To Nismo or Not to Nismo?
 

So here's the scenario. I got a value for my car and they'd give me 18,000 on a trade even though they claim my car is worth $17,000 in my area. I'm considering buying a black or Silver Nismo as soon as the 2018's are available. I can't deal anymore with alcohol Z35 bullshyt. In all honesty. I don't even wanna support Nissan. The

PR drama surrounding the Z has sickened me to the point of disgust and disdain for the brand as a whole. The GT-R barely impresses me anymore just based off their lack of interest in the Z. But the Z is literally the LAST fully analog RWD car on the road outside if the last of the Genesis coupes. The Z drives special and feels special and the Nismo only gets better. I honestly do see the dollar value in the extra $10k now. I once didn't. Well let me rephrase that. I have no issue in negotiating $3,000 off from the MSRP for the new Nismo. A non tech Nismo for $42,000 seems fair if I can finagle it and only come out $25,000 out my pocket.

I had spent nearly two years pondering should I go upmarket, as high as $150,000 on a Porsche 911 or a Mercedes Benz AMG GTS. There are so many factors that make other cars superior. So much technology helping cars today. I realize I want to preserve that natural feeling with the BEST analog car on the market right now. Any car that is superior to a Z has ARTIFICIAL STEERING, god knows how many computers controlling the car, something in it is controlled "by wire". The LSD is electronic and no manual e brake in most of them except the mustang GT and M2. The mustang GT is a no go, even though I like them more. The camaro. One day... used.

I'm thinking that since I'm not going so upmarket. Next year I can save a Lil extra change and add a Supra. The Z34 would probably look nice next to a Supra. This knocks the Z35 out of the running for me? I probably won't entertain a Z till the Z36. If anybody will even want a Z by then? Cuz Nissan just knows how to attract enthusiasts these days...:wtf2:

JDM. Less perfect than the others, yet so much more emotional to drive though. I give shyt to cars like the BRZ and WRX. But, in reality. They're all emotional cars and I'm just grateful they exist. I just wish Japanese people cared about their customers like the American market has shown over the last 7 years. If the corvette was analog? I'd own it.

Anyway. So which Nismo would you guys pick?
Black or Silver?

I'm just wondering if you guys think I'm making the right choice? I know it's my decision in the end. But I'm just looking for "food for thought".
Also do you guys think I should keep holding out to get final Z35 news?

Have read your views of the Z34 and sports cars in general. I agree in many ways, and prefer Lotus cars for the reasons you speak of. Analog. Amazing steering feel, and many many other reasons. They are not for everyone, the dealer network is slight and most of us like to do a lot of the maintenance and repairs our selves. Not to mention our Evora run around six figures.

While I'm waiting for the new models and some special Lotus models to come along, the Z is a fun and interesting car to have in our garage. We have the Nismo. Has been fun, the styling and performance and feel is rewarding.

I also have thought of what a Z35 might offer. But now it appears that may never happen.

This makes me reflect more on just what the Z34 is. This car is too good to change in many ways. They got it right and can leave it alone. Sure, I'd like some more modern enhancements, but nothing major. Appleplay/Android Auto, a better available sound system (the stock is pretty good though), rearview camera on passenger mirror (our Civic Si has this, awesome. Even more on a big hipped Z). Other than these little things, it's very cool to be able to buy a brand new classic.

We have the pearl white. Great looking, lots of compliments.

I'd never have a black vehicle unless it was a big Mercedes limo with a driver. We have piano black kitchen appliances, they show every fingerprint, easy to know if they are quite clean. But I'd not put them in the driveway.

That silver is beautiful. Especially at night in low light.

Whichever way you go I look forward to hearing your experiences.

https://www.cstatic-images.com/super...7a028f7384.jpg

If you imagine this without the ugly rear end, bowties, add some jdm wheels and nissan badges - it is the next gen z35 we have been waiting for.

$45k brand new, 7 speed manual.

This is what this forum is really asking from nissan, if you can look past the chevrolet badges and the corvette stigma,
This car is everything what the z35 should have been, its a natural evolution, minus the handling, nothing some aftermarket tweaking can't fix.

