With the 2009 370Z, Nissan has returned the Z car to its roots…
I have always loved the Datsun 240Z. I have a soft spot in my heart for the mid-to-late 80’s Nissan 300ZX (Z31 for the enthusiasts). I really wanted to like the 2008 Nissan 350Z convertible (
reviewed here), but I did not. When it comes to the 350Z, I’ve always felt that Nissan left some of the heart and soul of what a Z really is, on the cutting room floor. When I heard they were redesigning the car for 2009 I was cautiously optimistic. After driving the
2009 Nissan 370Z, how do I feel?
To borrow a phrase from James Lipton (as portrayed by Will Ferrell), I am born anew in its splendor… Ok, that is a bit of an exaggeration but the 2009 Nissan 370Z is an instant hit. From the exterior design, to the performance and on in to the upgraded interior, Nissan has turned the 370Z into what the 350Z should have been.
I typically prefer Black or Silver paint but this Monterey Blue looks really good.
This 2009 Nissan 370Z, dressed very nicely in this gorgeous Monterey Blue paintjob, has a new exterior design that clearly recalls the lines of the aforementioned 240Z as well as the 300ZX. The designer’s inspiration comes through loud and clear. From the squat and wide rear end to the “angry catfish” face up front, the 370Z comes across as a true sports car that is ready for action even while it is standing still. The low nose of the car builds up and over the fenders shooting sharply up into an aggressive roofline that stretches backward to connect the bulging rear fenders to the rest of the car. It is an sharply styled car that looks brand new while still evoking great memories of Datsun/Nissan cars of long ago.
The aggressive exterior does nothing to hide the fact that this car is a blast to drive. Nissan has upped the power of the slightly larger V6 (previously 3.5-liters, now bumped up to 3.7-liters) to 332 hp. I am harnessing that power via the six-speed manual transmission which features the all-new SynchroRev match system. Basically, the car simulates a heel-tow downshift when I reach for a lower gear. It took some getting used to and I instinctively blipped the throttle a second time with my foot by accident. When I say it took some getting used to, I really mean it took about 15 minutes. After that I was entering corners like I knew what I was doing. I am stuck with legs and feet that are far too large to ever become good at heel-toe downshifting so for me this is a welcome feature that makes driving the car slightly more thrilling. If you happen to be a 5’6” professional racecar driver however, you can turn the system off with a push of a button.
The 2009 Nissan 370Z I drove came equipped with the optional Sport Package. This includes the aforementioned SynchroRev system, a viscous limited-slip differential, 19-in wheel, a front and rear spoiler, and the larger Sport Brakes. This is a $3,000 option and is worth every penny. When I drive a sports car I tend to drive it fast, therefore I prefer that the car I am driving brakes quickly and efficiently which this Sport Brake equipped 370Z does. I also want the car to handle well and thanks to all the suspension and steering goodies under that pretty blue skin, the 370Z also does. I turn the wheel and the car responds with a wonderful sense of connectedness. I hit the brakes and the 370Z comes to a quick and controlled stop. I then SynchroRev into a lower gear, mash the pedal and the fun continues with no end in sight.
Upgraded and more comfortable than the 350Z, the interior of the 370Z is well done for a sports car.
The interior of the 350Z I drove was so cramped that my back started to ache after a few days of driving. This is not the case in the 370Z at all. It is comfortable while still being functional. The radio is adequate but the noise from the exhaust is more entertaining. It is certainly not upscale on the inside but that is not what the Nissan 370Z is about. If I wanted more luxury then I would save $10K more for the Infiniti G37 however I would then have paid $10K more to drive a slightly slower car. The Nissan 370Z is a true sports car whereas the Infiniti G37s is a great touring car.
My one problem with the interior of the 2009 Nissan 370Z is the
poorly designed fuel gauge. It is a series of horizontal dots that are lit up when the tank is full and progressively turn off as you drive the car. I have no idea how much gas I really have but I can see that I have a few dots of fuel left. Could I learn to live with this system? Yes… the car is too much fun to drive to get hung up on this one gauge.
The 370Z proves that, for the money, the Z car is once again one of the best sports cars on the planet.
As tested, this 2009 Nissan 370Z is $34,055 (base price $29,930). Nissan has always set Porsche as their benchmark for performance and at this price they should have Porsche Cayman owners taking notice. Clearly this is no 911 (don't worry though Nissan fans, the GT-R already takes care of that) but in our current economic times it offers tremendous performance at an equally tremendous price and should cause sports car enthusiasts in higher tax brackets to take notice.