NISMO Practical for DD?
 

Well, I shouldn't say practical but for NISMO owners would DD'ing a NISMO be a headache due to the ride? Reason I ask is I wasn't considering a NISMO but a dealership down the road has one on the lot for $36,600 so I am thinking about getting it.

I had a 350z, g35c, in the past and the ride on these never bothered me but I hear the NISMO is pretty rough.

Also, how low is this vehicle, can you actually make it over the standard speed bump or will they cause issues also.

Thanks:hello:

Go drive one. For that price you can get a regular 370 with sport and tour packages which may be a little more luxo for day to day and little to no difference in performance. The height difference on the Nismo should not make a difference as it's not extreme.

agreed, I did test drive one, they do feel a little stiff. You'll be happier tech wise and comfort wise with the sport/touring.

Would it be that much stiffer? I DD my sport 370z and its awesome. The NISMO ride can't be THAT much worse can it? Or maybe it can...

It's all about what you're looking for in a car. If creature conforts like navigation, leather heated seats, bose stereo w/sub woofer, a softer ride ect. is what you're looking for then get a touring. If you want bigger, wheels wider tires, better brakes and a more sportier look get a base + sport. You can get both touring + sport. The Nismo is bare bones when it comes to creature conforts and the ride is stiffer due to the suspension changes. It's also heavier, slower, uglier, ricer looking and everything else that has been said about it in this forum and costs more.

In the end it's all about what you want and what will make you happy. I was ready to buy a base + sport and add some mods later like exhaust, intake, suspension, wheels, ect. When the Nismo was released and I saw one in person after the test drive I knew it was the car for me. I sold my 911 Targa and bought a Nismo, I drive it every day and I love it. It does it for me. So go to the dealer and test drive a couple of different trim levels and make a decision based on what's going to make you happy and drive it daily. :driving:

I'd choose the Touring/Sport combo over the Nismo Z for a daily. With the leather and alcantra seats it's quite the luxo piece for a car like this.

Unless you're dead set on having a Nismo, get the T/S. You'll get more car for equal or less dough.

1st person ever to talk shyt about their own car ever, I say +1 to you good sir. :rofl2:

:stirthepot:

my nismo is a lil stiff, but i love it. it's exactly what i was hoping for (better/sportier suspension than stock.) driving down the highway is smooth, it only stands out on certain (usually wavy concrete) roads. speed bumps and driveways are fine, and i have to park on a raised curb parking lot. i just square up and go in reverse.

It's harsher over bumps and the tires are alot lounder. Pretty much the same differences between the EVO RS and EVO MR.

People drive to work in old beatup pickup trucks with tears in the seats, springs poking their junk, missing headliners, shot shocks, and we are going to say the 370 isn't comfortable enough for commuting? rofl.

Springs poking my junk is the first mod I made to the car....

I meant to ask you about that during our meet last month. Hopefully you didn't choose too small of a spring to poke thru?

Tires are louder? Aren't the tires are the exact same model as come on the base 370 except 40mm wider.

My impressions with only 109 miles is that the suspension is noticeably stiffer )especially in the rear, but by no means harsh. The predilection for understeer is all but gone. There is still some body roll, mostly in the front, that could be cleaned up with a stiffer front sway bar. Overall the NISMO is more poised and balanced. I've heard all kinds of bad things about the NISMO, but I'll tell you that after almost 22K miles in my PG 370 the NISMO is a better sports car. Sometimes sports cars can put up identical numbers but one or the other be a clear winner because of driver satisfaction. The NISMO is the second most satisfying car I have ever driven (Z06 is the first). The dynamics of turning in and powering out of curves have changed completely. Drive one HARD and you won't be disappointed.

I will admit that I miss my heated seats (but not the leather) and I really notice not having sat radio or a subwoofer. For the average person the touring or touring+sport will be the best bet for a daily, but if you are like me and drive for the thrill the NISMO will make you forget the stereo and butt warmer.

I am either doing the NISMO or the Base+sport package, not going the touring route.

I found a base (mt) + sport for $30,900 so I am leaning toward it right now as I am going to be doing some mods, new stereo, etc.

I LOVE my Nismo.:tup:

I concur. It's exactly what I wanted and expected.

For the price, as you have mentioned, and daily driving is your concern, Base/Sport pckg is probably for you; given the fact you're modifying it. It'll save you more on your bottom end compare to purchasing a NISMO. Although, that is a good price.

if they offer the nismo with Nav and leather in US like they do in japan, then that'd solve all the problem, but nobody wants to pay a $45K+ sticker price for a 370z.

