2005 Nissan 350Z Reviews

Ewan Kennedy reviews the 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015 Nissan 350Z and Nissan 370Z as a used buy.

It might be the last letter in the alphabet, but ‘Z’ is the first that comes to mind when thinking of the great sports cars Nissan has made over the years. It came into being with the great Datsun 240Z sports coupe in the early 1970s and has continued to identify the company’s sports cars ever since.Today it’s used on the 350Z, Nissan’s current sports car that first hit our roads back in 2003. When launching the 350Z, Nissan’s then managing director, Leon Daphne, said it was the company’s “halo” car, designed to represent the “heart, soul and passion” of the company.MODEL WATCH The 350Z continued the rich history of Nissan sports cars dating back to the iconic 240Z. With two doors and seating for two the 350Z is not a car for the family. It’s the car owned by those without kids, or those who want a second fun car for the weekends.The 350Z range was made up of three models: two coupes and a roadster. The Touring Coupe was tailored more to those who wanted their sporting motoring with a slightly softer edge than its Track Coupe cousin. It came with leather trim, drilled alloy pedals, Bose sound system with six-stack CD player, and rolled on 17-inch alloy wheels for a suppler ride. The Track Coupe had all of that, but had a more defined sporty edge with 18-inch alloy wheels, bigger disc brakes and electronic stability control.The Roadster could be transformed from a comfy and secure coupe to an open top cruiser at the push of a button, when the power roof would fold down out of sight.The 350Z’s power came from a wonderful 3.5-litre double overhead camshaft V6. When asked it would willingly deliver to the tune of 206 kW at 6200 revs and 363 Nm at 4800 revs. Down low there was plenty of torque on tap, whether you just wanted to cruise along without changing gears, or if you wanted to slam your foot to the floor and race through the gears.The 350Z was superbly tractable at low speeds, but ask it for its best and it would pin your ears back like few others. If you wanted it would reach 100 km/h in 6.5 seconds and race through the 400-metre dash in 14.5 seconds.But it wasn’t just a straight-line hero; it really came into its own on a winding country road where you got to experience its full performance repertoire. Buyers had the choice of a six-speed manual, which was criticized for its less than precise gearshift, or a five-speed auto with a paddle shift manual mode. Final drive was fittingly delivered through the rear wheels.The 350Z boasted an almost perfect 50/50 weight distribution. It was marginally heavier on the front than it was on the rear, but the near perfect distribution was one of the reasons the 350Z had a wonderfully balanced chassis.Underneath it had independent all-alloy suspension front and rear, speed sensitive power steering and four-wheel ventilated disc brakes. There was also a raft of electronics to keep a watchful eye over proceedings. All models had ABS antiskid brakes, brake force distribution, brake assist, and traction control. On top of that the sporty Track Coupe also had stability control and more powerful Brembo brakes.Inside, the 350Z was snug. There wasn’t a huge amount of space to stretch out, you felt surrounded, but there was a sense of security and plenty of support if you wanted to push things to the limit.IN THE SHOP Generally the 350Z is trouble free with few problems coming to the surface in the first few years it has been on sale. The earliest cars now have around 60,000 km on the odometer if they’ve been used daily, but there are a number that have been reserved for weekend use and haven’t got as many kays under their belts.The wonderful double overhead camshaft V6 is robust and doesn’t appear to give much trouble at all. It does, however, require PULP or better to be used. Likewise the transmissions and drive train seem robust and reliable. The chassis generally is standing up well, although there are some reports of high tyre wear.IN A CRASH The 350Z’s safety package was comprehensive, with all models having dual front and side airbags, and the Coupes also having curtain airbags. Add to that a responsive chassis and powerful brakes, with an extensive array of electronic driver aids, and the safety package is an impressive one.OWNERS SAY Greg Bird has owned his 350Z for the last four years, but has used it as a weekend car and it has only clocked up 35,000 km. He says it’s easy to drive, whether driven down to the local shops or hard around a racetrack. The steering is razor sharp, the handling great, while the engine has good torque and a good spread of power through the rev range. It’s also been economical, and utterly reliable. He’s not so rapt in the rear visibility, which he says is poor, the interior noise level, and the high level of front tyre wear, which he says was fixed under warranty.Derek bought his 2003 350Z Touring second hand when it had done 14,000 km and sold it when it had 35,000 km on the clock. He says it was the best car he’d ever driven. It had great performance, and loved corners and straight lines, and he loved the firm ride. The fuel consumption was 14.2 L/100 km around town and around 8.5 L/100 km on the open road. His only complaints were a squeak in the driver’s seat and the cheap look of the interior plastics.LOOK FOR • chunky styling• sizzling V6 engine• good road holding• responsive chassis• powerful brakes.THE BOTTOM LINE Good looking thrill-a-minute sports car with a great engine and agile chassis.RATING 80/100

