[RogerButton33]

Mmkay, here's the current vehicle situation:

1. My fiancée has a 2007 Chevy Cobalt w/ 15K miles, it's as vanilla as they come. She got it to commute to and from work, with no frills.

2. I have a 2008 Nissan Altima Coupe 3.5SE, w/ 57K miles, fully loaded. It also currently has some modifications, but nothing major...

I moved to Maryland in August of last year, that means by state law I have to have it tagged in Maryland by August of this year...

Problem: West Virginia will charge me 6% of the car's value to remove the WV tags and get the title transferred to MD. THEN, Maryland will charge me another 6% to tag it there! So I'm looking in the neighborhood of $4000.

After discussing this extensively with my fiancée, she has agreed to let present her with a plan as to what to do with our vehicles. BUT, it has NOTHING to do with the cars, it has to do with what makes the most financial sense! (Though she has also allowed me to have fun with whatever option she buys in to...

Now, the other problem is that the Altima desperately needs new tires. Now, if I'm going to sell/trade it off, I don't want to put Turenza Serenitys on it... I would go with something cheaper. But, if I keep it and hand it over to my fiancee, I would put the Serenitys on...

So here are my three options for my current Coupe:

1. Keep the Coupe until I run it into the ground... Fork over the taxes, but then I'd get to modify it how I wish. Yes, it's FWD, but SFR has an interesting turbo kit for them... With the new tires, I'd get new 18" wheels (There are Konig & Enkeis I have in mind) over the 17" OEMs, and go to town with the modifications.

Plus, it needs some bodywork from various dings and such, to the point it could use being repainted. I was thinking a House of Kolor "Midnite Blue" pearl. I'd get a few body accents from Stillen, a 5% tint job all the way around and there's a guy who makes amazing GTR head/tail light overlays.

2. Keep the Coupe. Fork over the taxes and get all of the bodywork done to it, but with a different HoK paint... and give it to my fiancée for her to drive. She adores my current car, and has fun driving it since it handles so much better than anything she's driven before. We'd then sell her Cobalt or trade it in... Then I'd get one of the two cars listed below.

3. Sell/trade in my Coupe (effectively dodging the taxes), and get one of two different cars...

So here are the options for the new vehicle:

A. A 2009 Maxima 3.5 SV w/ Sport & Technology packages... With everything else, the end bill would be around $38,500. It's still got the VQ35 engine, and Stillen (amongst others) is pumping out upgrades for the car. This would have the added benefit of giving us a 4-door in our garage. While it won't have the handling of the Coupe, it wouldn't be bad. I've already test driven one of them and would enjoy it.

B. A 2009 NISMO 370Z. They're due out this summer, and a local dealer will slot me for the first one he gets if I want it... The 370Z coupe already gets 337hp, the NISMO gets 350 out of its VQ37. It also has an enhanced body style and suspension in addition to the engine modifications (To which I do not think extend past the NISMO exhaust). The interior is also custom as well. This would get me a RWD vehicle to go to town with... Turbonetics already had a Stage II kit w/ a GTK turbo putting down insane amounts of HP (for a single turbo, twin turbos have been pushing out over 1000hp) for the 350Z, and everyone and their brother and sister knows how to build up a shortblock for the VQ35-series engines. The VQ37 is barely more than a small bump in displacement. I've already taken the base 370Z coupe for a spin, it's quite a nimble little ride! MSRP is expected to be in the $40,000-range.

So, Onions... How would you sell this one to your wives/fiancées/girlfriends/hands??? [thumbup]

[Butiqueso]

I´d say:

honey, you know that thing i do every morning ? You know the get up, get dressed, work my ass off to earn money thing ?
Yeah exactly, Work, well i´m going to spend some of that money i´ve earned,..

That would pretty much end the discussion.

But then again i for one wouldn´t ever ask my wife if i can spend my money,..
that would be kinda strange.

[RogerButton33]

I don't really consider it "my" money... It's more "ours." Not by her pushing for it to be like that, but I include her in all the major decisions I make that have some impact on her. While I do good for myself now, once she's out of school and through her residency she could easily do better than me... We're not in this to follow or lead one another. From the get-go we've always decided on everything together.

