Small Coupe is Fun, Not Functional

2009 Nissan 370Z Sport

model as tested $29,930

Test Drove 4/02/2009 – 4/09/2009
reviewed by Sherrice Gilsbach

The car lover in me was crazy about the 370Z. It’s incredibly hot and incredibly fun to drive. What’s that you say? It only has two seats? Seats schmeets — with a car like the 370Z, who’s counting?

I couldn’t get over how much I loved the exterior look of the 370Z. And I wasn’t the only one, as a slew of kids in a departing school bus opened the windows and waved as I pulled into the school parking lot. Could this group of 8-year-olds paying homage to the fine styling of this well-molded, brilliantly red sheet metal be the next generation of automotive media? Only time will tell.

There’s nothing boring about the Z, as the interior is fun and uniquely funky. Its superb handling made this mom look like a pro out on the road — even when, while cruising a smidge too fast down a lovely two-lane road, the traffic light ahead of me turned yellow and I went for my turn in spite of the sure-to-squeal tires. What happened? The car cornered beautifully — no squealing, no embarrassment. In that moment, I absorbed why the Z has become so popular among sports car lovers. Tons of power, great looks and impressive handling, all for a price even I could stomach (around $30K). Everything was starting to make sense.

The mom in me, however, knows this could never be a practical family car. As much as I loved the rumble of the Z’s engine and the slight vibration I noticed in the gearshift knob, this machine’s lack of a second row poses a problem for families. I had to leave my poor husband (a Z lover since he started driving) watching from the driveway with one son in tow as I and our other son sped away, which is why this car will never find a spot in our family garage. Sniffle. Anybody have a tissue?

On Second Thought
By Kristin Varela

I recently test drove a similarly equipped bumble-bee yellow 2010 370Z Sport, and I have a few observations to add to Sherrice’s review.
My biggest complaint about the Z is its scary blind spot on the rear passenger side. When the passenger’s seat was moved all the way back, the head restraint completely blocked the peephole window behind the B-pillar. Combine that with the sloping rear cargo window, and I found myself totally blind when making right-hand lane changes. I did these lane maneuvers while holding my breath and hoping for the best. This problem was remedied by pulling the passenger seat completely forward. Who needs legroom anyhow?

For more of Sherrice’s review, click on the Exterior tab.

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