Used 2012 Nissan 370Z Consumer Reviews
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370z - finally...bucket list item checked off!!
I've wanted a Z car since I was a kid - seeing the 300zs and the progression to this car draws me closer - the lineage is strong and makes the car special in a way only car guys (car people??) would appreciate. I am tired of seeing reviews calling the car rough or loud or whatever...I'm not really sure what folks expect when they make a choice to buy a car like this. Yes, the car is rough and tumble. The shifter vibrates. The clutch is heavy and abrupt. The engine is coarse and loud....and I love it. This is one of the last true machines that makes you feel connected to the car. It is very mechanical and industrial feeling rather than overly finessed and neutered. It rewards you when you spank it right but can absolutely make you look like a high school kid if you don't focus on your around town shifts. Taking it through the winding wooded roads of connecticut is where this car becomes downright amazing. Hearing the exhaust ricochet through the woods, feeling the car build momentum and feeling the extremely rigid chassis in corners is just a drivers dream situation. And this is what the forum pundits just don't get - there are faster cars, cars that are more comfortable or practical, both, etc but I can't think of another car id rather whip through twisty roads just for the hell of it. This is a built for purpose and BALANCED sports car, not a modified econ-box that brings an heirloom quality to it that is rare in these times. One knock against the car is head room. I am a relatively tall guy (6' and 250lbs) that would prob be given big guy status but not quite big and tall status. Anyhow, my hair brushes against the headliner sometimes and it is a reminder that there is just an 1/8 inch of steel between my head and pavement in the event of a rollover...obviously, I bought the car anyways. Long story short. This is a car for those passionate about cars and driving. If you value comfort or luxury features over sportiness then there are likely better and cheaper cars for you. But if you are a petrol head with apassion for automobiles you will absolutely not be let down - if anything, you will be further amazed by the car with each day. I highly recommend this car with manual because I frankly don't see the point of buying this with an auto no matter how good the auto is (I have a g37x so I know the auto is good) For me, this is truly a bucket list item realized. Thanks to the wife for authorizing what is otherwise an irresponsible purchase....or is it?
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Performance, Style and Value
The 370Z roadster has an incredible combination of performance style and value. A great road car, the roadster (convertible) version of the 370Z w/o the sport package is relatively smooth and much quieter than the coupe. The standard 18 inch wheels are also quieter than the 19" rays. The car handles securely and the interior room is large for a 2 seater. The driving position is as comfortable as most sedans.
- Base CoupeMSRP: $17,9998 mi away
- Base CoupeMSRP: $19,99912 mi away
- Base CoupeMSRP: $18,995315 mi away
Love the Z
Had the Z about 5k miles so far, it is just about perfect in every way! The headlights light up everything, the interior truly makes you feel special and not regret one penny you spent on the car! I got the only manual on the lot at the time and it really is everything i hoped it would be, ample torque to pass ppl on the highway without a downshift and when you do downshift its intoxicating! Although some see the rough engine noise as a downfall i feel it's just one more thing that shows this is a raw sports car! It sounds coarse because of the variable cam profiles it uses at different rpm's.
The early Z spirit lives on in the 370z.
Typical sports car issues such as some road noise (but not unbearable).Blind spots,small cargo area.Handles great,sexy looks,excellent performance,very reliable.
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So much fun
This is my second Z, my first one was a 350z Roadster. Let me say that the improvements in the 370z are amazing and is even more fun to drive.
Luv my Z
I love the Z roadster. Fun to drive, A real head turner. I added a cold air intake and acceleration and fuel mileage have improved but the engine/exhaust sound are still only so-so. I'd recommend this car to anyone who enjoys driving.
ZeeYou later.
Wow. Quick, quick, quick. Did I say this thing is quick yet? Naturally, you know almost immediately if a 370z is something you want after seeing it for the first time. Having owned Z cars in the past, along with other high-end drop tops, I had no hesitation getting this car. If you've owned one before of an earlier model, you know what you're in for. Aside from being designed for people who are less than 6-feet tall, I still drive somewhat comfortably even though I'm 6-foot, 1-inch tall. Sure, there are some rear quarter visibility challenges, but all Z divers have come to depend on their mirrors. It's a joy to drive, because it's responsive. Quick, fast, agile, and full of great technology. Would I own another one if this "went away"? Heck yes.
