2006 Nissan 350Z

There is something about the design of the Nissan 350Z that captures your imagination, and attracts your eye. Our test car was a 2006 Nissan 350Z Grand Touring edition with the manual six-speed transmission bathed in Daytona Blue Metallic and wearing Brembo Brakes and lightweight forged alloy wheels. For 2006 Nissan offers up the Z in both coupe and roadster form with a staggering 5 different models available in coupe form and three for the roadster. Our test car came in at $39,115.00 including a $605.00 destination charge.

Why we drove it

Wouldn't you? We requested the Nissan 350Z because we hadn't tested the latest updated generation. This latest version of the beloved "Z" has been refreshed with a revised front fascia, an updated interior, LED taillights, new speed sensitive steering and staggered lightweight forged alloy wheels. The 350Z gets 18-inch wheels at the front corners and 19-inchers at the rear wrapped in Bridgestone Potenza RE050A rubber.

Performance

The peppy 3.5 liter V6 engine in the 2006 Nissan 350Z pulls hard thanks to 260 lb.-ft. of torque and 300 horsepower. Add in a tight short-throw six-speed transmission and you have a combination that gives the 350Z an advantage in its class. Despite a stiff clutch, our test car was a pleasure to drive. Our grand touring model was equipped with Brembo brakes and Vehicle Dynamic Control. The Nissan 350Z offers up enough zip to grab that tight spot in traffic or attack the hairpin corner on your favorite canyon road, instilling a confidence only delivered by true sport cars.

Handling

Even when pushed hard in the corners, the Nissan 350Z remains flat and delivers a neutral feel to the driver thanks to an independent multi-link suspension. As speeds and turn in increase, so does the delivery of feedback allowing the driver to push the 350Z near its limits with little worry about unexpected oversteer or that annoying push of understeer.

Visibility

One of the disadvantages of small sport cars is the outward view through small windows and the Nissan 350Z is no exception. A small back window limits the view out the rear view mirror and large c-pillars complicate the issue, creating blind spots at both rear corners that can hide an 18-wheeler. Reliance on side mirrors is a must and thankfully the view down the sides is clear thanks to well-designed side mirrors. From the low seating position, the driver doesn't even see the hood out front making judging distance for curbs and other obstacles difficult.

Fun to Drive

Thanks to the abundance of low-end torque, sporty and distinct styling and having in "look at me blue", otherwise called Daytona Blue Metalic, our 2006 Nissan 350Z test car delivered fun at every turn.

Front Comfort

Sure, you sit low in the Nissan 350Z. If that's an issue then skip the Z and mosey over to sedan row! Despite this, getting in is surprisingly easy, and once seated you will find the seats well bolstered. The interior is large enough for those pushing six-feet in height and offers adequate head and legroom. Comfort, however, is hit and miss…with the hit being an added knee pad on the center console and the bad being the placement of the e-brake right where one's arm would rest.

Interior Noise

Even for a sports car the Nissan 350Z is noisy. The cabin is bombarded with enough road and tire noise to make one think twice before setting out on a long journey. There was also a bit of wind noise coming off the windshield edge or side mirror. Under hard acceleration, the engine and exhaust noise invade the cabin but the sweet sound of the exhaust is music to the ears. In fact I found myself running the 350Z up into the high revs just to hear it.

Loading Cargo

Despite a high lift over and a huge rear cross-member that impedes loading and the total amount of storage, the 2006 Nissan 350Z still has more storage space that virtually any other two-seat sports car on the market. Nissan designed a release button at the rear that is convenient for popping the hatch and, when opened, the hatch raises well above head-bashing height. On the down side there is no interior pull down which results in a dirty rear exterior and burned hands in hot weather.

Build Quality

As expected, gaps and seams were tight on our test car with minimal flaws being obviously apparent. Outside the only issue was a slightly loose front fascia and inside the only flaw was a minor butt joint with two of the dash panels.

Material Quality

Material quality isn't perfect on the Nissan 350Z with some cheap looking and feeling plastics creeping into the interior but thankfully they were minimal. Nissan designers made all of the door panel surfaces soft touch as well as most of the dash. The leather on the seats was soft and pliable and outside the paint was smooth and free of orange peel. Where Nissan scores highest is the high quality look and feel of the trim pieces both inside and out.