It shouldn't be in a position where it gets bashed. NO ONE bashes the 350z Nismo because it is clearly better.

Sorry but I still haven't been presented with an ounce of evidence that the Base/Sport is faster than a Nismo.

And BTW, you see how LONG that sentence is you wrote. Can you spell R-A-N-T? Let it go. No one is arguing with you about your choice of model.

Inside line even has the touring Z as faster than the nismo

IL Track Tested: 2009 Nissan Nismo 370Z vs. 2009 Nissan 370Z Touring


That's the first thing that came up with google.

well, it looks faster :)
when i first drove the car to the work, one of the guy commented:
"hey, nice GT-R! " :icon17:

...350 ponies vs. 332?...

And before anyone post any rebuttal magazine comparisons, I would like to point out that this one actually ran the cars back to back, so don't come back with mags that ran the Z when it first came out, and the nismo a year later and then tries to compare the numbers. Run at the same time or gtfo.

unfortunately that isn't a huge increase, which doesn't lead to the nismo being that much quicker.

The people who bought the nismo (me included) bought it knowing full well that an 18hp increase isn't huge, and i hope most people realize there weren't going to be HUGE differences in performance. I bought it more for the body kit (which i know is subjective) and what I was led to believe was noticeable better handleing...my own fault for listening to a salesman.

Do i regret the nismo? No, I would definitely do it again if given the choice (i also bought it for 37k before tax, instead of the 39ish MSRP). The biggest factors for me were the fact that it already has a (slightly) up graded suspension without voiding my warranty.

That also doesn't mean I'm a "****" to a sport+ or any other z owner. That is a pretty broad generalization to make. Not to mention, all Ford, chevy, etc owners probably think all Z owners are dicks too. It all depends where you viewpoint is.

my rebuttal is at least it is faster than the more expensive 2010 bmw z4 :)

YouTube - Porsche cayman s vs boxster s vs 911 carrera s vs nissan 370z nismo vs bmw z4 35i

Interesting thing I have noticed the Op has not given any responses, makes me wonder about the intention of the question.... Maybe he just wants to stir things?

maybe he is still undecided :)

As if there weren't already enough of these debates elsewhere in the form. :(

surprisingly, for a limited production car, people can buy it rather easily. i thought it would be tougher to find it but that isn't true.

Minimal difference at best.

get a civic and quit whining :stirthepot:

Seacrest OUT!

Hopefully the 2011 Nismo will have a bigger HP. Although for some reason, I have a feeling Nissan is going to have a play on the 370Z's name - kind of like having the Nismo 370Z 2011 version to have 370hp.

Or maybe Nissan should just upgrade the 370Z regular to 370 or above hp and the Nismo, 400+. :driving:

they already play on the name. 3.7 Liter

sounds like most of you guys really use all the horsepower that the engine can generate :eek:

i am in the minority, i am definitely not using much of it.

Frost, we're talking the exact same engine here. My guess is that the only difference in the 332 HP (Base) vs 350 HP (Nismo) is an overrating of the exhaust on the Nismo side. Since the exhaust is true dual it's going to be less restrictive thus giving the Nismo a slight edge. I'll be the first to admit that I buy an exhaust system for the sound and not the extra ponies. So given all that, what common sense argument says that the Base model is faster? I'll even give you that it may be equal but not faster.

:shrug: I'm not an engineer, so I honestly dont know why the regular would be faster than the nismo. Drag from the wing and other body kit parts? The difference in suspension not good for hooking up?

I just know we have someone who ran them back to back, and the touring was faster (forget the base). That being said, I do believe there could be variation. I know when I go to the track, there can be a difference in the numbers with the same car. So I would be willing to agree with you that they may be just about equal. But even if that were the case, and they are about equal, what is the justification for paying all that extra money?

And the answer can't be handling, because if memory serves me, the nismo did worse on the skidpad in most of the mags tests as well.

The spending justification has never been my issue during the course of the thread. Only the claim that Base/Sport is faster than a Nismo. Everyone has their own justification for spending what they do on various things throughout their lives. I don't feel that I need to justify what I spent on my car or anything else I've bought in my lifetime to you. That's my business. My complaint is with guys that try to generalize Nismo buyers as being ***** just because they bought a Nismo.

You're shifting direction on me mate; if you wanna argue with whoever said nismo owners are asses, I can go take a nap because that wasn't me.

You seem pretty defensive against me for saying that the price of the nismo doesn't justify the costs, but that's what this thread is about. The original poster said "I can't seem to justify the price difference between the models, especially when it's just a few bolt-on upgrades" which is exactly what my post is about. great for you that you don't feel the need to justify what you spent (likely because you can't) or that it's none of my business (which by the way you made it my business when you decided to post in this thread), but this thread is about convincing the OP that spending the money on the nismo is justifiable, which unless I missed something, no one can seem to be able to do.

You asked for proof that the nismo may be slower than the standard, I provided it, and now you want to go off in a rant to distract from it, but you're not pulling the wool over my eyes, my wife tries that trick all the time.

Base + Sport + Mats/Kicks/Aero = ~$32,200

Nismo + Mats/Kicks = ~$37,600

I AM A NISMO OWNER

$5,400 can easily buy some Coilovers, the Nismo bar package, exhaust, and a Cobb. That will be better than the Nismo.

