Nissan 350z Coupe Z33 2006
July 15, 2006 by Alborz Fallah
This car is relatively hard to explain, the reason is that most people don’t understand the Nissan 350z, they don’t get the point of spending so much money on just a Nissan. Okay lets admit it, Nissan don’t exactly have the best credibility in the world when it comes to reliability, nevertheless they have a sporting heritage richer than many European manufacturers and Australian manufacturers such as, dare I say it, Holden and Ford.
Nissan started the Z dream in Australia back in 1980 with the 280ZX (having previously marketed the car under Datsun), and continued that dream with the 300zx. When the 300zx finished production in 1996, Nissan was having a hard time, the company wasn’t doing so well financially and the Z car went to sleep, waiting to be reborn in 2002.
So in Dec 2002, Nissan brought back the Z name to Australia with the Nissan 350z. Initially powered by a 3.5L V6 engine that produced a massive 206kw of power and 363Nm of torque, the 350z was an instant winner. Questions about the car’s ability to match up to the Z name were quickly put aside once it was driven. So Nissan had not only produced a miracle sports car but styled it so well that it became an irresistible choice.
In early 2005 Nissan brought out the 35th Anniversary edition of the 350z and increased power to 221kW and 353Nm of Torque, later in 2005, the standard Nissan 350z’s powerplant was also upgraded to match that of the anniversary edition. The 350z that I’ve picked as the 4th best sports car you can buy for less than $65,000 is the Manual Coupe model which starts at $63,000 and comes with
- 296 horsepower,
- 18″ x 8JJ 5 spoke Aluminium-Alloy Wheels,
- 225/45R18 91W (front) and 245/45R18 96W (rear) high performance tyres,
- Traction Control System (TCS),
- Viscous Limited-Slip Rear Differential (VLSD) .
- BOSE audio system (7 speakers including subwoofer)
- Xenon head lamps
- LED brake lights
- Power Windows, Door Locks and Mirrors
- Heated exterior mirrors
- Cruise Control
- Driver and Passenger SRS airbags – side impact SRS airbags- side curtain SRS airbags
- Seatbelts with Pretensioners and Load Limiters
- Remote Keyless Entry
- Nissan Vehicle Immobiliser System
The Z gets to 100km/hr in just 6.1 and with a little more practice you might be able to take that down to just below 6. The Automatic version only comes with 206kW so if you are buying this car, please do the world (and yourself) a favour and go with the manual instead, if you want a 350z for what it is, and what it is meant to be, you need the manual version. The road dynamics of this car put it alongside the likes of the Subaru WRX, but more centered towards drifting than rally driving. Featured recently in the Fast & Furious 3 movie, the 350z has become not only an icon as a sports car, but will go down in History as one of Nissan’s best machines. The official fuel usage figures are around 11.6L/100km for city and highway driving combined, nevertheless, if you want to enjoy the 350z’s potential, the fuel usage is going to reach around 15L/100km.
Enough about the advantages of the 350z, so whats wrong with this car? Why didn’t it rank any higher than number 4? Simply because the cars listed above the 350z, are genuinely better cars, the RX-8 wins over the 350z because it is by far the most unique sports car you can buy for the money, the STi and the EVO IX win over the 350z because not only are they faster but they handle better, cost less, and sure they don’t look as good as the 350z but they are still more practical than the 350z.
Furthermore the 350z lacks some basic luxuries, the BOSE sound system would be the first to go – even with the sub it doesn’t sound like a BOSE sound system should! The engine note is also worth a mention, it sounds like a V6 Toyota Camry, where is the deep sports sound that you get from the likes of the STi and EVO IX? There is no sports note from the exhausts!
Nonetheless, if you are keen on a 350z and you have more than $65,000 to spend, I would highly recommend the MY06 350z Track Roadster for $73,000. The convertible look and the power of the 350z will satisfy both your ego and your desire for speed. Also if you are keen to modify the car, the Nissan engine is built for modifications and with a little work under the hood (e.g. a turbo charger) buyers have been able to get the Nissan 350z to 500 horsepower!