2 seats, 455hp stock, 7speed mt, upgraded interior.

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/d...0039/overview/

I love the '15+ Nismo and can't afford one at the moment so I have no choice but to wait to see if there is a concept this October. That said, I think I'd be happy either adding a '15+ model 370Z Nismo in a couple years or trading for a new Z35. That is assuming I can fit in the seats!

As for color, I'm not a fan of silver cars and love the black but am leaning white due to black showing everything and the fact that I'm lazy lol.

Thing is, presuming a Z35 does come into play in the relatively near future, it isn't likely to be the analog machine you are describing anyways.

And I hear you on being soured about things over at Nissan right now. Not exactly getting the warm fuzzy feeling that they value their customer base that's for sure. Even from a business practically perspective, sports cars bring people to dealerships, even if that isn't what they leave with. Period.

So where does that leave folks like you and I? Well, I've been in some ways regretting not getting a MKIV Supra to build instead of the Z in the first place. I have history with Z cars, but then again I have history with Supras for that matter too.

What would I do in your situation? I'm honestly not sure. Perhaps split the difference and go for a Cayman and toss a nice stage 2 turbo kit on it. If it wasn't for nissans corporate ambivalence to our place in the market I'd be all GTR GTR GTR but I can't say that at this moment.

I'd be very tempted to hang tough and see what Toyota rolls out with the new Supra. At least they aren't playing coy little games with their customers. Nobody may know all the details, but there is commitment in place.

Similar point; I'd waited a long time for a new Frontier Pro-4x and it's a damn good thing I didn't cause they still have the exact same truck as my 09 on the lots today.

I would wait till October for the z35 concept, and if its wicked you will be sorry you bought the last model z34..well not really it will be the last z34 nismo.

looks sexy yes and has performance numbers, but no thanks to GM products.

Go drive a 911 997.1 TT.......a manual one.

Buy a new Z. Every sale is going to increase the odds of a Z35 release :icon17:

If I were you, I'd keep the Z and wait or go upmarket :driving:

OH ****... this calls for the ADVANCED EDITOR!

I have all these conflicts, my friend. I don't like the way a lot of cars are going and my tastes are just changing.

The 2015+ Nismo is the perfect Z34 to me. The right seats, the right look... to me it's a future classic. I truly feel it's the only other Z that will be worthy of the stigma the S30 gets now. The Z32 was great for its time, but it's not a timeless car. The Z34, to me, reflects the last of a dying breed in this arena of sports cars. I will have another one day. Life just doesn't have enough room for one right now for me.

Now... I have considered many different cars to try and break my often betrayed Nissan fanboyism. As a loyal Nissanite, I have gone through the bastardization of the SE-R cars, the death of a Z (but its redeeming resurrection), the loss of manual transmissions throughout the lineup, the Juke Color Studio, the Pathfinder's transformation into the Mallfinder, the Cube, the CVT transmission, and for the love of all things holy... the Murano Crosscabriolet. (HOW MUCH MORE SHALL MY LOYALTY BE TESTED?!?!?)

I love the new Camaro... BUT. It's big. It has terrible visibility. It doesn't have the character of a Z ... it's just... brute force. The Z is a precision instrument to me in a way that can never be replicated in a Pony Car.

I love the Miata... BUT. It's tiny. I will catch far too much **** from my friends if I ever got one. It doesn't have the UMPH of a Z.

I love the Cayman... BUT. I want a 718. I look into my wallet, and find a " Error 404 Cayman Funds Not Found" message. Still haven't figured that one out.

I love the M3 (yep, the sedan) but I'm terrified of BMW. After doing research, their trunk-mounted battery is $1000 to replace. I have never had a car that had a $1000 battery, and I don't ever intend to. I understand it's an infrequent expense, but it strikes me as "tip of the iceberg" as far as surprise expenses. I have already read that they're the gold standard in grand touring performance and I have always been curious, but I just can't get there. On top of that, any 5 year old BMW's interior has always looked like absolute ****. They don't age well. Many people berate Nissan and their interiors, but I feel that, when taken car of, the Z's interior is not that bad.

