U r exactly right. I never thought about it that way. No other car line has a performance variant that's not way better than the standard version. Lexus, Bmw, Mercedes, Audi, Porsche all make their performance vehicles impressively. I decided not 2 get the Cheese-Mo version because it's not worth $8k more. With $Bk I could come close 2 making the 370z a world beater. The Nismo model should have been close 2 $50k wit about 420hp 2 make it respectable. Most of us wouldn't own that version but that's not the point. Buyers would think about buying that version instead of M3's, ISF's, RS4's, AMG's and Porsche's. The GTR would still sell because those buyers want a supercar. Nissan dropped the ball on that one. Or should I say missed a gear. Sorry I know that was lame.

I agree 100%. I think Nissan knew they had to offer more HP this time around, but it is so meager and available at one end of the range, it's basically stock.


Lexus, the makers of the most sedate luxury cars on the planet, even managed an impressive IS model, with the ISF.

I think there is a market for a more upmarket Z. It doesn't need to compete with the GTR. It doesn't need AWD, it does not need all the amazing tech. The Z is Nissan's more simple RWD sports car.

400 ish HP.
Recaro Seats
Upgraded Brakes
Suspension Work..
Interior work..

You have something akin to an M, perhaps less luxurious, but sportier and lighter weight for maybe 20k less. You have a real value, an JDM Vette if you will.

Honestly, I think they tarnish the Nismo name with release. The handling of the 350 Nismo, at the very least, was a noticeable improvement. You don't get spot welds, or even an oil cooler. Basically what you have is an over priced Z with bolt ons.

I'd rather these additions be labeled a "track" model, because calling it is a Nismo, is a bit of a disgrace considering what has been branded Nismo in Japan


The Nismo will always be a low volume car. I can't tell you how long the 350 Nismos sat on the lot of the Nissan dealer I frequent. I doubt this 370 Nismo will move in commanding numbers. So the sales argument is a false starter IMO. The car is always going to be low volume, it should be at least special.

Exactly. The current Nismo version should just be a check box optional upgrade package on the base Z. A true Nismo Z should be a different, better beast all together. All Nissan has done is tarnish the Nismo line.

I'm guessing it's very difficult for Nissan to justify the direction they've decided to head in with this Nismo-tuned Z. I'm not sure what price-range we're looking at here… heck, I don't even really know what this edition features. From what I've been reading on here and on other unmentionables; it's just an appearance package and perhaps it should be sold just as that, like it is on the Altima and the Versa. Changing the bumpers, the spoilers, adding some color under the hood and some badges here and there does not justify the +/- $40-45,000 price range. I'm sorry, but for the extra $10k you can both make your car look getter and perform better.

Going on with the theme of this thread, in retrospect, this is what Nissan would have to do with a Nismo-tuned 370Z for me to even consider purchasing one:

- Either: a. Add a turbo to that VVEL. Nissan has more than enough know-how to make this happen. b. Put in a 5.0L V8. They already have a proven 5.6L V8 in the Titan, why wouldn't they be able to modify it for a passenger car (read sport coupe) application and drop it into the 370Z? I haven't seen the Z's engine bay in person, but I'm more than certain that it can be done. Weight wouldn't be an issue if they replaced the seats with lightweight Recaros, and used lighter materials overall. Smaller wheels, also, wouldn't hurt.

- Let's be honest here, Mitsubishi is offering it, Audi is offering it, BMW is offering it. A sequential, manumatic, DSG, whatever you want to call it transmission should be offered. Heck, it should be on the regular Z. This should be a no brainer, and even though I can't say I've been following the news a lot, but I'm inclined to believe that Nissan hasn't developed one. I strongly believe that this is a crucial selling point for most people, because more and more track racers are favoring these transmissions over the manuals. It is CRUCIAL for Nissan to develop this in order to keep up with cars in the price-range, and imho if Mitsubishi can do this with a full-size sedan like the Evo, and still sell it for $40k, I'm pretty damn sure Nissan can do it. Heck, I think that if Ford can develop something like PowerShift, Nissan can do it.

