debating if i should buy a brand new 05 base model Z or a 04 enthusiast. Are the only changes between the two HIDs and LSD? anything else? also, i want to add a turbo to the car, is the aps/turbonetics turbo kits available for the 05 models? i remember someone saying the computer was different in 05s and nothing has been done for them yet?

 

Hehehe Ijust had this same debate.

HID, LSD, TCS, cruise control and I think thats about it. Someone said vanity mirrors but my base has vanity mirrors.

Personally I can add LSD and HID's later and for less than $2k, I don't use cruise, and TCS mucks up with big wheel changes anyway plus if your really gonna race it you will probably just turn that off anyway.

 

Oh and forgot, there is a nice diff. between '04 and '05 in the form of the newer suspension.

these are just my opinions though, I'm a noob here.

 

? there's newer suspension on the 05? i just got the 05... so curious what's different from the 04?

 

I honestly only know whats been posted here. My understanding is it has the suspension (so called "euro spec") bits added to the 2004.5's.

As to what the difference is, either I haven't dug hard enough or nobody is certain.

 

Cool, looks like im gonna get a new Base Z unless i find a killer deal on a 04 enthusiast. The only thing that would hold me back is not being able to mod the 05 Z yet. I noticed the turbo kits say 03-04 Zs not 03-05 so hmm

 

There is no difference in the powertrain between the 04 and 05 unless you get a track or 35th anniversary edition. So i think a turbo kit for the 04 should work for the 05. 04 suspension was too bouncy, so they went with the euro spec setup for the 04.5 and 05.

 

the '05 ECU doesn't get along with turbo/supercharger kits. It's completely different, and so far they haven't figured out how to get into it to adjust things like timing. If you can't adjust your timing, you are likely to blow your motor.

Also, If I remember right, there's something to do with the OBDII smog stuff, like adding turbos makes the ECU throw 'check engine' lights and puts the car into Limp Mode permanently.

 

differences between base and enthusiast that the base lacks

Homelink mirror
LSD
xenon lights
aluminum pedals


an earlier model 04 will not have, but later 04 will have:

euro suspension
knee pads
seat belt extenders
few other knick knack things...

 

gah that sucks, i was offered a base Z for $100 above invoice yesterday. Was gonna plan on getting it but i dont feel like waiting for them to figure out a way to make the ecu work on 05s. Guess time to look for a used 04 model heh. or hopefully they will figure out a way before i find a used one i like =p

 

703z, which dealer offered you this price? I am assuming its in northern va. I am looking for a base Z and that is a very good price.

 

Can someone inform me on what this EURO SUSPENSION
is?

 

basically the euro suspension is the suspension setup from the 350z in europe. Apparently, the US and Japan 350z have a slightly different setup. The european Z is less harsh becuz of the dampening, so they brought the same settings over here for the 04.5 and 05 models.

 

703, you sure are in a hurry to slap a turbo on there

And my understanding is the US/JP suspension wouldn't cut it for euro because of the poor quality of their roads. So the "euro spec" suspension is firmer springs with a better damp rate.