Can the base model LSD be upgraded to be more useful? Is that upgrade pricy/worth it for spirited street driving?

The base model doesn't have an LSD, it just has an open diff I'm pretty sure? In any case, upgrading to something useful would cost roughly the same as upgrading the VLSD to something better. What's "better" (torsen-style or clutched-style, etc) and how much it costs is gonna be a personal opinion. IMHO it depends on how spirited your cornering is :)

Totally worth it. 3k can't be beat for a sport package. I've seen some sport packages that give you crap for more money.

I've heard it is nearly pointless to buy a z w/o a lsd its like buying a v6 stang or camaro. Idk if i were to get sport i would probably end up changing springs, rims, spoiler idk if its worth it for me its that vlsd thats got me wondering!

Totally worth it dude! bigger brakes, nicer wheels, LSD and SRM. they're all useful.

They can find one for you, trust me. I had to wait 3 days but they found the color w/sport package I was looking for.

I never drove one without the sport package, but the brakes are really good, the syncro rev match is something I thought I would turn off but I actually love it.

Wouldn't have one without Sport
 

I think most people don't give the Speed Matching a chance. It took me a month of so to turn it on and leave it on. I absolutely love that feature now. For the 5 grand, you get a lot of bang for the buck. Plus, when you go to sell, the person will by yours first because it does have this package. Lastly, can't stand the way the base car looks without the rear spoiler...
Just my 10cents...
Pat

What color are the calipers on the sport package brakes? I read somewhere that they're red, but mine are gunmetal gray.

For 2013 it's red now

Experiences vary
 

I began shopping for a Z with the notion that I wanted a manual with Sports package for the synchrorev. Salesman convinced me to drive an auto also. Loved it. Especially when I got stuck in rush hour traffic while test driving another manual. That reduced the value of the sports package.

The deciding factor was then the ride. I have back and neck problems that were in a flare up from the accident that put me in the market for a new ride. I could feel a substantial difference in comfort level between sports package vs base. Feeling that much difference after a 10 minute test drive was a real signal that longer drives would be a real problem.

So I went with base and love it. Only 1800 miles on it which isn't a fair review but as some one who has never owned a sports car before, find the handling and the brakes a thousand times better than anything else I have ever owned so I am happy as a possum in a pig trough.

I just picked up a 2011 with the sport package and I'm in love! In my opinion, a 370 without the sport package isn't much better than my 350. Sport package all the way!

What about 2012?

I agree...It's the larger wheels that are very loud but look great. Also, I went with auto after driving both in Houston.

It's gunmetal color

Sorry for asking but never did know what is the LSD for? How does it work and how does it benefit one with LSD?