I am purchasing a Z real soon... I need your opinion on if I should go with a Base Z or an Enthusiast...

I know the Base is naked, but it is lighter and cheaper...

The Enthusiast on the other hand comes with slip differ,,,, and traction control, xenon headlights, and small other stuff...
is it worth it????? the extra money for this..

Anyone with an Enthusiast, do you really use the slip differ, or even the traction control...????

 

My dealer (Fremont Nissan, Fremont CA) swore that you can't get a base model, even if you order the car.

I have the Enthusiast and it's worth it for the Xenon's and Traction control, plus the limited slip diff.

I think it's only around $1500 more than base, and if base really does not exist then you are pretty much stuck.

 

everyday you drive, you use the LSD. the hid headlights are really nice. i think enthusiasts is the best models to mod just because its more or less a base except with a couple goodies that definitely help the car out whether its appearance or performance. if you were planning to go out race, then the base would be the best model to get since you would get an aftermarket LSD and you dont need the other stuff.

 

I have a brickyard base and think it is the best buy for your money as long as you're not into serious racing and can do without a cruise control. The limited slip differential , cruise control and HID headlights are what you get for the extra $2k. As a daily driver, base is best.

 

i believe most folks on here would say go for the Enthusiast; not that much more $$$ in the big pic & you get alot for it.

In looking thru NorCali dealers on the net I was surprised to see 5 or 6 Base models scattered around.

 

Well, I will just see what happens... Right now, I have a 2k2 maxima that I love to death, but the Z stole my heart... plus I am tired of a four door, and want a 2door Rear Wheel Drive...

I am going to the dealer and see whats available... if they have a Base Datoyna Blue, then I will purchase that, but if they don't and there is a Enthusiast Datoyna Blue then thats what I'll get...

and about the LSD, I probably won't use it, and neither the cruise control... i never use that option at all.... i am a daily driver and i don't go to the track,... so whatever is available will be my option the extra 2k isn't a big deal, as long as its daytona Blue, thats the only color i will get...

thanks for the replies...

 

you dont really have the option of using the LSD when its on the car already, everytime you floor it or launch the car or apply some gas around a corner you are using the LSD.

 

ever seen my cousin vinny? they explain LSD sorta, in a car with this much power, the way the differential works is that if one tire were to be taken off the ground, it would spin twice as fast, same princible applies to if one tire had more traction, just one tire would spin leaving the other(that still has traction) much less power, bad for almost everything. LSD wont let 1 tire spin like that, it locks up the diff, making it a solid axle more or less, so they both HAVE to spin, much tougher to do.

this cannot be turned off, there is no reason youd want it turned off, because its only a limited slip, it wont cause problems when you turn as a straight axle would. meaning the outside tire of a turn will spin faster than the inside tire, and it allows this.

anyway, LSD is a very good thing.

and between HID, Homelink, TCS, LSD, and cruise control, the jump from base to enthusiast IMO is the best jump there is. it gives you the creature comforts of a semi luxury car along with some performance items.

 

02nismo,

You might want to check dealers in your general area for more choices (rather than just rely on one dealer's inventory).

Go to the Nissan site; you can check current inventory at any dealer in the country.

I wanted a Brickyard with no spoiler; I found mine at a dealer 300 miles away thru the Nissan site. My broker made the deal & I had the car driven to my house. By the way, to get the Brick w/no spoiler I had to go up the Performance model; I had been shooting for the Enthusiast.

Hoping not sounding to pushy here but I'd encourage you to get the Enthusiast; it clearly gives you the most car for the money.

 

I've had a base model for six months now and I'm satisfied that I didn't pay the extra 2K for the enthusiast. I'm a fairly conservative driver and the weather is normally good in CA so I don't think I really need the LSD/traction control. I also never use cruise control so I don't think the xtra 2K would be worth it for me.

 

If there are 2 Z's on the lot, 1 base and 1 enthusaist, and the enthusiast is ONLY 2K more than the base, then I think it's good to go ahead and get the Z.. but if the dealer is tryin to screw you and the enthu. model has this and that added on by the dealer, I would just get the base.

The traction control just might save you from getting into an accident one day. but the HID, since we can get aftermarket HIDs for about 400 bucks, its not a big deal. If I do get the enthu. model one day, it would be beause of the LSD and the traction control.

 

This argument is never going to die.

Bottomline do what you want.

Of the different models we have in US. We have the most choices.

If you believe you want a "true sports car" with no frills get a BASE.

If you want some creature comforts like xenon lights, aluminum petals, cruise control and TCS. Get the Enthusiast.

The TCS is nice to have if you are learning to drive a RWD for the first time.

Either way on the LSD since you can add it. It makes a difference when you are cornering and the one of the rear wheels is loosing grip it will transfer some of the power to the other side.


Good luck with your purchase... BTW 2k over 5 year ain't that much.

 

thanks for all the replies guys...
you have really help me to decide... i think the extra 2k for the enthusiast is worth it...

i will go to the dealer and see whats available... if they don't have an enthusiast and they have a base, then Base it is,
but i made up my mind and will have my eyes on the Enthusiast...
hope they have a Enthusiast on the lot or will get one soon???

thanks again for the info....

 

i don't think you can have a one wheel drive "true sports car"