Well, I've always admired the Z's (and Nissan as a company!) and I've had the most extreme passion to mod one at some point...
Finally life is working out so that I might be able to get my hands on one!

The question I'm wondering, honestly, is which Z is right for me?
I've been staring at the Nissan site for a good hour trying to pick apart the difference and wondering if those extra thousands are worth it.

After all, I'll be getting my Z repainted (I really dislike the dealer colors) and have a body kit put on asap.

I'm looking for a dependable car, one that I can cruise around in and feel safe moding (street-legal of course) but one that, with some changes, could lay a nice smack down on a track (considering my boyfriend wants to race me if I get my hands on a Z).
I've looked at the regular 350Z Coupe model and it seems fine, although I'm also wondering if I should spend the extra bucks for the Nismo exhaust and either the dynamics kit from Nissan or just Nismo's Rear Deck Spoiler.
Now I DO have one small advantage from the normal crowd- my father runs a automotive dealership so he can most likely get me a Z at a discounted price.

It's just the matter of choosing the right one!


EDIT:
Some further info that I forgot to include originally in this post.
I live in the city and tend to buzz around a lot. My biggest miles comes from work, friends (we swap who picks up who based on fuel), and the concerts I attend which can be 1 to 2 a month with the occasional gap between.

I'm located in Lakeland, FL so for concerts I tend to drive to Tampa which a good hour or so drive, pretty non-stop.
I'm not a crazy driver (very cautious, actually) but I'm kinda 'cursed' with a racers spirit thanks to my dad being a race car driver and what have you. So yes, I'll admit, I like being able to zip through traffic without feeling that harsh jerk because my (current) little (but good) Kia Sportage can't handle it very well. The thing is a freakin gas guzzler though. Hopefully, a Z would be less on the gas or rather, need for constant gas.
With my Kia I was, at one point, having to fill my tank up 2 to 3 times a week.
That ratio is still pretty much standing although I have to draw out my gas as much as possible due to my paycheck. So if I can get away with safely running on a single tank for a week I'll be happy.
My little Kia bothers me once it drops close to Empty about mid-week.



Thanks in advance! And sorry for the newb-ish question but I want to make sure I'm getting a good car.

 

In other words you are a 16 year old with a crush on Vin Diesel. I think that is so cute.

 

FTW!!!!!!! FOR THE FREAKIN WIN!!!

 

Actually, no, I'm not.
I was asking a serious question and I apologize for having posted this in the wrong forum originally.

Now can someone please give me a mature response?

All I'm really looking for is some opinions from possible owners who live in the same conditions. After all, I really don't want to waste thousands of dollars on extra bits that really won't benefit my driving experience when owning a Z.

I joined the community with the belief that I would be treated with some bit of respect and my questions treated properly- not as some type of joke.
Needless to say, I'm more than a touch insulted that I can not be treated fairly when just joining.

 

TO-K-E-HO Drift FTW!

 

No, no, no, maybe I worded it wrong...

Not exactly like the Z in the movie but that sort of sleek, curved look is something I'm interested in car wise.

And yes, I am, thank you. On a side note: That really shouldn't matter.
Is it wrong for me to want to get into cars when I was going to be a race car driver had I not been forced to move thanks to the split of my family?


Edit:
Alright, I edited the crap out of my original post so now maybe I'll stop being made fun of.
I really don't see why it's such a big deal to admire the cars in the movie.

Also is there some magic word to be taken seriously here? I came to this community for it's people and the love of the Z, however I'm questioning if I should even bother with staying when younger drivers are treated like babies and bugged about their personal information.

 

Kyokuu,

There was no need to edit your post. Just ignore the childish, teenage-like responses you got and wait for some useful information (which I will try to offer even though I'm a noob also). I also loved the cars in that movie and it was one of the things that pushed me over the top in deciding to buy my 350Z. I also spent some time looking at options and you sound like you're in the same boat I was in. I at some point want a kit and am already planning other mods including a Vortech SC. If you are going to do a kit there is no reason to pay for any of the factory body mods. I went with the Enthusiast model because for like 2k you get the LSD and TCS which alone are more than worth the money never mind the other added features. The rest of the upgrades all felt like stuff I would rather do myself and at this point I'm very happy with the choice I made. Good luck and let me know if I can give you any other info.

 

You have no idea how much of a relief it is to see your post.
I was really begining to feel unwelcome here.

Thank you for your information. I suppose my major concern for even asking for opinions on the matter is the fact that my Father plans to drive my Z of choice down to me (which is a minimum of a 4 state state drive) to make sure it runs smooth, ect.

A quick question: Is the Enthusiast really bigger as it appears on the offical site or is that just some visual screw up? I'll be truthful in saying that I like the slightly smaller sized look (which might explain why I highly admire Wide Body designs but would never put one on). However with the smaller (or larger) size I question the safety of the vehicle.

Would tossing out the extra bucks for the side air bags be worth it as well?


I have to say that I wish Nissan included a image of their body package- but that doesn't matter much.

 

You have to understand we have been getting a lot of teenager type posts here right before and after this movie came out!