I love my Nismo but if your going to mod it out quite a bit you shouldnt waste the $. I pulled mine apart but don't regret it as it puts a smile on my face whenever I look at it. Plus, I can't stand dealing with aftermarket bodywork..It never fits right, fiberglass is a pain and carbon is expensive.

PS. Skydvr, not to change the subject but you that MV or just like the bike? There's a few MV guys on the board, I've had 3 now, love them but taking a break from bikes for a while.

I DD my Nismo and love it. The ride is pretty stiff and in fact I was complaining about it at first but I have really gotten used to it now. I like the fact that it's slightly lower than Base/Touring models and I don't have any issues with speedbumps/scraping. But in the end SkyDvr's advice is the best. Test drive and decide.

I'll be DDing mine as well..i just picked it up so I haven't driven to work or anything yet. It seems fine around town, but I will say I miss the sub in my old car (which was aftermarket anyways).

Like most other people are saying, if you plan on modding a ton I would go with the cheaper route...not much point in spending money on a Nismo (which is a nissan-modded) if your just going to mod yourself. Save some money.

This may belong somewhere else, but the only mod I am really considering at this point in time is a new headunit/speakers for my Nismo. But I had such a horrendous experience with the last people who tried to help me install a HU that I'm afraid to try that again.

I put a system in the spare area and a new Alpine unit. Paid a bit too much and the whole thing weighs quite a bit but it sounds amazing, I can remove it on a track day and what's better you can't tell its in the car as its all hidden in the back (of course the head unit is obvious).

Congrats on the buy, you'll love it.

I really thought the Nismo Suspension was ridiculously stiff... until I realize that I've been driving it for 1000 miles with THE SPACERS ON! hehe. Now it's better but still not as comfy as a regular z. I LOVE IT! If only it came with a Navi+sounds to get rid of the cubby hole.

Is the NISMO cubby the same as the Base (barring color scheme)? If so, couldn't you do one of those aftermarket screens or something (possibly NAV unit)? Just a thought.

I have been deliberating the same choice as the OP. The more I look at the NISMO, the more I want it. Problem is, I should have a pretty good deal locked in on a Base Sport when I get back from Iraq. Decisions, decisions..........

It's always weird when people ask if a (fill in the blank) is good for a DD. It's all up to you man. Some people want all the creature comforts there are to commute to work, others are more than happy commuting in a clone cobra with no AC, no roof, no stereo, just a engine, seat, and steering wheel.

:iagree:

I'm DDing mine on some pretty rough roads and 110 miles/Day with no problems. The ride is great, seats are super grippy and I now like them more than leather and as for the NAV I just placed a 7" portable/removable on the cubby door.

That has happened to a couple of people with Nismos, check for the spacers, they can be hidden.

This is a good discussion...well, IMO, anyway.

And I'm sure my age dictates a different take on thing with the younger sprouts around here but...

I have the same dilemma.

Now, mind you, I don't mind a stiff ride. Or feeling the road. My RSX is stiff as hell after some mods. I like the Nismo style. And stuff fitting right, and mostly colored to match. It's not too ricey but it's there letting you know it's got its style on. Semi-sublte yet I can see it right away. HOWEVER, my age makes me think a sports car has just GOT to have leather seats. It just doesn't seem natural otherwise. Even seen a post about a guy who ordered leather covers for his cloth, so he knows what I'm talking about ( ;) ). I like it that the Nismo is a bit lower. I like it that it's intended to be more of a "race/sporty car". BUT, I think they went a bit too far. Already talked about the seats. So, is it all about weight or did someone just decide NO ONE wants a beefed up Nismo with any kind of sound system or, hold your breath, any kind of navi? Why didn't they just take the Touring model and make a "Touring Nismo" fercrissakes !? It's not like it screws up their whole exhaust system/suspension system/wheel mods.

So, having ranted a bit, I'll comment on buying the Nismo and then adding some mods.

Yes, one can swap out the seats easy enough AND get leather in the exhange. SO, if you have a "happy-gol-lucky" attitude about your money to fit some leather into a vehicle that should have had leather to begin with, then you're not going to mind making that change.