I love the GT-R... BUT. I'm terrified of upkeep and surprise repairs. They've gotten better, but the more YouTube videos I keep seeing of people driving them into trees, the more Geico seems to want to charge more to insure them. Since I began considering a GT-R three years ago, my insurance quotes have nearly tripled. The first time I looked, it was 10% more than my premiums for my Z, and now it's double my Q50 (which was more than my Z to insure), and I have had no driving incidents occur that would increase my premiums.

I love the BRZ... BUT. JK... no I don't.

Anyway... I'm in a state of being stuck in my ways. No fun car option out there ticks all the boxes for me like a Z34. It's reliable (SHUT UP all you CSC guys... you don't exist!), it's nimble, it's powerful (SHUT UP all you V8 guys), it's direct, it's fairly exclusive, after 10 years it still turns my head (and the current Camaro won't do that in another 6-12 months just like the last bodystyle), and it's just special to me. The Z cars have always spoken to me since I was a kid, and as much as I've tried to change that, I haven't been able to.

I could ride into the sunset with a 2015+ Z34 Nismo and a truck and be perfectly content with my cars.

TLDR - let me know what you decide dude. I'm really curious to see where you get to.

For me it all depends on how the Supra turns out.

If time on the forum has proven anything. We can agree on 99% of all car opinions and right now is no different. I went through the same list of vehicles and then some. I've even looked at the AMG GTS. But it's costly to purchase and yes. I think about maintaining these cars going upmarket. I may be able to afford these cars now but... maintaining them. Do I want to throw that much money away? The most expensive maintainence are the tires. The small mods I have on my 2011 have made it phenomenal and I feel that getting a Nismo and modding it might be slightly more interesting. The car is also beautiful. Yes I love the Z interior. Nissan could've done more to upgrade the materials and smooth out the layout a lil more but... it's the most sports car looking interior from ALL the sub premium sports cars. I too fell in love with the Z as a child. I was raised around 240z, rx3, rx7, corolla and supra. In those days muscle was too expensive n the poor people had import sports cars. My first MUSCLE car was a Monte Carlo SS. But my first sports car was a 93 rx7 turbo. I was introduced to Nissan as an owner with a 240sx and I've had quite a few Nissan's since. But the 370z was my first Z. That was a dream come true.
I have an attachment not only to Nissan, but the OG Japanese tuner lineup. I root for Japan in the sports car arena as that post WW2 nation that rose from the ashes thru the computer and auto industry and they dominated the world by being the most intelligent business men on the planet. Japan has created an automotive culture that can't be duplicated in our country. We think shooting down a straight line or driving around in one giant doughnut is racing. Japan invented drifting to drive on curving mountain roads at HIGH speeds. When I look at any Japanese sports car. I see a precision instrument. Subaru cars all AWD and affordable. Nissan combines muscle and sports with the best turbo 6's ever built. Mazda, precision instruments. Mitsubishi, The best turbo 4's in existence. Toyota, the best inline motors on the planet and the biggest Nissan competitor. Honda.... the NSX and say no more. A Japanese Ferrari.

As I see it just like you... the Z is a dying breed. It's relatively light for what it is though it can stand to lose 250lbs. It's lighter than any car in its price range which gives it an agility others don't. And yrs, you get more balance out of a brz. But at a loss of 145HP. That's the difference a Nissan versa and a go kart.

I looove the camaro. Like you I think it's still too big. And I'm not willing to pay that much money for one. The Z has an LSD, a handbrake, RWD, 2 great performing transmissions and it handles like a supercar. People who don't appreciate handling don't seem to get the Z.

Z lovers have become bigger underdogs than gencoupe owners because people don't understand why we pay what we pay for a Z. The Z is not just about performance. It's an experience. It's a lot of quirky traits that's unique to any other car. Historically, people who don't like the Z want the Z to be something else but want the Z body style. I like the Z the way it is... But Nissan could've been more proactive on the sound system and upgrading materials over time.

