Like a proud daddy, I’m so glad absolutely no one picked that Lambo. Let’s continue the theme of value and speed, because I just finished a turn in a Nissan Z NISMO, and though the review won’t be out until next month, I must tell you it’s really good.
So good that I find myself looking them up. Nothing used exists yet, the car is still too new. Instead, let me change it up by explaining why a $70,000 Nissan with the interior from a 20-year-old car is actually a decent value.
The 2024 Nissan Z NISMO vs the 2023 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Weissach
Special editions always cost more money. That’s just the way it is. Sure, you usually get a little more power, a little more brakes, and a little more performance. But it’s rarely worth the added price.
On the surface, the Z NISMO would appear to fall in line. It has a 420-horsepower twin-turbocharged V-6, up 20 from a regular Z. You also get a revised suspension, stickier tires, a performance rear differential, and some Recaro seats inside. The NISMO is automatic-only, and there are no options of real substance. MSRP: $68,280. That’s some $15,000 more than the Performance Trim.
But when you drive this car, the differences are apparent. The lack of sound insulation brings the V-6 to life. The cheap (it’s crap) interior suddenly feels like a hollowed out race car. The terrible ride, where every pebble is felt, becomes a way to experience every road sensation. The center tunnel gets warm to the touch. And the steering – magnificent. Feels like 90% of the power assist goes away at speed. I could go on, but suffice it to say that this is a raw car.
The Z NISMO fits in absolutely no where. To get the sort of experience it provides, you have to go to Chevrolet for a Z06, which is much larger and not nearly as nimble, or…gulp…a $193,000 GT4.
The 2024 Nissan Z NISMO
Have you seen a single Z anywhere? I have not. No shows, no events, not at dealers. Nowhere. Despite that, there are no less than five Z NIMOSs available within 50 miles of me. Let’s pick one.
- Two-tone Stealth Gray / Super Black
- Graphite interior – there’s no other option
- No heated seats, no power seats, no carbon fiber, no sunroof
- You do get Apple CarPlay, Adaptive Cruise Control, and a Bose Stereo
- Typical safety features are here
- Rays forged wheels and an entire laundry list of NISMO-enhanced goodies.
- $69,305
That’s a lot – I don’t need to list all the cars you have to walk by for $70k. But for the kind of things you won’t find at a Sunday morning Cars & Coffee, the Z is the real deal.
Where else can we get such a raw experience?
2023 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Weissach
Sadly, Porsche stopped selling the 718 this year. A 911 GT3 would of course give you a similar vibe, but I wanted to keep the comparison as close as possible, and the 718 fits the bill.
- Just 58 miles, so brand new
- Seven-speed PDK
- 4.0-liter flat six with 493 horsepower and 331 lb-ft of torque
- 20″ forged magnesium wheels with Michelin Cup 2 tires
- Arctic Gray over black/blue leather and Alcantara
- Chrono Package
- Weissach Package-equipped cars have titanium tailpipes, exposed carbon-fiber on the hood, intakes, side mirror housings, and wing
- Carbon Fiber buckets
- Current bid: $193,500
Now, I get it: it’s a Porsche GT4. Sublime. Orgasmic. Maybe the best sports car on the planet. Obviously it’s worlds better than the Z.
But what if I told you that when it matters the most, the Z is just as good? Forget about impressing anyone, or staring at it in the garage, or how many likes it’ll get on Instagram. Instead, think about being behind the wheel on a beautiful summer evening, windows down, back roads beckoning.
Both can do it. One does it for an attainable price.
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