[Machan]

What is in the Nismo edition and is it worth it?


What constitutes the Nismo edition?
lightweight 17" wheels?
stiffer suspension, sways, etc.?
Salesman said it had bigger brakes but not the Brembos
Maybe it has CAI and exhaust?


What about this deal?

Dealer has a 2004 Demo car with 3800 miles. It is a touring model Nismo Edition in Liquid Aluminum color. The demo with 3800 miles was selling for 31800. It had a sticker price of $37,500 new. Is that a good deal?


I want to autocross/track the car, so is the Nismo edition worth it? I probably won't mod my car. If I don't get the nismo, I'd probably get a touring. I'm a novice so I might not be able to take full advantage of the different handling capabilities of the Nismo edition.

 

[nismokid]

WALK AWAY FROM THE DEALER!!!!! There is no such thing as a Nismo version (at least in the US, because the type-E is in Japan). Nismo makes 18" wheels for the Z (19s, too), but not 17s. You could build yourself a nice auto-x Z from a stock one and it will be cheaper. Don't even talk to the dealer again, they lied so blatantly!

 

[Machan]

[/quote]

Maybe it was more of a Nismo package?

 

[nismokid]

[/quote]

Maybe it was more of a Nismo package?
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Nismo is pretty expenisve because they put a lot of r&d in their products to make sure they won't fail on the customer. They make some of the most expensive things for the Z, but you can find other products that will be just as good performance wise, if not better, for much cheaper.

I've seen my local dealers do some bad business by adding $4k to MSRP for a Base model becaues the stock 17s were chromes. The other Nissan dealership was telling me that the Nismo exhaust adds something like 40hp. I just walked away.

I'd suggest getting and Enthusiast model if you want to auto-x, but still want things like cruise control, traction control, etc. Then put $5k into mods for things like exhaust, suspension, etc.

Edit: There's no such thing as an Nismo Edition, Version, Package, etc. They probably put on some Nismo parts (probably even seat belts and stickers), and jacked up the price.

 

[smoothz]

If you want to autox, don't get the Touring. It's the heaviest of the trims. Get the Performance or Enthusiast.

Like Al screamed, walk away from that scumbag who wants in your pants. :ahhh:

 

[Machan]

[/quote]


But the leather is so nice...

I'm not looking to be super competitive in autocross just beat my Audi and BMW friends...

What about the track edition?

I wouldn't get enthusiast because I want the DSC since I'll be driving in winter (with snow tires of course). Also my wife might be driving it some and I don't trust her so much without all of the electronic nannys (she's had a history with totalling cars).

 

[smoothz]

Yeah, I suppose leather is nice. This is the first car I've owned with leather, and I'm not impressed. Guess I'm a cloth guy. However, if you can find a Track model, used for under 30k, you're set. I was very close to buying a Track, twice, from different locations. Too bad the logistics was somewhat difficult.

 

[nismokid]

[/quote]


But the leather is so nice...

I'm not looking to be super competitive in autocross just beat my Audi and BMW friends...

What about the track edition?

I wouldn't get enthusiast because I want the DSC since I'll be driving in winter (with snow tires of course). Also my wife might be driving it some and I don't trust her so much without all of the electronic nannys (she's had a history with totalling cars).
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There isn't much a difference between the Track and Performance models. Basically just Rays 18" wheels and Brembo brakes (aero package, too, but not that important). I don't think it's worth the extra bucks because the brakes just reduce fade for prolonged racing and the wheels are too narrow.

 

[Machan]

[/quote]

My wife digs heated leather seats...

I like it too and I think it would help resale value although it's not as necessary on a sports car as it would be in a sport sedan (like a bimmer or something).

As for the extra weight of the touring version, I'll go on a diet and lose like 75 lbs to help offset the difference.


And just to clarify, there is no difference in the suspension between any of the z models? Even on the track model? How about on the 2005 models and the 35th anniversary? Same suspension?

 

[Nis350ZTT]

Not to flame, but I keep hearing about all of this R&D Nismo does, and yet the parts are outsourced from other companies. :wtf: is the truth? Do they test the parts that already exist to see what brand they want to pay to put Nismo on the product?

