As a daily, would you go for a manual trans or the Nismo auto?

[Xylander]

Not sure what the Mustang v8 versus a Shelby has to do with this conversation.

If you're basing your information off of a trade that has no real data to show the value of each. A dealer can always give you more for a trade then they would if you were just trying to sell the car.
The will just offset it with the price of the car you are buying from thiem.

And if you are going by what the dealership told you then yeah, they sold you more than a car.

The resale is really a moot point and one that should really not have been brought up. Fact is the Z in any model doesn't hold its value. If you have a Z it shouldn't matter how much you got it for or what. The one thing everyone needs to consider is that there is always someone that got a better deal.

But since we are on the weird topic of resale, the Nismo might taking hit when a lot of people are trading them for the manual.

So help me understand something, their part selling process is freaking confusing for all the wrong reasons, they sell you the parts but are tied to the dealership inventories that are distributed from the hub nearby.

However, I understand that nissan parts USA website sells every single part that comes with the car, but when I go to the nismo parts website, I see every single nismo like sway bars, carbon fiber covers, arms, rods, etc,

I see that a fully maxed out Z1 build can go for like 50-80k on top of what we paid, but has anyone tried buying the entire catalog for their performance Z? Correct me if I’m wrong but I’m stuck trying to find the parts number to order them directly with the dealership using my buddies discount but it’s tedious

I know Nismo is just a brand, but for me it’s the warranty, especially with my previous experiences with Nissan

I'm not going the Nismo or Z1 route on mine, but it's an $80k+ build estimate when it's done. Multimatic SVO (special vehicle ops) is building my engine and trans. I'm using the same engine, just built from the ground up by a pro race engineering team (same company built the Ford GT and Mustang GTD). Then, they're going to add a ZF 8-speed auto. The engine will make north of 800whp, but I'm planning on tracking it around 700whp on 93 octane. I don't have any concrete details as to what's going into it. I'll learn more as time goes on and we start making decisions. The OEM engine and trans will be removed and shipped back with the car. New engine is going to have a Multimatic one off intake manifold, a pair of large Garrett turbos, race heads, race cams, etc etc etc. Full race built VR30DDTT. Multimatic is also going to do the chassis balance/blueprint, install the cage and test the suspension after the install.

By the time the car is fully built, including the body and aero work once I get it back, this build is probably going to look more like $120,000-$150,000. Keep in mind that this is for a pure race build designed to turn upwards of 30 hot laps in a session. It's still being kept street legal, but it's being built for its intended purpose.

 

[CPerdomo]

But since we are on the weird topic of resale, the Nismo might taking hit when a lot of people are trading them for the manual.

That is something I've been wondering about. I'm curious to see what will happen. Considering that Nissan is saying that the Z will have to be ordered in the future.

 

[Xylander]

That is something I've been wondering about. I'm curious to see what will happen. Considering that Nissan is saying that the Z will have to be ordered in the future.

If a person is talking money, I don't think it's wise to trade in an auto just for a manual. The Nismo has holes cut in the firewall for a clutch pedal as it is. It would make a lot more sense to just swap a manual into it than pay another set of dealer fees, finance charges, loss of depreciation on the old car and so on just to get a $5,000 transmission.

I support the built to order on the Z. That's how I typically get my cars anyway. This Z is an oddity in that it was the exact spec on the lot that I would have ordered. This Z is the first car in a long time that I didn't order. I don't really think it'll affect resale. I know the save the manuals crowd is typically loud and it's a fun thing to talk about on YouTube, but in reality, across all makes and models, buyers only choose manuals something like 12% of the time on cars that it's offered on. On something like a Z with an enthusiast core demo, 25-30% if I'm being generous. Couple that with the excrutiatingly low take rate and the above math, I don't see some mad rush to the dealership come later this year.

 

[Peteyboii]

Not sure what the Mustang v8 versus a Shelby has to do with this conversation.

If you're basing your information off of a trade that has no real data to show the value of each. A dealer can always give you more for a trade then they would if you were just trying to sell the car.
The will just offset it with the price of the car you are buying from thiem.

And if you are going by what the dealership told you then yeah, they sold you more than a car.

The resale is really a moot point and one that should really not have been brought up. Fact is the Z in any model doesn't hold its value. If you have a Z it shouldn't matter how much you got it for or what. The one thing everyone needs to consider is that there is always someone that got a better deal.