No further comment.

I think you're missing the point of the NISMO. Its for those who want the NISMO parts as an option for their car. For what it is its a good deal. Price the bits and pieces seperately and its gonna cost you way more. Plus they did some extra stuff like solid welding the frames to increase the stiffness of the chasis. If you are looking for a high performance version of the 370Z (which incase we forgot is one of the best bang for the buck sports cars out there) then the NISMO isn't good value. Get your own less expensive parts sans warranty. Oh and that's another point - for those of you who got suckered in with the "paint protection" you do realize that's just a wax job with a warranty right? Same thing with the NISMO parts - you pay a premium and you get warranty coverage with it and hopefully no hassels because the car was built that way.

Personally I'm not interested in the NISMO model. Don't like the looks of the body kit (well 'cept for the rear wing - tempted...) and I'd rather get other performance parts specific to what I'll be doing with the car.

Take it for what it is. A 370Z with factory installed NISMO parts as well as a tune and body welds at a fraction of what that would cost to buy the parts seperately and its going to be a fairly rare version of the car. It's not suppose to be a super charged turboed 370Z..... Is it a good deal? Not to me personally but to someone who wants the brand name stuff....

I am so surprised this thread hasn't exploded into a flamewar. Keep it up folks.

* I do agree with most of the AMG, M and -F and RS comments for sure, but I dont think we havent look that far. Even STI and EVO owners get a BIG upgrade from their normal bretheren and they aren't excessively more expensive.

* When engineers design a car to be used as a track car and then negate the whole process by not putting the correct cooling on it, then they have failed and the whole car is a failure.

* If the car is not designed for track use, but has been branded and marketed as such then this is what we call marketing. For folks who want to feel like racers, but arent. Don't tell me you want a race car for the street because that wont go well.

* One could argue that it is a better starting point to build upon because the chassis is stiffer, but then.. I have a feeling you're going to lose that argument when someone slaps you with the price difference over base.

* Not enough difference to call it a new model either as almost everything is the same.

So what you have here then is either:

A) a failure to create a more focused track car

or

B) a shameless use of the NISMO brand by Nissan who needed a few bucks in this economy and decided to give a lot less for more $.

I think its the latter...they are using Nismo fans and diehards who love the brand..

As someone mentioned before...the NISMO model we just got was supposed to be the "track" trim for the 370Z. Seeing where the economy was, Nissan decided that all the R&D money that went into that car would probably be lost if they priced it like they have previous year track models. So the smart folks at Nissan decide to slap a nismo badge, a body kit and a nice $10k Markup.

But hey, thats just my theory.

well said Fric-Frac

Good discussion.

I would have been a buyer for a $45K well prepared 370z setup from the factory for the track. But I would want it to be more like a race car that you just have to strip and cage... barely street legal, essentially how mine is now. I think a lot of the parts that have been mentioned are good, and some of them would be comparable or just a bit more for nissan to source vs the current set. In addition to what has been mentioned, I'd want it to include:

- weight transfer to rear for more like 52/48
- single mass flywheel
- 1.5 way rear diff... I'm really digging the carbonetic, very 'street-able'
- more gauge options

this kinda reminds me of the new Corvette Grand Sport coming out real soon. Its pretty much a regular C6 corvette with Z06 brakes, suspensions and wider body panels..all for around 55k..supposedly it would be the fastest car under 60k..I wished the Nismo could compete at the Grand Sport's level...even if they slapped on some cookie sized turbos like the ones on the 335i...it would make some great results!!!

it would be nice if nissan has something closer to the GT-R in performace with a 6-spd. That is the killer for me. A Nismo 370 Turbo in the 60-65k range/ or 400ish N/A , i dont think would compete to much with the GT-R.. I know a lot of ppl that love the GT-R and what it can do but just cant give up that manual so they go corvette or porsche.

350z nismo was not worse when it came with seam welds which drastically makes the car stiffer. It is very noticeable between both cars.

People tried this against the NISMO 350z and failed. You can buy all the parts you want, but if they don't work properly together it could just make your car worse. Autech tuned all the parts to work together on both NISMO versions. And the NISMO 350Z still out handles many race prepped Zs with just bolt ons.

You are correct, the didn't do this on the 370z which imho was a failure on Nissans part.

Remember, you can do all this, but you won't have the downforce of the factory body kit that helps plant the tires to the ground when needed. That is one of the most important parts on a road course, is that downforce.

Just a correction. The NISMO 370z did not get body welds.

Thanks for the update on that. Most of what I had read said nothing about body welds but I had read one journalist that said it was welded - must have been confused with the 350Z NISMO he tested ;)


Its funny how Nissan has given us "Best Sports Car Value on the Planet" or whatever the journalist are saying and in spite of that we keep saying "oh it would have been nice if they....." I suppose the best isn't good enough is what keeps pushing the technology forward.....

I agree with you on the looks, it looks different than the 370z, the designers need to get some clues from the Italians they took the nice look away.
I don't agree with the rest of your comment, the nismo probably will give to any of the Germans a very hard time or beat them for $30k less. I had the 370z for 3 weeks and now I have the nismo and let me tell you this is another car, I just came back from the LA CREST HWY, this car really handles and it's fun to drive.
I will say that I miss the front and rear bumper of my 370z, I wish I can make it look like the original 370z but I don't think it's possible.
The disigners of this car forgot the suit case of taste, class, fashion, or probably were drunk.

The nismo 370 is yet to show us what its really capable of... the nismo 350 was an AMAZING improvement over the non nismo 350... Despite its looks - it hands down was a better car... so dont be too judgmental just yet...

I hear what you are saying but the down force produced by the bodykit is minimal. Hardly enough to offset the beatdown it would get from a Z with the mods I layed out sans bodykit. Its not like the kit produces anywhere near even half the ACR levels of down force. One of the major mags said the same thing about the Nismo 350z. Downforce is minimal as its more a bodykit than any aid in handling on track imho.

A Z equipped like I posted before would kill the Nismo Z with ease on track. Yes its about parts working in harmony but the Nismo Z package is hardly untouchable for less money than the premium it commands. All Nissan did was add standard stuff enthusiasts add but with less performance as evidenced by some of the numbers guys are getting with similar mods imho.

BTW thanks for the correction on the body welds. I assumed the 370z Nismo had the body welds as well.:tiphat:

150lb at 70~ mph is A LOT! I can feel it on my Z when I am on the road course. It gets more traction and wants to grip the faster I go which is like the opposite of what it would normally do. :)

Sadly you are one that has never been on a track with a NISMO Z. There are many videos out there that already show how well the NISMO does with race slicks. No aftermarket Z has yet to handle as smooth and good.

But then again, the 370z has no body welds which is a huge difference in handling, so that might be enough for someone to blow off the NISMO this year.

:bowrofl:

I do think the Nismo 350 had more going for it than the 370 Version does.

But do you think the Nismo 350 is faster than the Nismo 370 on a track? After all, they were designed by the same people with the same purpose.

Really, because we have seen multiple people slap on some bolt ons which will push more than the Nismo upgrades and work properly together. We already very close in suspension, which all we (Coupe 370z) really need to upgrade are the tires and we will equal the Nismo. What else is left? Body kit, can pick up a better one or the Nismo one from Nissan if you want.

^^^^^^6That is my thinking too.

Most people who will be buying this version will not be bringing it to the track, and this is a fact. Putting that into consideration, in the long run it is safe to say that even though the factory-installed bodykit for the Nismo-tuned 370Z provides additional downforce and aerodynamics, it's still just an appearance package and a rather poor attempt at it. In short, the 10k markup is unjustifiable on Nissan's part because if you factor things in, you're only getting 20 or so hp for that additional dough.

No idea till we see that test.

... so many haters... man... its like the evo 9 guys bitching about how shitty the evo X is gonna be even before they could test it... give the nismo time... I guarantee you that its faster around a track than the base + sport... and no matter what you say - that long-nose is sexy as all hell... you just havnt gotten used to it...