The Japanese carmaker could have played with the styling or the mechanicals, but thankfully, the Z-team has seen fit to let the chiselled two-door coupe and convertible remain, aesthetically at least, largely unchanged.It already had plenty of power, a strong chassis package and an uncompromising attitude to issues such as luggage and long-legged drivers. We recently took the first of the refreshed 350Z models, destined for Nissan showrooms in the early stages of next year, for a drive in Tasmania.Topping the list of changes is the increase in power from 206kW to 221kW for manual models - the same as the 35th anniversary model released this year - but with a decrease in torque to 353Nm at 4800rpm.Improvements to the intake side of the engine, including larger air ducts and revamped valve-timing have increased the power. The auto models are all powered by the 206kW/363Nm version of the engine, which previously propelled the entire range.Some of the most noticeable changes have been made on the multi-link front and rear suspension, while the power-steering assistance has also been modified.Nissan product marketing manager Michael Hayes says the changes have been in response to worldwide customer feedback."There's been quite a number of enhancements. A lot these are customer-driven," he says. "The idea of the 06 car is to make it a more driveable and liveable car on a daily basis."The new speed-responsive steering-assistance system has been inherited from Nissan's Infiniti range. Ride quality is up but not at the expense of the handling - if anything, the slight reduction in firmness gives the Z a less nervous demeanour, which was noticeable on Tasmania's wet roads.Where once the Track was a little uneasy on less than perfect roads, as well as being prone to skatey behaviour in the wet, the re-tuned suspension's extra compliance has calmed the ride and honed the handling.The growl of the drivetrain has been retained - as has the considerable pace - but it feels less harsh than its predecessor. The Roadster lets some flex through the steering column but feels strong, although it misses some of the Coupe's zip thanks to extra kilos used in reinforcing for the absent roof.Nissan says the 18-inch alloys (now standard range-wide) and front bumper have been redesigned, although at first glance you'll miss that, with the addition of xenon headlights and light-emitting diode (LED) rear tail-lights. The cabin has been given the once-over, with the interior designers adding more aluminium trim accents, soft-feel materials and putting audio controls on the steering wheel. Standard features across the range include heated, power-adjustable, leather sports seats, climate control, a seven-speaker Bose sound system, power windows, door locks and mirrors, dual front and side airbags, curtain airbags in the Coupe only, cruise control and drilled aluminium pedals.The Track variants get Brembo brakes, vehicle dynamic control (VDC) on both Coupe and Roadster variants. On Coupe Track cars, there is also a front spoiler, under body diffusers and a rear spoiler.Nissan has also increased the size of the brakes on Touring models, with 320mm front discs and 308mm rear discs. While storage space was never a big selling point of the Z, Nissan claims additional storage including a card-holder, cargo net at the bottom of the front passenger's seat, bottle holders in both doors and larger door pockets.The 350Z line-up will have five models. The Touring Coupe is available with the six-speed manual for $62,990 - up by $3000 - or the five-speed auto for $64,990.The manual-only Track Coupe will rise in price by $2000 to $67,990, while the Roadster will be available in manual Track or auto Touring spec for $73,990, a rise of $3000. Carried-over features include a traction or stability (on the Track) control system, limited-slip rear differential and dual exhausts.The Z sports coupe has been sold in more than 95 countries and has sold about 1.6 million units worldwide since it was launched in 1969. The current fifth-generation Z has sold a total of 160,000 units globally since July 2002. Australia is fifth largest for sales behind the US, Japan, Germany and the UK. Nissan has refined the 350Z just enough to give it nicer day-to-day manners without losing its abilities.

