2010 Nissan 370Z Touring

Affordable sports car with iconic styling

By Nina Russin

2010 Nissan 370Z

There’s a synesthetic relationship between the Nissan 370Z I’m driving and Sonny Rollins, playing on the radio. While a person can learn to appreciate jazz as an art form, loving the music is intuitive.

The 370Z is, in a similar sense, its own animal. Nissan enthusiasts love the Z for its timeless design and contemporary performance. Despite its exotic appearance, the Z remains one of the most affordable and versatile sports cars on the market. Relocating the rear strut on the current model has made the cargo area even larger and more practical for buyers with active lifestyles.

Beyond this, there’s an aura about the Z: an internal logic that makes the coupe different than any other sports car. Both its design and performance are distinctly Nissan, with one foot planted on the road and the other on the track. Features such as the rev-matching manual transmission and formula-style shift paddles make the Z as much of a driver’s car as competitors that are significantly more expensive.

Nissan unveiled the current model for 2009: 2010 models are essentially identical, with a couple of new convenience features and a new exterior color. All grades now get heated mirrors and a micro-filter to reduce allergens inside the cabin. Nissan revised the available navigation package and added black cherry to the list of exterior finishes.

The 370Z coupe comes in two grades: the base enthusiast and upscale touring models. The touring version has a MSRP of $36,130, not including a $720 destination charge. Floor mats and illuminated kick plates on the test car add another $315, bringing the price as tested to $37,165. Read the rest of this entry »