Originally Posted by EvilCrayon

In my experience... most people who look at the Nismo don't see very much more than a 350Z but once anybody sits in it, they begin to feel a big difference. It can best be described as a grown up's sport car. There is no need to constantly be bouncing around redline, instead using the torque to push out of the turns. It is comfortable, stable, and predictable which to me is more important than outright cornering speed. Sure, I could go around doing burnouts and donuts in my Nismo but that's not what it is for. It is the ideal car for hill climbs and cruising in the mountains

Having grown up driving a multitude of cars, whether they're stock or modified, the suspension on the Nismo is perfectly poised and my benchmark when comparing to other cars. Many people seem to think that you can just slap on a set of coilovers and instantly drive faster around a corner. Nissan does an extraordinary amount of research to find the optimum spring rates and valving to ensure neutral handling and proper use of the 53:47 weight distribution. Imagine the amount of work that goes into the S-Tune suspension and creating a suspension system that handles literally like it's on rails(no body roll, no jolting, anything but a major pothole is perfectly dampened) with no sacrifice in comfort. If I recall correctly, the spring rates on the Nismo S-Tunes are the same as the 350Z track edition from the first year(Over the years, Nissan softened the spring rates in search of comfort).

The addition of the mass dampers have a huge effect on not only comfort but road handling. You will find that the only other car that can even be equipped with these products are the Impreza STI Spec C. I have had an opportunity to come upon a second set and did a comparison of my friend's 350z before and after and there's a noticeable improvement on the car's stability on corner entry and corner exit. If I could install a set on my girlfriend's Toyota Starlet, I would do so in a heartbeat but the suspension geometry must be "perfect" in order for the mass dampers to work correctly.

So when Nismo/Autech put their best foot forward into the Nismo 350z, you know exactly how much effort was put into developing the car as a whole package. Autech even seam-welded the frame by hand which is an extremely time consuming as well as costly process. I've never heard of another car that has this done from the factory.

Mechanically, the engine in the Nismo is the same as any HR engine but it does sound nicer with the Nismo/Weldina/HKS(I've heard too many names for it now) muffler. The dual throttle body intakes can be upgraded to the Nismo units which improve engine response and hp/tq figures as well. I can't remember where I read some dyno sheets but an additional 10-15hp and 10-15tq was gained with no other additions. To be honest, the VQ35HR makes more than 300hp which is more than enough for any driver to have FUN. No, you will not beat that punk high schooler in his STI Stage 69 but come on, how old are you to be still doing this.

Bottom line: If you want to modify your car to your own personal choice, get a normal 06-08 350Z but if you want to spend a little more for a more refined package at the loss of "modifying your car", go for the Nismo. Modifying a Nismo edition is a waste in my opinion, it should be enjoyed for what it is, a street car that can also be tracked. The only additions I bothered with for track day use were more track-oriented brakepads.

I've driven my friend's Corolla GTS with coilovers and all sorts of goodies but it is nowhere near the Nismo in terms of comfort and predictability. For example, although he has no problem keeping up with my Nismo, he spins out more often in particularly rough sections because his car will hop and the balance is thrown off. In contrast, the Nismo will happily absorb the rough patches with no change in the car's handling and I can usually control my car from apex to corner exit using just the throttle to rotate the car.

I hope this post helps throw some light on why the Nismo edition is such a special car.

Originally Posted by jerseystyle

^^^^Awesome!

Pretty cool corolla, looks like it needs some TLC!

Originally Posted by 67ZNISMO

For what the Nismo's are going for now (even the 370 Nismo's) I'd pick one up. I bought my Z when the Nismo was first introduced but I wasn't about to drop $42-45k. A lot of new owners now are getting theirs used for $20-25k. One of my buddies got theirs below $20k w/low mileage!

Originally Posted by sag

no way the body dampers do anything except reduce nvh. no way. i also dunno what the other guy was talking about but it understeers like a pig but thats easy to fix and of course itd do it with the big stagger stance from the factory wheels

Originally Posted by KingBaby

Worth it back in 07 for all my monies and still taking my monies today

Rarity without the reset numbering of the Z34 Nismo's

Pays full homage instead of riding the Nismo's name for extra sale factor

Worth

Werf

Wurf

Originally Posted by EvilCrayon

I think the 350z in general is prone to understeer but I think that has more to do with driver inputs and tire choice than the actual car. If you are progressive & smooth with your steering inputs, understeer is not an issue. The car is heavy so it is important to manage weight transfer. It does take me a moment to acclimate to the steering after driving much lighter cars such as MR2's and Miatas. Those cars you can throw around and if they lose traction, it doesn't take very long to regain it. However with the 350z and heavier cars such as Mustangs, there is a longer span of time between losing grip and regaining it; this allows for more driver input and consequently, incorrect driver input.