Is the Premium package worth the money?

[CanadianGP]

Here in Canada the 3.5 SE lists for $31,400 and the Premium package will add $4100 to that price. Here is the features included in this package.

HID Headlights (Xenon) Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) Leather Seating Surface Leather Wrapped Gear Shift Illuminated console lighting Auto Dimming Rearview Mirror HomeLink® Universal Garage Door Opener Compass (in Rearview Mirror) Diversity Antenna Bose® Audio System In Dash 6-CD Changer with MP3/WMA playback capability 9 Speakers Radio Data System (RDS) Speed Sensitive Volume Control Bluetooth® Hands-free Phone System XMTM Satellite Radio

To me that seems like a lot of money for the extras you get on a $31000 vehicle.

[bembol]

This is where Nissan NEEDS to offer more Flexible Packages!

First, I didn't get this because of the price as well but I changed my mind because I really wanted Leather (have this on my Acura RSX) and that Rear View Compass, I suck at directions! LOL

The only other Feature I care for/make this worth it is the VDC (Vehicle Dynamic Control). My test drive didn't have this, so is it worth it?

*My 3.5 SE comes in this Wednesday!!!

[Plastics]

There is another way to look at cost of the options. It is really called "happiness" Say your Premium option cost $4,100 and after 4 year, it has decrepicated 50% so there the true cost is $2,050. And that really cost $1.41 per day.

Which is about the cost of a cup a coffee at MacDonalds.

The question than becomes: "For a cup of coffee at MacDonalds, would you have all those toys that you can play with all the time and enjoy?"

Or would you rather kick yourself after you bought the car without the premium package and have no toys to play with?

Plastics08 Coupe 3.5 SE Premium Black

[CanadianGP]

Here are my thoughts on each upgrade.

HID Headlights (Xenon) - aftermarket ones are cheapVehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) - would be nice to have when neededLeather Seating Surface - always a good choiceLeather Wrapped Gear Shift - see aboveIlluminated console lighting - not sure what this isAuto Dimming Rearview Mirror - not neededHomeLink® Universal Garage Door Opener - have one alreadyCompass (in Rearview Mirror) - I'm a walking GPSDiversity Antenna - not sure what this isBose® Audio System already have a killer systemIn Dash 6-CD Changer with MP3/WMA playback capability - see above9 Speakers - see aboveRadio Data System (RDS) - not sure what this isSpeed Sensitive Volume Control - not neededBluetooth® Hands-free Phone System - hate cell phonesXMTM Satellite Radio - love my Sirius - Nascar FTW

So as you can see I'm debating over paying the $4000 for alot of options I don't really need. Now if they threw in 18" rims and a set of performnce tires I'd be all over it.

[CanadianGP]

The question than becomes: "For a cup of coffee at MacDonalds, would you have all those toys that you can play with all the time and enjoy?"

Or would you rather kick yourself after you bought the car without the premium package and have no toys to play with?

Plastics08 Coupe 3.5 SE Premium Black

LMAO, I hate McDonalds coffee but I see your point. Thanks for showing me another way to look at it.

[sewright]

The VDC is not part of the Premium package in the US. Twodifferent options on the sheet. I got the premium package but passed on VDC.

[ctrlaltcoupe]

IMO, it was not worth it to get the 2.5S Premium Package. In the US, it is $5100, and has a lot of features that I wouldn't use. And also I prefer cloth seats over leather seats.

Below is my opinion of the features that come with the 2.5S Premium Package:

1. Power sliding glass moonroof with tilt feature - Got this as a seperate option for $8502. Leather-appointed seats and door trim - Prefer cloth3. Heated front seats - Nice, but not necessary4. Leather-wrapped shift knob - Nice, but not necessary5. Bluetooth® Hands-free Phone System - Probably wouldn't use much6. Dual Zone Automatic Temperature Control (ATC) - Prefer having complete control over temperature7. Digital Bose® audio system with AM/FM/in-dash 6-CD changer and 9 speakers - Sound quality on the standard stereo is good enough for my listening needs8. MP3/WMA CD playback capability - Can hook up my iPod to get this9. Radio Data Service (RDS) - Nice, but not necessary10. XM® Satellite Radio - Pay for radio!? Yeah right!11. Speed-sensitive volume control - The car isn't really very loud at any speed, so this really isn't necessary12. HomeLink® Universal Transceiver - Don't have a garage to use this with13. Auto-dimming inside rearview mirror with compass - Nice, but I'm good with directions14. Illuminated center console - Not really necessary15. Patterned metallic trim (Charcoal Leather interior only) - I have the blond interior, so I wouldn't get this anyway.

So I ended up paying $1300 for the convenience package (which is included in the premium package). And $850 for the moonroof. Total $2150, which is $2950 less than the premium package.

[LongBeachCoupe]

A new car isnt necessacary either.... why didnt you just keep your old one? Whyt didnt we all buy 07 4-doors and save around 10k?

Because buying something other than a Yugo or a Civic is supposed to be something you LIKE.. sure a lot of those things arent "needed" but neither is a sunroof then... i mean the way i see it, you being in PA, you should want the heated seats more than the sunroof... (IMHO).....

I first began shopping for a 07 black/black altima with premium... i found one i could get for like 20 plus tax... but put down 28k plus tax on the coupe... spending 40% more! Seems illogical... especially to me being a numbers person.. but you cant put a price on people eyeing your car at a light (regardless of if you have 20"s or not)... you cant put a price on the feeling you get when you feel the arse warmers kick in after you just scraped ice off your windshield..

