Everyone says that the Enthusiast is the best buy, but I am wondering if the Performance is worth the couple extra grand. I am going to put aftermarkets rims and tires on it very soon after purchase so the wheel size is not an issue. Dealers around the DC area have plenty of both models so I should be able to get the one I want.

 

I got the performance... I think ITS the best value

You get 18" rims, tire pressure monitors, and VDC which is a life saver in shitty weather. The car throws its rear end out quite easily unless you warm the tires up.

-slay

 

Don't be fooled...This topic has been worn out. The Enthusiast is indeed the best model. Especially if you're getting rid of you wheels. VDC...please...TCS is all you need. Who need a monitor for your tire...It's either flat or not. You can also get 18's if you get manual. Save that dough for your wheels....I did.

 

I have to agree, I think the Enthusiast is the best value. If you are changing your wheels out why get the Performance. As for the VDC don't know if it's worth it. There are a couple of post where the car would still go out of control with the VDC. I guess it's an added option but not sure if it's worth the price. (Also the VDC can only do so much so if the car is push hard enough it can go out of control with or without VDC)

 

I own a Performance with which I'm real pleased. However, no doubt in my mind Enthusiast is most bang for the buck....esp if your gonna buy aftermarket wheels.

In my case I wanted a Brickyard without spoiler and I wanted it now. All the Enthus I found in NorCal had the bloody spoiler so I grabbed the Perf. No regrets but if I could have found an Enthus Brick w/o spoiler thats what I would have bought. 18 inchers on the wheeles are cooler than I though.

 

If you're swapping wheels, then obviously Enthusiast is a fine choice. But if you aren't, the combination of factors going for the Performance model is, in my opinion, worth the cost.

VDC hauls *** with the rear end. It won't save you from every situation, but I've used it enough to avoid about a dozen accidents in cold weather. And with regards to the tire pressure monitor, you may not need it, but it's definitely nice to have ^_^

-slay

 

Your know when discussing tire/wheels I've driven both the enth and perf for semi long periods of time and I have got to say I actually prefer the 17in wheels to the 18in. Not only in ride quality but also in handling the 17in are superior in my book. The 17in obviously fall short in the looks category.

 

Hey jrreed350togo...what kind of wheels are those??? I like those ALOT!!! I'm looking for some nice wheels to put on my redline Z...I think those would look great!!

 

Yeah..... What kind of rims are those? They're mad tight. 19"s?
Thanks

 

thats why in a year or 2 its mandatory that all cars have TPM. that statement is untrue, low pressure can cause various problems including rapid tread wear and reduced MPG. too many people think as long as there is air in the tire its fine. that is not true.

now whether you need a monitor to tell you every time... eh, no; they sell little things for about a buck that will do the job, but the monitor is kinda fun, and people always go oooooh, thats cool.

I got touring which is basicly performance, I love VDC, it seems useless till you turn it off, then its pure gold. hard to put a price on safety, regaurdless of how small the benifit. if it can save my bacon once out of 1000 times, its money well spent IMO.

18" wheels... a nescessary evil Im afraid, heavy as hell, but you cant do anything about it. Ill sell em when I have enough money for some TE37s, but I do wish I could have saved the dough and gotten the 17s on the car from the factory.

 

I believe those are SSR GT3's.

I can't tell you the actual size though...looks to be 19X9 in rear and 19X8 in front...offset, I have no idea

I love the lip though

 

The tire pressure monitor is f-ing sweet!

 

The wheels are indeed SSR GT3's...19x8.5/245/35 front and 19x10/275/35 rear. For more info and pics go to the Wheel and Tire section or do a search. If you can't find it let me know.

 

Thanks, chikai and jreed350togo. Tight @$$ rims my friend. I will look into something like those.

As for the tire pressure issue:

It is a sweet feature for something that is very important.

 

I have to agree with ares and NeptuneZ on the tire pressure monitor comments...

It is VERY important. Had a slow leak in one of my tires from hitting road debris within 2 weeks of having my Z. There was no physical appearance difference between 15lb, 35lbs, and 50lbs of inflation!!! If not for the tire pressure monitor, I would not have been able to tell I had a leak until the tire was completely flat.

You simply could not tell by looking at the tire. Straight on, on level ground, you probably could detect the overinflation, but not the underinflation. That would only become apparent as the wheel wears.

As for the VDC, I do believe it is safer than just TDC. It helps control the car through curves, on slick surfaces, etc. I don't even drive my Z in adverse weather and considered this a must have. I think you will find, with maybe one or two exceptions, that those who have had mishaps with a VDC-equipped Z were driving two fast for conditions anyways. VDC is not a free ticket to drive like hell in crappy weather, it is there to ensure you are less likely to have a mishap when driving responsibly. More often, I think it would come into play when other drivers do something unexpected than when you are driving in the rain.

If you want performance bang for your buck, go for the Enthusiast.

If you want a better all-around package, go with the Performance.

Changing wheels should have little to do with your decision...

 

This post keeps coming up to the top and I've kept ignoring it because both cars have their performance to value qualities.

The Performance model is the same as track sans the Brembo brakes and the aero package. I don't need the Brembros since I don't do a lot of braking resulting in fade nor do I need zero lift aero package since my speeds are usually under 100 mph.

I like the VDC for my daily canyon commute and aggressive driving. It worked well when I took a 90 degree turn a little too fast at 60 mph, probably saving me from slamming into a canyon wall. Tire pressure monitor worked to notify me that I needed more air during the colder months. Between the wheels and Nav, my car cost as much as a track or touring so $$ really isn't 1st priority.

The only thing I think I'd like from another Z class is possibly the leather seats and heated mirrors. Big rotors and calipers would be nice but I can't see spending $4-5k for a set. Maybe $2k for the fronts but that might look wierd. There's not much I'd add to Z except for the ECU. After that, I'd consider the Nismo SC and the Nismo wing if I had some extra cash floating around. (The wing only if I added ECU and/or SC.)

 

I have to disagree. IMO the Performance is the "best bang 4 the buck"!
1. VDC is extremely important to me and a "Very worthwhile option for any car on the planet...PERIOD! As I have driven the car more and more (have had mine for nearly 5 months now) I have come to realize as with any rear wheel drive sports car, the rear end breaks looks easily, and the Z is right on up there with the easiest to break loose. And I'm talking on dry pavement, let's not even talk about the rain!
2. Tire pressure monitor: Well, as you know, I've mounted up my 19's along with the sensors, and truthfully, it's more handy than a neccesity. But still very nice, particularly if you will be mounting up even "lower profile" tires, which damn near look like their on flat most of the time.
3. Let's not forget about those "sweetascanbe" Xenons a.k.a. H.I.D. lighting sytem non-present on the Enthusiast! It'll run you @ $500 minimum to add this aftermarket.

TX

 

enthusiast has h.i.d. txstyle

 

Actually the Enthusiast does come with the Xenon headlights.