Pros

  • Raw and engaging old-school charm
  • Mechanically robust
  • Good level of practicality for a sports car
  • Driving experience great for the price

Cons

  • Lacking infotainment technology
  • Feeling a little old and heavy
  • Safety features lacking
  • Often abused and modified poorly

Verdict

Yes.

The Nissan 370Z is starting to feel its age, but for us, this age adds to the charm.

The fact the Nissan 370Z has existed for over a decade means it has a great fan base and support network and as long as the example you’re looking at has...

In a world seemingly obsessed with SUVs and crossover vehicles, the singularly-focussed Nissan 370Z is a breath of fresh air.

While engineered from the ground up to be a true sports car, the 370Z is hardly a bespoke vehicle. Using Nissan’s FM platform and components borrowed from various other Nissan models, the 370Z still managed to impress motoring enthusiasts around the world.

Short of minor cosmetic updates and some added equipment via limited and special editions, the 370Z has hardly changed over its 12-year lifespan.

However, the 370Z is ageing and many in the motoring press have declared it to be well past its used-by date. But is it? Should you buy a used 370Z?

In a world seemingly obsessed with SUVs and crossover vehicles, the singularly-focussed Nissan 370Z is a breath of fresh air.

While engineered from the ground up to be a true sports car, the 370Z is hardly a bespoke vehicle. Using Nissan’s FM platform and components borrowed from various other Nissan models, the 370Z still managed to impress motoring enthusiasts around the world.

Short of minor cosmetic updates and some added equipment via limited and special editions, the 370Z has hardly changed over its 12-year lifespan.

However, the 370Z is ageing and many in the motoring press have declared it to be well past its used-by date. But is it? Should you buy a used 370Z?

In a world seemingly obsessed with SUVs and crossover vehicles, the singularly-focussed Nissan 370Z is a breath of fresh air.

While engineered from the ground up to be a true sports car, the 370Z is hardly a bespoke vehicle. Using Nissan’s FM platform and components borrowed from various other Nissan models, the 370Z still managed to impress motoring enthusiasts around the world.

Short of minor cosmetic updates and some added equipment via limited and special editions, the 370Z has hardly changed over its 12-year lifespan.

However, the 370Z is ageing and many in the motoring press have declared it to be well past its used-by date. But is it? Should you buy a used 370Z?

  • One of the biggest issues with the 370Z has less to do with the car and more to do with how previous owners have used, and potentially abused it
  • Look for poorly executed and cheap modifications
  • Look for accident damage and dodgy repair work
  • Look for signs of track modifications like roll-cage mounting points and excessive rubber in the wheel arches
  • As far as common issues or problems, the Nissan 370Z is mechanically very robust and suffers from very few “common” issues. However we do know of reports of concentric slave cylinder (CSC) failure and faulty steering lock mechanisms
  • One of the biggest issues with the 370Z has less to do with the car and more to do with how previous owners have used, and potentially abused it
  • Look for poorly executed and cheap modifications
  • Look for accident damage and dodgy repair work
  • Look for signs of track modifications like roll-cage mounting points and excessive rubber in the wheel arches
  • As far as common issues or problems, the Nissan 370Z is mechanically very robust and suffers from very few “common” issues. However we do know of reports of concentric slave cylinder (CSC) failure and faulty steering lock mechanisms
  • One of the biggest issues with the 370Z has less to do with the car and more to do with how previous owners have used, and potentially abused it
  • Look for poorly executed and cheap modifications
  • Look for accident damage and dodgy repair work
  • Look for signs of track modifications like roll-cage mounting points and excessive rubber in the wheel arches
  • As far as common issues or problems, the Nissan 370Z is mechanically very robust and suffers from very few “common” issues. However we do know of reports of concentric slave cylinder (CSC) failure and faulty steering lock mechanisms

Body style:

  • 2-door Coupe
  • 2-door Convertible

Engines

  • 3.7-Litre V6-Cylinder petrol

Power:

  • 245kW
  • 253kW (Nismo)

Torque:

  • 363Nm
  • 371Nm (Nismo)

Transmissions:

  • 6-spd manual, rear-wheel drive
  • 6-spd automatic, rear-wheel drive

Fuel use:

  • 10.4L – 10.6L/100km (combined depending on spec)

Height:

  • 1315mm (coupe)
  • 1325mm (convertible)

Length:

  • 4265mm

Width:

  • 1845mm

Kerb weight:

  • 1480kg – 1565kg (Depending on variant)

Body style:

  • 2-door Coupe
  • 2-door Convertible

Engines

  • 3.7-Litre V6-Cylinder petrol

Power:

  • 245kW
  • 253kW (Nismo)

Torque:

  • 363Nm
  • 371Nm (Nismo)

Transmissions:

  • 6-spd manual, rear-wheel drive
  • 6-spd automatic, rear-wheel drive

Fuel use:

  • 10.4L – 10.6L/100km (combined depending on spec)

Height:

  • 1315mm (coupe)
  • 1325mm (convertible)

Length:

  • 4265mm

Width:

  • 1845mm

Kerb weight:

  • 1480kg – 1565kg (Depending on variant)

Body style:

  • 2-door Coupe
  • 2-door Convertible

Engines

  • 3.7-Litre V6-Cylinder petrol

Power:

  • 245kW
  • 253kW (Nismo)

Torque:

  • 363Nm
  • 371Nm (Nismo)

Transmissions:

  • 6-spd manual, rear-wheel drive
  • 6-spd automatic, rear-wheel drive

Fuel use:

  • 10.4L – 10.6L/100km (combined depending on spec)

Height:

  • 1315mm (coupe)
  • 1325mm (convertible)

Length:

  • 4265mm

Width:

  • 1845mm

Kerb weight:

  • 1480kg – 1565kg (Depending on variant)

Warranty:

3 years/100,000 kms

Servicing:

10,000kms or every 6 months

Model range, pricing and features

Nissan 370Z-1

370Z

Price when new: $49,990 - $79,500

Price used: $10,800 - $52,100

The base model and, ignoring limited and special editions, the only 370Z.

