There are always cheaper alternatives but considering you have to go to a junk yeard pay cash/credit card for the parts (hope they work correctly) and have them installed (the majority of Z owners)

I doubt you found a set of Forged 19X10 inch wheels in the junkyard though --- some cast cheapies for sure but quality forged wheels go for at least 500 a piece used and 750-850 new

The point being you can get all of that included in a monthly payment and have everything NEW and guaranteed to work properly with a warranty

Are the stock brembos the best --- no, is the LSD the best --- no

But I dont have to pay $80-100 an hour for a diff install or brake install

I did enough scouring when I owned my modded Civic hatch --- I wanted a well equipped Z from the factory ---- I could easily sell my front brakes and use the money towards an upgrade ---- but who wants base model brakes? Same thing with the diff and the wheels (although the one piece volks would be tough to beat)

I think the enthusiast makes the most sense because the features you get for the money are well worth it

Being in the car business for some time I can tell you base models always have the worst resale value ratios compared to the mid-high grade models

 

Why you say that?

 

Say your going to buy a car

There are two to choose from

One has power windows, door locks, cruise etc...

The other one doesnt

MOST people prefer the options, this in turn creates more demand for that car which increases its value over the non power car

Multiply that choice by thousands of people and you see why demand is higher for the mid grade model even though there are fewer base models to go around --- all things being constant there should be a higher demand for the car with lower production numbers but its the opposite with base models

Now if your keeping the car 10-15 years it shouldnt matter too much but after 20-30 years when things become classics youll see it the most obvious because thats when the high grade low volume models become more sought after and demand is steady or increasing for them and their are fewer and fewer available

You could have bought a base model Skyline in the late 50's but the top model full option car would be worth an exponentially greater number than a base model for this very reason and another reason I bought the track model

 

Serg, I didn't mean anything by my comments. I actually thinks it's cool to have the best model. It always has the glamorous feel of it being the best. Believe me, if I had the money and lived in the US were cars are cheap, I would've gotten the track. However, were I live in the Caribbean area we have to pay for shipping plus a lot of taxes, sometimes 40%.

To give you an idea on some examples:
1- C6 Z06 = $118k
2- 06 Viper = $125k
3- My 350z base model 2003 = $38k with spoiler, drilled pedals, skid plates and floor mats. Obviously I bought it new.

So you see, cars here are expensive. However, in terms of insurance, I paid $1200 for full cover my first year and now since the car has depreciated I'm paying $858 annualy.

Here are some pics of my car. The rims, Brembos, rotors and everything is from an original track. I know its not a geniuine track model, I'm just looking for a light setup and to me there is nothing like the engineering of factory parts. And rims and brakes are the best aspects of the track model. And ZI know they are expensive. The geniuine Rays in Nissan here charge $2000 for EACH rim.

 

the made Skyline's in the 50s?

 

Yes, the Enthusiast model is a fat pig

Man Trans - 350Z: 3,339 Enth: 3,346

Auto Trans - N/A Enth: 3,444

 

The only thing on my mind when buying a new Z.... was how much I was going to get when selling it...

Seriously?

Half the people who have Z's don't even know which flavor they have(yes this site is an exception since everyone here is at least somewhat of an enthusiast). I bet you could get more out of a base model than it's worth simply because the sheer number of stupid consumers out there who wouldn't know the difference.

Check KBB value and compare the price differences between models of new and used. According to kelley blue book base models hold their value better.

No offense, but resale value has to be the worst reason ever to buy a particular model.

 

I'm never selling my BASE Z! Plus I got a new engine at 29k.

 

haha

Reminds me of all the users who come in here asking what model they have when the dealer told them it was one thing, they thought it was another, but it turns out to be something totally different. Honestly, I think most people when buying this car either look for leather/Bose or no leather/Bose. They are not really going to know the difference between a base, enthusiast, and track model. And if the dealer is not a Nissan dealership, I highly doubt they will either.

 

Nice find. Thanks roast for the confidence boost.

 

Man! You guys have power windows *and* door locks! I knew I should have gotten something above the base.

-Chicken (is tired of cranking his windows up and down)

 

Well it's worth it if you want the LSD.

 

base doesn't have power windows and door locks?

 

thats funny... my base has Xenons, 18" anniver rims, climate cntrl, 300hp, ABS, EBD, pdl, pw, keyless, and aluminum pedals.

i paid $25,500 plus tax.

 

do 350z have engine immobilizer as well? i'm curious to know how "well protected" i am from the factory? or is it better to invest in viper alarm systems?

older cars obviously didn't have immobilizers, thats why you see alot of them running aftermarket units....how are the factory immobilizers holding up so far?

 

yup... the only main difference between base and enthus is TCS/LSD and some mirror dimming, cruise, and some other ****...

 

Yes, they all have them. It was a joke.

 

They all have an immobilizer, but as for protection from break in and article theft, well lets just say you don't want to leave that Barry Manalow CD sitting on the passenger seat.

Chris

 

just get an enthusiast and make your life simple, rather then spending money on lsd later down the road.

 

well, how about theft wise? i mean, any thief can break open the window...and steal any open items lying around...but how is the factory immobilizer holding up with theft? i'm more concerned about the whole car gettin stolen....as for breaking in and stealing open items, well that can happen to anybody, and thieves can get away easily from that...so can't really protect yourself from that...