2009 Nissan 370Z vs. 2009 Porsche Boxster S
The Nissan Z series has come a long way in its 40 years to now seriously contend with a Porsche. All together now, in the “same breath”: 2009 Nissan 370Z and the 2009 Porsche Boxster S. Even more inspiring for Nissan owners and enthusiasts, the Z chassis might be the favorite.
The 2009 Boxster S is nearly twice as expensive as the Z34 Fair Lady; market price trudging in just shy of $52,000. The 2009 Nissan 370Z by comparison, even in its priciest trim, comes in short of $32,000. The Nissan has extra legroom and multiple more horses, 332 to 295 bhp. The Porsche boasts a bigger boot, but if you are shopping for cargo space then neither of these cars is what you are looking for.
Aside from the name, the Porsche Boxster S offers little to validate a $20k mark-up. The interior is not especially luxurious, and while it is fun to drive, the same can be said for the 370Z.
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| 2007 Porsche Boxster Model Line Overview | |
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| Model lineup: | Porsche Boxster ($45,600); Boxster S ($55,500) |
| Engines: | 245-hp 2.7-liter dohc 24v horizonally opposed six-cylinder; 295-hp 3.4-liter dohc 24v horizontally opposed six-cylinder |
| Transmissions: | five-speed manual; five-speed Tiptronic S; six-speed manual |
| Safety equipment (standard): | dual front airbags; dual side-impact torso airbags; dual side head-protection airbags; three-point inertia-reel seat belts with load limiters and pretensioners; Porsche Stability Management; ABS; steel reinforcements in windshield pillars and header; rollover protection behind the passenger compartment; Tire Pressure Management System (TPMS) |
| Safety equipment (optional): | Porsche Active Suspension Management |
| Basic warranty: | four years/50,000 miles |
| Assembled in: | Finland |
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| Specifications As Tested | |
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| Model tested (MSRP): | Porsche Boxster ($45,600) |
| Standard equipment: | air conditioning, variable-ratio power steering, power windows, power locks, cruise control, trip computer, fog lamps |
| Options as tested (MSRP): | full leather interior ($2,095), Bose surround sound stereo ($1,665) |
| Destination charge: | ($860) |
| Gas guzzler tax: | N/A |
| Price as tested (MSRP): | $49,555 |
| Layout: | mid-engine, rear-wheel drive |
| Engine: | 2.7-liter dohc 24v opposed six-cylinder |
| Horsepower (hp @ rpm): | 245 @ 6500 |
| Torque (lb.-ft. @ rpm): | 201 @ 4600-6000 |
| Transmission: | five-speed manual |
| EPA fuel economy, city/hwy: | 23/32 mpg |
| Wheelbase: | 95.1 in. |
| Length/width/height: | 171.6/70.9/50.9 in. |
| Track, f/r: | 58.7/60.4 in. |
| Turning circle: | 36.4 ft. |
| Seating capacity: | 2 |
| Head/hip/leg room, f: | 38.3/51.5/42.9 in. |
| Head/hip/leg room, m: | N/A |
| Head/hip/leg room, r: | N/A |
| Cargo volume: | 9.9 cu. ft. |
| Payload: | N/A |
| Towing capacity: | N/A |
| Suspension, f: | independent, McPherson spring strut axle with wheels suspended on wishbones with trailing links, tie rods and struts; twin-tube gas-pressure shocks |
| Suspension, r: | independent, McPherson spring strut axle with wheels suspended on wishbones with trailing links, tie rods and struts; twin-tube gas-pressure shocks |
| Ground clearance: | 4.8 in. |
| Curb weight: | 2877 lbs. |
| Tires: | 205/55R17 / 235/50R17 |
| Brakes, f/r: | disc/disc with ABS; cross-drilled in front |
| Fuel capacity: | 16.9 gal. |
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| 2009 Nissan 370Z Model Line Overview | |
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| Model lineup: | Nissan 370Z ($29,930); 370Z Touring ($34,460) |
| Engines: | 332-hp 3.7-liter V6 |
| Transmissions: | 6-speed manual; 7-speed automatic |
| Safety equipment (standard): | frontal airbags, curtain airbags, active head restraints, tire pressure monitoring system, electronic stability control, ABS, EBD |
| Safety equipment (optional): | none |
| Basic warranty: | 3 years/36,000 miles |
| Assembled in: | Japan |
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| Specifications As Tested | |
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| Model tested (MSRP): | Nissan 370Z ($29,930) |
| Standard equipment: | air conditioning, power steering, power disc brakes, power windows, power locks, console, cruise control, message center, trip computer, floor shift, fog lamps, cruise control, intelligent key, Homelink universal transceiver |
| Options as tested (MSRP): | Sport Package ($3,000) includes 19-inch forged lightweight aluminum-alloy wheels, Bridgestone Potenza RE050A high-performance radials, front and rear spoilers, bigger brakes |
| Destination charge: | ($695) |
| Gas guzzler tax: | N/A |
| Price as tested (MSRP): | $33,625 |
| Layout: | rear-wheel drive |
| Engine: | 3.7-liter dohc 24-valve V6 |
| Horsepower (hp @ rpm): | 332 @ 7000 |
| Torque (lb.-ft. @ rpm): | 270 @ 5200 |
| Transmission: | 6-speed manual |
| EPA fuel economy, city/hwy: | 18/26 mpg |
| Wheelbase: | 100.4 in. |
| Length/width/height: | 167.1/72.6/51.8 in. |
| Track, f/r: | 61/62.8 in. |
| Turning circle: | 34.1 ft. |
| Seating capacity: | 2 |
| Head/hip/leg room, f: | 38.2/54.6/42.9 in. |
| Head/hip/leg room, m: | N/A |
| Head/hip/leg room, r: | N/A |
| Cargo volume: | 6.9 cu. ft. |
| Payload: | N/A |
| Towing capacity: | N/A |
| Suspension, f: | independent, double wishbone, coil spring, gas-pressurized shock, stabilizer bar |
| Suspension, r: | independent, multi-link, coil spring, gas-pressurized shock, stabilizer bar |
| Ground clearance: | N/A |
| Curb weight: | 3232 lbs. |
| Tires: | P245/40R19 front, P275/35R19 rear |
| Brakes, f/r: | vented disc/vented disc with ABS, EBD, Brake Assist |
| Fuel capacity: | 19.0 gal. |
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