First off, lemme say hey everyone, I just finally registered now that I've found out that in about 1 month I will be the lucky owner of a brand new 350Z!

Anyway, I've got some questions regarding the different trims.

I'm quite tempted to take the Base Z since I'm probably going to want a manual transmission and just get BOSE installed in it.

I'm not looking to do any serious modding on the Z until a few years go by due to my current situation.

If anyone could give me the basic rundown of the differences in performace(not features) from the Base, Enthusiast and Track models I'd greatly appreciate it.

-Amnbex

 

Performance differences? All of the mechanics of the car are the same across the trims. So the only big difference is no LSD on the Base.

 

Base models dont have a limited slip rear end or HID lights. Go for the enthusiast.

 

No Limited slip on base model. Lightweight alloy wheels and Brembo brakes on Track model. Other than that, the rest of it is nice things to have like cruise control, HID headlights etc.

 

Don't get the Bose either. It's horrible, and isn't worth the money charged for it.

That said, welcome, and good luck.

 

Performance differences are so minimal that you wouldn't really be able to tell between the models that you asked about (Base is without LSD, so launch is a bit different)... a race between the three would be a driver's race, by far.

 

I have the non-Bose in my 04 Performance, and the sound is excellent. 4 out of 5. And I have driven many high end cars, MB's, Porsches, etc. The sound is tinny in the Z due to the interior, not the radio. SO, ya cant get past that anyways, might as well get the non bose.

And welcome

 

Go with the Enthusiast. I was going to get the track, but I figured I didn't need many of the things it had. To me it would have been a waste. Now if you are going to be going to the track or really beating on the car, then the Track is great. For me, and many, the Enthusiast has the best value. I might add leather soon, but I don't want heated seats, as it's just another thing that can break. Damn, but those Brembos look great!

 

I agree with most here. The Enthusiast model is the best value, and the performace is on par with all the rest.

CaptinB

 

I don't think you can get the Bose sound system installed in a Base model, even as an option.

 

I got the Track mostly because I wanted the Brembos and wider wheels/tires. I had seen a video on-line where the driver said that if you upgrade your wheels and tires, the base brakes have a tougher time dealing with the increased grip and fade more quickly. Also (and I'll admit it's kind of goofy), I just kind of have a thing about having the best of whatever I buy. It doesn't bother me that a Corvette is a faster car than my Z, but if I had the Enthusiast Z, it would bother me that I didn't have the better wheels and Brembos. Or if I had a base Corvette, I'd be absolutely beside myself that I didn't have a Z06 (even though I know theres no way I would need the extra performance).

Performance-wise, on the street the lower content (and therefore slightly lighter weight) Enthusiast and Base should be slightly faster than the heavier Track and Touring models. But on a road course, the better brakes and tires of the Track model will start showing their value quickly.

It's hard for us to tell you which one to get without knowing what you want to do with it.

If "Big Brakes" are important to you, and the Track Brembos are good enough for you, then the Track is the way to go because there is no way in hell you are going to get an aftermarket 4-wheel setup (and an LSD and HID's) for the money differential between the Base and the Track. Even if you want to get different wheels, you can sell the Track wheels for a tidy sum.

If you're not going to track your car and just want unique wheels and a spoiler, get the Enthusiast - the LSD, HID's, cruise, etc. means that it's got the right basics in place.

However, if you're into heavy modding (Torsen differential, Nismo suspension, 6000k lights, special wheels, etc.) then the base model is your baby.

 

Go to the Nissan web-site; it describes the differences between models better than any of us can.

 

Since you are going to get an '04 model, the Bose has been fixed. It sounds really good to me, but im no audiophile. The people who keep complaining about the Bose have the '03 model.

 

No highs, no lows, must be Bose. Bose blows.