Need Advice

[geosar]

I have had a 2004 350Z touring convertible for 10 years and drive it occasionally and work on it also occasionally. I thought I wanted a discounted performance automatic but came across a 2025 white (not sure about white) sport automatic for $40,000 out the door including the trade in for my 350Z.

Since I have enjoyed the Z33 model would I miss much going to a sport vs. performance? I do not want to be foolish for a few thousand dollars but do not want over spend as well. The discounts for 2024 Z's are appealing.

Any body have thoughts of the automatic sport vs the automatic performance. I am in my 70's and drive for fun but not racing.

Thank you

George
Arizona

 

[Zenogias]

I have had a 2004 350Z touring convertible for 10 years and drive it occasionally and work on it also occasionally. I thought I wanted a discounted performance automatic but came across a 2025 white (not sure about white) sport automatic for $40,000 out the door including the trade in for my 350Z.

Since I have enjoyed the Z33 model would I miss much going to a sport vs. performance? I do not want to be foolish for a few thousand dollars but do not want over spend as well. The discounts for 2024 Z's are appealing.

Any body have thoughts of the automatic sport vs the automatic performance. I am in my 70's and drive for fun but not racing.

Thank you

George
Arizona

This is how I look at it.. Go Sport if you are going to wrench it yourself. Go Performance if you are going to stay stock. Go Nismo if you can find a good deal and want a rigid suspension (not as good for daily driver). Not sure what the market is like in Arizona, but in some areas you can find nismos for 10k off MSRP. It's really a buyers market for the AT version of this car right now, you should find every single AT model below MSRP in most areas. It sounds like the sport you are looking at right now is either MSRP or a little above MSRP, based on your trade in, and I think you can easily do better.

 

[geosar]

Thank you. The sport is listed at $39,990. With my trade I cover the taxes, tags etc. A little below MSRP but you bring up so good points concisely.

Appreciate the advice.

What work would I be looking at with the sport vs. the Performance?

George

 

[FSUZ33]

Traded my ‘05 Touring Roadster for a ‘24 nismo a month ago. Got it in 2015 as a replacement for an ‘03 Track. I drove a Z33 every day for just shy of 22 years, and I can say 100% that car for car, you will NOT regret swapping for a new Sport Or Performance. There may be some additional goodies on the Performance, but the soul and pure performance is in every single one, regardless of the price tag.

Way more power on tap when you need/want it. Shape of the interior is similar in a lot of places to the Z33. The telescoping steering column makes for a much better driving position for me in the new Z. Better/easier quick-access storage. The center console armrest is a lot better, and padded. Quiet!…compared to the roadster, especially during a good rain, the new Z will be like driving in a coffin. *I admit that was a poor choice for an example, but I can’t think of anything else*
And if this last one doesn’t sell it, I don’t know what will…it has a glove box where a glove box should be!!!

I’ve already posted her that I’d be a horrible salesman. That‘s the best I got!

-> Although, there could be a downside. If your roadster is equipped like my roadster was, you’ll have to say goodbye to cassette tapes and CD‘s

Can’t wait to hear your first report as a new Z owner!

 

[geosar]

Thank you for the good data. I did install a Crutchfield CarPlay head. The CD and cassette player never worked since I purchased it.

What would I have to do to the Sport which might not need improving on the Performance? I am leaning toward the more basic sport at this point but I do not want to be foolish for a few thousand dollars.

Thank you so much for the information.

George
Arizona

 

[FSUZ33]

Others here can answer that question much better than I can, but I’d say a standout between your Z33 and a new Sport would be the lack of a limited slip differential, maybe(?) If you’re not planning to drive it really aggressively you may not even notice.

Also, if your Z33 has the original shocks, the new one will probably be a much smoother drive. Didn’t realize how bad mine were until I drove the new one.

 

[Mugzilla]

I added a factory LSD for $2000 after a killer coupon.

Don't need the heated seats, as I winter store my car..

Will add bigger brakes soon.

Not a fan of the Performance spoiler.

 

[geosar]

I agree about the spoiler. I like simplicity. Did the LSD make a difference in the handing of the sport? Anybody have problems with the smaller tires and brakes?

