Forums Forums Enthusiast Forums A - Z Autowirral Nissan: 350Z

Nissan 350Z Coupe V6


Price: £24,500
For: Roadster has all the virtues of the 350Z coupe - barrel-loads of poke and a thrill-a-minute driving experience - while adding roof-down appeal.
Against: Limited practicality and high running costs.



Performance
Drop-top has an extra 150 kilos to haul Body stiffening does its job You get to hear the exhaust note even more


The roadster has the same 287bhp 3.5-litre V6 engine and six-speed manual transmission as the coupe, but it’s dragging an extra 150 kilos along as a result of the body-stiffening measures. Still, that’s hardly a problem for such a strong engine, and any performance loss is virtually undetectable. The gearchange is firm and you can sometimes wrong-slot when shifting across the gate.


Handling

The extra 150 kilos of body stiffening pays for itself when you take to imperfect or twisting roads. The coupe’s impressive chassis stiffness and steering feel have been retained, yet the roadster still rides bumps well. If there’s any criticism to be levelled at the 350Z, it’s that it lacks the ultimate agility of the best sporting coupes and roadsters.


Refinement

If you’re interested in the 350Z roadster, you can forget about the quiet life. You get to hear the snorting exhaust note without it being muffled by bodywork and soundproofing, but you’re also party to too much road noise at times. Buffeting is well contained, though, thanks to the snug driving position and effective glass wind blocker behind the seats.

• Body type Coupe
• Number of doors 2
• Number of seats 2
• Engine (cc/type) 3498/6
• Fuel type Unleaded
• Max power (bhp/rpm) 287/6200
• Max torque (lb ft/rpm) 274/4800
• Max speed (mph) 155
• 0-60mph (sec)
• 30-70mph (sec) 6.1
• In Gears 30 to 50 (sec) no data/no data/no data
• In Gears 50 to 70 (sec) no data/no data/no data
• Braking distance (m) 9.3/50.4
• Engine position F
• Driven wheels Rear
• Length (mm) 4310
• Width (mm) 1815
• Height (mm) 1320
• Front headroom (mm) 870
• Front legroom (mm) no data
• Rear headroom (mm) 1050
• Rear kneeroom (mm) no data
• Boot space (min ltr) no data
• Boot space (max ltr) no data
• Turning circle (m) no data
• Turning circle lock to lock(m) not available
• Towing weight (kg) no data
• Kerb weight (kg) 1545

Buying
Pay more but get more back Built to last, but with some cheap touches Soft top always a security risk


The roadster is likely to command a premium of a couple of thousand pounds over the £24,000 coupe. In return it’s likely to be a rarer car and exceed the coupe’s brilliant resale values. That will be some compensation for running costs which will be straight out of the top drawer.


Quality

The 350Z has an appealing cabin, but not all the plastics – or the way they slot together – are up to Audi standards. Still, the roof looks sturdy and its furling and unfurling mechanism well engineered. Mechanically, we’ve no reason to assume the car will be anything other than bulletproof.


Safety and Security

Canvas roofs are inevitably easier targets than metal ones for thieves, and it’s a concern that there’s so little boot space or in-car storage space for valuable. The coupe has a full set of airbags and electronic traction and braking devices and the roadster will also have these plus roll-over hoops behind the seats.

Urban 17.5
Extra Urban 32.5
Combined 24.8
Tank Capacity 17.6
CO2 Rating 273
Insurance Group 18
Typical Quote 655
Retained Value no data
Contract Hire Rate 484
Cost per mile 65.2
Service Cost 1503
Servicing 12/9000
Warranty 36/60 000 + 3 year Paint + 6 year Perforation + 1 year Breakdown

Behind the Wheel
You sit low, but it’s driver-focused Boot space halved Roof folds electrically in 20 seconds
Behind the Wheel

The low-slung driver’s seat provides plenty of support and the main bank of instruments moves in unison with the steering column to ensure you retain a clear sight of them. The stubby gearlever could be smoother and lighter in operation, while top-up visibility is worse than in the coupe.


Space and Practicality

The 350Z is is roomy enough for a couple of lanky adults, even with the roof in place. However, they had better learn to travel light, for the coupe’s already unimpressive boot space has been halved to make space for the roof to fold away under its flush metal cover.


Equipment

Equipment levels have yet to be confirmed, although it’s unimaginable that it would be sold with a worse spec than the coupe. The soft roof folds electrically in 20 seconds. All the driver has to do is hold a button down.

• Central Locking Standard
• Remote Locking standard
• Adjustable Steering Reach not available
• Adjustable Steering Rake standard
• Electric Steering Adjustable no data
• Seat Height Adjustable no data
• Power Seats Adjustable standard
• Air Conditioning not available
• Climate Control standard
• Seat Belt Tensioners standard
• Driver Airbag standard
• Passenger Airbag standard
• Side Airbag standard
• Side Impactbars standard
• Centre 3 Pointbelt not available
• Traction Control standard
• Antilock Brakes standard
• Auto Gearbox not available
• Alloywheels standard
• Deadlocks no data
• Immobiliser standard
• Alarm standard
• Visible Vin no data
• Secure Spare Wheel standard
• Marked Parts no data
• Etched Windows no data
• Satellite Navigation no data
• Handsfree Phone no data
• Leather Seats £2500
• Locking Wheelnuts no data
• Metallic Paint £295
• Split Fold Rear Seats not available
• Electric Front Windows standard
• Electric Mirrors standard
• Heated Mirrors standard
• Manual Sunroof not available
• Electric Sunroof not available
• Cruise Control £2500
• Multi CD standard
• Radio not available
• RDS Radio no data
• Unique Fit Radio no data

wish i had the money. something about this car i like.

Quality realy like them tonnes of modding potential, another excellent review Sporty lad!