There was so much anticipation for the Nissan 350Z to come out. We had waiting lists galore and people stopping by to see if it was in yet. Then when it finally showed up there, I had lost my enthusiasm for it. Sure, it was a beautifully designed sports car, but honestly as good as they said the Nissan 350Z would be, I didn’t understand how the base could start below $30K.

Even as a saleswoman that would like to make her ends meet, I always had some rules for myself and I kept these in mind when selling the Nissan 350Z.
1) I would never try to talk someone into a car that you could clearly see that they couldn’t afford even if they did want it, like the Nissan 350Z.
2) I would always be honest with the customer about everything I knew about the vehicle, whether it was good or bad. I didn’t want them to come back the next day with complaints. I wanted them to not only like the car I was selling them but also like me and send people my way. That was my system and it worked very well.
3) I would always try to get them the best deal that my supervisor would give me. I was in there fighting for the customers and trying to negotiate for them so that we could meet half way and everyone was happy. I think people always believe that the floor managers just give you some number and you are supposed to go from there but when the negotiation is going down, we are really (or at least I was) on the customer’s side.

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What Is All the Hype About Anyways? It’s ONLY a Sports Car!

So when the Nissan 350Z came around I wasn’t as jazzed up as everyone else. Maybe it was because I was the only saleswoman with about 50 men. I don’t know what it was but I wasn’t in a rush to take it out on the road by any means. After all the people on the waiting list had received their 350Zs, the hype was still there. It wouldn’t and I don’t think it has ever gone away.

All of the Nissan 350Zs were parked inside the dealership so you had to be a very serious buyer to get a walk-around on the vehicle and take it for a test drive. The dealership did not want to put too many miles on any of them, so we were able to shoo away the young pre-college teens and any one else that wasn’t truly looking to buy. I remember when I finally had to take it out and I just begged someone else to get it out of the dealership and down the ramp. The last thing I needed was to ding a Nissan 350Z!

When I got out on the road, I then realized what all the “hype” was about and I didn’t want to look back at the dealership and ride off into the desert sunset!

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Part of the Design behind the 350Z

The Chief Engineer behind the 350Z is Kazutoshi Mizuno who had an extensive background in racing, which later on I will show you is quite clear in the vehicle. The foundation of the 350Z was built on an “Advanced Front Midship.” Instead of putting the automobile on a 50%-50% ratio like many other vehicles, with the 350Z they went 53%-47% for weight distribution.
The “Advanced Front Midship” accomplished two important variables:
1) When the 350Z is stopped the weight would go back towards the end of the vehicle and in some cars you may feel the steering wheel slide a little. This is not the case with the 350Z.
2) If you are approaching a corner the “extra weight” on the tires in front will provide more control rather than if you were in an equally distributed platform.
3) The long wheel base will develop a stronger straight line in driving whether you are braking or accelerating
4) It also would give more room to the passenger as well.

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The Competition for the Nissan 350Z

The main competition that the Nissan 350Z was after to take away from were:
1) Porsche Boxter
2) BMW Z3 3.0
3) Audi TT
4) Honda S2000

I noticed that Nissan was right when they told us about who the Nissan 350Z would attract the most which were primarily men. These men were either in their mid 30s or as they say “re-seeking their youth” in the 40-50 years range. A common factor with all was that they were enthusiastic men about sports cars and they wanted a vehicle that would be distinguished from the rest.

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MSRP vs. INVOICE

I didn’t get my usual Sunday paper today, so I didn’t see the rebates and incentives out there nor the prices being offered on the Nissan 350Z. So I scanned the internet and found that the MSRP on average was about $26,000 to $34,000. The invoice on the 350Z however was $24,000 to $30,000. I know that earlier this week there was a rebate for two thousand dollars but I am not positive that it applied to this car, as the fine print was not available to me. It really depends what model you choose but before I end this review, I will give you my thoughts not only the Nissan 350Z but how to get the price you want.

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Models Available on the Nissan 350Z

The Nissan 350Z has five models:
1) 350Z (base model)
2) Enthusiast
3) Performance
4) Touring AT/MT (automatic transmission/manual transmission)
5) Track

Before I go any further, I want to let you know that the details on the Nissan 350Z can get very confusing and I will try to list things as best I can since I am not able to make a chart. I will also try to be as clear on each model.

