350Z, worth a look ?
Discussion
Considering one, not had the pleasure but they tick a few boxes, probably the convertible, I know it looks a bit uglier and weighs quite a bit, would be a 2004/2005 model for my budget, plus the Ved is 210 cheaper, not the end of the world but may as well avoid it.
They seem decently quick, look good, but rarely get a mention on here ?
They seem decently quick, look good, but rarely get a mention on here ?
Never found them that great. My old neighbour bought one to replace a 200SX. It was inferior in most ways, not a particularly inspiring drive at all an very thirsty. That same sort of money would get you into many better cars.
Though if you just want a muscular GT car and won't be handling on the limit all the time, why not?
Though if you just want a muscular GT car and won't be handling on the limit all the time, why not?
Breadvan72 said:
Blaaack Gooooolllddd!
They're so well priced now.
While a bit basic, they are dependable and backed by solid reliability. There are some with 100k+ without any worrying bills.
Sure they're thirsty, tyres aren't cheap, replacing the discs and pads is a few pennies; but they're not likely to go wrong, still look great and for a heavy old lump they do go rather well.
I've only driven the 275bhp model; but the 350z owners group seemed to think it was the better drive (in terms of power delivery) compared to the revised 300+bhp version. What that gained in the top end, it lost in the usable zone.
I'd own another in a heartbeat.
While a bit basic, they are dependable and backed by solid reliability. There are some with 100k+ without any worrying bills.
Sure they're thirsty, tyres aren't cheap, replacing the discs and pads is a few pennies; but they're not likely to go wrong, still look great and for a heavy old lump they do go rather well.
I've only driven the 275bhp model; but the 350z owners group seemed to think it was the better drive (in terms of power delivery) compared to the revised 300+bhp version. What that gained in the top end, it lost in the usable zone.
I'd own another in a heartbeat.
Definitely one to consider if you dont like your driving experiences diluted by power assistance. proper car, proper feelsome steering, weighty clutch, and so on. you actually have to drive it rather than twirl the steering wheel with your little finger.
as a car, its the perfect package - torquey V6 up front, driving the rear wheels through a great 6 speed manual and LSD. decent place to sit, can cover very big miles in absolute comfort with aircon and cruise control on.
Not really that thirsty when you consider its got 280bhp - i can get over 30mpg on the motorway easily, which is fine. Cannot believe a 200sx thats tuned to similar power can get anywhere near that.
Also as already mentioned, engines are widely regarded as bullet proof - very little to go wrong, plenty of examples have done over 100k (some in america over 200k) with just basic servicing. being a nissan its also cheap to replace parts, and being japanese it doesnt go wrong in the first place.
I absolutely love mine, can see me keeping it for a long time!
as a car, its the perfect package - torquey V6 up front, driving the rear wheels through a great 6 speed manual and LSD. decent place to sit, can cover very big miles in absolute comfort with aircon and cruise control on.
Not really that thirsty when you consider its got 280bhp - i can get over 30mpg on the motorway easily, which is fine. Cannot believe a 200sx thats tuned to similar power can get anywhere near that.
Also as already mentioned, engines are widely regarded as bullet proof - very little to go wrong, plenty of examples have done over 100k (some in america over 200k) with just basic servicing. being a nissan its also cheap to replace parts, and being japanese it doesnt go wrong in the first place.
I absolutely love mine, can see me keeping it for a long time!
My mate used to have one and I couldn't wait to have a go, amazingly I didn't like it I don't really know what it was but it just didn't feel right and not that fast either seemed to need wound up all the time. The interior looked and felt a rather cheap too.
He asked me would I buy one...I told the truth.
He asked me would I buy one...I told the truth.
The wife has one, which she loves. The Z is a bit big and heavy for my liking, but makes a nice noise, quick enough, very conspicuously drives the right end (especially in the snow!). Looks OK, interior seems hard wearing (Japanese idea of build quality, not the German one), has been generally reliable and cheap to run. Big NA V6, manual gearbox, LSD, rear drive - just a shame about the heft.
