2004 Nissan 350Z Roadster

A bolt of lightning was sent through the sports car world when the all-new 2003 Nissan 350Z coupe starting shipping to Nissan dealers in August 2002. In just 12-months sales topped 39,000 units making the 350Z the world's number-one selling 2-seat sports car. The demand for a value-priced but powerful and performance-driven sports car was clear. It was time that a very capable 2-seat sports car was base-priced below $30,000.00. The all-new-for-'03 350Z Coupe did that—it is a near-perfect combination of performance and handling, design and durability—and value.

Styling of the Z Roadster looks like it was just "cad-cammed" from a solid block of metal.

Enter the 350Z Roadster, i.e. convertible or Z Roadster, that gives the driver an even closer connection to the Z experience, evoking an adrenaline-pumping spirit and high performance excitement with an open top, a power-operated, heavy-gauge woven soft top with a heated glass rear window that can be lowered or raised in just 20 seconds.


There are two Roadster models available, the Enthusiast model, starting at just $33,850, with all the same standard equipment found in the 350Z Enthusiast Coupe, and the Touring model, starting at $36,220.00, and adding heated leather bucket seats, heated power-remote side mirrors, and a 7-speaker, 240 watt, AM-FM/cassette tape player/6-disc in-dash CD player, Bose Audio System. There are only three options available in the 350Z roadster: 18-inch tires/alloy wheels for $1,200.00, a navigation system for $2,000.00, and side airbags for $250.00. We tested the Touring version with the 18-inch wheel/tire package and the side airbags for $37,670.


The new Z roadster offers the best combination of styling, innovation, performance, comfort, luxury and safety in a 2-seat sports car for thousands less than the competition. It's well designed and well engineered. Like every roadster, the 350Z looks un-interesting with the top up, but once you easily disengage the unique and easy-to-use 3-lock, single-latch system, which gives a more secure seal, then put your foot on the brake and push a toggle button to the left of the steering wheel, in just 20-seconds the top is closed and secured out of the way under a beautifully designed hard tonneau cover. Like magic, the 350Z turns into a beautiful open-top 2-seat sports car, ready to tackle your wildest dreams and fantasies with the sun in your face and the wind in your hair.


The 350Z Roadster uses the same FM (Front Mid-ship) platform as the 350Z Coupe and is specially designed with added structural reinforcements to make the Roadster stiffer because there is no roof to tie it all together. Just 230 lbs. of mass added to the Roadster shows how well Nissan designed the Coupe with the beam connecting the rear strut towers that is easily seen in the Coupe but hidden in the Roadster. It has an exclusive steering column support, a cross-car beam that, with gussets at the top and bottom of the A-pillar, contributes to sharp steering response. There is a steel tube crossing the car behind the seats that also support the nicely styled inverted V-shaped roll bars. The doors are also added to the reinforcement with special 'door catcher' connectors. Nissan also added front and rear dynamic dampers to hinder vibrations. It really feels solid at speed and has very little cowl shake over poorly paved roads.