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Great sportscar value
I've had this car about 10 days now. It is fast, comfortable and handles well. I have owned a Corvette, several Porsches and several BMWs. In many ways, this car is their equal, especially when you factor in the cost of the car. Where else can you get this kind of performance for $38K? This is not to say I do not plan to own more Corvettes, Porsches and BMWs in the future. However, this is a car I predict I will look back on and be happy I owned it.
Keeping Fingers Crossed
This is my first Z since high school. Traded in my S Class Mercedes. Love the fun of it and hopefully will continue to adjust to the road noise and sports car ride. That being said, like others backing up and changing lanes is an adventure. All the controls are at your fingertips and very comfortable seats. My husband is 6 ft. 5 in. so not for him but it's mine anyway.
TOO MANY issues... cant be fast if its broke.
I bought a 2010 with every option-touring sport nav auto. On paper its a great value, fast car, and everyday friendly. NOT in reality. Entire fuel system is not designed properly. 4 times in the shop now and keeps running out of gas while showing 1/4 left. Hard right turns cause the pump to starve and the car stalls. Tires are junk, they are poor in rain and only last 10k miles. Hankook ventus is a much better tire, rear should be up to 285 for better handling. In TX, my oil temps are routinely above 240 f. Theres a rattle in the exhaust that reduces gas mileage by 12 percent and they still havent fixed it. After talking to Nissan NA, they told me "Too bad..." Also, paint is soft.
370z Review
370z Positive Review Driving down the street in a Nissan 370z is a joy. People glance at you and then double take. From the outside, the z car is sharp but with curves in all the right places. Even better than the view from the outside, is the sensation of being in the drivers seat. It has performance that matches its looks and a price that fits a moderate budget. Whether its the car you take to the racetrack on the weekends or your daily driver, the z is a great ride. The 370z comes from a legacy of z cars, starting with the Datsun 240z, which came to the United States in 1970. After years of refinement, the current 370z car steps up to the competition as the best affordable sports car available. When you step into a 370z, there is a rush of emotion. I can best describe it as a mixture of excitement and respect for the power that is at under your foot. The modern, clear, yet aggressive gauges all move to their limits and back at the start of the car, just daring you to put your foot down. The exhaust note is low and ready. This is all a lot to handle for a sixteen-year-old boy, so I dealt with it by sitting in the garage with the car mentally preparing for a month or so before I could legally drive it. Once I pulled out of the garage and on to the road, I was able to appreciate the full ability of the 370z as a true drivers car. From a stand still, 0-60mph flies by in 4.7 seconds of mind-blowing acceleration. This matches the numbers of muscle cars such as the Mustang GT, and the Camaro SS, which are the main American competitors in the price range. You may say So what if it matches its competitors and the answer to that is seen on the track. The z, being much lighter than the Camaro SS and the Mustang GT, can take corners without tilting dangerously due to its shorter wheelbase and wider axles. Some may point out that unlike its American counterparts, the z does not have a back seat, but my question is are we talking about a sports car or a family sedan? Another aspect that facilitates the 370z domination on the track is a first ever technology called syncro-rev match. When approaching a corner on the track (or on the road), you have to slow down in order to not fly off your course and downshift in order to stay in the cars optimum power band. To do this successfully on a manual transmission in a normal car, one has to heal and toe which means you have to engage the clutch and rev the throttle to the correct rpm to have a smooth downshift. Syncro-rev match does this for you, so all you have to do is down shift without blipping the throttle for a perfect transition of power. All this is to say that the 370z is performance without compromise, holding to the legacy of its predecessors while advancing with break through technology. Although it is performance without compromise, that is not to say that it lacks in comforts or gizmos on the inside. It is admittedly a little bit of a drop to get into the car since its only about six inches off the ground, but once your down there its like youve walked into a Best Buy department store. The gauges are crisp. The navigation system could direct you to your space-time location of choice. And all this can take place while you are talking with your friend through the hands free phone system incorporated on the steering wheel. Also, using the navigation touch screen, you can check the weather, check traffic conditions, and control the sound system. The sound system is one of my favorite features in the car. With the premium Bose sound package, the small cabin is