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The Engine and Various Components

With the Engine of the Nissan 350Z, the details are quite clear and easy to tell you about and all the features that I am going to discuss on the Engine are STANDARD on All 5 Models. I will only discuss the important features. It is a 3.5 liter DOHC 24-valve V6 engine that has 287 horsepower @ 6200 rpm and the torque is 274 ft-lbs. @ 4800 rpm. This is the same Engine that is in the Infiniti G35. As with all the Nissans the engine was made of “lightweight” components of aluminum alloy in order to reduce the weight of the engine itself and give off a better fuel economy. There is also less vibration when using the “lightweight” mechanisms. In this vehicle in particular, there is an integrated water pump that is located in the timing case, the engine’s size is reduced as well as providing more consistency and control in the coolant circulation. The 350Z has the CVTVS (Continuously Variable Valve Timing Control System) which is based on the rpms and the intake flow for better fuel economy as well as emissions control. The Nissan 350Z is designed with four-valves per cylinder. Why is this important? Well in the long run it will reduce your gas mileage with the airflow to make it short. Nissan uses a “time-chain-driven-camshaft” rather than a belt which requires much less maintenance for the consumer. The design behind the camshafts being hollow also helps reduce the noise of the engine. The first tune up won’t be needed until you hit the 105K mark due to the “Double Platinum Tipped Spark Plugs” which increases the service life of the vehicle. With the dual tailpipes on the Nissan 350Z there is a “Free flow exhaust system” that allows for enhanced exhaust flow. Nissan has the “Nissan Vehicle Immobilizer System” which if the authorized key is NOT used, the car will NOT start as well as a blinking light on your upper dashboard when they look inside the vehicle to deter them from even trying. Nissan also has the ECCS (Electronic Concentrated Control System) which enables you to get your vehicle to a safe place without blowing any of the major engine components. As with all Nissans the 350Z is on “liquid filled engine mounts” which absorb the noise and vibrations of the engine. Nissan has also added in a heavy duty battery for those hot summer days in the desert or the snow filled mountains in Colorado.

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The Drivetrain

Here is an area where things can get sticky and confusing on the models, so I will do my best to explain all as I go along.

Standard on ALL Models:
1) Rear wheel drive layout gives out better performance for the Nissan 350Z.
2) There is a carbon fiber reinforced driveshaft that is light weight yet also strong enough to enhance the functioning of the vehicle. This as well as the engine itself in a strong frontal impact will drop away underneath the Nissan 350Z in order for it not to end up inside the compartment.
3) A 6-speed manual overdrive transmission is standard on all models. The way that the shift knob was designed provides a padded feel when going from transferring into different gears.

The Automatic 5-speed transmission is optional on the Enthusiast Model and Standard on the Touring Model, which can be purchased in either AT/MT (automatic transmission/manual transmission)

Standard on All BUT the Base Model
1) There is the VLSD (Viscous Limited-Slip Rear Differential) which distributes power smoothly between the rear wheels while hard cornering or if on slippery pavement.
2) The TCS (Traction Control System) can be operated at any speed and prevents the rear wheels from spinning on different surfaces

There is VDC (Vehicle Dynamic Control) that is standard on the Performance Model, The Manual Transmission of the Touring Model and the Track Model. The VDC will help stabilize the 350Z in “severe turning situations” for avoiding accidents or quick maneuvering.

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The Brakes on the Nissan 350Z

On all models of the Nissan 350Z except the Track Model, there are power assisted 4-wheel disc brakes. The Track Model has the “Brembo Braking system” which provide powerful braking regardless of the speed. The 4-wheel anti-lock braking system (ABS) is on all models of the Nissan 350Z.

