Nissan 350Z: Affordable, Exciting Roadster

If you aren't bothered by high gas prices and want a fun, well-priced roadster, the Nissan 350Z is the car for you

by Thane Peterson

Editor's Rating:

The Good: Bang for the buck, power ragtop, decent (but not great) mileage

The Bad: Tiny trunk, terrible rearward visibility, interior has some downscale materials

The Bottom Line: An affordable cure for the summertime blahs

Reader Reviews

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Up Front

Gasoline prices are soaring and Americans are suddenly obsessed with trading down to small, fuel-efficient cars. But, hey, you still have to have some fun in life, and with summer upon us it's hard not to think about splurging on a sporty, two-seat convertible. In that category, the 2008 350Z ragtop Roadster from Nissan (NSANY) offers better bang for the buck than just about any other model.

Much of the buzz about the 350Z lately has centered on the new track-ready Nismo version of the hardtop 350Z Coupe, as well as the all-new and more powerful 370Z that's planned as a 2010 model. But it would be a shame if the 350Z Roadster gets overlooked in all the hullabaloo. I recently did my first test drive of the sporty little Nissan, and it's a marvelous vehicle, especially if you get to drive it during a string of gloriously sunny summer days, as I did.

The '08 version of the 350Z Roadster is a quick, well-balanced, rear-wheel-drive sports car with cat-like reflexes and a power ragtop that pops up and down at the push of a button in 20 seconds. The ragtop 350Z costs substantially more than the Coupe, but it's still thousands of dollars cheaper than such rival German two-seat convertibles as the BMW (BMWG.DE) Z4, the Audi TT, Daimler's (DAI) Mercedes SLK 280, and the Porsche Boxster. The only model that comes close to matching the 350Z's bang for the buck, in my view, is the entry-level version of the Audi's (NSUG.DE) TT (more on that later).

The 350Z Roadster comes in three styles. The Enthusiast, starting at $36,940 with a stick shift, has power seats, a power-operated convertible soft top, 18-inch cast aluminum alloy wheels, bi-xenon headlamps, and automatic climate control. Next up is the Touring model, starting at $39,290, which adds a seven-speaker Bose sound system with a six-CD changer and heated and leather-trimmed seats. The Grand Touring starts at $41,640 and adds big Brembo brakes and a dynamic stability control system. (In addition, there are five versions of the 350Z Coupe, ranging in price from the $29,170 base model up to the $39,280 Nismo.)

Whether hardtop or Roadster, the 350Z only comes with one engine, but that's not a bad thing because the engine in question is a wonderfully calibrated 3.5-liter, 306-hp V6 that delivers plenty of oomph at just about any speed. A six-speed manual transmission is standard, with a five-speed automatic available as a $1,000 option.

Even though Nissan hiked the power rating of the 350Z's engine as of the 2007 model year, the car gets better mileage now than pre-2007 models. The '08 350Z Roadster is rated to average 20 miles per gallon with either transmission (17 mpg in the city, 24 mpg on the highway with a stick shift; 17/23 with an automatic). In 254 miles of fast driving, I got 19.6 mpg in a test car with a stick shift.

Standard safety gear on all versions of the 350Z Roadster includes antilock disc brakes with electronic brake force distribution and braking assist, traction control, and front and side air bags. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration awarded the '08 350Z its top five-star ratings in side impact and rollover accidents, and four stars in front-end collisions.

The main options on the Enthusiast are 18-in. chrome wheels ($1,800) and a flashy Nogaro Red paint job ($500). On the other models you can also get a navigation system for $1,680, as well as a grey ragtop (instead of the standard black), and garish orange-upholstered ventilated seats at no extra charge.