Nissan 370Z NISMO | Spotted
The new Z isn't coming to the UK - maybe that isn't the end of the world, you know...
The Nissan 370Z NISMO was always a slightly curious car. It commanded a big premium over the standard car for just a few more horsepower, and it never drove with quite the aggression and intent that its looks suggested it might. In isolation it was an enjoyable sports car, an old school bruiser with a distinct rear-drive, big V6, manual gearbox charm. But it was always quite a tough one to recommend, expensive to buy and run - and made to look a tad blunt by the Toyobaru twins launched a year or so earlier.
That said, it felt like the big Zed was a few small tweaks away from meaningful improvement, the 3.7-litre engine in particular feeling a bit tight. But that would mean spending more money on an already expensive car, and that’s tough. Didn’t stop a few dedicated souls, however; here’s a 370Z NISMO with a few choice tweaks to hopefully bring the best from it. Almost a decade after the NISMO’s launch and with no new Zed for Europe, it’s an intriguing sports car prospect for those who prefer the traditional way of doing things.
The V6 has hopefully been enlivened with cold air intakes, high flows cats and a NISMO exhaust; a single mass flywheel should drastically improve the lazy way the revs climbed and fell. This one also benefits from more power courtesy of an ECU tweak, an upgraded clutch, and a new transmission mount. It all points to a much more rewarding powertrain experience from the 370, with a V6 that should have found its voice. The stubby new gearlever, even if it is a genuine carbon NISMO item, might not be to all tastes, but then find a modified car where every person likes every change. Not going to happen. There are plenty of upgrades here that Zed fans should approve of.
Even better, this car is one of the early NISMOs, available for little more than 12 months before a facelift mellowed the looks. A grille redesign, new set of wheels and altered rear wing shouldn’t have made much difference, but the result made for a softer, less distinctive NISMO to look at. This one, with the rude dish to the rear wheels and a wing befitting of a Japanese performance car, is surely as good as the model ever looked. The red leather certainly jazzes up what remains a fairly austere cabin, and it seems they’ve come from a 40th Anniversary Zed. Whatever, it feels like another worthwhile mod that enhances the appeal rather than drastically change it.
With nine services in the book and still fewer than 43,000 miles under those beautiful Rays, this NISMO has many more years entertainment in it - even though 2023 will mark 10 years since its first registration. Time flies when you’re having fun. Furthermore, as a modified car already, the next owner shouldn’t feel any guilt about further tweaking this or that. Maybe even reverting some things to standard, if they’re not to their liking.
Though there are standard, high mileage Zed around for as little as £10k, a NISMO will be at least twice that - this is the most affordable currently on PH. Facelifted cars (with chassis changes but no more power) start at a couple of grand more. Everything looks more than might be expected at the moment, but you’d have to hope the Zed’s rarity and last of its kind status will hold it in good stead for the future. Fingers crossed the upgrades that make it so appealing now will help down the line, too.
SPECIFICATION | NISSAN 370Z NISMO
Engine: 3,696cc, V6
Transmission: 6-speed manual, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 344@7,400rpm (standard)
Torque (lb ft): 274@5,200rpm (standard)
MPG: 26.7mpg (claimed)
CO2: 248g/km
First registered: 2013
Recorded mileage: 42,569
Price new: £38,050
Yours for: £19,991
I'm not usually a fan of red interiors but that coral red with what looks like velour inserts looks tasteful and feels like a bit of a nod to the upholstery of the Z cars of the 70's
My Roadster has upgraded intakes/exhaust and hi flow cats on it like this one, and they make a big difference to the noise over the standard car I reckon.
I still wish that the new Z was available in the UK as well, because I like the idea of a Z with 2 turbos on it.
I am keeping mine - even though other cars will come and go but my Zed is a keeper.
The car is an analog car in a digital world, with very little way in electronics, not the latest dash or even RDS. But it's a car that attracts so much attention, rip off the Nismo exhaust and it will sound as it always should. Most updates you can do yourself, it was designed to be worked on at home. Not perfect - but something that grows on you and gets under your skin.
I'm not sure I could justify the premium of a Nismo personally. I'd probably just buy a regular one and modify it, but they are a really appealing car to me. Big(ish) engine, normally aspirated, rear drive, pretty analogue. They're feel decidedly old fashioned, and I rather like that.
Great cars TBH. The engine pulled well, but sounded gruff at the top end. The gearbox was great with the auto-blip function.
The only real bug-bear was they updated the sound system and connectivity not long after I bought mine, and the lack of steering wheel adjustment. I never got a perfect driving position. Choice of either legs scrunched up, or arms out stretched.
Great cars TBC. The engine pulled well, but sounded gruff at the top end. The gearbox was great with the auto-blip function.
The only real bug-bear was they updated the sound system and connectivity not long after I bought mine, and the lack of steering wheel adjustment. I never got a perfect driving position. Choice of either legs scrunched up, or arms out stretched.
I still enjoy mine. They're ace value really. A few cars look a bit better and are a bit more up to date but they cost loads more. Mine fills the gap really well for me as a weekend type car. WBAC offer as much as I paid for it a couple of years ago too.
@Cerb4.5lee I know you have one of these in the garage, so if I had £20K to spend on a weekend plaything would you recommend?
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