I kept my old car like crap because it was dying (00 mustang)... but now that i just ponied up all this $ to buy the car... im keeping it show quality... only i wash it, only sippy cups inside car, no food, back of parking lot, etc...

I looked at the convenience package... didnt look too appealing inside, just on the looks... kinda like a rsx a girl next door has... but the premium dash (no navi, i dont like the way the cd changer is in the dash) looks great...

Just my oppinion... and i didnt want any of the options except a sunroof and leather, but now that i have all the fancy options i dig it.

[dynot]

Here in Canada the 3.5 SE lists for $31,400 and the Premium package will add $4100 to that price.

I assume you're getting the manual transmission. Add the CVT and freight and mine ran me up $38K before tax.

Now to answer your question, have had mine since July and no regrets. I think the $4,100 is reasonable for what you get. I know I would have regretted not taking these options.

To each his own but I find most of the options useful.

[SHIFT_COUPE]

GP, it looks like you've already made up your mind. In my opinion, the culmination of all the features included with the premium package make the car more enjoyable. You may not use all the features right away but you might find yourself using them in the future.

The features I like the most on the premium package is the leather, Bluetooth, and Bose.

Just think it over and decide if its what you really need in a car. My two cents.

[LegendRacer]

The package is a good buy if u consider it buying it ALL AFTER MARKET

Just the major ones:

VDC - if u wanted to add this...it would cost alot if possible...6cd player - i dono how much it would cost to put this in after if its even possible to do it in hte dash9speaker bose- would cost a bit if u buy it in storesbluetooth- you would need a new deck that supports bluetooh head set and buy the speakerphone which cost a grand or moreleather seats - it would cost over a grand to get a full set

if u go search prices for each of these, it would cost way over 4100

[generic808]

I didn't go premium becase:

Leather - Are you kidding me? It's 85-94 degrees here year'round!Bose - I ALWAYS go aftermarket for audio because I love nice sound.Bluetooth - I can't talk while listening to my aftermarket stereo HID - I'm not going to spend almost 1K when aftermarket is a fraction of that!Homelink/compass Mirror - I'm on an island, why would I need a compass? Diversity antenna - ??? I get great reception without it.VDC - This was the only thing I wanted in the package.

So you see for me, the package wouldn't be worth it. It's all personal preference. Like the others have said, it's what you really need/want. Just remember, a lot of the options are available in the aftermarket. Usually for a lot less. Sometimes the quality is better than OEM, somtimes not. That's what researching on the internet, and forums like this one is for. Good luck on your decision.

[shift_mikey]

Normally i would go the same route as generic did with the same frame of mind. Aftermarket items are usually better. I just sold a honda civic i had built up with a ridiculous stereo, body kit, engine mods, lots of customization. Honestly, i don't know if its cause i'm getting older or if its because i'm growing out of that phase, but i got the premium package because i don't want all that BS of installing it all again. I'm extremely tech oriented and mechanically inclined (been a mech for 7 years, and am a service manager now).

I want a car that is full of items that were DESIGNED to work and fit together. I don't want to worry about locating a spot in the firewall to drill for amplifier power. Just not my bag anymore.

So, is the premium worth it? If you like the bells and whistles and don't want to add them yourself, then yes, its def worth it

[SHIFT_COUPE]

^^ Mikey, very well said. I couldn't have worded it any better.

The thing with adding all these aftermarket parts to get the vehicle to where you want it is tough sometimes. I enjoy the factory look myself as Mikey has mentioned. Must be my age as well

[altima coupe]

I didn't buy the premium package because it costs over 10% of the value of the car. Chances are you will be financing that $4K at 6% as well so that pushes it to 15%. If you don't use cell phones in the car etc, then I would pass. I don't even think the head unit is BOSE, just the speakers. I may be wrong but....The car has great technology standard and whatever you are missing that you really want you can always get aftermarket. I love my car and I don't regret saving the $4K. What I am really glad I did was get that sweet 3.5 engine.

[bembol]

Well said.

I'm done with MODDING too. I guess that's why I got it, no BS or worries.

[MadBlackCoupe]

I think it depends on what you value as important. To each his own.

I intended to get a 2.5 moonroof and convenience package, but it wasn't available.

So, I winded up getting a 2.5 with premium package, because I didn't want to wait 4 weeks for delivery--the premie was in the lot and calling my name...lol.

I'm not a big fan of leather, but it is growing on me and wow, I find myself liking it. The premie has the moonroof, so, still got that. The real difference is about 3 grand, base + moonroof + conv pack or base + premium, moonroof included. So, with the extra 3G, I got the bose speakers, heated seats, 6 CD changer, decent rims (the base come with hub caps).

In terms of the rims, I planned to replace them, but the premium comes with decent rims. I'm not a big rim person, so I will be keeping them. Because I was going to add rims, add 2G to the base price with the advantage being, I would pay for the rims out of pocket and not have it up my payments.

So, pros, cons, you have to decide. I'm happy with the choice I made though.

If I had mod skills and was cool with doing a lot of car upgrade acrobatics, who knows, I may have made a different decision.

I really couldn't wait though...

MadBC

PS: Bluetooth sounds nice, but not all phones, like my Treo model, are supported right now. You want to check that first, if that is a biggie for you.

http://www.nissanusa.com/bluetooth