The 350Z brought the Zed car back to its sports-coupe roots, shedding the soft edges and extra kilos put on during a 1980s weight gain.The arrival of the lean, lithe and powerful 350Z in 2003 was music to performance car fans ears, offering rear-wheel drive and plenty of punch from the 3.5-litre V6 engine.The tune turned mournful when the 200SX's demise was announced, but we live in hope of the Skyline GT-R's imminent twin-turboed return. For now, the 350Z will have to do. That sounds a little ungrateful, as the standard 350Z is more than ample for anyone looking for a self-indulgent weekender machine that is an uncompromising as it is rapid. Nissan has put that little bit of extra effort in, with new-look 18in alloy wheels, upgraded seats and more power. Not that it needed it, but we'll take it just the same.The 35th Anniversary 350Z is now propelled by 221kW of power at 6400rpm (up by 15kW) and 353Nm of torque (a slight drop from 363Nm at 4800rpm), delivered by the fitment of revised pistons, camshafts and smarter exhaust valve timing.As you'd expect from a hard-core unit like the Zed, it's available only with a six-speed manual transmission. This takes a little time to get used to, with an abrupt clutch and slick shift that requires a certain amount of rhythm.Once in tune with the Zed, it's no problem to whip through the gears. The Zed has growled since it was first resurrected. Some hate it, others don't mind it but it's all part of the package. While it's not the ideal commuter, adulation is quickly brought about slicing along a twisting back road.There's no turbo rush, just a sweet V6 tune that begs for revs. Stabbing at the brakes reduces the blurring of scenery and the sharp steering and suspension put the snout exactly where it's required.The seat is too close to the pedals for my 190cm frame but the steering (with its connected instrument binnacle) can be adjusted to cope.The stability control will ruin some of the enthusiast's fun, but it can be switched off.The 350Z has an independent multi-link suspension front and rear with a front strut tower brace and an integrated rear strut tower brace, as well as front and rear stabiliser bars. The 18in alloy wheels are wrapped in performance tyres.There are even instructions on the inside of the boot lid about how best to load golf clubs, but if I owned it I would cancel the golf club membership and take out a competition car club membership.For a performance V6, the Zed car returned a decent 12.2 litres/100km, with a 47km/h average speed.The price tag is a little higher than the everyday Zed cars. Where the manual Touring and Track models remain at $59,990 and $65,990 (add $2800 for the auto), the Anniversary model slides in at $67,990, below the drop-top Roadster at $70,990.1966: Nissan Motor Co identified a market for an agile, compact GT whose performance could outrun its price. Nissan began working on a prototype which would become the 240Z.1969: Production lines started producing left-hand-drive Z Cars at the Shatai factory in Tokyo. Datsun 240Z went on sale in the U.S. as a 1970 model.1970: Production of right-hand-drive 240Zs started in January and later that year the 240Z went on sale in Australia for $4570.1973: At the end of the 240Z production run, all-time sales reached 116,712 units, with nearly 2500 sold in Australia. The 260Z replaced the 240Z, and went on sale in Australia in 1974. The 2+2 version was introduced that year, too.1979: The 260Z was phased out and replaced by the 280Z and then ZX, with a new 2.8-litre fuel-injected engine. The suspension, body and interior were more about luxury than sports-coupe.1986: The Z car lived on with a 300ZX three-litre turbocharged V6 replaced by a new-shape car also called 300ZX in the 1990s, until early 1997.

