To buy nismo or not
 

Getting ready to purchase a new car. Currently driving a Titan and wanting to get back into a sports car. Used to have 350z. I found a 2011 Nismo for ~30k with 9k miles that I am considering looking at tomorrow. Seems like an ok deal but I will definitely do some negotiating. My real question is, is a nismo worth it? I've always wanted to have a "special" model of a car but I don't want to regret the extra money later. I also don't want to buy a base or touring and then regret not getting a nismo. The nismo doesn't have some of the options I'd like but I love the look. Also looking at an Evo X if anyone has from one of those to a Z or vice versa and has an opinion.

This question is asked every 3 days so put on your flame suit. However, I'll help before it happens.

Nismos are worth the money if you don't mind overpaying for a authentic body kit. Their performance gains are not worth the cash and neither is the ride from what I understand. I personally went with a sport model.

As far as the Evo just Google blue smoke Evo X.

Nismo is just a body kit with an exhaust and +17 horsepower....

The Nismo decision boils down to the question of whether the body kit and wheels appeal to you more than the interior options of the touring (with or without nav, sport package a must) or the extra 10K you'd have in your pocket by going with a base+sport. The power difference comes from the cat back, which everyone changes anyway.

Putting aftermarket leather and nav in a Nismo is probably cheaper than putting the body kit and wheels on a non-Nismo.

The non nismo front isn't as appealing to me so I'd have to get a lip or something asap. I just remember when I had my 350z I always wished I had a nismo. Be part of the select few.

A touring+sport with a lip is still a lot cheaper than the Nismo. And the 350 Nismo had a lot more for your money. Didn't they seam-weld the chassis? Here it's a body kit, wheels, a cat back and some body dampers. And a suspension most people complain about.

Glad I asked the question now. May have ruled out the nismo. Thanks guys. Did the 09's have any initial problems or are they just as good as newer ones?

Oil consumption on the early models. Steering lock issues. The best option is a late 2011 or 2012 if you want the pre-2013 front. If you buy a manual, expect clutch slave cylinder issues if the previous owner did not replace it with an aftermarket one. If it goes out on you expect a $1000 bill to replace with a part that will last. Otherwise, just do your typical used car due diligence.

I've read about the CSC issues. My 03 tranny wasn't that great.

To bad you weren't in the market for a Z a couple months ago. I was just down the road from you (Port Orchard) Sold my 09 Nismo with 30k miles for 25k. A guy from Seattle bought it. I think brand new Nismo's are extremely overpriced, however you can find good deals on used.

Why'd you sell it?

I thought that was across all MYs. If Nissan fixed it, does anyone know what they did?

That's an easy, no-cost fix - pull the fuse.

Can't really argue with that but I don't think the 2009-2010s are different enough to matter. (Unless you use Nav - from what I've read, it's a PITA to update on early models.) YMMV

I had been working for a defense contractor for the past 9 years, most of it I've been deployed. I've been fortunate to have made enough money over the years to be able to quit my job and just go to school. So I decided I wanted to make some big changes in my life, and since I already have another vehicle I figured I would just sale the Z, get things together and get something even better in a year or two.

The question you have to ask your self is??...

How much do you plan on modding?
Because if you are why would you pay for parts your going to change out?

This is why I got BASE model...

I checked autotrader again this morning and most non nismos are really close to the nismo price except for a few 09's with around 70k miles for about $22k