RE: Nissan 350Z: PH Buying Guide
Discussion
The Mrs has had one for about 6 years. She loves it. The exhaust rusted through last year, so it now has a full Cobrasport system.
It makes a nice noise. It's quick. It's quite benignly tail-happy with the stability off. The interior seems mostly pretty robust. It's reasonably economical driven gently. It's not a bad looking old heifer. It's been pretty cheap to run, though the driver's window mechanism needs fixing.
It is, and feels, heavy and a bit lumpen. It's obviously unfair to compare it to my Elise, but even compared to the RX-8 we used to have, it doesn't feel light on its feet. It rides poorly, and it's noisy - not just the exhaust, which she has only herself to blame for, but the general levels of wind and road noise.
Overall, I quite like the 350Z but I preferred the RX-8 as a driver's car, even though the Z is a bit quicker if you can work a gearbox and a whole lot quicker if you can't. I preferred the handling of the Mazda, the rev-happy character, the interior, the refinement and ride quality and the practicality. But the Z is a bit better on fuel, especially if driven gently (which made next to sod all difference in the Mazda) and seems relatively bulletproof mechanically.
I suspect that the running costs of an BMW M car would have been noticeably higher, and ultimately a BMW 3-series of any sort is a bit more anonymous. Something like a Z4M, that's a different matter, but not something you could pick up for 12k when she bought hers.
It makes a nice noise. It's quick. It's quite benignly tail-happy with the stability off. The interior seems mostly pretty robust. It's reasonably economical driven gently. It's not a bad looking old heifer. It's been pretty cheap to run, though the driver's window mechanism needs fixing.
It is, and feels, heavy and a bit lumpen. It's obviously unfair to compare it to my Elise, but even compared to the RX-8 we used to have, it doesn't feel light on its feet. It rides poorly, and it's noisy - not just the exhaust, which she has only herself to blame for, but the general levels of wind and road noise.
Overall, I quite like the 350Z but I preferred the RX-8 as a driver's car, even though the Z is a bit quicker if you can work a gearbox and a whole lot quicker if you can't. I preferred the handling of the Mazda, the rev-happy character, the interior, the refinement and ride quality and the practicality. But the Z is a bit better on fuel, especially if driven gently (which made next to sod all difference in the Mazda) and seems relatively bulletproof mechanically.
I suspect that the running costs of an BMW M car would have been noticeably higher, and ultimately a BMW 3-series of any sort is a bit more anonymous. Something like a Z4M, that's a different matter, but not something you could pick up for 12k when she bought hers.
daveco said:
One of the nicest sounding six cylinder engines out there (next to the Mark V R32 and M3 of same vintage).
I couldn't help but think if they had a different badge (and nicer interior) they'd be held in the same high esteem as the E46 M3.
I was in the market for either a 350z or M3 some 5 years ago. At the time I just couldnt look past the 350z terribly low rent interior. It made an otherwise lovely car feel like it was time warped out of the early 90's and wasn't much of an upgrade on my 1992 MR2. I couldn't help but think if they had a different badge (and nicer interior) they'd be held in the same high esteem as the E46 M3.
In the end the M3 cost too much to insure and I couldnt afford the still relatively new 313 bhp Zeds with the nicer interiors (and then £450 tax) so I ended up getting a 330 CI instead. Sort of like an M3 only much more rubbish at going very fast.
daveco said:
One of the nicest sounding six cylinder engines out there (next to the Mark V R32 and M3 of same vintage).
Can't agree with that at all I'm afraid, I thought it was a thoroughly disappointing sounding engine. Even the humble Ford Duratec in a Mondeo is a much more tuneful thing.Shnozz said:
Otolith - have you driven the revision 2 model? As I say in my earlier post, it feels so much more urgent and "lighter" in terms of pick up whilst retaining the good brutish heaviness of its controls and handling. It really is an excellent car.
