I know alot of people on here have driven/own 350Z's, but today I took my first one on a test drive. I did it mostly out of curiosity, but also my gf is trying to form an idea on what kind of 2nd fun car she's gonna get later this year.

First off, it was a 6 speed Enthusiast model. Black cloth interior, silver exterior. It was an 03 with 9,500 miles and had aftermarket 18's & a catback exhaust. The wheels were ok, but not much better lookin than stock, but the exhaust was LOUD. It had a decent tone I guess, but it just wasnt my style. My gf liked it, but I thought it was way too loud & kind of raspy. The salesman said it was the Nismo catback, so I'll take his word on it. I def would return it to stock, or at least put in a resonator to quiet it down a bit if I bought it. Its not that I dont like a loud car, but IMO it seemed like it was trying too hard. My mustang is about as loud but doesnt sound raspy, so maybe I'm just spoiled by real V8 exhaust sounds.

The test drive went pretty good, mostly because it was just me & the gf. I didnt feel bad about getting on it a little bit, but I did NOTHING abusive. Since I know that I would not be buying this car there's no way I want to be a dick and hurt it for the next buyer. The shifter/clutch took only a second to get used to, and after a couple lights I was comfortable with it. Shifter was def shorter throw than my CL-S, but it was notchy kinda like my mustang, which is not a bad thing. Steering & handling was phenominal, at least in my opinion. Bodyroll was non-existant at the speeds and corners I traveled, and it rode ALOT better than I thought it would. Very nice combination of sport/ride quality. The engine seemed pretty similar in power curve to my CL-S6, just a touch more mid range tq, but it seemed like it started to fade pretty quickly after 5k rpm. It definitely didnt have the low end tq that my Mustang has, which is to be expected I guess. I dont know if its because the Z is so heralded, or if it was just me, but I thought it would be faster, to be honest. I know my CL would be damn close from a roll, and if I launched good it might edge out this particular 350Z. Again, not saying it was slow, just maybe not as fast as everyone makes it out to be.

On to the not so good. The interior, IMO is poor at best. Door panels are ridiculously drab and low-rent (I thought it needed a fridgidaire badge on it lol , the dash material is the shiniest piece I've seen this side of a Neon, and the radio looked like it belonged in a 4 banger Altima. The HVAC controls seemed nice enough I guess. I cant see myself ever dropping $25k, let alone $35k for a car with an interior like that if it didnt make some serious amount of hp. The Mustang, Corvette, and Camaro could get away with a rental car interior because they made 350+hp, all the Z really does is look sporty and handle/brake well.

Overall I give it a 7/10. To me it seems like a car that does everything good, but nothing great. Maybe when they revise the interior and give it 25hp more I'd rethink my opinion. It does look very nice, and would be a great auto-x/road course ride. I definitely wont be trading my mustang in for one anytime soon though.

 

Almost everyone who drives the Z says it doesn't feel that fast. It's due to 2 reasons:

- It has such a flat torque and HP curve it basically pulls pretty much the same throughout the entire rev range. No pull up high like the CLS or huge down-low grunt like the Mustang. It's only when you look down at the speedometer that you realize how fast you are going.

- Throttle: The Z is one of the only cars on the market that has a 1:1 throttle. You press 25% down, you get 25% of the power. Most cars give you close to 50+% in the first 25% of pedal travel to make the car seem faster than it is.

Stock for stock, the Z is faster than a CLS or a stock 4.6L Mustang (pre-2005 model year). On average it runs high 13's to 14.0 in the 1/4 at 100+ mph. The CL is not nearly as fast. Feeling how fast a car isn't reality. It's the #'s the car puts down, and the Z consistently puts down good #'s. It's not an Evo or STi but fast nonetheless.

 

First to say, Thanks for the review....hit all points very well,,Mental Rep Points To You

 

I'm probably going to end up buying a Touring Roadster when I get my truck paid off

 

Cus I dont disagree, I know that they run good times. I wasnt aware of the throttle linkage info tho, thanks.

And *MY* CL-S6 ran nearly 99mph and hit 14.2 a couple times, all with a 60' still worse than a typical 350Z, so I cant really agree that it is significantly faster over the 1/4 mile, stock:stock that is. I have some experience with the VQ35 as my gf has an 03 Maxima. In my estimation it felt very similar, just better gearing and a bit more mid range power. I guess it would really take a track day to see how it really performs comparably to my car, with me driving.

