Looks, or power?
 

For the longest time, I have been having an internal debate between whether I should start spending money on the looks of my Z first, or if I should spend money on boosting the HP and torque of my car first. The only thing I've done so far is a muffler delete and added AAM non-resonated shorttails in it's place. What do you guys think?

If it is for the streets, go for the looks! It has enough power now for the streets, so looks will give you more pleasure.

Do both a little at a time. That's what I've been doing.

1. Suspension.
2. Brakes.
3. Rims and tires.
4. Power
5. Looks.

Drivability is more important than power or looks. YMMV

The great thing about the Z is you can have it all.

1. Easy bolt ons oil cooler, drop in filters and exhaust

2. Follow Rusty's list.

I am a total function over form kinda guy. Suspension and drivetrain up grades make the car incredibly fun to drive even if you don't track. There are bunch of threads on what to do first. For me if I were to do it again after number 1 I would get a Hotchkis front sway bar and then a quality rear diff. Then go from there.

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Power over looks any day of the week. Rusty's list is key.

Do you think the stock Nismo suspension as well the limited slip differential that comes with it is fine as is for now? I'd rather not spend money on something I don't "need" currently and/or doesn't improve performance/handling by a decent margin over what is currently installed.

It all depends on you goals! If you are planning to do track days you will start to out perform you rear diff in two three weekends. If you are just going to street the car it can wait. I was amazed at what a difference my Wavetrac rear diff made.

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Definitely go before show personally. Money spent on visual mods: $700 (I just really wanted those halo LED headlights). Money spent on Performance mods: Probably close to $13k now. I have a problem.

Along with your goals what is you budget? I compare everything to the cost of consumables when making decisions. I will buy two or three sets of tires a year so if I am looking to buy something that is going to last me for the life of the car or several years it's a no brainer....I buy it. I also understand that I am in a position that allows me to make decisions like that. Don't spend money if it means you can't keep the lights on. Start with number 1 and save your money. If you plan to track do number 1 and spend your money on tires, brake pads fluids and all the track time you can get until the car becomes your limiting factor. I know this because I did it all bassakwards!!!

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HX Cloud, Since you have a 2016 Nismo, I'd say power & driveability over looks. You've already got a beautiful car stock.

If you're already a 9 in the looks department, trying to improve to a 10 is tough. If you had a base Z, then I'd say, split the money.

It's your money and your car, and more importantly, your happiness

Not sure we can answer that question for you.

You should probably ask yourself whats more important - looks or power

If you arent sure, before you spend money, here's a simple test

Go to a car show
Go to a race track

What makes you happy?

LMAO, this is the shortest well stated post you have done in some time! I agree whole heartedly!

And as us track car guys like to say "a track car is a show car!"

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Unfortunately, the closest thing (within like 100 miles) to a track where I currently live is a dragstrip. While I do find this enjoyable, I certainly would get bored rather quick just going in a straight line for 13+ seconds at a time. I recently joined a club though, that has meetings and shows fairly regularly in locations really close. I enjoy showing this car off, and I love when people have positive comments and compliments on it. I do daily drive my car so I wouldn't want to go overboard with power. I was thinking about wrapping the car and I was priced at 1800 for any design/combination of designs, as the price is for the amount of material and it would cover the entire car. That's why I have had a touch time deciding, is because I want to show off the car, but I also want to have a grand time driving it.