I am looking betwwen the touring and the enthusiast models and am wondering if the VDC is worth anything. I am a decent driver and do not like ABS, I can stop quicker without the system. Any thoughts would be helpful.

 

VDC is on every model but Base, I believe. ABS is a very good thing and glad it is standard on all Zs. ABS is not for stopping quicker, its so you can continue to steer while braking. The difference between the two is 18" wheels, useless if you plan to upgrade. You get TCS, comes in handy on rainy days but otherwise useless. You get the leather heated seats and heated mirrors, very nice if you are into that. The Bose system, sucks and needs replacing. Nav is an option on Touring and not Enthusiast, nice add-on.

 

no VDC is not on base or enthusiast, but seeing how many of the tuners in Japan opt for a car without VDC for tuning purposes or disable VDC if the car was originally equipped, and also seeing how non-VDC cars turn in slightly quicker lap times than VDC cars, it might be a nuisance to some but may help others depending on your driving level. It can make a really good driver look bad but can help a less than optimal driver look like he/she is pretty good.

 

As I become more familiar with the car I use it less and less, but it has saved my butt a couple of times which has more than paid for itself.

For example, when I first got the car (before racing school), I was doing about 120mph (on a closed circuit course ) and totally forgot about a curve in the road. I panicked (bad bad... I know better now) and touched the brakes which sent the car into a slide. VDC fixed it right away and I continued on. Without the VDC, I'm sure I would have slammed into the curb at around 80-100 MPH.

While I consider myself a competent driver, other drivers or a sudden change in road conditions (e.g. new pothole, or puddle) can force you to go beyond the car's capabilities. VDC will fix the problem for you very quickly. If you're driving in rain or snow I would HIGHLY recommend it.

If you plan on doing some spirited driving, it will cut into the fun factor, but it's easy enough to turn off.

 

My bad....he's right. VDC starts with performance model.

 

Get VDC. Its saved me countless times.

 

I say get it. I can't specifically say that it's saved my butt here or there, but I know that it did more than once.

 

I went with performance model just becuase of VDC.

 

if you get VDC then at least you have the choice to use it or not. If you get the Performance model, it comes with VDC and saves a few bucks from the Touring.

 

+1

 

+1

 

anyone know what the exact differences between VDC and Traction control are?

 

I have to say, out of all the cars I've driven with some form of traction/stability control, VDC is hands down the least invasive and most complimentary to the driver. If you drive your car effectively (uh... not trying to drift all over the place) VDC will rarely kick in, and when it does, you're probably at the borderline of your cars limits.

I leave VDC on at the racetrack. Typically, I'll only feel VDC a handful of times because I'm pretty good about keeping my car under control. But in the event that I do screw up, I'd rather have VDC catching me and my expensive toy than a wall.

CAN you get faster laptimes without VDC? I'm sure of it, but unless you're in a competitive race, are a seasoned driver, and are willing + have the resources to deal with collisions, it's not worth it.

Now if VDC can stand up this well at the track - it's definately worth it for street driving. It's caught me a couple of times.

And as for ABS TK2005 is absolutely correct, ABS has nothing to do with stopping faster on dry, flat pavement. ABS has everything to do with making your braking system more adaptable to poor braking conditions, including bad traction conditions, and braking while turning.

If you have the space, feel free to do this test. Set up a cone, drive straight at it until 60 MPH until you think you're just about to hit it, slam on your brakes as hard as you can while trying to steer around the cone. A car with ABS will stay under control, while a car without ABS will most likely go into a spin.

 

If you spin your tires from a launch, and the "Slip" light comes on, that's Traction Control.

VDC is a much more advanced stability control system, that takes much more data to keep your car stable at speed in a variety of situations.

Here is a short description of how stability control systems work: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vehicle_stability_control

 

You will want VDC for when road conditions get wet or iffy.

For normal, dry driving, most people turn it off.

For racing / driving "hard", you must turn it off, or it will seriously mess with you.

It's definitely worth it, it's a good safety feature... and the Z has a lot of torque to be taken on wet roads with no control system.

Just know that most of the time you will be driving with it off.

 

Great stuff. Glad I have it on the performance model.

 

On the Nissans, TCS is part of VDC.

VDC is a stage upgrade. You have to have TCS to have VDC.

Stage 1: ABS

Stage 2: ABS + (traction control)

Stage 2: ABS + (traction control) + (yaw control)

Stage 4: ABS + (traction control) + (yaw control) + (roll control)

Stage 5: ABS + (traction control) + (yaw control) + (roll control) + (collision avoidance)

Most of these braking technologies were originally developed by Bosch for competition and they have found there way into mainstream cars. As you can see, each successive stage includes the technology from the previous stage. On the Z, TCS would be Stage 2 and VDC would be Stage 3. New engine and transmission technologies also can affect stability control.

 

+1 on VDC, blew a tire and VDC kick in save me at least once
but sometimes can be a pain having it on all the time

 

In Europe VDC has significantly dropped the fatality rate. In the USA anti-lock brakes have had no significant effect on the fatality rate. VDC has prevented at least one collision in my wife's Toyota Highlander.

 

Not at all on automatics at least with the 05s.