2004 Nissan 350Z Review

The coupe version of the Nissan 350Z sports car is a genuine sports car, but the new convertible version is more fun in decent spring-through-fall weather here.

There was a time when nearly all sports cars were convertibles because sports cars were, well, sporty -- and the sportiest cars were autos with a fold-down top.

Most sports cars were designed to be convertibles. Hardtop versions were an oddity for pampered drivers, who weren't supposed to be in sports cars, anyway.

America's northern snow belt weather soon led foreign automakers hungry for American dollars to relent and offer hardtop versions of their sports car convertibles, even in the 1950s. Nissan's legendary, racy 1970-73 240Z sports car arrived as a coupe, with no convertible version offered.

You get none of the cowl shake or body flex associated with convertibles in the $33,850-$37,190 350Z soft top model because it has numerous structural reinforcements to make up for the loss of rigidity caused by elimination of a solid top.

Nissan calls this 2004 convertible a "roadster.'' Call it what you will, but this model doesn't look as slick as the 350Z hardtop when the top is raised because of its high body line and brawny rear end.

Still, the convertible looks purposeful from most angles, especially from the rear with its huge chromed dual exhaust outlets. Its long (for a two-seater) 104.3-inch wheelbase, short body overhangs and wide stance help provide the muscular appearance.

Steering is razor-sharp, and handling is excellent, although the convertible is several hundred pounds heavier than the coupe at 3,428 to 3,479 pounds. The all-independent suspension provides a supple ride, although deep ruts jolt occupants. Strong anti-lock brakes have a progressive pedal feel and provide short stops.

A sophisticated 3.5-liter, 287-horsepower V-6 with a nice snarl at high revs whisks the car to 60 mph from a standing start in 5.6 seconds with the standard six-speed close-ratio manual gearbox. It shifts crisply, but works with a long-throw clutch. My test car had the manual gearbox, but a five-speed automatic transmission with a manual shift mode is available.

Fuel economy is decent, at an estimated 19-20 mpg in the city and 26 on highways.

Highly stylized door handles are easily gripped but can be accidentally snagged by clothing if you walk too close to them; they also can get caught by automatic car wash equipment. Interior door handles also are stylized, but have a design that makes them especially easy to use.

The power top has a heated glass rear window. It goes down quickly and automatically is covered by a rear deck panel. The top is released or secured to the windshield header with a unique three-lock, single latch system created to give a more secure seal that also makes the closing process easier.

As might be expected, the convertible is noisier than the coupe with the top up, but it's still fairly quiet in the cockpit at highway speeds. There's only moderate wind turbulence with the top lowered at 65 mph, thanks to a design that routes air flow to minimize interior noise and turbulence. A tempered glass wind deflector between the seats directs wind out and over the cabin, and there are smoothly styled race-car-style fairings behind the seats.

The raised top creates major rear blind spots, so the outside mirrors must be used when changing lanes or merging into traffic.

The 350Z convertible is offered in two well-equipped versions. The $33,850-$34,820 Enthusiast version features such items as power seats, automatic climate control, 17-inch alloy wheels and powerful xenon headlights -- besides a bunch of power accessories.

The $36,220-$37,190 Touring version adds items including leather upholstery, heated seats and a Bose audio system with a 6-disc CD changer and seven speakers.

Side-impact air bags are optional for the Enthusiast version and standard on the Touring model. A DVD-based navigation system and 18-inch alloy wheels are optional for the Touring version.

Long, heavy doors can make it hard to get in and out in tight spots. Occupants sit so low that their elbows are sticking up at an awkward angle over the high door tops, as in the 1950s Porsche Speedster convertible driven by actor James Dean. But I didn't get a closed-in feeling because the view to the front and sides is good. There's plenty of room up front in seats that are unusually supportive, thanks to a nicely sculpted seatback.

The interior looks sporty, with aluminum interior accents. Gauges are in three large pods similar to the original 240Z design. The easily read gauges move with the adjustable steering column, so they're always directly ahead of a driver. Climate controls are large, but sound system controls are small.

There's scant interior storage space, with a small console compartment and a storage bin that is awkward to reach behind the passenger seat. Console cupholders also need better placement, and the cupholder that pops out of the dashboard won't hold a large beverage container. A small dashboard storage area has a cheap plastic cover that feels as if it will snap off after a few months of use.

The nicely shaped trunk is moderately large with the top up or down. A high trunk opening can make it awkward to load cargo, but the lid raises well out of the way on smooth struts. There are even instructions in the trunk about the easiest way of putting a golf bag in it.

The 350Z convertible is such a responsive, wind-in-the-face car that it invites you to take the longest route to a destination.

2004 NISSAN 350Z ROADSTER

Prices
$33,850-$37,190

Likes
Fast. Racy styling. Sharp steering and handling. Nifty power top.

Dislikes
Poor rear visibility. High trunk opening. Long doors. Low seating.