I responded to the ad through Car Gurus and was promptly sent an email by Reza Dabestani of Euro Asian Cars. There is also sufficient luggage space in the trunk even though the top is stored in the trunk area when down. New for 2005 is a 350Z Roadster Grand Touring Edition with 6-speed manual, which is scheduled to be available in late 2004. Although subsequent Zs may have strayed from the original ideology, the latest version returns to its roots. Seatbelt fasteners were also added to help keep seatbelts from flapping in the wind. The seats, the windows, and the top are power operated. We were a little baffled by the need to release the parking brake to get the top up or down.
A low-tire-pressure warning system lets the driver know if the tires are inflated properly. Side-impact supplemental air bags are available on the Enthusiast model and standard on the Touring and Grand Touring models, 18-inch alloy wheels are available for Enthusiast and Touring models, and ventilated leather-trimmed net seats are available for the Touring and Grand Touring models. Since the heart and soul of the Z® is performance, the design, inside and out, needs to reflect that. The system provides voice guidance but no voice recognition for data entry--not unexpected for a navigation system in an open sports car, with interior noise levels higher than those in a sedan. In addition, the use of aluminum for the instrument finishers, door handles and other places enhances the high-quality look of the interior. A key component to reducing interior noise is a tempered glass wind deflector located between the seats that directs wind out and over the cabin.
The Bottom Line The beefy little Nissan 350Z Roadster offers plenty of performance and a little cabin technology in the form of a navigation unit. The 350Z also integrates rollover bars to prevent head injuries if the car is flipped. Suspension for the rear-wheel drive vehicle is a 4-wheel independent design. The screen is reasonably well protected from glare for good visibility in most lighting conditions. The brakes are appropriate for the car's level of performance, with large four-wheel vented discs.
The Nissan 350Z organizes its meager interior storage space in a unique manner. The top is released from or secured to the windshield header with a unique three-lock, single latch located directly above the middle windshield area. On the downside, the modifications to the 350Z Roadster's chassis add 250 pounds to the weight of the coupe. Additional reinforcement was added at the door openings and a triple-member was added to the seating area connecting the sides to the floor structure to provide enhanced rigidity. The 350Z Roadster Grand Touring model, which is available only with the 6-speed manual transmission, adds Brembo® brakes, Vehicle Dynamic Control and 18-inch wheels and tires. We fused the two together to create one harmoniously visual design.
The engine puts out linear power with no flat spots or sudden surprises, and it makes a unique six-cylinder howl when pressed hard. Knowing this, the designers of the Z® Roadster put a heavy emphasis on the interior design of the car. One-Touch Conversion The Z® Roadsters fully automatic soft top features a heated glass rear window, which helps provide clearer visibility in adverse weather conditions. According to the trip computer, we averaged 19. I have to rate this as the most pleasant car buying experience that I have ever had. The system takes a few seconds to boot at start-up, and route computation causes a slight delay. Only a few options are offered for the well-equipped 350Z Roadster.
Power is provided by the 3. A built-in seat heater is also available for those sundown rides. The optional navigation system now has a faster system processor. It also includes contemporary technology for performance, safety, and even entertainment and information. The 350Z comes in both coupe and roadster bodies.
Appropriately for a sports car, the Nissan gives you the option of turning off the traction-control system. The suspension and the brakes fully measure up to the engine's level, without requiring any complex four-wheel steering systems. Standard 350Z Roadster Enthusiast features include power seats, power-operated soft top, electrically operated storage cover, rear wind deflector, 17-inch alloy wheels, xenon headlights, automatic climate control, a choice of 5-speed automatic or 6-speed manual transmission and more. It is scheduled to be available in late 2004. As a result, the Z® Roadster is among the leading competitors for low interior noise with the top down.
Cowl shake and noticeable flex are as close as possible to nonexistent, so handling does not suffer--the wheels go where you want them. The simple and fairly intuitive interface consists of a joysticklike toggle control and marked buttons including Previous and Cancel. The base cushion is firm and long for additional support, while bolster cutouts under the thighs optimize pedal operation. Suspension for the rear-wheel drive Z® Roadster is a 4-wheel independent design. Visibility with the top down is excellent. The net-style seats are made with a woven seat cloth center insert and feature an opening in the seatback so that the driver can feel a wind flow during top-down driving. Our test car was a roadster--a Touring model in the middle of the 350Z's roadster lineup--and it was a fine example of a contemporary sports car.
Side-impact supplemental air bags are available on the Enthusiast model and standard on the Touring and Grand Touring models, 18-inch alloy wheels are available for Enthusiast and Touring models, and ventilated leather-trimmed net seats are available for the Touring and Grand Touring models. It offers a choice of views: North Up, Heading Up, and Birdview. A built-in seat heater is also available for those sundown rides. Knowing this, the designers of the Z® Roadster put a heavy emphasis on the interior design of the car. Automatic transmission equipped models are now outfitted with downshift rev matching for smoother shifting, and manual transmission models now come with reduced clutch pedal effort for easier operation. Suspension for the rear-wheel drive Z® Roadster is a 4-wheel independent design. Also offered on the Z® Roadster are unique, Burnt Orange ventilated leather-trimmed net seats.