Big jump in price from 18" tires to 19".
 

I was doing some research on the internet and it looks like the tires cost around $100 more making it almost $250 to $300 per front tire on the Nissan Z with the 19" rims.

The basic Z gets the 18" rims but if you get the sport package, Nismo, or Touring they will upgrade the rims from 18 to 19 making it cost $200 more for the front tires and more for the back tires when it comes time to replace them.

But If I want a Z with the rev matching manual transmission then I'm forced to take the pricier 19" rims. And they aren't even that good looking compared to the 18" rims. I'm sure the 18" rims handle fine, why can't they make it an option to save money?

If I buy a Z with the 19" rims and swap the rims for the 18" rims will the odometer and speedometer still be 100% accurate?

Yes, your odometer will be fine.

The 19" super lightweight rays are great looking rims. I get compliments everywhere I go. If you don't want the 19", just trade Plus cash with another base member. They have been selling really quick in the classified section since the rims are very desirable. Also, I think they are lighter than the 18" too.

19s handle better than 18s thus sportier. Logically speaking if you want the sports package you want everything sportier.

Lastly if one could afford the sports model money is somewhat no object.

Well don't get too carried away here. The original concept of the Nissan Z is that it would be an affordable sports car that the average every day citizen would be able to afford. Making it difficult to get the value oriented rims defeats this original purpose. It is condescending. Plus the difference in handling between 18 and 19 inch rims is negligible. Nobody would be able to tell the difference. And some of us are responsible enough to have no need to spin the tires and look silly and to take the car to the track to ruin a perfectly good transmission anyway. I would personally want to try to keep the wear and tear as low as possible. Remember that these cars will be collectible and heavily sought after some day. It's best to take care of them.

Even when all the easy oil is gone from the ground people will still want these Z's and they would fill the tanks up with corn fuel Ethanol or some type of petroleum fuel made from algae at some algae farm in Arizona.

Here's how I look at it. I just took my 19" off today due to putting winter tires. Looks like I can drive another good 7-8000 miles on the 19" tires. My current mileage is 12000 + 8000 = 20000 miles on the same tires. Lets say I keep the car for 5 years (or about 100K miles). You're looking at few hundreds of dollars difference over 5 tire change, that's it. If you can afford a $35,000 car, these extra few hundreds should not be a problem at all. I just spent $1800 dollars on winter rims. Where does this $ falls into your "calculation"? Most people here spends thousands and thousands on their Z. So, these extra few hundreds are not even a factor for us. Also, the grip on the 19" tires (275/35ZR19) and (245/40ZR19) are def noticeable IMO

I didn't realize the "sport" package was the "value" package.

To be quite honest, no other car has ever had Synchro Rev Matching. Why is it suddenly a necessity, and Nissan has offended your honor by not including it as an option on a base model? Seriously, come on.

Like it has already been suggested, buy the sport, trade the rims for 18's + cash. You'll find plenty of takers.

My personal suggestion? Learn to heel and toe if you want a manual. SRM came out in early 09...still the only car on the market that has it if I'm not mistaken, nearly a year later. No sign of that changing anytime soon. Why do you think that is? Probably because the people who really need it drive automatics. Not that there is anything wrong with that!

[QUOTE=avitech;283642 And some of us are responsible enough to have no need to spin the tires and look silly and to take the car to the track to ruin a perfectly good transmission anyway. I would personally want to try to keep the wear and tear as low as possible. Remember that these cars will be collectible and heavily sought after some day. It's best to take care of them.

Even when all the easy oil is gone from the ground people will still want these Z's and they would fill the tanks up with corn fuel Ethanol or some type of petroleum fuel made from algae at some algae farm in Arizona.[/QUOTE]

Here we go again!

Just swap with someone, there will be plenty with the base wheels willing to make the trade.

Yes. Odometer accuracy is dependent on tire diameter not rim size. The 18" base and 19" sport wheels have the same overall diameter (and hence circumference).

I'm not an expert but from what I've read, your statement should read the other way round. 18's for pros 19's for show.

I am not expecting any high-volume production cars to be collectible in my lifetime. :)

Some of us are pained to see cars that are babied rather than used. When I go to Monterey in the summer, I go to see the Historics (races), not the Pebble Beach Concours (pretty parking lot). To me, hearing a classic Testa Rossa howling up the straight at Laguna is worth ten of them sitting on the grass, fresh from the trailer. Watching a prewar Bentley come into the pits with its wooden brakes smoking and steam pouring from the radiator is a joy.

These are cars. They are designed and built to drive. I think everyone should enjoy theirs in their own way, but I have to fall in the camp that appreciates driving it somewhere I can make use of it. Since driving a car of this capability at even at 6/10s is essentially illegal on the street, I think people who track them are actually being very responsible.

And look at it this way - the more wear others put on their Zs, the sooner yours will be a collector's item :tup: