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. :(

yeah I regret getting a sports pkg as well but its ok cause I was planning to add aftermarket parts later on so in the meantime I just have to save up and wait!

Sport package i $2,600 that would be the cost of ONLY a good set of wheels without the tires.

-you get sweet 19" wheels with great tires
-AWESOME brakes
-LSD
-Synchro rev matching
-the lil wing

and the stance the Z was meant to have!
If you got all that stuff from after market you would easily spend $6k-$7k
so I think its an amazing deal.
its worth every penny.

I have a base model as well and REALLY want the syncro tranny. in order to upgrade does the whole tranny need to be replaced or only electronic components and programming?..I'm not too concerned about brakes or lsd because those parts can simply be swapped out.. I would also like the navigation eventually also...

I'm not sure that anyone has actually added SRM to a base model, but this thread outlines the idea.

http://www.the370z.com/diy-section-d...rev-match.html

Also, if I remember correctly, adding the stock nav requires a new dash and other parts, as the non-nav dash can't just be modified to fit. You would be better off going with an aftermarket head unit, or a tablet to mount in the cubby.

In my case, I knew I wasnt going to mod my car anytime soon so I decided to get the sport package.
No regrets, as the car looks amazing.

I was always annoyed I didn't get the Sports Package, but like other members say, you can add all this stuff... Honestly I rather have touring, and don't care for synchro rev, however I do wish I had the better rims, breaks, and LSD.

Also I can from first hand knowledge, the trade in value on Z with sports package (minus it) is approximate to the value of it, 3K. For what it's worth ...

my story on this, I had the opportunity of driving both a Touring 2014 and a 2013 left over with 8 miles touring Sports package, navy, now I drive the '13 'nough said...heel toe is good if you can do it on the way to work with boots , I can't so the sync makes all the difference when you're running late and at a stance the Z looks complete with the navy/ no glove compartment cover :bowrofl:

Sports Package is well worth the extra $$$.... You're buying a sports car for crying out loud...why would you just want to settle for a base? $2500 extra only adds up to about $20-25 extra month towards your loan.....Might as well Go for it...

I got just the base model and it is still fun. Sucks no LSD which is the only reason I want the sports package. But I suppose the wider stance would be nice without buying the wheel spacers. The brakes on the base model are better than I expected. They are good enough for me. Probably the big difference you would see is if you slammed the brakes compared to the sports package. But I haven't needed to stomp them yet

Basically, I don't even notice them not installed, as the car itself is awesome enough

It costs $16.67 per $1,000 financed considering a 60 month loan at 0% APR, so an extra $41.68/month assuming it's only $2500 more. Personally, I don't see any reason to go for the sport package for what I'm using the car for:

• I don't like the spoiler
• Rays wheels are heavier than the 18" base wheels and 19" tires will cost more to replace
• I won't be tracking the car to see the benefit of the VLSD, also everyone says it isn't that good anyway
• I probably won't see a great benefit of the Akebono brakes without tracking the car

I don't think this would even be a huge difference, the larger brakes are way more beneficial in terms of brake fade during hard driving. IIRC the sport brakes only have <5 feet of improvement in stopping distance.

You can add all of that stuff on, if you want / need it on your car.

Z1 Motorsports sells an Akebono upgrade package that isn't too costly, in comparison with other BBKs. Z1 Akebono Sport Brake Upgrade Package (Front & Rear)

If you ever swap the diff, changing to a new final drive is worthwhile as well.

I know for a fact that I would have tboned an escalade to some extent when a lady pulled out in front of me the first month I had this car.

I literally stopped within and inch or two with my reaction time being as fast as I could and slamming my breaks.

And then she sat and stared at me for about 7 seconds in shock. Sheeesh

Meaning that I would have hit her with base breaks I'm 100% sure. At that point I remember thing I'm really content with getting the sport brakes and package.

Also don't forget the spoiler, front chin and rear for the sport

370z Sport Pakage
 

Hey all


Just wondered how you can tell if a base model has the sports pakage?
I know the sport pakage has limited slip and some body things.. but what else..

I will be using the car as a daily driver 60 miles round trip.

I live in east coast so snow / rain is a issue.
I heard you can put on blizakks tires.. so My question is how much for 4 of these tires? Next is ... whats the best color.. I like white, black, silver.. I can live with red and dark grey and even yellow.. any feed back would be helpful.

I only wanna keep the car for max 2 yrs..

Do a search, maybe?:gtfo2:

The base has no spoiler. Easy as that.

Someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed.

While I may understand still doesn't help a NEW member.

Please try to do a better job of Welcoming NEW members by either not saying anything or at least point them in the right direction.

Im sure We all can appreciate that approach than the gtfo approach.

Thanks.
I agree.






Op,

Welcome! :hello:

If you were too just head over to the Nissan site?

Most of your questions could be answered there and the Personal preferences questions are ultimately up to you and what you you'd like.

Look in the Members gallery and see what other members have done and see what you like.


2014 Nissan 370Z® Coupe Sports Car | Nissan USA

Also the sport model has the akenbo brake calipers

Your on the right track... Tires and Brakes are a number one priority..........
Sport package equals bigger brakes equals safety.....................
Then again I'm not a real doctor...

lets see, bigger brakes, a little bit wider tires, different rims, srm, hmm i think that's all you get on a sports package vs a base package. or at least thats all i see on mine lol. mines silver and i had it since april. 6500 miles later i still like it :D

You also get the front and rear spoilers.

The list from another site.

Sport Package: Viscous LSD, 19-inch RAYS super lightweight forged aluminum-alloy wheels with 245/40R19 front and 275/35R19 rear tires, Nissan Sport Brakes, front chin spoiler, rear spoiler, Euro-tuned shock absorbers, SynchroRev Match® (MT only)

Bottom line, no faster straight line, but whips it up when you turn. Now that's :driving:

Welcome to the forums. Search is your friend. I will tell you what others have told me. Sometimes it is easier to find what you are looking for if you search from google with the following....

site:the370z.com what you are searching for