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Wheels and Tires of the Nissan 350Z

Aluminum Alloy Wheels

1) 17 x7.5 front, 17 x 8.0 rear 7-spoke design (Standard on 350Z Base, Enthusiast, and Automatic transmission of the Touring Model)
2) 18 x 8.0 front, 18 x 8.0 rear 6-spoke design (Standard on the Performance and Manual transmission of the Touring Model)
3) 18 x 8.0 front, 18 x 8 rear Rays 6-spoke design (Standard only on Track Model)

All have W-speed rated Summer Compound Tires which enhances traction on dry surfaces and giving better performance.
***17 front tires with 17 rear tires (Standard on 350Z Base, Enthusiast, and Automatic transmission of the Touring Models)
***18 front tire and 18 rear tires (Standard on Performance, Manual transmission on Touring and Track Models)

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Suspension and Steering of the Nissan 350Z

The following is Standard on ALL Models:
1) Independent multi-link front suspension
2) Independent multi-link rear suspension
3) Soft Mount Suspension Subframe is supposed to help in absorbing the impact on bumps in the road.
4) Ripple Control front and rear shock absorbers will take up any high frequency vibrations for a smoother ride.
5) Front and rear suspension strut tower braces provide more precise steering and handling on the rougher road surfaces.
6) Front and rear stabilizer bars are needed when cornering or making any sudden movements so that you keep the car stable and level.
7) Variable Assist power Rack and Pinion Steering allows for steering at all speeds to be power assisted as needed.

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Chassis on the Nissan 350Z

The roof panel is laser welded in one whole piece to the frame which give the vehicle more firmness and will enhance the performance of the vehicle. The “High Strength Steel Body Components” in constructing the body of the Nissan 350Z also not only helps the functioning of the vehicle but adds to the durability as well. There are “roof reinforcements” that help enhance the passenger compartment with a design that even surpasses the “Federal Roof Crush Resistance Standards.” To even help with more rigidity of the Nissan 350Z, on the back of the engine compartment, there is a “bulkhead” that helps with vibrations, handling and response of the Nissan 350Z. As with all Nissan vehicles the Nissan 350Z was not spared with the undercoating on the body of the car to help reduce in corrosion or chipping of any parts.

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Safety Features of the Nissan 350Z

The safety features apply to every model of the 350Zs. As far as seatbelts go there are 3 point belt for all positions. It is this system that we are all accustomed to these days that enables more control so that you won’t get ejected from the vehicle. The seat belts also have pretensioners and load limiters to help, if an accident should occur, control your body and preventing more harm from happening with the tightening or loosening of the belt. The Passenger Seat Belt also can be clipped so that it won’t rattle around while you are driving alone. There is also the option of side impact air bags for at MSRP $550 and INVOICE $480.00. I would opt up for it just because it is a sports car and sometimes those huge SUVs aren’t always looking out for the little people on the road.


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Exterior Features of the Nissan 350Z

I firmly believe that the Chief Engineer behind the 350Z, Kazutoshi Mizuno, did an incredible job with the styling and aerodynamics. I don’t know if you know about this but the wheels are all pushed out to the four corners leaving very little overhang of the body which helps in cornering and stability of the Nissan 350Z. There is an aluminum allow hood once again reducing weight of the vehicle. The Headlights are flush mounted as well as having a crack resistant polycarbonate cover which protects the headlights. The headlights are also the HID (High Intensity Discharge with xenon low beam lights. The headlights not only enhance the aerodynamics of the Nissan 350Z but also help your safety at night with a crystal clear look of the road. There are also side marker lights so that other drivers can see you at night. There are power, folding mirrors and in the Touring model the mirrors also come heated. The glass used on the Nissan 350Z is Ultraviolet (UV) reducing which can be more effective that tint in reducing the interior heat of your car. There is the “Cross Linking Clear Coat Paint” which allows for less scratching. The bumpers are energy absorbing on low speed impact (which is a law) but Nissan went the extra mile and instead of the 2.5mph requirement made by the Government there vehicles are all 5 mph. The door handles on the Nissan 350Z are “Aluminum colored” just adding to it’s distinctive appearance. The Track Model also has Undertrays (Helps create no lift on the front or rear) and also Front and Rear Spoilers which are not found on the other models.

