Here’s the latest reader question, along with my reply!
Chris asks: My wife and I are looking for a new fun car. We looked at the Miata but it’s a little too low for our aged bodies. We saw a Datsun 370Z convertible recently and it looked pretty nice. R&T places it between the Miata and Porsche in price and quality. And it has plenty of power and is available with a manual. We probably would buy used, maybe 2014 – 2017. Have you driven it? What do you think?
My reply: I’ve driven several! It’s a great car. The “VQ” V6 is a strong, reliable engine; it’s not as revvy as a Miata’s but it has mucho low and mid-range power (which the Miata doesn’t). The car is an older design, so it’s free of almost all the naggy saaaaaaaaaaaaafety and other stuff we hate.
Downsides: It is a tight fit and depending on your leg/torso ratio, you may not find it very comfortable. This is a subjective thing, of course. You will have to drive it to know.
Otherwise, thumbs up. The Z is very much like the Miata in that it’s an everyday driver that can be a weekend track car, too. Lots of aftermarket support – and lots of fun!
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One of the few good Nissan’s left.
Definitely get a manual one, do a little modding for more power and better handling and you’re set!
One of the cars I’m gonna look at soon, still remember driving one years ago, just make sure it has an oil cooler.
The Z cars are great because they sit between a muscle car and a track car. Nimble enough to handle very well but not so light it becomes annoying on bumpy roads on an extended trip, whether through the back roads or the interstate. Wish I would’ve kept my ’90 Twin Turbo.