The ancestor to this 2010 Nissan 370Z, the company’s1969 Fairlady 240Z (then branded in the U.S. as a Datsun), launched more than four decades ago, still holds a soft spot in the hearts of Nissan devotees. These enthusiasts wanted a sixth-generation Z car which was closer in spirit and form to the original 240Z, rather than what they got from the previous 350Z. Many Z car fans claimed the 350Z car was all about go and not enough about show, lacking the true refinement and style that permits entry into the non-exotic two-seat sports car pantheon. Autosavant recently had the opportunity to spend a week with the 2010 370Z to evaluate whether the current-generation 370Z finally answers the devotees’ prayers.

In today’s competitive auto market, being true to a vehicle’s heritage can mean the difference between product success and failure. At Nissan, the Z is the company’s singular heritage product. In the sense of executing a more honest and mature successor to the original 1969 version, the 370Z can be considered a success. At a price nearly a third to a half less, it measures up well against Teutonic standards such as the BMW Z4 and the Porsche Cayman, at least in terms of outright performance if not civility and prestige. It is an undeniably enticing package. Our test car’s Solid Red hue with the huge Ray wheels meant we never lacked for stares from passers-by even in Chicago’s upscale Lincoln Park neighborhood. Arguably few two-seat sports cars see service in day-to-day commuting or long cross-country trips. Yet an additional dosage of refinement in the areas of noise and vibration would go a long way towards making the 370Z a truly “Fair Lady” for the open road.