Standard features on the Nissan 350z are listed below
- 7 Speaker Stereo
- ABS (Antilock Brakes)
- Adjustable Steering Col. – Tilt only
- Air Cond. – Climate Control
- Airbags – Driver & Passenger (Dual)
- Airbags – Head for 1st Row Seats (Front)
- Airbags – Side for 1st Row Occupants (Front)
- Body Colour – Bumpers
- Body Colour – Fittings
- Brake Assist
- CD Stacker – 6 disc In Dash/Cabin
- Central Locking – Remote/Keyless
- Clear Indicator Lenses
- Control – Traction
- Cruise Control
- Disc Brakes Front Ventilated
- Disc Brakes Rear Ventilated
- Drive By Wire (Electronic Throttle Control)
- EBD (Electronic Brake force Distribution)
- Electric Seats – 1st Row (Front)
- Engine Immobiliser
- Headlamps – Xenon (Low beam only)
- Heated Seats – 1st Row
- Independent Rear Suspension
- Intermittent Wipers – Variable
- Leather Gear Knob
- Leather Hand Brake Lever
- Leather Seats
- Leather Steering Wheel
- Limited Slip Diff
- Map/Reading Lamps – for 1st Row
- Metallic Finish Door Handles – Interior
- Metallic Finish Gear Knob
- Metallic Finish Gear Shift Gate
- Metallic Finish Instrument Surrounds
- Metallic Finish Steering Wheel
- Pedals – Sports
- Power Door Mirrors – Heated
- Power Steering – Speed Sensitive
- Power Windows – Front only
- Radio Cassette
- Seatbelt – Load Limiters 1st Row (Front)
- Seatbelt – Pretensioners 1st Row (Front)
- Sports Instruments
- Sports Seats – 1st Row (Front)
- Stainless Steel Exhaust – Dual system
- Strut Brace – Rear
- Subwoofer
- Sunglass holder
- Tacho
- Tail Lamps – LED
- Trip Computer
Print it: 
I own a 2006 350Z GT coupe and I LIKE it. THe more I drive it, the more I like it. I have nearly 6k miles on it and it is running better and faster as it gets broken in. I recently changed to a K&N air filter and that has made it rev even more freely. I’ve not yet found its top speed but it certainly pulls strong through all the gears. A great gran touring sports car and one that I’ll keep for many years.
I have a 2005 Nissan 350z 35th Anniversary Edition. This car definetly gets plenty of attention and comments. A lot of people think it is actually a Porsche from their rear view mirror… I previously owned two WRXs. I must admit they were more fun to drive and felt faster, however for sheer class, you can’t go past the Z.
The new model shares the same Alloys as the Anniversary edition, the rims are one of the reasons I decided on this model, they are beautiful!
H
The 350Z is pretty good for a Nissan but terribly overweight and the interior is a very nasty place to be – cheap plastics and all hard surfaces. Sorry, but going fast in a straight line is only part of what it takes to make a great car, regardless of the price tag.
I have never owned a sports car. Until now. I just purchased a used 2005 350Z with 20,000 miles. I was looking at the 35th Anniversary Edition and decided NOT to spend the $2000+ on it for three reasons. The first, the Grand Touring 287HP, 274 Lbs Torque is actually FASTER and FELT faster then the 300HP, 260 Lbs Torque on the 35th Ann. Second, the interior. My Grand Touring interior is EXACTLY that of the 35th (Xenon, Leather, etc). And finally, gas milage. I THINK Ill average about 2 to 3 mpg better then the 300HP. Considering Im not JEff Gordon, nor do i care to be, Ill NEVER drive the 350Z to its limit but it sure is fun as hell knowing I could try!! For the money, 350Z..there’s no substitute.
I have a 2003 grand touring and its awesome!I dont really see what wrong with the interrior, it has a lot more sporty feel than a mazda Rx8.I like how the door is high up, it has three gauges on top of the console, and its a two seater. And hard plastics? Doesnt just about every car have that?
The performance is great on the car. And you can hear it even better you have the nismo exhaust.
The car is perfect. Style, performance, and you can get it for under 30k.
The let down for me with the 350z is the rear… those lights under the brake lights (blinkers or reverse lights?) look out of place, not so bad in the Silver 350z but in any other colour looks abit strange. Performance wise though they are a decent car from what Ive heard.
superb
Just on the comment about the exhaust note, i have found the 350Z to be one of the nicest sounding 6’s around. I’m not sure how many other people agree with me. Ferrari’s don’t have a “deep” exhaust note either and they sure as hell sound nice.
Firstly to all the wannabes out there, don’t knock it until you have tried it! Sure an STi may lap a track 0.5s faster but soooo what, numbers never tell the full story. I have a Touring and it is one of the most capable and character filled cars i have driven and that inlcudes a multitude of Porsche 911’s. And who cares if the tail lights are blah and blah….when you’re actually driving a car these things don’t really rate a mention. And the engine? One of the greatest things about this car is that you can still drive it slow and enjoy it such is the noise and the sheer road presence it has. Don’t get me started on the interior…I’ll take it over a Porsche 996 anyday of the week. Bargain of the century…whimps need not apply!
PES, the only drawback I see is no option for a 2+2 seat configuration!
From looking on the inside, I am doubtful you could cram 2 seats in there, especially with the massive strut brace taking up so much room.
I have a 2006 “Fairlady Z” (it’s a Japanese 350Z), I hammer the thing whenever I get a chance on the highwawys around Japan, but the speedo tops out at 187Km/h… would love to know what speed I’m really going :)
(I think the Japanese law says something like speedo max read-out is 187Km/h or something crap like that)
The 350Z is a dream car of mine. Wieght a side, its a great car on paper and from the reviews I have read, on the road as well.
MatthewM, if you’re interested in a 4 seater 350Z you’ll have to satisfy yourself by buying an Infinity G35/G37 coupe or V35 skyline.
Hi
I am thinking of purchasing a 2003 Nissan 350Z Z33 TRACK, with 80,000 llms on it. Does anyone have any advice or points on this car that I should be aware of.
Cheers
Graham
Yeah,
You guys are so right.
You CAN definitely go a lot faster in other cars such as an Evo or Sti, but the presence of a 350z is in it’s own league. Sounds Awesome with exhaust AND stainless steel manifold (4-1) that i bought on ebay.
Thanks