Try to find the most recently, lowest mileage, best condition example that fits your budget and be sure to check it has a full and thorough service history.

Standard features:

  • SynchroRev system
  • Airbag package
  • Anti-lock braking
  • Automatic air con / climate control
  • 18-inch alloy wheels
  • Brake assist
  • Cruise control
  • CD with 6-CD stacker
  • Central locking remote control
  • Electronic brake force distribution
  • Heated front seats
  • Engine immobiliser
  • Limited-slip differential
  • Leather upholstery
  • Power front seats
  • Power mirrors
  • Power steering
  • Power windows
  • 8-speakers sound system
  • Satellite navigation
  • Sport seats
  • Trip computer
  • Traction control system
  • Vehicle stability control
  • Xenon headlights
  • Upgraded audio and navigation system (from 2011)
  • Touchscreen (from 2011)
  • Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity (from 2011)
  • USB input (from 2011)
  • Full iPod integration (from 2011)
  • 9.3GB hard disk drive for music storage (from 2011)
  • Reversing camera (from 2011)
  • Wide-angle door mirrors (from 2011)
  • Cargo blind (from 2011)
  • Climate-controlled seats (convertible from 2011)
  • Vertical LED daytime running lights (from 2013)
  • New design 19-inch wheels (from 2013)

Nismo

Price when new: $61,490 - $64,490

Price used: $32,100 - $55,800

Only a small increase in power and torque, but the revised suspension and tuned exhaust add to the already excellent driving experience.

A possible future classic? Only time will tell but we adore the Nismo 370Z.

Nismo adds:

  • Aggressive body kit
  • Increased body rigidity
  • Larger brakes
  • Revised suspension
  • Recaro seats
  • 8-speaker Bose sound system
  • Red highlights on the front lip, mirrors and rear diffuser
  • Nismo-tweaked engine tune
  • 19-inch Rays forged alloy wheels
  • Bridgestone Potenza RE-11 tyres
  • Red/ black Nismo interior

N-Sport

Price when new: $48,490 - $50,990

Price used: $28,450 - $39,500

Limited to just 50 examples, the N-Sport is fundamentally a special edition in aesthetics only.

N-Sport adds:

  • Black-and-yellow colour scheme
  • Black 18-inch alloy wheels
  • Black-and-yellow interior

50th Anniversary

Price when new: $53,490 - $55,990

Price used: $32,100 - $43,950

While mechanically identical to the base model 370Z, Nissan equipped the 50th Anniversary with some very tasty accessories.

The colour scheme may not be to everyone’s taste but there’s no denying the level of extra equipment fitted.

50th Anniversary adds:

  • Two-tone 70s homage paint scheme
  • 50th Anniversary badging
  • Alcantara steering wheel with a red centre mark
  • 4-way power-adjustable leather bucket seats with red inserts and piping
  • Red centre console stitching
  • Red-accented tachometer
  • Red gear shifter
  • 50th Anniversary-badged sill plates
  • RAYS 19-inch alloy wheels

Yes.

The Nissan 370Z is starting to feel its age, but for us, this age adds to the charm.

The fact the Nissan 370Z has existed for over a decade means it has a great fan base and support network and as long as the example you’re looking at has avoided abuse or dodgy modifications, it should show excellent reliability, unlike many of its European rivals.

Plus, there’s nothing else quite like a Nissan 370Z. The styling is unique, it’s quite practical for a sports car, the performance and driving experience is fantastic and for us, sits right between a Ford Mustang and Toyota GT86 or Subaru BRZ in terms of driving dynamics, so we highly recommend buying one.

Yes.

The Nissan 370Z is starting to feel its age, but for us, this age adds to the charm.

The fact the Nissan 370Z has existed for over a decade means it has a great fan base and support network and as long as the example you’re looking at has avoided abuse or dodgy modifications, it should show excellent reliability, unlike many of its European rivals.

Plus, there’s nothing else quite like a Nissan 370Z. The styling is unique, it’s quite practical for a sports car, the performance and driving experience is fantastic and for us, sits right between a Ford Mustang and Toyota GT86 or Subaru BRZ in terms of driving dynamics, so we highly recommend buying one.

Yes.

The Nissan 370Z is starting to feel its age, but for us, this age adds to the charm.

The fact the Nissan 370Z has existed for over a decade means it has a great fan base and support network and as long as the example you’re looking at has avoided abuse or dodgy modifications, it should show excellent reliability, unlike many of its European rivals.

Plus, there’s nothing else quite like a Nissan 370Z. The styling is unique, it’s quite practical for a sports car, the performance and driving experience is fantastic and for us, sits right between a Ford Mustang and Toyota GT86 or Subaru BRZ in terms of driving dynamics, so we highly recommend buying one.

Disclaimer

Please note that pricing information is subject to fluctuations in the automotive market.

Information correct as of May 28, 2021.

The advice provided on this website is general advice only. It has been prepared without taking into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting on this advice, you should consider the appropriateness of the advice, having regard to your own objectives, financial situation and needs.

Read our full terms and conditions here.

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