Is the NISMO worth it?
 

I currently am shopping the future market for a sports car and want to get NISMO owners opinions. I currently am the original owner of a 2001 Prelude and now that I'm 30 want to invest in a real sports car. Don't get me wrong I love my lude but I am yearning for some RWD or lets just say non-FWD lol. Prior to the lude I had a 1990 240sx (S13) coupe (non hatchback) so naturally I always wanted the 300z but as a teen it was too expensive. Now that I've got some finances I want the Fairlady. I think this new 370 is gorgeous! My question is this, a fully loaded "Touring w Sport" roughly comes out to the same MSRP as the NISMO est 40k. After seeing some articles stating that performance wise the standard sport version versus the NISMO is roughly equal even with the bumped engine. That being the case, wouldn't getting all the comforts of the Touring/Nav etc make more sense? I def like the look of the NISMO but you could always go aftermarket on that stuff. So, I wanted to see what actual NISMO owners think, was sacrificing that stuff worth it?

Second question....what would you buy and your pros and cons
1) NISMO (2011) est 40k
2) BMW 1-Series "M" (2012) est 45k+
3) EVO MR (2011) est 40k
4) Camaro 2SS (2011) est 35-40k

I am planning on buying in 18 months and have 40kish to work with..I'm just curious as to what made your final decision the NISMO
I appreciate the feedback!

If you are looking at saving a little pick up a used '09 or '10 Nismo. I wouldn't have my Z any other way. The only other cars I would floss in your group is the EVO, and the two cars are worlds apart.

It all depends on what you want in a car and how you plan to use it. Nismo's can be had for far less then 40K too, (just as likely as some of those other cars) I got mine in the 35K-36K ball park. Personally, I had no desire or need for nav or anything the touring pkg offered in my sports car, it would have just been a waste of money to me. If your buying a nismo, your buying it because you like the styling, IMO there isn't a single aftermarket kit that comes close to the looks of the nismo aero kit. Just my $0.02

I had a 2001 prelude. I say get the nismo if you like how it looks. The car isn't faster and it doesn't handle better than a sport model. Flame suit on.

Is the NISMO worth it? No!

Is this not a question better answered by you test driving one? I bought with the feedback of oh let me see...NO ONE. Try one yourself before resorting to 3rd party reviews.

I may be a little biased, but I have to disagree. I love my NISMO, especially now that I have my F.I. TDX installed. It should have sounded like that from the factory.

I think it handles very well (but so do most Zs). As far as being worth it, you have to consider whether or not you are into creature conforts and such. If you are, it may not be the car for you. Hook up with someone that has one or just go to the dealer and work out a test drive. That should let you know how you really fell once you have taken it around the block...............

this is all good feedback...I picked those 4 cars because they all serve a different purpose to me..BMW=Luxury but expensive, EVO=Handling/Touring/Snow but Sedan, Camaro=straight line balls but no handling cheaper materials......NISMO=?

Personally I like to buy my cars new...its just a preference..and the reason why I'm targeting the NISMO is because of its unique style and furthermore the fact that it isn't a run of the mill 370z...its a NISMO! I was kinda thinkin just that fact is worth the money because a NISMO will resell for more than a loaded sport/touring just on the fact of its lower availability in the genre of 370's.

Among the choices available in my price range, the NISMO is the one I keep coming back to and daydreaming about and I really have a hard time finding a major con like the other cars have. I'm sure Nissan will sort out all the "Car and Driver" type issues ie oil cooler etc. Its really the only "track" style car in this price range and thats what I'm looking for, my prelude has "slider" AC controls so anything will feel luxury! I was just testing the waters here. Honestly I'm scared to test drive one anytime soon because then I will jump the gun on my budget and buy one that minute..I'm too impulsive to have no self control after a test drive...and from how many people fell in love with their cars that scares me..haha

Before my nismo, I had a RSX-S. As far as luxury goes, I think the only thing luxurious was the leather. The leather was something I can give a rats a$$ about. So it wasn't something I looked for when buying my next car.

I don't know if you need luxury but if you don't you will love a Nismo sitting in your garage. It is a car that you will not be able to drive in snow so do not expect it to be something you want to drive in the winters.

Not only is it rare in the streets but the looks are so much better than the regular 370z.

It is really all about practicality. If the 370z is going to be your DD then I wouldn't recommend the nismo.

EDIT: If you are going to test drive a nismo from the dealer, expect the ride to be much more stiffer than what it really is. Nismos come with these nasty spring spacers that are ment to be taken off when they are off the trucks. The dealer usually forgets to take one or two on each side of the car.

Former 135i owner...love the Nismo...will even be better once I cut that huge tank of silencer they call an exhaust off this weekend. EVO MR, is sick, especially for the bang, but I just don't like the styling. If the NISMO only had a turbo or v8 for some torque, it could become the car....

ABSOLUTELY worth it! =P

yea Cell...luxury isn't as important to me than performance...I wouldn't have picked the Prelude in 01' if thats what I was looking for because the prelude has a 90's Honda interior, i picked it cuz that was the best sporty car in my price range at that point and I always liked the look (after suspension drop, Rims etc. I live in Philly so we get snow but I can't even drive my prelude in snow with my aftermarket rims n tires..its like a big wheel spinnin on the pavement..only works with my stocks and even then it ain't that great...I have a SUV for snow. And yes this will be a DD for me and I really have no problem with that..I work 3 miles from home so thats not an issue. And yes F1, I really like the EVO for its AWD and turbo but I'm not a huge fan of the design and it being a sedan, particularly the new EVO X design..its perfect for NorthEast weather but the roads clear up here quick because we are used to it and its not quite Boston so if I can't go out for the 4 hours it snows I'm ok with that and I have a truck. My other car is a 99 Mustang GT (yellow annv.) so if I need a V8 fix I can take that down the line. Really the NISMO stands out because I just love the Japanese sports cars and the looks of the NISMO def stands out. So from what i get from you guys is that really the "big" diff between the NISMO and standard is the appearence..IMO the NISMO looks way better then the standard and the standard looks awesome too...and I like to have cars that are diff from the run of the mill..like now my prelude is rare and catches peoples attention because you never see them and I made it look aggresive for a lude. So the NISMO is one of those attention grabbers. I really just want a car that you can buy and not touch and it looks nasty. I'm hearing that the exhaust might need to be upgraded? A BMW, EVO or SS could be mistaken for a run of the mill daily driver and that turns me off...no mistake with the NISMO. Its good to hear you guys say it worth it.

ive had a 94' GSR, 99'type SH lude, and a 2003 IS300 manual tranny.....

i wouldnt want any other car for the $40 OTD i spent.

the handling, the feel, and sh1t man the LOOKS!!!

BMW is boring and looks like crap. EVO MR is fast and cool, but at the end of the day all i see is lancer.... and the camero.... hell man i saw 5 on the way to work. ive seen only one other NISMO since i got the car two months ago.

I have yet to see any other nismo here in Chicago and Chicago is a huge city. I've seen only 2 other 370z. One being a convertible, it was that ugly purple color. Sorry for those that love the color. The second one being a regular 370z in PG with a sports package.

A ton of people eye ball my car like it was a Ferrari just because they have never seen one before.

The Nismo is a much more exotic looking car than regular Z period. I've only seen 2 regular Z's here where I live and really don't worry about ever seeing another Nismo.