i wish nissan didnt take away the performance model. if they had that, id most likely get that model.

 

The price difference between Base & Enthuaiast is less than 2 Gs; just stretch your budget abit.

I've seen countless posts on here where Base owners have added something (usually LSD) from aftermarket. Just one item will chew up most of the price difference.

 

if you don't want any buttons on the steering wheel, get the base.

 

remember when cars didnt even have traction control

Only time traction control comes in handy is if you get carried away and decide to punch it around a corner trying to show off and the back ends starts to slide out on you... Long as you don't drive like a 16 year old thinking he's Mario Andretti you will be fine... Just use common sense and save the racing for the track.

 

just don't drive like any NASCAR guy/lady.

 

+1 wheven i take off my VDC to have a little fun its often a little frightening how fast that back end will come out

 

most of the nissan dealers here in socal offer mostly base and enthusiast. there are some touring and track too but not as much as enthusiast, thats why i thought enthusiast is most bought model.

 

I find that VDC is annoying most of the time. I wish my Touring didn't have it, but on the off-chance someone else needs to drive my car, maybe it will be a blessing, iykwim.

 

yeah, but many of the older cars never came with traction control. There were no such things back in the days. And many of us did just fine.
Now, if you want to drive like an idiot, then you deserve it I guess, but I dont' get that impression about you.
Buy at end of the month, and ask them to match Carmax price ($500 below invoice). Most dealers will honor that (well, around here anyways).
Invoice price-wise, traction control only adds additional $1k+ to your price tag by moving up to an enthusiast model. But if you want VDC to go with it, it'll add additional $3k+ to your price tag for touring/higher models. If you get better tires for the rainy seasons, well that too can add $1k+ to your base budget.
So, the way I see it is, why not get the enthusiast, get traction control, cruise control, etc.
Personally, I would get the touring for extra $3k. That's about additional $83/month for a 36 month deal.

 

Same here. I think TC is a hinderance and takes away from the 'fun'. I don't have a Z yet, but when I had a M Coupe and SVT Focus, I always turned it off.

You'll be fine with the base.

Does anyone know of if hitting the 'TC off' button competely disables it?

 

I drive in FL and it rains all the time. I have the base and have absolutely NO issues with driving the Z in the rain.

 

No worries, buy a Base and have the dealer install a NISMO LSD in it. I didn't like the steering wheel being lop sided with the cruise controls in there. I might consider the Enthuast model if they now have the radio controls in the steering wheel. If you want up grade your stereo those may not work on the new stereo even with the adapter for remote controlling it. That is another reason I went for the Base cause eventually I want the NISMO MOMO wheel and upgrade stereo. Didn't need all the extra bells and whistles for possible breakdown later on. Electric seat is usless to me cause I'm going to aftermarket seats with lumbar, heat, leather, rub guards, etc...

Nothing wrong with the Base as long as you don't plan on racing in the rain or snow. Just use common sense.

The Base Z looks just like any other 350Z with aftermarket wheels. I'm going with '06 Track wheels. For me I'm going to have a really nice car for a lot less money than a track sooner or later. I like the pay as I go plan when it comes to mods. No since paying interest on mods for 4,5,or 6 years. Just my

 

Wow, great comments guys! Thanks so much for all the help!

 

Well, I suffered the same dilemma you are suffering from when it came time for me to choose which model I wanted. Back in 2003 my room mate bought a brand spanking new Base Super Black 350Z. At that time I didn't know the different "models" of Z's because it was so brand new. I instantly fell in love with his car and told myself I will get one. Fast forward 2 years later, I researched and researched and researched and I just couldn't justify spending any extra cash for the added options, at least that's the way I felt. For the last 2 years I drove my room mate's base model and there was not 1 single thing I hated about it (except the tire feathering that a lot of 2003-2004 models suffered from). So in April 2005 I bought my Base Super Black 350Z and I couldn't have been happier. I told myself there would be only 2 things I would change....that is I would add a Sirius Satellite Radio and a JWT popcharger. So far I got the JWT Popcharger and I am waiting on getting the Sirius Satellite.

If you are going to be doing some heavy modding, whether it be stereo or performance, Base would be the way to go as others have said, since you would be wasting money on buying the BOSE system and other options you may eventually replace. I bought a base for the fact that my budget was a very big factor, I didn't like those steering wheel controls, and I didn't want to press a button to turn off my traction control every time I started the car. I drive my 350Z daily and I never have any problems with no traction control, no premium sound, or cruise control. I am also one of those people that never use the cruise control so it doesn't bother me at all.

The only thing you want to make sure is that if you get a base model, make sure you get the dealership to throw on a rear spoiler for free if your base model doesnt have one on it! Other than that you will be very happy with the Base model. You will still turn heads and you will smile everytime you see your car!

 

I got a base. I drive it in the snow/rain too. Just gotta be careful. I added HID's for $300. I plan/hope to add an aftermarket LSD in the future. Basically those were the only two things that would have made me buy an Enthusiast model.

 

you ain't lying TCS saved my life plenty of times.

 

Base=Gay!

 

Some still don't. How bout a driver's car like the s2000?

 

I remember seeing a video of a S2000 lose control on a twisty mountain road, the backend flicked out without any warnings, he went across the coming lane and down the mountain but luckily his car was stopped by a tree. Was still pretty scary to watch, subconsciously that might be one of the reasons why I started this thread.

 

better cars? what can you get for 32k thats better than a 06' Z? dont say sti or evo, those are cheap looking rice cars.. what can you get for around 30-32k that is sporty and has 300hp? not anything brand new that has the class of the Z..