Anti Nismo sentiment

[Equinox]

I have been off the board for well over 10 months while I've been in South Korea on business. I've noticed as I've slowly come back to the board there is a considerable amount of people making fun of Nismos, flaming nismo owners, or the whole 'made of gold/diamond' ********.

Is there a certain thread this all stems from, or a certain Nismo owner who is being an exceptional *** about having a Nismo, or what?

I have a Nismo and I never claimed it to be a better car than anyone elses. I just chose the car because I've modified cars before, and body kits/ground effects are always the worse mod I've had to do. They never fit right, they are crap quality most the time, and no body shop ever does it right. I wanted the Nismo because it already had enough uniqueness to the outside done to it, that I can just focus on the horsepower and interior. Sure there are about 1500 around, but I rarely run into one myself, so it would be unique enough for my local area. I wasn't a fan of the base/sport/touring fangs on the 370, so when I noticed the Nismo didn't have them, I liked it a lot more. Just look at how many people black out those stupid fangs.

Anyways, what's the deal board? Please don't be an ***, about this, you should be a grown *** man/woman by now, and be able to hold an intelligent conversation about this.

[TreeSemdyZee]

Examples of what you speak of? I haven't seen any of this, but I can be a dullard sometimes.

[Super Tanooki]

I must say, I haven't noticed this either and I've been reading religiously every day for the past six months.

But if there is a consistent negative undertone that I've missed, then OP, don't even let it bother you man. You have an amazing car that you're proud of, right? That's the main FACT. You prefer the model you got and you're fortunate enough to be able to afford it. If there is a disproportionate number of Nismo flamers, let them be. Much of it could be underlying jealousy/envy, anyway. But you love your car and that's all that matters.

'Haters gonna hate', I believe is one of the 10 Commandments.

Me personally, not to be intentionally ironic, prefer the curves of the front and rear spoiler and the Rays wheels of the sport pkg over the squarer, more aggressive-looking Nismo body and the Nismo wheels, so I went for that. Plus I was concerned of reviews claiming the suspension was a little too stiff and uncomfortable for a daily driver (your thoughts on that?). But it's each to their own. I love seeing Nismos around - hope to drive one at some point for comparison.

[Lemers]

Look it's not so much the owners but the idea of the NISMO. I for one am greatly disappointed in what Nissan labeled a NISMO. It's nothing more than a slightly tuned base model. I feel that to wear the NISMO badge there should be a significant power upgrade (bigger engine or Forced induction) along with a better suspension.

Anything you see on this site is just simple fanfare of my team is better than yours. We even kid each other about other trim choices and colors.

Don't take it too serious.

[christian370z]

I personally don't have anything against Nismo Zs, but I think that some of the anti-Nismo sentiment is in response to some very pro-Nismo owners. I test drove the Nismo before settling on my Z and it definitely feels unique both in handling and in looks so in that regard, it has distinguished itself from the regular Z.

[Equinox]

Wow that is some great input and I really do appreciate it.

I do know of more than a few instances, but I don't think I want to start linking incidents when pretty much the reasons, as well as answers, have been stated here by you folk.

I do very much understand the dissapointment on the idea and execution of the Nismo, and if I may expand on that in search of your opinions.

First on the performance. The supposed horsepower increase of the 350hp Nismo, compared to other 370z of 336hp? Nissan advertising this power difference, and car reviewing organizations were having trouble actually proving the claim. The dynos were almost identical to other models (although I have yet to see a side by side base dyno), and the performance times were not any better, and sometimes worse.

I have noticed when I baseline dyno'd my Nismo at 2000 miles on a dynojet, it was a mere 274whp. Later when I dyno'd the car at 6k miles I had already installed a catback system, and the whp jumped to 302whp. I am unwilling to say all the increase was due to the catback exhaust. I have reasons to believe that all the VQ engines breakin and provide more horsepower with a few thousand miles on them. I'm willing to account for a lot of the terrible performance times done side by side with other 370 models was due to a lack in break-in mileage. I wonder if Car n Driver will ever revisit a performance comparo with a 10k mile Nismo and 10k mile sport package car.

For the ride quality... there is a huge stink about the car being too harsh for daily driving, as well as not performing any better in slalom and time attack, thus not showing improved handling. I'm willing to believe that this is due to majority of the cars tested probably had the shipping spacers still installed on the springs of the car. If you haven't read the thread yet, a lot of Nismos if not all, were sold to customers, and reviews, with the shipping spacers in the springs still installed on the car. This made the springs incredibly more harsh than intended, as well as took away a lot of the progressive characteristics of the car, worsening the handling to sub-sport package numbers. Just a theory though. Revisit comparison on a verified no-spacer Nismo that is broken in with a like mileage sport package?
Nismo Z Suspension: All Nismo 370Z Owners Check Here FIRST!

