In regards to VDC, Traction control is what will save you most of the time. I had a stability control on my CL and it never kicked in once. I've never lost control of my Z without VDC and I've had it for 9 months now. Just don't drive stupid in the rain and you'll be fine.

I went with an Enthusiast as it was the best bang for the $ IMO

 

Enthusiast thats what I have with performance 18 inchers, Ares couldnt have said it better it has everything you need.

 

Performance......VDC + 18" wheels + tire pressure monitor. small price big upgrade.

 

Hmm... so it seems to be almost a tie between the Performance and Enthusiast. Just personal preference with most about the VDC option on the Performance.

Itll all come down to money though!!!

 

Looks more like a lot more are leaning towards the enthus. to me.

Close though.

Again, it is if you want VDC or not.

 

Enthusiast

1) I'm on my best behavior driving on bad weather (rain)
2) Have to have 19" rims
3) I have my own $5 tire pressure gauge

I have not dug into details on the technicalities of VDC but it sounds to me and based on what I've read solely from this thread that I won't need it; refer to 1)

Can anyone even quantify just how much driving negligence on the rain would a VDC allow? I'm not trying to degrade its worth, but rather curious on how many folks actually understand its mechanism.

 

Base, if you plan on modding, that is.

 

"Can anyone even quantify just how much driving negligence on the rain would a VDC allow? I'm not trying to degrade its worth, but rather curious on how many folks actually understand its mechanism."

I can say that with VDC on...I CAN'T get my car to lose control in the rain (havent tried jerking the wheel at 40+MPH yet though).

I thought I understood VDC until this thread. I know that TC will help you hook up both in the rain and on dry asphalt. I haven't driven an Enthu in the rain so I can't speak to it's TC ability in incliment conditions.

With my VDC on, the computer will cut engine power and brake (I think I can feel it) if I take a turn too fast or nail the gas at an inoppourtune time. If I turn it off, I can easily spin in the rain. With VDC switched OFF in the Perf, the car should act like an Enthu right? (i.e. VDC OFF AND TC ON still)??

Either model represents a good value. I sure wouldnt pay for the tire pressure sensors if I didnt have to...also I think the 17s actually look pretty nice, I could be very happy with an Enthu, but I found a great deal on my Perf...works for me!!!

 

Performance is a good choice if you want the VDC, rims, and tire-pressure monitor. I got it because of the 18 inch wheels. People that don't want to get new wheels should definitely go with the performance.

 

I have a Performance and feel the Enthusiast is the best value for the average driver. It has every thing the average driver needs.

Base - Not suitable for the average driver because it doesn't have cruise control.

Performance - I think I am an average driver and to me the VDC is very intrusive. You can't dig out - you can't play in the ice and snow - I have pushed it some in the wet to try to engage it but nothing happens. I am sure if you make a moron mistake it will come on but in most cases like that you are already in big trouble. If you turn it off you also lose TC which is another minus. I have had the tire feathering problem and my tire monitors get messed up everytime I get tire work done.

Track - In my opinion the poorest value for the money. If you are only going to track your car once in awhile the standard brakes are OK. If you are going to track it a lot the Brembo's aren't good enough. Buy the base model and start modding.

 

No...when you turn switch off VDC it turns off both, so it's difficult to tell which is more responsible. I still think that traction control is the more important, relevant system for driving in wet weather, whereas VDC is more helpful in high speed cornering. There is definately some overlap between the two though, so it's hard to say.

 

why don't you guys like Touring model???

 

It's not that the touring model is not liked, just that it is genarally not perceived as the best value. For instance, the premium for the Enthusiast over the Base model is $1980, which buys you HID headlights, limited slip differential, traction control, cruise control, aluminum pedals, Homelink transceiver, dual vanity mirrors and auto-dimming mirror. For a premium of $2180 over the Enthusiast the Performance adds VDC, 18" wheels and tire pressure monitors. For a premium of $4930 over the Enthusiast the Touring adds leather seats, Bose stereo system, power seats, heated seats, heated mirrors, VDC, 18" wheels and tire pressure monitors. For a premium of $5820 over the Enthusiast the Track adds front and rear spoilers, Brembo brakes and Rays 18" lightweight wheels, VDC and tire pressue monitors.

I guess for many it's just that the stuff you get for the $1980 Enthusiast premium or the $2180 Performance premium seems more justified than the stuff for the $4930 Touring premium.

To me, the Enthusiast is the best value, but that's contingent on the options I like. The HID headlights, LSD, traction control and cool pedals seem worth the $1980 difference. I don't care about the other stuff. I don't think the Performance is as good a value because I don't like the 18" wheels any better than the 17" ones (in fact, I like the 17s better), so to me I would be paying $2180 for VDC and tire pressure monitors...not a very good value.

So it all depends on what you perceive as valuable. Personally I think it's hard to deny that the Enthusiast package offers the most bang for the buck.

 

for me it would come down to whether or not i need cruise control. from what i've read in other threads, it doesn't seem like there is a big, noticeable difference between having tcs/lsd or not. i actually care about the aluminum pedals, but i could install those later.

 

I think all the models are priced well. Comes down to what you want. I was going to get a perf. but bumped up to a touring due to availability. Have never looked back. And I like my leather seats BTW. This winter i'm looking forward to the heated seats and such. The Bose still sucks. Oh well.

 

BASE was the right choice for me....

 

My first new car was a 68 malibu conv my dad said the more options you get the more things to go wrong.If I went top of the line(396)the malibu which I still have it would be worth 15,000 to 20,000 more today.I plan on keeping the Z so I bought the brickyard touring.You guys are right though its not worth the price for the extra's if you not worried about resale or keeping the Z for a while.Just my opinon!!

 

All of the Z models have the same motor, it doesn't matter.

 

OK...I have Performance model. I think Enthu is probably the best value after reading this thread. Although...I doubt I will add rims anytime soon, so I am glad that I have the 18" rims.

 

I agree but its something about the 18 inch 6 spokes that look good and more aftermarket, plus my wife liked style similiar to the Maxima SE rims but a 1 larger she like sto match,lol!