We are more than happy to help you out on buying and owning a Z, but in my opinion that MOVIE ruined it for me and most Z owners!

Enthusiast is by far the best bang for the buck. Not sure by what you mean by smaller, they are all the same size with the exception of the Track/GT tires.

 

Really? I would have thought the movie would have been a good point in a Z owners life. After all, it pretty much put the Z as the main 'characters' in the movie, in my honest opinion. (Yes, gentlemen, I was staring at the cars not the men.)

As corny as this may sound I love looking at all types of modded cars from movies to real life because I believe each car has a sort of...ah, well, soul of it's own depending on how the owner treats it.

I see some cars that look like P.O.S. but there's clear evidence of labor put into the vehicle when it jumps to life once the petal hits the metal.

I'm not all about looks on a car however the artist side of me giggles with glee at that aspect. I like trying to spot new and interesting designs, possible jobs that can be done to a car.
When a plan old 'out of the factory' Z rolls up beside me I look at it closely and have to think- Does this baby purr and want to remain plan with a powerful engine under the hood, or does it want to all out roar and look like a work of art rolling down the streets?

Heck- even just changing the color of a car seems to alter it's additude.
You can have a puke green crap-mobile but if that baby has some good works going for it you've got yourself a mean, green killin machine.

But enough about that.
I'm just trying to say that I grew up with cars and it's treated as big part of my life.
However I was always told that women had no place in the business and kept my ideals to myself.
Once I got older I said "Forget that!" and started pushing the ideal of going to an automotive school, ect. Since I can't quiet do that, I'll settle for the chance to modify my own baby and treat'er well.
After all, I think your car tends to reflect a bit about you as a person, from the engine and muffler to the paint job and kit it's sporting.

 

It's nice to see a girl that's as passionate about cars as you are. The knowledge to go with the passion will come with time (and lots of research) so keep reading and looking at other people's ideas for inspiration. Good luck building your dream car and I would definitely say the Z is a great canvas to start with. Keep me posted when you make your decision.

 

if u hadn't guessed it a lot of us are not really fans of the ricer look. Fast and Gayness really glorified the rice ascpects of our z's which is a terrible sin. The rice belongs on civics, lancers, etc etc.

 

Thanks for the praise! I always wondered if car passion could be counted when coming from a chick.

As for the debate on the 'Ricer' look-
I think I'm the odd one out on that, then.
If this 'ricer' look is a specific style about the Z's shown in TD, then I like'em- but hey, I like the body designs and the art/paint on the cars so!

I always thought it amusing that my dad considered the Z's a 'bunch of rice burners'.

As for building my dream car that depends on the Z I choose.
Honestly I'm trying to compare the differences in price versus the accessories you get.

I've had one mention that the Enthusist was a good deal but like I said before- I'm worried about any major size increases. At least from what images I've seen on the interactive builder of the offical Nissian site, the cars appear to get larger on certain makes. This kinda throws me (a possible buyer) into a loop if the model it's self does not actually change size.
If so, as Zand stated, and it's just the tires changing than they really need to toss out some sort of pop up or something saying "Image changed due to increase in tire size. Model remains the same size as base."
It confuses the crap out of me.

Also can anyone give me any takes on the Track version?
From what I read it seems like a heavily down graded bit of the base 350Z (in interior, ect.) but with an upgrade on parts.
Worth the extra moo-lah?

Oh and I know this is utterly random but- does the dealer paint job limit you on the colors you can choose outside the dealer? I mean, if you buy say a straight up ebony Z can you not take it to a shop and have it repainted to- of, let's say- hot pink because it's so dark?
I doubted this but I figured I might as well ask to get the thing out of the way.

• Any opiniions about base versus other versions of the Z
• Further information/opinions on the Track/Enthusist types
• Does the size in models change body wise or just the tires?
• Accessories versus Price- Is it worth it?
• Side curtain air bags- a must?
• Nismo parts: Good from the Nissan? Or a do it yourself deal?
• A city car? Any type better built for the asphalt?

 

At This point you might as well wait for an '07, you won't be able to order an 06 'with all the custom' mods you may have speced out at the nissan site. The 07 will be faster and has 3 new colors to choose from, a new grey, blue and orange. ALthough you may be able to get a deal on an 'inventory' stock 06 right now but it sounds like you aren't worried about cash. I myself am waiting to purchase a new 2007 myself. Check on the main page here for details on the 07. "Charting the changes" sticky.
Sarg

 

Well, I will be honest. I'm not a ton worried on the cash as I'll be going through my father (yay discount!) and I'll most likly find it easier to make monthly payments that way. My thing is I'll need a new car pretty soon since my current vehicle will be taken away from me so my mother can drive long distances to work.

 

See bold notes above

 

Ooh...Thank you for spending the time to reply to my questions.
It really helped.

I've pretty much decided that I'll try to talk my dad into getting me an Enthusiast type. Like you said, they seem to be the best bang for the buck.

Also I'm glad to hear the cars run fine with city life.

 

Emo girls FTW.

WHo else likes being hit thrown around and stuff?

 

What?