Used 2019 Nissan 370Z

Riding on an aging platform and with somewhat dated styling, the 2019 Nissan 370Z remains an attractive prospect. Why? Because you won’t find another 2-seat sports car with as much power for so little money. Sure, you could look to the lighter, nimbler Mazda MX-5 Miata, but it won’t accelerate like the 370Z. Or, you could go another route, dropping an extra 20K to 30K on a Porsche 718 Cayman/Boxster duo or an Audi TT RS. Given these options, the 2019 370Z begins to look better and better. Offered in coupe and convertible form in trims ranging from basic to the high-performance Nismo, the 370Z fulfills its mission as Nissan’s only performance coupe, keeping a foot in the door until an all-new 370Z arrives.

Despite a few faults, the 2019 Nissan 370Z has an engaging character that demands a certain level of involvement. And the more you put into something, the more you get out of it. The driver feels (and hears) what’s happening with the tires, learns the ideal engine notes signaling when to change up or down a gear, and applying the right amount of brake pressure soon becomes second nature. Get it on a mountain road and the Z is in its element. Yet it’s also comfortable enough to handle the weekday commute, at least in its regular form. The Nismo (short for Nissan Motorsport) version is far more hardcore, and the 2019 model rides on Dunlop high-performance tires that Nissan claims are quieter than the previous Bridgestones by one decibel. That’s not a lot, but it’s a step in the right direction.

The 370Z is not luxury-car quiet, but more bearable on a daily basis than might be expected for a fairly affordable 2-seater. Active noise cancellation helps to hush the interior without adding heavy sound-deadening materials. The three gauges in the center of the dash are reminiscent of the original Z from the 1970s, and they move with a steering column that adjusts for height only. Even so, the Z offers decent ergonomics, comfortable seats, sufficient trunk area for a couple of golf bags (in coupe form, at least), and handy stowage space that includes a compartment behind the passenger seat.

While its basic design is now a decade old, the 2019 370Z still holds a certain charm. With its classic long hood, fastback rear end and squat stance, the 370Z conjures up images of the original 240Z, only with a good bit more heft. Move to the high-performance Nismo car and you’ll find more aerodynamic ground effects, a large rear wing and front spoiler and a more aggressive wheel-and-tire setup. The 370Z Roadster looks particularly sharp with its top down, an operation that takes only seconds to hide the soft top beneath a color-keyed hard cover.

SYNCHROREV MATCH
They used to teach the heel-toe technique in high school driver’s ed; now kids barely know what a stick shift even looks like. No worries as the 370Z’s rev-matching manual automatically matches engine speed with road speed. And yes, vintage drivers, it can be shut off.

CHASSIS TUNING
Nissan gave the 370Z a double-wishbone front suspension that permits it to carve up curves like a Thanksgiving turkey, while still returning a comfortable ride over smooth surfaces. Mind you, the Z is still a sports car, so you can expect moments of jarring jolts when encountering rough or uneven pavement.

For 2019, the Nissan 370Z Coupe comes in base, Sport, Sport Touring, and Nismo models. The 370Z Roadsters are available in base, Touring and Sport Touring trims. All models come with automatic climate control, Bluetooth, steering-wheel audio and cruise controls, keyless entry/ignition, rearview camera mirror, xenon headlights and a 6-speaker audio system. Sport Touring models add power-adjustable heated and cooling seats, navigation, and leather/simulated suede upholstery; Sport models come with bigger wheels and a rear spoiler. The Nismo model has more power, a stiffer suspension, sport seats and various aerodynamic additions. Safety features include stability control, active head restraints and six airbags.

The main option for the 2019 370Z is the 7-speed automatic transmission, which comes standard on the Roadster. To get more equipment means stretching the budget to a higher trim level. So, if choosing a manual transmission, consider the Sport trim for the rev-matching feature. This will also bring 19-inch alloy wheels, a limited-slip differential and a Bose audio system. Otherwise there are various factory- and dealer-installed accessories available as stand-alone options. An Aerodynamic Package adds a front wind deflector and rear spoiler.

The gutsy 3.7-liter V6 engine in the 370Z could easily have been one of our favorite features. The regular version develops 332 horsepower; the Nismo gets a useful bump to 350 horsepower. Either way, the Z is quick, powerful and responsive. Drive goes to the rear wheels either through a standard-issue 6-speed manual transmission or an optional 7-speed automatic. Sport and Nismo trims have the SynchroRev Match function with their manual transmissions. For a sports car with this much muscle, fuel economy is pretty good, but Nissan recommends using premium gasoline in both versions of this engine.

3.7-liter V6
332 horsepower @ 7,000 rpm
270 lb-ft of torque @ 5,200 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 17/26 mpg (Coupe, manual), 19/26 mpg (Coupe, automatic), 16/25 mpg (Roadster, automatic)

3.7-liter V6 (Nismo)
350 horsepower @ 7,400 rpm
276 lb-ft of torque @ 5,200 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 17/26 mpg (manual), 19/26 mpg (automatic)