Used 2005 Nissan 350Z Exterior Review at InternetAutoGuide.com

2005 Nissan 350Z Exterior

Read this professional review and road test of the used 2005 Nissan 350Z exterior styling with a complete test drive evaluation in all driving situations including an overview of the Hatchback's wheels, 225/50R17 tires, headlights, colors and more.

2005 350Z Review

Nissan Cars & Company Information

Anniversary edition brings more performance.

Walkaround The 350Z looks aggressive with its bulging front fenders and fast back. The shape of the Z suggests a mid-engine design. The engine is in fact in front of the driver, but it's behind the front axle. That's why Nissan calls it a front mid-ship placement (somewhat similar to the Mazda RX-8 design).

The Z shares its underbody architecture with the Infiniti G35 coupe and sedan. Moving the engine rearward evens out weight distribution, which improves handling balance. The Z Roadster adds more than 200 pounds to the hatchback's 3,200 pounds, but the weight front/rear weight split remains at 53/47 percent. It's balanced well for accelerating out of corners.

An extremely short front overhang and a short rear overhang make for agile handling. It also means you don't scrape driveway transitions like you do in a Corvette. Bulging fender flares make the Z look like it's ready for the racetrack, which it is.

The hatchback's shape helps the Z slice through the air with a minimum of drag (0.29 on the Track model). The Roadster's more traditional coupe outline isn't quite as slippery, attaining a drag coefficient of 0.34. (But what do you care when you've got the wind in your hair?) Underbody airflow is managed well, with zero lift on the front (and zero lift on the rear of the Track model). All this math adds up to relatively low levels of wind noise, even in the Roadster with the top up, and a stable sports car at high speeds.

With the top down, conversation in the Roadster required only slightly raised voice levels; the stereo did, however, have to be cranked up a bit. Next Page

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