Search Consumer Guide Auto and the Web
 

2004 Nissan 350Z Full Review
Date Published: 5/23/08
Also in the 2004 Nissan 350Z Review:
5. 
Nissan 350Z Photos

6. 
Nissan 350Z Full Review

7. 
All Nissan 350Zs

8. 
All Nissans


2004 Nissan 350Z Review
Nissan adds a convertible to go with its 350Z hatchback coupe for 2004. Both are 2-seaters that share a chassis with the G35 sedan and coupe from Nissan's Infiniti division. The 350Z coupe comes in base, Enthusiast, Performance, Touring, and Track models. Nissan calls the convertible the Z Roadster and limits it to Enthusiast and Touring trim. All use a 287-hp 3.5-liter V6. A 6-speed manual transmission is standard. A 5-speed automatic with manual shift gate is available on Enthusiast and Touring models. A power cloth top with heated glass rear window is standard on the convertible, as is a rigid tonneau and a wind deflector. Exclusive to the Touring convertible are optional ventilated-net seat inserts. All Zs share identical suspension settings and come with ABS. Among coupes, Touring versions with manual transmission and Performance and Track models have 18-inch wheels. The 18s are a Touring convertible option. Other Zs have 17s. Torso side airbags are standard on the Touring convertible and optional on other Zs. Head-protecting curtain side airbags are optional on coupes. Traction control is unavailable on the base model, standard on the others. An antiskid system is exclusive to Performance, Touring, and Track models, which are also available with a navigation system. Tracks have a rear spoiler and Brembo-brand brakes with gold-colored accents. Satellite radio is a new option on Touring models for '04. Nissan expects the convertible to account for about 20 percent of Z sales.
News
The 2005 Z-cars get several upgrades. As with the early-arriving '05 midsize Altima sedans, Nissan answers critics by replacing cheap-looking interior trim with better-quality stuff, including soft-touch material on the dashboard and console. Also added are lower-dashboard knee pads, a padded console armrest, redesigned automatic shifter, and shoulder-belt "service arms" that eliminate the need to reach behind when buckling up. There's a sturdier center-dashboard lid too, with power operation on cars with optional navigation. Finally, the '05 Zs adopt Euro-market suspension calibrations said to give a smoother ride, plus a tandem brake booster to replace a single master cylinder.

Nissan has hinted at more available power and other enhancements for future Zs. The most likely, we think, are a supercharger option, possibly by 2006, and available all-wheel drive borrowed from the platform-related Infiniti G35 sedan.
2004 Nissan 350Z Road Test
Pros Cons
Acceleration Ride
Steering/handling/roadholding Road noise
Brake-pedal feel Rear visibility
Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings
Acceleration

Enthusiast cpe, man. Touring conv, man. Touring cpe, auto. Track, man. Class Average
8 8 8 8 6.1

Test manual-transmission Enthusiast coupe did 6.0 sec 0-60 mph. Power is ample from any speed with either transmission. Some testers find the manual a joy to operate, others call it too stiff and heavy. Automatic transmission often slurs downshifts.
Fuel Economy

Enthusiast cpe, man. Touring conv, man. Touring cpe, auto. Track, man. Class Average
5 5 5 5 5.6

Test manual-transmission Enthusiast coupe averaged 17.8 mpg, including gas-eating performance runs. Touring coupes averaged 18.8-19.3 mpg. Test Touring convertible averaged 21.4-22.0 in mostly highway driving. Nissan recommends premium-grade fuel.
Ride Quality

Enthusiast cpe, man. Touring conv, man. Touring cpe, auto. Track, man. Class Average
3 3 3 1 3.6

Laudable high-speed composure. Acceptably comfortable on most surfaces. But Zs pound over bumps and ruts, and ultrastiff 18-inch tires on Touring coupe with manual transmission and on Performance and Track versions turn ride disturbingly harsh.
Steering/Handling/Braking

Enthusiast cpe, man. Touring conv, man. Touring cpe, auto. Track, man. Class Average
9 9 9 9 8

Precise steering, though some testers would like more road feel. Wide tires can "tram" along road grooves. Stable and grippy through sharpest curves--if pavement is unblemished. Bumpy corners taken at speed set the tail skittering sideways, reducing control. Rear tires slip easily on damp pavement, even with traction control. Confidence-inspiring brake performance and feel.
Quietness

Enthusiast cpe, man. Touring conv, man. Touring cpe, auto. Track, man. Class Average
2 2 2 1 3.1

Engine sounds passenger-car tame at low rpm, but prominent exhaust note befits a sports car. Wind rush modest. Road noise bothersome--especially with 18-inch tires. On wet pavement, tires create pronounced "whooshing" in the coupe's hatchback area. Convertible top allows more wind rush and ambient noise into cockpit, but its design reduces audible rear tire noise.
Controls

Enthusiast cpe, man. Touring conv, man. Touring cpe, auto. Track, man. Class Average
5 5 5 5 6.1