I owned a 2006 350Z Roadster so i'm a little bias, but for the money what else would give you a smile like that.
Yes they aren't as well trimmed as the same year Boxster, and yes it isn't a fancy engine with a fancy gear box. But it's not a german sports car - it's a Jap GT car with a powerful V6 all going to the rear via a 6 speed box. Steering is a bit heavy but that's all part of the enjoyment. You put the effort in and the car responds back in spades.
Try one and see.
Yes they aren't as well trimmed as the same year Boxster, and yes it isn't a fancy engine with a fancy gear box. But it's not a german sports car - it's a Jap GT car with a powerful V6 all going to the rear via a 6 speed box. Steering is a bit heavy but that's all part of the enjoyment. You put the effort in and the car responds back in spades.
Try one and see.
I find the Z isn't well loved on PH, with the typical response being get an M3, evo, Z4, S2000 etc.
I own one and think it's great. Deceptively quick, very pointy and planted. As stated its more of a GT car than a nimble sports car. Go for a test drive, sign up to the 350z-uk forum and don't look back.
I own one and think it's great. Deceptively quick, very pointy and planted. As stated its more of a GT car than a nimble sports car. Go for a test drive, sign up to the 350z-uk forum and don't look back.
I had a reasonable test drive in one when they came out and I can back up much of what's been said.
Plus points: Lovely engine, nicely balanced chassis, great Nissan reliability and build quality (I expect).
Negative points: Not much feel, heavy steering, it's a heavy car, it's a big car, plasticky interior, a very jumpy throttle (most DBW throttles ramp up gradually to what you requested after the delay, whereas the 250Z jumps in a step function).
As someone said above, whilst the 350Z is not a bad car, throughout the its life there have usually been better cars for the money. For example I had a Z4 Coupé and rated it more highly due to it being lower, lighter and more nimble.
Plus points: Lovely engine, nicely balanced chassis, great Nissan reliability and build quality (I expect).
Negative points: Not much feel, heavy steering, it's a heavy car, it's a big car, plasticky interior, a very jumpy throttle (most DBW throttles ramp up gradually to what you requested after the delay, whereas the 250Z jumps in a step function).
As someone said above, whilst the 350Z is not a bad car, throughout the its life there have usually been better cars for the money. For example I had a Z4 Coupé and rated it more highly due to it being lower, lighter and more nimble.
brillomaster said:
Not really that thirsty when you consider its got 280bhp - i can get over 30mpg on the motorway easily, which is fine. Cannot believe a 200sx thats tuned to similar power can get anywhere near that.
A 200sx with similar power is about 2-4 mpg on average better than the Zed. I once got 38mpg on a spirited motorway run in my Stage 1 tuned S14a. At the same speed in my Zed I'd get around 30. Overall the Average on the S14a was 27-31 mpg whereas the Zed is between 24 and 27.Saying that, although the Zed is slower than the Stage 1 S14a, its a more complete car and for its size is extremely well poised and balanced. The engine does need to be stirred though, peak torque is at 4800rpm.
brillomaster said:
Not really that thirsty when you consider its got 280bhp - i can get over 30mpg on the motorway easily, which is fine. Cannot believe a 200sx thats tuned to similar power can get anywhere near that.
A 200sx with similar power is about 2-4 mpg on average better than the Zed. I once got 38mpg on a spirited motorway run in my Stage 1 tuned S14a. At the same speed in my Zed I'd get around 30. Overall the Average on the S14a was 27-31 mpg whereas the Zed is between 24 and 27.Saying that, although the Zed is slower than the Stage 1 S14a, its a more complete car and for its size is extremely well poised and balanced. The engine does need to be stirred though, peak torque is at 4800rpm.
I never had the 350z and whilst reading people's views is subjective I can't help but think if Tiff Needell and Vicky Butker Henderson label it as one if their favourite coupes, put it against the competition in the 3 different variations that it came out in (horsepower wise - 270 odd to 313bhp models) then I think it fairs better than the competition at that time more than people realise.
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