I am getting closer to buying my Z. Today I tested a 35th model with NAV and side airbags and all. It's black has a few deep scratches. They have it listed for $39650. I love the car. The dealer is the best I have seen for any car so far. Clair Nissan in Dedham, MA. the guy asked me to show him how we germans drive on the autobahn. ;-) After joking about the ticket we might get, I was off on the highway ramp. WOW this baby is nice in the corner. But than a A4 stopped me in the tracks. More than about 110mph wasn't possible (traffic). But this car just feels perfect. Reminds me a lot on the Renault Alpine GT in the 80s. The accelleration could be a little bit more "brutal", but still amazing.
After getting back I was asking the dealer about the seats that I want to replace with Recaro race seats. He was offering the same price with the recaros or the price off the car for me to get them myself. So far everything great!

But now the problem:
I asked him for a good price with the NISMO wheels, suspension, rear wing, intake, exhaust and the headers. the mechanic came to me and informed me that only the rear wing and the exhaust are legal on any model higher than the base model. VLC equiped models are not certified for these upgrades.

my big question is now why is this? I could buy them myself and install them, or as the mechanic recommended buy the tuning parts from other companies as NISMO.

What are your thoughts on all this? And what is a good price to aim for?

Is it really true that ordering a 2006 model will mean waiting 6 month.

can't wait to get my own Z.

 

that's news to me....

 

I *think* the only problem is if you go to a different outside tire diameter with a VCD-equiped model, because the computer will continuously get a false positive on slippage.

 

I think you can install all those on any model. I believe that the intake and headers are "r-tune" components, so they are technically for "off-road use only," but can be installed in any model. As for the suspension, you will need install additional parts (such as sway bars, among other things) for the VCD to operate correctly. You can buy and install all these things yourself but I'm not sure on warranty and how that will work.

I am not 100% sure if what I said is correct, but that is what my dealership told me

 

Umm he on crack? and i dont know the exactly retail of 35ths.. but 39 is a little high ?
Oh and none of those mods would make since, only thing i could think of is maybe not haveing correct tire sizes which they claim will throw off the VDC but thats bull.. And the only thing that could possibly be illegal on the car would be putting Cat delete pipes.. but shhh dont tell anyone .

 

the mechanic showed me a paper from Nissan that clearly states the VDC connection. there must be a reason. Why would nismo make tuning parts that are incompatible with 80% of their models? Very odd if you ask me.

I agree on the price. It will have to come down big time before I buy it ;-)

 

the only reason Nissan says that is because way back in time the parts were likely only tested on a non-VDC equipped car... Nissan knows how litigious Americans are, so to cover it's butt Nissan puts that disclaimer out there in the event someone puts the wrong size tires on their NISMO wheels and the VDC acts up and they decide to sue Nissan. You can install those parts on any car with absolutely no detrimental affect to any of the electronic gizmos on the car.

Also, you are better off buying the car without the stuff, then buying the parts from someone like PerformanceNissanParts.com and having a local performance shop install them. Here in Houston, dealers tack on about $6000 for Nismo wheels and some crappy tires, and about $3000 for a NISMO exhaust. Also, I know a guy who had a dealership put the NISMO suspension on his car, they charged him $3000 for parts and labor (my Koni shox and Eibach springs cost me $700 and install was $150... I did the 350EVO swaybars myself)

So... get the best deal you can on the car... then call the guys at PerformanceNissanParts.com to get all the NISMO parts you can handle.

Cheers,

PeteH

 

LOts of members on the forum with NISMO parts on non-base models with no problems. My buddy Reaper700 has sweet NISMO shoes on his...

The only thing you've got to watch is the ration of tire diameter to keep the ratio of front:rear rotation close... as nbdyfcnsqnc mentioned.

 

OMG!!! almost 40k$ for a Z, and it had deep scratches!! I wouldnt touch that car with a 10 foot pole. Im pretty sure you can get a loaded Track edition with brembo brakes, 300hp engine 2005 model, for around 34,000$. Dont buy any Nismo parts from the dealer!! My dealer charges 2500$ for nismo exhaust and install, I bought mine from performance nissan for like 780$ and got it installed for 50$. BEN

 

Newt, I got my 35th 3 weeks ago and negotiated the price to $500 over dealer invoice which I thought was a fair so 39+ is way too much by at least $3,000 and by now they should be getting nervous about having 2005's on the lot with 2006's only 45 days away from delivery. So they sould be ready to deal. The side airbags and Nav are list at about $2,600 but you should be able to get them to 1/2 that. If the car has scratches have them fix them before you take it and get the warranty on the paint job from them at no cost to you. The

 

I have an 05 Track (has VDC) with Dealer-installed NISMO stuff.

Heck, you can even configure it at NissanUSA!! Tell them to check their own site!

The important thing is that the parts have no issues what so ever with VDC! The only NISMO part you can't put are the Camshafts, which are arguably incompatible to the new 300HP model.

But, have you considered waiting for an 06?

PS. Remember to buy the JDM aero-kit. The USDM NISMO body kit is an ugly POS.

 

Yeah, you should be able to get Nismo but definitely don't have the dealership do it and get that price lowered! Good luck!

 

i was at dealer yesterday and a loaded 35th auto w/ nav was stickered at 40,400

 

a big +1 on not getting the dealership to do it, I almost bought from a dealership where 3 people swore up and down there was NEVER a break-in period mentioned by Nissan. Not that this is particularly related, but all the same I'd much rather take my Z to someone who's business is built around servicing and modifying customer's cars, and doing it WELL. Glad you approve of the Z and welcome aboard, btw.

 

thank you soo much for all your advise. I think I will wait a little and see what the prices on the 2006 models is going to be. It's just so hard waiting after driving it. my jetta 1.8T feels like crap now. But after sleeping over it seems I will get soo much more for the same money. I had a feeling this whole upgrade stuff couldn't be right. After looking a little for alternatives I might go with the OZ superlegra wheel. I will keep you guys posted on the progress. Can't wait till I am a true member of this elite Z club ;-)

 

back in the day when they first released the Z with the NISMO Parts they stated the NISMO Wheels / Suspension will not work with VDC / TCS...

But we soon figured out that there are no issues at all as long as you run the proper tire sizes 245/40/18 / 275/40/18

Then you have no problems...

 

No problem at all with the Nismo wheels and suspension.

 

if you put any wheels on the 350Z / G35 with tire sizes that do not match the front to rear size difference then you get issues...

NISMO has to advertise it because NISSAN has to cover them selves more then these other company's..