EDIT: The rig in my sig would be an example... I knew she would be okay with it, but I still went to her and said I needed a new rig so I could game more to relax, perform my work more easily, etc... just to make sure and include her.

Another thing, is financially she is pretty much dependent on my income until she finishes school and starts her residency next July, since she currently has ZERO income other than student loans. She just wants to make sure we're financially okay as we prepare to get married, etc.

[CializCialiscsqw]

I don't really consider it "my" money... It's more "ours." Not by her pushing for it to be like that, but I include her in all the major decisions I make that have some impact on her. While I do good for myself now, once she's out of school and through her residency she could easily do better than me... We're not in this to follow or lead one another. From the get-go we've always decided on everything together.

EDIT: The rig in my sig would be an example... I knew she would be okay with it, but I still went to her and said I needed a new rig so I could game more to relax, perform my work more easily, etc... just to make sure and include her.

Another thing, is financially she is pretty much dependent on my income until she finishes school and starts her residency next July, since she currently has ZERO income other than student loans. She just wants to make sure we're financially okay as we prepare to get married, etc.

By all means keep her in the loop by telling her what you are doing, maybe even ask her what one she prefers.

But I'm sure you're smart enough to look after your own finances.

[violetgorman]

Other option, can you sell it in WV and then get one that's in similar or better condition in MD - perhaps using some of the 'tag' tax money? May even be able to talk the sales guy into fitting the wheel/tyre package you want as part of the deal - especially if he has a bit of stock to get rid off?

[Mereebirl]

So you're telling me you have the option of getting a 370Z and you need help deciding what to do...

Come on man... this is a no brainer.

[violetgorman]

So you're telling me you have the option of getting a 370Z and you need help deciding what to do...

Come on man... this is a no brainer.

Put like that ... [thumbup]

[RalfDweflywex]

So you're telling me you have the option of getting a 370Z and you need help deciding what to do...

Come on man... this is a no brainer.

LOL exactly !!
very nice car that is

[RogerButton33]

So you're telling me you have the option of getting a 370Z and you need help deciding what to do...

Come on man... this is a no brainer.

Oh, it's not that... I have to HONESTLY present the FINANCIAL pros and cons to all of the options.

Of course I want the freakin Z! You crazy?

[Mereebirl]

Oh, it's not that... I have to HONESTLY present the FINANCIAL pros and cons to all of the options.

Of course I want the freakin Z! You crazy?

Honest... financial... two words that don't belong in the same sentence.

Clearly the Z is the correct choice. It has a perfectly fair sticker price and is an extremely well built and quality automobile. There's no sense in paying $4 grand to tag a used auto. In fact, how the hell is that even legal for them to rape you like that...

Sweeten the deal by giving her your car. Also, cobalts are meh. Your car will hold up longer than hers, so ditch the cobalt and get the Z. This gives her a better, more reliable automobile (I assume your current car has no probs?) as well as dodging the taxes. It also makes you happy. Happiness is important. You drive it EVERY single day. You need to enjoy your drive. After trade in the price is nothing to worry about at all.

She'll be happy in your old car, and you'll be happy in your new car. Makes perfect sense.

[VoriEremiagem]

1. Keep the Coupe until I run it into the ground... Fork over the taxes, but then I'd get to modify it how I wish. Yes, it's FWD, but SFR has an interesting turbo kit for them... With the new tires, I'd get new 18" wheels (There are Konig & Enkeis I have in mind) over the 17" OEMs, and go to town with the modifications.

I would pick the 370Z just because I don't like FWD and the idea of adding more power to a fwd does not sound fun. But if you do keep the nissan, I would like to highly recommend the SFR setup, they upgraded and tuned my Porsche 944 turbo and its pretty quick.

[WenPyclenoWex]

I'd sell the Coupe. I got to beat the hell out of a bunch of Nissans at a test drive event here in vancouver (I bribed the test drive attendant with letting him ride my electric skateboard). I found the Altima coupe to be kinda disappointing after trying the Sentra SE-R Spec V.

And sell the Cobalt too.. bleh.

Pick up something small and nicer for the lass and get whatever compliments her car for you. Personally I'd get her something like a Rabbit Comfortline with 4 doors and pick whatever 2 door you feel like.

