We caught the 2008 Nissan 350Z changing out of its top.
I ripped on the 2008 Nissan 350Z convertible pretty good in Road Test Review: 2008 Nissan 350Z Roadster Touring -- Part 1. I almost feel bad about doing so. Why? Why should I feel bad about making negative comments with regard to a vehicle that makes no qualms about wanting to turn my L1 through L5 vertebrae into dust?
I feel this way because the part that the Nissan 350Z convertible does get right -- the sports car part -- it gets it right in a big way.
The layout of the 6-speed gearbox of the Nissan 350Z is commonly referred to as the "Big H, Big H, Little h" configuration.
The 350Z is a sports car, and it lets you know that as soon as you turn the key. The distinctive exhaust note rumbles to life, while the shift knob trembles as if it were anxiously awaiting your next decision. The first decision is an easy one to make … put the car into 1st gear, mash the gas pedal and let up the clutch. The result is a huge smile on both of your faces.
See … the Nissan 350Z is smiling too.
Now that you have the 350Z moving, the car continues to reveal the sports car side of it when you take a turn. Apparently, Nissan must have laid a mass-transit system overnight because this car handles like it is on rails. Up front, the 3.5-L DOHC V6 keeps pushing the car forward quickly, while in the back the Viscous Limited-Slip Differential (VLSD) keeps you moving along securely. Also helpful is the Traction Control System, which makes sure I don't turn the smiling 350Z into a crying insurance claim with a salvage title.
This car is like a puppy at the pound. I want to love it. It wants me to love it. To try to entice me to bring it home, it provides me with thrills, excitement and a truly fun driving experience. However, if I bring this car home, it will eventually start to pee all over my carpet … err, I mean I will never be comfortable, because of the lack of space inside the cockpit of the car … wait what are we talking about here? Oh sorry, the 2008 Nissan 350Z Convertible … I was thinking about puppies and lost my train of thought.
To sum up my experience with this car; I truly loved the driving experience the 350Z has to offer, yet I truly loathe the lack of room on the inside and the surprisingly low-end level of interior refinement. If you can fit into the car and enjoy top-down motoring, then you will love the Z. If you HAVE to have a 350Z and you are a bigger person (or American), then get the coupe.
Now if I could only convince Nissan to bring back the T-Tops, we would have a great car on our hands …
The 2009 Nissans have arrived at NADAguides.com, the trusted authority on car prices since 1933.