Traded Z w/Sport Pkg for NISMO
 

Just some quick feedback for anyone considering the same.

Bought the 2014 new with just a Sport Package and put 85,000 on it as my daily driver. I absolutely loved driving that car. It needed work and I really missed the tight handling as the suspension wore down. The only issues I had with the car: A/C compressor went out right after warranty, the clicking axles and the rear bushing.

I was actually at Pomoco Nissan in Newport News, VA with a box full of NISMO suspension parts when I saw a 2016 NISMO on the lot with 900 miles on it. A guy named Thomas D. was able to give me a great deal on my trade and my car was already paid off. Really happy about how that part went down and recommend the dealer to anyone in my area.

The NISMO is completely different and I absolutely love it. The gears are steeper, it's faster off the line, and handles so much better. The NISMO suspension isn't too stiff and the car is just so well balanced. I was actually thinking about adding the gears via Z1 Motorsports ($2K), new suspension ($1K) and solid rear differential bushings ($1K). Time was and is always my biggest problem, so this was a pretty easy decision. The warranty is much better and now (thanks to this forum) I know what to look for. Leaking rear bushings, clicking axles, etc. and anything else will be handled by the dealer.

Now I just have to sell the NISMO suspension...

Congrats! I doubt you'll see any of those problems with only 900 miles on the clock

Post up some pictures when you get a chance!! :tup:

Congrats on the new car! :driving:

You're going to spend $1K on solid rear diff bushing and only $1K on a new suspension? :ugh: That diff bushing better be made of silver and sitting on a shelf inside your house.

SPL solid rear diff bushing costs like $150. Even SPL solid subframe bushings are only $200. Coilovers will cost more than $1K for anything decent quality. Not to mention a lot of other supporting suspension bits (full SPL catalog will run you at least $5K in suspension parts).

if you wanted to change all that you should have gotten the basic package. Only good thing about nismos are the recaro seats and of course, the front/rear bumper look good on them

Lol. If I do, I'm trading for a Hyundai Excel of fine 1990's vintage. I actually meant that thanks to the members here and some of the education I've rec'd I'm now aware of the common issues, TSBs, etc. and I can look out for them.

The last car had a leaking diff bushing early on. Not sure exactly when, but I'm sure it was during warranty. I didn't know about the liquid in the bushing and the signs of leaking on the rear diff. When the tech showed me the leak, he told me it was the rear diff leaking and recommended a diff service. By the time I figured out what it actually was, I went back to the dealer, informed the tech (after a lengthy debate), but it was too late. That dealership changed ownership and went downhill so fast. I'm happy with Pomoco.

I didn't have time or space to do it myself, so that was a round about estimate on the bushing. The dealer used to have to drop the entire subframe and change the whole thing. I was actually quoted $3k for the job and that's pretty much why I don't go there anymore.

I didn't want to change the ride height too much because of driveways, etc, so I went with the NISMO shocks and springs. Z1 sells them for about $800. You're absolutely right about the supporting stuff like bushings, but at the time I was just trying to get the low hanging fruit. I'd love to add some SPL stuff to the current car, but at $5k I'd have to become a contract murderer or male stripper. I'm too small for either.

I was amazed at how the car handled new so I was really unaware of how it could get better. the only other sports car I owned was an old mustang so, I had no real reference.

For me the good thing about the NISMO is the work is already done.

The dealer doesn't just drop the subframe. They replace the whole subframe! Nissan does not sell the OEM bushing as a standalone part. The subframe generally costs $1900+ for just the part. Plus a lot of labor. It's insanity.

I know a number of people that bought the Whiteline bushing for $99 and paid $300 for installation from a reputable shop. FWIW.

Same exact gearing except for final drive (S - 3.69 vs Nismo - 3.92), plus the extra 18 hp of the Nismo, both to help counteract the extra weight of the Nismo over the base and Sport. It may be noticeable in 1st and maybe the beginning of 2nd, but probably not so much after that.

Precisely why I bough the base. In stead of paying extra for the bits Nissan adds to the higher models, I pay for the parts I want in my Z.

I think all the technical differences between different trims have been discussed, and OP is well aware of them. We just need to congratulate him. Save the should'a would'a could'a.

Congratulation on your purchase :)

Yes papa... :rolleyes:

Congratulations on a great buy.

Gotta say i totally agree with everything here.

Save up for those whiteline bushings and an aftermarket csc option.

Been dd my baby for past month and i love it makes the drive enjoyable