OK, I am a newbie to the this site and to the Z. I am very interested in getting the Z but can only affors the base model. Can someone tell me the things that the base model doesnt have vrs. the higher priced model? I know it doesnt have the LSD but i had planned on getting putting an after-market one on. Does anyone use the traction controll on there cars? I dont want to spend the money on a car model that i may end up regretting later. Thanks in advance!

 

Nothing wrong with the Base model. A Z is better than no Z... if engine performance was less than the other levels then I would be apprehensive about the Base, but this is not the case.

 

for me the only thing that would keep me from the base is cruise control. but if you don't do a lot of like 50+ mile trips then it's not an issue. millions of people have safely driven billions of miles without traction control or lsd. aluminum pedals are pretty cool though. if I didn't care about cruise control, i would buy the base, install aluminum pedals, and install aftermarket leather.

 

An LSD and traction control is a whole lot more cool then aluminum pedals and or cruise control IMO.

But for the price, the base Z is not bad. Why not pay what you can and finance the rest for the enthusiats? Then again, you may not need traction control and or an LSD, or HID headlights.

Traction control does make everyday driving much more safe, HID's are just bad ***. Buying an aftermarkjet LSD and installing it would cost a WHOLE lot more then just buying an enthusiats.

For $1,980 I think it was? You get, LSD, TCS, HID's, aluminum pedals, cruise control and more? No better value then that IMO.

Not trying to bash any other models (base), please no one take anythign I said the wrong way. Just my opinion.

 

Oh and I don't doubt that an aftermarket LSD may be better. But hey, unless your some hardcore road racer, I don't think it would be that big of a deal and not cost effective.

Again, just my opinion.

 

https://my350z.com/forum/showthread....0&pagenumber=1

Might want to take a look at that thread.

Also, I'm sure the base is a great car as well and is just as much of a blast to own as any other.

 

I have a base. I have aftermarket HID. No plans on putting LSD yet.

Having driven an old mazda mpv (91 model) previously, I feel like this base Z already has everything I want. I wasn't worried about not having VDC, TCS, and/or LSD. I've driven that van in the snow with none of those features and I did just fine. And plus the most important thing for me was that the base had the same performance as any model. That's what sold me.

 

Nothing wrong with the base model but for hte price diff i would get the Enth model. I ended up getting the base model myelf just cause i couldnt find an enth model in a stick and didnt feel like waiting.

 

That's true, but was the MPV front wheel drive? That will be the only issue in driving in the snow. Although I believe that no amount of LSD or TCS will help you when it's snowing. The laws of Physics can't be trumped with technology.

 

those model yrs of the MPV were RWD

 

For a total cost of $28,000, excl. taxes, I have a base with leather, aluminum pedals, aero kit, alum. kick plates, splash guards, mats and luggage net. Living in San Diego, I probably don't need the traction control as much and I hardly ever use cruise control in my other car. I think that my car is a tremendous value and am very happy.

 

get a base and mod it to the hilt! it will be so much better than anything you buy stock at the dealer.

 

Thanks alot guys! I may end up buying the base model and getting the aftermarket LSD. The HID are cool but I plan on saving the extra money to mod the car. As far as leather goes i plan to put in recaro seats in anyways. Thanks Again for your feedback

 

good luck finding a base model with no mark up...

its easier to find other models with no mark up then a base...

i hear...

 

really, dealer's are still marking up the z? i haven't seen any, but if so that's ridiculous.

 

base plus LSD (install) = more then an enthusiast probably. Id think...

May be better then the enthus. LSD too but still more. But then again I could be wrong?

Leather? Bah, I wouldnt want leather anyways (not that I don't think it's nice as hell) I'd be to pissed when it started to wear on the bolster and such. Plus you stick to the carbon cloth better.