Clearly marked gauges tilt with steering column. Audio and climate controls within easy reach, but radio buttons are undersized. Available leather upholstery feels rich, but cabin otherwise a stew of lightweight plastic panels and undistinguished switchgear. This obvious cost cutting penalizes the Z against more-opulent rivals from Audi, BMW, Porsche, even Honda.
Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

Enthusiast cpe, man. Touring conv, man. Touring cpe, auto. Track, man. Class Average
6 6 6 6 4.9

Among the more spacious sports cars. Ample head and leg room. But high door sills, low seating position give a closed-in feel. Seats have good lateral bolstering, though some testers experienced less-than-ideal comfort on long drives. Low-slung design hampers entry/exit. Vision to rear in coupe compromised by body shape and, for some drivers, strut-brace reflections in back window. Combination of headrests, rollbars, and small rear window mar top-up vision in convertible, particularly over left shoulder.
Room/Comfort (rear)

Enthusiast cpe, man. Touring conv, man. Touring cpe, auto. Track, man. Class Average
0 0 0 0 1.2

(No rear seating.)
Cargo Room

Enthusiast cpe, man. Touring conv, man. Touring cpe, auto. Track, man. Class Average
2 1 2 2 2.8

Coupe's hatchback design maximizes utility compared to most competitors. But loading large items frustrated by high liftover and intrusion from strut brace bridging cargo bay. Convertible has smaller, shallower trunk. Tiny door map pockets. No glovebox. Front seatbacks tip for access to storage bins. Flimsy pop-out dashboard cupholder.
Value within Class

Enthusiast cpe, man. Touring conv, man. Touring cpe, auto. Track, man. Class Average
8 8 8 6 6.2

Nissan's 350Z packs serious performance at a relative bargain price. Convertible adds open-air fun to the mix. A rough ride and high noise levels are tradeoffs for outstanding acceleration and smooth-road handling. And cost-conscious interior decor comes with cost-conscious pricing.
Total Score

Enthusiast cpe, man. Touring conv, man. Touring cpe, auto. Track, man. Class Average
48 47 48 43 47.6
Scores for all Sporty/performance Cars

Low Score
35
Average Score
47
High Score
59
2004 Nissan 350Z Prices & Equipment
Model Prices
Prices Updated: 07/28/2004
Trim Name Retail Price Dealer Invoice Destination Charge
Base 2-door hatchback coupe, manual $26,370 $24,663 $560
Enthusiast 2-door hatchback coupe, manual $28,350 $26,219 $560
Enthusiast 2-door hatchback coupe, automatic $29,320 $27,115 $560
Enthusiast Roadster 2-door convertible, manual $33,850 $31,305 $560
Enthusiast Roadster 2-door convertible, automatic $34,820 $32,202 $560
Touring 2-door hatchback coupe, manual $33,280 $30,431 $560
Touring 2-door hatchback coupe, automatic $31,690 $29,308 $560
Touring Roadster 2-door convertible, manual $36,220 $33,498 $560
Touring Roadster 2-door convertible, automatic $37,190 $34,394 $560
Performance 2-door hatchback coupe, manual $30,530 $28,235 $560
Track 2-door hatchback coupe, manual $34,180 $31,254 $560
Pricing Key: Retail prices listed with each report are set by the vehicle's manufacturer. These figures appear on each car's federally mandated window sticker. Most price lists also include dealer-invoice prices. Dealer-invoice prices are what the dealer pays the manufacturer for the car and its factory-installed options. The destination charge is not included in the suggested-retail or dealer-invoice price and must be added to the cost of the vehicle. Car companies change prices frequently throughout the year. If the prices published do not match those on the vehicle's window sticker, the manufacturer has probably altered the price recently.
NA = price note available, NC = no charge.
Rebates and Incentives
There are no rebates or incentives at this time.
Consumer Guide®'s Rebates and Incentives represent a summary of national manufacturer programs available. Regional restrictions may apply, and offerings may vary by model. For a complete list of Rebate & Incentive programs click here.
Standard Equipment
Base
Powertrain
3.5-liter V6 engine, 6-speed manual transmission.
Safety
Dual front airbags, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, brake assist.
Comfort and Convenience Features
Air conditioning w/automatic climate control, power steering, tilt leather-wrapped steering wheel, cloth upholstery, bucket seats, center console, cupholders, power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, AM/FM/CD player, digital clock, tachometer, trip computer, outside-temperature indicator, variable-intermittent wipers, rear defogger, intermittent rear wiper.
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Theft-deterrent system, 225/50WR17 front tires, 235/50WR17 rear tires, alloy wheels.
Enthusiast adds to Base:
Powertrain
6-speed manual or 5-speed automatic transmission w/manual-shift capability, limited-slip differential, traction control.
Comfort and Convenience Features
Cruise control, 4-way power seats (Roadster), automatic day/night rearview mirror, illuminated visor mirrors, universal garage-door opener, power convertible top (Roadster).
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Wind deflector (Roadster), xenon headlights.
Touring adds to Enthusiast:
Safety
Side airbags (Roadster).
Comfort and Convenience Features
Leather upholstery, heated seats, 4-way power driver seat, 2-way power passenger seat (coupe), heated power mirrors, Bose AM/FM/cassette w/in-dash 6-disc CD changer.
Touring coupe manual adds to Touring automatic:
Safety
Antiskid system, tire-pressure monitor.
Appearance and Miscellaneous
225/45WR18 front tires, 245/45WR18 rear tires.
Performance adds to Enthusiast:
Powertrain
6-speed manual transmission.
Safety
Antiskid system, tire-pressure monitor.
Appearance and Miscellaneous
225/45WR18 front tires, 245/45WR18 rear tires.
Track adds to Performance:
Safety
Upgraded brakes.
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Rear spoiler.
Optional Equipment
Safety
Retail Price
Invoice Price
Side airbags
Enthusiast Roadster
$250
$217
Side airbags and curtain side airbags
coupe
$520
$494
Comfort and Convenience Features
Navigation system
Performance, Touring, Track
$2,000
$1,735
Satellite radio
Touring coupe
$400
$324
Requires monthly fee.
Ventilated-net seat inserts
Touring Roadster
$0
$0
Cargo mat
Base, Enthusiast, Performance, Touring, Touring coupe manual, Track
$70
$54
Floormats
Base, Enthusiast, Performance, Touring, Touring coupe manual, Track
$80
$59
Appearance and Miscellaneous
225/45WR18 front tires and 245/45WR18 rear tires
Touring Roadster
$1,200
$1,041
Chrome alloy wheels
Performance, Touring coupe
$1,660
$1,178
2004 Nissan 350Z Specs & Safety
Vehicle Dimensions
Specification Nissan 350Z 2-door hatchback Nissan 350Z 2-door convertible
Wheelbase, in. 104.3 104.3
Overall Length, in. 169.6 169.4
Overall Width, in. 71.5 71.5
Overall Height, in. 51.9 52.3
Curb Weight, lbs. 3188 3428
Cargo Volume, cu. ft. 6.8 4.1
Standard Payload, lbs. -- --
Fuel Capacity, gals. 20.0 20.0
Seating Capacity 2 2
Front Head Room, in. 38.2 39.2
Max. Front Leg Room, in. 42.6 42.6
Rear Head Room, in. -- --
Max. Rear Leg Room, in. -- --
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.
Engines
  dohc V6
Size, liters/cu. in. 3.5 /214
Horsepower @ rpm. 287 @ 6200
Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm. 274 @ 4800
Availability Standard
EPA City / highway mpg
 