So you just get "additional downforce and aerodynamics" yet it's "just an appearance package" What else do you expect from a body kit? :confused: Also, you forgot a few suspension additions that go with the 18 hp bump. That small power bump is bigger than previous NISMO's yet few were beotching about them to my memory. Once you add the cost of the upgraded wheels, upgraded suspension package, upgraded exhaust and Limited Slip diff (remember, the base unit you are comparing it to doesn't have it), plus limited availability together and then realize the NISMO 370Z is less that $500 more than the NISMO 350Z it replaces, you realize Nissan has done a good job at this price. Can you outperform it with aftermarket stuff? Sure........just like every factory tuned car in the history of the world. :rolleyes:

:iagree: im getting the car because i like the looks wheels everything. the car has allready a good engine why more? yes make it faster. but it would cost more nissan gives you a good package from the factory for a good price.

i know im tired of all the bitching people are giving it. the only people who have tested it was edmunds. thats not even a test :shakes head:

:iagree:v+1

It seems that quite a few of those complaining don't even own a "Z" let alone a 370 yet they seem to be experts in what Nissan should offer for the money...what's wrong with this picture???

I don't know of any cars at any price that can't be "improved" (however each person defines improvement)...I can understand that many people don't like how the Nismo 370 looks (I don't like the looks all the much myself) but so what...for every person that loves the looks of any particular vehicle I guarantee you that I can find at least one who hates it!

Maybe I'm wrong but I really find all the bashing (and the motivation behind it) a bit suspect.

you purchasing a name. just like with nike, adidas, etc.

Bashing isnt suspect... people are posting facts to back up their opinion. In the end its still just their opinion.

Doesn't it bother you that Nissan could have very easily just as well have called it the "track" trim of the car, like the 350Z had a "track" trim? It would have made more sense with the level of upgrades that it got.

and everyone knows a modified anything can be faster than an unmodified something else... thats not the argument here. The argument is whether the upgrades are worth the price charged for them. As in... "Could I do better with $10k in aftermarket parts?" I think the answer is yes...

hmmm good points being made in this thread, but it will never happend :) to me its like the Shelby KR.... do you really want to pay that much more for something you can yourself?

I think my biggest gripe with the 370 Nismo is the fact that being oriented towards track use, they blatantly did not install an oil cooler. What kind of slap in the face is that? A track car that will overheat after 3-4 laps and they knew this was going to be an issue from day 1? I think the overall package isnt bad for high 30's, but compared to other track offerings from different manufacturers, this is unacceptable.

In the end, you can always get more performance through aftermarket. Since M and AMG models were brought up, you could easily get a 335i to outperform a M3 for less money, but if you follow those threads on the BMW boards, the overall sentiment is like "who cares and that's not really the whole point."

Oh and I would hope that a Nismo 370 outperforms it's 350 variant. Doesn't a regular 370Z come close to or exceed the performance of the Nismo 350Z on the track already?

Wow - honestly who cares about the oil cooler - its a 500$ expense on a 35K car... stop whining about it and go get one if you really are that worried. Seriously those who track their cars will be spending a LOT more than the cost of an oil cooler to keep their car running well - ie tires / brakes / oil changes and what not... Seriously - the nismo isnt as different as it used to be w/ the 350z but so what? its still the nismo and it still will be worth it if you like the look / handling of the car... you get weight loss and exhaust / intake w/ a warranty...

But you are missing the point, it is not about price but warranty.
By not having the oil cooler stock, Nissan is showing/stating they do not really want this car on the track, and if you add the oil cooler you void part of your warranty if a problem occurs from it.

I'm still trying to figure out what makes people think the Nissan (or any other mas-manufacturer) "wants" their cars on the track and/or that the manufacturer's vehicle warranty should cover that sort of use. :driving:

There are laws in place which say that unless the dealer can prove that your oil cooler is the reason your car broke down - they will have to cover the warranty work... this is seriously a non-issue. Are you seriously telling me that you plan on leaving your track car stock?