Decision between Nismo or Base Z
 

Long story short; I am going back to college soon and we are keeping one car and selling the other. I need to decide between a 2013 Nismo or 2013 Base 370z 7AT to be my daily driver. I am torn between the two because they have their pros and cons. I was wondering if you guys could help me decide from opinions of each.


Nismo - 2013 Pearl White Under 1k Miles
The Nismo looks beautiful. Wherever I drive it it turns head and I have even noticed some people snapping pictures. I really enjoy the attention to the car but at the same time I feel I am being judged for being young and having such a nice car.
Manual transmission. This plays the largest role in my decision. I recently learned to drive manual and while I am not the best I feel confident that i can drive it. I like that I am control with manual and it does seem more fun. However, going back to college and the small towns I am starting to see that as problem. I always have a small worry when driving a manual as if I'm going to stall or tear up my clutch as well as having a rough ride for my passengers if I dont shift correctly.
Recently, we installed a new Kinwood stereo and controllable rear view camera to aid with vision issues when reversing, which I like.

Base 2013 370z Gun Metal Gray (3k miles) 7AT
While the Nismo looks gorgeous this car is not far behind in my opinion. The color really works well with the car and at time I like it more because it still looks great and is less flashy.
The attention this car grabs does not match the Nismo but that does not mean it does not turn heads. I always see people looking at the car yet never oohh/awwing over the car. I don't feel people judge me as much being young and driving this car as much as the Nismo yet I still kind of miss unique the Nismo looks.
The 7 speed transmission is great. I've had an automatic since I started driving so manual is still somewhat foreign to me. With an automatic I feel much more at ease while driving the car and I do not have to worry as much. I do notice the shifts are a little late sometimes with the automatic but in the end it is much easier to just drive in and I feel this would be better in a college town. I also have the paddle shifters if I feel the need to have a bit more control.


Exhaust
I split this up because it is another issue by itself. As far as exhaust the base 370z's stock exhaust is pathetic. The Nismo while not being the best exhaust kit, I can definitely hear the difference and it makes driving the car so much better. Many of you may say just to put an aftermarket exhaust on it, however, I am not going to do that because I do not want to lose the potential resale value or insurance value with aftermarket mods.

TL;DR - Help me choose which car. Nismo - flashier and more unique 2013 Base 370z - less power and sport but more practical.

Why not put both up for sale, see which gets a better price you ate comfortable with? I think you will miss the Nismo more because I think the head turning is important to you.

Keep the Nismo, ive only been driving stick for 2 months now and am pretty decent at it. Every once in a while I might slip up, but with practice comes perfect.
In 6-12 Months you will master your clutch and feel good about yourself.

+1 to the keep the NISMO vote.

The base 370Z aren't all that common as modern cars go, and the NISMO is all that more rarer because it's a manual.

Sell the Nismo, for cheap. To me.

bro i asked the exact same question 2 years ago.
look at my photo. you'll be happy

don't feel judged. as long as your not being a D1ck about it, be proud of it.
im 25 i felt the same way 2 years ago, but who cares its your car, enjoy it and just be humble

Yeah, that is for sure. I'm 24, I have 3 jobs. If I want to ride in a Nismo, that's my concern. Don't let that pressure bother you.

I'd keep the Nismo only because:

1. You aren't modifying it

2. It is serialized

3. Higher potential resale value

Only reason to ditch the Nismo:

1. You have big plans to modify the car

if youre going back to school why not just get some ordinary but fun car like a hatch? better suited for your daily needs probably for college life.

never understood why kids needed sport cars to go to school. take the bus or bike.

How did you end up with two 2013 Zs to begin with?

I'll trade ya my base 09 solid red for the nismo :D

If you are going to beat down miles keep the base. If you dont keep the Nismo. Not many Nismos out there and listen to Riptides post.

I really am leaning toward the Nismo I just don't know how I driving manual in college town will be

Where I went to college, I would have hated having a manual lol.

I've come to find the mentality in America or any other first world, that life isn't about what you need but more about what you want. Of course in different countries with less development, life is still about what they need.

How true:tiphat: and to O.P where in Georgia are you that people are snapping pics of a Z...:icon14:

Go for the Nismo as they look awesome. You will regret it if you don't.

Nismo

Are your knees bad? Why are you worried about driving a manual sports car in college.

Here it is in a nutshell.
You will regret getting rid of a Nismo. You will never regret getting rid of a base.
Automatic, pish posh.

What's bad knees got to do with it. I have 2, but I don't care...:)

I would keep the base. Sell the Nismo only since you will get more money from it. If you recoupe some of your money back, save that for a rainy day. I am also assuming going back to school means working less. So having a little additional savings could be good. I am saying this for consideration. Either way you get to keep a nice car.

Yea, as i'm looking at the opinions Im leaning towards the Nismo. I should become confident with manual soon right?

When I first started driving my 370Z, it was my first manual too. Its only been two months.
The first two weeks I was so worried that I would never get it right. But you will.

Definitely not Atlanta, so many exotics here I highly doubt they'd be snapping pics of a Z. It does get a lot of looks though cause I do in my Nismo as well, but no pic snapping at all. And take some pics of both of these Z's you have cause I doubt seriously that anyone with a Nismo already would have a hard time choosing it over a base model Z..............Just Saying!

I will try to upload some soon when I get the chance

Are you going to be accruing student loan debt?

Are either cars paid off?

Are you going to be seeing a temporary reduction in income while you're a student?

Why not sell both, buy a cheap reliable car for college and then after you graduate and land a good job, get 6 months salary saved up emergency fund, then get something a bit nicer?

Ok cool

Your lucky to even have a NISMO. Many people want but can't have the car and have to settle for the base or sport. Keep the NISMO keep the luck?

I don't think there is anyone that will truthfully not choose to take a NISMO over a base or touring for that matter if they were given to them. I'm not saying that they would keep them for long but if someone out right gave you or anyone else the choice to pick one or the other, most will get the one with the big wing.

YzGyz

Neither. I recommend you shop around for a sport package you like, then pick up a "take off" Nismo exhaust from someone else.

Finish it off with a tune and any other suspension mods that you'd probably wind up doing anyway no matter what Z you buy, and you're set.

I still want to know how a college student has two 2013 Z's!!! LOL! Oh my you must have problems!! Haha.

One of them a Nismo, which only comes in manual, yet he's not good with a manual. :confused:

Yea and the insurance premiums on both as well.

My guess would be that the Bank of Dad is very generous.

Why not sell both and get a Cayman S? Money isnt an issue obviously. Get a nice Dual clutch jobby.

this... lol

As for the questions of how there are two Z's. The two Z's are not mine they are in the family and I am fortunate enough to have the choice of picking between the two as my daily driver.

sell both and start from a humbled scratch.

then maybe you wont need to go to school repeatedly.

i was in a similiar position of being able to 'inheret' a car albeit not a Z but i said no.

Cars are liabilities and are lots of costs outside the purchase. Learing to be frugal and save for your own toy's will allow you to appreciate them more. Also shows a huge amount of indepence when you're taking care of all the costs associated with ownership.

Don't get caught in the silverspoon trap and become like the crowd in Toronto... entitled f--ks

mishuko, YOU need to get out of your parents place.


:icon17:

shhh :inoutroflpuke:

i have been quietly saving up for my own place but i'm not in the market for a 600sqft condo for 300k+....