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2009 Nissan 350Z Performance Review

February 21, 2009

PERFORMANCE | 9 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

massive acceleration
Car and Driver

the sharpest reflexes of the Z-car family
Edmunds

excellent handling
MyRide.com

delights with ample power
Consumer Guide

TheCarConnection.com found the 2009 Nissan 350Z to be one of the top-performing sportscars available.

"With its short shift throws, linear throttle response, excellent torque, excellent steering, and excellent ride and handling responses, this car totally books,” says Car and Driver.

The 2009 Nissan 350Z comes equipped with a 3.5-liter V-6 engine that delivers a whopping 306 hp and 268 pound-feet of torque. “Combined with a six-speed manual transmission for more fun and control when driving,” Car and Driver goes on, “the engine starts out strong with massive acceleration, completing the 0-60 mph test in a mere 5.4 seconds.” That kind of performance is “essentially the same performance as a Porsche Boxster S, which has a base price of more than 50 grand.”

Edmunds says, “Although the automatic transmission matches revs on downshifts, a manual transmission brings out the most in the 350Z. Nissan’s six-speed's shifter feels heavy through the gates, but it's fairly precise and clutch take-up is smooth (if not stiff).” TheCarConnection.com notes that fuel economy is a decent 18/25 mpg with the manual gearbox and 17/23 mpg with the automatic.

The 2009 Nissan 350Z’s handling is tight around curves and maintains excellent road and steering feel, even at high speeds. As MyRide.com puts it, the car "hugs tighter than your grandma on Christmas morning and attacks challenging curves with zeal." Cars.com reports “the 350Z's most impressive driving characteristic had to be the sure-footed paths it carved on winding roads and steep highway onramps.” And Car and Driver says that “not only is the Z swift in a straight line and around corners, but it is effortlessly so.”

According to Car and Driver, “The shifter is precise and accurate, with a direct mechanical feel. The brakes are firm, proportional, and easy to feather on and off. And the pedals are perfectly arrayed for heel-and-toe shifting. Most important, the steering is direct, linear, and beautifully weighted.”

Conclusion

The 2009 Nissan 350Z performs at the levels of high-end sportscars without the high-end price.

PERFORMANCE | 9 out of 10Expert Quotes:massive accelerationCar and Driverthe sharpest reflexes of the Z-car familyEdmundsexcellent handlingMyRide.comdelights with ample powerConsumer Guide TheCarConnection.com found the 2009 Nissan 350Z to be one of the top-performing sportscars available. "With its short shift throws, linear throttle response, excellent torque, excellent steering, and excellent ride and handling responses, this car totally books,” says Car and Driver. The 2009 Nissan 350Z comes equipped with a 3.5-liter V-6 engine that delivers a whopping 306 hp and 268 pound-feet of torque. “Combined with a six-speed manual transmission for more fun and control when driving,” Car and Driver goes on, “the engine starts out strong with massive acceleration, completing the 0-60 mph test in a mere 5.4 seconds.” That kind of performance is “essentially the same performance as a Porsche Boxster S, which has a base price of more than 50 grand.” Edmunds says, “Although the automatic transmission matches revs on downshifts, a manual transmission brings out the most in the 350Z. Nissan’s six-speed's shifter feels heavy through the gates, but it's fairly precise and clutch take-up is smooth (if not stiff).” TheCarConnection.com notes that fuel economy is a decent 18/25 mpg with the manual gearbox and 17/23 mpg with the automatic. The 2009 Nissan 350Z’s handling is tight around curves and maintains excellent road and steering feel, even at high speeds. As MyRide.com puts it, the car "hugs tighter than your grandma on Christmas morning and attacks challenging curves with zeal." Cars.com reports “the 350Z's most impressive driving characteristic had to be the sure-footed paths it carved on winding roads and steep highway onramps.” And Car and Driver says that “not only is the Z swift in a straight line and around corners, but it is effortlessly so.” According to Car and Driver, “The shifter is precise and accurate, with a direct mechanical feel. The brakes are firm, proportional, and easy to feather on and off. And the pedals are perfectly arrayed for heel-and-toe shifting. Most important, the steering is direct, linear, and beautifully weighted.” ConclusionThe 2009 Nissan 350Z performs at the levels of high-end sportscars without the high-end price.  2009 NISSAN 350Z STYLING | [9 out of 10] Edmunds: "car's styling still looks fresh" Car and Driver: "the rear flanks are gorgeous" MyRide.com: "a vehicle to be seen in" Cars.com: "a modern design" According to road tests studied by TheCarConnection.com, the 2009 Nissan 350Z gets ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

The BMW Z4 is available as a coupe or roadster with six-cylinder and M-Series power. The Ford Mustang is definitely more common, but it's an obvious choice here with a reasonable price, an available powerful V-8, and rear-wheel drive. Honda's S2000 roadster is also a possibility. The two-seater has a completely different character, with an engine that's rev-happy and quite peaky, but with great build quality.

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See the Nissan 350Z in Other Years:

2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003

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