Considering a 370Z Nismo

tim414

Yes, the base Vette (Stingray).

I had the Z06....much more power and a LOT more money too. A new one today with track pkg IS six figures.

I know I have to get use to less power, and that's ok. I'm not spending that kind of money anymore on a car that depreciates. Been there, done that. More than once I might add. I coulda bought a really nice rental property what I've shelled out for Vettes that sit in the garage and depreciate.

This time, I'm spending less money and gonna drive the thing.....I'm resolute on that.

tim414

Yes, I was aware that they've been around since the 60's. However, I do NOT see the resemblance from the early cars.

wanker

If you're not go to mod your car then get the Nismo.

If in doubt drive both the Nismo and a Sport package and then decide. Either way you can't lose as a Z is a terrific DD.

RicerX

OP - I will lend my two cents to your dilemma as I have daily driven my current Z for the last year and 19k miles and have owned 3 different Zs in my lifetime.

I currently own a 2013 Sport + Touring package. I have driven it every single day for the past year except for the occasional business trip. I enjoy the stereo, heated leather seats, and the homelink mirror the touring package offers. That being said, I'm very interested in picking up a 2015 Nismo, but will likely only be able to execute in spring of 2016 if I do it at all. The reasons for that are: 1) I'm a Z fanboy - have been for a long time, which leads me to 2) the visuals upgrades of the Z Nismo are staggeringly awesome to me - I feel it's the best looking Z ever released straight from the factory, and I would have no desire to add anything to the exterior of the car - no carbon fiber accents or spoilers or vinyl or anything. 3) the Recaro seats are a nice finishing touch. 4) contrary to what many people are saying, there are a couple other small upgrades for the manual version, the key of which is the shorter final drive (3.92?) vs whatever is in the rest of the Zs offer. There is no change for the automatic. I'm purely interested in the manual, though for some reason I'm curious about the automatic lately. 5) I'm getting less interested in modding my car and more interested in having a bunch of things out of the box - I enjoy driving more lately than getting into pissing contests with Camaros and Mustangs. The Nismo offers a lot of things that I want to add to my current car, and I'm finding that I'm comfortable with the power the Z has already anyway. I don't need a 500hp DD, and while I've had my fun modding cars and such, you always introduce more complexity when you mod. I find that I'm growing out of that as well. Everyone is different.

I can tell you, being in AL (hot AND humid), the factory oil cooler is just fine (you get it in 2012+ models) for daily driving with the occasional spirited push through some backroads. I have never gone into limp mode (happens at oil temp of 260 degrees), but the highest I have ever seen was on a 6 hour road trip (about hour five as I got into the Atlanta area) on a 105 degree day before heat factor - that temp was 240 degrees, however this was on my 2010. I have never seen higher than 220 on my 2013.

As a sport/touring owner, I can say that if you like music but not enough to go aftermarket, you'll want the tech package for bose audio. As a DD, you may also enjoy having heated side mirrors. My second Z did not have them and I found that I missed them if the car ended up outside overnight during the fall or winter. I'm not sure if the Nismo has those, but it's one of those small things you think about if you use the car as a DD.

The approach and departure angles of the Z can get you into trouble with weird driveways and such, though the 2015 Nismo's front bumper doesn't stick out as far as the previous Nismos. I don't know how it compares to my sport/touring, but it is very close. The Z is shorter than the Vette though, so on a test drive, you may find it easier to maneuver around stuff. There are still weird dips and speed bumps I avoid with mind, but I can mostly get around without a problem. I'm also on stock suspension, FYI.

As for reliability - I have never had a single issue. My first Z (2010) I put 40k on the clock (6MT). Only repair I had was a bad tire pressure sensor - covered under warranty, the other was the steering lock recall. My second Z I only put 8k miles on, but long story as to why I had to get rid of it. My current Z has been everything I expect from a Nissan so far - only oil changes and nearly 20k miles. There is the looming potential of CSC failure, but it seems less frequent in newer Zs and far more frequent in 09s and 10s. Should that happen, I'm prepared, but like you said, every car has its issues. Earlier models had steering lock issues, but they recalled against the older models and the newer models have the updated steering lock switch, so that's that. The VQ is solid - just keep your oil changed, stay out of it until the oil is at temperature, and you'll be just fine.

As for your desires in a car - I think you just need to drive it. You seem to have been around the block, so to speak, regarding your performance cars, and are looking for a blend of daily practicality and reliability yet a hefty dose of fun. You can get that in a Z, but only you can fully know that after a good test drive. If you weren't coming from a Vette, I would advise something like a G37/Q60 coupe to give you a trunk and some backseats for any extra stuff you may carry, but I feel your expectations are aligned fairly well in that regard. With respect to the arguments of ride quality/stiffness, I've never driven a Nismo, so I cannot attest to the difference in ride stiffness from my car, but I don't have a problem with how my car rides - I know that it's a sports car. However, since that is so subjective, you need to find that out for yourself on a test drive. Everyone has their own tolerances.

Sorry for the book, but I felt this was the input you were looking for. Hope to hear back from you after you've had a good test drive. I think you'll find things you like and don't like.

__________________

Spooler

You buy the Nismo for handling. The dang car is on rails if you know how to drive. Just take off the 245/40 19's on the front and put on some 265/35 19's and you are good to go. It is more than enough for the street. The ride is great as long as you are not on an extremely bumpy road/interstate. I just drive in the fast lane where the ruts are not as bad. I think about changing up the suspension but I see no need, at the moment, to sink 3-5000 dollars in a better suspension setup. That's what it will take to beat it.



