Car Review of the 2004 Nissan 350Z Roadster Near Luxury Convertible

Base MSRP Range: $33,850 to $37,190

Base Invoice Range: $31,305 to $33,498

MSRP As Tested: $36,300

Versions: Enthusiast, Touring

Vehicle Category: Near Luxury Convertible

Engine Location: Front Engine

Drive Wheels: Rear-Wheel Drive Rear-Wheel Drive

Engine As Tested: 3.5-liter, Dual Overhead Cam, 24-valves, V-6 cylinder, 287-horsepower at 6,200 rpm and 274 lb-ft torque at 4,800 rpm

Transmission As Tested: Standard 6-Speed Manual or optional 5-speed Automatic with manual shift mode.

Fuel Economy (city/hwy): Automatic Transmission 19/ 26, Manual Transmission 20/26

Standard Safety Features: Driver and front passenger, front and side airbags, roof-mounted curtain side-impcat airbags, 4-wheel ventilated power-assisted disc brakes, "> Antilock Braking System, Traction Control, Vehicle Dynamic Control (standard in manual transmission) In-Trunk Emergency Trunk Release, Remote Keyless Entry.

Competition: Audi TT, Chevrolet Corvette, Ford Mustang, Honda S2000, Infiniti G 35 Coupe

An electrically operated convertible top stows neatly beneath a snazzy hard cover on the ragtop version of Nissan's hot 350Z. It shares most parts with the Z coupe, including its howling V6 engine that makes nearly 290 horsepower.

The Z's edgy styling extends to its interior, which has a perplexing mix of luxury and simplicity. While it offers some very fancy optional equipment, like a navigation system and complex trip computer, it doesn't even have some basics like a glove box.

They say money can't buy happiness. Well, "they" never drove the ragtop Z.

Nissan's convertible version of the 350Z is pure mechanical fun -- fun to look at, fun to listen to, and definitely fun to drive -- just like the 350Z coupe. But the thrill of driving the Z is made more intense when you unlatch the cloth top, press a button on the dash, and watch the top fold away origami-style to let the sun pour in.

Tap the throttle to hear the Z's symphonic exhaust note burble from beneath the car, and you've found heaven on Earth.

This two-seat convertible shares its engine, transmission, and most of its body with the 350Z coupe -- a fabulous car in its own right -- but the ragtop version adds a brilliant electrically operated top and some additional structural reinforcement to keep it stiff and strong over bumps. The convertible top, which takes about 20 seconds to lower, hides beneath a lightweight lid that maintains the clean, classic lines of a roadster.

In fact, while some convertibles don't have the same stylish pizzazz of their hardtop counterparts, the Z roadster maintains the rakish, edgy style as the coupe, especially with the top down. With the top up, the Z coupe's curvy roofline is replaced with a squatty, chop-top appearance on the convertible that gives it the aggressive look of a classic hot rod.

Good looks aren't enough to make it a sports car, though. That takes tire-spinning muscle, something the Z provides in abundance.

A 287-horsepower engine sends its adrenaline-pumping power through a standard six-speed manual transmission. The combination is intoxicating as the responsive rumble of the V6 and mechanical feedback of the six-speed mix for one of the most exciting driving experiences outside the realm of supercars. It's simply thrilling.

Disappointingly, the convertible Z isn't available with the race-tuned performance upgrades in the coupe's "track model," which is a shame for those weekend Montoyas who want the top-down experience of a roadster.

Instead, the convertible's suspension is slightly soft and compliant, not as bone rattling as a true sports car designed for the racetrack. Nonetheless, the convertible's suspension keeps the Z nearly flat in corners and gives the driver a decent amount of feedback through turns.

Like the coupe Z, the convertible's interior is oddly simple yet filled with amenities. It's so simple that it doesn't even have a glove box, but it does offer a fancy optional navigation system. Go figure.

In any case, the interior is remarkably comfortable and roomy for a roadster. It has plenty of leg and shoulder room for most people, and it comes with three cup holders -- yet another mysterious trait for a two-seater. Seats are supportive, controls are easy to understand, and the driver-oriented gauges are clear, bright, and stylish.

The 350Z's greatest downside in both coupe and convertible form is weight. It's fairly portly for a sports car, thanks to its wide seating area and unnecessary luxuries. Luckily, the powerful engine makes up for these slightly obese proportions, but it's fun to imagine what kind of performance it would have with a slightly smaller, stripped-down interior and tidier body.

Perhaps the magic of the Z roadster is its mixture of comfort and performance. It clearly leans toward the sporty, high-performance crowd, but it doesn't require many compromises in comfort.

For sunny days on winding roads, that's the epitome of fun.

Editors' Ratings

Pros: Man oh man, is this car fun! It's blindingly fast, its exhaust note is enchanting, and it looks great topless. Its interior doesn't require many sacrifices in comfort, either.

Cons: True performance enthusiasts should stick with the coupe version because it's a hair faster. And, like all two-seat roadsters, it's too dang impractical for most folks.

Ratings (1-10)

• Style: 10
• Performance: 10
• Price: 9
• Handling: 9
• Ride: 7
• Comfort: 8
• Quality: 9
• Overall: 9

More Data

Where Built: Not Available

Major Options: Enthusiast Package, Touring Package.

Seating: 2

Number of Rows: 1

Crash Test Ratings:

• NHTSA Frontal Impact/Driver Crash Test Rating: Not Yet Tested
• NHTSA Frontal Impact/Passenger Crash Test Rating: Not Yet Tested
• NHTSA Side Impact/Front Seat Crash Test Rating: Not Yet Tested
• NHTSA Side Impact/Rear Seat Crash Test Rating: Not Yet Tested
• NHTSA Rollover Resistance Rating: Not Yet Tested
• IIHS Frontal Offset Crash Test: Not Yet Tested

Length in Inches: 169.4

Warranties: 3 years/36,000 miles bumper-to-bumper, X years/unlimited miles corrosion, 5 years/60,000 mile powertrain.

Weight in Pounds: Manual Transmission 3,462 , Automatic Transmission 3,479

Cargo Capacity in Pounds: 57.3

Gross Maximum Vehicle Weight in Pounds: 4,133

Towing Capacity in Pounds: Not Applicable

Gas Tank Capacity in Gallons: 20.0

Destination Charge: $540