Rip Off: 2008 Nissan Nismo 350Z
The Nissan 350Z has been around and unchanged for over four years now. So to spice up it’s sales, Nissan has decided that it’s time for a new special edition!
Enter the 2008 Nissan Motorsports 350z (NISMO 350z), tuned by Nissan’s in-house after market tuning division. Should we fire up the marching band and throw a welcoming party? HARDLY.
NISMO performance parts are available around the world and are extremely popular for the Japanese markets. NISMO was responsible for the R33 Skyline 400R and S14 Silvia 270R models. Both featured comprehensive modifications to the drive train, suspension, brakes, chassis, and aero work. Getting excited yet? DON’T.
With this being said it is an absolute disappointment that this new NISMO 350z will not further modify and tune the current stock 3.5-liter: V-6 306 horsepower & 268 lb-ft of torque. Also, the current 350z’s six-speed manual transmission and viscous limited-slip differential will also go unchanged.
Rest assured the car does get newly tuned suspension, Brembo brakes, and NISMO exhaust. Apparently the 350Z’s production will be quite limited (yaaaa right), and deliveries begin in July of 2007.
For those less concerned about the lack of engine modifications, the most obvious cues for the NISMO will be the new front and rear fascias, side skirts, and functional rear diffuser and wing (useless for a un-modified 350z engine), along with the NISMO-branded Ray’s engineering wheels. Painted in gunmetal grey; 18’s in the front and 19’s in the rear. All will be wearing Bridgestone RE050A rubbers.
To further coax the owner into feeling special while parading in their ‘faux-NISMO’, NISMO badges will adorn new black and red cloth seats with red stitching, along with new white and gray gauges. Final touches to each NISMO 350Z will include a serialized aluminum plaque on the center console, just to make owners feel even more special and less ripped off.
[Source: Automobilemag.com, Wikipedia.com]
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April 19th, 2008 at 1:49 am
Anthony, have you driven this car?
April 28th, 2008 at 11:16 am
Mike, no I have not yet driven the Nismo 350Z but have driven the 350Z a number of times, very fun car. Do you have a Nismo 350z or have you driven one?
May 22nd, 2008 at 7:43 pm
Anthony, I agree that it may seem to be a rip off but I was pricing out two Zs today during some downtime at work, and was surprised to see the result:
1) NISMO packaged 350Z - $39,340 including the D & H of $660
2) Grand Touring packaged 350Z - $39,820 including the D & H of $660
That is assuming you want your 350Z to have the BREMBO braking system. This is the result of Navigation and side airbags being required if you want to be able row your own gears which to me is ridiculous but I digress.
So besides the tacky body kit, the NISMO appears to be a better buy(considering the stiffer body, and upgraded shocks/springs) if you have the innate ability in being able to read road signs and maps and bypass the artificial need for a navigation system
Amusing write up on the car, gave me a few laughs.
…”each NISMO 350Z will include a serialized aluminum plaque on the center console, just to make owners feel even more special and less ripped off.”
LOL!
June 6th, 2008 at 5:49 pm
What an ignorant article. The author hasn’t even driven the car, nor mentions the plethora of chassis upgrades such as additional body welds and Yamaha chassis dampers F&R. Nor does he mention the NISMO 350Z was tuned and assembled in-house by AUTECH Japan.