Considering the Z33 was designed back around the turn of the century ( like no one has said that one before), I think it still holds its own in the current automotive world. Of course, it doesn't have all the technological advances that come standard with current cars, but that's to be expected.

Wondering what feature other Z owners like the best on their 350Zs?

For me, it's the blend of qualities that all Nissan Z cars have had since the 240Z first debuted: performance, style, durability, utility and affordability. This combination continues to make the Z33 a worthy link in the legendary Nissan Z line, and attract new owners across the generational lines.

What say you?

 

These cars tend to have a spirit about them, don't they?

My early 90's Nissans had a lot of personality. They made you feel really special driving them. I connected with them and really grew to like the simple, analog experience.

So my favorite feature would have to be how it makes me feel when driving it.

It's not the fastest or lightest thing on the road, but the Z is humble and strives to serve its driver, and that it does very well.

Even in (nearly) stock trim, cruising around on a Sunday with the radio off, taking in the exhaust note, rowing through the gears, it's such a pleasing tactile experience.

 

The body lines. When the z came out it was YEARS ahead of it times. A decade later, it still break necks.

 

I love her brace face and the styling the lines when a body kit is done right is so sexy!

 

Wrong one earlier.

 

The best feature....if I had to pick one, I would have to say the body curves. Love the way the body flares around the wheels.

 

Hood.
Rear bumper.
07 Nismo Version

 

For me, best feature; it has to be the color, Brickyard, it gets compliments daily...

 

The Mechanical feel while driving it. Even the 370 feel disconnected in some areas (gas and steering feel)

Even though its drive by wire and electronic steering, it feels VERY similar to my old 85 Mr2. I feel like its an extension of my self and I never have to fight it to make it do what I want.

 

I have to agree 100% with dkmura and n0smoke.
I bought mine new in '04 and have loved owning it ever since.

 

My favorite feature is the G35 letters on my trunk

 

^^^Totally this!

But the best feature about my cars is me behind the wheel.

It's not about anything anyone else feels about the car or the person driving it - and I'm sure I get my fair share of "old man in his mid-life-crisis sports car" derisive viewpoints from others - but I don't care because I love how it drives, guided by MY hands and feet, doing what I want it to and doing it all well, be it cruising the highway, going to the grocery store, pushing it 9/10ths through a mountain off camber. Does. Not. Matter.

As most know, I have been involved with - emotionally AND physically - Z cars since their inception. It's just one of those things one doesn't grow out of easily and no other car before or after my ownership of a Z (of any generation) does it quite like a Z does.

When it came to my choosing a "fun, enthusiast car" to own a few years ago, there was little else I wanted, even though I could pretty much take my choice of what was out there....much more expensive and nice Porsches, BMWs, etc. Nope, had to be a Z. (Or actually, a G35, which I initially shopped for.)

Mic

 

This, people don't believe me when I tell them the 350z it's a 13 year old design. If wll kept it looks just as young as the Genesis, brz, and other sport cars out there. I believe is on par with today car designs.

 

I can't think of a single Hyundai that's aged gracefully (and I'm half Korean and my uncle used to coach their professional basketball team when they were the national champions, so for me to say that is something of a sacrilege.)

The Z's sports car lines are so much simpler than the Genesis and BRZ and since the car was designed at Nissan's Design America Center in San Diego and not at an Italian design firm like Pininfarina or Bertone, I think they were wise to keep the concept elegant and simple, which has throughout the decades made the Z a stand-out car. Companies today seem to be in a mad scramble to out-do one another by putting as many creases, swooshes, folds, and giant product identifiers (are you listening, Acura?) as they can on their new models. It's almost like they've given up on design purity. The current Mazda Miata might be one of those rare exceptions where the incorporation of new design elements actually work.

Unfortunately, cars like the A80 Toyota Supra, Honda S2000, Gen 2 Mitsubishi Eclipse and Gen 3 Mazda RX7 all represent model lines that don't even exist anymore. But they embody the same purity you see in the 350Z's design and that keeps them looking good 25 years after the JDM style became such a success here in North America. The 350Z looks as good today as when it came out in 2003.

 

My 6MT 2006 interlagos roadster was a chick magnet haha. However I traded it in for a 5AT 2008 coupe... and although it's not as engaging to drive, it's still one of the most fun automatic cars to own for it's age.

 

The brz and the genesis body lines are too sporty. Theyre basically rice from the factory. Looks fast, but on par with a camry and loses to an avalon.

The z looks sharp. Its a mix. It can be a full race car, or it can have more of a luxurious look to it. Its bubbly without being too bubbly. The lines are just there. Its perfect. Head on, its not too sporty, side ways, and you can see the aerodynamic of the car. The only other car i feel the same way about is the m3/m5. But i hate their interior haha

 

That VQ purr

 

Good comments on the post! I agree with turboed350z about the body lines. I've always thought that the Z33 is Porsche like in design and I've been asked several times "how are you liking your Porsche", etc. I owned a 911 S for a few yrs. awesome cars, but I love the Z33 a lot and they are a great all around car stock and well designed; plenty of extra care went into the internals of the engines that lesser cars don't bother with. My high school football coach bought a brand new '71 Datsun 240Z and took me for a ride; I ended up owning 2- 280's and they were very fun, cool cars too! And yes, chicks dig Zs too!

 

I agree with what everyone has said above. Bought my Z new in 2005 and I still look back at it when I walk way...usually more than once. Besides the styling and driving experience I have to call out how RELIABLE it is. I've got 60k on mine over 10 years and I've not had a single problem with it. Changed the oil myself every 3k and had general tune ups 2-3 times and that's it. Can't say that about many cars that are 10 years old.

Have also had it mistaken for a Porsche which is always nice. That reminds me...when my I got the car my brother in law said "You got a poor man's Porsche" I said if then and I'll say it now "Nope, Porsche owners have a rich mans Z". ha ha

-Shawn

 

Direct TPMS so I can see tire pressures on all 4 corners. Sucks that the later 07-08 Z's dropped it in favour of indirect TPMS. I think the GTR and some of the new infiniti's have it again.