Very helpful thread. I'm getting closer to the less expensive Sport. I too rarely drive in very cold weather. I put over 150,00 mile on my 1968 MGB in the 1970's while in the service. Pretty rudimentary.

 

[Hernandooo]

I have had a 2004 350Z touring convertible for 10 years and drive it occasionally and work on it also occasionally. I thought I wanted a discounted performance automatic but came across a 2025 white (not sure about white) sport automatic for $40,000 out the door including the trade in for my 350Z.

Since I have enjoyed the Z33 model would I miss much going to a sport vs. performance? I do not want to be foolish for a few thousand dollars but do not want over spend as well. The discounts for 2024 Z's are appealing.

Any body have thoughts of the automatic sport vs the automatic performance. I am in my 70's and drive for fun but not racing.

Thank you

George
Arizona

Test drive both, see which one fancies your tickle.

I think the performance adds the luxury leather feel to the interior, while the sport is just plain fabric

Other then that, everyone else has mentioned otherwise

 

[ill-legal?]

What dealership are you considering your purchase through? I'm also in AZ and bought my '24 Performance at the beginning of April...I did quite a bit of shopping around and feel like I came across some Sport models as low as $35-36k with discounts. If you don't mind me asking, what are they giving you for your trade?

 

[Z06fan]

I saw this yesterday regarding Nissan dealer incentives starting in June. It might be advantageous to wait a few weeks, but of course, the car you're looking at might be gone too. Depends on whether you're willing to roll the dice.

https://www.cbtnews.com/nissan-launches-new-compensation-program-to-revive-u-s-sales/

 

[NocturnalEmber]

I can't imagine how anyone can survive with a sport/base model.

My Performance has the LSD stock, and under aggressive acceleration I still have issues with traction. I can't really blame that on mods or a tune because I don't have a tune, and I doubt my Nismo intakes are contributing to the traction issues in first and second gear (and third if its raining out.)

The sport is very stripped down with the open differential and smaller tires all around, among other things. Granted I'm not in my 70's, but if that were a factor I'd get the performance just for the quality of life things that also come standard (heated seats, LSD, larger head unit, etc.)

Granted I also would not touch an auto, so those might have less of an issue with traction, but I doubt its significantly less compared to the manual counterparts. I imagine the sport model has the same issues the performance model does but lacking the wider rear tires and LSD they are likely even more evident.

Edit: I'm not a fan of the 350-370, in my opinion that was a dark time of Nissan. If it were me, unless I was really wanting the extra cash for the trade in i'd just hang onto the car and park them side by side. Struggling to part with it just for the sake of trading it in for whatever value I'm guessing they would give you for it wouldn't be worth it for me, but that's just my opinion.

 

[RobotAZ]

The Sport is very GT. My wife enjoys being in it after 20 years of mostly refusing to ride in my sports cars.

I have pushed the car till the electronics kick in quite a few times. I’d say get the LSD if you really plan to push hard through turns. I don’t need it, but others may.

Everything about it is smooth and soft except for the AT downshifting at slower speeds like looking at houses and things. The wife mentioned it feeling a little high strung “it really wants to run doesn’t it?”

The brakes are fine. It’s the nose dive that makes the braking feel less confident. Not so much body roll. That part feels fine.

I wouldn’t trade mine. It’s 95% how i

 

[geosar]

What dealership are you considering your purchase through? I'm also in AZ and bought my '24 Performance at the beginning of April...I did quite a bit of shopping around and feel like I came across some Sport models as low as $35-36k with discounts. If you don't mind me asking, what are they giving you for your trade?

I saw an ad from Avondale Nissan for a white with blue interior sport for $39999. Offering $5500 for my 2004 350Z touring. Nissan had a $10,000 discount in April which has since been cancelled.

 

[geosar]

I have found several Performance 2024 Z's in Phoenix listed in the low $40000. They have between 1700 and 2700 miles which makes me wonder what they were used for. Purchasing a used car like that make me a bit cautious and of course none the dealers have any information about the history of the vehicles.

Thank you all for your insights. I am reading every entry carefully and pushing on with my search. I am now thinking the performance may be my car. I am probably going to stay stock and I like the comfort. Blue cloth seats does not appeal to me.