today, I decided to stop by a nissan dealer and test drive a new 350Z. I test drove a brickyard touring model, stickered at 33K.

here goes:

things I liked:

-GOOD low end torque!
-lazer guided handling.
-nice bose audio
-nice luxury amenities
-lovely exhaust note! I'm addicted to the sound!
-car drove and felt really light
-headlight assembly looked schweeeeet upclose!

things I didn't like:

- ride quality is way too stiffff! oUCH! I mean I've been driven in a C5 vetter, and it wasn't as bad as this
- serious lack of storage space!
- rear visibility is none existent
- the interior was really, really cheap! I mean hard hollow sounding plastics everywhere! definitly a let down for the price!
- interior cabin was kind of cramped! decent leg room but upper torso room was lacking.

overall, its ok. great for speed, and handling, in other words its a pure sports car! its does not pretend to be a comfy car. I don't know why people get a boner comparing it to the CLS! Two totally different cars! If you are considering jumping ship from a cls to a 350Z, then be prepared to make some scrifices, ie space, luxury, visibity, practicality, etc! the 350Z is a car you own for weekend spirited driving, autox, etc.

 

thanks for ur honest and logical perspective!

 

 

Nice review, it is a Sports Car

 

How would you compare it to the S2000?

 

I absolutely love my Z. 2,000+ miles on it so far and not a single regret, but you have to go into it knowing it's a true sports car.

I test drove the S2000 and it's very nice. Styling was a plus, very nice and nible handling, and it moved, but had a lack of torque compared to the Z or CLS. The S2000 was a very nice car, but I just felt the Z met my needs more.

Again, if you get either one of these, get ready for a less compliant ride, sparse interiors, lack of storage space and a less quiet ride.

 

Is it me, or are you contradicting yourself here?

 

Then again, he likes all the torque from his Honda.

 

why does my honda give you guys a bonner? is it because you think its fast,? Is it because it cost me 23,300(invoice) + $190(injen cai), and ran a 14.7 @ 97mph?

I a very happy/proud of how fast my car is with just premium fuel and cai, but honestly it isn't very fast! If I wanted torque, for cheap, I could by a dodge neon srt4(20K) add a pair of slicks, and run 12.9 at the track, while making '03 vetts look stupid! check out this old video:

http://www.atpturbo.com/turbopiping/...9SRT416PSI.mpg

 

not really! the car had luxury items such as: bose audio, w/ an in dash 6, auto climate control, heated seats(i think!), available navi, etc! However it was cheap on the inside! there were hard hollow sounding plastics everywhere! very fisher price, if you know what I mean!

 

I've never driven, or been driven in an S!

 

Hardly. BTW, I drive a 03 Accord EX (4-door) as well as the Z, and the interior of my Accord is hardly much better than the Z. Yes, the Z has more plastic, but the quality and solidity is the same in both cars.

 

It's a Nissan. I think they are defined by their cruddy interiors. They must be proud of their crappy plastic because they really have not made any headway in this department since the Datsun days.

Thanks for the review though.

 

yeah but I got my accord for 23,300! the Z on the other hand was trying to go for 33K! when you factor in the 10,000 dollar difference, I expect more than a celica interior!

 

It's a sports car. It's not meant to compete with an Accord, CLS, etc... I was just saying that the plastic isn't as bad as some other Nissan's such as the Altima.

I got my Z for 29k and it compares favorably to the interior of a Vette, Mustang, etc. (cars it competes against)

 

Dont you mean mommy and daddy got your accord for that price.

And what the hell is a bonner? cause it sure as hell doesnt give me a boner, its not a 6spd.

 

The Z has a nice interior for a sports car. Sports cars are about driving, not interior ammenities. If you are judging a sports car purchase on its interior, you are buying it for the wrong reason.

As for that SRT, its a quick car, but its still a neon.

 

i cant believe we're actually arguing this same subject again..I think we're at 7x now...same people defending the Z, same people criticizing its interior, etc. Nothing wrong with an independant review, but sheez it always sparks a 4 page long debate...

 

This is the last thread where I defend the Z or discuss it's shortcomings