Nissan 350Z Roadster road test reports and car reviews

Nissan 350Z Roadster 2006

Fabulous car with head turning looks, (OK the roadster from behind is a bit "broad" in the rear end) but particularly with the top down it’s a scorcher! Ride very firm, and you really have to concentrate on anything but the smoothest roads as the fat tyres grab every rut or imperfection in the road surface that’s going. Having said that the noise this thing makes is just gorgeous! And the performance from nigh on 300 BHP is seriously awesome. Flexibility in all gears means that you can poodle around in 6th gear at less than 30 mph if you want to, and in any gear it pulls away happily from 1000 revs, but actually pulls hard from well below 2000 revs. Storage space is pretty hopeless, amounting to a couple of kit bags and tennis rackets, and economy isn’t a major selling point, fairly obviously. But that’s not what you would buy one of these for. You want to drive it on open roads, changing down through the gears to hear the engine howling and growling as you get back on the gas, and sweeping through bends like it’s got F1 downforce dialled in. Wet roads need to be treated with respect if you aren’t careful, as the power through the rear tyres can break them loose very easily. Opposite lock with the excellent and precise steering corrects the slide instantly, and in the dry the massive Brembo calipered discs stop the beast on a 50p piece. Cockpit is a tad on the cramped side for over six footers, so I can’t vouch for long distance comfort if your in that category. But if you want something different distinctive and exciting, and are not programmed to think only Porsche make sports cars, then it’s a pure delight.