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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  awesome car! - 2006 Nissan 350Z
  By robert - December 17 - 8:56 pm

  i think buying a 2006 nissan 350z was the best idea ever. i mean its so awesome. the acceleration is rocket fast. and the handling is awesome. thanks nissan for making 350z.

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  Putting the Fun Back in Driving - 2003 Nissan 350Z
  By herz - December 11 - 2:00 am

  The 350Z is just a blast to drive. Can you say flat cornering? I can! The 350Z corners like a dream. Can you say quick smooth braking? I can! Go from 50 MPH to stop in no time, but not feel like you are doing a sudden stop. Accelerating on short highway on-ramps is almost too easy. I sometimes find myself doing 80 mph as I merge into the highway traffic.

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  God I love this car!! - 2004 Nissan 350Z
  By meghand19 - December 8 - 3:20 pm

  This car is so fun to drive! This is the first car that I have ever had that people stop me at lights and in parking lots to tell me how much they love my car. It does take a little while to get used to only having two seats, but there are two spaces for papers and a bigger cubby behind the passenger seat. For such a quick sports car, it gets mileage that you can live with(about 20 miles/gallon). If you want a car that turns heads, but wont break the bank then stop looking and buy a Z!

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  A great car for the money - 2004 Nissan 350Z
  By yikes - December 6 - 10:00 am

  After looking at several cars, we were sold on the new 350Z once it came out in a convertible. It makes driving fun again! The ride is good and handling has been better than the reviews stated. The added cup holder is a good addition. The dashboard is well laid out. One one negative is viewing out the back and sides with the top up is difficult.

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  Red Touring Roadster - 2004 Nissan 350Z
  By Jimmycat - December 6 - 10:00 am

  Ive never driven a car which is this much fun. The styling is the best in the sportscar market. Fit and finish are what you would expect in a car costing thousands more. Tons of horsepower and it really hugs the road like a go-cart. Dont buy this car if you are expecting a cushy-marshmellow Lexus sort of ride. It has a rough sportscar ride as it should. Yet the interior is luxurious. The convertible top is fast and easy to operate. ZOOM!

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  Japenese Muscle Car - 2004 Nissan 350Z
  By 1417497124 - December 6 - 10:00 am

  Before buying the z i looked at all the cars in the segment. From the corvette to the s2000 the zs blend of high quality and a muscular v8 feeling engine won me over. There was no other car with this blend in the price range. The zs exhaust note amazingly sounds like a v8s too. Since buying I have had it for 5 months and put 2500 miles on it which is alot for just a weekend criuser. I find myself going out for what i thought would be a short drive and ending up putting 100 miles on the car. To sum it up if you want japenese quality with the american muscle car feeling heres your car.

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  Excellent Z - 2004 Nissan 350Z
  By sparker - December 6 - 10:00 am

  Great xar!

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  2005 350Z best sports car for $$$ - 2005 Nissan 350Z
  By Peg - November 24 - 6:33 pm

  My 2005 Nissan 350Z is amazing! It handles very well, is fun to drive, looks sharp, and has great pick up! The Touring pkg. comes with almost all the bells and whistles at a great price. The Bose audio system has a great sound. Pit falls - no ash tray, no auto head lights, cup holders are behind driver except one (which I use as an ash tray). I would highly urge anybody looking for a sports car to take a look at the 2005 350Z! No regrets here!

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  Best ever - 2005 Nissan 350Z
  By Wendys Toy - November 12 - 8:50 pm

  This is my second Z, first a coupe and loved it. Needed to step it up and go topless. Everyone loves the car and continues to get all the attention it deserves. Will always be a Z girl.

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  Fun in the Sun! - 2004 Nissan 350Z
  By Warren - November 10 - 8:50 am

  I picked up my silver beauty while looking for a commute vehicle a few years back. In the market for a Honda Accord, I noticed her on the used car lot and suddenly had a desire to experience a convertible for the first time in my life. Over the ensuing 3 years, Ive had many enjoyable experiences and a few bad ones. Overall, the positives far outweigh the negatives. At 12 years old, she still looks fresh and sharp; especially with the top down. Performance is acceptable. The 3.5 liter V-6 is responsive and the power delivery is smooth and satisfying. The exhaust note is a "love it or hate it" affair for most folks and fortunately for me, I have no issues with how the Z sounds. Sure its sort of droney an does not sound like a V-8. But in reality, its not supposed to sound like a Mustang and thank God it does not sound like a modified Civic. I drive 27 miles one way to work and I was slightly disappointed that 23 MPG is the best I can achieve. Around town, Ill get 18-19 MPG which is marginal. That said, I did not buy the Z for fuel economy and its not a huge issue for me. I do find it odd that my 2015 Ram 1500 with a 5.7 V8 will actually knock down better highway mileage than the Z - but I guess thats the beauty of an 8-speed transmission. At 64", the interior is somewhat cramped - but I tend to prefer smaller vehicles - so its not a problem for me. Just by looking at the car, its obvious its not going to be as roomy as a Honda Accord. The way I view it, if i wanted a roomier interior, I wouldnt have purchased the Z. The trunk is practically useless but the interior does offer several cubbies; some of which require seat manipulation to access. During my three years of ownership, Ive had a few minor and one major issue. The drivers side door would not latch and required a new mechanism - which ended up being a lot more expensive than I anticipated. The remote fuel filler door actuator stopped working which required replacement. The drivers side power window broke which required replacement. And finally, the transmission needed to be rebuilt at 130,000 miles. Ive had a few annoying minor issues which I have not yet addressed such as the storage compartment on the dash (I do not have navigation) is broken and will not open and the weather stripping on the outside of driver side window is loose. All in all, I expected some minor issues with a 100,000+ vehicle. The transmission issue was expensive but again, not unexpected for a high mileage vehicle. The engine still runs flawlessly and per my mechanic, seems to be in excellent shape. Compared to my 94 Mustang Cobra, the Z is rock-solid with no body roll and precise steering. I rarely push it to the limit, but the handling seems to be very adequate. I have had a few occasions where I lost control of the back end in wet conditions under fairly unremarkable conditions. In other words, I did not feel the loss of control was warranted based on the driving input. Ever since Ive had those "scares" - I tend to pay very close attention in the rain. There are a few days per year when, despite the lack of convenience, poor fuel economy and added weight - owning a convertible is a magical experience. When the weather is perfect and the sun is shining brightly... Its for those type of days that make inconveniences of owning a convertible totally worth it. My Z is a daily-driver and Ill likely replace her next year - but shell remain in my garage as a weekend car. To say that Ive been completely satisfied with my purchase would be an understatement. There are faster, better handling, more modern choices out there - but there is just something special about the Z that make me smile each time I take the wheel.