2004 Nissan 350Z Roadster Test Drive

Television commercials for the new open-top version of the beautiful Nissan 350Z call this car "a little piece of heaven." At least this time, the hype is accurate. Few things match the automotive pleasure of motoring in this roadster under clear skies and warm temperatures. A little piece of heaven. Prices: US $33,850 base; as tested, $34,720. Warranty: 5 years/60,000 miles powertrain.

Heritage

Back in 1970, a heyday for automobiles in general, two companies introduced new sports cars. Porsche decided its lineup was too expensive, that there was no entry point for young Porsche buyers who might move up the line as adult success came. So the German company took a Volkswagen four-cylinder engine and dropped it into a new, squared-off, low-slung model it dubbed the 914. From Japan, a company called Datsun, later to become Nissan, gave the world a sleek coupe called the 240Z. It was a stunning accomplishment and became parent to a long line culminating in this 2004 Nissan Z Roadster. A major car magazine considered both of these new cars and named its Car of the Year: the Porsche 914. That sports car lasted only six model years and was plagued by troubles. It was rejected by true Porschephiles and is considered by some an embarrassment to a proud company. The Z - the one that wasn't worthy of Car of the Year honors - is still with us, still a stunning sports car. True, it survived some incarnations best forgotten, but the redesigned Z for 2004 will never be one of those. As Nissan claims, this Z Roadster is "a little piece of heaven."

Coachwork

Last year, when the Nissan 350Z was introduced as a coupe, a convertible was promised. We raised a hand to block out the coupe roof, to imagine what that roadster might look like. Looked promising! And now we have it, and it's even more beautiful than our imagination. Like the previous generation 300Z, it appears to have been sculpted by wind or water flowing over the body until ultimate sleekness was achieved. It is marred by only one glaring design fault - vertical, chrome-plated exterior door handles that are neither attractive nor functional. But every other touch, from headlights to tear-drop shaped taillights, is right on. An especially nice touch is the hint of tear-drop headrests that flow backward over the trunk. Race cars in the 50s had these. Yes, the Z Roadster is one sleek ragtop! Still, it would have turned more heads a few years ago. It looks derivative of the Audi TT, and all but car buffs will be excused for mistaking the two roadsters. The Audi TT is more expensive - and shows it - but it was also first with the retro, upside-down bathtub look first seen in a Porsche 356 Sportster about five decades ago.

On the Road

An extremely high-tech 3.5-liter V-6 engine provides plentiful power for the 2004 Nissan Z Roadster. Horsepower is rated at 287 with torque at 274 ft-lbs. Acceleration is quick. The ride tends to be stiff, aiding in handling capabilities, never punishing. You feel road imperfections, but in a sports car this helps keep a driver in contact with surroundings. Braking is strong, easily modulated. The 6-speed manual transmission in our tester had close-ratio gears and we almost never used fifth or sixth around town. Cruise controls are located on the steering wheel and are not lighted. Behind the driver and passenger is a pane of glass, permanent, that serves as a windblock. Low on the glass is an etched "Z". Instruments are clear and easily read. This system uses the racing method, where needles are pointed up. Side air bags, surely a necessity in a sports car, added $250. The trunk proved surprisingly large and should stow the luggage of two people for a weekend. Seats are nicely supportive and comfortable for long journeys. But the best thing about the 2004 Nissan Z Roadster is the fun factor. Never once did I enter this car without a smile on my face. No trip was too short, or too long, to have a fun break in the sunny-side-up Z.

Summary

There is not a lot of competition for the 2005 Nissan Z Roadster. The fun little Mazda Miata is easily $10,000 cheaper, the Audi TT or Ford T-Bird can be $10,000 more. The Toyota MR2 is too flawed to match. The Corvette too expensive by a long shot. At less than $35,000, the Z Roadster is a fun bargain. It can zip; it can cruise. The top is fully automatic and deploys much like those hardtops on Mercedes-Benz models, flipping up the trunk piece as it folds the ragtop underneath. (With the top up, it should be noted that visibility is not good.) This is a car to keep in the garage in foul weather. It's a must-use car when the sun is shining or the night is clear and mild. Keep the top down and enjoy it. Fuel efficiency is decent at 20 city and 26 highway. In either environment, the 2004 Nissan Z Roadster is a joy, with its light clutch, quick acceleration, easy shifts, strong brakes and sure handling.