About the Nissan 370Z
Nick purchased this Nissan 370Z used for $38,000 (including all on-road costs) in 2015. Nick would buy this car again because: “I love it so much, an absolutely perfect car except for the lack of seats and boot space. The main reason I love this car is that no matter how bad my day at work is, by the time I’ve driven home I’m happy and able to be the best person for my fiancee.”
How reliable has your car been? Tell us about any issues.
It’s now at 181,000km and still driving as smoothly as it was when I first drove it. The only issues have been the steering lock recall six years ago and the coolant hose bursting two months ago. Otherwise it has had everything thrown at it, including accidentally driven in high water once and a few nervous rough off-road times thanks to Google navigation, but it has rarely skipped a beat.
At the kilometres I’m at now, I reckon some issues may arise soon as parts get older and worn.
What do you think of the ownership experience with your car?
As the 370Z is common for a sports car and shares a lot of parts with other Nissans, it’s been simple finding parts. Rear tyres are expensive due to their 275/35 R19 size and myself only going for Michelin or Pirelli tyres. Nissan Service centres were fantastic until recently, their service prices have climbed considerably so I now take it to an independent I trust.
Are you happy with the price and features of your car?
When I purchased my used 370Z, it had 83,000km on it and less than 3 years old. At the time $38,000 was a good deal for it, so I flew up to Newcastle to pick it up and drove it back to Melbourne. Then a few months later the new 370Z price dropped to $50,000 instead of nearly $70,000 and my value dropped with that. But I cannot put a price on a car that has brought me so much joy. Features seem very analogue by todays standards, but I don’t need a digital dash or Apple CarPlay. If you’re buying a Nissan 370Z, you’re buying it for the style and the beauty of an engine.
What do you think of the performance and economy of your car?
There’s a bit of confusion in the 370Z community of exactly how fast the car can reach 100km/h, some people say in the high fours, others say early sixes. Either way, it’s fast enough to have some fun but not too powerful to land you in prison.
The engine note after 4000rpm is heavenly for me as it really opens up, but can quietly cruise at freeway speeds where you don’t want to hear a droning exhaust. I’m averaging around 13L per 100km, with a 50/50 mix of freeway and peak hour driving. It’s not frugal, but I didn’t buy a Prius.
What do you think of the technology in your car?
There’s the usual electronic safety aids for the time and a touch screen for the infotainment that must have been a marvel back in the day. The heated seats come in handy on cold Melbourne mornings and the Bose sound system is more than enough in the small cabin.
I only wish the seat could electronically heighten and the steering column would have a telescopic function.
What do you think of the ride comfort and handling of your car?
Working in the auto industry for 10 years, I’ve driven many cars and barely any have felt this engaging. I’ve never run out of grip on purpose, it has handled everything thrown at it with ease.
The limited-slip differential allows for some slow speed fun that everyone should experience and the Brembo brakes have given me whiplash when I’ve had to emergency brake. For how capable the car is, it’s actually quite comfortable as a daily driver.
I’m not bottoming out on any normal roads, just rubbing the front plastic protector on speed humps and driveways. In the wet it can kick the back out at the lights with anything over medium acceleration, after that I have enough grip to stay confident in the Melbourne rains.
Do you have any additional comments about your car?
If you’re after a reliable sports car that will bring you all the thrills with less of the bills, you cannot go wrong with a 370Z. After 181,000km so far mine has proven you can have it all in one car… except boot space and seats for a future family.