Used 2023 Nissan Z for Sale nearPhoenix, AZ

Is the 2023 Nissan Z a good car?

Yes — 5/5 from owners and 7.00/10 from CarGurus experts. The standout strength is Look and feel at 9/10.

The 2023 Nissan Z is presented as a mostly new seventh-generation sports car that was reskinned and thoroughly updated from the previous Z, and the test-drive summary says it drives like it is all-new. That lines up with the overview’s framing of the car as a performance value in an otherwise unpopulated segment, especially if you want a two-seat sports car that feels special without moving into luxury-car pricing.

The trade-offs are real: the cabin is noisy, cargo space is limited, and the stereo is lacking. Those compromises fit the car’s focused mission, but they matter if you want a sports car that also works as a relaxed daily driver.

33.7% of listings are priced as good or great deals, which suggests there is still some room to shop carefully.

Is the 2023 Nissan Z reliable?

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

The 2023 Nissan Z is described as a mostly new update to a long-running sports-car formula, and the expert summary says it drives like it’s all-new despite some carryover hints from the previous generation. That suggests Nissan made a meaningful reinvention rather than a light refresh, which is usually a good sign when you’re evaluating a used sports car for durability and day-to-day dependability.

The performance notes also point to a powertrain that feels well sorted, with the twin-turbo V6 described as delightful and the manual transmission improved over the old car. On the ownership side, the cost-effectiveness notes compare it favorably with pricier rivals and frame it as a relative bargain.

For used buyers, the main long-term risk is that this is still a high-output sports car, so condition and maintenance history matter more than they would on a mainstream commuter.

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

Accident-free inventory is excellent at 91.7% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies.

You should still run a vehicle history report and prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially because sports cars can hide hard use better than ordinary cars. Focus on tire wear, brake condition, wheel damage, and signs of curb rash or track-style abuse, since those are the kinds of issues that can show up first on a performance coupe. It also makes sense to verify that the car’s electronics, cameras, and driver-assistance features all work as expected.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base Sport trim starts with a cleaner, simpler setup, while the Performance trim adds a more upscale and more aggressive appearance with 19-inch staggered-width wheels, two-tone paint with a black roof, and a more refined cabin presentation. If you want the best value, the Performance trim is the one to target because it adds the equipment that most clearly changes the car’s character.
• 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 the enthusiast choice, while the automatic is described as the better fuel-economy and performance performer.
• 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. The automatic transmission 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, wireless Apple CarPlay, navigation, NissanConnect Services, and an eight-speaker Bose system; Android Auto still requires a cable.
• Fuel efficiency: Nissan predicts 20 mpg combined with the manual and 22 mpg combined 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 twin-turbo V6, manual or automatic transmission, an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and the full set of standard driver-assistance features. It makes sense if you want the lowest starting price and are comfortable giving up the extra hardware and richer tech in the higher trim.
• Performance: This is the best-value trim because it adds the equipment that most clearly sharpens the car: launch control, a mechanical limited-slip differential, larger brakes with red calipers, a sport suspension, forged 19-inch wheels, sticky high-performance tires, a 9-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay, navigation, and the Bose audio system. If you want the version that best matches the Z’s personality, this is the one to buy.

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.

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

This looks like a moderate, selective-buyer market, so you can shop with some leverage if you compare listings carefully.

• Deal availability: 33.7% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 205 listings available.
• Clean inventory: 91.7% of listings are accident-free.

Is the 2023 Nissan Z safe?

It 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.

The safety content also notes that the improved reversing camera and clearer outward sightlines make the car easier to maneuver and change lanes in. One caveat is that lane-departure warning may be irritating, so you may want to test how intrusive it feels before you buy.

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:

• 33.7% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is excellent at 91.7% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It’s the mostly new seventh-generation Z, with a fresh design and an all-new driving feel.

Consider the 2024 if:

• Nissan adds extra performance and brings back the Z NISMO with greater track capability.

The bottom line: If you want the better value and a fresh redesign, the 2023 is the smarter starting point. If you care most about maximum performance and are willing to pay for it, the 2024 is the more compelling upgrade. For price-sensitive buyers, the 2023 still delivers the core Z experience with strong equipment and a more approachable market position.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 4, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.