need help convincing the wife

[Sularus]

Originally Posted by slowmover

Careful, son . . . .

I second that!

The wife is afraid I will void the manufactures warranty. Especially since she paid extra for the longer warranty. My intention is to speak with the dealer and find out what my boundries are. Once that is done, I am going to attempt to make/install parts/modifications which appear factory or cannot be seen once on the vehicle. I will see what I can do.

I was wondering if anyone else has had similar difficulties dealing with spouses and what sage advice you can offer me.

[deathtrain]

Originally Posted by slowmover

Careful, son . . . .

Nope don't need to be...
Sgt of Marines 97-05
Operation Noble Anvil
Operation Iraqi Freedom X2

I earned my Eagle, Globe and Anchor.

but back on topic get in good with the The Magnuson–Moss Warranty Act. I had a car early in my USMC career that the valve cover gasket blew out and caused a small fire under the hood. The dealer tried to say that because i installed a header (4banger) that warranty would not cover any of it. Well after a few months later and getting base legal involved it was all repaired under warranty. I ended up with new motor and engine wire harness.

The Magnuson–Moss Warranty Act has saved me a few times with my show car also that is highly customized.

[Sularus]

nice deathtrain, glad to meet another Marine. I too have been in since 97. Semper Fi brother.

It is also good to hear there there is room to move under the warranty. I just need to focus on doing things the right way and let the wife know I can do things to the car without voiding the warranty. Thanks for the insight.

[deathtrain]

yea the basics are that the dealer has to prove that what you did caused the failure. The only thing I would see is that grill block. If you did that then they have a leg to stand on for any engine issue that might come up. but then again if your carefull with it and remove it before it hits the lot for any service then you will be ok. it's just a cat and mouse game.

[sol]

Try something that can be taken of without being noticed it was ever on

[redyaris]

Originally Posted by Sularus

I second that!

The wife is afraid I will void the manufactures warranty. Especially since she paid extra for the longer warranty. My intention is to speak with the dealer and find out what my boundries are. Once that is done, I am going to attempt to make/install parts/modifications which appear factory or cannot be seen once on the vehicle. I will see what I can do.

I was wondering if anyone else has had similar difficulties dealing with spouses and what sage advice you can offer me.

...What!...Get the facts before presenting an arrgument? Where's the fun in that? what happened to... "if all else fails read the manual"

with resoect to ...sage advice... As an ex-spous myself, I am ill equiped to offer advice on this matter.

[euromodder]

Originally Posted by Sularus

The power steering is electric assisted.

Good, so it doesn't drain power when you're not using the assist
.

If I save up and use the Nismo suspension it will not void my warranty and actually carries its own warranty. it is expensive though ($600)

As such it won't ever pay for itself.
It's an option if you need to swap the suspension bits later on when they're worn out though.

[slowmover]

Originally Posted by deathtrain

Nope don't need to be...
Sgt of Marines 97-05
Operation Noble Anvil
Operation Iraqi Freedom X2

I earned my Eagle, Globe and Anchor.

I just have the haircut . . my son is a KC-130J pilot on his way to Afg from Okinawa shortly. Dad was WWII Navy and Grandad was WWI Army (and on back a few centuries). My cousins and I missed 'Nam draft by a couple of years.

As to spouses: the overall argument is like a household programmable thermostat. I'm trying to not only save on our annual electricity bill, but want the equipment to last longer. Years longer. Tires and brakes that go 70k miles, not 40k. Etc. Compromises for safety which are only marginally good for FE are not acceptable (overinflated tires, for example). FE is just part of a larger context of overall ECONOMY to reduce household transportation expenses. This is the approach that works best, IMO.

.

[brucepick]

Originally Posted by slowmover

I just have the haircut . . my son is a KC-130J pilot on his way to Afg from Okinawa shortly. Dad was WWII Navy and Grandad was WWI Army (and on back a few centuries). My cousins and I missed 'Nam draft by a couple of years.

As to spouses: the overall argument is like a household programmable thermostat. I'm trying to not only save on our annual electricity bill, but want the equipment to last longer. Years longer. Tires and brakes that go 70k miles, not 40k. Etc. Compromises for safety which are only marginally good for FE are not acceptable (overinflated tires, for example). FE is just part of a larger context of overall ECONOMY to reduce household transportation expenses. This is the approach that works best, IMO.

My wife also responded very well to the cost-saving argument. I drive 55 miles each way to work, 5 days/week, so controlling fuel costs clearly is important to us.

As for tire pressure - that's a favorite topic of mine. Please see this link for some real world testing re. safety and handling at increased pressures:
Driving Under Pressure (full article) - CleanMPG Forums

I find the fuel economy as well as the handling benefits of increased tire pressure are nothing to sneeze at. In my experience, increased pressure has increased safety, as discussed in the linked article.

[Rick Rae]

Congratulations on the new acquisition!

You're off to a good start with the 'gauge and some of the other mods you've mentioned. I support the earlier suggestion to look for mods that are easily reversible. That way, if there's any question in your mind, you can pull them off before taking the car in for service or whatever.

Before you get into fiberglassing a spare grill, you can test first if you'd like. Clear tape (packing, duct, etc.) will stick for a while (during dry weather, anyway!) and is a usable "stealth" approach to getting some data.

Do you need to carry more than two people, or would you rather have cargo space? I shaved off about 50 pounds by replacing the rear seat with a load floor. Completely reversible.

No suggestions for convincing the wife; I'm on the back side of a failed marriage and clearly not a person to ask!

Since you're now driving a Versa, you might consider joining Team Nissan.

Cheers,
Rick