David you have to see the Nismo Z and drive it to appreciate it. There'll always be a bigger motor. But only one first run of Nismo Z cars.

 

only get it if you don't like modding.

 

It weighs 3352 and the Enthusiast weighs 3348. It really doesn't weigh more. This is from Nissannews.com spec.

 

Your right.

 

Sorry SOLO-350Z, but I just highly doubt any of those "enhancements" on the nismo Z would ever matter or even be noticeable in anything less than competitive track racing. Lets face it, I doubt anyone who buys a nismo Z will ever competitively track race their Z anytime soon.

I really just see the nismo Z as more of a gimmick than anything. So what is according to some technical tech sheet the nismo Z technically handles and performs better due to it's more advanced aerodynamics and higher level of downforce. Aerodynamics hardly provide any kind of noticeable difference what so ever unless you are pushing your car to its total limit on a track, it's not like the "standard" Z has bad aerodynamics anyways.

Also, so what is it has "stiffer" (what in real world driving is only rougher) suspension. The "standard" Z has a damm good suspension system as it is, anything better would only have slight advantage during serious track racing. And finally so what about the welds. Unless you are seriously pushing your Z at its absolute limits all the time, I doubt they matter at all.

 

yeah , I'm just not a fan of the exterior differences and price tag. Its got a cooler name though .

 

its crazy that someone this negative towards the NISMO brand and the thought of a higher performance Z, would purchase one to begin with. kind of disapointing to me that Z owners act this way to their fellow owners and cars.

 

Nissan says my base weighs 3,313 and the Enthusiast 3,318, which is a noticable, but not major difference.

It actually weighed in at 3,240, with a half of tank of gas, and a few extra items.

 

I understand what you are saying, and like the NISMO, but I am disappointed in the lack of extra hp. They should have bumped it up a bit.

 

I bought my Nismo Z to take to the race track. That is what the car was designed for. And the car handles much much better than a regular Z. You can definitely tell the difference.

I love when people talk like this when they have never even sat or driven the nismo z.

 

Well I pulled those numbers right off the website of Nissan.

 

So did I.

http://www.nissanusa.com/z/specifications-coupe.html

 

+1.....Its called Jealousy....Thinking about trading in my Z for one...

 

That is pretty much the reason for my disappointment with the nismo Z. I would be all over this car if it had at least an extra 50 horsepower or something, but the fact that it is basically just a track Z with a few factory handling upgrades and a bodykit leaves me disappointed. IMO the nismo Z does about as much for the Z as the Z51 package does for the standard corvette.

 

Here is a copy of my post from the Nismo Z thread:


Here's a traslated article of Nismo Z vs. Porsche Caymen S from the latest Z Magazine Volume 4.
The translation isn't 100% perfect, but my friend and I tried our best so please bare with it haha.
The article is written in the journalist's point of view(driving Nismo). The track tested is Japan's famous Tsukuba Circuit.

'Superiority Complex of 1.361 Second'

"I'm catching up, I'm catching up, I'm catching up!"
From the cockpit of the Nismo Z, I can see the Porsche Caymen S ahead, driven by
LeMans 24 Hour winner and Kondo Racing's Super GT 500 class driver Seiji Ara.
From the first corner to the first hairpin, the distance between two cars widen,
however, the gap shrinks quickly back because of the torque range difference.
Turning into Dunlop corner, the two cars get separated a bit again. However,
by long coener of 80R they're bumper to bumper.
Amazing that Nismo Z driven by amateur can keep up with a Porsche driven by a racing driver.

This machine is very good on corners. When the Caymen realized Nismo Z's potential, it was a huge surprise.
Ara, stunned that the Nismo Z driven by amateur is right up on Caymen's tail,
took the last corner with insane speed and didn't even engage the brakes.
-NO WAY!-
The Caymen's rear end broke loose. With high pitch screech from the tires it straightened out on the main straight.
Absolutely stunned, I just trailed him slowly in the Nismo Z.

Caymen's time was 1'8" flat. Ara announced, "That's the fastest it'll go."
However, afterwards Ara drove the Nismo Z again and recorded 1'66". The difference was 1.316".
Ara noted that he's done 1'57" in the Nismo Z in better conditions.
Given the condition of the day, Ara already expected about 1.5" slower laptimes.
Either way, in a head to head battle around Tsukuba Circuit, the Nismo Z crushes the Caymen S.


'Pros and Cons of Version Nismo and Porsche Caymen S'

The Cayman S is ranked right under the 911 Carrera. Some people might say, "Porsche is 911, right?"
But there is a reason why this machine was chosen as an opponent of Nismo Z.
First off, it has similar output with 3387cc, 295ps engine. It also has similar dimentions.(skipped the numbers)
The Caymen S weights in at 1410kg. Compared to it the Nismo Z has 100kg disadvantage but also has 19ps more.
Furthermore, it has opposite level mid-ship mounted 6 cylinder engine to be able to fight on same level.

Caymen gets the same Rear Engine Rear Drive(RR) layout that Porsche's been working on for a long time.
However, this is the con of Caymen. Porsche's top model is still the 911, and Caymen will be never given
an engine of 911's standard.
Ara explains, "With this layout tweaked and elaborated more, this car can become a wonderful machine.
The rear suspension and strut didn't have a problem at all. The overall package is still wonderful."
The best part of the Porsche is its braking performance, in which Ara quotes, "Outstanding! No complaints whatsoever.
This is the only weak part of the Nismo Z."

Therefore, they're first-class worthy opponents against each other. Mostly, this Cayman S is equipped with
Porsche ceramic carbon brake front piston, rear piston aluminimum mono block caliper(optional at whopping $14,300!).
It also comes with Porsche Active Suspension Management(PASM) which includes Sport Mode with adjustable dampers.
The tires on Nismo Z is Bridgestone Potenza RE-01R, and the Caymen is equipped Advan Sport. Both tires have their strong and weak points.

"You should experience it", Ara exclaims. "The Caymen is a really solid sports car. The feeling is incredible.
Compared to the same Mid-Ship NSX, it is ness nervous and more predictable."
Only part that makes the driver nervous is that it's a rather expensive sports car that's called Porsche.
On the other hand, the Nismo Z will not make the driver feel as nervous as it is half the price of the Porsche.
Overall, the car(except for the brakes) is awesome.
Was there ever a time when a Japanese car could be compared with a world standard car such as Porsche?
To be able to get this kind of machine for almost half the price is the best thing ever.

 

I don't think it's worth it. I've always liked a basic blank slate if I'm going to mod it.