Stock 2010 3.5 SR Sedan w/ CVT

[clubspecial]

I just bought a used 2010 3.5 SR Sedan w/ CVT. Silver.

It has 35,500 miles. (57,000km I am from Canada)

I want to do some work to the car, both maintenance and upgrades. Am looking for advice or direction on how to proceed.

Being a business professional who has to drive clients around the city, I can not go for anything too aggressive or sporty styling wise. However, I would like to make this car just a bit more awesome than it already is. Tint the windows, add a cold air intake, possibly change out the exhaust, new rims and tires (winter and summer). Debadge and possibly add a side skirt and front lip or rear spoiler, it has to be classy though. I can't add racing stripes or an aggressive spoiler for example.

Since I bought the car used I am not sure what I should be looking out for in terms of wear and maintenance. As far as I know the car is up to date with scheduled maintenance, but if anyone has pointers on common issues with the model, I could keep my eye out and fix problems before they creep up.

Also, how would you guys proceed if you were in my situation. What are the best upgrades that I can put into the car while still keeping that professional look? Where should I start?

Thanks for your help, I am hoping to post before and after pictures as I add parts etc to keep people updated. Let me know what you think!

James

[gluys]

Doesnt the sr have a stock spoiler? And a nice set of rims always make a car look good. A intake and maybe some tinted windows will give the car a sporty/luxery feel. I have an injen intake for sale in the marketplace right now if you want to consider that. That was one of my first mods and I loved it, but I am looking for another car atm...

[N1rve]

Originally Posted by gluys

Doesnt the sr have a stock spoiler? And a nice set of rims always make a car look good. A intake and maybe some tinted windows will give the car a sporty/luxery feel. I have an injen intake for sale in the marketplace right now if you want to consider that. That was one of my first mods and I loved it, but I am looking for another car atm...

Nope the SR Doesn't.

[GixxerRide04]

Originally Posted by gluys
Doesnt the sr have a stock spoiler? And a nice set of rims always make a car look good. A intake and maybe some tinted windows will give the car a sporty/luxery feel. I have an injen intake for sale in the marketplace right now if you want to consider that. That was one of my first mods and I loved it, but I am looking for another car atm...

Only if you buy the sports package you will get the spoiler.

Anyways I have the same car. I did 35% tint on all my windows expect the rear windshield which is 5%. I also did a Fujita short ram intake which I like. I didn't get the sports package so I added OEM fog lights which I got a good deal from ebay. Probably gonna do the OEM spoiler this summer when I get around to it.

[VQP0WER]

I have the Taketa intake, Racingline Y-Pipe, and a eibach lowering springs. Very happy with the performance. I was surprised that I was pulling on a 350Z the other day. I think he was highly upset about that as well.

Good luck.

[dochidalgo]

Since we have the same model, I invite you to read my signature below. Each one of the upgrades are efficiently or sufficiently tested and or added for an aesthetic reason, trying not to be a "ricer".

[DLS]

Originally Posted by clubspecial

Being a business professional who has to drive clients around the city,

What is the nature of your business? Can you give us a hint as to your clients?

I ask this because it could have an impact on what you might do. In most situations where there is a client in the car I would do nothing that would increase the noise in the cabin. In fact soundproofing to quiet the interior and make your doors have a more substantial "thump" when closed might be in order.

You have a captive audience when a client is in your car ... you want nothing to interfere with your ability to communicate.

Adding "sporty" elements to the vehicle may convey the wrong message as well (again depends on your client base). If you want to appear solid, dependable and conservative make your vehicle look that way. If you are dealing with a situation where you want to demonstrate a bit of outside the box thinking, aggressiveness and creativity then some window dressing on your rig might be just the ticket.

Hope this helps ... let us know a bit more and I think you will get a better range of suggestions.

[AED]

I concur with DLS. A couple of examples come to mind. Lowering springs are going to give a stiffer ride, almost every after market exhaust is going to be significantly louder then stock especially coupled with an intake. If you can find someone that has installed similar mods see if you can drive it and judge for yourself how much negative impact it might have on your clients.

[clubspecial]

Originally Posted by AED

I concur with DLS. A couple of examples come to mind. Lowering springs are going to give a stiffer ride, almost every after market exhaust is going to be significantly louder then stock especially coupled with an intake. If you can find someone that has installed similar mods see if you can drive it and judge for yourself how much negative impact it might have on your clients.

Thanks guys, you are right. I am a commercial real estate agent so my ideal client is a CFO at a junior engineering or oil company. These guys do run the gambit so some are extremely professional while others have a real cowboy mentality. I would like the car to be cool enough to show off to one crowd while also being slightly understated and professional. The car accomplishes these things as is which is why I bought it, but just a little something extra would be nice while keeping things classy.

[DLS]

That's good information to know Clubspecial,

Finance types ... regardless of how 'cowboy' they may be ... ultimately are all about maximizing value. It's in their blood to think and act that way, otherwise they would not have been attracted to a difficult and oft times tedious stress filled profession.

A mod to a car that does not create some demonstrably enhanced value will be seen as silly and wasteful to these type of folks. They are all about function, in other words will the dollars going into the project (investment, capital purchase, etc.) result in more dollars out after the associated costs are paid. These types are not much impressed by expenses merely for the "coolness" factor or show. Nor would they see enhanced performance as a sensible improvement. They would make a statement like "You can only go the speed limit and my quiet smooth running car gets me from point A to B just like yours".

How do I know this? For 23 years I owned and ran a real estate brokerage / mortgage bank (with active commercial divisions). After selling that business I've been a professor of finance and a free-lance management consultant for the last 15 years (yeah I'm old). My entire working life I've held directorships or CFO positions for different moderately large not-for-profit organizations. I spend most of my waking life with these types of guys. If I had to be honest ... I'm one of them too! <grin> But I'll never admit that aloud!

So keep your working rig professional and muted ... it will pay off. That doesn't mean these types don't like to get out and play however ... many will have boats, ORV's, planes or other toys that they play hard with. But they will compartmentalize these "assets" and not mix them with work. So if you have "outside of work" toys ... work that into the conversation ... it will allow for excellent relationship building as you work with your clients, but appear as they do ... to keep these areas separate (think no co-mingling of assets and you will do fine).

Exceptions do occur but this will be true of 95% of finance types.

Hope this helps!

Now go earn a ton of commissions and I'll only charge a minimal consulting fee! <grin>

[Sams2007Altima2.5S]

do u got pics of it