350Z - pleasantly surprised!
Discussion
I've recently picked up a 350Z and just wanted to say what a great car it is, because I think it gets a bad press.
For a long time it was on my list of contenders but it always lost out to other Japanese cars.
In particular it seems to come off worse than the S2000 that it's often compared to.
For me, the 350Z is the better car for 'normal' driving i.e. not blasting around a track or idilic B road.
Engine - very nice, just a nice about of power for the road that you feel you can actually use. Makes a nice noise and is lovely and smooth.
Interior - I've heard a lot about how cheap it is and whilst the materials may be, the build quality is very good. Not a single rattle. The design is ok, nothing special
Exterior- from the front and side I think it looks great. It's the back that let's it down for me but this is all subjective.
Handling - Fun is how I'd describe it. You can get the back end wagging with ease and the car feels forgiving. Some say the TCS comes in too quick but for me it's perfect. You can turn it fully off anyway.
Control feel - overall all the inputs feel great to me and perfectly weighted. The gear change is nice and heavy, if a little 'snatchy' sometimes. The clutch, break and steering feel is good. My only criticism is the steering is slower than I'd like.
Other points - practically isn't great with that massive strut bar. Fuel economy on a motorway run is pretty good - 32+ is achievable
So overall for something you can buy for £4k+ the 350Z is a great car and one of my favourites. I see it like a budget 997 and better in many ways.
I'm writing this so other people don't dismiss it like I did for so long.
For a long time it was on my list of contenders but it always lost out to other Japanese cars.
In particular it seems to come off worse than the S2000 that it's often compared to.
For me, the 350Z is the better car for 'normal' driving i.e. not blasting around a track or idilic B road.
Engine - very nice, just a nice about of power for the road that you feel you can actually use. Makes a nice noise and is lovely and smooth.
Interior - I've heard a lot about how cheap it is and whilst the materials may be, the build quality is very good. Not a single rattle. The design is ok, nothing special
Exterior- from the front and side I think it looks great. It's the back that let's it down for me but this is all subjective.
Handling - Fun is how I'd describe it. You can get the back end wagging with ease and the car feels forgiving. Some say the TCS comes in too quick but for me it's perfect. You can turn it fully off anyway.
Control feel - overall all the inputs feel great to me and perfectly weighted. The gear change is nice and heavy, if a little 'snatchy' sometimes. The clutch, break and steering feel is good. My only criticism is the steering is slower than I'd like.
Other points - practically isn't great with that massive strut bar. Fuel economy on a motorway run is pretty good - 32+ is achievable
So overall for something you can buy for £4k+ the 350Z is a great car and one of my favourites. I see it like a budget 997 and better in many ways.
I'm writing this so other people don't dismiss it like I did for so long.
Does it get bad press?
I love them, but I treat it less 911 and more something like a Mustang. It's OK handling but for me I enjoy the roughness of it, the noise and lairiness of it.
Edit to add: mine has a modified exhaust, so that might contribute to my opinions!
I love them, but I treat it less 911 and more something like a Mustang. It's OK handling but for me I enjoy the roughness of it, the noise and lairiness of it.
Edit to add: mine has a modified exhaust, so that might contribute to my opinions!
Edited by aizvara on Wednesday 30th November 11:39
I have a couple of roadsters and have a proper soft spot for them. They feel very different to an S2000, not as nimble but more planted. They sound great too. Yes the plastics are a bit cheap but go buy a TT if that's important to you. They're brawny old school cars and great vfm.
Every now and again you find a car you just seem to get on with particularly well. It won't be one thing but a combination that's hard to define. If I was restricted to one roadster for the rest of my life I'd be more than happy with this. If I had a bottomless pit of money I'd still keep one in the garage.
Good luck with it OP. Plenty of support online and they are easy enough to work on. Keep an eye on rust around the rear arches. They go well on Pilot Sports - you'd be mad to skimp on tyres.
Every now and again you find a car you just seem to get on with particularly well. It won't be one thing but a combination that's hard to define. If I was restricted to one roadster for the rest of my life I'd be more than happy with this. If I had a bottomless pit of money I'd still keep one in the garage.
Good luck with it OP. Plenty of support online and they are easy enough to work on. Keep an eye on rust around the rear arches. They go well on Pilot Sports - you'd be mad to skimp on tyres.
I've always loved them as well and they are my kind of car(I test drove a new 350Z Roadster back in 2006 and I really liked it). I've currently got a 370Z Roadster that I've had for 4 years in April and I'm still really happy with it.