6-speed manual 20/26
5-speed automatic 19/26
Engine Key: l/cu in. = liters/cubic inches; ohv = overhead valve; ohc = overhead camshaft; dohc = dual overhead camshaft; I = inline cylinders; H = horizonally opposed cylinders; V = cylinders in a V configuration; W = cylinders in a W configuration; rpm = revolutions per minute; CVT = continuously variable (automatic) transmission; NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.
Safety Features
Antilock Brakes
Traction Control
Antiskid System
Front Side Airbags
Curtain Side Airbags
Rear Side Airbags
NHTSA Crash-Test Results
Test Nissan 350Z 2-door hatchback Nissan 350Z 2-door convertible
Rollover Resistance 5 NA
Side Impact, Driver 5 NA
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Side-impact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.
Manufacturer's Warranty
Class Years/Miles Comments
Powertrain 5/60,000 --
Bumper-to-bumper 3/36,000 --
Corrosion 5/unlimited --
Free roadside assistance Optional/-- --
Free scheduled maintenance None/-- --
Manufacturers may periodically offer additional coverage as a purchase incentive. There offers are not reflected on this chart. The federal government requires two other warranties. The Exhaust Emission Warranty covers corrosion-related parts for 2 years/24,000 miles, plus 8 years/80,000 miles on the catalytic converter and any on-board diagnostic device. The Passenger Restraint Warranty covers seat belts and airbags for 5 years/50,000 miles.
Built in: Japan
Drivewheels: rear-wheel drive
Also in the 2004 Nissan 350Z Review:
5. 
Nissan 350Z Photos

6. 
Nissan 350Z Full Review

7. 
All Nissan 350Zs

8. 
All Nissans


Car Buying Resources

Trade-In Calculator

Research how much your car is truly worth

Trade-In Calculator



Used Cars

Search online classifieds and find a local dealer
Search Local Listings

Vehicle History Report

Get a CARFAX Vehicle History... the first step to protecting yourself from costly hidden problems.



What's Under the Hood?

Learn about how cars work.

Learn things



Insurance

We're dedicated to making insurance easier.

Get Insurance



Sell Your Car

Reach over 8 million buyers
Sell Your Car


    Sell Your Car
Powered by: