Category: Affordable Sports 
Price Range: £26,900 to £30,900
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
wrote on 07 01 2007
wrote on 16 11 2006
wrote on 29 08 2006