[LoisCampon]

you could come join me on maxima.org :P
________
Ferrari 212 Export specifications

[AOE6q4bu]

Mmkay, here's the current vehicle situation:

1. My fiancée has a 2007 Chevy Cobalt w/ 15K miles, it's as vanilla as they come. She got it to commute to and from work, with no frills.

2. I have a 2008 Nissan Altima Coupe 3.5SE, w/ 57K miles, fully loaded. It also currently has some modifications, but nothing major...

I moved to Maryland in August of last year, that means by state law I have to have it tagged in Maryland by August of this year...

Problem: West Virginia will charge me 6% of the car's value to remove the WV tags and get the title transferred to MD. THEN, Maryland will charge me another 6% to tag it there! So I'm looking in the neighborhood of $4000.

After discussing this extensively with my fiancée, she has agreed to let present her with a plan as to what to do with our vehicles. BUT, it has NOTHING to do with the cars, it has to do with what makes the most financial sense! (Though she has also allowed me to have fun with whatever option she buys in to...

Now, the other problem is that the Altima desperately needs new tires. Now, if I'm going to sell/trade it off, I don't want to put Turenza Serenitys on it... I would go with something cheaper. But, if I keep it and hand it over to my fiancee, I would put the Serenitys on...

So here are my three options for my current Coupe:

1. Keep the Coupe until I run it into the ground... Fork over the taxes, but then I'd get to modify it how I wish. Yes, it's FWD, but SFR has an interesting turbo kit for them... With the new tires, I'd get new 18" wheels (There are Konig & Enkeis I have in mind) over the 17" OEMs, and go to town with the modifications.

Plus, it needs some bodywork from various dings and such, to the point it could use being repainted. I was thinking a House of Kolor "Midnite Blue" pearl. I'd get a few body accents from Stillen, a 5% tint job all the way around and there's a guy who makes amazing GTR head/tail light overlays.

2. Keep the Coupe. Fork over the taxes and get all of the bodywork done to it, but with a different HoK paint... and give it to my fiancée for her to drive. She adores my current car, and has fun driving it since it handles so much better than anything she's driven before. We'd then sell her Cobalt or trade it in... Then I'd get one of the two cars listed below.

3. Sell/trade in my Coupe (effectively dodging the taxes), and get one of two different cars...

So here are the options for the new vehicle:

A. A 2009 Maxima 3.5 SV w/ Sport & Technology packages... With everything else, the end bill would be around $38,500. It's still got the VQ35 engine, and Stillen (amongst others) is pumping out upgrades for the car. This would have the added benefit of giving us a 4-door in our garage. While it won't have the handling of the Coupe, it wouldn't be bad. I've already test driven one of them and would enjoy it.

B. A 2009 NISMO 370Z. They're due out this summer, and a local dealer will slot me for the first one he gets if I want it... The 370Z coupe already gets 337hp, the NISMO gets 350 out of its VQ37. It also has an enhanced body style and suspension in addition to the engine modifications (To which I do not think extend past the NISMO exhaust). The interior is also custom as well. This would get me a RWD vehicle to go to town with... Turbonetics already had a Stage II kit w/ a GTK turbo putting down insane amounts of HP (for a single turbo, twin turbos have been pushing out over 1000hp) for the 350Z, and everyone and their brother and sister knows how to build up a shortblock for the VQ35-series engines. The VQ37 is barely more than a small bump in displacement. I've already taken the base 370Z coupe for a spin, it's quite a nimble little ride! MSRP is expected to be in the $40,000-range.

So, Onions... How would you sell this one to your wives/fiancées/girlfriends/hands??? [thumbup]

1. Keep the coupe. It's a nice fast car for your enjoyment.
2. If you're willing to fork over $38k, I would forget about the Maxima. For this price you can get one of the new 2010 Acura TSX V6 (probably coming in a few of months)... on an infinity G.

... actually for just about $1000 more you can have the Acura TL with SH-AWD and 305 hp.