But since we are on the weird topic of resale, the Nismo might taking hit when a lot of people are trading them for the manual.

Loll yeah
I don't know who brought it up first but it likely was me, my father is absolutely obsessed with the "resale" cost due to other cars holding value, I just keep telling him that 99% of cars don't lmao

 

[Peteyboii]

All I can say is that I owned a 2023 M3 and got it for $69k. The MSRP on my Z was $72k... but I paid $61k after it sat on the lot for 440 days. But yes, a base 718 Cayman is a bit more expensive, but it's within $10k of the Nismo Z and a C8... I've owned 2 (2LT and a 3LT HTC). The 2LT cost me $71k new, the 3LT was $84k.

So yes, a Nismo Z's main problem is that it's within striking range or similarly priced to some serious competition. People in this buying demo, like me, typically aren't brand loyal. Heh, as the saying goes, "...until you buy your first Porsche." But I'm not a dentist, and tend to shirk marquee status cars for the exact opposite reason people typically buy them for. I like oddball cars. Like it or not, the Nismo Z is an oddball unicorn of a car that you never see. I've also got a 2016 Holden SS-V left-hand drive Ute. I think there a dozen or so in the country.

I'm totally like this, I relate to this
I like cars that stand out more for not being the same as the rest on the road

However I have to also of course love the car haha
And yeah pricing in au I'm sure you e seen nismos are 100k+ which is scary

 

[CPerdomo]

...The Nismo has holes cut in the firewall for a clutch pedal as it is. It would make a lot more sense to just swap a manual into it than pay another set of dealer fees, finance charges, loss of depreciation on the old car and so on just to get a $5,000 transmission.

so it does have the capability of putting a clutch assembly, ha? I always wonder about that.
This is great info. Thanks.

 

[alienpoker]

so it does have the capability of putting a clutch assembly, ha? I always wonder about that.
This is great info. Thanks.

Yup, you could do a swap. But Nissan changed the strut dampers (bigger), and spring rates. There’s a different tune (more linear torque curve, you need to add a button for Syncro-Rev, all the specific software tweaks for having a manual tranny). Good luck getting Nissan to help you swap the software over so your dash displays are right. Then there’s the driveshaft…
So it wouldn’t be that easy to do for $5K.
I’s a cool idea to think about, but only works for a stripped down Nismo track car. And at that point, why not just start with a Performance? You’re changing almost everything on the 2025 Nismo 9AT to get what you really want.

This thread has a lot of info.

 

[kevinbonds]

All this talk about choosing between the Nismo and Performance models really comes down to preference. On other platforms—like the 911 where one model might have 350 HP and another 600 HP, or the previous Mustang where the Shelby was practically a different car with a DCT, built motor, blower, different rear end, subframe, and only shared sheet metal—the differences are massive.

With the Z, the Nismo and Performance have their distinctions, but the powertrain is essentially the same. That means both cars have similar potential, with the Nismo just being a bit more dialed-in from the factory for track use. To me, it would only be a serious debate if the Nismo had a GTR engine and the Performance had the VR30. But in this case, the powertrains are so close that the difference is negligible.

 

[CPerdomo]

I’s a cool idea to think about, but only works for a stripped down Nismo track car. And at that point, why not just start with a Performance? You’re changing almost everything on the 2025 Nismo 9AT to get what you really want.

This thread has a lot of info.

Exactly.

 

[trackratZ]

This thread is long-winded! Sticking with the fact that our Zs will NOT appreciate value for resale. Historically, even the 370Z and 350Z Nismos don't hold value unless it's a Low-mile, factory Stock, documented ownership, maybe off color, examples. Manuals will certainly hold value much better! I do check Hagerty and BaT listings on what sells in the Z world. So...drive 'em, mod 'em, and don't obsess on resale.

I'm modifying mine slowly, enjoying the process, and see what works best when I partially track it this year. It has to be safety first, e.g. brakes, fluilds, cooling, then more as needed. Not going crazy throwing mods all at once.

 

[CPerdomo]

... Nismos don't hold value unless it's a Low-mile, factory Stock, documented ownership, maybe off color, examples. Manuals will certainly hold value much better! I do check Hagerty and BaT listings on what sells in the Z world.

I'm on the right track then...

