is the VDC and tire montior and the 18" wheels worth the upgrade.
I will eventually replace the wheels anyway.
so comes down to VDC.

Please give me both pros and cons.
If the pros are good enuff then the money will be well spent.
let's hear some real live experiences from those who own the cars.

raja

 

One more thing to consider is that if you want the Nav option, you will need to go with the Performance model. You cannot get an Enthusiast with factory navigation.

You've already ruled out the 18" wheels, so all it boils down to is the tire pressure monitor and the VDC. Is that worth the extra several thousand dollars to you?

 

i don't care so much for the navigation.
VDC is kinda something I need to think about cuz i am not the best driver out there and just might need that to keep me on the road. Is it boils down to how well does it really work.
that's why i put th thread out there to find out more about this technology.

 

If you have to depend on VDC to "keep you on the road", then you probably need to make some changes or improvements in your driving habits before buying a car like a Z.

Seriously - VDC is there to help you, but it's not a be-all end-all cure for poor driving skills. And it really shouldn't be the deciding point between buying a Performance versus an Enthusiast model. If you think you need the help VDC may offer you, then go for it, but you may be sorely disappointed.

 

It's worth it IMHO - - I went with the performance model to get the 18" wheels, tire pressure monitors, VDC, and I've never been sorry - good luck

 

sz28r,
how much did u end up paying for your Z?
please advise.

 

MSRP - no dealing when I bought mine


2003 Nissan 350Z Performance - 6 speed

Wholesale MSRP
Base Price: $28,235 $30,530
Destination: $540 $540
Total Price: $28,775 $31,070

(from cars.com)

 

Will you be driving the car in inclement weather? If your going to use the Z as a daily driver, I would recommend the VDC and TPM.

 

it's gonna be a daily driver, but i live in VA. the weather is not so bad. But i think i should get it anyway.

thanks guys.

 

Both are great value. I dont plan on upgrading the rims, and I kiknda like my VTC, so the Perf was a good buy for me. The VTC does work very well, and is nice to have in inclement weather, especially if the Z is your daily driver. Tire pressure sensors are cool, but not anything I would spend extra money on.

You can certainly drive a Z with no problem without the VTC, but VTC just means you can slack off and relax more in the rain, etc.

 

exactly my thoughts on the whole matter.
i can turn it off when i want to go nuts and when and in rainy weather I don't have to worry so much.

 

Erp, I have to disagree. I think the Enthusiast is a better deal. I personally dislike the VDC. Its not as effective as similar systems on other cars like the Bimmer or the Mercs. To me, if you can remember to lift your foot off the gas when you're in trouble, then you've got human VDC which is exactly what the VDC does anyways.

The enthusiast comes with the LSD. The stock wheels whether 17's or 18's aren't mind blowing to look at. A lot of people will probably change them out eventually. Plus your car will be faster on 17's. The tire pressure system is fancy and nice, but a $4.00 gauge from an auto parts store will accomplish the same task.

With the $2,200 difference, you could probably buy nicer rims with the diff.

Thats my .02

 

you're compairing $60k cars with our $30k. of course you're going to have a difference in the quality.

i think the vdc works pretty well. *shrugs*

i personally like all of the options. but really it all boils down to perceived value. if you think hte wheels, vdc, and tire preasure gauges are worth it, then spend the extra money.

 

the performance model really isn't worth it.

either go with enthu or track. the stock brembos/wheels are worth the premium. even if you upgrade wheels, you can still sell the stock rays for a decent amount.

 

Uhmmm, actually no, I'm comparing it to my my brothers $38,000 5 series.

VDC= Cuts power when it senses tire slip. I think its a waste.

 

u can't manually turn the VDC off like the DSCs in the bmws and PSM in Porsche???

 

I'm planning on purchasing a performance model and the VDC is the first thing that made me decide to spend the extra money. I think that the VDC can *probably* react faster than HDC . Now a well trained driver isn't going to lose control of the vehicle with or without it, but if there is even the slightest chance that it might save me or the vehicle, I think it makes more sense than car insurance. I also want the nav system. I like gadgets.

 

yeah you actually can turn it off, theres a little button. Some people argue it doesn't completely turn off, but I think it mostly turns off. Its default is on though.

As the owner of a '03 Touring I can confidently state the "HDC" is just as effective if not more so than the "VDC." The VDC is over reactive and it sucks. I can also confidently state that VDC has never saved me, one time it made me **** my pants.

I was attempting to make a left turn on a asphault street that had some gravel. There was a big Mac truck coming from the opposite direction, but I had plenty of time. I made the turn, gave it a bit of gas, and the car felt like it stalled.

I looked over and see this big mac truck barreling down at me and I'm thinking I stalled the car and now I'm going to die. I glanced down, the stupid Slip indicator is on indicating the VDC had kicked in. Keep in mind, I was trying to go from 0 to 15 mph. I guess the lateral momentum from the turn combined with the teeniest little bit of tire slip kicked the VDC in. I kept on the gas and made it through. I wasn't really under threat of being killed, but the whole incident left a sizeable brown stain in my tighty whities. Had I stalled, I would of course, be dead.

 

why not a base?...like 5k cheaper...i would buy a base...kinda harder to find though

 

I saw a limited slip diff for sale at my Nissan dealership in their Nismo case for about a grand too. You could probably get into a Base and add the diff for a good bit cheaper than the enthusiast. Just a thought. But I do like my bright lights.