2008 Nissan 350Z Coupe Touring

Pros

Beautiful lines, amazing acceleration, awesome throaty exhaust note, easy to work on/modify

Cons

Sub-par interior plastics, so-so BF Goodrich tires, horrible city MPG, Awful BOSE stereo

Purchased As New

I went from a 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse GTS to the 2008 350Z Touring, and performance-wise, the difference is night and day. Comfort-wise, the Eclipse was better, no question. However, once you get past the comfort issue and look at the merits of the Z, you'll be hard-pressed to ever find a sports car that gives you so much bang for your buck.

The acceleration of the HR engine will take your breath away. Owners are reporting 0-60 times of 5.1 seconds and low-13 second quarter miles. This car will literally THROW you back into your seat when you launch it hard.

I bought my '08 Touring in February 2009 for a hair over $26,000 and can't believe that I'm getting Porsche-like performance out of a car that's priced more like a pick-up truck.

The handling is great, though I'm not too impressed with the stock tires. They don't grip well and are a bit squirrelly through chicanes. The amazingly precise steering and firm brakes make up for the deficiencies of the rubber.

In my opinion, short of an Italian supercar that you're going to pay six figures for, there are no other cars that come close to the 350Z as far as exhaust note is concerned. This sound this thing makes will turns heads. When you really open the car up, it sounds downright musical. I almost expect to see a lederhosen-clad German blowing on an alpine horn in my rearview mirror every time I mash the throttle. One of the benefits of having the 6-speed manual is having total control of this beautiful sound.

Now for the bad things: In the city (I live one where there are LOTS of hills) I'm averaging between 12 and 14 MPG when I drive the car conservatively. In comparison, my wife's 2009 Nissan Rogue is getting closer to 21 under the same driving conditions. On the highway, I'm getting closer to 28 MPG. Problem is, almost all of my driving is in the city. Bummer. Hope gas prices don't go back up to $4.50 anytime soon. The additional disadvantage of having to buy premium fuel makes this a fairly expensive car to get around in.

The BOSE stereo is in a word, HORRIBLE. It sounds muddy, the bass is laughable, there is barely any high end and precious few options are available to control the equalization. After a month of living with this musical misery, I spent a bunch of money and purchased a JL Audio sound system that is tapped into the factory headunit using a Cleansweep and three amplifiers. Overkill? Maybe. But what useful purpose does this car have except to be something you can drive around in while listening to Weezer? You sure as heck can't haul anything with it. In my opinion, BOSE really blew it with this car. The speakers are laughably cheap but rediculusly overpriced. The only car I ever owned with a worse stereo than this was a 1979 Chevy Malibu station wagon with an AM radio and one speaker.

The fit and finish of the interior garnish is great on the dashboard (soft, rubbery texture), but everything in the center armrest console and behind the seats is low-end cheap plastic that is VERY easily scratched. I guess for the price that Nissan is offering the car at, some corners had to be cut, so I'm willing to give them this concession. I compared the interior of the 2008 350Z to the interior of the 2009 370Z and found they were almost identical in terms of materials used, so if you believe the media hype about the vastly improved interior of the 370Z, you'll be sorely disappointed. The main difference is the new Z looks more ergonomic. That's about it.

Overall, I'd have to say that this is a great, fun car. Sure the ride's a little harsh and the cabin noise is a bit loud, but good lord, this is a sports car in every sense of the term. It's pure, fun, adrenaline-inducing automotive Nirvana and I have no regrets about owning one....read morehide

Pros

Looks great, awesome power and handling, cool sounding V6

Cons

Some cheap interior plastic

This is the first sports car I have ever owned and I love it!! The acceleration, handling and overall performance just blew me away. It turns heads wherever I go. I'm 6'4" and can easily fit in the driver's seat. At just over $30,000, it has got to be the best sports car value for the money. I bought the 2008 Touring model and the dealer was practically falling over himself to sell the car. We got a great deal with super low financing. The Bose stereo sounds great as does the grumbling V6 when it's go time. Some of the interior trim is cheaper plastic, especially on the doors but I can live with that given the car's performance. Gas mileage...who cares. It's a sports car, live with it!!...read morehide

