Mini Cooper to 370z

[NTMID8R]

Very good feedback all.
I could do without the big spoiler on the back,
and I'm more into handling, so I think the sport
package is the direction I'm moving to. Exhaust and tune
would soon follow.
I look fwd to using this forum more in the future.

[280z/300zx]

I've owned both a touring/sport and a Nismo. Look up a post titled "some input would be great" or something similar. It was only about 2wks back. I did a full assesment on both. Short summary, I prefer my old touring/sport compared to my current NISMO. The NISMO is I believe slightly faster however I don't think magazines have been able to show it as the NISMO is not very easy to launch well due to the stiffer suspension. I think from a rolling start the NISMO would pull on the regular Z but not by a whole lot. The suspension is very stiff for DD. Mod for mod you will not make a NISMO Z out of a Base Z for cheaper. Aside from the extra power the Nismo also has a much tighter suspension. Suspension mods costs money. Also, yes you can make a base Z just as fast or faster than the NISMO but the NISMO will always have the edge unless you get a tune. Getting a tune requires finding a reputable tunner and spending $$$ on the tune and dyno time. Some are lucky to have good tuner near by where others don't. So keep that in mind.

Lastly, on paper the NISMO costs much more than a base sport but in real life you can get a NISMO Z for pretty cheap. The sticker on my NISMO was 45k, I got mine for 35k. It was essentially the same price that a touring sport would have cost me. I think if you shop around you'll find the real price difference between a base sport and a NISMO to only be 2-3k. Which one to get is up to you. They both have pros and cons. In the end you win either way as they are both Z's.

[Synack]

Originally Posted by NTMID8R

I look fwd to using this forum more in the future.

Did anyone else look at this and immediately think front wheel drive, or is that just me. lol

[FL 4Motion]

Hey welcome aboard.

My best advice is to just test drive both and see which one you like better.

The nismo aero is functional and to duplicate it with aftermarket body pieces, wings etc that match up to the car and look/fit as good as OEM will be pricey.

However, if you don't like the way the nismo looks compared to the base/sport pkg Z then obviously go with the non nismo.

Powerwise, the nismo has a slight edge but the two really begin to even out once you start modding.

In sum, just get the one that makes you happiest and enjoy it.

[kenchan]

Originally Posted by Synack

Did anyone else look at this and immediately think front wheel drive, or is that just me. lol

lol, i thought pun was intended.

[marcussoori]

I also came from an '06 MCS highly modded, and my mistake was lowering springs that made the ride quality very jarring...which is the main reason I got rid of it despite loving almost every other aspect of the car.

My advice: get the base + sport package and try not to mess with the struts/springs (awesome stock ride quality; it's okay to add swaybars, though) or ride height (which you may need to maintain for some speed bumps)...then do whatever mods you want.

I think you'll love the car as much as I do!

Good luck, and welcome!

Originally Posted by NTMID8R

Very good feedback all.
I could do without the big spoiler on the back,
and I'm more into handling, so I think the sport
package is the direction I'm moving to. Exhaust and tune
would soon follow.
I look fwd to using this forum more in the future.