infused with eight speakers plus two dual subwoofers. To use this incredible system there are six possible sources of sound; a six CD changer, a radio, an XM satellite radio, a USB iPod connection, a built in 9.3 GB music box, and a Bluetooth wireless audio system. And the music volume is speed sensitive, so as you speed up the music plays louder to equalize road noise. Additionally, if you just have to watch Finding Nemo one more time, the car has DVD playback capability, which can actually be good for entertaining kids. All of the electronics interfaces are calmed down by a sleek, white leather interior that gives you great lumbar support and holds you in your seat if youre at the track. The seats can be adjusted electronically and have heaters built in to them for those cold mornings when you have to go to school even though you were planning on it being cancelled for snow. Once springtime roles around, the new problem is allergies. No fear! The car can fix it all with its in cabin air micro filter. The engineers at Nissan must have had themselves spinning backwards thinking of all these features, which brings me to the subject of putting the car in reverse. As soon as you click the gearshift into reverse, a real time camera pops up on the nav. screen, which is great for backing out of parking spaces and avoiding those crazy lower school moms. In reverse, the screen also shows the cars predicted course when you turn the steering wheel, so curved driveways are not a problem. You can still do it the old fashion way with the mirror, but even the simple mirror is more than it seems. For example, if you are driving down the road at night with the blinding lights of a tailgater reflecting in your eyes, the mirror will sense the intense light and dim it for you. But since most of your time will be spent driving the car rather than playing with all the features (hopefully or else youll end up against a tree), lets get back to drivability. Ive talked a lot about the 370zs performance on the racetrack, but chances are, most people will use it on public roads. One tiny complaint that some people have brought forth is that there is a bit of road noise on the highway and the engine is load at high rpm. The road noise is because the wheel wells are deep up into the curves of the car so that the car can sit lower to the ground and the engine is loud at high rpm (Figure 5) because it is simply powerful and I would be disappointed if my sports car softly whirred like a Toyota Prius. Speaking of environmentally friendly cars, the 370z does well on fuel economy getting 19mpg in the city and 26mpg on the highway in both the automatic and manual versions. CO2 emissions are also relatively low for a sports car of the 370zs caliber and run at about 245g/km. One concern that prospective customers may have is whether or not the Nissan 370z is safe. Since the z is a small car, this is a valid concern, but Nissan has done a lot to protect its customers. On impact, the car basically turns into a raspberry of airbags (Figure 5). The z is equipped with dual stage supplemental front airbags, driver and passenger seat mounted side air bags, and roof mounted side impact airbags for head protection. Of course there are advanced seatbelts with pretension and load limiters, and in the event of a rear end collision, the Active Head Restraints push forward to prevent neck injuries. Structurally, the z is designed with crumple zones, an impact absorbing steering column, and a stabilizing bar behind the seats in case the car rolls over. Other features that the z has that prevent you from having an accident are Vehicle Dynamic Control with advanced Traction Control, tire pressure monitoring systems, and anti-lock brakes. In the car, regardless of road conditions, you feel locked down to the pavement with plenty of stopping power derived from the massive four-piston, fourteen-inch brakes. All of these features together create an incredible machine. Walking up to the car in the parking lot, you feel the way a proud owner should. The other day I came out of a movie at Amstar and there was a group of maybe 12 people that I have never seen before standing around it because they had never seen anything like it before. If I wanted to keep the exterior perfectly clean, Id have to wash off all the handprints on a daily basis. In both looks and performance, the 370z even upstages cars like the Porsche Cayman even though the Cayman is almost double the price of the z. In terms of performance, drivability, efficiency, and looks you cant find bettwe value for your money. For all it has to offer compared to cars in and above its class, the 370z is clearly the best affordable sports car available.
My 3rd and BEST Z
This is my 3rd Z and the BEST one. I had a 1991 and a 1994 300z but this is a awesome improvement. I look forward to driving it everyday. It is very fast and very good looking car. Handles well and it can move when you want to. I highly recomended it!
Good, fun car that could be great.
Not built for anyone over 6 feet tall. Handles and accelerates very well while getting reasonable gas mileage. Very reliable and a fun week end car, too cramped for long trips, just ok as a daily driver.
