SecondhandSense: Nissan 350 Z coupéYou can provoke the wrong kind of reaction driving a sport coupé car these days. Many drivers will have you instantly classified as a danger to them and other road users or as an environmental threat to the rest of the world.
In truth, in the wrong hands, a car like the Nissan 350 Z coupé could be both. You may well even ask if there is any possible justification for a car that has a 3.5-litre engine, produces 276bhp and will reach 0-100km/h in just less than six seconds?
It is actually quite hard to find one, which is why there are so few of them around. The 350 Z has been around for the past four years and it has done wonders for Nissan's image. Nothing could be further from the concepts of the Nissan Micra and the Primera. This is not a car built for reliability, economy and practicality as the rest of the Nissan range is, rather this is a car that shows flair, performance and a distinct disregard for conservative thinking.
Everything about it seems to scream excess but the actual appeal of its design should not be lost by considering just its performance abilities. Most 350 Zs are probably driven relatively sedately and are owned by people who will spend a lot of money on a car not merely to see it reach its performance peak (I suspect one would need a new set of tyres trying to), but rather to appreciate its engineering.
This is a two-seater and has none of the practical benefits of other Nissan cars. It is meant to take two, with limited luggage, and get them around in individual style and with as much performance as they care to extract from it. It is capable of travelling at over 150mph but that is quite ridiculous and cars like this are quite useless if you cannot enjoy them at legal and sensible speeds.
Besides, the 350 Z is likely to leave you with back injuries if you try to push its rather harsh ride to its limits.
It has often been said that the 350 Z failed to live up to its image when it came to the interior and the early models certainly had those all-too-familiar waves of black plastic. Later models, however, have been improved but only since last year.
What is less predictable is the handling. In the wrong hands and at the wrong speed this rear-wheel drive car can bite you badly, which is why there are electronic programmes to save you from yourself. However, the 350 Z is a really great car to drive and is rewarding in every way.
Other standard equipment includes multiple airbags, air conditioning, heated seats, leather upholstery and a brilliant sound system. You can actually relax and enjoy this car without pushing it, but you will still have a problem with fuel consumption. Expect it to be pretty terrible.
The car does not have a crash testing record with EuroNCAP and there is no history of it being recalled for major problems.
A 2004 car with 28,000 miles and lots of extras is on offer for €37,000. A 2003 model with 20,000 miles on the clock is on offer at €36,950. It is important to check whether the car has been imported into Ireland or was originally registered here.
FOR:True coupé driving experience
AGAINST:Too much power in the wrong hands