Overview & Reviews

Nissan was born in Japan, and like other marques from its homeland, the brand is known for crafting vehicles that place an emphasis on quality and reliability. The company's roster of products is broad, and includes sporty coupes, family sedans, minivans, trucks and SUVs.

The automaker got its start in 1933 as the Jidosha Seico Co., Ltd. The following year, this outfit merged with another Japanese manufacturer, and the new company was christened Nissan Motor Company, Ltd. Nissan initially marketed its vehicles under the Datsun brand, with the first Datsuns being built in 1934. Postwar, the brand made its presence felt worldwide, building a partnership with the U.K.-based Austin Motor Co. and establishing a presence in the United States. The first Datsuns hit American shores in 1958. Vehicles like the Datsun 1000 were based on Austin platforms.

The '60s witnessed Nissan's merger with Prince Motor Company, a union that helped the Asian manufacturer create more luxury-focused vehicles. In the U.S. it began offering its first vehicle styled for the U.S. market, the Datsun 510 sedan. By the end of the decade, Datsun had exported more than 1 million vehicles. Datsun rose to prominence in the 1970s on the popularity of its 240Z sports car. Powered by an inline six-cylinder engine, the car was coveted for its blend of style, performance and affordability. By the time the '70s drew to a close, the automaker's cumulative vehicle exports had surpassed the 10 million mark.

In 1981, Nissan shelved the Datsun name and began selling vehicles worldwide under the Nissan moniker. The '80s also saw Nissan's launch of a tuning division called Nismo for the development of performance-oriented vehicles and accessories. Nissan also brought its production to American shores, with the construction of a Georgia-based plant.

The early '90s saw Nissan's fortunes rise in the U.S. thanks to fun-to-drive cars like the 300ZX, Maxima and Sentra. But this trend didn't last long and by the late '90s Nissan's offerings consisted of anonymous vehicles. The company's future was uncertain.

After the turn of the new century Nissan bounced back, helped by a 1999 alliance with Renault that boosted the company's finances. Its redesigned Sentra and Altima boosted sales and consumer interest, as did new models like the 350Z sports car, Armada SUV and Titan pickup. Today the manufacturer is known for offering a wide range of well-regarded vehicles, including the popular Murano SUV, the incredible GT-R supercar and the all-electric Leaf.

User Reviews:

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  Thanks for the memories - 2003 Nissan 350Z
  By THAESQ1 - December 1 - 10:00 am

  My first car was a 1978 280Z, just before they went to the ZX... I was seventeen and it was heaven. Now, at 35, I have a NEW 350Z, and I feel like that seventeen year old again. And the ladies look at me more now than when I actaully had good looks...

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  350z - 2003 Nissan 350Z
  By diannak - December 1 - 10:00 am

  Love this car, I have owned porches, hondas, acuras and an old 280zx this car is an adventure to drive and the brakes are excellent. Happy Nissan came back with such a great product.

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  PERFORMANCE AND HANDLING - 2003 Nissan 350Z
  By AMANI - December 1 - 10:00 am

  THIS CAR IS A FUN CAR TO DRIVE, WHERE FROM THE MINUTE YOU SIT IN THE DRIVERS AND TURN THE IGNITION AND START DRIVING, YOU FEEL LIKE THIS IS YOUR COCKPIT AND ALLL THE INSTRUMENTS ARE FACING YOU AND THE SOLID HANDLING AND THE TREMONDEOUS PICKUP THIS CAR GIVES YOU IS NOTHING BUT A THRILL. THIS CAR IS MORE FUN THAN ANY ROLLERCOASTER OUT THERE.

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  love it!! - 2003 Nissan 350Z
  By paula - December 1 - 10:00 am

  everyone in my family LOVES to drive the car. Only problem - it is so much fun to go really really fast!!

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  350Z - 2003 Nissan 350Z
  By Tom Veda - December 1 - 10:00 am

  For the price, this is the best sports car on the road.

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  love it - 2003 Nissan 350Z
  By sexy350z - December 1 - 10:00 am

  not only do i love the speed of the car but i like the attention of driving it...not a day goes by where someone pulls up and says nice car...

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  AWESOME PERFORMANCE - 2003 Nissan 350Z
  By scott f - December 1 - 10:00 am

  i love it the greatest car i have ever owned i want to drive it everywhere

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  350 Z - 2003 Nissan 350Z
  By Gluben - December 1 - 10:00 am

  It is nice and stylish and very fast, i like it a lot, definitely one of my favorite cars.

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  I like my car - 2003 Nissan 350Z
  By Jake M - December 1 - 10:00 am

  I dont have much to say.

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  Z #2 - 2003 Nissan 350Z
  By CWA - December 1 - 10:00 am

  The 350 is my "fun" car and not primary. I had a 280Z in the 80s and loved the car. I did not like the 300 series though so when I first saw the 350Z in a mag. I had to have it. Ordered 9-02 and it finally arrived with all the snow in 1-03. Same wonderful Z roar as the 280 had. Turns eyes/heads everywhere I go!!! Great fun to drive---handles exceptionally well on interstates that allow +70mph and crocked mountain roads. My only complaint is that I cannot spend more time driving for fun.