2005 Nissan 350Z: Road Test
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2005 Nissan 350Z ▼
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- MSRP: $26,800 -$39,300
- Invoice: $25,066 -$36,346
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Our road test for the 2005 Nissan 350Z includes a full evaluation of the 2005 Nissan 350Z from the inside out. We evaluate not only engine and handling performance for the 2005 Nissan 350Z, but also interior cabin and cargo space. Let our comprehensive road test ratings for the 2005 Nissan 350Z help you decide if a 2005 Nissan 350Z is right for you.
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ACCELERATION
| Enthusiast cpe, man. | Touring conv, man. | Touring cpe, auto. | Track, man. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 6.3 |
Ample power from any speed with either transmission. Test manual-transmission Enthusiast coupe did 6.0 sec 0-60 mph. Some testers find manual gearbox operation a joy, others call it too stiff. Automatic often slurs downshifts.
FUEL ECONOMY
| Enthusiast cpe, man. | Touring conv, man. | Touring cpe, auto. | Track, man. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5.8 |
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 mpg 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 | 4 |
Laudable high-speed composure. Acceptably comfortable on smooth surfaces. But Zs pound over bumps and ruts, and the ultrastiff 18-inch tires make ride disturbingly harsh.
STEERING/HANDLING/BRAKING
| Enthusiast cpe, man. | Touring conv, man. | Touring cpe, auto. | Track, man. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8.1 |
Precise steering, though some testers would like more road feel. Wide tires can wander along road grooves. Stable, grippy through sharpest curves--if pavement unblemished. Bumpy corners can send tail skittering sideways, reducing control. Rear tires slip easily on damp pavement, even with traction control. Brake performance and feel inspire confidence.
QUIETNESS
| Enthusiast cpe, man. | Touring conv, man. | Touring cpe, auto. | Track, man. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 3.2 |
Engine generally sounds passenger-car tame, 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 coupe's hatchback area. Convertible suffers more wind rush and ambient noise than coupe, but less rear-tire noise enters cockpit.
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, climate controls within easy reach, but radio buttons undersized. Available leather upholstery feels rich, but cabin is mostly a stew of lightweight plastic panels and undistinguished switchgear. This obvious cost cutting penalizes Z cabin vs. Audi TT, BMW Z4, Chevrolet Corvette, Porsche Boxster.
ROOM/COMFORT/DRIVER SEATING (FRONT)
| Enthusiast cpe, man. | Touring conv, man. | Touring cpe, auto. | Track, man. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 5.1 |
Among the more spacious 2-seaters. Ample head, leg room, though high doorsills, low seating position give a closed-in feel. Seats have good lateral bolstering, though some testers found less-than-ideal comfort on long drives. Low-slung design hampers entry/exit. Rear vision in coupes compromised by body shape and, for some drivers, reflections in back window from shiny structural brace in cargo bay. Combination of headrests 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 | 1.4 |
(No rear seating.)
CARGO ROOM
| Enthusiast cpe, man. | Touring conv, man. | Touring cpe, auto. | Track, man. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3.2 |
Coupe's hatchback design maximizes utility compared to many sports cars. But loading large items frustrated by high liftover and intrusion from crosswise brace. Convertible has smaller, shallower trunk. Tiny door map pockets, no glovebox, but front seatbacks tip for access to storage bins behind. 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 | 6.7 |
High noise levels and a rough ride are tradeoffs for the 350Z's outstanding smooth-road handling. And cost-conscious pricing dictates cut-rate interior decor. But these coupes and convertibles deliver serious performance and high style at a relative bargain price. They make our Recommended list.
Total Score
| Enthusiast cpe, man. | Touring conv, man. | Touring cpe, auto. | Track, man. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 48 | 47 | 48 | 43 | 49.9 |
Total Score: 47
Scores for all Sporty/performance Cars
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