The Nissan 350Z sports car is revolutionary in its own right, striking the perfect balance between a thrilling ride and reliability.
You'll recall Nissan bursting onto the scene in the 1970s with the gorgeous Datsun 240Z as their introduction into the sports car world. The birth of the Z series sparked America's interest in what Japanese automakers could bring to the table when it came to sports cars.
While the Datsun 240Z surely paved the way for Nissan's other Z series cars, the 350Z is revolutionary in its own right. The Nissan 350Z takes motoring finesse and sporty design into the new millennium. Only produced for six years, yet a standout sports car icon, the 350Z brought us a sports car that was the perfect balance between thrilling to drive and reliable.
If you've never experienced the excitement of getting behind the wheel of a Nissan 350Z, you're in for a treat. This is why any driving enthusiast out there should get their hands on a coveted Nissan 350Z, pronto.
Gearheads of the world forever drool over the concept of owning a sports car. Gearheads of the world also forever feel that owning a sports car could be out of reach. That is, until Nissan (under the Datsun name) introduced the first of the Z series back in 1972. Ever since motoring enthusiasts got a taste of what Nissan could accomplish when it came to sports cars, we were completely hooked.
Nissan seems fully committed to making cars that lived up to what car enthusiasts could expect, with accessibility in mind. Zipping around in a sporty car shouldn't be something just for the elite. Nissan's valiant Z series began as a more affordable sports car choice for gearheads who craved a plucky car that was both economical and exciting.
Over the decades to follow, Nissan's Z series would experience some ups and downs – from questionable stylistic choices, to details that we consider to be a bit more on brand for a luxury coupe. Nissan quickly returned the Z series to its more stripped-down, affordable glory in 2003, during the height of America's SUV love affair. Fortunately for us, the introduction of the Nissan 350Z coupe didn't get lost in the shuffle.
Get rid of the notion that a modestly priced sports car can't be just as fun to drive as an opulent Porsche 911 Carrera. Hot on the heels of the Fast & Furious movies, the arrival of the Nissan 350Z revived the world's adoration for sporty Japanese tuners.
The powerful engine that belongs to the 350Z is a V6 that is capable of going from 0-60 miles per hour in less than six seconds. Having rear-wheel drive also makes the Nissan 350Z coupe incredibly satisfying to get up to speed – well, at least up to its electronically limited 155 mph peak speed, that is.
The Nissan 350Z handles like a pro. This car takes corners like the champion it is (this dynamic sports car has won countless races). The 350Z coupe has precision steering that is only improved by the car's intentional weight distribution.
Because the Nissan 350Z is world-renowned as a strikingly distinctive sports car, it's possible to experience the fun without owning one as the 350Z features in over 19 different racing games (you read that correctly, 19!) — including fan favorites such as Need For Speed.
Even though the Nissan 350Z can be a thrilling drifter or race car, that doesn't mean that this car should get put into a pigeonhole. The Nissan 350Z can be as dependable a daily driver as a Honda Accord or a Toyota Camry – and let's face it, the 350Z is a hell of a lot more fun to take for a spin.
Nissan truly made a name for themselves when they brought us their version of a sports car in the form of the Datsun 240Z. Throughout the years, Nissan has been one to watch regarding what type of sports car wizardry they will have up their sleeves.
Sleek, clean design with a fastback flair, and this coupe is timeless – the low mounted seats give you a race car cockpit feel. Nissan has generously given us great performance at a lower price point. A 3.5-liter engine that hands out 280 horsepower like candy? Yes, please. And past its 2006 production year, you can expect an extra 20 horses powering this sports car.
2009 saw the end of production for Nissan's 350Z, but don't worry, as Nissan quickly brought out the equally gorgeous and spirited 370Z to curb our JDM sports car appetites.
Sienna is a writer and photographer with a penchant for all things relating to cars. When Sienna was younger, she dreamed of being a rally car driver (look out, WRC!), and her dream car is a vintage Datsun 240z. She loves hatchbacks, old Top Gear reruns, and has only ever owned cars with a manual transmission.
