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DRIVEN: Nissan 370Z Roadster Arrives In Style
Nissan sports car lowers its top, boost its power for new and improved second generation.
Bob Golfen  |  Posted December 15, 2009   Phoenix, AZ
The 370Z Roadster is the second-generation Nissan's affordable sports car. (Photo: Nissan)
The Nissan Z completes its first makeover with a topless performance that should leave sports-car aficionados feeling breathless.

More power, cleaner styling and a much-improved interior, all the things that scored a major hit when the 370Z Coupe arrived in January, makes the roadster version that much more appealing.

Plus, the top goes down. There’s no way to overemphasize how much the open air enhances the sports-car experience. A convertible becomes more than just a car, introducing a higher level of driving fun and profiling opportunity.

And everybody looks good in a 370Z Roadster. Just make sure you roll down the windows. I hate it when people cruise with the top down and the windows up. It looks so dorky. If the wind bothers you, buy a sedan next time.

The 370Z sharpens the styling of its 350Z predecessor. (Photo: Nissan)
Arizona is sports-car and motorcycle country, obviously because of our warm-to-hot climate and generally clear skies. I see plenty of 350Z convertibles running around, more so than coupes, and I’ve already spotted a few of the latest models as well.

The 370Z Roadster loses none of the sparkling performance and nimble handling of the Coupe. The advantage here is that with the top down, you can better hear the sonorous howl of the 3.7-liter V6, which moves up to 332 horsepower compared with 306 for the former 3.5-liter.

The convertible weighs just about 200 pounds more than the coupe due to the extra bracing that makes up for the lack of roof structure. The result is a ride that is firm and wobble-free, unlike some other roofless wonders, even on rough roads and in hard cornering.

The roadster still weighs less than 3,500 pounds, and it feels quick and light when called upon to soar through the twists and turns of a heaving desert two-lane. This would be a great car to play around with on open-track days.

The improved interior is kind of a big deal because this was a major failing of the 350Z, which felt cheap and uninspiring inside even on the upgraded versions. Now, the Z has a proper look and feel, with more-substantial materials and trim.

The cockpit is tight, though, especially for those of us in the 95 percentile of height. Legroom is dicey and you sit kind of close to the steering wheel, sort of like an old British sports car. There’s not much room for stowing your gear, either. And just one cupholder? “Hold your Coke in your lap, honey.”

The trunk is also pretty small, so pack light. Nissan thoughtfully includes a graphic explaining how to get your golf clubs back there. Not much room for a week’s groceries, though.

The 370Z is instantly recognizable as a Z-car, with a refined version of the original styling that looks trimmer and more purposeful. The wheelbase is four inches shorter with an overall length 2.6 inches less, giving the latest Z trimmer look overall.

The Roadster underscores the highly successful update of Nissan’s sports car, which traces its roots to the wonderful 1970 Datsun 240Z that showed how a Japanese manufacturer could uphold the sports-car character on its own terms.

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