Yahoo Autos 2003-2008 Nissan 350Z | Used Vehicle Spotlight
It’s almost time for us to share with you how the new 2023 Nissan Z drives, so we figured it’d be prudent to take a step back into the Z’s recent history with this week’s Used Vehicle Spotlight. The Nissan 350Z was made from the 2003-2008 model years, and it paved the way for the Z to become a modern sports coupe.
Picking up a number of years after the 300ZX was laid to rest, the 350Z adopts a bodystyle that we can still see in today’s brand-new Z. Its shape is reminiscent of the original 240Z, and the layout is as enthusiast-friendly as it gets. The rear-drive, front-engine two-door coupe features a long hood, short deck shape with a long wheelbase and tiny cabin. It’s a two-seater, and while it does have a hatchback, the cargo area isn’t a particularly spacious one.
Back when it was new, Nissan strove to make the 350Z an affordable and fun sports car experience. It featured a 3.5-liter V6 that made a stout 287 horsepower and 274 pound-feet of torque. For some perspective, the 2003 Ford Mustang GT made 260 horsepower with its 4.6-liter V8 — yeah, the Z was packing some serious power for 2003.
Why the 350Z?
Today, the 350Z is an attainable sports coupe for someone looking for power and performance on a budget. You can get it with either a six-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmission. The in-cabin experience is basic, but that’s very likely for the best, as tech in cars from the mid-to-late 2000s hasn't aged particularly well. The 53/47 weight distribution gives the Z a nice balance. Plus, its VQ (Nissan engine code) engine is a well-known and widely-used motor, so there’s plenty of sources you can turn to should you experience troubles.
A 350Z Roadster model was made available starting in the Z’s second model year (2004), so you can even get one without a roof if you want. The Z received largely favorable reviews when it came out. It offered a huge amount of performance along with stylish looks, and it was affordable to boot.
Nissan super fans will also enjoy the availability of a Nismo model that was introduced later in the 350Z’s run. Frequent track day goers have a wealth of aftermarket support to look to, but the Nismo would be your best starting point for track day fun.
Which Nissan 350Z should I choose?
The most desirable 350Zs are the post-refresh models, which feature added power and a whole other host of improvements. The 2006 model year is the first for the refreshed 350Z, meaning that 2006-2008 models are going to cost you more than 2003-2005 350Zs. If you do pony up for the updated Z, you’ll enjoy a revised 3.5-liter V6 that produces 300 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque (yes, torque went down). However, the automatic 350Z still had the previous engine at this point, rated for 287 horsepower and 274 pound-feet of torque.
