2016 Nissan 370Z

NEW FOR 2016:

Every year dozens of vehicles receive price cuts – some by a few hundred, some by a few thousand. Typically, price adjustments aren’t announced in great details in these buyer’s guide entries, but every now and again there’s one worth announcing.

For 2016, there’s a new base trim level that slashes the 370Z’s base price by $10,000 to $29,998. All the basic bits are there – the 332-hp V6 engine, a short-throw six-speed manual – but a lot of the additional niceties including a limited-slip rear differential, leather, and navigation are gone. Nonetheless, the price adjustment makes the 370Z a real performance bargain: it’s a mere $2,500 more expensive than the Scion FR-S/Subaru BRZ twins, and $1,900 less expensive than a Mazda MX-5.

Elsewhere, upper trim levels of the 370Z – the Sport and NISMO – get enhanced Bose sound systems. Nissan has jumped on the active sound bandwagon; the speakers reduce cabin noise and tire roar, while simultaneously amplifying the war-cry of the V6 engine.

Despite its age, the 370Z remains an engaging and visceral driving experience with its powerful engine, and decisive handling – especially the NISMO model which boasts extra structural rigidity, NISMO-tuned suspension, a great looking body kit, and a slight power hike.

The 370Z is offered as a Coupe in Coupe, Touring, Touring Sport, and NISMO trims. The Roadster can be had in Touring and Touring Sport trims.

Features on the Coupe include staggered width black-painted 18-inch wheels, Z fender emblems, automatic HID headlamps, LED daytime running lights, LED tail lights, power mirrors, solar glass, proximity key with push-button start, climate control, Bluetooth, ancillary gauges (oil temperature, voltmeter, digital clock), electroluminescent instrument cluster with multi-function trip computer, power windows, power locks, cruise control, dual 12-volt power outlets, tilt steering column with integrated gauges, sun visor extenders, dash-mounted storage, parcel box, cloth upholstery, eight-way adjustable driver’s seat, leather-wrapped steering wheel, shift knob and parking brake, four-speaker audio system with AM/FM/CD /MP3, aux-in jack, and USB port. Deletes side curtain airbag.

Features on the Coupe Touring limited-slip rear differential, LED illuminated fender emblems, power heated mirrors, active noise cancellation, active sound enhancement, garage door opener, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, rear cargo cover, leather upholstery, heated seats, power seats, synthetic suede door trim, aluminum pedals, 7.0-inch navigation display, eight-speaker Bose audio system, satellite radio, and reverse camera.

The 370Z Touring Sport adds euro-tuned sport suspension, Nissan sport brakes, SynchroRev Match for manual transmission, 19-inch Rays forged alloy wheels.

The NISMO Coupe builds on the Touring Sport with NISMO free-flow dual exhaust system, high-rigidity brake hoses, red engine cover, NISMO-tuned suspension, NISMO three-point strut tower brace, NISMO-tuned front and rear body dampers, 19-inch staggered-width NISMO RAYS forged wheels, NISMO bodykit, red instrument faces, Recaro bucket seats with Alcantara inserts, leather/Alcantara-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, and red interior stitching.

Roadster Touring features the content in the Coupe Touring and adds power convertible top with glass window, rear wind deflector, power storage cover, ventilated front seats. Deletes rear cargo cover.

Roadster Touring Sport builds on the Roadster Touring with euro-tuned sport suspension, Nissan sport brakes, SynchroRev Match for manual transmission, 19-inch Rays forged alloy wheels.