Overview & Reviews

A proper sports car for the everyman. If we had just one sentence to describe the Nissan 350Z, that'd be it. While there have always been plenty of unobtainable sports cars out there to drool over, the 350Z's relatively compact dimensions, rear-wheel drive, two seats, muscular engine and sharp handling came at a price that real people could actually afford.

The Nissan 350Z represented the fifth generation of "Z" sports cars from this Japanese manufacturer. At its debut in 2003, the 350Z represented a key component of Nissan's rebirth in the North American market. For much of the late '90s and early new millennium, Nissan's lineup was full of lackluster cars. The Z brought back the company's spirit of fun and performance that had been missing ever since the discontinuation of the previous 300ZX.

The 350Z coupe was replaced by the 370Z coupe for 2009, while the 350Z roadster lived on before following suit the following year. In coupe or drop-top form, the 350Z was quite popular so finding a nice example on the used car market should be relatively easy. That said, keen shoppers will want to pay close attention to the car's changes and updates that were made through the years.

Most Recent Nissan 350Z

The 350Z sports car bowed in 2003 as an all-new model and was produced until 2008 (coupe) and 2009 (roadster). The first year there was only a coupe, as the roadster did not debut until the following year. Initially, the coupe came in base, Enthusiast, Performance, Touring and Track versions, while the roadster was limited to Enthusiast and Touring trim levels. The Track trim came with lightweight wheels and Brembo brakes, but its suspension tuning was the same as all other coupes.

In these early years, the V6 produced 287 hp and 274 lb-ft of torque. Power was sent to the rear wheels through either a six-speed manual or a five-speed automatic. The Track model had the manual only. Changes were minimal in the first few years, though Nissan did release a 350Z 35th-anniversary edition in '05. This manual-transmission model produced 300 hp (but less torque) and came in three exclusive colors.

For '06, Nissan included the Anniversary Edition's 300-hp V6 for all manual-equipped cars. There were a host of other changes as well, including mildly updated styling, speed-sensitive steering, larger brakes for non-Brembo-equipped models, a higher-quality interior, more standard features and a newly available navigation system. The Performance trim level was dropped. This was also the first year for the Grand Touring trim level, which was similar to the Touring but had the Track's Brembo brakes and wheels.

For '07, Nissan fully updated the V6 for all 350Zs and it made a potent 306 hp. The Track trim level was dropped, but in its place came the coupe-only Nismo 350Z model. The Nismo model dropped many luxuries in favor of performance-enhancing upgrades, such as a stiffened, seam-welded chassis, firmer springs and shock absorbers, special wheels and various aerodynamic upgrades. Inside, each Nismo 350Z had red and black cloth seats, a gray-faced tachometer and a number plaque indicating its build order in the production run. Nismo models were also produced for the coupe's last year in 2008; the following year brought the all-new 370Z coupe. For '09, the roadster carried the 350Z flag; the following year it was replaced by the all-new 370Z roadster.

In reviews, we found the Nissan 350Z to be an engaging sports car to drive hard. The V6 pulled strongly when revved past 3,000 rpm and generated one of the most distinctive engine and exhaust-note soundtracks available (something its successor lacks). The 350Z's ability to provide serious grip through corners made it a favorite of our enthusiast editors. At the limit, the car's handling could be a bit tricky, so steady hands were required.

When employed on a daily basis, the Nissan 350Z didn't make for such a compelling companion. Road and tire noise were considerable, and the car's stiff suspension transmitted plenty of shock to its occupants when driven on rough pavement. Inside, the Z's cabin was functional but decidedly stark. Some of the interior trim was of low quality, and the luggage capacity of the roadster was compromised, even for this class of car.

Considering the 350Z's gradual improvements in features and hardware over the years, consumers interested in a used Nissan 350Z should generally try to purchase the newest year possible. Notable options to look for would be side airbags (they were optional on the coupe and not always standard on the roadster) and stability control (which came on Touring coupes as well as Grand Touring and Track trim levels).

User Reviews:

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  Only super - 2004 Nissan 350Z
  By mdj - January 25 - 2:00 am

  Best price / comparison ive ever driven. Awesome, quick as lightning and steady as a rock!! Happy driving down in the States. Mdj The Netherlands

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  Exciting Love Afair - 2003 Nissan 350Z
  By Sergio - January 23 - 10:46 pm

  I fell in love with this little redhead on sight. The design is attractive, to me and to everybody around the car, even now 2 years later people look it over all the time. The powerfull V6 is a thrill every morning to drive to work and back.

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  Absolutely awesome sports car - 2008 Nissan 350Z
  By Ryan - January 21 - 10:53 pm

  My last 3 cars have been sports cars, (Mustang GT, Subaru WRX, 350Z) and this trumps them all This car pulls beautifully, runs great, is super reliable, amazing performance. Just love it. I recommend it highly

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  pure fun - 2004 Nissan 350Z
  By gatorfan - January 21 - 10:00 am

  This is true head turner. Performance is second to none in this "class". Ive had many sports car and this one is the most fun to drive.

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  nissaN - 2004 Nissan 350Z
  By artmcdonald1@aol.com - December 20 - 2:00 am

  very tight, suspension is overly hard, however, handles curves @ turns extremely well...first gear is too low, most starts can be made in 2nd. Brembo brakes are killer.....

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  350z - 2004 Nissan 350Z
  By jacob123 - December 20 - 2:00 am

  Its the best thing in the market!

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  The Car I have waited for, for 35 years - 2003 Nissan 350Z
  By Walter Foster - December 14 - 2:00 am

  This automobile is of high quality, it is of low cost and it is of higher performance. The closer other car that I could get would have cost 3 to 4 times as much and still would not have the quality. Walter Foster

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  04 350Z Is The Best Buy--AWESOME - 2004 Nissan 350Z
  By shifty6 - December 14 - 2:00 am

  Just bought my Z roadster and am in love with the car. Best Z yet,no doubt from the moment you crank up the throaty motor/dual exhaust. For those looking for confidence when u need to pass traffic, this is the SPORTS CAR to do it with and have fun while youre doing it. Top-down is very quick, efficiently quiet in just under 20 seconds. Handling could not be better. Hope to run with the top down as we ease into spring over the next two months.

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  Not Enough Space to Brag About This Car - 2005 Nissan 350Z
  By DaveW - November 28 - 10:00 am

  I got the Z in the last week of March. I have to say I havent been disappointed in any way. I ended up with the auto as a concession to my wife, but I cant say Im sorry. She loves the car as much as I do. There dont seem to be many in our area, so we continue to get looks everywhere we go. Ive driven the car nearly every day since I got it. I think the ergonomics are ok. The stereo is fine, but there is more road noise from the hatch area than I like. Be prepared, the ride is stiff. I never owned a car like this before, and that took some getting used to. I havent had any of the problems earlier models seemed to have. No problems period!

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  Better Than the Boxter - 2004 Nissan 350Z
  By Bud cook - November 28 - 10:00 am

  The 350Z is nice to drive and handles well. I have had 2001 and 2003 Porsche Boxters and 911s in the past. Several with a manual and one a Tiptronic. The 350 Z is easy $10k less also. This car has much more interior room and head room. The performance is also excellent. Plenty of scoot for cruising and passing. Nice glass rear window. It is fairly quiet for a convertable when driving with the top up or down.