I need to hit a track day or 2. I just don't want to get addicted to another money pit of a hobby at the moment.

JC-Nismo

I'll repeat it, let a Nismo owner tell me there car is a waste. I had a M3 and currently own both a SRT8 and a Nismo and yes, I've modded them both. My Nismo was stripped of the stock wheels and tires, suspension, audio and some exhaust components in the first week of ownership and I never once thought it was a waste because I modded it to my liking, that makes no sense. That's like when the E92 M3 came out, guys were saying it was a waste because you can add a V1 or JB3 tune for $500 to a 335i and it be faster, but guys like myself like M3's and Nismo's and there's nothing wrong with that and as long as the buyer likes it, it's not a waste.

roplusbee

The NISMO is the correct choice if you are not making MAJOR modifications. I agree with most of what has been said in this thread so far, except the oil cooler bit. TX can be very unforgiving with heat. Spirited driving will cause issues in TX with regard to oil temp. Just make sure that you have a plan for the freak super cold winters...........

__________________
2007 350Z NISMO #0618: Zerolift | UPREV | F.I. | Greddy | Competition Clutch | Injector Dynamics | Aeromotive | Pioneer | JL

Juanp216

I'm happy as f@que with mine! You're either a nissan/nismo fanatic or you're not. Who cares if BMW offers more stuff.

jcasti07

Take it out for a test drive. The Z is NOT going to be as powerful as the cars you've mentioned, but you will definately notice a unique driving experience. You will see where the Z shines, especially the Nismo when you throw it into corners. A fellow member recently posted his review of the car and stated that he felt the Z was "on rails" going into corners.

JC-Nismo

JuanP216, your Nismo looks good man, More pics please.

Juanp216

As a NISMO owner, I agree with 100% is this statement. The "riding on rails" feeling is real, and I don't regret my purchase.
I got pulled over for 75 in a 60 just yesterday, good thing the cop was a Nissan fan. He let me go with a compliment and a warning.

Juanp216

Work Gnosis GS5 wheels
Front: 20x9 +15. 245/35
Rear: 20x11 +11. 285/35
Perelli PZero tires
Fortune Auto 500 coilovers w/ swift springs. 30 way adjust.
Megan camber arms
Injen Intake System - ultra long

https://vimeo.com/124886490

370zHawaii

I have owned a base prior to owning the NISMO, what do I prefer NISMO hands down. My Nismo is my dd. The stock suspension is very nice and I love it. Car feels extremely sporty, also feel every part of the road. The positives of owning a Nizzy, nice stock exhaust note, and wheels + suspension, body, interior is a huge plus, even better in the 15's from what I have seen.

Honestly the only negative complaint I have is the stock radio, might be different in the 15's, but my 09 was crap. I also agree that is could use a little more power.

Both are great but like others have stated, unless you are going to heavily mod it, get a NISMO, if you plan on changing exterior, interior, suspension, wheels, exhaust then you might be better of in a Sport. Either way you can't go wrong, its a Z. Best advice I can give you is to test drive them both, have someone take a picture of you while you are in them. Then look at the pictures of yourself in either the Nismo or Sport, once you see yourself driving them you will know which to choose, good luck and welcome

Figtuna

I got my local dealer down to $45,732 (before taxes, Document fees, etc) for my white 2015 Nismo with Auto and the Tech package. The Bose stereo system is more than capable handling loud volumes and the navigation works excellent...big thumbs up for the tech package and the automatic/ padal shifters. I'm a believer!

I love this car...everyone else can drive their Corvettes, Camaros, Mopar and Stangs...how many 370z Nismo editions do you see out there? Don't follow the herd!

For the modifications I'm looking at:
1. Tinted glass (that would look pretty cool on a white Nismo ($170-250)
2. Having the Passport radar cable hard-wired and concealed ($80)
3. Oil Cooler ($800)
4. Either: a. Optional - Stillen supercharger, 505 crank hp, ($ 5,000 -7,000).
b. Exhaust and chip
The only complaint I have is that the Nismo should be making substantially more hp than the stock 370Z. But then again there are other cheaper alternatives that could be used, K&N, chip, exhaust, that combined would address my complaint. The car is plenty fast already so even the Stillen would be an over-kill. But the bottom line is that it would be monstrously cheaper than paying out 6 figures.

Just my 2 cents
Figtuna

tim414

Thanks guys. I enjoyed reading your threads. I have not logged in for a bit.

I have decided to wait until the 2016 models come. As well, there may be a a Nismo edition in the Maxima. So I'm waiting to see what Nissan brings for 2016. I'm also considering a 427 Camaro (It has the sixth generation Vette Z06 engine on board, and I LOVE the LS7 power plant, their truly exhilarating NA engine-love to rev and it's sweet spot is 5k+ and it's torque is down low most of the way up. Redline 7K rpm, which is good for a V8.-with simple bolt-on mods-that engine is sick powerful.

I want to hang with Nissan though. I've had LS7 Vette, and I decided to move on. Only GM vehicle I have now is a Yukon which I'm keeping. My current DD is Altima SL. So far it's been fine, I like it so I will keep it.

I just need something that offers some fun, reliability and sorta looks the part-sporty.....fun to drive everyday. The Nissan peeps that contacted me about the 2016 Maxima said to look for a Nismo model.....and the 2016 370 Nismo is getting more power to 400 hp? So, for these reasons, I'm waiting for a bit to see what comes. I doubt I'll get a sedan, I want something that handles like it's on rails!!