I’ve been drooling over the new NISSAN 370Z since I started seeing photos popping up last fall.
I mean, c’mon, the car is gorgeous! It was really nice to begin with but somehow the wizards over at Nissan managed to one-up themselves giving us the new 2009 model. Nice!
Clearly this isn’t a family car, but it’s probably one of the most manly cars you can get a hold of for 30 grand. I haven’t test driven the new Z and most likely won’t get to, but I figured I could compile some links for you guys to drool over. Enjoy!
First off, the OFFICIAL 2009 NISSAN 370Z SITE has all the pics, specs, and hype you could ever want. Definitely check it out. CNET had a nice review of the car last fall before it was actually released; nice photos!
When it comes to actual test drives, the reviews were mostly positive, but certainly mixed. EDMUNDS INSIDE LANE was very impressed, saying, “We’ll even go so far as to say that the 2009 Nissan 370Z now raises the standard for the sport coupe segment to a new level of affordable excellence. Its accessible performance alone is worthy of status as a benchmark. Its looks alone will bring people to a Nissan showroom. And the combination of the Z-car’s reasonable price and fuel -efficiency (22 mpg EPA combined) will certainly get your attention.”
THE TRUTH ABOUT CARS was impressed, but not as much as they expected to be, “I don’t know. I should be jumping up and down. On paper, the 370Z is a mean, corner-eating bastard. But something’s amiss. It’s too quiet inside, for one. And I really think the notorious FM platform is better suited to sedans (G) and sport-SUVs (FX) than pure sports cars. Put it like this: if it was my $30k (or so), I’d be shopping a (gulp) Mustang GT.” Ouch.
AUTOMOBILE MAGAZINE wasn’t blown away, but they were very positive about the new Z, “it’s especially nice to see that Nissan, which historically has provided a lot of bang for the enthusiast’s buck, has enhanced what was already a very affordable and desirable sports car. Hollywood might have problems with second acts, but Nissan proves that a sequel really can top the original.“
Finally, ROAD & TRACK was impressed by the overall package, “The 370Z continues to offer the style and performance of European sports cars at a fraction of their price, a tradition started by the original 240Z back in 1970. It’s a package that’s hard to beat, especially in today’s woeful economic times, and once you drive it, you too will be grinning…” 
Ben Murphy, founder of The Father Life, is an Adventure Athlete, Writer, and Wellness Advocate who used to be obese. You can ask him your questions at www.BenMurphyOnline.com. He lives in upstate New York with his wife and three daughters.