Pros

Great styling, fast, powerful V6

Cons

Tire wear, too many on the street

Well it was either I buy a Honda S2000 or 08 350z. The G35 infinity was far too expensive. For the same price of $33,815 I prefer the V6, auto, leather seating of the 350z versus the go cart S2000. You have to rev the honda to 6500rpm to get any punch out of the honda and it is all over at 8700rpm. With the 350z from idle to 6500rpm it is screaming at 60mph. I honestly feel the S2000 is overrated, overpriced, and too small (the steering wheel almost hits my chest).I had my 350z for 6 months now and everything is holding up my old chevy cobalt's interior was already falling apart in 3 months! Good car for the $$$....read morehide

Pros

Power,Great Performance, A Head turner!

Cons

Paint chips off hood very easily, doors are too long.

My wife and I bought this car on Christmas Eve and mainly drive it on the weekends. Great performance, breaking, acceleration and perfromance. Our only negative is paint chipping on the hood. Took it to Nissian and they said they don't cover chips. We've had many other cars and trucks, never had one chip like this. I've read other reviews who have had the same problem. Other than that, we love our Z!!!...read morehide

Pros

Good Handling, Great Looks, OK Gas Milage, Fund to Drive.

Cons

Power Seat Adjustments are Limited. Stability Contorl not in all models.

Nissan and other manufacturors package options in a way that force you to buy more expensive models. You have to get at least the Touring model to get Stability Control, which should be standard on all vehicles. The power seat adj. are limited and located in odd location. The car is beautiful in all versions. I bought the 6 speed manual, and love it. I am trying to keep the miles below 12M a year, but finding that hard to do because I love driving the car. I will have to inveest in a radar detector, I can't seem to keep the car below 80. This is my first true sport car. I have wanted a Z car since the mid 70's. Finally got one after waiting 30 years. Dealers in Houston are willling to deal. Hope that this helps....read morehide

Pros

Suspension not as jarring as I expected.

Cons

Tire feathering

I L-O-V-E my "Z" ! ! ! The few minor flaws are overcome by Cheetah-
like performance---torque is there throughout the WHOLE range.

It's a steal for the price !

Thanks.

Pros

Teenagers think its cool, Handles better than a Ferrari

Cons

Rear parking lamps=yuck, Door handles are an afterthought

Wow oh wow. I first learned about this car in Import Tuner Magazine. I assumed that if I got one, I would lead the same fast paced life of all the incredibly famous and supremely talented Import Car builders out there. I've already modified my car by putting stickers on the windshield and mounting a boost gauge on the A pillar. I havent tried it, but I assume the car does 160 because that's what the speedo goes to. I've already been invited to three parties! The ultimate accessory, the Nissan 350Z is a safe investment. The only thing I don't understand is some mechanic told me the factory blinker fluid isn't very good, but for the life of me I can't find anything about it in the manual. I'll have Nissan look at it....read morehide

Pros

Great pickup, great control and cornering. Car feels really tight. Wonderful for upgrades.

Cons

Rides a tad bit rough.

I just pruchased the 350z Touring less than a week ago and I love it. I'm 6'6 and the fit is great. The leather interior feels wonderful and placement of much of the accessiories are really smart (still getting used to the glove compartment being behind the passenger seat). The nav system works great so far and accomodates any deviations made enroute to your destination. Was told that you can pop the Nav DVD out and play regular DVD's but I have not tried that yet. Driving this car keeps you in EMD mode most of the time (EAT MY DUST). The car has great pickup and breaking. Leather seats, 6cd changer, xm radio, Bose Stereo system, Nav system and nice rims makes this car a very attractive package. The new duel intake make the car great for factor upgrades to boost the hp to about 340. But, the most important thing about this car is it's a joy to drive....read morehide