 

[nismokid]

[/quote]

afaik, they do a lot of r&d for suspension and wheels. Things that have the possiblity of failing at higher speeds and causing damage. Plus, I think they're under s-tune, which means they have to be under warranty. R-tune products void warranty (headers), so I doubt Nismo will spend much time with them (they outsource their headers).

Edit: Even though Volk makes the wheels, I'm sure Nismo puts them through a lot of tests.

 

[Nis350ZTT]

[/quote]

afaik, they do a lot of r&d for suspension and wheels. Things that have the possiblity of failing at higher speeds and causing damage. Plus, I think they're under s-tune, which means they have to be under warranty. R-tune products void warranty (headers), so I doubt Nismo will spend much time with them (they outsource their headers).

Edit: Even though Volk makes the wheels, I'm sure Nismo puts them through a lot of tests.
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Ahh, ok, thanks for clearing that up.

 

[frankmusic]

Hey, it's matter of what model will truly fit your needs and what your wallet can afford. I wanted the leather seats and Nissan only offers that with the Touring model. The factory leather seats are definitely quality items if you choose that route. There have been many reports of decent after market seats that can be installed. (and there also have been some baggy-assed nightmares that have been posted as well) YIKES! Although more expensive, the Touring model still outsold it's other siblings.
The Track model offers the big Brembo brakes. Whoopie! Unless you feel the need for Brembo bragging rights, utilizing the Z for the typical everyday driving, the Brembos just don't mean squat! Should you opt for any of the other Z models because of weight being a major concern - here are the numbers.
Touring model = 3,247 lbs.
Performance model = 3,217 lbs.
Enthusiast model = 3,197 lbs.
:dunno:

Impressed? Are you planning on doing any significant racing with your Z? :headshake:

As soon as the salesman said, "DEMO" - you should have ran out of there. The abuse (from selective employee cowboys) that car has already experienced could probably be labeled as criminal.
:rolf2:

Buy what you think suits your desires and spend $$$ what you can afford. Just get yourself behind one of 'em .................... drive!!!!!!!
:shiftdrive:

 

[zlegend]

I am having the same problem deciding between the touring and the performance because I do want the leather seats. Basically because they are electric and heated more than leather. But I will be getting new rims for summer and using the stock ones for winter.

So what I'm asking is where the weight comes from, is it only the rims? Or what else is heavier in the touring?

 

[nismokid]

[/quote]

Well, the touring has the seats, which weigh more, and it has the Bose sound system (which sounds horrible) and weighs more because there's a sub added (big magnet I suppose). I can't really think where else the weight would come from. It has heated mirrors, but I doubt that would add much.

Edit: The Track model has less insulation than the Touring, but I'm not sure if the same applies to the Performance.

 

[smoothz]

Bah, once you remove the cats from the Touring, it becomes as light as the performance model. When you turn on the defroster, it also heats the side view mirrors (on the Touring).

Frank's right about the Track and Brembos. You might as well go with the Enthusiast or Performance and do your own upgrades after that. Probably save thousands in the process.

 

[jinxxycat]

[/quote]

Frank you are right on the money with this bit of advice, all I saw of the original post and read 'DEMO MODEL' and I would want nothing to do w/ that Z....if you read some stories of peoples first test drives you would shudder at owning one.

As far as the model goes, get what YOU want and suits your budget and needs, like Frank says!

 

[steve350z]

[/quote]


BTW, there is no Factory option NISMO edition, Dealer probably put NISMO parts on it and is calling it that. also the NISMO rims for the Z are 18" forged rims from Rays, not 17". those are good. the sways and suspension are basically made for the car and are pretty good, but for a drop or stiffer suspension there is better out there. not sure about the bigger brake thing, i think the dealer is bullshitting you since there is not NISMO upgrade for brakes except pads, and for track use anyway you swould want a big brake kit like stoptech or rotora. The exaust has a really good sound and weighs less than the stock system. Overall the NISMO S-tune parts are ok, and sometimes a decent price compared to other mods for the Z (depends where you go). As for a dealer callign a car a NISMO edition, i think they are just using that as a sales ploy. Get a Performance or Enthusiast, and use the extra money saved for real mods to help on autox