anyone have pics of base model non-HID headlights?

 

I believe, as do other previous posters, that the Enthusiast may be the best value. That's why I bought it. The LSD and traction control are worth the difference in price, particulary on wet or slippery roads. Leather, heated seats, upgraded stereo...these thins don't do a lot for me in this car...I got it for the performance and fun-factor.

 

Thanks for the compliment! I think


I may be old, but..........

Glad to read that the Xenon's have a low cut-off......MAYBE I won't need fog lights after all!

 

Any model Z is a bargain for the money.

I decided to get the base Z because it has everything that I wanted: the sports-car looks, rail-like handling, 287 horsepower/276 torque, 6sp manual. Anything more is icing on the cake. The $2,000 I save from the enthusiast version will go towards my kids' college 529 plan.

 

I think all the models are all well priced. The track is "only" $7K more than the base, but you get a lot of good stuff for the extra money. I guess it comes down to what you want and can afford.

I would stay away from the base if at all possible. For $2K the TC, cruise, LSD, and xenon are a steal. what are you talking about $40 a month?

 

seems like the car was intended to be the enthusiast model, but Nissan started blindly taking peices off so that they could say its "starts" at 26k. For this reason, I got the enthus.

 

BOTH are a great value, I am waiting to hear how the Base does accel and handling wise. I am looking for the cheapist possible solution (being 32 and over 100K in debt with grad school student loans sucks, so I am will to get 1 of these 2 "cheaper" models). If the base is as quick and handles as well that will be great (give me $$ for 19" wheels and tires).

1. I live in SoCal so the Tract control for weather is useless (to me at least).
2. Pedals I could get for prob $50
3. I will only drive local and to work, so Cruise is NO big deal.
4. HIDs are very very nice, but I am not sure that that should be the deciding factor
5. LSD is the BIGGEST thing for me (like I said I will wait and see).

BOTh are awesome!!!

 

I learned the hard way that you do not want to ever get a "base" model. It just sucks. I'm going all out with my 350Z...GPS included.

 

RodH I completely understand where you are coming from...I think alot of people do. As was stated above the difference between the two models is ~$2000 or 10%...for me this meant a car payment of 380 vs 420. I must confess, I think it may be somewhat of a pyschological barrier but I WANTED my payment under 400 (and no I didn't really have another 2000 is disposable cash) At 380 a month to buy the base model...I have NO guilt what so ever about getting my "toy" instead of some "reasonable" sedan. I also admit to loving the "brag" factor...as people stop, drool, trip, whiplash their necks, etc...I love being able to tell them I paid $27K for my daily driver...and oh yeah it has (insert our knowledge of the base model capabilities)

Ok..to your statements.

(Well, I guess I should preface this with the disclaimer I have not driven (or seen) any Z other than my base model.)

The base Z handles like it was on rails. I have driven it ~900 miles and about 200 miles in seriously heavy rain (Greensboro, NC had 3 days of falsh flood watches during the last week). I was stunned how well the car handled. I was specifically driving it to learn how it would do for myself and for when my wife drives it in bad conditions. Ok..1st...the car felt solid the entire time..period. I forced it into hydroplane situations and it was so easy to control. On a series of hard curves in the heavy rain (I repeatedly took the entry/exits of a true clover interchange) I was able to reach a stable 60 mph plus (I started at 20mph and repeated the loops 5 times...20,30,40,50,60,70) on the curves before the back end would start to break away. This was phenomally better than I expected. I also did hard braking and hard accelerations both in the rain and on nice days. For the record, I have NO concerns about myself of my wife driving the Z for dry or wet conditions.

I suspect that the VDC and/or LSD might have helped in some of the above situations...but I truly feel that in order to push this car to the point you need help you really have to be driving like a maniac. And bluntly, nothing will keep a maniac safe.

No knowledge of snow or ice yet, but I bought I 287 hp , 274 ftlb sports car....I never expected it to handle either well.

Later,
MBEGuy

 

$380 a month??? WOW, how much did you put down, can you give me specifics of you loan, %, Etc?????

 

27300 minus 5000 down for 6 yr loan at 7% is 380.19.

MBEGuy

 

WOW, I just figured out wholesale (that is what I get the car for) on the base and enth (24.7 for base and 26.2 for enth) that will even make the decision that much harder!!!

I am not sure I want to go for a 6 year loan, but I do take GRAET care of my cars, so perhaps its not a bad idea. I will put about 6k down (BUT I need to add wheels and tires at about 1.5k too)

 

Remember this: If you ever want to upgrade to a MOMO or a Chrome Chain Link steering wheel, you're going to have a problem with the "cruise control" controls with anything but a "Base"!!!

All joking aside, if the difference is only $1500 you're crazy not to take the "Enthusiast" model. This is coming from someone with a Base.

 

In 5 yeares from now.........Whats rare.....and whats gonna sell?