A&Q about 350Z
Q:
Hi,
This is a questions for the 350z base model owners. I was wondering if you regret buying the base model and wish you'd have bought any of the other models? By other means, what option do you really miss in the base model?
Thanks
zfanman
82 280zx n/a 5 speed all stock 169k miles original engine. Great looking Z.
00 Altima SE a/t all stock, fun to drive.
A:
zfanman:
I don't own any 350Z, but up until September I worked at a Nissan dealership and sold plenty of them and had my way with every trim model in the huge lot behind the dealership.. Basically, your decision should be based on what you plan to do with the car. If you will be purchasing a 350Z simply because you like it and want one, the base model should be more than sufficient. Even if you are planning to do some work on your car and do some upgrades/modifications, the base model is a good place to start. The money you'd save off the other packages will easily help fund some decent upgrades.
However if you're looking for a track or racing car, get the enthusiast or track package. This will come with all of the electronic stability/traction control and the LSD, which can make a significant difference in those applications. The track model comes with Brembo brakes kit and the front/rear spoilers.
For most people, I'd say the base model is more than enough to start with unless you really just want to spend more money. Unless you're planning to build a racecar, which most people aren't, might as well save the money for other upgrades.
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1985 300ZX n/a
A:
what he said
93 z32 convertible=pearl white, 5 speed
jwt pop-charger, hks hypers, asp underdrive pulley
86 z31 na=super white, 5 speed
A:
wellp to counter what was said above i think the debate has been pretty much settled that the enthusiast is the best value. I know its been discussed alot and i think its the consensus. For a daily driver i really would recommend the enthusiast especially if you live in a less than forgiving climate. Im from jersey and my Z is my only car, so i find the LSD and TCS extremely helpful. It really is a world of difference when i switch my TCS off in the cold or rain. I love being able to turn it on or off at will. With it on the car just cuts the power to the rear wheels and the car feels so controlled, even when i push it in slick conditions. Theres many times when i know that if i didnt have the TCS the back end of my z would have been on the sidewalk. Also the enthusiast has HIDS. if you live in a nice climate though and or dont use the Z as a DD I wouldnt see any problems with just getting the base.
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03 CS Touring
VIN #189
A:
I definitely agree with drivenz. Enthusiast is the best value. On the base Model, you can upgrade certain things, such as wheels, exhaust, and even install the nismo LSD. However, you cannot purchase and install the TCS. I live here in Southern California, most of the time it's nice and dry. But several ocassions during rainy days, the TCS just saved my ass.
A:
On the other hand...Don't buy new unless you are willing to eat literally many thousands of dollars in "instant" depreciation.
If you know what you are doing and have your car checked by a legitimate mechanic you should have a minimum exposure to major repair problems.
The amount you save buying used vs new is going to be well be worth the "risk" .
A:
I don't think I'd personally ever buy new. I bought my 03 6 months ago, and it was in flawless aestetic condition, my mechanic looked it over and saw nothing that was out of the ordinary. I understand what you're saying, but unless I'm raking in the money, I'll always buy a couple years off.
A:
Ok everybody, the point here is either buying New or Used 350Z, the enthusiast model or the next will always be a better value than the base.
A:
Good luck, zfanman.
But to contribute to the hijack, I bought the equipment I wanted with my '03 Performance. I liked getting LSD, TCS, VDC, and xenons.
It's equipment/feature combination disappeared with the '06 models. Too bad.
A:
Well it looks like we got away from the origional question but i'll add in my 2 cents since we are on depreciation now. If you are going to be someone who will likely sell or trade after 2-3 years then yeah going with extra options will contribute slightly when it comes to resale, trade-in value and what not. But if your actually looking to keep your vehicle for 4+ years then regardless of which one you buy you will make out alright. With the vehicles I have bought in the past years (all new) after about the third year of ownership your no longer upside down on the vehicle. All the trades in I have done I have either broken even or got paid, and thats on a trade. If you want to pay for the extras then by all means do so. Either way you cant go wrong.
06 350 Coupe
Interlagos Fire Met.
A:
My car had Cruise control... but I ripped it out when I switched out the throttle bodies. I never used it, things that I never use don't need to be there anymore as far as I'm concerned.
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1985 300ZX n/a
A:
Hot in summer, cold in winter (without heated seats,) and I just don't want the extra care leather requires.
A:
IMO... i'm with 7 day rev...
I knew exactly what i wanted when i looked at the Z i knew that if i was going to buy a car especially of that magnitude... not that it's too terribly expensive... but... that i was GOING to have, at least the heated leather seat (which is nice in the winter), TCS, HID, Cruise, 18's (although for most it really doesn't matter b/c they switch them anyway), and Bose, i only voted for Bose because at the time i didn't know that it was complete CRAP! best advise i could give you on that is to get a good aftermaket HU... you're better off that way anyways...
regardless... like everyong says... it really depends on what you are doing with the car.. do you like the comforts of the Touring, or the value of the enthusiast, like brembos (because i can see no other reason to buy a track... it doesn't even come with leather in '03)
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Chrome Silver '03 Touring -MT-
C.F. Nismo Wing
Shorty Antenna (Stolen!!! Thanks alot!)
Kicker Solo Baric L7 1200w
I don't think, I know...
Well, I don't think you know either
A:
Lottness,
When I bought my 03 Enthusiast the price difference between it and the base was about $2k. Where do they come up with $4 to $5k?
Just curious
A:
Well when your looking at what the dealer has in stock versus ordering one you have to go with whatever is on hand. True the base price difference is only about 2k but once the other options are added it will range from 3-5k. The difference between the base I got and the enthusiast was 4k. That was for options I did not need or want, or options that I could add on for cheaper than dealer cost.
06 350 Coupe
Interlagos Fire Met.
A:
Track is the best value, the price Nissan provided on the Forged Rays wheels, and Brembo brake package was a bargain, not to mention the TCS and LSD, and all the aero bits.
A:
If I were going to get any trim higher than base model I'd get the Track model as well. But I would be turning it into a racecar if I bought the track model.
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1985 300ZX n/a