Perhaps that's the case, but compare the yellow Nissan 350Z Anniversary with a canary and you'd have one very jealous bird.This is not only because the yellow chosen for the Anniversary model of the 350Z is actually a pearl-pigment paint of exceptional lustre to outshine even a canary, but also because the metal version is one very fast car.Yet the 350Z — the new 240Z — is a remarkably simple package.The Anniversary version gets a bit more power, different wheels, a stability program called VDC, black leather interior and Brembo brakes — and the option of yellow.The 3.5-litre V6 sits at the front, with a six-speed manual gearbox behind it followed by a shaft to the independent rear end.There's seating for two (only) and very limited luggage space, all wrapped in a sexy body of curves and tapers — in yellow.Though simple, the 350Z takes to the task of being a thoroughbred sports coupe with aplomb.On the track, you soon feel its balance and confident manners.The 350Z has close to neutral handling, though it can be provoked to hang its tail out — but only when the stability program is turned off.Turn the VDC back on and the electronics restrain the car from sliding, but they're so intrusive as to ruin the fun.As mentioned, the Anniversary model gets 15kW more than the standard engine, yet loses 10Nm of torque. The result is performance that feels exactly like the standard model, so begs the question: "Why bother?"Not that I'm complaining. The V6 runs hard to the 7000rpm redline — where the maximum 221kW peaks.The torque feels flat, very controllable and seamless. It allows entering a turn in a higher gear than you'd expect, with a strong slingshot on the way out.Making all this even more delightful is the slick six-speed manual transmission (the Anniversary doesn't get the auto option) that snicks through the close-ratio cogs so smoothly that you never get tired of running up and down the box.Nissan has matched the drivetrain with big Brembo disc brakes and a sports-oriented suspension that ties the car down nicely. It's topped by 18-inch alloys ringed by a thin excuse for rubber.The icing is a steering feel that is positive, even though the near-vertical steering wheel placement can take a bit of getting used to.All this benefits only one person — the driver.For the passenger, the interior is a bit flat, but it's all nice and neat, with leather upholstery and electric seat adjustment, CD player and electric windows, air bags and climatic airconditioning.The 350Z is quite a comfortable tourer, and even rates highly as a commuter with plenty of oomph for the traffic lights and even more street cred.Even when it looks like a $67,990 canary.

But special badges won't be part of the 350Z birthday party.The limited run 35th Anniversary model joins the Nissan 350Z stable for a year, offering more revs and a significant increase in power.Based on the Track version, the sportscar's 3.5-litre V6 has been boosted to 221kW (up from 206kW in the standard 350Z Track) and is manual-only with a revised close-ratio six-speed gearbox.Marking the launch of the original Nissan 240Z in 1970, there's also a collector's edition three-layered colour called Ultra Yellow, as well as black and gunmetal.Apart from the yellow there won't, however, be any way to pick the special from a standard 350Z Track."The bottom line is when you have a package like this you don't need to badge it over and above the car," says Nissan Australia manager of product marketing Michael Hayes. "The car stands on its own merits."Nissan's target is to sell 50 of the limited cars a month, and supply shouldn't be an issue.According to Hayes the 35th Anniversary edition makes the 350Z easily the most powerful two-seater coupe on sale in Australia in its price range. The "two-seater" qualification, however, deliberately excludes the Monaro."Nothing really comes close (to the 35th Anniversary model)," he says. "The Chrysler Crossfire has 160kW, the BMW Z4 is at 170, Honda S2000 at 176kW, Audi Quattro TT at 184kW, so the 350Z Touring, Track and Roadster already lead the pack. At 221kW nothing touches this car."Monaro is a V8, locally-built and a four-seater. We don't see it as a direct competitor, as good a car as it is."The 35th Anniversary comes with black leather seats only and has the usual Track goodies such as spoilers, diffusers and Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC).The rest of the 350Z range has also received its first full upgrade.Heated leather seats are standard. The five-speed automatic gearbox now has Downshift Rev Matching (DRM) for quicker smoother gear changesThe Roadster and Track haveBrembo performance brakes and the Roadster picks up VDC.THE 35th Anniversary model adds extra spice to a car that's already as good as anything in its class.Yet it's almost impossible to pick the difference between the regular 206kW 350Z engine and the more powerful 221kW engine in the 35th Anniversary at road legal speeds.For owners who intend to race their 350Zs or time them at track days, the redline of 7000 revs (up from 6600 revs) might come into play.There is actually marginally less torque, down 10Nm.None of this is bad news. When you get into mountain roads that have heaps of bends, the 350Z remains as much fun as ever.Cornering grip and balance are excellent and launch out of the corners exhilarating. The engine is a gem at the top end of the rev range.Though the 350Z and the 35th Anniversary model are stunningly good, they're not subtle. If you're looking for a purpose-built sportscar, great. But in day-to-day mode it is compromised.The suspension is friendly enough but becomes harsh on bumps.The interior is functional and efficient. For Zed fans though, that's irrelevant, the spartan ambience only adds to the true sportscar feel.Outside there's nothing to pick the Anniversary from the less powerful Track except for the beefy five-spoke 18-inch alloy wheels.It adds up to slightly better 350Z experience, making the $67,990 price worth it.But collectability is all about having something that marks a car as different and special. That's why the Yellow should be most buyers' pick.