Personal note about the suspension: My car was in fact sold to me with the spring shipping spacers still installed on the thing, only the two front springs, but a lot of people have had all four still on. I imagine my rears fell off if anything. When I took off the spacers the car seemingly handled better (I have no numbers to prove it) and the ride was less harsh, but still stiff enough to put off some people expecting a 40k vehicle to ride like a Lexus/Bimmer.

I will admit, the Nismo is just a base package 370z with sport brakes package, branded sport wheels, a heavy spoiler, new bumper, "premium" OEM 'meh' struts and sways, "premium" OEM 'meh' exhaust, a mythical ECU tune that becomes pointless once you start modding and wipe the tune for a more aggressive one, and nismo badging and red stitching everywhere. After paying 40k for the car, I will admit I was bitter that I had base cloth seats, and a base stereo with no option of GPS - Which is why I got bride seats, and a GPS nav system, lol. Damn you touring!

[toxik]

equinox, you don't need to defend your reasons for owning a Nismo... there's absolutely nothing bad about it at all. A few Nismo owners are posting borderline delusional statements on how all non-Nismo owners are secretly jealous because the Nismo gets all the attention and etc.... hence other members decided to make fun of that.

i hope this thread doesn't derail and get closed like all the others, but i honestly see it happening, so ibtl.

[Ron]

Originally Posted by toxik

... A few Nismo owners are posting borderline delusional statements on how all non-Nismo owners are secretly jealous because the Nismo gets all the attention and etc.... hence other members decided to make fun of that.

That is exactly what happened but to be fair, some non-nismo guys also posted some bashing comments out of nowhere. Good thing is that was 1 or 2 weeks ago and hasn't happened again. Let it remain that way. Nismos are just another trim, with different options for different tastes. I wanted a sport pckg, didn't care for leather or nav and hated the fangs, so Nismo it was.

[daisuke149]

Just for an "imo"

The nismo looks amazing and that to me alone would br quite worth it.

But in the end it comes down to this... Who cares what others think about what you prefer, want and most importantly pay for yourself. You need to be happy with your car. If you let others opinions sway how you think of your own car then the problem lies with you. Sure its nice if someone compliments your car but if they dont like it, fuggetaboutit.

And this isnt directed at OP, just more anyone bothering to read.

P.s would also be a better world if peoplr didnt just spout out negative commrnts and. E dicks just cus they wouldnt do/buy something themselves.

And yes my typing sucks. Stupid iphone needs a. Etter keyboard

[Cell]

Is the NISMO worth it?

That is the thread that started it all...

Eventually one of the Z owners said that all the nismo owners paid a premium just for the exhaust. But the problem was that he doesn't realize that none of the nismo owners ever bought the car just for the exhaust.

[Shamu]

I think its weird! Never seen this on other forum boards with other maquees, clearly some bored 370z owners,

Car is a clear value. My Nismo with simple high flow cat and intakes belted out 316 hp and 260 ft/lbs of torque.

But truly why fly with the sparrows when you can soar with the Eagles as you drive off the showroom floor? That alone is worth Nismo price of admission.

[shadoquad]

Don't let 'em get to you. Nismo Z's are cool cars. All 370Z's are, and if it makes you happy, then that's all that's important.

Originally Posted by Shamu

But truly why fly with the sparrows when you can soar with the Eagles as you drive off the showroom floor?

This kind of sentiment is worrisome to me, though. Sorry, I own a base model "sparrow". Guess I'll just have to slum it with the priuses and focuses.

[torpedo2k]

I have read many of the arguments for and against the added cost. There have been many stupid comments on both sides. Many have expressed they way I feel much better than I could. I think we wouldn't have near as much drama on the forum without the NISMO. I hope this thread doesnt turn out like the other discussion threads.
I like the car. Its fun to drive. I am happy with the price I paid. As for what others think...

I haven't driven another 370. I hope to soon. Last Z I drove before mine was the 350.

[Lemers]

Originally Posted by Shamu

But truly why fly with the sparrows when you can soar with the Eagles as you drive off the showroom floor? That alone is worth Nismo price of admission.

Eagles are cool and all but the sparrow seems to be more nimble and quicker.

[Cmike2780]

Originally Posted by shadoquad

Don't let 'em get to you. Nismo Z's are cool cars. All 370Z's are, and if it makes you happy, then that's all that's important.


This kind of sentiment is worrisome to me, though. Sorry, I own a base model "sparrow". Guess I'll just have to slum it with the priuses and focuses.

I didn't realize I had a sparrow either. At least we're not on the endangered species list I suppose.

I don't think anyone is really bashing on the Nismo. Some just prefer to have a factory modified ride while others want to do it on thier own. At the end of the day, it's the same car. No need to argue.