Not so newbie checking in.

[IanS]

Evening gentlemen of the Max forum, meet your newest member.

<< This goofy bastard.

Thats right, I got myself an 06 Maxima. Actually I got it for the wife to drive, but I will also use it on the weekends, and on road trips.

Its an A34 SL with every option except navigation, so its a bit of a change from all of my 240SXs, but I got into the groove of things by conditioning all the leather, then clay barring and waxing the exterior. She only has 40,000 rounds on her, and I plan to put many on over the next few years. I wont really be modifiying this car, although I do plan to throw a K&N drop in filter in there at the first oil change.

I do have some questions though. The car currently has the 17" alloys, which Im happy with, I dont really like the way the 18"s look. Im curious though, does anyone know of any 16" alloy wheels that clear the front brake calipers? I already tried fitting a set of S14 SE alloys, to no avail. The reason I ask is, I plan on putting snow tires on for the winter, and I would prefer to have a second set of wheels specifically for that. Also 16" tires are cheaper, and the taller sidewall would help with snow traction. If there are none, I guess I will start looking for a set of 17" or 18" wheels to run during the summer, and use the stockers for snow duty.

Also, does anyone know the compatibility of the updated 2007 grille on the 2006 model. I prefer the look of the grille without the giant chrome center section. They look very similar, and if its as easy as popping one out and the other in, I will be on the hunt for a replacement.

Hope I dont annoy anyone too much. I will try and get some decent pictures of the car on Sunday. For now you can make due with the cruddy cell pix.

[jltibbs]

Looks great bro. Time for mod city!

[MinisterofDOOM]

I see people running 16s around here fairly often, actually. Looks pretty stupid but that's mostly due to their choice of cheap would-be Civic wheels.

The grille isn't just a direct swap, unfortunately. It's a different shape. You have to swap the bumper for it to work. Bumper installation actually isn't that big a deal, though (in fact it's required to replace headlamps) so it still might be worth looking into.

[IanS]

I see people running 16s around here fairly often, actually. Looks pretty stupid but that's mostly due to their choice of cheap would-be Civic wheels.

The grille isn't just a direct swap, unfortunately. It's a different shape. You have to swap the bumper for it to work. Bumper installation actually isn't that big a deal, though (in fact it's required to replace headlamps) so it still might be worth looking into.

I guess I will have to do some digging. My S14 SE wheels hit the calipers, on the outer part of the barrel, near the spokes. It was very close though.

As for the grille, I guess I will have to wait for the wife to plow into something before messing around with it, because you know she will.

[Markc]

As for the grille, I guess I will have to wait for the wife to plow into something before messing around with it, because you know she will.

Man, that's a nasty outlook. I can relate, though. My wife backed into a Volvo S.U.V 13 days after I bought the car and caused $1600 damage to our car alone.No idea as to why she was "bookin' it" in reverse like that.

[IanS]

Man, that's a nasty outlook. I can relate, though. My wife backed into a Volvo S.U.V 13 days after I bought the car and caused $1600 damage to our car alone.No idea as to why she was "bookin' it" in reverse like that.

Hahahahah, my wife is actually a decent driver, she's never hit anything by her own fault. But she has been in 2 accidents. I've just been giving her flak because she was driving it the day after we got it, and she got a big chip in the windshield.

[Markc]

Yea, funny that is, isn't it. My wife's been driving for 30 yrs. and has never had an at fault accident or even a speeding ticket! UNTIL this car. First, her at fault reverse into a Volvo and then 3 weeks ago a speeding ticket. Both firsts for her. Here's hoping the trend doesn't continue or that bad luck comes in 3's.

[IanS]

Pictures. Man I wish I had a nicer camera. My 5 year old point and shoot Leica just doesn't cut it anymore. But hey gotta make due with what I've got.







Gotta love those HIDs















This was a lease vehicle. It must have been someone single. The passenger seat looks like its only been used a handful of times, and the back seat looks absolutely untouched. The drivers floor mat is the only one that shows any sign of wear whatsoever.

[Markc]

Very nice! That is one clean used car. How 'bout some under the hood shots?

[IanS]

Very nice! That is one clean used car. How 'bout some under the hood shots?

Hahahaha

I was out at that parking lot, and I thought about popping the hood, but decided against it. The dealership did a once over of all the plastic covers, but they have all picked up a whole bunch of dust already.

Ive never owned a car with a plastic engine bay, but since it seems to be the wave of the future, I plan to toy with some ideas. One thing I have noticed, is the rough plastic covers get dusty really fast, and the oil that people use to make it shiny makes things worse.

I have a bunch of fiberglass resin laying around, I may try using that to smooth out the engine cover. The norm seems to be a custom CF cover, but I think a smoothed, custom painted cover could look really good.

[MinisterofDOOM]

I have to say I definitely prefer the brushed metal (or, in some places, brushed-metal-looking) trim in the SE over the wood in the SL. But then I didn't like the wood trim in my Q, either, and it doesn't really bother me that much anymore.

[lino]

Congrats on the new car. Looking good

[IanS]

I have to say I definitely prefer the brushed metal (or, in some places, brushed-metal-looking) trim in the SE over the wood in the SL. But then I didn't like the wood trim in my Q, either, and it doesn't really bother me that much anymore.

My wife isn't a big fan of the wood either. She likes the brushed aluminum look. Me on the other hand, I think the wood brings a warmer feel to the interior. Ive driven an A34 SE, with all brushed trim, and I thought the interior felt cold, almost robotic.

[Markc]

Yea, I like the plastic fake wood look better myself. There is a company that offers real wood replacement trim. I think I saw it on this site but can't find it just now.One thing that really turns me off is that big metal piece in front of the gear shift. A nice walnut or rosewood would be much more inviting IMO.

[IanS]

Yea, I like the plastic fake wood look better myself. There is a company that offers real wood replacement trim. I think I saw it on this site but can't find it just now.One thing that really turns me off is that big metal piece in front of the gear shift. A nice walnut or rosewood would be much more inviting IMO.

I agree, though I think it would be too much wood if it were one solid piece. At some point I may decide to pull it out, and mix things up a little.