Category: Affordable Sports 
Price Range: £26,695 to £30,695
Styling, satisfying rear-wheel-drive handling, comfort, stability, flexible engine.
Not terribly practical.
A return to form for the Z - desirable to look at, and desirable to drive.
The Z is well catered for with airbags, with front, side and head 'bags fitted as standard. Bear in mind, though, that you cannot fit a baby chair in the front passenger seat. An exceptionally rigid body structure with substantial bracing promises a good performance in the Euro NCAP crash tests, too, and the Roadster has rollover hoops.
Race-developed features such as the carbon-fibre prop shaft (as in Nissan's R390 Le Mans car) not only save weight and reduce inertia, but absorb energy more efficiently in an impact. ABS anti-lock brakes, ESP stability control (switchable), electronic brakeforce distribution and brake assist are all standard, and the Z is impressive for its roadholding, braking power and high-speed stability.
A viscous limited-slip differential is fitted to the rear axle to prevent the inside rear wheel spinning on a hard corner or when pulling away fast at junctions. Thief-proofing includes an engine immobiliser and deadlocking.
Latest Readers' Drives About the Nissan 350Z
wrote on 22 09 2007
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wrote on 29 08 2006