Porsche, Mercedes are the only ones to offer a drive reminiscent of the Z. If the AMG nose was 3 inches shorter? I'd probably buy it. But it's 3" too long so it ain't happening. Plus the car I configured was $162,000. As was the Porsche 911 GTS.... $155,000. I'd buy either if they were $30,000 cheaper. The premium for premium sports cars are just ridiculous. Maybe used, one day. I have the money but the more I ponder it. It just seems like a waste of cash that I could invest in the future.

The Z addresses every issue I have. Plus it seems the FI turbo kit seems to be very reliable. That's an option I'm ready to reconsider.

The supra.... I might just add it if it continues Toyota's rep for reliability?! It looks promising We'll see? BMW might Eff up the reliability of this car. Lol.

Before anyone starts making cases for other cars.... I also wanna say that I do acknowledge the performance superiority of a corvette and it's competitors... The added precision and the V8 roar. But it feels digital. Analog is a whole other ballpark

I enjoy driving my Nismo. I don't care about all the digital stuff on most cars. I like the 09-14 model years. I love the new Recaro seats and wish I had a set, I just don't care for the looks of the newer Nismo's.

Surrounded by the worst cars in existence. Mitsubishi should have just become an engine supplier and gave up the whole "building cars" thing. :rofl2:

Someone asked me if there will ever be a time where I outgrow my Z. I told them there are a lot of cars like, but for what the Z gives me, I'd have to spend a lot more money to get a better all around package. Quite honestly, the Nismo Z is a tire swap away from running circles around most cars on the market. We know the little things that need fixed for it to really shine. The fact is, I don't need a positive magazine review to know this is a great sports car. There are "objectively" better cars out the box that you can buy for the same or less money, but subjectively, you lose a lot. If all I need to really do is upgrade pads, tires, oil cooler, and some bolt on's to give me a car capable of running down most cars in it's class is an easy choice. Everything else has electronic this and that. That's cool for that guy trying to impress his friends with all those settings, but the reality is, a sports car only needs one. And if that one is tuned properly, that's all you need. The only two things I really don't like are the viscous diff and the clutch/csc/flywheel. They fixed one for 2018, the other... We have some options.

Well said. :iagree:

I'm all over promoting the Nismo (black looks deadly!), but with the "potential" Z35 concept coming in October, and possibly more news on the Supra successor, I'd wait. Five months will fly by. You'll be more solid on a decision by then.

Your head and heart are in two different places. Until they come together. You will be conflicted.................................damn, that sounded like Confucius. :rofl2:

For me. If I get rid of my Nismo. It will be replaced with a Viper. Hopefully a ACR. That's about as brutal as they come. :D :driving:

Nismo <3

:icon18:

I think you found a new path as a philosopher. But you make a valid point.

As you get older, sometimes you have moments of clarity that comes with experience I guess. I've become more of a thinker now. :eek:

Maybe do some more test driving! You can't do too much of that :driving:

Unknown, My guess is, manual trans won't be available on the new Z or Supra and hydraulic steering, fogetaboutit.

That being said, my crystal ball has been wrong before and waiting 5 months like Tick mentioned, may be the thinking mans choice. But thinking men usually drive a Prius ;)

The current Nismo will still be available in 5 months, so I'd set a time frame on making a decision then. No new solid info comes out, get the Nismo then.

:icon18:

You guys are a trip. Lmfao!! You're right. I'm just so frustrated with Nissan I was ready to jump into a Nismo and just say Goodbye to the brand for a very loooong time. I figured, hell, the Supra is tangible. Go that route.

I've only test driven the camaro SS THE z06 and the infiniti Q60. I need to test an M2 if I can find one for testing and I would like to test the evora and C63.

Do you need some cheese to go with that whine? Get the Nismo, make it yours and enjoy the car. They are the best handling Z I have ever driven off the show room floor. You had to modify the early 240z's also to get the best out of them.