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Wow
The first word I said when I pulled into my drive way and got out of my brand new 2012 370z was wow!I have had it for a week now,I am most impressed with all aspects except the road /cabin noise.maybe some dynamat in the near future.the navigation system is money well spent.ample power,(I have a hayabusa,I know.)sound system,8 speakers,is excellent.I had my eye on the camaro ss and it would have been cheaper,but it. Can't compare to the 370z.(I still like the camaro).9.5 out of 10.the word I keep hearing about my 370z is sexy.reminds me of a porshe.I really like this car.
It Has a Poor Convertible Top Design!!
I purchased a 370z roadster with touring & sport pkg...it was purchased as demo with under 5000 miles and came with new car warranty... after two years I had to have the electrical wiring harness patched at the short and again during the third year..the first repair was $ 1,095 and the second time $995! The wiring harness shorts out from crimping every time the top opens and closes at the folding points!! In addition to that poor design , my top was being chewed from the inside out..being pinched from the folding arms that open and close..resulting in two frayed small holes on each side behind the seats...that truly pissed me off!! So, I added heavy denim with fabric glue inside the top to extend the wearing time until I could get answers from NISSAN ...but they blew me off! After visiting numerous blogs and many other reports of similar issues...and complaints, I kicked myself for not researching the car to see if it had problems. Well..FYI after the 36000 manufactures bumper to bumper warranty expires..its not covered!! If I had noticed it during that time they said it would of been covered. I had a extended warranty and it doesn't cover rag tops!! I will never buy another 370z convertible roadster again...after experiencing this!! Oh..and one more thing the top is $4000 to replace and wiring harness is $1800 and that didn't include labor...so I traded it...I drive a WRX sti and love it!! I actually think its much faster!
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STAY AWAY!!!
All I can say is do not buy a Nissan! At 7k miles my car suffered complete engine failure. Blown head gasket, engine coolant in the combustion chamber. How did Nissan react? They replaced the head gasket and not the motor. Well now 5k miles later the engine is starting to act up again. This goes with all the other problems the car has had. The AC has failed, the tpms system malfunctions. The manual tranny sounds horrible. All this at under 10k miles. Stay away!
Too many issues for brand new ca
Brand new 2010 z roadster. Beautiful car poor quality design . Roof issues from day one followed by failed speaker and steering wheel sensor recall. Replaced roof, sensor and speaker under warranty. After warranty and many trips to dealer roof continues with issues and steering wheel sensor an issue AGAIN! Love hate relationship with this car. Finally sold it 😓
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So many pluses, but that road noise
I traded out of my Mercedes SLK350 to the 370Z and really like the Z much more. The Z is more of a sports car and is exciting to drive. Has MORE features and more interior room. I actually don't smash things behind the seat when I move it back. And I think the interior quality is greater in the Z. Definitely better, more attractive and comfortable seats. And now with the tilt down dash, I can have my steering wheel down and actually see my speedometer. The windows go all the way down and the cup holders don't dangle your drink over the electronics panel of radio and heat/ac. Nice. And this car really has some power and pick-up. Still on my first tank of gas so we'll have to see about that.
My first Z
I enjoyed it a lot and looking forward everyday to drive it. Very flashy and a head turner! Quick on the uptake and handles pretty well. It's a dream come true!
Z the rockect
This car rocks! Expensive BMW owners turn heads! The motor is powerful and the fuel economy is awesome. Love the exhaust note. Go Nissan engineers!.
Best overall sports car value
With the sports package you get great acceleration, great brakes, great handling, way above average reliability and a reasonably comfortable ride, especially for a sports car. Rev matching not a problem if you opt for the sports package which adds the (way) upgraded brakes, 19 inch forged Rays wheels, tasteful rear spoiler and the rev matching feature, which is a great feature.
Great car! Only a couple draw backs
Love the car! Awesome handling and a decent amount of power. Needs more low end power and better exhaust note. Fit and finish is great. Needs better paint. It isnt very durable. Bose system great, and the car is extremely fun to drive! Highly recommend. Also, Fort Wayne Nissan was great! I recommend them as well. Top notch sales and service. Great deal too!
