370Z or Nismo 350Z

[seyath]

Hey guys, so I have finally decided to get rid of the Maxima. Replaced the engine and now a million little things are starting to go wrong... I don't have the time, patience or desire to dump any more money in this car.
I definitively need to get myself back into a rwd car as I have been missing out for a few years now.
I had originally thought of biting the bullet and getting a Camaro SS, but although they are pretty damn fast, I just didn't feel the car was setup anywhere close to what I wanted: It's fast but it's not quick... Not agile or nimble enough.

Anyways, I have the choices down to 2 cars right now... a '09 370Z and a '08 Nismo 350Z.
Here are the pros and cons so far:
--370Z--
+ Love the looks
+ More power
+ Leather powered heated seats
+ Factory Sat/Nav
- $4000 more expensive
- 10k more miles
- Leather seats are stone colored

--Nismo 350Z--
+ Love the looks too
+ Better handling (from what I can gather)
+ Less expensive
+ Less mileage
+ Wouldn't have to do some upgrades that I planned on regardless
- No leather or any amenities
- No Sat/Nav
- Somewhat spartan in terms of comfort

Now, this will be a daily driver. I am not too concerned with harsh ride; I prefer it.
I would like to ideally hear from people who have had a chance to drive both cars and can give an objective opinion as to which car provides the best bang for the buck.
I am leaning towards the Nismo. I have always loved the look, it just happens to be in my favorite color, and I think it might to prove somewhat more agile on a racetrack (I do intend on spending time at the track again).

Please weigh in as any input is greatly appreciated guys

[300ZXttZMAN]

Since its your daily with these choices. I would say the Z34. I am assuming they are both 6spds.

EDIT: Just make sure you buy one so I can welcome you to the Z sections!

[frapjap]

I haven't driven a Nismo 350z, but I have driven a Nismo 370 and a standard 370. For lack of a better way to prepare this, I'll follow your lead with pros/cons and personal opinions.

350
- More room (at least it feels like it)
- controls where you'd want them to be
- better visability (for DD reasons)
- quick enough
- handles well, though the only one I've driven was on R-comps on the track
- not as pretty or as much of a chick magnet as a 370, Nismo looks kinda racer boyish.
- more space in engine bay to work

370
- feels like less space, but also feels secure.
- feels better built, more well thought out
- controls are perfect.
- automatic rev-matching down shifts- fun on the track and around town as a DD. not invasive and are very precise
- faster
- handles very well, on par with the 350 (both the normal and Nismo edition)
- definitely a more firm ride
- poor visability, tiny windows all around.
- remaining warranty??
- better clutch, but that can be matched with a simple upgrade in the 350.

Given the choice of only those two, I'd purchase a 370z.

Just a suggestion, don't beat me to death, but have you looked into a 3.8 Genesis coupe or an NC Miata?

[GhostDriver]

I look at it this way. 15 years from now what will you have --- just another 370Z or a NISMO 350Z? It's a future collectable and the resale should be fine also.

[alms24sebring]

hmmm tough choice. If you have the cash to throw Id pick the obvious choice of the newer fresher 370. But, if it was me Id go with the Nismo 350. I just like the looks, its a Nismo, and a great platform with slightly cheaper parts. It would be a better DD IMO.

[300ZXttZMAN]

hmmm tough choice. If you have the cash to throw Id pick the obvious choice of the newer fresher 370. But, if it was me Id go with the Nismo 350. I just like the looks, its a Nismo, and a great platform with slightly cheaper parts. It would be a better DD IMO.

Same here if it was me I would go with the Nismo Z33 simply because I would mod it.

[dasoupdude]

Nismo z33, seam-welded chassis ftw!

[seyath]

Ok... so quick update on this.
I went to look at both cars.
The 370 is absolutely incredible. So balanced, very quick and just feels like a good place to be. The leather wrap on the dash and center console looks even better in person than in picture and is soft to the touch. The Infiniti derived sat/nav and computer interface is easy to navigate through and a nice added bonus. I found the seats very supportive and the driving position easy to adjust exactly to what I wanted. I also have to commend the rev-sync function (I have no idea what it is actually called). I thought it would be annoying and wanted to turn it off all together, but it really does work behind the scenes; on point every time.
Am I buying the car? No. I was almost ready to go ahead and not even look at the Nismo; yes, that's how much I liked the Z34. However, once we sat down to discuss financials, I was greeted with a price that was $5,000 more than advertised. Apparently all of their prices are "After a $5000 down payment". The finance director was unwilling to negotiate the price in the slightest manner and I decided to walk out of the deal.

So.. on to the Nismo.
I had spoken to the used car manager over the phone and arranged for a test drive at 530pm. When I got to the dealer at 520, the car was still shoved in the back of the showroom so I had to wait 40 minutes for all the vehicles to be moved. I was not happy to say the least. Nonetheless, I spent the time getting better acquainted with the car.
The Nismo is certainly more spartan than the Z34. The materials feel cheaper, the seat is extremely supportive but feels of lesser quality. The driving position seems lower and more track oriented and although not as inviting, the cockpit feels much less claustrophobic than the Z34. I was looking forward to see just how it would compare on the road.
Well, my hopes were short lived. As we took the car down the road and I went around the first bend, something was horribly horribly wrong. The rear end was did not cooperate in any predictable way so I stopped the car and refused to continue the test drive. I insisted that something was wrong in the rear suspension. It felt like the car was involved in an accident and was never mended properly. A quick inspection didn't reveal any obvious signs of body work or re-spray and the carfax was clean. The sales person insisted that the car was fine and I just didn't know how to handle a car of the caliber...
I demanded the car be put on a lift and lo and behold.... Frame damage. Their mechanic was dumbfounded that in the past month and a half that the car has been at the dealer, and all the test drives taken by customers and sales reps, no one thought something was wrong. Needless to say, I lost all interest. The manager wanted to "fix" the car and then work on a deal... No thanks.

So I'm still looking. Just looking at Z33's now, mostly with track pckg. Hopefully I'll be updating soon with pictures of a new ride

[300ZXttZMAN]

I just want to say you are the man... That sales person should feel like a piece of s*** "You don't know how to handle a car of this caliber" if someone told me that I would tell that f*** that he needs to contiue driving his corsica and don't worry about me then done what you did.


Seyath I am ready for you to get a Z I can't wait to welcome you into Z hood.

[frapjap]

Ooph, that sucks man!
I've had that price thing happen to me before, too. Its just damned silly that they'll use that to drag in customers.
Bummer to hear about the frame damage on the Nismo. I'd bet that no one said anything because they knew right away that something was wrong. What a loser a$$ for insulting a potential customer. What the hell kind of sales angle is that?!

How far are you willing to drive for this car?