im between 2 350z's right now... 1 touring model and 1 enthusiast

Only thing holding me back is the VDC...

i live in colorado and it snows a bit... randomly and rains not a whole a lot..

opinions?

 

The one time the VDC kicks in and saves you...It will be worth it. It doesn't take much snow for the Z to get too tail happy. It's nice to have the training wheels on sometimes. + I'm willing to bet that insurance will be a little cheaper as well.

 

Doesn't the enthusiast have TCS which essentially prevents tail swing.

My understand is that VDC helps correct things when your whole car is sliding out of control. For just tail-swing stuff, TCS prevents that.

 

How many high HP vehicles have you owned and driven in your environment?

If the answer is none, I'd recommend getting the VDC. Even in the best of conditions, the rear wheel power can be overwhelming sometimes.

Also, if it will be primarily a daily driver, I'd recommend it.

 

mmm... i mean there will be couple of days ... in light snow.. but in heavy snow ill try to get another car to drive... so yeah ... VDC that important still ?

 

If you're accustomed to driving performance vehicles, then I'd say no, you should have no problems without VDC. If this is your first sports car, then it'd probably be strong advised to go with the VDC.

VDC is switchable, so you can turn it "off" when you want more control over the rear wheels. I say off in quotes because I've read several threads debating whether it actually turns off or not, but for the layman driver, off is off, for a tuner/racer off may not be as off as is desired. The main point of the debate is whether all of the VDC capabilities are disabled when the VDC Off button is engaged.

 

Cars were

Tundra ---> WRX ---> WRX STi ---> now... whatever 350z i choose.

so i mean i guess ive had performance vehicles... but none RWD?

Oh just a weird random question

Does nissan dealerships offer a full detail on your car if you bring it in and pay cash? and if they do... how much do they charge? The touring i saw... was IMO dirty inside..(not as in seats...) but like just dust and dirt in places that i would normally expect clean.

 

read through this. talks about the base coupe not even having any traction control, VDC, and LSD, and how people love it..

https://my350z.com/forum/2003-2009-nissan-350z/178108-base-coupe-any-regrets.html

 

They will probably/most likely detail it when you buy it. I'd be pissed if they didn't. Though many people won't let the dealerships wash the exterior. The Z's have notoriously delicate paint.

 

oh the car was from a private seller

 

If your going to drive Z in snow/ice VDC is good!

 

Don't expect any favors. The only reason the dealerships do it is for the PR. I suspect if the planned to detail it they would've before the listing.

 

If you drive in the snow the VDC is awesome

 

I always turn it off otherwise

 

oooh you're going to miss the AWD in cold weather !
You will have to learn something new --> being easy on the throttle.

The VDC is neat to have but can't work miracle. Get good winter tires regardless.

About TCS, it does nothing to prevent/aid fishtailing of the rear end. It just minimise wheel spin.

 

I drive a Enthusiast without VDC. 40,000 miles. Its a wonder I am still alive.

 

If you are are going to drive the Z in the snow/ice life insurance is good!

 

ask yourself how good of a driver are you? you live where it snows so i would sugguest getting the VDC.

 

VDC is a driver aid, not a make me a better driver switch and will not help someone who drives above his/her limits.

In daily driving, VDC should never come ON if the driver uses common sense and drives well, even during spirited stints. (Which says a lot on the driving skill of people complaining it “always comes ON”).

I say that because many people think they don’t need VDC because they are “good” drivers (which they usually are not). The Z doesn’t need VDC. It nice to have it in the modern jungle. And it does save lives.

I don’t need side curtain airbags either. Or ABS or any other safety features and I don’t rely on them while I’m driving. But I'm glad they are there.

I’m not referring to anybody in particular, just making a statement.

As for VDC being good in the snow. Last time I did hit snow, I had to turn it OFF just to get the car moving…

 

This is understandable in the snow. But driving in the rain, when i made a turn, i really had to *punch* it to get the tail moving lol...maybe it was just me, but i've hardly driven in the rain with the z; oh, and TCS was off, just to test it out