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Interior Features of the Nissan 350Z

When Nissan designed the bucket seats, especially on the driver’s side, it was done so that the seat does not interfere with the shifting of the Nissan 350Z. It is difficult to explain but it does make it more comfortable for the driver which is standard on all models. There is a six way manual adjustable lumbar support for the driver’s seat and a 4 way manual on the passenger’s side on all but the Touring model. The Touring model comes with a 4-way power and 2-way manual driver’s seat with the lumber support adjustable to each likeness and for their passenger, there is 2 way power and 2 way manual seating. The Seatbelts are adjustable so that they come across your chest properly which is a pet peeve of mine. I need them to be adjustable with my height the seatbelt always manages to end up in the wrong places. There is a cloth seat trim on all but the Touring Model which comes with Leather and Heated Seats. All of the models have the steering wheel wrapped in leather though. The pedals are aluminum allow (rather than the standard black you usually see) and there are aluminum accents throughout the interior of the Nissan 350Z. To make the car a bit more flashy there is a “Z” on the sill plates to give it that sport look.

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Comfort and Convenience Features of the Nissan 350Z

There are so many comfort and convenience features on this car that I will just go over the ones I think you might be most interested in. These are features that are on ALL of the Models of the Nissan 350Z.
1) There is tilt to the steering wheel
2) There is CFC air conditioning
3) There is a center console that has storage and cup holders
4) The center of your dashboard has a pocket with a lid on it for more storage of say CDs or other small items.
5) A 12-volt power outlet is located in the read storage areas, so for you smokers, bring your own lighter or make sure that cell phone is charged.
6) In the seats there are side pockets for more storage and on the passenger side a pocket in back.
7) There are overhead map lights if you need to look at something at night.
8) With the map lights in between there is a sunglass holder.
9) There is the handy valet key that will only open up your door but not the back of the car, and there is no glovebox in the Nissan 350Z so you don’t have to worry about that.
10) All come with power windows that with your key fob you can roll down or up and with the key you can also roll up or down. If there is an hindrance in between the window, the window will reverse itself while you correct the obstruction.
11) Power door locks of course with remote keyless entry
12) Rear window wiper for those rainy or snowy days
13) To help prevent more outside noise there is insulation throughout the vehicle
14) VSS (Vehicle Security System) that when it is activated no one can steal the car without the authorized key nor remove the cylinders. The car will attract attention with flashing the lights and sounding it’s horn.
15) The fuel tank is at 20 gallon capacity as with most Nissan vehicles
16) There are rear and upper storage compartments that are a little hard to explain. The rear is behind the seats for locks on them.

A few features not on the Nissan 350Z Base Model but on all other Models:
1) Cruise control with steering wheel mounted controls
2) Auto dimming rearview mirror
3) Vanity mirrors that light up for at night
4) A Home Link Universal Transceiver that enables you to program your gate or garage into your car.

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Instrumentation of the Nissan 350Z

The analog gauges give out a very large read out on all of your essential information such as the speedometer. As with most vehicles these days there are warning lights available as well if you get low on gas or you leave your parking break on and try to drive away.
Using a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) which makes it is easy to see at any time of the day, there are dual trip meters for keeping track of your mileage. There is also LCD on the Trip Computer which will display anything from your vehicle speed to the tire pressure.
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Audio Systems in the Nissan 350Z

There are two stereo systems on the Nissan 350Z. On all of the models but the Touring Model there is a AM/FM/CD 160 watt system with 6 speakers. On the Touring Model there is a Bose Audio system with AM/FM/Cassette/6-disc CD player in dash with a 240 watt system which includes seven speakers and a ten inch subwoofer.

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My Thoughts

I will be the first to admit that the Nissan 350Z is an absolute beauty of a sports car. You also can get it for under $30K which is great compared to the rest in its class, depending of course on which model you are looking at. It has incredible acceleration with 0 to 60 just under 6 seconds. I have never driven a car that can take off like a rocket. It doesn’t seem to spin its wheels on the dry surfaces. There are some sources that I have read that say either the 6-speed manual was great to drive and other critics that claim it was difficult to shift. When you drive the automatic, which there are very few out there, the shifting of the gears when you listen to them lag a bit even on acceleration and deceleration.

When I took the car out in the rain with a customer, I noticed some problems. The traction was not what I felt it should be on the wet surface and I felt I didn’t have the control of the car as much as I did on dry surfaces. The wheels didn’t seem to grip onto the road as much, leaving a slippery feel for me. I also had a really hard time looking out the rear of the vehicle which I find to be a must for driving. I always like to know what is around me. The way that the car was designed leaves less room for the back window to show you your full surrounding whether in sun or rain. I don’t why but the flaps in back also cause a noise when driving in the rain that you could hear if you didn’t have your radio turned up.

