So there I was just drove 2 hrs to go look at an '08 nismo 350z. It was in beautiful black and barely used at a mere 6k miles. All I could think was sweet so it's basically a brand new non-modded non-tracked nismo that's already been broken in! Well I got there and I test drove it (wow that must seriously have been the longest test drive in my entire life) and fell in love with it. Everything rocked and I could really feel a difference between the nismo and the regular 350z (both 08). However, another very bright red 370z was marked at literally the same price as the nismo.

Would I get the 08 nismo broken in almost brand new with a little warranty left or a literally brand new 250 miles 370z (a stripped base model aka lighter!!) with full warranty? I took a much shorter test drive with the 370z and to be honest everything felt like an upgrade.

Immediately I noticed the interior was a big step up from the 350'z rather bland interior. Also the gauges seemed to be a little smoother and I wasn't too keen on the nismo's white tachometer. Just seemed out of place to me. Visually the nismo was rather stimulating and it was black so it was very low-profile... for a 350. The 370z was really contrasting (I had to park the two next to each other for a better comparison lol) to the black 350z. Then it got to the gritty details.

The 370z cargo space wasn't cut in half due to some clever rigidity bar repositioning and also the performance played a pretty big factor. I test drove them in sequence and to be honest I'd say the 370z might have even driven a little better. All things considered the nismo has special suspension as well as brembo brakes (call me vain but I prefer red brembo brakes over gold) and honestly it didn't feel as good as the 370z did. And I'm not talking about ride comfort...

Even though its 332 hp compared to 306, you can really feel the difference between the two. Overall the 370z felt like a much better deal plus full warranty, don't forget about the really beautiful and aggressive looks. Oh yeah and more "go-power"!

 

Doesn't sound like a very hard decision from your post. You want the 370Z base. Did you notice the amount of NVH from the 370Z? It can get pretty loud compared with the 350Z.

 

Oh yeah I forgot to include the amount of time it took for me to decide. A while really. Because I test drove the nismo and was pretty set. But then the more I looked at the 370z the more I started to like. First the exterior caught my eye, then I noticed how nicer the interior was. Then it was sitting in it which led to driving around the lot which led to a full test drive.

Once I finished the test drive then it was back to serious comparison. The test drive really changed my mind though!

It's an 09 base model with the 6-speed manual transmission. Around 400 miles on it, can't wait for the break-in period to end! Keeping it under 4k rpms is a real chore I kid you not. It needs a good washing, just have to find the time!







To be honest the NVH wasn't really too bad compared to the 350z. It might be a little bit louder on the 370z but to be honest I'm not that bothered by how noisy a car can be. I drove a 2004 mini cooper S, if you can survive that you can survive ANY noise.

 

Congratulations. Red is hot!

 

I was in the exact same situation...but it was between a brand new black '08 350 nismo and new red base 370. Prices were basically identical because the nismo was marked down so much. After test driving both, I went with the nismo. To each his own! I just liked it better overall and the price was too good to pass up. Congrats though, seeing your 370 makes me wish I could have both!

 

sickkkk congrats! I almost got a 370z but I didn't like the payments ... plus I wanted a 350 since they first came out.

 

truly tough decision. if you're going to be a stickler for looks, the interior of
the 370z is significantly improved over the nismo...

 

I agree, but most people don't choose a car based on a "pretty" interior. Its usually the last thing I care about...exterior and performance are what I look at first. The 370 interior is definitely a step up though..

 

I can't imagine there being a huge disparity in a Nismo 350z vs. a 370z on
a "test drive" - hence you're kinda stuck on the aestheitics. I imagine the
Nismo feels slightly better on turn-in, but the 370z likely feels more "driveable"
(i.e. as a daily). Both cars have the same drivetrain (perhaps not transmission),
and one is not saving many lbs. over the other.

The interior (and exterior) is where the 370z both gains (and loses) on the z33.

 

nice man...congrats

 

nice... just get some new wheels.

 

Wow nice 370Z you got there...cheers mate for the red!

 

You mean your parents didn't like the payments

 

That really is a tough choice. I love both cars.

 

I would have gone with the Nismo. A limited production Z will hold it's value better in the long run. IMO the Nismo is a hell of a lot nicer then a base 370. I own a 07HR and to be honest there in not much differant as far as proformace. I have Test driven 4 Z34's and still the 07-08 models look better in the exterior and the speed feels about the same.But from your thread it seems like you choice was a piece of cake. But congrats on your new Z and welcome. BTW the Nismo Tach looks better the the pepboys style fuel and temp guage now that is a serious flaw. If I would upgrade to the Z34 then I would go with the Nismo Z34 Nismo now that is a big differance that you would feel!!!350hp FTW