​What can I say...?

Everybody knows I'm a German 'lover', and never really understood the whole Jap thing. That said - after driving this Nissan 350Z (for the second time - and over a longer period) I have to say it is one of the BEST DRIVER'S CARS you can get for the money.

Why did I just say that?

It is true. Its like a perfect BMW.. without all the MAF/Idle Control Valve/Differential flaws. Its like a perfect day out with your best friend! Lets not look at what people might call 'bad bits' - because I test cars based on how they drive and perform - not on whether the interior is pretty. And who in their right mind looks at the fancy gauges and stuff while driving? I don't. 

So - back to the car... It is an amazing drive. The steering wheel sits perfectly. The pedals are easy to use (although I had to remove my Nike Air Jerusalem Sandals for legroom), the gearknob is in perfect reach, all indicators and light controls were natural and felt as though I've owned the car for a very long time.

HANDLING

Superb... I cannot fault this thing. It does EVERYTHING I ask - and feels a million times better because of the front engine'd, rear wheel drive balance. Being in a Porsche is a wonderfully freightening experience (part of the buzz of owning one, I'm sure many owners will agree) - but to get in something so well balanced and push the boundaries was complete heaven! I didn't want to give the car back when the owner returned from his weekend break.

ENGINE

Nice... to be honest the thing just needs a remap and I'd probably be happy owning it even more. To get the power you can't hang around at low RPM's expecting it to catapult you into the distance. When people say these engines are slow, it is down to the drivers. You need to REV these things to get them at their best. Anything over 5000rpm is a dream - and I suppose that is what this car is - a dream and a pleasure to drive over the weekend I had it here.

I loved driving this car. On the Saturday evening I threw some Shell V-Power in the tank and had a nice drive on the A12. That was when I realised its potential. It isn't about the 'bhp' figures or any of that pub talk. It is about the joy when you really connect with a car, and the feeling of being in something as well built as this.

Power figures aside - I would have this car. If you want something with 280hp/301hp/313hp - which I think is more than enough for the road - then I urge you to TEST DRIVE ONE OF THESE THINGS!! You cannot drive one of these and not get out smiling...

Gute Fahrt!

Nicholas Lawrence //ON CARS