Is SE ownership worth it?

[ManiacLachy]

Care to elaborate at all, bootz?

[meanmx]

Nope

I too have the lust for power and while the mx5 is a brilliant car it is a bit limp wristed unless you buy an SP. Then it is just adequate. This is when they are stock. I'm in the process of turbocharging my NB8B and that will make it 3 turbo cars that I own. I think I have something for turbos.

[fastfreddygassit]

As a SE owner, the answer is a conditional YES.
I would not pay >15k (total) for one. But under that price, I think it a great buy!
Mine is still very (sort-of) stock (after a year of ownership) and still enjoy the driving experience.
I had it dyno'd last year for a base, and it came in at 101 rwkw.

At three Vic Club dyno days on a Dyno Dynamics dyno which gave consistent readings over the three years standard SP's average around 113RWKW so I think an SE may struggle to get to 110 RWKW given the average loss quoted flywheel to RW over about twenty cars was 30%.

Depending on car and dyno, I think most SE's would be 95-105 RWKW in a bone stock form.
So it is no rocketship, but it IS noticeably faster than a stock NB8B. There are a few guys on here that have dríven it and were surprised at the difference (looking at you Lee! I didn't know it would wheelspin in second until you drove it!!)
I have dríven meanmx's NB8B, and that had a pod filter and free flowing muffler fitted, and I found it...lacking. It revs more freely than the SE but lacks a lot of torque. My old (Droo's car) NA8 feels quicker (Cams, extractors, intake, exhaust, etc).
That is why meanmx is turboing it.
When you factor the cost of a NB8B/C and then cost of turbo conversion, then a cheaper SE makes sense. Yes, you are power limited to about 140 or so rwkw before you need a programmable ECU $$$$.
But, you do get a nice interior with subtle touches, the torsen diff, the bodykit, wheels (don't say anything Simon ) etc etc.
Many guys here do a lot of motorsport and the need for power is important to them.
I do a lot of back roads cruising and it is such an enjoyable car for that. If I can get 140rwkw, then the car will be perfect.
and for me, in the nanny state of Vic, the SE (and SP) is the only way I can legally get a turbocharged NB on the road.
I do not know of anyone who has successfully engineered an aftermarket turbo NB8B/C in Vic.

It must be noted that the next major mod I am doing to the car is fitting a cruise control. Not an intake or an exhaust. So keep that in mind whilst reading my comments above!

[Okibi]

NB < NB SE < NB after-market turbo kit including proper ECU and exhaust (or SP) < Modified NB SE

It's a close call between a stock SE and SP but the SE turbo is so tiny I had to give it to the stock SP even though they come with an open diff .

My car was never going to stay stock so I chose the SE over the SP.

[A.Chen89]

My advice would be arrange a ride/test drive with a few members with sp's/modded or stock se's and turbo'd nb8bs.
The ones with an EFR turbo go alright

[bootz]

Care to elaborate at all, bootz?

Lots of good answers here but really it like asking "Is convertible ownership worth it?"

If you are curious, you need to suck it and see.

[davekmoore]

Exactly what do you want to do with the car and how much, if at all, are you prepared to modify it?

[bruce]

Be wise - buy the car already modified. Let the previous owner pay for the mods.

[davekmoore]

Yup, but be sure they're the mods you want and that they're within the capabilities of the rest of the car.

E.g: Don't buy a road car with 174rwkw and expect it to put all of that down all the time on the track without additional cooling or brakes.

[Lokiel]

Yup, but be sure they're the mods you want and that they're within the capabilities of the rest of the car.

E.g: Don't buy a road car with 174rwkw and expect it to put all of that down all the time on the track without additional cooling or brakes.

Or break without building the engine too!

[bear2230]

I don't know about other SE owners but the 6 speed in my SE is brilliant (on both SEs that I had).

I'm happy to read this yem11n because your first cars gearbox and entire drive line is going into the white car hopefully next week.

Richard.

[yem11n]

I don't know about other SE owners but the 6 speed in my SE is brilliant (on both SEs that I had).

I'm happy to read this yem11n because your first cars gearbox and entire drive line is going into the white car hopefully next week.

Richard.

Awesome. Really interested to see what you will be doing with the white car.

[angusis2fast4u]

Re: Is SE ownership worth it?

NO

This thread has just made me want an FC more than getting an SE or even a normal NB.. I think i'll keep the Skyline for now and save up for the FC


My mate just told me he DAILYED a 400KW FC for a year, Now that is cool! said he never had an issue either! although 400kw is a little excessive haha 250kw would be more than plenty for me i think

[angusis2fast4u]

Exactly what do you want to do with the car and how much, if at all, are you prepared to modify it?

Im my second post I posted a photo of the reason I want an NB, the photo will be there if you can't click the link. I do enjoy modifying cars quite a bit like I bought my skyline at the start of this year and I can already give you a long list of mods and an even bigger receipt book

I'm just reaching a point where I really do love my skyline BUT i feel as if i would love an FC even more, still at a cross roads but at least I know now MX5 is not the answer to my want for moar powah and better handling haha

[fastfreddygassit]

^^^^Honest answer/response.

And you are right, the FC appears to be the car that you require.
Just curious though, why a FC over a FD?

edit:
Have you dríven a FC/FD? Because if you are at a point where you are beginning to love the R32, you maybe disappointed.......
disclaimer: I lust after R32 GTR's