German rivals of the time like the Audi TT, Mercedes SLK and BMW Z4 were all nice enough but, to me, depended more on style and badge snobbery over substance. The blue collar Nissan is exactly the reverse, its mechanical spec basically replicating for real the way I'd tune up my cars in Gran Turismo. Again, you may be detecting a recurring theme here!
It's a simple formula too, a brawny 3.5-litre petrol V6 up front driving the rear wheels via a proper manual gearbox. To that, Nissan added as standard – standard! – a limited-slip differential, front and rear strut braces, gold Brembo brakes and a carbon prop shaft. Add the optional forged Rays wheels – 4kg per wheel lighter for improved ride as well as looking ultra cool – and you've basically got a videogamer's dream car made real.
The burly 1,525kg kerbweight remains the Z's biggest handicap and contributes to its old-fashioned thirst, profligate 273g/km CO2 and resulting expensive VED banding. Running costs are not going to be cheap. But it's a Nissan so it isn't going to wrong. And the 350Z's substance is – mainly – a virtue.
It's not a delicate car to drive, let's get that straight. The Z-car heritage is a very Japanese interpretation of the 'sportscar as statement of virility' mindset, combining American muscle car values with European chuckability and style. But, ultimately, as true to the chestwig and medallion image as 240Z and its successors. Everything about the 350Z is macho, from the weight of the steering to the grittiness of the gearchange and the assertively rear-wheel drive handling balance. I like that, though. In the Japanese style, it's a car built for drivers who appreciate details like pedal positioning, steering feedback and meaningful control weights. It's a car that responds well to being grabbed by the scruff of the neck and is tough enough to take a beating. If not beautiful, the looks have a handsome muscularity and are dating better than the 370Z that replaced it too.
The first cars had 280hp and I prefer the look of them if I'm honest. But it's hard to ignore the charms of the post-2007 facelift cars with their increased 313hp output and raised 7,500rpm redline, the engine's 'HR' suffix and 80 per cent revised component signifying this zingier nature.
My first choice would be for one in that rather natty bronze colour. But it seems most original buyers were far more conservative, going for silvers, metallic greys or black. At least you can liven this up on GT Pack cars with the Alezan Orange leather. This one is a nice combination of the loud leather and metallic grey but doesn't have the Rays wheels. This one does but has black leather. Argh! In the end I've settled on this one; silver is a bit dull but it has the orange leather and it'd look mean with the Rays wheels repainted dark grey. Its £10K asking price wouldn't get you near even the cheapest Cayman on the market either, underlining what cracking value these cars are. All I'd need is a gold chain to wear round my neck and I'd be set…
Dan Trent
Nissan
350z
