2010 Nissan 350Z Roadster Review
Price
RM420,650
Installment
RM4,012/mth
2010 Nissan 350Z Roadster at a glance
Like the 350Z Coupe, the 2010 Nissan 350Z Roadster is all about driving—and accomplishing that in a highly entertaining yet stylish way. Yes, the 2010 Nissan 350Z Roadster costs more than its coupe sibling, but you gain the option of going topless, whenever.
2010 Nissan 350Z Roadster quick specs
| Body Style | Convertible |
| Class | Sports/GT |
| Assembled | - |
| Engine Range | - |
| Fuel Options | - |
| Seating Capacity | 2 |
2010 Nissan 350Z Roadster ratings (overall rating : 3.5/5.0)
| Styling | |
| Handling | |
| Comfort | |
| Quality + Reliability | |
| Performance |
| Roominess | |
| Running Costs | |
| Value for Money | |
| Equipment | |
| Environment |
Styling
If nothing else, the 2010 Nissan 350Z Roadster is certainly great to look at. The subtly aggressive styling cleverly combines classic sports car proportions with modern detailing. The attractive exterior is complemented by an appealing cabin, although the Audi TT's cabin still appears classier.
Handling
Benchmarked against the original Porsche Boxster, the Nissan 350Z Roadster comes alive when given a series of bends—even when carrying an extra 150 kg of chassis-stiffening paraphernalia. While it still lacks the handling finesse of the Boxster and the agility of certain rivals, the 2010 Nissan 350Z Roadster is still highly entertaining to drive with loads of grip, brilliant body control and a steering that is well-weighted and detailed on feedback.
Comfort
The ride is firm but supple over rougher roads. Do not however expect quietness when driving the 2010 Nissan 350Z Roadster at speed. Roof up, plenty of road noise and even more engine roar intrude into the cabin. Wind buffeting is well-contained in topless mode, however. The driver-oriented cabin provides a perfect driving position, supportive seats and well-placed primary driving controls for an optimal driving environment. The dashboard is simply laid out as not to distract from the main task of driving.
Quality + Reliability
The 2010 Nissan 350Z Roadster's cabin is nicely designed and impeccably constructed, but the materials chosen still lack the quality and tactility compared to those in the Audi TT. The Nissan brand has a reputation for producing reliable cars, and the 350Z Roadster, along with its seemingly well-engineered roof mechanism, can be expected to remain trouble-free in the longer term.
Performance
Tremendous whether at the low-end, mid-range or top-end, the 3.5-litre V6 is flexible and strong in equal parts. With a maximum of 306 bhp and 363 Nm, the V6 powerplant propels the 2010 Nissan 350Z Roadster from standstill to 100 km/h in under six seconds. Any performance loss due to the extra 150 kg of chassis-stiffening measures is hardly noticeable. Either a six-speed manual gearbox or a five-speed automatic gearbox is available, but the manual gearbox is our preferred mode of sampling the performance.
Roominess
The 2010 Nissan 350Z Roadster is a strict two-seater, with no lack of head- and leg-room for the driver and passenger. The fabric roof electrically folds down in 20 seconds upon the pressing of a button. But to make space for the storing of the roof, the 350Z Roadster only has about half the boot capacity found in the 350Z Coupe.
Running Costs
The rated fuel economy of 8.8 km/litre will only materialise under reasonable use. But how many Nissan 350Zs are actually driven gently? Servicing and repairs are nowhere as costly as for premium rivals. Given that there are less 350Z Roadsters than 350Z Coupes on the resale market, Nissan 350Z Roadster owners should benefit from milder depreciation, in addition to the already strong residual values for the Nissan 350Z Coupe.
Value for Money
Never mind the non-premium Nissan badge, practicality, running costs or the environment—the 2010 Nissan 350Z Roadster is all about driving: it is highly entertaining to drive and goes with plenty of oomph. Add to the already compelling package style, decent comfort, a quality cabin, plus the option of going topless, and there are few reasons not to fall in love with the 2010 Nissan 350Z Roadster.
Equipment
The 2010 Nissan 350Z Roadster is well-equipped as standard, including items such as 18" alloy wheels, xenon headlamps, power windows, remote central locking, climate control, leather upholstery and multi-CD/radio audio system. Safety equipment includes front, side and curtain airbags, Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA), stability control system, and roll-over hoops behind the seats which could be a life-saver in the event of an accident.
Environment
Carbon dioxide emissions of 288 grams/km plus the potentially (and likely) heavy fuel consumption combine to make the 2010 Nissan 350Z Roadster a very polluting sports car. Rivals such as the Audi TT, BMW Z4 and Mercedes-Benz SLK are cleaner and more efficient to run.
Live Life Drive Verdict
Great looks
Highly entertaining drive
Tremendous V6 engine
Limited practicality
High running costs
Rivals are premium-badged
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