I haven't - though I've no objection to the engine other than that it gets harsh at high revs. It's the chassis and the failure to conceal the mass that I'm not so keen on.I remember looking into these 2 years ago before i stupidly bought a TT V6 a decision i often regret. Briefly thought about trying one of these now the TTs gone and prices dont seemed to have budged an inch and if anything most have a lot more miles on. Could make for depreciation free motoring
I started out to buy one of these as a toy budgeting about £8000.
After looking at one I wasn't happy with the rubbery coated panels that wear. It really looked used and lived in and not what I would pay £8000 for.
I did like the way it drove, and it was a 57 plate 300bhp version.
Next thing I am after a mint low mileage black 313bhp but it was over £11000 and still had the same interior although in good nick.
Then I read up on the 370z and saw one in the flesh.
I had to have one..
I've had a couple of e46 m3s and fancied a change. They are similar in performance, the Z feels much more special place to sit, it also pulls really well at 30mph in 6th where as an m3 won't.
The sncro rev system in a 370 is great too
After looking at one I wasn't happy with the rubbery coated panels that wear. It really looked used and lived in and not what I would pay £8000 for.
I did like the way it drove, and it was a 57 plate 300bhp version.
Next thing I am after a mint low mileage black 313bhp but it was over £11000 and still had the same interior although in good nick.
Then I read up on the 370z and saw one in the flesh.
I had to have one..
I've had a couple of e46 m3s and fancied a change. They are similar in performance, the Z feels much more special place to sit, it also pulls really well at 30mph in 6th where as an m3 won't.
The sncro rev system in a 370 is great too
I had a new one back in 2003, I preordered it ages before it came, I think I ended up with about the 8th one inthe country according to my dealer.
Nissan made a real fuss at the time for the first 350 buyers, they sent you some little gift every week or two, DVD, book, keyring etc.Ultimately they then took everyone to the Goodwood FOS and gave the proper VIP treatment, I've never been treated so well before or since when buying a car..
You had to have Gt pack and Rays on the first batch too, as they wanted them looking good on the roads, the car attracted a lot of interest at the time as nobody knew what they were for a few weeks.
I look back on mine very fondly, I think it had a mini muscle car feel, felt quick and sure footed, I found it very predictable on the limit too. I also really liked the sound and don't get why people think it sounds dull, certainly an improvement over most of the modern crop of turbo 4 pots.
Build quality was ok although I could imagine the interior looking tired now and the front bumper seemed to be a magnet for stonechips on a daily basis.
I've had a few cars since which are held by most in higher esteem, but still rate my 350z as one of my all time faves..
Nissan made a real fuss at the time for the first 350 buyers, they sent you some little gift every week or two, DVD, book, keyring etc.Ultimately they then took everyone to the Goodwood FOS and gave the proper VIP treatment, I've never been treated so well before or since when buying a car..
You had to have Gt pack and Rays on the first batch too, as they wanted them looking good on the roads, the car attracted a lot of interest at the time as nobody knew what they were for a few weeks.
I look back on mine very fondly, I think it had a mini muscle car feel, felt quick and sure footed, I found it very predictable on the limit too. I also really liked the sound and don't get why people think it sounds dull, certainly an improvement over most of the modern crop of turbo 4 pots.
Build quality was ok although I could imagine the interior looking tired now and the front bumper seemed to be a magnet for stonechips on a daily basis.
I've had a few cars since which are held by most in higher esteem, but still rate my 350z as one of my all time faves..
I bought mine to add to a stable of convertibles all with a different feel.
To those that complain they feel heavy - they were designed that way. It's part of the character, not a flaw. Mine has the early engine which is torquey and perfectly adequate. Makes quite a noise with an aftermarket exhaust which I may have to tone down!
I do most of my maintenance and have found it to be well screwed together and easy enough to work on (for a car of its nature). Mine has leather and Rays and whilst the seats are fine the interior plastics are bad. The plastics are the one area I would upgrade if the opportunity arose.