What does the typical bone stock 350Z dyno at, out of curiousity?

 

My CLS auto ran 14.4 with OBX headers and short ram intake which is pretty quick but my Z is definitely faster. I haven't taken my Z to the track to get a good comparison yet though.

Stock Z's usually dyno in the mid-high 130whp range with an average at 135 from what I have seen. I've seen a few bone stock Z's run 145hp to the wheels though.

 

BTW, I completely agree with you about the exhaust. The Z's stock exhaust is pretty awesome and has the perfect mix of sound and smoothness. At an AutoX event I switched Z's with a guy there who had the Nismo exhaust. It definitely sounded too loud and raspy as you mentioned. I'd stick with the stock exhaust.

 

So from 287HP it's only 135 at the wheels?

 

the 350z still gets my attention, but for the money, I'm leaning more toward a used vette, boxster, or m3 (gasp @ prices)...gotta have a vert next time around to go with my hp...my 2 cents...

 

you mean 230-245 whp?

 

Very nice review. I agree mostly with what you say about the Z... especially the interior which in my opinion is total crap. But for how affordable the car is, you can't have it all. Certainly one of the best bangs for the buck... but personally, I don't see why anyone would ever choose the 350Z over the G35C. For one, there's no way I can justify it for use as a track car since it's just way too heavy. The G35 especially the new ones are just as quick, have nicer interiors and have a more composed suspension tuning. My verdict on the 350Z is that for how raw and sporty the car feels, it should be lighter.... but it's not. And that's another reason why it's not as quick as it should be. If you're going to have that much weight on a car it better have either a 1) creature comforts and interior refinement, or 2) A monster of a powerplant to move all the excess baggage. The Z has neither and there's nothing in the car that can quite explain the heft. Nissan should really make the track version of the 350Z a signficantly lighter one with nothing but bare bones furnishings since the interior is already crap anyway. Just my $0.02

 

I meant 235 & 245... Typo's

 

I don't get why people always say the Z is too heavy. It's not. My Z weights 3180lbs. That's far from being very heavy. The G35c is heavy (it's almost 300lbs heavier). The Touring Z is a bit heavier, but get a less optioned out model and the Z is not bad at all.

The G35c is not just as quick as the Z, even with the new 295hp engine. The problem with that engine is that it loses 17lb/ft of torque. It's a bit slower in 0-60 and on the track, it gets killed.

I got the Z because I feel it looks much nicer than the G35c, performs better and was a more reasonable price.

 

My dad's bone stock 00 GT 5 speed put down 235whp/282wtq, so I would say a well driven 00 GT 5 speed would be a drivers race with a 350Z 6 speed. His ran 14.2 @ 99mph with limited track time. I probably could have touched 13's at a better track.

And the only car the 350Z is sheavy compared to is the S2000, so its def not a porker, nor does it drive like one.

 

Glad you like your Z and I didn't mean to knock on it... but I still think it's heavy.

Took one for a few laps around gingerman and it even feels heavy. RX8 and S2K's were much more involving. Interior is sub-par and a refined daily-driving sports car it is not. So it excels neither on the track nor on the road. I'll take a G35C anyday... convinced a friend to do the same. Just my opinion, don't take it personally.

For the money, nothing beats a Z... since the RX8 is so fugly.

 

I never said I loved my Z.. There are things I like and don't like about it. I leased it because I get sick of cars quickly and I'm already looking at it's replacement.

It's far from perfect, but a good car nonethless. I responded because I get sick of all of these "the Z is a heavy pig" comments. It's not. 3180lbs is not heavy. Yes, it's heavier than a S2000 or RX8 but it's lighter than most other sports cars: GTO, Mustang, Corvette, S4, M3, etc..

The Z actually does VERY well on road courses. Just because you didn't have a great experience doesn't mean it doesn't perform well. The Z equals the performance of the M3, 911 Carrera as well as the RX8 and S2000. It may feel heavy, but that doesn't mean it doesn't perform well. It's an excellent track car.

In regards to a daily driver, I use my Z as my daily driver almost all the time. I also have an 03 Accord, but the Z serves me just fine most of the time. The car has plenty of passenger room inside, all the features I need and is generally comfortable. It does have issues with storage and cargo space and a rough ride on bad pavement, but overall it's fine for my needs.

I'm glad you would take a G35c but many others don't agree as the Z sells extremely well, so I guess Nissan is doing something right.