Since you are so low to the ground, Nissan gave the bucket seats extra padding to adsorb some of the bumps. Regardless, I still found it to be rough and uncomfortable going across even small bumps. When on the highway though the Nissan 350Z was smooth sailing and not a problem. However, if you changed lanes, you would feel the light groove in the pavement. I am not sure how it would do though on longer drives or quick road trips as far as comfort ability.

The best part about the Nissan 350Z is the way it handles and the braking. There is sharp and clear-cut steering when you drive this car. If you were to take a corner sharp, there does seem to have a slight fishtail but not like in the old days. I feel for a sports car it grips onto the road well. The braking is exceptional. I can’t really say much more about the brakes except that they work incredibly well and you would feel safe if you had to brake suddenly.

Now I know I went through all the details on how Nissan wanted to use all of these components to keep the noise out but I still hear it. The insulation isn’t what it is in the Nissan Altima or the Nissan Murano. The engine noise may be low but the outside noise is very apparent to me.

I know that Nissan attempted to maximize every inch they could for cargo room but you also have to remember that this is a sports car, not an SUV, so don’t expect to put 5 bags of luggage in the back of it. It isn’t going to happen. Regardless, I think they did a great job using all the space they could for storage.

The gauges are marked pretty clearly and you shouldn’t have trouble finding them while driving. However, what seems to be a common factor in most Nissan vehicles, I hate the radio system. The buttons are small and hard to distinguish from while driving.

For a sports car, compared to the Honda S2000 I test drove, there is more leg room and passenger room. Since I am a bit claustrophobic I don’t like the tight feel inside the 350Z that makes you feel there isn’t enough room for me to breathe.

To wrap it up, my overall feeling on the Nissan 350Z is that it is a FUN sports car. I think the performance of the vehicle out ways the little problems here and there if that is what you are looking for. The acceleration is exceptionally smooth with the 6-speed manual transmission and last time I checked this is a sports car, so you shouldn’t even be considering an automatic transmission. I think that would be a slap in the face to the 350z itself, and you also wouldn’t get the same performance as you would on the 6-speed. Some of the interior door paneling may be a little cheap looking for you are also getting a sports car for under $30K so one out ways the other once again. There is a navigation system available on the Nissan 350Z but for the extra $2K MSRP and $1,700 INVOICE, I would save your money. I doubt you will be taking this car on long long road trips.

There is a warranty on the Nissan 350Z which is as follows:
1) Bumper to bumper at 3 years or 36,000 miles, whichever comes first
2) Extended power train at 5five years or 60,000 miles, whichever comes first
3) Corrosion, unlimited on the warranty

The Nissan 350Z is a sports car that has an aggressive performance, bold styling and let us not forget the incredible state of the art design that makes it what it is.

The Z Roadsters will be coming out soon as well, the convertible to the Nissan 350Z. I will say this much to you. You may want to get the newest on the market but the mark up on the Nissan 350Z was outrageous when it first came out. Now that they have been on the market for a while, the prices are getting more reasonable. Go for the throat and stick to your guns and get the model you want at the price that is close or under invoice. You always want to keep in mind that $2K I told you about that they have room to budge even if they are telling you that they are going below invoice. The dealership is still making money, don’t you worry. They will also try to make it up in financing too, so be careful in there as well. I am always available for questions, just email me. Email is on profile page.

Until next time,
K Parsons
© 2003

Here is An Article that I believe anyone who is Looking to Buy A vehicle in the Future Should Read
The Ins and Outs, Backwards and Forwards, and All Around on Buying Your Next Vehicle

Other Nissan Articles:
The Nissan Altima 2003 from the Former Saleswoman’s Point of View
The Nissan Murano 2003 from the Former Saleswoman’s Point of View
The Nissan Sentra 2003 from the Former Saleswoman’s Point of View
The Nissan Maxima 2003 from the Former Saleswoman’s Point of View
The Nissan Pathfinder 2003 from the Former Saleswoman's Point of View


Amount Paid (US$): 26K-34K
Model Year: 2003
Model and Options: 350Z, Enthusiast, Performance, Touring, Track