Any marketing man worth his salt will have the relevant company milestones etched indelibly in his memory and be clamouring to bring out a special edition to celebrate.In fact, you'd have to imagine that from a marketing point of view any excuse is a good excuse however slim to chalk up a few extra sales?In the case of Nissan Australia, it happens to have a pretty good excuse, as it is 35 years since the famous 'Z' sports car which debuted with 240Z in 1970.To mark the occasion it has put together a 35th anniversary 350Z sports coupe, one with more power, at least one unique colour and a beautiful set of alloy wheels.The only thing Nissan has neglected to do is provide some badging for the car, either inside or outside, to stamp it as something special – to make it collectable.For example, who could forget the badge on the 25th anniversary Commodore that Holden released a couple of years back?Be that as it may, the special Z is indeed something worth crowing about, with 221kW or seven per cent more power than the standard 206kW car.The extra oomph has been achieved largely by the introduction of revised cam and pistons and the addition of electromagnetic exhaust valve timing control.In the process, the 3.5-litre 24 valve DOHC V6 has shed some 10Nm of torque (down from 363Nm to 353Nm at 4800rpm), but you'd be hard pressed to tell the difference.What it means, on paper at least, is that the Zed could be fractionally slower off the mark, but the extra top end has given it a bit of room to breathe, allowing better use of gears.We have never been great fans of the 350Z but we're here to tell you that the 35th anniversary model rocks.We found the previous model (all models have in fact been upgraded) coarse and difficult to manage, especially in stop-start city traffic.We loved the look but the heavy clutch quickly became tiresome and the manual box was notchy and difficult to use compared with other transmissions.In fact, the whole thing was just a bit rough for our liking.Whatever Nissan has done in the interim has transformed the car, which is much smoother and user friendly than before.The 35th anniversary model comes in coupe form with manual transmission only and a choice of three colours: black, silver or a bright yellow which is unique to this model.The yellow is applied using a special paint process and in doing so the car gets an extra coat.The coupe is the only model to get the more powerful engine and improvements to the six-speed transmission have greatly improved the shift quality.Standard features include composite carbon-fibre drive shaft, traction control system, viscous limited-slip rear differential, electronic drive-by-wire throttle, dual outlet exhaust and an improved close-ratio six-speed manual transmission.High performance Brembo brakes are fitted, with four-piston calipers and 324x30mm ventilated front and two-piston calipers with 322x22mm ventilated rear discs.Electronic stability control or Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) as Nissan calls it is also standard.Purists might poo poo the concept of VDC but we were pleasantly surprised to find how restrained the system is on challenging mountain roads on which we tested the car.For a traditional rear wheel drive configuration it is surprisingly well behaved, exhibiting no tendency to oversteer, even when driven extremely hard.The car is well balanced and exhibit high levels of grip, although the high performance tyres 45 and 50 series 18 inch tyres tend to generate quite a bit of noise on coarse road surfaces.This noise is in turn amplified by the empty rear section of the cabin which acts like the inside of a speaker box.Fuel consumption using premium unleaded was excellent for this type of car, returning an average of 10.75L/100km during out test.The 350Z anniversary model is priced from $67,990 before on road costs, $2000 more than the Track model on which it is based.