I really like the older school vibe with the Nissan Z cars for sure. They don't get that much love on PH for some reason though, but the few of us that have them do try to fly the flag for them at least!
I really like the older school vibe with the Nissan Z cars for sure. They don't get that much love on PH for some reason though, but the few of us that have them do try to fly the flag for them at least!
Welcome to the Zed family! I’ve had mine 9 years this coming March - 350Z HR.
I couldn’t really agree more with your synopsis (aside from the back letting the side down - I like this view too!)
They really are great cars, both for the money and in general. They do have a bad reputation unfortunately. Look up any YouTube video of them and 99% are ruined by stance/Rocket Bunny/other assorted terrible accoutrements and/or are inspired by Tokyo Drift.
But enjoy the car! Really good fun to drive, great at munching miles and are genuinely useable everyday. I dailied mine for 3 years. The performance is just right for road driving I think. You get the odd compliment too.
I couldn’t really agree more with your synopsis (aside from the back letting the side down - I like this view too!)
They really are great cars, both for the money and in general. They do have a bad reputation unfortunately. Look up any YouTube video of them and 99% are ruined by stance/Rocket Bunny/other assorted terrible accoutrements and/or are inspired by Tokyo Drift.
But enjoy the car! Really good fun to drive, great at munching miles and are genuinely useable everyday. I dailied mine for 3 years. The performance is just right for road driving I think. You get the odd compliment too.
I didn't get them for the longest time, but it was only really because I was looking at them the wrong way.
I was thinking they were a 'sports car' and not a 'GT car'
You can argue about what defines the two categories at the best of times, but the moment I started thinking about the 350 as a great car to take you on journeys I started to love it.
I was thinking they were a 'sports car' and not a 'GT car'
You can argue about what defines the two categories at the best of times, but the moment I started thinking about the 350 as a great car to take you on journeys I started to love it.
Ive had one since the summer - they get better looking every month imo,amongst the sea of modern SUVs now. I like them looking standard though - i dont like all these cheap kits people put on them,and there seems to be a lot.
Yeah it feels heavy,and a bit cumbersome in slow traffic,but the car's sweet spot is around the 4k-6k rev range where the car really comes alive,great handling with the LSD. Its strange,the car doesnt feel that 'quick' but youre up to silly speeds before you know it. I think thats due to the linear power curve - my previous car,a Megane R26 felt quicker with its turbo...but theyre around same time to 60.
I see people saying the interior is terrible - i dont think its that bad? The RS Renaults are worse imo....i like the comfy leather seats and the old skool dials. Its quite minimalistic. And youre not going to like the cassette player if youre used to all the apple car play toys haha.
Yeah it feels heavy,and a bit cumbersome in slow traffic,but the car's sweet spot is around the 4k-6k rev range where the car really comes alive,great handling with the LSD. Its strange,the car doesnt feel that 'quick' but youre up to silly speeds before you know it. I think thats due to the linear power curve - my previous car,a Megane R26 felt quicker with its turbo...but theyre around same time to 60.
I see people saying the interior is terrible - i dont think its that bad? The RS Renaults are worse imo....i like the comfy leather seats and the old skool dials. Its quite minimalistic. And youre not going to like the cassette player if youre used to all the apple car play toys haha.
Indeed, I think they are cracking looking cars. I still look back even now. They are deceptively fast - they’re not going to trouble modern hatches or EVs but they can go toe-to-toe with their contemporaries (E46 M3) and I know they’ll keep up with older RS3s. A good launch will see an HR cross the 1/4 mile in thirteens.
They’re most definitely GTs, but they can still hustle down a B road with a strong arm.
They’re most definitely GTs, but they can still hustle down a B road with a strong arm.
I’m glad to see they’re getting recognition, they have been for a while in the states, but not so much over here. I really rate 350s, and am on my second now after some pretty trick stuff in between.
I think they’re unbelievable all rounders for the money, and with a few chassis modifications; suspension, anti roll bars, alignment namely they are completely transformed into a much more focused thing that’s really fun to get in and be a bit naughty.
The kind of car that makes you want to clutch kick every corner or junction.
My current one is a perfect drive to, to a trackday, lap endlessly & drive back without dreading it, loping along in 6th, cruise control, heated seat element on, Bose sound system going.
Excellent forum, aftermarket support, decent prices for bits, what’s not to like.
I think they’re unbelievable all rounders for the money, and with a few chassis modifications; suspension, anti roll bars, alignment namely they are completely transformed into a much more focused thing that’s really fun to get in and be a bit naughty.
The kind of car that makes you want to clutch kick every corner or junction.
