Ok, at then end of the year I'm buying a 2004 Z. It'll be a daily driver in a well kept city (no potholes), and will be used for AutoX at least once a month and track days whenever I can. Here are my thoughts:

Enthusiast: Probably the best bang for the buck, LSD included along with 18" wheels (for stock AutoX).

Performance: Only real thing is Stability Control....is it worth it

Track: Brakes and Wheels...not worth it IMHO as I'll probably go aftermarket...but how good are they in case I come across a 04 Track at a good price.

Since this is a daily driver I would like the DVD system in it...is there any of the above trims I can't have the DVD in? I already know it'll be silver chrome or blue. I took a 03 Track for a test drive when they first came out and I promised myself to get an 04 once they worked the bugs out...now its time.

BTW - Anyone else thing the roadster is hideous? They ruined a georgous car!!

 

TCS is useless for AutoX, I turn it off at the start of every run.

Are you planning on running stock or modified in AutoX. If you plan on running stock, then no aftermarket brakes. No big brakes, and you probably don't want to run it on the track. Stock brakes don't have the fade resistance needed to run on the track.

I guess what I'm trying to say is depending on what and how you plan on doing it, that probably will drive which trim you get. I would like to take mine to the track some day so I wish I could have afforded the Track model. I want to stay stock for AutoX so that limits what I can replace anyway.

 

I will modify the car as I see fit then AutoX in that class. I'm not one of those hard core AutoX types that go all out. I like doing it and there are two clubs within 20min of me along with the Texas World Speedway for track days. If it hits me right I'll probalby sell my bike (Yamaha R6) to buy a turbo and FMIC. What I'm trying to say is "My mods drive what class I'll be in.....My class doesn't drive my mods".

 

Sounds like you want to start with the Enthusiast then add on lighter wheels, big brakes, etc.

 

So you're saying the Performance level isn't worth it (specifically the stability control). I'd like to hear from someone doing some Track Days too see their take on the Stability Control.

 

VDC is good for people who are not used to driving FR cars, and people who drive frequently in the rain. But on the track, all it does is cuts power to your engine when you're trying to squeeze on the power out of slow corners. Also, you're not going to be happy with the stock viscous LSD if you're serious about AutoX and tracking, so you might as well go for the base model and mod as you see fit.

 

OK, that's what I wanted to hear about the VDC...how it operates and what it's like. I don't like the car cutting power for me as I am used to FR tailhappy cars. I'll go with the enthusiast trim and mod as nessesary (as I *do* want the factory LSD and 18" wheels at first). Thanks for all your help...on to the other sections of the forum for ideas with mods. Going to buy stuff for it now and put it on when I get it

 

Enthusiast comes with 17" rims...don't it?

 

VDC can't be completely turned off, so Enthusiast would be a better choice since TCS can be completely disabled.

 

1. VDC/TCS CAN be turned completely off.

When I turn off VDC, it never assists me to the point where I can do a 360 with no computer intervention.

2. Enthusiast comes with 17x7.5 fronts and 17x8.0 rears (~24lbs each)
Performance comes with 18x8.0 all around (~26lbs each)
Track comes with 18x8.0 fronts and 18x8.5 rears (~18lbs each)

 

If you plan on running some track days at Texas World Speedway you better buy a track model. The brembo brakes on the track model will allow you to run track days without major headaches. I have a performance model and I roasted my stock brakes on my first track event. I was only able to run four laps before I had my brakes go out. My brake pads turned to charcoal and I vaporized most of the brake fluid (ATE Super Blue). A friend of mine has a track model Z and he runs the track days without any problems.

 

cant get nav on the enthusiast.
if you are a serious autocrosser, get an S2K

 

I just ran my track model at Hallett Motor Racing Circuit which is hard on brakes. The Brembos are definitely worth it - no fade at all! Last year at Hallett, I also had no problems (still running on same stock pads in fact), while another member caravaned home with rear backing plates rubbing his rear rotors on his enthusiast model! The Track model is the way to go if you intend to Track it!

 

if you wish to be competitive in auto-x, don't get a Z.. get an S2000 -- sometimes I wish I did.

If you don't care about being competitive, then get a Track model Z, you'll be glad you did when you go to the track. The stock brakes are fine on the street, probably even acceptable at autocross, but pitiful on the track.

 

It's really a shame Nissan made the VDC so intrusive. I appreciate the fact that VDC has the ability to apply the brakes separately to individual calipers, enabling the correction of turn-in oversteer, but it also cuts off the power, so you can't apply the throttle for a second afterwards until the vehicle senses that all is okay. It's great on the street, but on the track, this lag is really frustrating. I wish Nissan had a few selectable modes of VDC enabling the driver to select the amount of assistance they want.

Something like:
Street Mode - Maximum assist (Normal)

Performance Mode - Allows a much greater slip angle in the rear tires before cutting off the throttle.

Track Mode - Brake is applied to individual calipers to assist turn-in, but does not control throttle controls.

Off - No assistance, ABS is disabled.

 

The owner's manual specifically states that the LSD braking system that is part of the VDC is always active, regardless of the on/off status of the VDC system. It can't be disabled.

 

I'd have to agree with everyone and say go with the Track model with Brembos. Though there are plenty of aftermarket brake kits superior to the Track's Brembos, the performance of the Brembo brakes are more than adequate for the person doing occasional track events.

Track's Brembos are more than sufficient for high performance driving schools --- I'm able to hang with M3s and 911s at these events...

 

OK, I'm not serious about AutoX...I like to do it and there's a lot of events in close proximity to me. I will NOT get a S2000, they are great AutoX cars and pretty good track cars too, but they aren't my style. I went and drove one before I bout my last car and I really didn't like them. Plus I'm getting out of a roadster...bye bye convertable (miata).

I like the Z because it's a well built all around sports car that looks good, has good build quality (reminds me of a BMW 3 series) and has potential for mods. I will be tracking it and AutoXing it...but not seriously. I'll get the Track if I can find a good deal on one (blue preferably) but I'll settle for a Performance. I think I also MUST have the DVD system now...I went to the dealership and played with one....nice.

 

If you get a Performance model it should handle an AutoX without any problems. However, if you plan to do even just one high speed track event your stock brakes on the Performance model are not going to hold up. You may end up having to rebuilding you brake calipers. Best bet if you want to do a track event is upgrade to a big brake kit first.