Used 2013 Nissan 370Z

There is much to like about the 2013 Nissan 370Z Coupe and Roadster. From the point of view of a committed driving enthusiast, the 370Z is near perfection, with a sweet-singing V6 engine teamed to a slick-shifting manual transmission, glued-to-the-road handling and a functional, great-looking cockpit. Priced in line with the V8-powered Chevy Camaro and Ford Mustang GT, the Nissan 370Z offers powerful value. While others, such as the Hyundai Genesis Coupe, may consider themselves alternatives, many 370Z owners feel their cars line up with such titans as the Audi TT, Porsche Cayman and BMW Z4. In the end, comparisons seem irrelevant, since there really is only one Z-car.

The 2013 Nissan 370Z’s sport-tuned chassis gets its sharp cornering ability from the car’s light weight, short wheelbase and wide track, and doesn’t have to resort to brutally stiff spring rates. The performance-biased 18-inch (standard) and 19-inch (Sport Package) tires on light alloy wheels do their part too. In the curves, the 370Z Coupe displays almost no lean or roll, the well-modulated power steering is spot-on, and if you want to press the car right up to its cornering limits, you can shut off the otherwise invasive electronic stability-control system. The 370Z remains balanced and forgiving, with or without the electronic nanny on duty. As for power, the 3.7-liter V6 always feels eager and responsive. Nissan’s automatic transmission works quite well, but call us old-fashioned: A 2-seater really needs a manual gearbox. The easy-to-modulate clutch, short-throw shifter and SynchroRev Match option of the 370Z’s 6-speed seals the deal.

Drawing heavily from the Infiniti line, the interior of the 2013 Nissan 370Z Coupe and Roadster looks lush and upscale. More important, it blends some very strong styling elements, especially around the instruments, with complete functionality. Rich color choices for the seats and door panels complement a cockpit filled with soft-touch surfaces and tasteful metallic-looking trim. The main gauge cluster that moves with the tilt steering column is a nice touch. The snug cockpit easily accommodates two big adults in excellent sport seats. Cargo space isn’t outstanding but it’s usable and accessible.

Bucking the trend to grow larger and longer, the 2013 Nissan 370Z Coupe retains its taut dimensions and lightweight chassis. Sitting low to the ground aids both handling and appearance, and the look becomes even more dramatic with the available Sport Package, which includes front and rear spoilers and bigger tires and wheels. There’s a hint of GT-R in the 370Z’s large flared fenders and cantilevered roof. The Nismo edition shows its performance intent with aero-influenced styling, including an integrated front spoiler and big rear wing. Roadster versions feature a power-operated soft-top that stows beneath a color-keyed hard cover.

SYNCHROREV MATCH
Heel-toe downshifting, which requires using the right foot to both brake and blip the throttle to match revs, is a tricky skill to master. The 2013 Nissan 370Z’s SynchroRev Match system blips the throttle for you, automatically providing butter-smooth downshifts. (Purists can turn the feature off.)

7-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Delivering the direct feel and fuel economy of a manual transmission along with quick, smooth shifts, the paddle-shifter-equipped 7-speed automatic found in the 2013 Nissan 370Z Coupe is a winner.

The 2013 Nissan 370Z Coupe and Roadster each come in two trims, base and Touring (plus the special-edition Nismo, as a coupe only). Even in base form, the 370Z is well equipped with automatic climate control, steering-wheel audio and cruise controls, keyless entry and start, xenon headlights and a 4-speaker audio system with auxiliary input. Moving up to the Touring trim adds power-adjustable heated seats, Bluetooth, leather and suede inside, aluminum pedals and a Bose audio system with eight speakers including two subwoofers. Standard safety features include stability control, traction control, active head restraints, tire-pressure-monitoring system and six airbags.

There are only two options available on the 2013 Nissan 370Z Coupe. A Sport Package is available for both base and Touring trims and includes a viscous limited-slip differential, 19-inch forged wheels, upgraded brakes, front and rear spoilers and downshift rev matching (when equipped with the manual transmission). Available only for the Touring trim is a Navigation Package that features a navigation system, real-time traffic and weather information, iPod connectivity and a 9.3GB hard drive for music storage. A new Bose audio package – six speakers, 6-disc in-dash CD changer, Bluetooth – is available in the Nismo for 2013.

Power for the 2013 Nissan 370Z Coupe comes from the latest generation of Nissan’s venerated VQ series V6 engine. Producing 332 horsepower (350 in the Nismo), the 370Z’s engine delivers robust performance and impressive fuel economy. Stealing some of the focus away from the Z’s excellent engine are its advanced transmission options: a standard 6-speed manual and an optional 7-speed automatic. Manual-equipped cars with the optional Sport Package also feature SynchroRev Match, a system that automatically blips the throttle for seamless downshifts.

3.7-liter V6
332 horsepower @ 7,000 rpm
350 horsepower @ 7,400 rpm (Nismo)
270 lb-ft of torque @ 5,200 rpm
276 lb-ft of torque @ 5,200 rpm (Nismo)
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 18/26 mpg (manual), 19/26 mpg (automatic)