Base vs. Sport Package
 

Could someone explain the difference in handling with the base model vs. one with the sport package? Is it worth the extra money? Am planning on purchasing a 2011 and this will be valuable. Appreciate the info.

The Handling is the same between the two. The only difference is sprt pkg version has significantly better brakes, and worth the money!!

Handling wise the differences are 1" wider wheels, 20mm and 30mm wider tires, and a Viscous LSD. Is it valuable? That depends on the driver. If you only drive in straight lines in rush hour traffic it isn't going to do anything for you, but mountain carving you will. Of course you can buy the wheels and tires later, as well as a LSD. The only thing you can't get later is the Syncro rev match manual transmission.

Thanks Chris, for the thorough reply :)

Just ask yourself are you going to replace the sport package options soon. Most don't. Especially the wheels and brakes. I'll be adding wheel, brakes, lsd, and many other goodies within 3 months. So the extra $2600 can go towards more things.

2600 wont even cover BBK. The sports package is worth it.

I know this. I was just appling what "I" would save to add to the upgrades. It will cover the fronts though. It is worth it beyond a doubt. But not if your jumping right into it as an overhaul like myself. I just wanted the op to see what his immediate plans are and then make a decision.

Even if you go ahead and get the sport package and then decide to upgrade, there are quite a few base owners that will pay big money (but not dealership money) to put factory sport parts on their Z. I've seen sport package wheels going for 2k a set on eBay. Get the sport package and sell off the parts you are replacing to help offset some of the cost. Plus, the SRM is just awesome.

You can do that. But I don't know about people paying big bucks though. And 2k for sport wheels. I don't know about that. Maybe the Nismo wheels, maybe.

Nissan people usually like to keep it nissan. I know back in the 240SX world people would spend more to get a factory part from a different Nissan vehicle so they could have an upgraded part but still remain Nissan.

And your right, the sport wheels are going for 3k on ebay here

Having them on eBay and actually selling them are two different things entirely. On the forums clean wheels are averaging $1K without tires. New tires could easily set you back another $1K.

I know that. I just said what they are going for, not that they went for that. :tiphat:

If the price difference between base and sport package is only $2600 and you plan on upgrading the bits that you get with the sport package, I think the possibility is very good that you could recoup most, if not all, of that price selling off the sport package wheels, brakes, and vlsd, don't you?

The akebono's sell for like $1200-ish. I've seen unused sets go for $1400.
Besides that, they overheat at nearly the same point the base brakes do, though I guess it depends on what the car is being used for...


OP-- it really comes down to what you are using the car for. If you are going to be tracking it, most of the parts probably need replacing, and the base model makes more sense. Base model is also probably the best choice if you aren't going to be driving hard, or want to replace the wheels, etc.

If you want to leave the car stock, but have LSD and the akebono's, go with the sport package.

Excellent stuff
 

Many thanks for everyone's comments.

I regret not getting the sport package all the time. But it looks like I'll just have to bite the bullet and get the sport brake upgrade from Z1 with red calipers for a little less than 2k at this point. :(