Nissan 370Z · Z34
Nissan 370Z Z34: the honest two-seat sports car
Compact, naturally aspirated and rear-wheel drive, the 370Z stayed in production long enough to become both familiar and surprisingly easy to misunderstand.
6 min read · Updated September 2026
- Layout
- Two-seat, rear-wheel drive
- Engine
- 3.7-liter V6
- Standard output
- 332 hp / 270 lb-ft
- Transmissions
- 6-speed manual or 7-speed automatic
The 370Z is refreshingly focused. There are two seats, a responsive naturally aspirated V6 and very little effort spent pretending it is a family car. The basic formula barely changed over its long life, which means later cars feel familiar rather than reinvented.
That long production run also created a wide price range. An early base car and a late NISMO may look related, but they appeal to different buyers and should not be evaluated by the same price standard.
Which trim makes sense?
The Sport trim is the sweet spot for many buyers because it adds larger brakes, a limited-slip differential and SynchroRev Match on the manual. Touring models add comfort equipment, while the NISMO brings 350 horsepower, firmer chassis tuning and more aggressive styling.
The 2013 refresh changed the front bumper and lighting details. Later cars received smaller running changes, including the 2018 model's revised lights and manual-clutch hardware.
What should you inspect?
The VQ37VHR is well known, but ownership history still matters. Cars used for drifting or repeated track days can hide expensive wear behind fresh wheels and a polished body.
- On manuals, ask whether the concentric clutch slave cylinder has been replaced or upgraded.
- Watch oil temperature during a long test drive, especially on earlier cars.
- Research early-car oil-gallery-gasket concerns and look for strong maintenance documentation.
- Check hatch operation, tire wear and underside damage from lowered cars.
Who is it for?
Buy a 370Z if you value compact dimensions and a direct sports-car feel more than rear seats or a quiet cabin. The engine can sound coarse at high rpm, but the car feels sturdy and purposeful in a way many turbocharged alternatives do not.
RevFinder verdict
RevFinder pick: a Sport trim with a clean title, matching performance tires and no mystery tune. A documented automatic can be a strong value if you do not need the manual experience.
This guide is educational, not a substitute for a vehicle-history report or an independent pre-purchase inspection. Specifications can vary by year, trim and market.