Nissan gave us some of the raddest performance cars money can buy over the years, starting before the company was even known to Americans by that name. People still called it Datsun when the first signs of serious performance began to emerge, with models like the iconic 240Z (known as the Fairlady Z in Japan) and Skyline GT-R debuting in 1969. The golden JDM era of the nineties was still two decades away at that point, and Nissan had also been pouring significant resources into motorsport starting in the sixties. So when Japan’s economy boomed and times were good, the automaker relished the opportunity to really flex its engineering muscle. Performance And Nissan Go Way Back Bring a TrailerFor instance, the GTP ZX-Turbo was a force to be reckoned with in the IMSA GT racing series during the late eighties and early nineties, taking Geoff Brabham to four consecutive drivers’ championship victories between 1988 and 1991. On the commercial side of things, you had the Skyline R32 entering production in May 1989, to later become one of the most distinguished JDM icons alongside the later R33 and R34. The 300ZX was making a killing, too, famously over-engineered and an absolute joy to drive in its Z32 iteration. But, these old-school legends aside, which Nissan sports car offers the most bang for buck on a budget today? A Driver’s Dream On A Budget Bring a TrailerWell, a clean R34 can easily go into six-digit territory, and the 300ZX isn’t exactly cheap in most cases, either. If we stay with the Z lineup and make our way into the 21st century, though, it doesn’t take long for the perfect candidate to emerge. It provides all that sporty Nissan goodness without breaking the bank, so a lot of people had their hearts broken when production ended a few years ago. The model is now among your best bets if you’re looking for performance-infused thrills but don’t have a ton of cash to burn, while also providing a nice bit of analog charm that so many other modern sports cars lack. Nissan 370Z — Pure Bliss For Those Who Value Driving Pleasure Bring a TrailerSome of you might be thinking about the 350Z and you’re not far off, but we’re actually talking about its more refined successor released in the late 2000s. The 370Z came out in 2009 to continue what its forerunners had started, bringing so many great features to the table that Nissan barely changed anything during its production run. And although you can still get your hands on one at a very reasonable price for the time being, this may not be the case for much longer given how much of a treat the 370Z actually is. Let’s get straight into the nitty-gritty and see what makes it so good, because there’s quite a lot for us to talk about here. Why The 370Z Was An Absolute Gem Bring a TrailerFor starters, the 370Z’s wheelbase was four inches shorter than that of its predecessor, but an increased track width made it feel nice and planted during cornering. The car’s overall length dropped by 2.7 inches, and slight changes to its exterior went a long way in achieving a more aggressive look. A more premium feel characterized the cockpit, then there was the upgraded hardware found under the hood. On the one hand, the 350Z used a VQ35HR (or VQ35DE earlier on) naturally aspirated V6, displacing 3.5 liters and capable of spawning up to 306 horsepower. Peak torque was rated at 268 pound-feet, and the mill wouldn’t reach its redline until 7,500 rpm.The 370Z, by contrast, came with a bigger 3.7-liter powerplant codenamed VQ37VHR, boasting a compression ratio of 11:1 and attached to either a six-speed manual or a seven-speed automatic with paddle shifters. In terms of power output, it had a very respectable 332 ponies and 270 pound-feet of torque on tap, but let us talk a bit more about that manual gearbox. It featured Nissan’s proprietary SynchroRev Match technology, which would rev-match automatically during downshifts thanks to some clever mechanical sorcery. This system was the first of its kind on a production car, so it should go without saying that it was a pretty big deal back when the 370Z arrived in 2009. Technical Specifications All this goodness was built on Nissan’s rear-wheel-drive FM (Front Midship) platform, which placed the engine right behind the front axle achieving near-perfect 50:50 weight distribution. Hydraulic power steering offered excellent feedback to the driver, paired with linear power delivery and instant throttle response from that naturally aspirated V6. Manual 370Zs can go from zero to 60 mph in about five seconds, but sportier NISMO variants lowered that time to the upper four-second range. Speaking of which, the NISMO package threw a bunch of other cool features into the mix, including aerodynamic add-ons to the bodywork, more power and sporty Recaro seats inside. Better brakes and stiffer suspension were on the list of upgrades, too, and it should be pretty clear by now that the 370Z was a true driver’s car down to the bone! Why It’s Still Worth Buying Today Bring a TrailerIt became rather outdated in the absence of any major improvements by the late 2010s, though, so Nissan had it unceremoniously axed after the model-year 2020. What followed was a three-year hiatus before the new Z showed up in 2023, giving the nameplate a much-needed refresh. But, truth be told, the 370Z provided that sweet analog driving experience so many yearn for nowadays, and there’s no shortage of car nuts who would happily live with fewer creature comforts in favor of unadulterated driving pleasure. The good news for these folks is that you can easily score a bargain on well-kept 370Zs today, but this is likely to change in the coming years.We’ve seen a few examples going under the hammer for less than $20k as of late, whereas a NISMO version with low mileage will cost significantly more. Even without that extra bit of racing DNA, though, the car will still provide an exhilarating driving experience while also being kind to your bank balance, so it should not be overlooked by any serious enthusiast. And the more we drift away from the age of naturally aspirated performance cars, the more appreciation people will feel for models such as the 370Z, which will likely result in prices surging beyond the reach of many average Joes. So, if this beloved Nissan sports car is on your wish list, make sure you act before it’s too late and you can no longer afford it!
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