But really, you already have a fast car (that you want to mod)... and as good as the Maxima is, it's actually more expensive than a 2009 V4 Acura TSX fully loaded (Acura has much more features standard, and loaded comes out to ~$35k)... and the feel of the ride is incomparable. Ultimately, it's fast enough. I know I am pimping it, but I was in the same boat just a few months ago, and I chose to go with the "intro luxury" line, as opposed to "high-end midrange" and I absolutely made the right decision.

[RogerButton33]

I'd sell the Coupe. I got to beat the hell out of a bunch of Nissans at a test drive event here in vancouver (I bribed the test drive attendant with letting him ride my electric skateboard). I found the Altima coupe to be kinda disappointing after trying the Sentra SE-R Spec V.

Did you drive the 2.5 or 3.5 Coupe? I've driven the Spec-Vs before, and they don't hold a candle to the 3.5 Coupes, IMO... The 2.5s would be a different story altogether!

I think I'm going to focus on handing my Coupe off to her... she really likes it, it handles well and is built like a tank. All good things for her since she commutes into Baltimore daily. I take extremely good care of my car, so it won't be a matter of reliability. I tend to push cars pretty hard, so even without forethought about handing it to the next driver, I maintain it so it will do what I need it to do.

On that note, it's kinda funny... I'm over 57K miles now and I haven't had to replace the brake pads or have the rotors worked on. Most of the miles I do are on the highway, with very little stop and go. Just recently I've started driving through the mountains again since it shaves 45 minutes off my trip between MD and WV, so I use more braking than I have been. Though I may use the price of having the pads replaced and rotors resurfaced to sell LadyM on the Stillen Big Brake kits for front and back. It's not their full-on AP Racing line, which I wouldn't mind... BUT, they'll fit the OEM 17s AND spare if need be!

As for me, I'm really leaning towards the NISMO Z... I did look at the Infiniti G37 sedans, and I do like some of the features that they provide over their Nissan brethren. I liked the lines and performance of the Maxima, especially the way Stillen has their project car done up... Having owned 4 Nissans now, I'd go with an Infiniti before an Acura. I know what to expect with them, both good and bad.

Now, any suggestions for wheels for the Coupe? (They've gotta be 18x8 to remove the need to re-adjust the suspension, even while adding a new spring kit.) The only aftermarkets I've really liked are Konigs and Enkeis. I LOVED the Konig Absolutes I had on my Eclipse GSX, and the Enkeis were nice on my EVO... Any suggestions? I'm not fond of chrome, so that's out; just something that would look tight w/ either House of Kolor Shimrin Black Pearl "Midnite Blue" or Shimrin Designer Pearl "Magenta II." Yes, the latter makes me cringe, but I think I have her sold on the midnite blue. [help]But until I get all of the bodywork taken care of, they have to look good on the factory Super Black.

[AOE6q4bu]

Just recently I've started driving through the mountains again since it shaves 45 minutes off my trip between MD and WV, so I use more braking than I have been.

Downshift instead, it's must easier on your car to engine-brake, then to keep feathering your brakes on the way down.

I didn't realize that you'd be giving the coupe to your fiance. In that case, I guess you want the sportier car. Still, the G37 is actually less expensive than the maxima... even with ALL the options.

That's scary.

[RogerButton33]

Downshift instead, it's must easier on your car to engine-brake, then to keep feathering your brakes on the way down.

I didn't realize that you'd be giving the coupe to your fiance. In that case, I guess you want the sportier car. Still, the G37 is actually less expensive than the maxima... even with ALL the options.

That's scary.

I do downshift plenty... But there's still a greater deal of braking than open highway. I should note that my Coupe has the CVT tranny in it, which has an auto-shift function. The funny part about it is that SFR only makes their turbo kits for the CVT transmissions. What most people don't realize is where CVTs originated, which is farm/construction equipment with heavy loads and lots of horsepower/torque. The shifts are only slightly slower than a fast manual, however. And with upshifting, you don't need to since the first thing it does is take you as quickly as possible to the sweet spot in the power band and keep you there until you stop accelerating.

Not sure where you're looking at the prices... With everything slapped onto the Maxima, it rolls out at the 38.5. For the G37 sedan it's around 44.2. The G37 Coupe is something of an oddity. Where the G35 paralleled the 350Z in form and function, the G37 Coupe is built on an almost identical chassis as the Altima Coupe, but with the VQ37 from the 370Z.

