Nissan 350Z

The only thing you should know about the new Nissan 350Z is that it has a good price-to-performance ratio. The only thing you should know about the new Nissan 350Z is that it has a good price-to-performance ratio. See More

Sports fans essentially had two options when the first Z-car debuted. On the one side, people could select from a variety of Fiats for less than $4000. Sports fans essentially had two options when the first Z-car debuted. On the one side, people could select from a variety of Fiats for less than $4000.

The 240Z, which cost $3601 and had a 150-hp, 2.4-liter inline six, efficiently filled the void and created a new category of its own. The 240Z, which cost $3601 and had a 150-hp, 2.4-liter inline six, efficiently filled the void and created a new category of its own.

But you must upgrade to the $42,420 Corvette if you want real power—more than 250 horsepower now days—in a true sports vehicle. But you must upgrade to the $42,420 Corvette if you want real power—more than 250 horsepower now days—in a true sports vehicle.

This hierarchy of horsepower is entirely upended by the new Nissan 350Z. The revived Z-base car's pricing of $26,809 is only slightly more expensive than a Mister Two. This hierarchy of horsepower is entirely upended by the new Nissan 350Z. The revived Z-base car's pricing of $26,809 is only slightly more expensive than a Mister Two. More Reviews

In fact, the 350Z's 287 horsepower is just a few horsepower short of the capacity of a Porsche 911, which costs 2.5 times more than the Nissan. In fact, the 350Z's 287 horsepower is just a few horsepower short of the capacity of a Porsche 911, which costs 2.5 times more than the Nissan.

With its front and rear spoilers, even the top-tier Track model tested here (eliminating front and rear lift and cutting the drag coefficient from 0.30 to 0.29) With its front and rear spoilers, even the top-tier Track model tested here (eliminating front and rear lift and cutting the drag coefficient from 0.30 to 0.29)

Because the Z uses surplus parts from Nissan's parts bins, this amazing deal is made feasible. For instance, the Z's V-6 is the standard 3.5-liter, 24-valve engine. Because the Z uses surplus parts from Nissan's parts bins, this amazing deal is made feasible. For instance, the Z's V-6 is the standard 3.5-liter, 24-valve engine.

Nissan engineers have modified this engine for use in the Z-car by adding significantly hotter camshafts and more open exhaust and intake systems. Nissan engineers have modified this engine for use in the Z-car by adding significantly hotter camshafts and more open exhaust and intake systems. Learn more

An updated version of Nissan's FM platform, which debuted recently in the G35, houses this engine in the nose. Front mid-engine (FM) refers to an engine that is fully positioned An updated version of Nissan's FM platform, which debuted recently in the G35, houses this engine in the nose. Front mid-engine (FM) refers to an engine that is fully positioned

The FM chassis has a complex monoshock with multilink design front and back, as you might expect from a completely new design. The FM chassis has a complex monoshock with multilink design front and back, as you might expect from a completely new design.

The interior of the 350Z is not made of expensive materials, but the mixture of plastic panels, which are all molded in different colors and textures of dark gray, is attractive. The interior of the 350Z is not made of expensive materials, but the mixture of plastic panels, which are all molded in different colors and textures of dark gray, is attractive. Learn more

Humans have plenty of interior space, but their goods and trinkets have less. The glove compartment is neatly covered below the passenger seat under a panel. Humans have plenty of interior space, but their goods and trinkets have less. The glove compartment is neatly covered below the passenger seat under a panel.