Today was the first time I actually sat in a Z and ran the motor, poked all the buttons, adjusted the seats and generally scoped the car out. I did not actually drive the car but I wish I had. I am no longer surprised by the comments regarding the interior quality, it is certainly Nissan, having spent the past year driving a SpecV which I have grown to enjoy more than I thought I was dissapointed with the Z. The interior feels cheap. Though it is not an expensive car and was obvioulsy intended to be somewhat of a minimalist car, there is way to much plastic. The car I sat in was a base Z though other than leather all other models come with the same interior. The manual seat adjustment for the lumbar was a joke, fortunately most people probably set it and forget it. The materials don't seem way off but there is just way to much of it and nothing to break it up. I think the door panels were what bothered me. The view everyone has said is marginal is definetly marginal, even the side mirrors are a bit small especially when the rearview mirror is taken into consideration.

The engine note was nice but I'm sure I would try to get my hands on an intake and exhaust. The base stereo was not bad at all. Livable unless you are an audiophile. Didn't think the nav door was a big deal at all, I also thought the cupholder in the dash was functional.

All in all I think it misses the mark for me at least, especially since I am considering a track model, for 35K the interior is pretty substandard. I could be swayed by a stellar performance on a test drive but even so, I would expect Nissan to do a little housekeeping in the cabin in the coming years.

This was not intended to flame anyone, I keep hearing very good things about the driving dynamics of the car and I may well forget the interior after a few miles, but I think maybe I was expecting to much.......... anyway my 02

 

now~ if you'r not buying the z what car are you getting since u feel so disappointed by the interior?

 

Maybe the interior of a Bently Arnage would be more to your liking.

 

A Mercedes E500 or possibly a 911. Geez, why do I bother. I think it is now becoming clear, honest opinions about the Z are simply unnaceptable, hey Nissan, disregard what I said, no one wants you to change a thing. If you guys don't have anything constructive to add just shut up. This is an open forum not a **** occupation.

 

Hahah I was wondering why you're subject line was odd. Now I get it.

Well since it IS an open forum... I'll be devil's advocate regarding your comments.

1. Too much plastic.

Well... maybe weight saving? Cost reduction? It's already a hefty car... and trim can weigh an awful lot. I'm not expecting much. It's going to be better than an American car interior... but not on-par with the luxury car lines.

2. Interior for 35K is kinda cheap.

I think Nissan honestly had to decide between 1) performance or 2) fit and finish to get this car to be profitable to be worth producing at the volume they expect (it's not like a Honda Civic).

Personally, I think I would trade performance for interior given a choice on where my dollar bill would go.

They apparently did a lot of track testing to make the 350z drive worthy of it's heritage. I was afraid that Nissan wouldn't... but they ended up delivering what I expected from them in the end (according to all the positive reviews).

3. Visibility

When I saw the concept in La Jolla I had a bad feeling that it wasn't going to be driving in an Accord anymore.

But on the flip-side... some of the visibility issues was partially due to cosmetic reasons and aerodynamics. I've seen a lot of car lately designed with raised rear decks to improve aerodynamics... unfortunately the side-effect is a reduced rear view.

All in all, I think the visibility is adaptable. I've seen people drive horribly in car with great visibility so there goes the idea that good visibilty = good visibility.

 

I can see your point. I know it's a $27K car and all, but I am getting a $35K track. Nissan knows it has the market beat at $27-30K.

But for some of us who can afford a car that is a step above the Z (M3 Boxster S or Z4). I would expect the car to be killing them at Car and Driver (etc). No doubt it's a great car (for the money), but it is not without warts. I was expecting a grand slam tape measure home run, a car that could rip out the heart of an M3. But it looks more like a great car for the money.

 

bueaty is in the eye of the beholder.

I don't mind the interior. I concider it nutral (not a positive or a negative) and it reminds me this car is all about DRIVING.


but I took my mother in law for a drive the other day. She's one of these rich people from chicago that is all about style. She raved about the interior. she loved it thought it flowed so nicely. loved the texture. I haden't the heart to tell her that was the worst part of the car that was keeping people from buying.

to each his own.