 

One other thing.. I am a pretty experienced AutoX'er. I am in the same class as my friend's 02 S2000. Both cars are sports cars and end up with almost exactly the same times. The S2000 is more communicative and lighter on it's feet compared to the Z, but lacks the torque to pull through the corners and is very prone to significant oversteer. It's very easy to spin.

My Z on the other hand definitely feels heavier and takes more muscle to get through the course, but it does hold on very well, isn't prone to oversteer and the torque helps significantly. My friend and I are always within split seconds of eachother.

The G35c on the other hand performs significantly worse in AutoX. It's too heavy, the suspension is too soft and the long wheelbase hampers the ability to turn quickly. Even though on paper both the Z and G35c look similar, I can tell you from real world experience, there is a significant difference.

 

M3 vert is 3781 lbs(needs slim-fast)...but it can carry you and 3 of your peeps...and it is so pretty top up or down...I have kids, got think like a Dad.....

 

geez... I'm not allowed to say a car is heavy?!? It is. Compared to an RX8 and S2K it's heavy, so that makes it too heavy in my book for the purposes I would consider the car for. There are cars lighter in its class right? And it feels heavy when driven at the limit? So it is heavy. I never said it was obscenely heavy... just stating an opinion. The only reason I'm comparing to a G35C is because it doesn't fulfill a role on the track as much as I would've liked which consequently places it in a role as a daily driver in which the G35C makes a better case. Rationale that I've discussed with other people who were faced with such decisions. Never taken a Z on an autox event but have done so with many other cars. I agree on the S2K's tendency to spin.... I've done it... killed many cones that way. Definitely have to get very familiar with the car to not let that happen. There, we agree on something!

 

A base 350Z weighs 3,188lbs, which is heavy for such a small car.
Enthusiast weighs 3,197
Performace weighs 3,217
Touring weighs 3,247
Track weighs 3,225
Anniversary weighs 3,299

http://www.nissanusa.com/vehicles/ModelSpecifications/0,,120017|120563|,00.html

 

Sounds like the Miata club is participating in this thread. I dont hear folks calling the SLK350 a fat pig, yet it weighs more than the Z. That said, I've already seen two 6MTs run between 13.8-13.9 in stock trim, so apparently it's more phat than fat.

As for the interior cheapness, this statement probably sums it up best:
"The Z's heat/vent/AC knobs look and feel cheap but, to their credit, they remain intact and fully functional. The rubber-like interior door panels have also held up well. But it's remarkable to me how much more refined and inviting the cockpit of the Z's next-of-kin — the Infiniti G35 Sport Coupe — is for just a few thousand dollars more." - Jim Hall - R&T Editor on a 350Z w/ 45,000 miles

Good review JT. It does seem like the used Z cars are going for cheap around here (central NJ) and I've thought of getting one just on principle.

 

SLK350 has more lux.........it's a lux car. Not the same as the 350z.

 

Point is, it's subjective Zap.

 

I was going to purchase a 350Z, but I chose not to for a couple of reasons. First, Nissan service is HORRIBLE as well as their quality is declining. I was really turned off at Nissan's treatment of customers when I had problems with my Maxima. Secondly, relating to the 350Z, the suspension isn't tuned properly. I would have to spend money right away and get an S-tune suspension or Koni shocks to eliminate the annoying bounce on the highway. I do a lot of highway driving so this is something I couldn't tollerate. The early 350Z's suffered from feathering and premature tire wear, I don't know if Nissan corrected this problem. Lastly, the layout of the interior is nice, but the plastics are CHEAP.

I chose the 05 Mustang ultimately because I like the car better. It is faster in a straight line and hangs well in the turns. I like to modify my cars, and Mustangs have a much larger aftermarket than the Z. I would have purchased a Touring model because I wanted leather, but that really gets you up into the price range. You are almost approaching C6 territory with a fully loaded Touring.

 

I stated earlier that my car weighted 3180. I have the Enthusiast model and I saw a stat of 3188 for that model on cars.com but it looks like I was off by a few lbs. It's still under 3200lbs which is not heavy. The car is not extremely small. It's only a 2 seater, but it's much bigger than a S2000 or Miata which are small cars. Heavy is relative, but it's not a high weight at all.

