350Z Performance or Enthusiast?

Question

Friends,Help. Please advise me?See, I'm about to buy a '05 Enthusiast 6spd and before I do, I suddenly ask myself "Why not the Performance model?"Well, yeah there *is* that $2,000. But though this car has greatbang-fer-buck, I'll always miss that great turbo-lurch from a 300TT.While awaiting the turbo, maybe it'd be dumb for me to miss a safechance to make it better? (That is, short of "Track" model or custom mods.)So I want to know just what should I expect from this VDC electronicstabilizationfeature? Not like my old HICAS, I undertsnad...it's for safety? for fun?more nimble? Nissan has it standard in their SUV's, so maybe it feelsClunky??Those wheels have an extra 1" diameter too- and maybe the tires areslicks that leave rubber everywhere and after every 5k miles we replacethem at $300 each?Is it dopey to get a Performance?Just cuz they're harder to find, and will be harder to sell in 3 years?Thanks for reading all this. Esp if you leave some advice at all.

John Smith · Accepted Answer

I have an enthusiast and it is great.  Yes, the performance has more goodies like the 18 inch wheels and the brembo brakes.  But, when you price a brembo rotor at $500 each and the normal ones at $100 each the choice for me was easy.  Also, I know there will be nissan pads available for $50 bucks a set and $150 a set for the brembo pads that was another decision factor.  The only thing I regret is not getting the nav system...Pham wrote:

Pham · Answer

John, don't tease me! Tell me instead what difference (if any) the VDC electronic stabilization system makes?

Do you turn it on or off, depending on conditions ? Can you feel if it makes the car drive differently? Do you like it?

"The only thing I regret is not getting the nav system..." Oh, come off it! Why do feel that way?

-Pham

Pham · Answer

John, don't tease me! Tell me instead what difference (if any) the VDC electronic stabilization system makes?

Do you turn it on or off, depending on conditions ? Can you feel if it makes the car drive differently? Do you like it?

"The only thing I regret is not getting the nav system..." Oh, come off it! Why do feel that way?

-Pham

John Smith · Answer

If you enjoy driving you will eventually replace the rotors and at $500 each for Brembo that is $2000 just for rotors and only $300 for regular brake rotors.  If you like to spend money that is fine.  I have never had brake fade with the stock rotors and pads.  However, I have already replaced the pads both front and rear at 25K.Steve T wrote:

Pham · Answer

You guys are confusing me now so don't you go & get angry at eachother before you explain the disagreement to me.

Firstly I hear no one saying that VDC is good to have. Indeed the kindest word has been your approving that they can be turned Off... I didn't even know the VDC worked off an On/Off switch (on the dash or closeby?). It makes the car feel dull (which sucks) so what does it do that's good enough that Consumer Reports approves of it? Isn't this VDC the *main* justification for the $2,000 MSRP difference between Enth & Perf ??

It sounds like you guys would advise someone (someone like me who loves driving a 300Z-TT for 14 years) get a Enth and then add those 18" wheels and tires ("Performance" standard?) & the big Brembo brakes ("Track" standard?)

Honest, I do really appreciate your bothering to tell this stranger your thoughts. (Maybe I can pay back in medical advice?)

Steve T · Answer

Ever consider that the larger rotors are much less likely to warp so might easily be good for the life of the car? Basing your choice by $100 difference in brake pad prices on a $30,000 car seems silly at best.

John Smith · Answer

For me it was not worth the cost to go with the performance version. Brakes are one example of more cost for little return.  If you are going to autocross go for the Performance Version because of the larger brakes.  But for me and street driving I have had no problem with the stock units on the Enthuiast work fine.  What is the price difference and is it worth it to you.  There is no more horsepower with the upgrade and they just give you larger brakes and VDC.  Oh, the 18 inch wheels would be nice but the 17 inch work fine.  I have to say that six hours on the road in the Z was interesting when I went back out to California for a weekend.  I could only imagine 18 inch wheels would make the ride even harsher.Pham wrote:

DEW · Answer

It's the Track model that has the Brembo's not the Performance.

Also, you'd be crazy to replace the pads with the Nissan pads, not unless you like brake dust all over everything. Replace them with Hawk HPS or something similar. They will cost you a lot more but the performance and low brake dust make up for the extra $$$.

DEW · Answer

Pham,In normal driving, you won't notice VDC.  If you're doing some "spirited" driving (ie. AutoX) then you turn off VDC.    You can even buy an aftermarket switch that keeps it off.VDC/TCS are mainly designed as safety controls.  It will keep you from losing control in the rain or slippery conditions.    Personally, I don't drive "crazy" when it's raining so I've never had the VDC kick in.   I have left it on accidently during AutoX runs and had it kick in when chirping the tires between gears.If you really want to learn about the 350Z, check out some of the message boards as they are loaded with info...

DEW · Answer

Don't forget that the Performance and Track models also come with the tire pressure monitors.

Steve T · Answer

Why would this be true? I've had my Z for over 150,000 miles, never changed them and I beat on my Z like a red headed step child...

Doesn't mean someone else might not.

Hmm maybe the brembo ones last 3X as long?

350Z Performance or Enthusiast?

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