I am looking to get some Braum seats in the near future...they are super sexy:

Universal Racing Seats | BRAUM Racing

I have always disliked the new BMW's. The M2 is quite different, it's a purists sports car. Do yourself a favour and go test drive the M2. I still love my Z though and I will await the eventual intro and arrival of the Z35. Whether or not I will buy it is another story.

Buy a used 370z nismo with low miles for 28k put some turbos on that bitch and everything else is shiz.

I have owned some of those expensive POS like M3 etc. I would say stay clear of the euro crap...Our car is free of multiple problems that are expensive to fix, our parts are cheap and you can download the service tech manual which shows you everything ...Euro cars are the opposite, they have many high cost problems, parts are expensive, and all their service tech manuals are hidden from plain view. For example Mercedes gives you the ability to subscribe to their online service tech manual for 60 dollars per day or over 3000 per year....seriously...they also use a ton of torx bolts...hate torx bolts...:shakes head:

I highly doubt that a manual transmission wont be offered on the new z or supra, they know that these iconic sports should be offered with a true drivers transmission.

I have Black. Amazing when clean. Black is hard to maintain cleanliness. Otherwise way better looking than silver in the Nismo Black/red colours. I have no Idea why they made a red with red accents????

Silver is nice, keeps clean but I just don't like Silver with red Nismo accents.

Nissan as usual showed their cost cutting laziness with the solid red Z with red accents they could have went black or gold accents on that car. Or kept Magma red which would've contrasted well with the red accent... if I go black I well put a wet look wrap and spray dust retardant on the wrap to keep it looking clean.

The silver I like with the red. Looks better than the white and would look even better with the GTR hood.

Let's hope so. But thinking logically, the Infiniti Q50 & 60's with new engines, have no manual trans. And on the Toyota side, they really have 0 new cars with a manual trans. You could say FRS has one, but that one had more to do with Subaru.

Looking at BMW M cars, there is only a 20% acceptance rate in manual trans and most Porsche dealers don't carry them on their showroom floor, they generally will only bring them in on a customer's special order. A Manual Trans Enthusiast is willing to wait, the regular walk in customer is not and will take a PDK or DCT.

Now I can understand if Nissan projected to sell 7,000 new Z35's a month like the Mustang and 20% (approx 17,000 a year) of those sold were manuals. But Nissan is not even sure it wants to come out with a new Z, as they've only sold 6,000 in the US for all of 2016 and FRS sales have tumbled. So logic dictates to me, that the new Z or Supra, if there is indeed one, will only be in an auto trans.

That's exactly how I'm thinking. I didn't FI my car cuz I was sure the Z35 would be FI so it would be cheaper to mod. Reality is that VR30 is costly to mod. So now I am seriously rethinking that and am researching Fast intentions turbo kit. It's so clean and simple compared to the mess Greddy creates under the hood. Lol.

Agreed, everyone likes to jump on the CSC train, but are quick to forget that we don't have such issues as m3 e92 enginges spinning bearings, or electronic throttle bodies crapping out at 40k miles costing 500 a pop.

while performance wise not being far from an m3 e92

Couple things -

Unknown - please allow me to live vicariously through you and go test drive an M2. Would really like to see what you think.

Also - for now, the VR30 is costly to mod because options are so limited, and they really haven't "cracked the nut" on it yet. Remember how expensive **** used to be for the Z34, and now there are many more options and the pricing has come down on some stuff. This too will happen with the VR30 eventually, but if you're getting into anything VR30 powered right now, you're still in the "first-mover" window, and with that comes the cost of being one of the new cool kids on the block.

That being said, turbo Nismo Z34 sounds like a great ******* idea.

Carry on, lads!

You can get a very nice 996TT 911 for about 42K....and with a few mods it really songs. With no need to adjust the cooling systems, clutch, brakes, and all the other things that really need attention when you take a NA OEM car and pout your own turbo system on it.

I was at BMW dealer looking for a car for the wife and I asked the salesman that was helping us about the M2 as he is a car guy and he said great car but over priced. They are bringing $10k over invoice. I didn't even ask for test drive...

Sent from my SM-N910P using Tapatalk

Point them out please.