Used 2023 Nissan Z for Sale nearChampaign, IL

Is the 2023 Nissan Z a good car?

Yes — you rate it 5/5, and CarGurus experts give it 7.00/10. The standout strength is Look and feel at 9/10.

The 2023 Nissan Z is positioned as a performance value in the two-seat sports car market, with a stylish new look and a driving character that feels all-new even though some traces of the older 370Z remain. It stands out for its strong engine, accessible pricing, and clear identity in a segment with little direct competition.

The trade-offs are just as clear: it is noisy, cargo space is limited, and the stereo is lacking. Even so, if you want a focused sports car that emphasizes style and performance over practicality, the Z fits that brief well.

Good and great deals account for 39.3% of listings, which gives you a decent chance of finding a competitive price.

Is the 2023 Nissan Z reliable?

Owners rate it 5/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction.

The 2023 Nissan Z is presented as a thoroughly updated version of Nissan’s sports-car formula, and the expert drive notes say it drives like it’s all-new. The twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 is described as delightful, and the manual transmission is reworked for smoother, more positive shifts. That combination points to a car built around a proven performance mission rather than complexity for its own sake.

Nissan also includes a complimentary six-month period of automatic collision notification and related connected services, which adds a small ownership convenience benefit. For used buyers, the main long-term risk is the usual sports-car tradeoff: you should expect higher wear exposure if the car was driven hard.

What should I look for when buying a used 2023 Nissan Z?

Accident-free inventory is excellent at 92.9% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies.

You should still run a vehicle history report and prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially on a sports car that may have seen enthusiastic use. Focus on tire wear, brake condition, and signs of hard driving, since the Z’s performance character can encourage spirited ownership. It is also worth checking that the infotainment and driver-assistance features work properly, since those systems are part of the car’s everyday usability.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The Sport trim starts with the cleaner, simpler setup, while the Performance trim adds a more aggressive look with 19-inch matte-black staggered-width wheels, two-tone paint with a black roof, and a more refined cabin presentation. The base trim is the one most likely to leave you wanting more equipment, especially if you care about the richer audio and larger screen found higher up.
• Powertrain: The Z uses a twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 with 400 horsepower and 350 pound-feet of torque, paired with either a six-speed manual or a nine-speed automatic. The manual is standard, while the automatic is the easier route if you want the best fuel economy and quicker performance numbers.
• Safety package: Every Z includes adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and parking sensors at each end of the car. The automatic transmission also adds full-stop capability for adaptive cruise control.
• Infotainment: Sport trim gets an 8-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth, satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and six speakers. Performance trim upgrades to a 9-inch touchscreen with NissanConnect Services, wireless Apple CarPlay, navigation, and an eight-speaker Bose system; Android Auto still requires a cable.
• Fuel efficiency: Nissan predicts 20 mpg in combined driving with the manual transmission and 22 mpg with the automatic. In testing, the manual returned 22.5 mpg and the automatic returned 27.5 mpg.

Which 2023 Nissan Z trim should I buy?

The 2023 Nissan Z is offered in 2 trim levels: Sport and Performance.

Here's the short version:

• Sport: This is the entry point, and it gives you the core Z experience with the standard manual transmission, the 8-inch touchscreen, and the full set of driver-assistance features. It makes sense if you want the Z’s performance and style at the lowest price.
• Performance: This is the best-value trim if you want the Z to feel more complete. It adds the 9-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay, navigation, the Bose audio system, launch control, a mechanical limited-slip differential, larger brakes, a sport suspension, forged aluminum wheels, and stickier tires.

Every Z includes the same core safety suite, so the main trim decision comes down to whether you want the simpler Sport setup or the more fully equipped Performance model.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2023 Nissan Z?

This is a moderate market for selective buyers, so you can shop with some leverage if you know what you want.

• Deal availability: 39.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 224 listings available.
• Clean inventory: 92.9% of listings are accident-free.

Is the 2023 Nissan Z safe?

The 2023 Nissan Z earns a 7/10 safety score from our experts.

Nissan equips every new Z with adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and parking sensors at each end of the car. The automatic transmission adds full-stop capability for adaptive cruise control.

A notable caveat is that the lane-departure warning beeping may be irritating, and the car’s safety tech is more about broad everyday assistance than advanced luxury-car sophistication. Still, the standard suite is comprehensive for the class, and the improved reversing camera and better outward visibility help make the car easier to place in traffic and parking lots.

Should I buy a 2023 Nissan Z or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2023 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2023 if:

• 39.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is excellent at 92.9% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It delivers a thoroughly updated design and a driving feel that comes across as all-new.

Consider the 2024 if:

• Nissan adds more performance with the return of the Z NISMO.

The bottom line: The 2023 is the better pick if you want the freshest redesign and a strong value proposition in a focused sports car. If you are price-sensitive, the 2023 also makes sense because it already delivers the core Z experience without needing the extra performance hardware that arrives for 2024.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 6, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.