Fun ride and a relative bargain (used)
I purchased this car used a few months back. It is a nearly pristine, one owner garage queen that had just under 20K miles on it. Save for the newer tires installed, it is an all original Touring model with the Sport Package. Having read numerous reviews, I can honestly say that they are all spot on, both in the positives and negatives. For me and my wife, now empty-nesters, it is the perfect fair weather toy to have for sunny day commutes and short trips to the mountains. A third car that you drive when you want to, not need to. Pros are performance and open aired fun. Cons are a tight interior and sketchy visibility (definitely a car that would have benefitted from the now normal blind spot and cross traffic systems!). On the pros, the engine is strong and the 7 speed auto is slick enough, if not quite perfect. Downshifts are quick with a cool audible "brap" as it blips the throttle. Other people have complained about the sound and the ride. Yes, the engine sounds course, especially on hard acceleration, but a cold air intake and aftermarket exhaust will fix that. Yes, the ride is stiff, but it has a decent level of compliance over the smaller stuff and only loses that composure when the going gets rough. It's a sports car, or nearly so. Complaining about the ride is just silly. This thing goes where you point it and the stability system is really quite good. It's never intrusive with only the flashing light being the tell that you are pushing the limits. In my experience thus far it simply gently reels you back in with no hysteria as you motor down your favorite back road. On my cons, the interior is quite tight. The shorter wheelbase of this gen is likely to blame here. My 5'11" frame JUST fits with no room to spare as the seatback is pressed hard against the rear bulkhead when adjusted to where I am just barely comfortable. Like I said earlier, this is a short trip car. The limited trunk and interior space definitely make that the case. And visibility, especially over your right shoulder, is pretty horrible. Even with the right outer mirror set wide you have to use care in making sure nothing is there before making a lane change. Also, the side view mirrors, while large by necessity, also block the view from the driver's seat. The left outer mirror blocks enough view that care must be taken when holding a line on a tighter left hand curve. Complaints like this, though, are all pointless and forgettable after you've pressed the start button, dropped the top and motored away. My car has the Touring and Sport packages which gives you a good (even by today's standard) touch screen infotainment system, decently loud and clear Bose audio system, lightweight forged wheels, upgraded suspension and larger brakes. The seats are comfortable if not a bit tight and the forced air seat chillers/heaters are awesome! Wind buffeting is average at best even with the glass cabin deflector that is built in. Again, though, this car will always entice a smile on a sunny day and that, when all is said and done, is the point. There are other options in the roadster arena. A Z4 is slightly roomier, lower and sleeker, but reliability can be sketchy and upkeep expensive. A Miata is a blast to drive and economical to own, the plus and minus being that it is a motorized roller-skate. Fun, but not for everyone and with the exception of the NC generation an even tighter fit room wise for me. A corvette would be cool, but alas I'm just not a Corvette kind of guy. Lol! Overall this car is pretty much everything that I want it to be. Fun even if not practical, fast even if not exemplary and the perfect medicine to fix an otherwise gloomy day.
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Nice little roadster
The 2012 Nissan 370Z is a very nice little roadster. Great acceleration with smooth shifting (Automatic with optional shift paddles). This car holds the road extremely well and is a pleasure to drive especially on rural/urban roads. With the top down on the highway, it is a little noisy but you would expect that to happen.
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Impossible to drive smoothly
Love the design; don't understand why the manual transmission can't be shifted more smoothly; and why missing a couple hundred revs causes a cacophony of drive line clamors. Traded a Z 4 for this; didn't want to pay the $20M premium for the new Z4; but the BMW manual was quiet and forgiving if rev match wasn't perfect. Driving manuals for 55 years; never had one so difficult to master.
Its still a blast 3 years later
It speeds when its parked and rides smooth. It still makes me smile everyday
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Get the sports pkg...
-Try the sports pkg and then the base. You will notice the difference. The sports hugs the road adding better suspension and sports tires and rims. - This car will get the "you drive a beautiful car" from the girls. - This car will cause cops to slow down or pull to the side as soon as they see you...turning on every bell and whistle to give them a reason to give you a ticket. - Dont buy this car if you are going to be looking at the mpg gauge.
Just a fun car
I grew up in Germany, last car I had there was a 325i Coupe, manual, and loved it, but have stopped searching for the bang for the buck that BMW used to have in the 80's. Reliability has been questionable - my mechanic loves the 2000+ 3 series. :-) I was going to buy a 2003Z new when they came out, but due to kids almost got me an Infiniti G35 6MT, drove home with a 2003 M45, which I love and still have. Kids are grown up, and the 2010 Z 6speed with performance package in black/black is in the garage. I love this car. I looked at a 335i Coupe 6sp manual as well, very nice, but wasn't that impressed, especially when considering the price differential...
