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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  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.

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  nissan - 2003 Nissan 350Z
  By blaine08 - December 1 - 10:00 am

  i dunno i just think that it looks kool and that i wish i can have one when i get old enough to drive

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  Best for the $ since my 3000GT-VR4 - 2003 Nissan 350Z
  By George Prieto - December 1 - 10:00 am

  I had been looking for a car that handled as well as my 3000GTs (I had several incl. 3 VR4s). This car is it. I cant believe the torque and speed without even having a turbo. It corners as well as the VR4s even without 4- wheel drive. I believe thats because the engine is just behind the front axles. Only complaint is I keep scraping the small black spoiler in the front (just $79 item). Im selling it to get the conv. Buy for $32,000 (Touring w/aero) 954-294-2277

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

  Overall an excellent vehicle that is fun to drive. The only dissappointment was the stereo. It is the worst sounding, premium car stereo I have ever heard. So much for Bose quality. I enjoy listening to the engine even more now. Definately worth the money.

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  Great Car and Value - 2003 Nissan 350Z
  By Rob - December 1 - 10:00 am

  First and foremost, this vehicle is new and exciting and gets more interest than any Porche. It also costs much less than most sports cars with simular performance, if not more. There are a few flaws in the design which include heavy blind spots looking rear, mostly if you are tall. Difficult access to the storage compartments, and a poor stereo with the top of the line track model. These flaws are minute however, compared to the pros.

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  350Z better than that - 2003 Nissan 350Z
  By steve centamore - December 1 - 10:00 am

  I have owned my Touring edition "Z" for 3 months and could not have made a better auto purchase. It is all that I had hoped for and in mant ways better. This rocket of a car takes me back to my muscle cars of the 60s.