graywolf624
04-02-2007, 10:42 PM
Well, this weeks test drive brought me back to the Nissan dealership. As some of you know I have been trying to get a drive in a 350z for weeks. I generally just go there and get ignored. Suprisingly this trip was the exactly the opposite. Within 5 mins of walking onto the dealer lot I had the keys to a 2007 350z. Hell, I'm not even sure the salesman took my name. He did not copy my license or get my number.
Now, first to get my biases out of the way. I have always felt the 350z was a touch on the over priced side. So unlike the RX8 where I went in having high hopes, I did not for the 350z. So what did I find?
Well first theres the styling. I like the external styling to be quite honest. It is a nice clean unique design. The interior on the other hand really irks me. As per the title it has a bit of the meterosexual faux nuvo riche about it. Fake alluminum buttons, a instrument pannel that is made to look seperate from the dash, and other such style for style sake accutriments. Now, I have to say the material quality was hands above the rx8, but I also have to say that the fakeness of the whole interior setting just left me disgusted. Like a set of fake boobs, its just a little bit disappointing when you realize your not dealing with the real thing.
The seats are decently comforatable, however these are the base cloth. I cannot comment on the leather. There appears to be decent amounts of storage in the storage bins behind the seat. This makes up for the trunk. The trunk is spacious, no doubt, but with a huge bisecting brace to carry anything of size it would have to have more curves then Jennifer Anniston. The base stereo meanwhile sounds like a band playing at the bottom of a well.
This is sounding offly similar to the rx8 review you say? Well read further, as this one has a bit of a twist. I fired up the car and was directed onto the same route as the rx8. Off we go, in this case no check engine light or gruffness appeared. In fact the engine was incredibly smooth the entire time.
The car didn't feel as raw fast as the corvette or even my ta, its factory 1/4 mile times being a great indicator, but it is decently quick. 306 bhp on tap means the car does get up and goes, even if the torque is rather lousy (just a measily 263). It wouldn't be my pick for a drag race, but the power did entertain in the twists and turns.
As did the handling. There is very little dead zone and the car does change directions well, being fairly nimble. It does so in a fairly refined manner, but still managed to feel fast. I wouldn't call it sports car like, it lacked that certain raw feel you need for a sports car. However it was enough to entertain. I took a series of sweepers as well as a nice tight s curve during my drive, and for the most part the car coped well.
The car also didn't appear to unsettle over bumps, however it was way to stiff over train tracks, nearly causing me to lose my teeth. This is the base suspension remember, I can only imagine what the nismo package feels like. That being said, it left me wondering. The handling was good, but I'm certainly not going to consider it world class. So why then such a harsh ride over things like railroad tracks? I can't answer that question.
Slamming the brakes from 40 resulted in a little bit of unsettling in the car. Not exactly confidence inspiring. Don't get me wrong, the rear wasn't tap dancing or anything, but I could feel a ever so slight jitter.
So what did I think overall? Well I think anyone who calls this car a sports car is reaching. I also still think the car is overpriced at MSRP. Fortunately they are selling well below sticker based on this dealers comments. I could see the car being a good deal for 5 or 6k less. I know your saying, you just said it wasn't a sports car! Well yes, but unlike the RX8 I can consider this a decent little grand turer. Try to hard interior and jolts over large bumps not withstanding, the car felt like a decent mix of fun with performance. You could do worse for a daily driver in the mid 20s. You could also do better for one in the low 30s. If you want one, get the base.. and bargain.
Now, first to get my biases out of the way. I have always felt the 350z was a touch on the over priced side. So unlike the RX8 where I went in having high hopes, I did not for the 350z. So what did I find?
Well first theres the styling. I like the external styling to be quite honest. It is a nice clean unique design. The interior on the other hand really irks me. As per the title it has a bit of the meterosexual faux nuvo riche about it. Fake alluminum buttons, a instrument pannel that is made to look seperate from the dash, and other such style for style sake accutriments. Now, I have to say the material quality was hands above the rx8, but I also have to say that the fakeness of the whole interior setting just left me disgusted. Like a set of fake boobs, its just a little bit disappointing when you realize your not dealing with the real thing.
The seats are decently comforatable, however these are the base cloth. I cannot comment on the leather. There appears to be decent amounts of storage in the storage bins behind the seat. This makes up for the trunk. The trunk is spacious, no doubt, but with a huge bisecting brace to carry anything of size it would have to have more curves then Jennifer Anniston. The base stereo meanwhile sounds like a band playing at the bottom of a well.
This is sounding offly similar to the rx8 review you say? Well read further, as this one has a bit of a twist. I fired up the car and was directed onto the same route as the rx8. Off we go, in this case no check engine light or gruffness appeared. In fact the engine was incredibly smooth the entire time.
The car didn't feel as raw fast as the corvette or even my ta, its factory 1/4 mile times being a great indicator, but it is decently quick. 306 bhp on tap means the car does get up and goes, even if the torque is rather lousy (just a measily 263). It wouldn't be my pick for a drag race, but the power did entertain in the twists and turns.
As did the handling. There is very little dead zone and the car does change directions well, being fairly nimble. It does so in a fairly refined manner, but still managed to feel fast. I wouldn't call it sports car like, it lacked that certain raw feel you need for a sports car. However it was enough to entertain. I took a series of sweepers as well as a nice tight s curve during my drive, and for the most part the car coped well.
The car also didn't appear to unsettle over bumps, however it was way to stiff over train tracks, nearly causing me to lose my teeth. This is the base suspension remember, I can only imagine what the nismo package feels like. That being said, it left me wondering. The handling was good, but I'm certainly not going to consider it world class. So why then such a harsh ride over things like railroad tracks? I can't answer that question.
Slamming the brakes from 40 resulted in a little bit of unsettling in the car. Not exactly confidence inspiring. Don't get me wrong, the rear wasn't tap dancing or anything, but I could feel a ever so slight jitter.
So what did I think overall? Well I think anyone who calls this car a sports car is reaching. I also still think the car is overpriced at MSRP. Fortunately they are selling well below sticker based on this dealers comments. I could see the car being a good deal for 5 or 6k less. I know your saying, you just said it wasn't a sports car! Well yes, but unlike the RX8 I can consider this a decent little grand turer. Try to hard interior and jolts over large bumps not withstanding, the car felt like a decent mix of fun with performance. You could do worse for a daily driver in the mid 20s. You could also do better for one in the low 30s. If you want one, get the base.. and bargain.