My only hesitation is that we have at least one large enough vehicle to take road trips and be able to haul skis/firearms. [thumbup] Once we get a house, I'll probably pick up a small truck like a Tacoma... Unfortunately, that probably won't happen until she matches next year... then we could have his and her matching Zs!

[WenPyclenoWex]

Did you drive the 2.5 or 3.5 Coupe? I've driven the Spec-Vs before, and they don't hold a candle to the 3.5 Coupes, IMO... The 2.5s would be a different story altogether!

I think I'm going to focus on handing my Coupe off to her... she really likes it, it handles well and is built like a tank. All good things for her since she commutes into Baltimore daily. I take extremely good care of my car, so it won't be a matter of reliability. I tend to push cars pretty hard, so even without forethought about handing it to the next driver, I maintain it so it will do what I need it to do.

On that note, it's kinda funny... I'm over 57K miles now and I haven't had to replace the brake pads or have the rotors worked on. Most of the miles I do are on the highway, with very little stop and go. Just recently I've started driving through the mountains again since it shaves 45 minutes off my trip between MD and WV, so I use more braking than I have been. Though I may use the price of having the pads replaced and rotors resurfaced to sell LadyM on the Stillen Big Brake kits for front and back. It's not their full-on AP Racing line, which I wouldn't mind... BUT, they'll fit the OEM 17s AND spare if need be!

As for me, I'm really leaning towards the NISMO Z... I did look at the Infiniti G37 sedans, and I do like some of the features that they provide over their Nissan brethren. I liked the lines and performance of the Maxima, especially the way Stillen has their project car done up... Having owned 4 Nissans now, I'd go with an Infiniti before an Acura. I know what to expect with them, both good and bad.

Now, any suggestions for wheels for the Coupe? (They've gotta be 18x8 to remove the need to re-adjust the suspension, even while adding a new spring kit.) The only aftermarkets I've really liked are Konigs and Enkeis. I LOVED the Konig Absolutes I had on my Eclipse GSX, and the Enkeis were nice on my EVO... Any suggestions? I'm not fond of chrome, so that's out; just something that would look tight w/ either House of Kolor Shimrin Black Pearl "Midnite Blue" or Shimrin Designer Pearl "Magenta II." Yes, the latter makes me cringe, but I think I have her sold on the midnite blue. [help]But until I get all of the bodywork taken care of, they have to look good on the factory Super Black.

It was a loaded 3.5. They had an autoX course set up basically. The weight of the coupe was screwing it over.

[LorencoLoricelli]

In today's market new cars hold very little value, its safer to keep the cars that you have and just pay the Taxes. In the Fall, car prices go down, and Truck/SUV prices go up. So when the late of fall comes around thats when you should buy a car, if you still want to.

Have you done State Inspection yet? They will ask for it when you go get new Tags. Not sure where in MD you are, if you are near Rockville, there is a Gas Station that passes almost everyone when it comes to State Inspection.

[JANALA]

If you just generally want to save money, even though you have these taxes, just run your current car into the ground.
Though, maybe if you have a friend there in WV who is willing, you can just keep the car registered over at his house. The county that I live in started emission testing not too long ago, and to avoid this, everyone just started registering their rides at friends and families houses in other counties and even in AL and GA.


If you are willing, always nice to get something new. The new Maxima's are super nice. I have driven one and they are very nice rides. The only thing that I don't care for is the 290hp going through the front tires, but even then, the car is still pretty solid around the corners. Though for that kind of price, I would look at Infiniti instead and get the M45. That is one of my "I would buy" favs.
Though, if you can deal with only have a 2 seater, 370z hands down. This car is the bomb. The non-Nismo is 0 to 60 in 4.7 seconds which is leading for this price range, and even beats out cars that are much more expensive. Then for $33k, you get the 370z with the sport package that gives you the 0.99g skidpad rating which is unbeatable!!! For $33k you get a hell of a lot of car.
I would wait for some Nismo reviews though. It is getting an extra 18hp, but it is almost gaining almost100lbs at the same time which could compromise handling if they don't do enough and slow the car down. So it could end up slower and handle no better so would just be a waste. Might be better off using that extra $7k on just buying parts for it to perform better.