Comparisons with the E46 M3 are a bit out. I think there was quite a price differential when the cars were sold new and whilst the M3 will DO the sportscar thing, the Z IS a sportscar.
Not sure if anyone has mentioned the banana (control) arms yet. They are a known wear area. Easy DIY job to change but can cost you (with new cone washers) £500 all in if you buy new at list, even from a specialist. I was lucky and found someone with unused spares wanting shot for £200 for 2 x genuine Nissan.
I paid £4200 for my 2005 roadster and with a grand spent on it - wheel refurb, 4 x MPSS and some minor fettling - I can't see it depreciating much if at all.
It wouldn't suit me every day but then no car would, especially a 320D, which is why I have so many and will continue to add to the collection. Today looks like a 350Z roadster day.
To those that complain they feel heavy - they were designed that way. It's part of the character, not a flaw. Mine has the early engine which is torquey and perfectly adequate. Makes quite a noise with an aftermarket exhaust which I may have to tone down!
I do most of my maintenance and have found it to be well screwed together and easy enough to work on (for a car of its nature). Mine has leather and Rays and whilst the seats are fine the interior plastics are bad. The plastics are the one area I would upgrade if the opportunity arose.
Comparisons with the E46 M3 are a bit out. I think there was quite a price differential when the cars were sold new and whilst the M3 will DO the sportscar thing, the Z IS a sportscar.
Not sure if anyone has mentioned the banana (control) arms yet. They are a known wear area. Easy DIY job to change but can cost you (with new cone washers) £500 all in if you buy new at list, even from a specialist. I was lucky and found someone with unused spares wanting shot for £200 for 2 x genuine Nissan.
I paid £4200 for my 2005 roadster and with a grand spent on it - wheel refurb, 4 x MPSS and some minor fettling - I can't see it depreciating much if at all.
It wouldn't suit me every day but then no car would, especially a 320D, which is why I have so many and will continue to add to the collection. Today looks like a 350Z roadster day.
Copy from an older post (in relation to 350z's not being quick), tweaked a bit:
Bought mine a few years ago (now swapped for a Porsche Cayman) and here are my thoughts:
They are a steal for the price - granted they are pretty simple beasts and don't have many toys, but the bits that matter are all there.
Spartan interior? Maybe, but it does the job - A/C, leather heated buckets and a great sound system (some people report problems with the Bose unit, haven't noticed this on mine) - it isn't Audi level of trim with brushed aloominum everywhere, and the Bose stereo (and cassette deck!) does look ropey, but it is an ok place to be.
I think the people saying it isn't quick are missing the point - it isn't a track weapon like the GTR, it is more like a muscle car - power on coming out of a bend and the rear end will wiggle to let you know you are being silly before it shouts its way to the horizon - like a big daft dog on a polished floor - a massive hoot to drive and easy enough to get sideways without getting into too much trouble. Maybe slower in the bends (it is pretty heavy) than something like an S2000, but not quick? Don't make me laugh - it isn't going to be troubling supercars, but under 6s to 60 isn't hanging about.
Tax is bad if you are getting an 06 or newer (mine was a 55 partly for this reason), but insurance on them seems relativity ok - I was 24 with no NCB and paying "only" 1300 a year.
Fuel economy is pretty woeful - on a Christian motoring motorway special (with the irresistible "boot it off the roundabouts" game) I manage about 32. Driving about town including a fair bit in traffic, 20-24 is about right. Low teens/single figures is possible if you are going for a hoon.
People knock the lack of storage space - it is a huge car, but Nissan have filled the boot with a big strut brace, so it's no removals van, but big enough for a weekly shop and I have had skis and a bike in there. Lots of reviews will also tell you about the clever cubby holes everywhere - ignore this - yes, a glovebox behind the passenger seat is good, but not if you have replaced the front glovebox with a cupholder.
