Took a metallic blue 350z (track pack) out for a very short spin (all they would allow) but it was enough for me to get a good feel for the car.

Conclusions:

Interior:
- you sit very low
- seats are great
- shifter is very short
- you can barely see your hood
- interior materials are okay but plastics weren't that impressive (lid to storage box and plastic around gauges)
- gauges were a bit small
- I don't think stearing was telescopic was was a pain since the wheel was against the dash
- no headroom issues and I'm 6'2"

Exterior
- the blue is my favorite colour in this car
- I'm not a fan of the japanese styling.... to me it looks like a fast and the furious car
- too small of a car (personal opinion though) I need more substance

Performance/Handling

- car had no body roll going fast around curve
- suspension was a bit rough (track pack mind you)
- car's acceleration was crisp and was the same (or a touch faster) than a current GT. It did NOT feel Mach 1 quick (which we know it isn't)

In sum, if you can look past the styling it is a pretty fun car. Handling is by far its strongest point. Acceleration is acceptable.

I would never buy one though. Uncomfortable to drive on a regular basis, do not like the styling that much (though it does attract attention) and I need more power.

 

maybe that is why there is almost 90 of them on sale on eBay!!!!!

unbelivable

350z's on eBay

 

I've never driven one, but I did sit in one at a used car dealership. They were selling one for $26k, and my girlfriend wanted to look at it. They wouldn't let us drive, even around the parking lot, but the interior didn't tickle my fancy. It was good, but the plastics were very plasticky.

And I also felt it was too small. I'm 6'4", 190 lbs, so that might have SOMETHING to do with it.

 

darn, i was hoping i was the tallest in the board

 

haha, Dr. Iven, your more than a foot taller than me!

 

Dr. Iven needs to talk to Dr. Angus about a new diet.

 

I'm not impressed with it. Its a typical jack-of-all-trades-master-of-none car. Its been out for 2 years now, the metrosexual following will wane(just like murano's, mini, pt, beetle, etc), they need to do something quickly.

 

??? Confused on that one. Personally, I think they are pretty nice rides. Not for everyday, mind you (two seaters don't come across as that in my mind anyhow), but a fun car to play with. I know a few people with these new Z's and with a few minor tweaks, they are pretty potent. Nissan's quality is 10X better than even 5 years ago as well. I think it's great because the more everyone is competing in this market, the more the manufacturers need to step it up a notch to compete. Cars like the 350Z, the WRX STi, the Evo, the RX-8, etc are the reason you see the domestics bringing out some incredible rides such as the new '05 Mustangs, the SVT lineup, Cadillac's complete lineup, the C6 Vette and Dodge's SRT division.

Should I put a flamesuit on now?

 

I second that. no flames coming from my direction. and I don't like rice cars. I don't particularly feel that the 350z fits that category. I love the lines of the car, and think it's a blast to drive.

 

I agree with Kevin. They do seem to be appealing to the "pretty-boy-look-at-me" market.

Not to mention that they look hideous with a ragtop.

 

The seats in Nissans and Infinitis are pretty cool with the controls and all...but that ain't enough to entice me...

A G35 is more my taste, but the car like Kev said is a" jack of all trades-master of none"

And heres the def for metrosexual for those who want to know

 

Its a nice GT car, but the thing weighs WAY too much for a car of that size!