I'm getting out of my lease since I only drive about 5k miles per year and am looking to pick up a coupe or 350z since I don't need the four doors (I have an Explorer for the people moving). I'll be buying this one so I won't feel the pressure of driving 15k per year.

I was thinking I'd get the Coupe, but after my experience my mind has changed:

04 Coupe 6MT: Felt slower than my 04 Sedan 6MT, also the whole car was louder. The exhaust sounds really cool but only with the windows down and only at the lower rpms. It does sound wickedly cool in the right situations, but other than that it just sounds ok. The steering and braking (it had Brembos) was not noticably better than the Sedan. The seats were more comfortable but the lack of a center console armrest made the Sedan actually more comfortable for me.

After going back into the Sedan I realized the Sedan is an overall better package, it seems faster, it's quieter, roomier, and has more features/options.

Then I headed over to the Nissan dealership to look at used 350z's:

04 350Z 6MT: All of the cars I drove had about 25k miles on them, including my sedan. Needless to say, the 350z stood out as the true sports car. The steering precision is significantly more apparent than in the G35 sedan or coupe. It was noticably quicker, probably half a second in the 1/4 mile quicker. The seats weren't as comfortable but gave more support for sporty driving. The only thing that REALLY sucks about the 350z is the visibility. Rear visibility SUCKS and the forward visibility isn't that great either due to large a-pillars and a very low roofline. The exhaust sound isn't anywhere near as noticable as the G35 Coupe and doesn't sound wickedly cool at certain RPMS, but in the higher rpms, 4500+ the entire car sounds better. The overall car is quieter on the road and highway than the g35 coupe. There's a specific sound in the engine/exhaust that sounds awesome. It's not the z-tube either because I have that on my sedan.

That said, I think one should buy the sedan if they want luxury/space and the 350z if they want a sports car. The 350z in the upper trims offers all of the luxury features of the Infiniti, just sans-infiniti emblem, meanwhile it offers a much truer sports car driving experience.

I'm going to try the Roadster today since my g/f wants me to get a convertible, but I fear it'll feel more reserved like the G35 due to the added weight.

Summary: From a raw driving experience, the 350z outshines the G35 more significantly than I had expected. G35 Coupe = overrated. Sedan > G35 Coupe. 350z > G35 Coupe. Sedan and 350z are equal depending on if you're looking for refinement, luxury, space, etc or raw driving appeal.

 

Great review! Having driven the same, I concur (asbestos underwear on) with you conclusions. The next fun car for me will be a 350Z (unless the new coupe outshines them all! ), I loved that car when I drove it. Just too small for us at the time.

BTW: Your quote: Have you forgotten the movie, Cannon Ball Run?

(Rips off rear view mirror) "The first rule of-a Italian Driving, What's-a behind-a-you DON"T MATTER!"

 

Whatcha going to do with the wheels? Any mods you are going to dump?

 

I agree, after owning both the sedan and Z, the 2 areas the Z outshines the sedan are the seats (I hate the sedan seats), and steering feel. Other than those two things, I really am happy with my decision to get the sedan.

I owned the Z for about a year-and-a-half and have had the sedan for a little longer (almost 2 years), and I am still very happy that I went with the sedan over the Z. I have no use for the sedan other than I do like the extra room, and better quality/service (Nissan's service stinks).

 

I thought about the 350z coupe also but one drive in the roadster and I couldn't get the grin off my face...

 

I just drove the Roadster and I'm hooked, the Roadster seems just as fast and 99% as nimble but with the top down it's gorgeous and sounds awesome. I may go that route.

Jeff, I'm selling it with the rims. Only mods available would be clear corners and z-tube.

 

im considering the roadster as well when i drop the sedan off in about 15 months..but i think it looks beautiful only when the top is down, when the top is up the hatch z looks a lot better..thank god i live in so cal tho

 

I agree with you, but like I said I don't drive much and have a bad weather car (SUV) already, thus this car would probably see 80+% of its action with the top down.

 

I can't think of a better "Sunday Cruiser"- Meaning a car just to be taken out on nice days- Then the 350z roadster.

 

The other option would be "gasp" an S2000, but their interiors seem to plane jane, and I don't know if I could get used to going back to a torqueless car.

The S2k is faster though and does handle better.

 

One of my friends has an s2k and I've driven it quite a bit...

Pros; Xenons, handling, smooth shifter, high revving engine w/vtec, good gas mileage *if you don't drive it fast*.

Cons; Z is much nicer looking (But that's subjective), no torque, very cramped cabin, interior is definitely on the plain side.

S2k is definitely a great car, and is probably superior to the Z in just as many ways as it's inferior. Can't go wrong with either one....gotta test drive both back to back a few times.

 

Thanks for the review Brian! I'm also considering trading my sedan for a 350Z coupe... just can't bring myself to out that extra $4k - $5k to get the roadster... but maybe after driving one I'll reconsider.

 

I totally relate to the review I am keeping my roommate's 350Z for the next 3 months and it's a fun car to drive but visability is terrible, the steering is awesome very precise. I can jump into my G35 sedan and feel right at home but the difference is steering is noticable. My sedan handles a little shy of the 350Z and since driving both I have more courage to push my sedan through turns. I would consider a 350z roadster over the G35 coupe any day of the week!

 

You forgot sunroof, back seat, better quality materials, fit and finish.
I have owned a 2004 and a 2005 G35 coupe, both of them had a center armrest. You do have the option of taking it off. So maybe the one you drove they took it off.

I am driving a brand new G35X as a loaner right now, and I drive 350Z's everyday at work (work at a Nissan dealer) and I can tell I like the G35 coupe way better than the sedan or 350Z. The sedan is nice if you need 4 doors, but I personally think the Z is not as nice as the G coupe at all. There is not one person that works in my dealership that likes the 350 over the G coupe. I really do not like the ride of the Z, and they just feel cheap to me. They are not put together anywhere near as good as the Infiniti is.
I guess maybe if your looking for just a sports car the Z is fine, but I wanted a little more style and refinement. And some of you guys thing the G's rattle a lot, your in for real suprise getting a Z.

 

Very interesting. I would have bought a Z a while ago, but I do not fit. Luv the interior room of the G.