The sound is just phenomenal - proper V6 bellow - sounds like it is trying to shout everything in the immediate vicinity to death. With a replacement airbox (putting a popcharger on mine was immediate) and exhaust (mine had a Nismo system and high flow cats) it is one of the best sounding cars I have ever heard.
Advice - go for it. Don't worry about the fuel economy and bob's your uncle. Would definatley say go for the GT pack though - the Rays alloys are worth it for the price alone, and the other gubbins are just a bonus.
TL;DR
PROs:
- Big shouty V6
- Brembo stoppers
- Simple, but in a good way
- Cheap for what you get
- Puts a smile on my face like only a big, impractical, thirsty orange noisemobile could
Cons:
- Tax (on 2006+ models)
- Fuel economy
- "a Nissan? Like my Micra?"
- The car _WILL_ make you want to take up modding - the idea of whacking a stonking great turbo and a big HKS exhaust has never before appealed (have always been a firm believer in "manufacturer knows best") but I keep finding myself looking at it thinking "hmmmmm"
Since I said all that, mine had a set of high flow cats, Nismo exhaust and a plenum spacer whacked on - the sound it makes is just lovely - proper angry animal bellow until it gets up the revs and then just pure engine noise and a healthy rasp from the exhaust to let you know there is a hell of a lot of gas being dealt with. Had it on the dyno and it is putting out 289.5 BHP at the fly - happy enough with that.
I couldn't be happier with it - every blip of the throttle is met with childish glee and the way you can switch the traction control off and put it sideways at will is rather enjoyable. There is no sugar coating the fact that it is an expensive car to run, but for the fun it offers, well worth it IMO.
I have since replaced it with the Cayman - far quicker in the bends, much more refined and composed (think scalpel, not sledgehammer) but perhaps less fun.
An M3 is just not as special as a Z - on paper it is probably better in every way, but it just doesnt have anything like the character.
Bought mine a few years ago (now swapped for a Porsche Cayman) and here are my thoughts:
They are a steal for the price - granted they are pretty simple beasts and don't have many toys, but the bits that matter are all there.
Spartan interior? Maybe, but it does the job - A/C, leather heated buckets and a great sound system (some people report problems with the Bose unit, haven't noticed this on mine) - it isn't Audi level of trim with brushed aloominum everywhere, and the Bose stereo (and cassette deck!) does look ropey, but it is an ok place to be.
I think the people saying it isn't quick are missing the point - it isn't a track weapon like the GTR, it is more like a muscle car - power on coming out of a bend and the rear end will wiggle to let you know you are being silly before it shouts its way to the horizon - like a big daft dog on a polished floor - a massive hoot to drive and easy enough to get sideways without getting into too much trouble. Maybe slower in the bends (it is pretty heavy) than something like an S2000, but not quick? Don't make me laugh - it isn't going to be troubling supercars, but under 6s to 60 isn't hanging about.
Tax is bad if you are getting an 06 or newer (mine was a 55 partly for this reason), but insurance on them seems relativity ok - I was 24 with no NCB and paying "only" 1300 a year.
Fuel economy is pretty woeful - on a Christian motoring motorway special (with the irresistible "boot it off the roundabouts" game) I manage about 32. Driving about town including a fair bit in traffic, 20-24 is about right. Low teens/single figures is possible if you are going for a hoon.
People knock the lack of storage space - it is a huge car, but Nissan have filled the boot with a big strut brace, so it's no removals van, but big enough for a weekly shop and I have had skis and a bike in there. Lots of reviews will also tell you about the clever cubby holes everywhere - ignore this - yes, a glovebox behind the passenger seat is good, but not if you have replaced the front glovebox with a cupholder.
The sound is just phenomenal - proper V6 bellow - sounds like it is trying to shout everything in the immediate vicinity to death. With a replacement airbox (putting a popcharger on mine was immediate) and exhaust (mine had a Nismo system and high flow cats) it is one of the best sounding cars I have ever heard.
Advice - go for it. Don't worry about the fuel economy and bob's your uncle. Would definatley say go for the GT pack though - the Rays alloys are worth it for the price alone, and the other gubbins are just a bonus.
TL;DR
PROs:
- Big shouty V6
- Brembo stoppers
- Simple, but in a good way
- Cheap for what you get
- Puts a smile on my face like only a big, impractical, thirsty orange noisemobile could
Cons:
- Tax (on 2006+ models)
- Fuel economy
- "a Nissan? Like my Micra?"
- The car _WILL_ make you want to take up modding - the idea of whacking a stonking great turbo and a big HKS exhaust has never before appealed (have always been a firm believer in "manufacturer knows best") but I keep finding myself looking at it thinking "hmmmmm"
Since I said all that, mine had a set of high flow cats, Nismo exhaust and a plenum spacer whacked on - the sound it makes is just lovely - proper angry animal bellow until it gets up the revs and then just pure engine noise and a healthy rasp from the exhaust to let you know there is a hell of a lot of gas being dealt with. Had it on the dyno and it is putting out 289.5 BHP at the fly - happy enough with that.
I couldn't be happier with it - every blip of the throttle is met with childish glee and the way you can switch the traction control off and put it sideways at will is rather enjoyable. There is no sugar coating the fact that it is an expensive car to run, but for the fun it offers, well worth it IMO.
I have since replaced it with the Cayman - far quicker in the bends, much more refined and composed (think scalpel, not sledgehammer) but perhaps less fun.
An M3 is just not as special as a Z - on paper it is probably better in every way, but it just doesnt have anything like the character.
I know I'm going to get flamed for this, but last year I was looking for something with a bit of excitement after nearly a decade of diseasels and I thought about one of these.
But I ended up with another Z, as in Z4 Coupe and to my mind it also has a lovely sounding 6. Maybe "only" 265bhp but it's only 1320kg so still goes pretty well - BMW quoted 5.7 secs from 0 to 62 so very similar to the Nissan and rarer.
To be fair though I would probably have been happy with a Nissan if I had tried one.
Shame cars like this are disappearing.
But I ended up with another Z, as in Z4 Coupe and to my mind it also has a lovely sounding 6. Maybe "only" 265bhp but it's only 1320kg so still goes pretty well - BMW quoted 5.7 secs from 0 to 62 so very similar to the Nissan and rarer.
To be fair though I would probably have been happy with a Nissan if I had tried one.
Shame cars like this are disappearing.
dukebox9reg said:
I'm sure the first coupes came in before the tax change.
A lot of car mags write up the noise as dull from this V6 but I think they sound pretty nice as standard and the cheap option of the 'K1' exhaust does make them sound pretty fruity.
Apologies for tax mistake all, should be rectified now.A lot of car mags write up the noise as dull from this V6 but I think they sound pretty nice as standard and the cheap option of the 'K1' exhaust does make them sound pretty fruity.
Cheers,
Matt
Mr Tidy said:
I know I'm going to get flamed for this, but last year I was looking for something with a bit of excitement after nearly a decade of diseasels and I thought about one of these.
But I ended up with another Z, as in Z4 Coupe and to my mind it also has a lovely sounding 6. Maybe "only" 265bhp but it's only 1320kg so still goes pretty well - BMW quoted 5.7 secs from 0 to 62 so very similar to the Nissan and rarer.
To be fair though I would probably have been happy with a Nissan if I had tried one.
Shame cars like this are disappearing.
My best mate is hugely anti-350Z, when I started looking for a nice sensible car to go with my Elise I'd pretty much settled on the 350Z, or an old 944, or a Z4C, and to tempt me away from the Datsun he'd keep sending me links to lovely Z4s for sale.But I ended up with another Z, as in Z4 Coupe and to my mind it also has a lovely sounding 6. Maybe "only" 265bhp but it's only 1320kg so still goes pretty well - BMW quoted 5.7 secs from 0 to 62 so very similar to the Nissan and rarer.
To be fair though I would probably have been happy with a Nissan if I had tried one.
Shame cars like this are disappearing.
It backfired slightly in that he looked at them so much he had to buy one. So he has a Z4C 3.0 and I have a 350Z. I love the Z4, the engine is gorgeous, straight sixes are just right, the interior is nicer (apart from the seat squeaking on the bulkhead), I prefer the look of the Z4C and it's a lovely car apart from the steering, which is OK on a nice dry road, but weirdly confidence sapping in the wet because there is little useful feel. This isn't on run-flats either, but real tyres.
The 350Z feels slightly faster (which I don't care about and may be imagining), has a worse interior (which I also don't care about), has slightly worse heated seats (which I'm annoyed at myself for caring about), worse gear change, and feels heavier to throw around. But critically it has excellent steering, and cost a lot less money.
The Z4 with the 350Z steering would be near perfect, but the 350Z as it is is really close. All of the 350Z's flaws are minor (or arguably features rather than flaws) and also the sort of thing you'd not notice without constantly hopping from one to the other. He's putting up with the Z4's steering because the rest of it is so right, but it's a constant slight annoyance.
Back to the guide: PH - the forged Rays wheels aren't magnesium, and the rubber mounted steel mass in the boot isn't a counterweight to help it close (duh) it's a vibration damper to fix a particular frequency of NVH issue. When a car with leaky gas struts slams it's boot on your head the only thing you need to fix is the gas struts, not remove unrelated bits to temporarily ignore the problem.
Although that's obviously the first thing I did after I googled the problem, which is how I came to recognise it as a mass damper.
Also I can't be the only person who thinks that putting the ESP off button out of sight next to the headlight washer button is an ergonomic disaster. The heated seat buttons are also in a silly place under your elbow where it's dangerously hard to check if they are still on while driving. This is the sort of s
t I expect from Porsche, not Nissan. Although my 200SX would turn it's fog lamp on with my knee every time I got in it, so maybe it's "character".And dozens of times I've turned the headlights off while indicating because the massively over-styled lamp stalk has weak detents on the rotating part of the switch.
Reading that back it seems a little anti-350Z, but I really love the Nissan. There are even times when I don't hate the door handles.
Parsnip said:
An M3 is just not as special as a Z - on paper it is probably better in every way, but it just doesnt have anything like the character.
It's interesting how different people determine what makes a car 'special' for them. I'd agree that character has a part to play but is it more important to have a car with character, which is a subjective thing anyway, than one which is dynamically superior? It can be an overused term, 'character' and one which I find is used at times to hide flaws/failings in a car - I'm not suggesting that's the case with you and the Z here, just thought it was an interesting point to pick up on 
Edited by Ferosferio on Friday 31st July 10:09
Ferosferio said:
Parsnip said:
An M3 is just not as special as a Z - on paper it is probably better in every way, but it just doesnt have anything like the character.
It's intersting how different people determine what makes a car 'special' for them. I'd agree that character has a part to play but is it more important to have a car with character, which is a subjective thing anyway, than one which is dynamically superior? It can be an overused term, 'character' and one which I find is used at times to hide flaws/failings in a car - I'm not suggesting that's the case with you and the Z here, just thought it was an interesting point to pick up on Both the M3 and the 350Z are, IMO, "special" in that they are grin-inducing (in my experience the later engined 350Z far more so than the early revision). I had exposure to an M3 when my g/f of the time had one and I had a Boxster S; the M3 felt a lot more "special" to drive than the Boxster. Both cars had similar performance, and the Boxster S was probably dynamically better and sharper, but the M3 was just great fun and left me smiling a lot more than the typically efficient Porker.
JackReacher said:
“One of the most boring cars ever” - if some on PH are to be believed
Odd, isn't it. I've never understood why they didn't do better in terms of sales. Mind you,I'm still laughing myself silly from seeing that car L22UST driven very badly on the road by some complete tool wearing, of all things, driving gloves!!Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff