Nissan Z cars have a storied past and a cult-like following. They have long been known as the affordable sports car, and the sixth-generation Nissan 370Z is no exception. The Nissan version of the Infiniti G37, it has sleek, sporty lines, a tight cockpit, an available six-speed manual transmission with rev matching, and it’s a blast to drive. Plus, for most of its life, it was offered as both a coupe and as a roadster.
The Nissan 370Z also has some collectability built in, as the Nissan 370Z Nismo models, produced from 2015, are sought after due to their blend of performance and comfort. If you’re trying to decide between the coupe and the Nissan 370Z Roadster and future collector status is a consideration, the Nissan 370Z Coupe has higher potential collectability. And the 50th Anniversary Edition, sold in 2019 and 2020 with limited availability and special badging, has the potential to be a future classic.
Though the 370Z had a long run, it’s known for its reliability, its timeless exterior styling, and its ease of modification (turbo conversions are popular). However, even though the last 370Z model year was in 2020, technology was not its strong suit. There is no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, and if you want external music, you’ll be more apt to find an audio input jack or an in-dash CD player than a USB port to connect your phone. In short, it’s a driver’s car, and you buy it for the styling or the joy of driving. It wasn’t as quick as the all-powerful Nissan GT-R, but was a much more affordable and accessible performance car—and a heck of a lot more interesting than your average Nissan vehicle (think Versa, Altima, Murano, or Sentra).
Nissan 370Z: Cost, Reliability, and the Best Years to Buy
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Nissan 370Z Pros and Cons
- Nissan 370Z Generations
- Nissan 370Z First Generation (2009–2020)
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Nissan 370Z years are the best?
The Nissan 370Z spanned 12 years, and the later models are generally better bets. Specifically, 2012 to 2020 models show far fewer complaints on CarComplaints.com. Looking a little further afield, CoPilotSearch.com calls out 2015 and 2017 as the years to buy due to positive consumer reviews and high reliability ratings. Those two years also log single digit complaints from NHTSA.gov.
What are the worst Nissan 370Z years?
There are just two model years with recalls—2011 and 2018—but that alone doesn’t make them years to avoid. However, the 2011 model logs 40 consumer complaints on NHTSA.gov, which is a lot, but drastically lower than the 152 complaints logged in 2009 and 110 complaints for 2010. After 2011, complaints dropped to the teens and single digits, but from 2009 to 2011, the largest number of complaints were due to a steering wheel lock unit failure, so we consider those years the worst.
Is a used Nissan 370Z a good deal?
Used Nissan 370Zs can be good deals, especially those built before 2016, average prices of which can be 50% off the original MSRP. The best deals will be had if you go for the pricier upper trims. For example, the 2015 Touring Sport Roadster 2D had an original MSRP of $50,225, but the national average for this model today is around $18,000.
Nissan 370Z Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Powerful V6
- Good reliability
- Attractive, timeless styling
Cons:
- Lack of modern technology
- Huge blind spots
- Excessive road and engine noise
Nissan 370Z Generations
Nissan 370Z First Generation (2009–2020)
There was only one generation of Nissan 370Z, but it represented the sixth generation of the Z-Car, which first appeared as the Fairlady Z in 1969. Later, it fell under the Datsun brand before returning to the Nissan brand in its third generation in 1983.
When it emerged on the scene in 2009, the Nissan 370Z was all-new. Its wheelbase was four inches shorter, and the overall length was 2.7 inches shorter, than that of the outgoing Nissan 350Z. It used an aluminum front subframe, an aluminum-ally engine cradle, aluminum door panels, and an aluminum hood and hatch. The smaller dimensions and lightweight materials helped to reduce weight.
The two-seat Nissan 370Z had a front-engine, rear-wheel drive layout, and the Base and Touring trim levels were equipped with a 3.7-liter V6 engine with 332-horsepower and 270 lb-ft of toque, channeled through a six-speed manual transmission or a seven-speed automatic. The more potent Nismo model produced 350 hp and 276 lb-ft, and was only available with the manual transmission. At launch, the 370Z only offered a two-door coupe body style, but a roadster joined the lineup a year later.
The base model was equipped with steering wheel audio controls, keyless entry and push-button start, cruise control, a four-speaker audio system, an auxiliary input jack, and automatic climate controls. The Touring trim added power adjustable heated seats, Bluetooth phone connectivity, aluminum sport pedals, and an eight-speaker Bose audio system. The Sport Package added spec such as 19-inch forged alloy wheels, sport brakes, SynchroRev Match on the six-speed manual, and a viscous limited-slip differential. The Navigation Package, available only with the Touring trim, added a hard-drive navigation system, real-time traffic information, a 9.3 GB hard drive for music storage, and a USB port for iPod connectivity.
The 370Z got a refresh in 2013, with a new front fascia, LED daytime running lights, new wheel designs, suspension tuning updates, and an updated Sport Package with red brake calipers. In 2015, the Nismo model received a new aerodynamic body kit including a rear spoiler, Recaro seats, new wheels, and a newly available seven-speed automatic transmission. It also got two new trims: 370Z Sport and Sport Tech. The base trim got Bluetooth, and the Touring trim added standard navigation. There was yet another refresh for the 2018 model year, with darker headlights and taillights, fresh wheel designs, a better throttle response, and a high-performance clutch for the manual transmission. The Heritage Edition also arrived in 2018, which was available with yellow interior trim and custom graphics.
There was a trim simplification towards the end of the Nissan 370Z’s life, with the combination of the Sport Tech and Touring trims into a single Sport Touring trim, a 50th Anniversary Edition, and minor tech updates. The roadster ended production after the 2019 model year, and the 370Z sailed into the sunset after 2020.
If you’re looking for a Nissan 370Z, there are plenty of options, as long as you’re willing to travel. In a quick search, we saw more than 500 models for sale nationwide with prices ranging from $6,000 for a high-mileage salvage example to $46,000 for a low-mileage 2020 Nismo. You should be able to find a 370Z with around 50,000 miles at a $15,000 to $20,000 price point.