And, unless I'm wrong, you can always add some navi and sound to the interior. BUT, why is this a somewhat poor solution? Well, again, unless I'm wrong, most every navi solution that looks anywhere near good is mounted much lower than the Nissan navi unit. Haven't seen one yet that mounts in THAT cubby space. So, there you are, staring down near the shifter to see stuff when, for safety's sake, your eyes should be closer to the windshield. And too bad the console faces straight back instead of angles toward the driver...the one who is most likely needing to see the info on the screen.

Bah...I've ranted long enough and sure to get rep points taken but I think it's a legitimate point. And what's odd about it is that I just read above that the Nismo version is different in Japan than here. That sucks !

I totally agree with you. I don't know if others consider me old, but I'm in my late 20s and I think I personally don't mind having a stiff ride for a daily driver.

I once also came from a completely souped up Honda Civic and find myself moving up the ladder with a more expensive sports car. As far as all the performance parts go, I love the Nismo 370z in every way. The suspension, body kit, spoiler, rims, whatever....I think when Nissan designed this car, they really did a good job keeping in their mind what customers want....a really tricked out car that does really well in both in the track and in the streets. The Nismo sits low, but low enough to still clear most streets unlike a Corvette or cars like it; which pretty much scrapes most curbs if you don't know how to drive it well or are careful with it. That being said, I'm not saying you can not be careful with it either...it breaks my heart whenever I see expensive sports car with scraped rims and front bumper lips resting on curbs. Sigh

However, I have to agree with Slynky that for me a true sports car should have leather seats. I personally prefer Red, but any other color works with me too. I know a lot of people here tends to justify that cotton cushion grips better than leather, but honestly, I think their real reason Nissan didn't put leather in the Nismo version is because it cost more. Car manufacturer can and have made very grippy seats using leather. Look at all the expensive cars like (i.e. Lamborghini, Ferrarri's, Mercedes SLR, etc) they're leather seats. But like most people would agree, the Nismo version is already pretty expensive, out of most Z owners would pay for, therefore they can't satisfy the small percentage of people out there that wants more.

Now, back to having Nismo as a daily driver, I think the Nismo should allow customer to configure it with power seats, garage opener, a better radio, bluetooth, NAV and leather as option. (Maybe it doesn't have to be a standard features, but as an option)

I know my budget isn't enough to afford a $50K+ car, so I'm out of luck in finding any better sports car than the Z. But I know for a fact, if they ever did made a 370Z Nismo like the one they did in Japan - I'm all for it!

Check this out....Nismo with Touring Options + NAV....check out the smile on that guy's face!!! :driving:
<object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/S_U15_hU2yQ&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/S_U15_hU2yQ&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object>
Check out 2:49 for interior

It'd be even better if they made a 40th anniversary Nismo 370z with all the options included. Muahahahaa :icon18:

Practical for dd? No... 9" snow here. lol. Hahaha

For summer months yes, if you don't have kids.

+1 to your post, Scruffydog.

Though I hate the idea of having cloth seats in my sports car and even though I'd like to have a few "niceties" in cabin, I'll probably go with the Nismo version. The front end, the Nismo suspension, (etc.) is probably the swaying vote.

As to age, I'm bordering 59. But I don't drive like I'm 59...was pulled over twice this year (and talked my way out of a ticket). I don't mind the stiff ride. I just wish I could enjoy all the bumps from leather seats and some good serious thumping from a sub (or two) in the rear. Le sigh...

9" snow, i don't think think Nismo or Not Nismo Z is practical for DD.That's why they make Mitsubitshi Evo and Subaru Sti's.

No, that's why they make cell phones...to call in sick. ;)

lol....good one! :icon18:

Go to a car upholstery shop and see about Katskinz and have them redo your seats to suade and leather, I ask them how much it would cost when I had mine done for free and they said about $1000 I think. Its a good fit and real leather.

I have to agree with skydvr on everything he says. I got my nismo back in august and took it to texas world speedway a couple of week ago and it was f'ing unbelievable. This car was designed as a track car and the only thing besides a stereo you should do to it is get an oil cooler. I am doing that next week. It is stiff, noisy, and a fantastic piece of machinery. If you are not going to race this car on a track then don’t spend the $$$$$ and get a regular Z.

Although this being a necro-post from ancient-forum-history, I'm not sure how "stiff and noisy" the Nismo would be where the base Z wouldn't be...

I upgraded both the stock cats and the cbe in my Nismo and couldn't be happier with the end result. I've not once regret getting my Nismo instead of a base Z, even when I started plotting out my future performance upgrades.