball park. Thanks!

[Clipsed]

depends on what types of parts or projectors you want, but to completely do a custom job is about $700 or so, but like I said, things vary.

[monkeybear]

Thats a little more than I can afford right now. For me the big debate is whether to get the CAI and Strut bar or to save a little more and get a set of 17" rims.

Actually when you get right down to it I don't really know what I want to do, I have a little money and I want to put it into my car. Maybe I will figure it out or maybe I will just end up saving it in the bank with the rest.

[Clipsed]

it may be a pretty penny, but it is WELL WORTH IT! Trust me. I mean you decide, next time you are driving next to a Honda S2000, or a Lexus LS430, or a Porsche, you tell me what lights you think are better (and look cooler as an added bonus) It is well worth it.

[monkeybear]

The lights on a s2000 do look brighter, maybe the streets are lit up so well over here in my part of Houston that I can't really tell too much of a difference. The difference is there, just not enough to make me want to pay any money for it.

I went ahead and purchased some cheap rims from DTC, I just don't want hubcaps and I like the way the Enkei GF1s look. I have an appointment on Friday (after I get my car from back from the bodyshop) to have them put on with my old tires for $322 OTD. That seems pretty good to me for new rims.

It was the most expensive mod I want to do so thats what made me decided to do it first. I also plan for an AEM CAI, DS Strut Bar, a tint job, new grille and maybe a few other things as new options come to the market. As for audio I can get some Alpine S Series 6 1/2s for about $70 a pair. They sound much better than the stock set at best buy and they look like they will be able to run fine with the stock wiring/amp/head unit. There is no need for an expensive head unit. I figure I will stop adding stuff after six months and just enjoy the damn thing without worrying about whats next for a couple of years.

[nissantech06]

What would the springs do for me? Would they void my warranty? Would they lower the car? How would they be affected by pot holes or speed bumps?

Yes and eventually they'll blow the struts. I have YET to see a lowered car last longer than 25,000 miles on lowering springs alone. You're lucky, the Versa has tons of full kits out already.

[FD3S]

Yes and eventually they'll blow the struts. I have YET to see a lowered car last longer than 25,000 miles on lowering springs alone. You're lucky, the Versa has tons of full kits out already.

What do you mean by not seeing a lowered car last longer than 25,000 miles? Are you suggesting adding lowering springs and strut tower brace together?

[nissantech06]

What do you mean by not seeing a lowered car last longer than 25,000 miles? Are you suggesting adding lowering springs and strut tower brace together?

Sorry, I should be more descriptive LOL.

No, I mean by putting lowering springs on stock struts/shocks. They usually can't handle the springs for prolonged periods of time. Since Nissans are known for having strut issues, I would recommend against it, since no dealership that's smart will warranty bad struts on a car with lowering springs. We have a sales guy who has a 2005 Murano who put the Eibach prokit on his car (Muranos and Maximas have similar front struts) and after 15,000 miles BOTH struts are noisy and starting to leak fluid. Maximas are known for bad struts (the knocking noise in turns and over bumps) and; therefore, Muranos can develop them, too. Just saying save your money, and invest in a whole suspension kit. You'll notice a night/day difference in damping rates and grip.

[FD3S]

Sorry, I should be more descriptive LOL.

No, I mean by putting lowering springs on stock struts/shocks. They usually can't handle the springs for prolonged periods of time. Since Nissans are known for having strut issues, I would recommend against it, since no dealership that's smart will warranty bad struts on a car with lowering springs. We have a sales guy who has a 2005 Murano who put the Eibach prokit on his car (Muranos and Maximas have similar front struts) and after 15,000 miles BOTH struts are noisy and starting to leak fluid. Maximas are known for bad struts (the knocking noise in turns and over bumps) and; therefore, Muranos can develop them, too. Just saying save your money, and invest in a whole suspension kit. You'll notice a night/day difference in damping rates and grip.

Ah.. so it's better to get, lets say.. Tanabe springs AND coilovers rather than the springs alone? Will the springs alone really mess up the suspension that bad, because I don't have the money to afford $1,000 coilovers :[

[monkeybear]

Ah.. so it's better to get, lets say.. Tanabe springs AND coilovers rather than the springs alone? Will the springs alone really mess up the suspension that bad, because I don't have the money to afford $1,000 coilovers :[

My understanding is that you are going to be buying new suspension parts one way or the other if you replace the springs so you might as well do them both at the same time. Happened to a friend of mine, at least he told me so when I asked him about springs today.