MY FIRST 2 SEATER
This car is by far the most fun vehicle I have owned, second only to my Yamaha motorcycle. Overall, it was well worth the money that I spent. The standard features are great, for example the push button start/stop and the HID headlights.
Seats only the japanese could love
The sport seats on this car are impossible for my 6'3" 200lb frame. Why i didn't get that at test drive ? I don't know but this is THE most uncomfortable car ever. Then the clutch and stick require too much effort and are notchy. The top has a permanent indent that the dealer says is supposed to be there. There is no leg room either. I had a BMW z-4 before that was perfect. The new ones are 20k more than this car and so I was swayed. What a mistake!
Great Car
Bought the 2010 370Z touring model about a month ago. Really enjoy the ride and handling. The style and shape is a big improvement over the 350 model. The manual transmission takes a little getting used to, but is worth the work.
King of the Hill
Absolutely love this car. Perfect perfect perfect. Had a 2008 350 Z and ordered this one way back in March 2008. Mine was the first one sold in the US. I agree with so many of the articles I have read about this car, it is THE best bang for your buck on the market. I am getting another new one as soon as I can swing it.
370Z Roadster 7 Speed Auto
I traded my '06 350z roadster on this '10 370z roadster. I loved the 350. But this 370 is fabulous. Taking all the other reviews into account, throwing out the 6,3" guy who is not happy w/ the room, not a surprise, I agree w/ all the good words. My wife and I love the car! The only complaint is the way too quiet and innocuous exhaust note. The same was said wrt the 350. Didn't the designers read any reviews at all? Not smart. As for road noise, I don't find it all that bad even w/ the 19" wheels etc. Of course mine is the convertible, not the coupe which I can understand would be a lot noisier for sure.
Go kart on steroids
Wow, first two seater, but I have had powerful cars before. Great handling, can't believe how well it corners. Strong motor, very linear response. Fun factor off the charts. Very impressed with the styling, especially how I see the original Z in this model. Pictures don't do it justice. Got the Black Cherry Paint in the Base sport model, but went in to buy the 40th edition Touring Sprt. When I saw this color, I decided I didn't need the touring package. Synchro-rev match is pretty cool stuff, but the motor is the real gem
What can you get better bang for buck?
Best car for money for performance but the one thing a lot people don't know about this car is bullet proof build engine and trans. Somehow you can still get 30 mpg on highway!
Love my z!
I was a bit hesitant when my husband was considering this car because of the price. After having this car for a few months, we have no regrets whatsoever! Totally worth the price and it is constantly turning heads. It's actually better on gas than I thought it was going to be and we are very pleased with what a show on TV said about it. It said if the mileage is kept low and it is maintained, it will be worth a lot in the future! Good job on this car Nissan!
'10 370 Z best sports car for the money
This is my first Z. It reminds me of an earlier generation Porsche 911. It's a Touring coupe with Sports Package and Nav package. Tremendous roadability and handling with wonderful manual 6-speed tranny, decent power and beautiful dynamics, +++ fun factor. It's more of an eye-turner than my Porsche Turbo S cab. Only dislike is the exhaust note and slow initial climb to higher RPM.
Worth a 40+ year wait!
I was too young to afford the original 240Z when it was first offered and just never found myself in a position to justify the cost of one through the years. When I spotted a used one on a website with less than 2000 miles I knew I had to at least check it out. I am glad I did! 1708 miles on the odometer and 6 years old, I knew I had to have it. Many have complained about it's lack of technology, road noise, whining engine at or near the red line and rough ride, and while I can see the reasoning, this is a sports car, not a luxury car. Yes, the ride can be brutal when the tires are cold and the road is rough, there is no USB port or music streaming via Bluetooth, the wind noise with the top up is significant compared to my MB CLK 320 but with the top down there is less turbulence than the CLK. The power of the V6 is impressive but does come with a penalty on the economy side, but hey, it is a sports car! The handling is precise as are the brakes, this car begs you to drive it into corners and power your way out. The Porsche Boxster has better materials in the interior, but that comes at the higher cost both in purchase price and the cost to maintain without offering any better performance or in my opinion styling. If it was a daily driver, I would be more critical of the short comings, but as a "midlife crisis, weekend toy", it fits the bill perfectly at a price to operate and drive that most everyone can afford.
