Few companies are as beloved as Nissan in the enthusiast community. Their sports car portfolio is as popular as their “normal” passenger cars. That’s especially true in the tuning world. The reason is simple – all of Nissan’s vehicles are known to be very reliable. Take the 350Z for example – it’s a pure coupe with a great V6 engine in the front and excellent driving dynamics. I know, it’s not the most exciting car from the factory, but wait until you put those upgrades on!
When you think about it, the two-door Nissan coupe has almost the perfect ingredients for a good driver’s car. Great-sounding and powerful V6 engine, balanced RWD handling, appealing looks, and reliable mechanics. This is a car that you can buy and enjoy, even without any upgrade. It is also a sports car that responds very well to upgrades, thanks to the durable chassis.
The question is, is the 350Z the perfect car for you? And which one for that matter? If you didn’t already know, the 350Z is available both as coupe and roadster. I think you already know which one is more popular within the enthusiast community (hint: it’s the coupe). We will explain the reasons for that down below for sure – the main one follows immediately.
Nissan 350Z Specs
The pre-facelift Nissan 350Z has a 3.5-liter V6 gasoline engine with 283hp at 6,200 rpm and 260 lb-ft (352 Nm) of torque at 4,800 rpm. When compared to modern sports cars in its category, the 350Z isn’t supremely fast. However, most drivers will find it sprightly in a straight line – it takes 5.55 seconds to reach 60mph from a standstill (5.9 seconds 0-100 km/h for metric people out there) for the 6-speed manual transmission model. The 5-speed auto needs 5,7 seconds to reach the same milestone.
The post-facelift model has a slightly more powerful version of the same engine. Rated at 306 hp at 6,800 rpm and 268 lb-ft at 4,800 rpm, it sprints to 60mph in 5,3 seconds. Both the pre- and post-facelift models are limited to 155 mph (250 km/h). Whatever model you choose, the fuel tank has 70 liters of capacity, while the boot space is 235 liters.
The roadster version of the 350Z is slower than the coupe – it needs 6,5 seconds for the 0-60 sprint. The main reason is the added weight of over 100 kg, depending on the spec. This means that the roadster is also less popular with tuners – you’ll need much more power for the same performance.
Another thing to consider is the transmission. The base 6-speed manual is faster than the 5-speed auto and easier to tune. One could argue that the manual is also more fun to drive, but we won’t go into that now.
Are There Back Seats in a 350Z?
While the exterior design may suggest that this is a “2+2” configuration coupe, it really isn’t. The 350Z comes only with two front seats – it’s the Infiniti G35 that has two more seats. Since both cars are based on the same platform, most people confuse the 350Z as a “2+2” car. Please note that some conversion kits will add two more seats to the 350Z. However, they aren’t legal and perhaps unsafe.
How Much Does a Nissan 350Z Cost?
It all depends on the model year, the state of the mechanics, and the state of the body. Tuned models might also be more expensive to buy, but also less reliable. A quick search on the internet reveals that older models from 2003 and 2004 costs from $8,000 - $9,000, while later models range from $10,000 – $12,000.
When looking for used 350Z, always check the body for damage, especially for stone-chip damage. The pre-facelift model can also have problems with oil consumption – always check the oil level.
Nissan 350Z Nismo
The Nismo 350Z is a special version of the car from Nissan’s in-house tuning company. It was manufactured only from 2007-2008, and it warrants a higher price. The Nismo version is only available with 6-speed manual transmission. It also has an advanced aerodynamics package for better downforce, sourced from the Super GT racecar. The kit includes chin spoiler in the front, side skirts, an underbody diffuser, and rear wing.
Nismo also upgraded the suspension of the car with tuning done in-house with the help of Yamaha. This suspension tuning gives much better responsiveness in the corners and overall better handling. Like most factory-tuned versions, the Nismo also had Brembo upgraded brakes and ultra-high-performance Bridgestone Potenza RE050A tires.
Sadly, the Nismo version doesn’t feature any engine upgrades. It’s the same motor here as the one in the facelifted version – 3.5 V6 with 306 hp. Also, due to the added downforce, performance might be slightly worse. That said, the Nismo version is a great candidate for suspension tuning, mainly due to the upgraded brakes and suspension.
Are Nissan 350Z Good Cars?
The 350Z is fun and affordable coupe that could last you for a long time. It is also a great candidate for tuning, especially for drifting. However, some purists may be off-put by the weight of the car – with over 1,500 kg of curb weight, the 350Z is far from light. Due to the added weight, it is more cumbersome to drive on twisty roads than the Toyota 86 or Mazda MX-5 for example.
With all that said, that’s only a slight annoyance with the 350Z. Most reviewers find it to be very balanced in the corners and fast enough for quick acceleration. On top of that, the V6 engine is better for tuning than a smaller four-banger.
What's the Difference Between 350Z and 370Z?
The Nissan 370Z is the successor of the 350Z. As its name suggests, the 370Z has a larger 3.7-liter V6 engine rated at 332 hp. Interestingly, the newer model is smaller on the outside, but it also has a slightly more substantial weight. Performance on the 370Z is much better – the 0-60 sprint takes only 4.5 seconds.
Thanks to the more compact chassis and shorter wheelbase, the 370Z is also better to drive. Responsiveness and balance are improved, as is high-speed stability. That said, some purists prefer the 350Z’s engine due to better refinement at redline.
Nissan also made significant improvements on the inside. The 370Z boasts much better materials, better finish, and more high-tech features. It is also quieter, and has better ride quality, as expected from a newer car. However, the 370Z is also more expensive and slightly out of reach for most people at this moment. With all that said, if money is no issue, go for the Nissan 370Z – it’s better in almost any category.
Nissan 350Z Repair Manual and Nissan 350Z Service Manual
If you’re interested in repairing or servicing your 350Z, you can have a look at our service and repair manual list. All model years and specifications are covered.