My current one is a perfect drive to, to a trackday, lap endlessly & drive back without dreading it, loping along in 6th, cruise control, heated seat element on, Bose sound system going.
Excellent forum, aftermarket support, decent prices for bits, what’s not to like.
Ryan_T said:
I’m glad to see they’re getting recognition, they have been for a while in the states, but not so much over here. I really rate 350s, and am on my second now after some pretty trick stuff in between.
I think they’re unbelievable all rounders for the money, and with a few chassis modifications; suspension, anti roll bars, alignment namely they are completely transformed into a much more focused thing that’s really fun to get in and be a bit naughty.
The kind of car that makes you want to clutch kick every corner or junction.
My current one is a perfect drive to, to a trackday, lap endlessly & drive back without dreading it, loping along in 6th, cruise control, heated seat element on, Bose sound system going.
Excellent forum, aftermarket support, decent prices for bits, what’s not to like.
Very nice Zed. Are they genuine RPF1s? I want to get a set for mine. What sizes and offset have you got? I’m looking at 18x9.5 +15 all round. I think they’re unbelievable all rounders for the money, and with a few chassis modifications; suspension, anti roll bars, alignment namely they are completely transformed into a much more focused thing that’s really fun to get in and be a bit naughty.
The kind of car that makes you want to clutch kick every corner or junction.
My current one is a perfect drive to, to a trackday, lap endlessly & drive back without dreading it, loping along in 6th, cruise control, heated seat element on, Bose sound system going.
Excellent forum, aftermarket support, decent prices for bits, what’s not to like.
Alias218 said:
Very nice Zed. Are they genuine RPF1s? I want to get a set for mine. What sizes and offset have you got? I’m looking at 18x9.5 +15 all round.
Yup you’ve got it, and exactly the size I’m running - Then with square 265/35 Nankang NS2Rs. Again it makes the car really balanced with the extra width on the front. The traction control doesn’t like the square set up, and it can do some weird things when pushing on. So I’ve wired in a button into the gyroscope module thing to disable TC for trackdays / spirited drives.
Alias218 said:
Indeed, I think they are cracking looking cars. I still look back even now. They are deceptively fast - they’re not going to trouble modern hatches or EVs but they can go toe-to-toe with their contemporaries (E46 M3) and I know they’ll keep up with older RS3s. A good launch will see an HR cross the 1/4 mile in thirteens.
They’re most definitely GTs, but they can still hustle down a B road with a strong arm.
I'm not having a dig mate but does anyone other than a 19 year old honestly care they they 'won't trouble modern Hatches or EVs'? It sounds incredibly immature.They’re most definitely GTs, but they can still hustle down a B road with a strong arm.
Most older supercars are slower than a Tesla. Really who gives a toss? I haven't raced someone on the road in decades.
Unreal said:
Alias218 said:
Indeed, I think they are cracking looking cars. I still look back even now. They are deceptively fast - they’re not going to trouble modern hatches or EVs but they can go toe-to-toe with their contemporaries (E46 M3) and I know they’ll keep up with older RS3s. A good launch will see an HR cross the 1/4 mile in thirteens.
They’re most definitely GTs, but they can still hustle down a B road with a strong arm.
I'm not having a dig mate but does anyone other than a 19 year old honestly care they they 'won't trouble modern Hatches or EVs'? It sounds incredibly immature.They’re most definitely GTs, but they can still hustle down a B road with a strong arm.
Most older supercars are slower than a Tesla. Really who gives a toss? I haven't raced someone on the road in decades.
And I’m 34. So I don’t really care about such things.
Ryan_T said:
Yup you’ve got it, and exactly the size I’m running - Then with square 265/35 Nankang NS2Rs.
That’s good to know! I did wonder whether the TC might throw a wobbly. It did it on mine a number of years ago just because the treads were low on the front. New tyres made the problem go away. Perhaps I’ll knock the fronts down to a 9” or 8.5” and go back to staggered fitment, or perhaps just narrower tyres.Edited by Alias218 on Thursday 29th December 21:06
I've had a 997 and have an (albeit x51 and modified) 996 and the 350z simply can't hold a candle to either so can't see them as 'better' personally - but I couldn't care less - I honestly love the thing. Slowly tweaking it to get more out of it but its such a simple recipe that I don't think any cars on the market quiet replicate..
Cheap interior, basic, but that's exactly what I like about it. Think you summed it up best as 'fun'
Enjoy, I'm sure you will
Cheap interior, basic, but that's exactly what I like about it. Think you summed it up best as 'fun'
Enjoy, I'm sure you will
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