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Love the Convertible. Dislike the Manufacturer
LOVE this car. Purchased used with 7,000 miles and remainder of the warranty. The car seems well-built, is a blast to drive, and I live in NorCal so the top is down nearly every day, even in cold weather (great seat heat/ventilation). Comfortable seats but I'm under 6'. Controls are so easy to use. It has knobs! Don't even need to take my eyes off the wheel to manage climate or stereo. The way the vents are routed means that unless the a/c is on, there will always be hot air blowing through the vents. But the a/c is dang cold. It's noisy, but replacing the OEM tires helped a lot. Plenty of cargo space for two adults for a long weekend. The big concern is only on the manual transmission version: repeated failure of the Concentric Slave Cylinder. It's a badly designed part, and will always fail. Nissan's replacement process under warranty is a pain and caused me to be stranded an additional time. The part has not been redesigned so as I approach the end of warranty I have to wonder if I'll keep it. The tranny has to be dropped to replace the part, ($$$!) and there is a better-built after-market solution. Check the Z and Infinity G owners forums for more detail. But even with that, this car makes me smile: Every. Single. Day.
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Great sports car and looks great.
Great car and have a lot of fun driving it.
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wow
it was everything I hoped for, great looking, fast and reliable.
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A raw and relatively modern sports car
I purchased my 370z (Nismo) brand new back in 2012. It was not cheap, but was relatively affordable as Nissan offered 0% financing. As stated in the title of this review, this car is raw as there were not a whole lot of factory options that came with the car, and if I remember correctly, it had the rearview mirror backup camera and illuminated kick plates options. I did not purchase any of those options as I was not a fan of the kick plates and the backup camera in the rearview mirror was too small. I do wish that the car had navigation so that the back up camera can be projected on that screen; however, that was never an option for the Nismo Z; I believe the more recent Z's have more factory options. I like the design of the Z's interior as there's soft touch material throughout the dash and door panels. The design is clean without much of the distractions in modern day vehicles, which reminds me of the simplicity of the design of the 90's or early 2000's sports cars but with better materials. I do wish that one of the gauges on the dash would read something useful to the driver like air/fuel ratio or water temperature instead of the time, and integrate the clock with the stereo system. Also, next to the tachometer, I wish they would be consistent with the theme and stick with the analog/needle gauge rather than the dots to show gas level and engine temperature, which seems out of place. Blind spots can be a huge issue at times as the rear/over the shoulder visibility is not great. Gas mileage is decent for a car with over 300HP. Interior is somewhat noisy and reminds me of an airplane ride, and I think a lot of it has to do with the summer performance tires. The steering feel is heavy and precise. The Nismo suspension can be very unforgiving for normal daily driving especially over uneven pavements (even with the factory installed shipping spacers removed from the springs!) but is very rewarding from the performance standpoint. The transmission is notchy and shifts are short as if an aftermarket short-shifter was installed. I have years of experience driving manual transmissions and have driven quite a few sportier cars - from S2000s to Miatas to EVO's and STI's and even my own daily driver, Mazda Protégé 5, and I feel like the Z's 2nd gear is hard to get used to. I am just not a big fan of shifting from 1st to 2nd, but maybe that's just me...Overall, the Z is a great looking car that drives and handles well, and it's got more than enough power to be safe on the road and have a little fun at the same time. As of 9/5/2020, the car is still very reliable and performs like new. A lot of reviewers are saying the Z os outdated and I don't disagree with them as the car has been in production for more than a decade. On paper it might not be as impressive when compared to modern competitors, however this is one of the very few raw sports cars out there that will give you this type of experience at an affordable price range. This is definitely a keeper.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Not my first two seater
2010 Nismo Z. Exceptional build quality, extremely rigid chassis, feels like it will grip onto a corner forever. Make sure to check your front springs after delivery! Z's are being sold with spring spacers still installed (helps keep the bumper off the groud during shipment). Road noise is no issue for me, wish the exhaust and engine note were a bit more noticeable.