First Drive: 2013 Nissan 370Z

Nissan Z-line of sports coupe has been around since 1969 when the Datsun Fairlady Z started being produced. The Fairlady Z was around until 1978 with three different versions. From 1969 to 1973, the Fairlady Z was also known as the 240Z, which was powered by a 2.4L I6. From 1974 to 1978, the Fairlady Z was known as the 260Z, which was powered by a 2.6L I6. The U.S. market only got the 260Z in 1974. From 1975 to 1978, the United States got the 280Z, a Fairlady Z that was powered by a 2.8L I6. All versions of the Fairlady Z were 3 door hatchbacks that came with a front-engine, rear-wheel drive layout. The successor for the Datsun Fairlady Z was known as the 280ZX, also known as the Nissan Fairlady Z, which was in production from 1978 to 1983. The 280ZX came with 2.0L I6 engine, a turbocharged 2.0L I6, a 2.8L I6 engine, or a turbocharged 1.8L I6 engine. The 280ZX was also a three door fastback  with a front-engine, rear-wheel drive layout. Next in the Z-line is the Nissan 300ZX that was produced with the Z31 chassis from 1983 to 1989 and was produced with the Z32 chassis from 1989 to 2000. After a two year hiatus, the Z-line returned in 2002 with the Nissan Fairlady Z Z33, known better as the Nissan 350Z. It came with a 3.5L V6, while the Nismo 350Z came with a 3.8L V6. The 350Z coupe was produced from 2003 to 1008 while 350Z roadsters were produced from 2004 to 2009. Replacing the 350Z is the 370Z, which went into production in 2010 and is the current version of the Z-line. The 370Z is a front-mid engine, rear-wheel drive sports car that is available as either a roadster or a sports coupe. At the 2013 Houston Auto Show, I was the first one to take the 370Z coupe on a test drive. I got to the Nissan booth right when it open.

The Nissan 370Z has a very sporty exterior. The headlights are integrated well. The 370Z has a nice sporty profile. On the inside, it is all about sportiness. There are three gauges on the top middle of the dashboard that display the time, battery voltage, and the oil temperature. It is a sporty dash. The car I test drove came with paddle shifters, and they work well. The 370Z is sports-tuned, so the seat is stiff, but not too stiff to break you back. I had a nice amount of leg room and head room behind the wheel. The 370Z is a two seater, so if you want to drive around with two passengers, then the 370Z is not for you.

The 370Z is powered by a 3.7L V6, paired with either a seven-speed automatic or a six-speed manual transmssion, that produces 332 hp and 269 lb-ft of torque. It goes from 0 to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds and it felt quick behind the wheel. The 370Z is sports-tuned and it handles well. The car was very responsive when I turned the steering wheel. There was no jerky motions coming from the car when I used the paddle shifters. The 370Z has a stiff ride, so you will feel every bump, but not to the point that the car becomes uncomfortable to drive or ride in.

The 370Z has been featured on Top Gear USA, Top Gear UK, Top Gear Australia, Born to Race, Fifth Gear, Motorweek, RTL Autowereld, Gek Op Wielen, Top Gear Korea, Auto Esporte, Fast Five, 200 M.P.H., Jane By Design, 90210, Pretty Little Liars, The Green Hornet, Cars.TV, Switched At Birth, and The Sitter. The 370Z is playable in Dead Heat, Test Drive Unlimited 2, Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit, Asphalt 3D, Need For Speed: The Run, StreetRally, Asphalt Injection, Auto Club Revolution, Speed Driver 3: Crash Hour, Speed Driver 4: World Fever, Driver: San Francisco, Need For Speed: Undercover, Need For Speed: Shift, Need For Speed: Nitro, Gran Turismo 5, Asphalt 5, GT Racing: Motor Academy, Need For Speed: World, Just Cause 2, Nitto 1320 Legends, Shift 2: Unleashed, Forza Motorsport 3, Real Racing 2, and Car Town.

Overall, the Nissan 370Z is a great car. Although the ride is stiff due to the sports-tuned suspension. The paddle shifters enhance the experience with the automatic transmission. There is plenty of leg room and head room for the driver and passenger, but there are no back seats. The engine generates great power for a naturally aspirated V6 engine, and I felt power through the entire rev range. With some engines, you do not get a good amount of power at lower rpms. The 370Z is quick, with a 0 to 60 mph time of 4.6 seconds. The car has a good sporty exterior and a good sporty interior. The Nissan 370Z is a good sports car. Prices for the base 370Z coupe start at $34,420. Prices go up to $39,120 for the 370Z Touring Coupe. Prices for the 370Z Roadster start at $41,470. A Nismo 370Z Coupe goes for $43,020. That is not bad for what you get with the Nissan 370Z. This is a fun sports car and if you are in the market for a sports car, give the Nissan 370Z a test drive.

CarJunkie
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