 

Good choice! As I mentioned earlier, there are a number of things that I don't like with my Z. The biggest issue I have is the quality/reliability of the car. I've had a number of issues such as tire wear (replaced under warranty at 12,000 miles, transmission gears grinding, etc...) The suspension bounce is not bad at all any longer. It seems the longer you own the car, the more planted it becomes. The Z is a great car to own for a short time, but I don't trust the long-term reliability.

The new Mustang is a very nice car. It's on my list as a potential Z replacement when the lease is up in 11 months.

 

Agreed. The first time I drove one I drove it hard (at the salesman's prodding) and kept thinking, "THIS is 287 hp? Yeah, right." I have to say, the Z is the only car I can think of that sounds so bad to my ears I wouldn't even WANT to drive it fast.

You're so generous. I'd give it a 5/10 since it did nothing for me. I think the salesman had more fun in the passenger seat than I did behind the wheel of it.

 

My friend's 03 Touring had the same problems. His snow tires were feathered pretty badly and he had his tranmission replaced(more than once IIRC) because it was grinding 3rd gear. I wouldn't buy a Nissan out of warranty. My transmission went out 2K miles out of warranty and Nissan didn't even attempt to remedy the situation. A wrist pin came out in the diff which caused basically an explosion in my transmission. The thing that pisses me off was that they replaced the diff twice under warranty and then the whole transaxle. When they replace the transaxle, they give you a remanufactured unit. To this day, it makes me mad.

 

I've driven that car and it definetly does not feel like 287 hp; I guess my feeling is skewed after driving an STi; which was suprisingly VERY fast. I guess its all about the power delivery.

 

I would say it feels like the advertised hp because it definitely felt a touch faster overall than the CL-S. I just was maybe expectingg more, thats all. I dont think it has a lack of power of any sorts. For a V6, 280hp NA is pretty damn good.

I sat in an 05 G35C at the auto show and I love that interior. Nice materials, awesome stereo, and sooo much higher class looking than then 350Z. I would gladly pay the extra couple grand for a G35C and get a better looking, better built, and better serviced vehicle. They are only like what, 2 tenths slower? And I'm sure the G35C still handles very nicely, as the 03 sedan I drove felt pretty planted.

 

well i posted my review in a seperate thread. but coming down to cost...

The 350ZR is about the same price as the G35C...I'd take the G35 for that money...

But i do like them both.

 

As I mentioned earlier, it doesn't necessarily feel as fast as it is, but it is a fast car. It runs high 13's in the 1/4 bone stock quite frequently. There even is a timeslip of a few running mid-13's bone stock.

My good friend has an Evo and we race all the time. From a roll, I usually edge ahead even though his car feels much faster due to the lag and then explosive boost of the turbo. (he beats me from a dig due to his AWD launch)

 

How do you beat him from a roll? Evo's trap at 102-103mph, and Z's are more like 100mph. Sounds like you are beating the driver, not the car.

 

The 5-60 and 30-50 and 50-70 acceleration times are actually better for the Z. Check out reviews in C&D and the like. The 04 Evo traps at 102-103 (has more HP and Torque) but my friends is an 03 and most of them trap in the 100-101 range which is about exactly what the Z traps at.

We've raced MANY times and I pull slightly ahead almost every time. When I say I pull slightly, it's only a foot or so at most. From a dig as I mentioned, I get destroyed.

 

Gotcha, I didint know the 04's were any faster. Did they change the gearing, cuz they are rated the same hp?

 

Here are the changes from 03-04 taken from C&D.. These engine changes are for all 3 models (regular Evo, RS and MR)

"More power (276 horsepower and 286 pound-feet of torque versus 271 and 273, respectively, over the last model), thanks to a bigger turbocharger turbine nozzle and a new waste gate."

The extra torque really helps with the trap speed increase

 

Well one thing I do love about the Z is the torque; you don't have to wind the shit outta the motor to get to speed.

 

Ahhhhh......I didnt know they got a power increase.

 

And that's another reason why I enjoy my 02 Maxima.

All this said, it does seem like A LOT of folks that are unloading their Zs around here. Auto Shopper is full of used ones going for mid-$20Ks. With a minivan and 02 Maxima in my garage already, looks like I may just get a great deal on a used Z later this year. I could use a nice weekend car for the wife and I.

 

The sold over 30,000 of them the first year, and I've seen many people on the Z boards that say they bought it because they loved the looks and then realized it wasn't terribly practical so had to sell. It's a nice car but be weary of the 03 model year.