EmailBest Reviewed
Sports Cars
- Best bargain sports car 2009 Nissan 370Z *Est. $29930
- Most refined sports car 2009 Porsche Cayman *Est. $50300
- Best supercar 2010 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 *Est. $108880
- Tech-lover's sports car 2010 Nissan GT-R *Est. $80790
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- As fun-to-drive as costlier sports cars
- Powerful V6 engine
- Well-balanced, rear-wheel-drive chassis
- Well-bolstered front seats
- Low-quality interior materials
- Harsh ride on rough roads
- Small, hard-to-access cargo area
Over the years, Nissan's "Z-car" has grown and evolved, but kept its role as Nissan's affordable sports car. After a minor revamp in 2007 that brought a few cosmetic upgrades and more powerful engine, some reviewers say that the 2008 Nissan 350Z has returned to its roots as a driver-focused machine. Most critics have objections about the 350Z's ride and sophistication. The suspension is capable of high cornering limits, but doesn't handle rough roads well, according to several test drivers. Cargo space in both the hatchback coupe and convertible is severely limited. The Nissan 350Z's generally reasonable price necessitated some corner-cutting, critics say, noting a general lower level of refinement compared to the pricier Audi TT (*est. $34,800 to $45,900) or BMW Z4 (*est. $36,400 to $42,400). However, most reviews feel that the 350Z is a good performance value.
Because the Nissan 350Z has been around for many years a redesign is expected for 2009, the current 2008 model hasn't been included in comparison tests. Still, Car and Driver pitted a 2007 350Z against three other sports cars in a still-viable road test and Edmunds.com seems to have the best general review of this year's model.
Our Sources
1. Edmunds.com
Edmunds.com editors feel that the Nissan 350Z is "still one of the best performance buys on the market" with excellent handling and braking, and its still-fresh exterior design. Editors mention that the clutch feels too stiff, and the ride can be harsh.
Review: 2008 Nissan 350Z Review, Editors of Edmunds.com
The Car Connection reviewer Marty Padgett likes the car's styling, "rippling V6 power" and rear-drive handling, but notes that the 350Z "feels heavy," and the ride is rough. He points out that the Infiniti G37 coupe shares the Nissan's mechanicals, plus it offers rear seats and a better interior.
Review: 2008 Nissan 350Z Bottom Line, Marty Padgett
Editors at Kelley Blue Book give the Nissan 350Z a "Recommended" rating, calling it a "bona fide legend in the sports car world." Editors praise its performance, and criticize its ride quality and inexpensive-looking interior trim.
Review: 2008 Nissan 350Z Review, Editors of Kelley Blue Book
4. Cars.com
Cars.com lists the Nissan 350Z on its "Best Bet" list. The report goes over what's new for 2008, but this general narrative review is not as comprehensive as others on Cars.com, and does not compare the Nissan 350Z to segment rivals.
Review: 2008 Nissan 350Z Review, Editors of Cars.com, Aug. 14, 2007
5. Car and DriverDetails/Subscribe
In this four-car comparison, the Nissan 350Z places third, losing to Audi and Mazda sports cars. The Nissan 350Z posted the fastest track times thanks to its superior power-to-weight ratio. But the review notes the Z's "coarseness," jumpy suspension on poor road surfaces and general lack of refinement relative to the other cars.
Review: Four of a Kind, Michael Austin, June 2007
In the ratings here, the Nissan 350Z comes up with a slightly lower-than-average number of points compared to all other sporty/performance cars. They note strong acceleration, confidence-inspiring brakes and precise steering, but dislike the jittery ride, noisy and drab interior and jerky clutch engagement.
Review: 2008 Nissan 350Z Review, Editors of ConsumerGuide.com, May 23, 2008
This general review of the Nissan 350Z coupe briefly covers the main pros and cons, blended with some technical details and history. Auto writer Jim Gorzelany calls the Z "a worthy contender among many rougher and costlier sports cars."
Review: Plenty of Zip, Jim Gorzelany, Apr. 3, 2008
Government crash-test results show a commendable performance of 4 out of 5 stars for the Nissan 350Z coupe in frontal crash tests, and 5 stars for the driver/frontal in the roadster. Both cars achieve a 5-star rating in the side-impact crash test.
Review: Nissan 350Z crash test results, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
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