Quote:
Originally Posted by analogman
Greetings everyone, I'm a long time hard-core gear head, but new here. Have owned 104 cars over 45 years of driving (so yes, I'm 'older'), including a couple of Z cars way back when (260Z, 280ZX), and 3 Infiniti G coupes.
I'm looking to buy a 370Z (either new or late model used, 2015-2017), and am debating between a Nismo and a Sport. I'd like to pick the brains of all of you with first-hand experience and would appreciate your thoughts.
1) Is the Nismo worth the price premium over a Sport? Whether it's new or used, it seems a Nismo is about $8,000 more than a Sport. I like the Nismo better and can afford it, but don't like to make a habit of spending money unnecessarily. On 'paper', the Sport looks to be about 90% of the Nismo. I've driven both, but would appreciate the thoughts of those that have had more seat time as to whether or not it's worth the price premium.
2) For those with Nismo's, how comfortable are the Recaro seats to live with on longer drives? I've taken a couple of test drives in a Nismo for about 20 minutes. They feel fine to me for that time, but things can be different for a multi-hour drive. The car won't be my daily driver, just a weekend fun toy, but I'd still like to be able to take it on trips.
Thanks everyone!
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I don't know if this will help you at all but...from a purely objective standpoint regarding performance. There is very little difference between a nismo and a sport. I'll give you an example...check out this
link to look at lap times.
Go down 26 spots and you'll see three 370z's there, Greg, me (Malko) and Tracy. Lap times are close for amateur racers, one tenth and 3 tenths of a second respectively. Greg's car is pretty well modified, BC BR coilovers on swift springs, 4.08 gears, Maxxis RC-1 tires (slicks), eibach sway bar, ecutek tuned, cold air intakes, exhaust and berk high flow cats (might be missing a few things).
At the time my car was a 7AT, nismo aero, almost dead Bridgestone RE71R's, Stillen Gen3 CAI, Berk HFC's and a Hotchkis sway bar.
Tracy had an actual nismo and I'm not sure what tires he was running at the time...but his car was fairly stock.
Of the 3 drivers, I probably had the least experience at the time, Greg had the most for sure. All I can say is, don't expect a huge difference if you get a nismo...in my opinion the cosmetics are worth it on an 09-14 nismo, not a huge fan of the 15+. Additionally I think it's more functional and produces more downforce, so some things to think about. If you like it, buy it. I bought a sport and threw on the nismo body kit and didn't stop there. If money is an issue, you could do the same...buy the cheaper model, grab a nismo kit cheap on this forum, get it color matched and throw it on. My only advice is that whatever you do, at least go with a base + sport package, touring + sport package or a nismo (has sport pkg included). The brakes, wheels and diff are worth it.
Regarding the recaro's, initial feedback I am getting from people is that they are overrated. They look nice but aren't comfortable and don't even offer enough bolstering to even be worth the discomfort.