eeZee

Suppose I can get a good price on a base 2006 model. It's the same price as 2005 Enthusiast with some miles.
I wanted the Enthusiast for VLSD, traction control, and cruise control.
This will be a year-round daily driver in Canada (meaning, snow in the winter) and it will be a toy for track days.
I would certainly add Nismo LSD to keep warranty and get some performance.

Would you recommend a base model? Can you add traction control to it? Is it an engine module modification or much more than that?

Thanks.

imseksy

the nismo LSD is an r-tune component. it can void your warranty.

hardrock905

I would always go for the enthusiast over the base.

Zquicksilver

iTrader: (5)

I picked up a 04_BASE.... DD and no regrets!

Blizzaks 5-6months out of the year give me plenty of traction control... we're still wrapping up a cold winter here in Chicago.

Pick up a used VLSD (w/ low miles) in the Classifieds... and swap in a 3.9FD! You will have an edge right of the line and in my opinion its the best bang for the buck modification. It's better than any "air" mod or ECU tweak on a n/a setup.


GL and have fun!
Zquicksilver

eeZee

I have to confess that I am not into heavy modding. I like factory options, which is why I wanted Enthusiast all along.

But this is certainly an interesting dilemma:
06 Base with 12k miles OR 05 Enthusiast with 28k miles.
They are both same price... I just can't decide.

eeZee

Even if it is a factory accessory and installed by a Nissan dealer?

jonnylaw

iTrader: (3)

Yea/sort of--all r-tune parts are for race use and come w/ no warranty from nissan, and thus it will void your warrantu, but only to the point that the dealer can prove that the r-tune mod is the cause of the resulting damage that you are trying to claim under factory warranty. Hope that helps. Im installing nismo headers and the dealer cannot warranty the part, but can warranty the service (which may help some things if something should go wrong later).

gabez33

iTrader: (7)

go for the 05 enthu...the torque is sooo much better,

91ZCpe

iTrader: (1)

i wish my dad would sell you his 06 enth with 5900 miles and pick up an 07...its so tempting.

good luck finding a car!

bofa

iTrader: (23)

Don't get an 06 and if you do don't do any engine modifications until there is a release for the oil consumption problem.

https://my350z.com/forum/engine-and-drivetrain/232332-revup-oil-consumption-tsb-and-discussion.html

If you can swing it, try for an 07.

But to answer your question, you can mod an 06 just like any other year. Adding traction control would be nearly impossible after the fact. If you plan to drive in the snow, a RWD car may not be the best idea but if you do it, get a set of snow tires and take it easy

shinkuu

iTrader: (4)

i would go with a base.

cruise control is nice but eh.
the lsd sucks when u actually need to use it (i.e. track)
and TCS is also a POS. I wish i woulda gotten the base instead specially since the 06 has HID headlights and led tail lights as well as the autodimming mirror. i bought an enthusiast for the same reasons you want it for. i come to find that i never use cruise control (thats just me), I coulda gotten a real LSD and i ALWAYS turn the TCS off at track.

for the price difference, u can get urself a LSD and some nice sticky tires.

FastZ33

iTrader: (29)

very well. look at my sig hehe

The Brickyard Rat

iTrader: (1)

If your not into modding you are FAR BETTER off with Enthusiast. LSD & TCS count in snow/ice.

whatever you buy, have good mechanic look at it.

eeZee

Thanks for all the input. So, the summary is:

2006 Base
- 18" rims (yes, they are heavier)
- upgraded HIDs
- LED tail lights
- better seat material
- improved interior
- heated mirrors
- larger brake rotors
- engine speed-sensitive steering
- 1 extra year of warranty
- 12k miles
- + cost of adding LSD
- no cruise or traction control
- less torque
- rev-up engine - potential oil consumption issue
- Nissan dealer sale

2005 Enthusiast
- factory VLSD
- cruise control
- traction control
- 28k miles
- no common known issues (the best of used model years)
- private party sale (I'd have to pay for 3rd party inspection. I assume I can buy from Nissan dealer with peace of mind??)


The car will see 4 months of winter driving (on snow tires, of course), a few autocrosses and track days.
I'm starting to like this 06 idea.

davidv

iTrader: (2)

I don’t know which model suits your needs, but I can tell you what members are driving.

The Brickyard Rat

iTrader: (1)

" I assume I can buy from Nissan dealer with peace of mind??"

I would not. They are trying to sell you a car. Third party, man.

shinkuu

iTrader: (4)

have you considered an 07 base model too?

king67rsss

iTrader: (4)

+1 on the advice that Bofa gave you. I am in the process of getting rid of my 06 base because of the oil consumption issues.

TurboTrey

You can't mod a 2006 base, they have a chip in them that keeps you from doing that. The upgrade to the Enthusiast has this taken off.

05-Z

iTrader: (4)

^

.....I would go with the base.