 

[50thZ]

Auto. bad knees even so it is easier on legs and transmission get heavy use. Auto my choice.

 

[Xylander]

We know that over the years manual cars always command more, that analog driving experience is going away

That's because in years past, there wasn't such a thing as a performance auto. They were called slush boxes, granny trannies. Years ago, the manual was the performance winner, plus it gave more driving enjoyment.

The problem with that statement of yours is today, DTCs and performance automatics shift 3x faster than the world record holder by a human. They don't miss shifts and they typically shift exactly when they should. Failing that, a person can also manually shift these cars. The autos in performance cars always outperform the manuals. I don't know what the Z times are, but with Hellcats, the A8 is 4 tenths quicker 0-60 and it's 6 tenths faster in the quarter mile. Similar numbers hold for the S650 Mustangs.

I don't think the manual is dead by any means, but it's a niche option inserted to get loud journalists to shut up. I don't think any manufacturer makes a manual car that sells at any meaningful number.

The braces are easy to install and found on eBay cheap. Heat changer is a few hundred bucks, and the shocks and springs for a Nismo I’ve seen on eBay for $800-900. In my opinion the best part of the Nismo is the wheels and tires. The Nismo is a great little package, but personally I feel like there isn’t enough performance increase to justify the cost. A gently used Z Nismo with super low miles can be found in the mid to low 40’s to me that’s a great deal at this point.

Nobody talks about the brakes. To me, that and the HX and oil coolers are the most important parts on that car. That's what keeps it from dying after 2 hot laps. If a person never intends to track the car, then yeah, go mod happy on a Performance. Yes, the Nismo is expensive but you typically get a better deal on a completed car than you do when parting together. That's because Nissan is building long blocks that retail for $9,000 for a cost of around $4,000. I don't know the particulars at Nissan, but as a former builder that specialized in Fords, I know that their deal with Pirrelli back in the 2015-2018 timeframe was one where they sourced new tires for each Mustang at a cost of $85 per Pirrelli PZero Nero. That's a set of tires for $340. On tire rack, you'd spend closer to $1,600. I'm sure Nissan has similar deals with their suppliers. They pay far lower than wholesale on just about everything. So, when you're building out a parts queen, you're usually paying retail... which means you're going to probably get less than the factory target you're aiming at.

The above is how most of these "I can build an X to beat a Y" situations play out. Rarely do you see someone pay the piper, build it right, and actually succeed in beating said car. If they do, it's usually because they spent a lot of money on it. The whole, "I can build an X to beat a Y" on a budget doesn't happen without cut corners unless you've got sponsorships or a source of free parts somewhere. You don't get there by paying full retail.

 

[Xylander]

I'm totally like this, I relate to this
I like cars that stand out more for not being the same as the rest on the road

However I have to also of course love the car haha
And yeah pricing in au I'm sure you e seen nismos are 100k+ which is scary

I'm in the US. I imported the UTE and had Left Hand UTEs in Denver convert it to left hand drive.

 

[trackratZ]

That's because in years past, there wasn't such a thing as a performance auto. They were called slush boxes, granny trannies. Years ago, the manual was the performance winner, plus it gave more driving enjoyment.

The problem with that statement of yours is today, DTCs and performance automatics shift 3x faster than the world record holder by a human. They don't miss shifts and they typically shift exactly when they should. Failing that, a person can also manually shift these cars. The autos in performance cars always outperform the manuals. I don't know what the Z times are, but with Hellcats, the A8 is 4 tenths quicker 0-60 and it's 6 tenths faster in the quarter mile. Similar numbers hold for the S650 Mustangs.

I don't think the manual is dead by any means, but it's a niche option inserted to get loud journalists to shut up. I don't think any manufacturer makes a manual car that sells at any meaningful number.

When I'm talking about the analog experience it is not about the speed of shifting. True today's DCT, PDK, even good automatics shift faster, that's a numerical objective fact. But still the Nismo has to be on Sport+ to take advantage of that. If the Z came with the GT-R's DCT than it will be worlds better. The 'analog' is the experience of having a sports car and total controlled by the driver, the motions, the gears selected, footwork, etc. all up to the driver, that's the fun!

Hey, I even love the miss-shifts at the track, like downshifting from 5th to 2nd, totally driver error, and the car barks back, all part of the fun, and finesse needed.