I personally like the cosmetics and wheels, and the fact that it's "limited edition" (not really.) If I didn't feel that way I would've financed the same $40k-ish and gotten the parts I listed above plus an In-Dash, CAI, and headers.

:twocents:

EDIT: forgot about the oil cooler that I now have too.

Just for fun (since I used to be an american muscle guy) I compared the Z to the vette as far as their track brands. If my math is off, feel free to correct me.
The nismo is 30-31% more expensive than the base Z. And for that extra cost, you get a 5% power increase. The z06 vette is 50% more than the base vette, but you get a 17% power increase (I wont even bother going into all the other goodies you get with a z06 to keep this simple). So, if the Z were to stay on par with this "lowly american brand," the nismo should either have more HP or cost less. And let's face it, the z06 is a real track car out of the box, and IMHO, the nismo is not.
I did this in percentage instead of actual dollars so no one could be distracted by the vette costing much more money.

Vipor, you're the man. Because someone saying they spent the extra money because they wanted a limited edition car is the best answer anyone could give, because it's the only answer that actually makes sense.
I bought a camaro SS for example. It wasn't really that much more HP than the z28, but I paid the extra money for the exclusivity. And there is nothing wrong with that, until I try to convince people that the car is something that it was not.

That is a very good point. But I don't think Nissan wants to get the Z up in that price range again. That is why the 300ZX TT died. Got to expensive and the vette was the better deal at that price point. Different strokes for different folks. I think the Nismo is a great looking car, but as far as price to performance I would go with a Touring..IMO

People ALWAYS ask me if it's faster than a regular Z. I always tell them the truth. Theoretically, it's faster around a track, but it's the same in a straight line. Most of the people that ask about 1/4 mile times are domestic guys, but not all. It's a "track" car (sans oil cooler, pads, and better tires.)

I love the concept of a Base/Sport as it gets you what I would consider the "have-to-have" upgrades available with none of the fluff. SRM, VLSD, Brakes, 19"s.

If you want some fluff, then that's what the Touring is for. Leather, Bose, Heated Seats (in TX wtf?), Power Seats (in a 2-seater wtf?).

Get a NISMO if you're a fanboy (in a good way) and love having that "wtf is that?!" look when you pass people. Met one of my GF's coworker's husbands the other day and he actually thought it was a Porsche. I replied "almost, half the money, just as fast, and more reliable."

Maybe you should go back and read a little more carefully, specifically where I said:

To the OP, if you're looking for the best value, I agree that the Base/Sport is the best bang for the buck. But I will also say that sometimes you have to go with your gut over your brain. Do what you think is right for you. That's all that matters.

I see that post just fine, then I saw two of your post asking for proof about the base possibly being faster. I provided some proof, a couple hours later, here we are.

exactly what i'm talking about

I got a NISMO and was mostly because of its exterior look. So when I was factoring the price of it vs a Base/Sport w an AMUSE bodykit (or similar) plus some nice good quality rims and tires, the NISMO was the clear winner.

Save some dough now... and get the Amuse kit. :D

A decade from now the factory Nismo will have more residual value than a standard Z. It's a unique factory model.

wow this thread just exploded. i really didn't mean to stir anything up i swear! :bowrofl:

so mainly i was trying to see what information i could get from here. i was planning on getting a nismo mainly for it being just a higher end model (as i plan on modifying it anyways). i love the styling and all of the other tidbits but i couldn't seem to justify the nearly $10k increase for items that don't really make the Z any more track ready.

anyways, today while at the dealership i was made an offer on a 2009 Touring + Sport that i couldn't refuse. i was quoted $30k for a new 2009 touring and i might just take them up, unless a nismo comes along for the same price :tup:

Which ever you finally decide on, you won't be disappointed. :tiphat:

Wow. This thread did go in a wierd direction. Kinda ike walking into a bar fight, lol. I purchased a NISMO, but not for the added resale value (I plan on keeping it for a very long time) or added "track" goodies. I got it because it is visually pleasing (to me). Once I get a good feel for the way it drives, I will probably go F/I and really have some fun. It's not for folks that are looking for value, but for those that want something a little different. If I would have gone with a Base/Sport, Iwould have been looking to get aero, wheels, sounds, and still go F/I. The first 2 are already taken care of from the factory, so I just have to work on the last 2. Just worked out for me.

Tsukuba, Japan

Nissan Nismo 370Z 1:06.643
Nissan Nismo 350Z 1:06.663
Nissan 370Z 1:06.669

Tsukuba lap records - FastestLaps.com

Anyone buying a mass produced car hoping for any kind of resale value ... well, you know.

Though the Nismo has 350 HP, it also weights 68 more pounds than a Base with the Sport Package. That just about negates the 18 HP advantage between the two vehicles which should make them pretty close to dead even in straight line acceleration.

Where did you pull the weights from?

I'm not sure how that could be. I do know it has a few extra braces and such here and there but I'd have to think its a wash as the seats must be lighter then the stock ones and with a very cheesy stereo with no sub, no amp etc it has to help a bit too.

Suppose the wheels and exhaust could count against it...