My son, Tyler, a car nut like his father, is always interested in the marketing and history of the cars I test.
So, on a ride to the store in this 2009 Nissan 370Z, it was not surprising to hear Tyler bring up the Nissan Fairlady Z, which is the name Nissan uses for it in its home country, Japan.
2009 Nissan 370Z
So why not use the Fairlady name — which Tyler informed me comes from the Broadway play “My Fair Lady” — in the rest of the world?
The answer is simple: This is a sports car with big power, bigger tires and a reputation for toughness and affordable fun. Sorry ladies, there’s nothing feminine about it. What, should we paint it pink and plaster some flowers on it, too?
The answer is no. This is a serious performance car. The engine note is supposed to be a little raucous, the ride is supposed to be stiff — if you want the fluffiness of some of this Z’s boulevard-riding predecessors, look elsewhere.
The updated version of the resurrected Z, which was first introduced in 2003, tidies up the design and comes with the obligatory bump in horsepower.
The 3.7-liter engine bumps horsepower to 332, but its best attribute is its immediate throttle response. Stand on the throttle and the car doesn’t hesitate, instead hurtling forward like Kirstie Alley heading for the buffet line.
The car is a joy to drive fast with tight, accurate steering that lets you know what’s going on at the tires. New for 2009 is standard stability control and traction control. Stand on the throttle even in a tight corner and there’s no drama. The Z just puts all the power it can use to the pavement and scrubs off the rest without drama.
Road noise inside the cabin does seem a bit excessive, as if Nissan went light on sound-deadening material in the bottom of the car. There’s an elemental, mechanical sound that is a constant companion. The engine can sound a bit rough, but let it wind to about 4,000 rpms and hold and it sounds like a tiger straining to break through its cage.
The biggest news for the new Z is a cool optional feature for cars equipped with the six-speed manual transmission. It’s one of those features that you didn’t even know you wanted.
The 370Z’s SynchroRev Match manual transmission actually revs the engine for you on downshifts. With the wonder of computer controls, the system matches the revs perfectly every time. It’s a bit strange at first because it actually revs the engine anytime the clutch is in and you pull the lever toward one of the shift gates. There’s also a button to defeat it if you decided you can match revs better yourself (you can’t).
Maybe better than SynchroRev, the short-throw shifter is a delight, although the clutch has a nonlinear feel.
SynchroRev Match is part of a $3,000 sport package that also includes a viscous limited slip differential, gorgeous forged RAYS aluminum wheels, rear and chin spoilers, upgraded brakes and bigger tires.
Most of the time, automakers like to give auto reviewers cars loaded with optional frou frou, but this 370Z came with the important stuff and not much else.
Prices start at $30,625 (including destination). Add in the sport package, $500 for Chicane Yellow paint and $115 for floormats for an as-tested price of $34,420. Consider that the starting point if you’re looking for a serious performance car. OK, you can probably do with out the electric yellow paint, but it is pretty cool.
Zs are all about maximum fun at a relatively affordable price. To keep the price down, Nissan saves a few bucks with interior trimmings that seem a little low rent for a car costing 34 large. Acres of shiny black plastic cover the dash and there are a few sharp edges.
The interior does have some cool features including a bright red dash lighting scheme and enough room for two to head out for a long weekend getaway. There’s 6.9 cubic feet of storage space behind the seats, including a couple of small covered storage areas. One of the coolest things back there is the aluminum temporary spare, designed to match its big brothers on all four corners of the car. Hey, just because you have a flat doesn’t mean your Z should have to give up any style.
As is the case with a lot of sports coupes, rear visibility is a problem. First off, the steeply raked hatchback glass results in a mail slot view out the back. Secondly, the rear pillars are wide and leave huge blind spots.
Nissan updated just enough of the car’s styling to make it clear that it has changed from the old one. It still has the sexy look of tight fabric stretched over a muscular frame. Admiring stares will follow you everywhere.
At the price, the Z is a bargain considering the performance it provides. One of the best-selling sports car lines of all time should continue to rack up big sales. But other than its gracefulness carving up windy roads, there’s nothing ladylike about it.
How it rated
(1-5 stars, 5 being best)
performance ****
interior **
handling *****
styling *****
overall ****
Good: Sweet handling, rock-solid body structure, just-right steering feel
Bad: Z keeps the price down with poor interior materials, excessive road noise, sometimes raucous powertrain sounds.
Bottom line: The Z is a compelling choice for anyone looking for a sticky-handling sports coupe
• Base price: $29,930 (including destination)
• Price as tested: $34,240
• Powertrain: Six-speed manual transmission, rear-wheel drive
• Engine: 3.7-liter V-6
• Horsepower: 332
• Curb weight: 3,232 pounds
• MPG: 18 city, 26 highway
• Built: Los Angeles
Looks like there may be a roadblock to General Motors’ efforts to shed the Hummer brand. GM has said it plans to sell the maker of oversize sport utility models to Sichuan Tengzhong Heavy Industrial Machinery Co., but the Chinese government may put the brakes on the sale because it is worried about whether the maker of construction equipment has the ability to run a car company. The Chinese also want to steer the country’s fledgling auto industry toward building more green vehicles.
Well, it’s ok to dream a little bit?