Nissan has made a big effort to improve the apparent quality of the Z-car's interior, adding a lot more architectural elements, upgrading the quality of the upholstery and trim, increasing the number of features, and multiplying the number of storage areas.
The trouble is, there's just too much going on here for me. Instead of operational efficiency, what we have here is aggressive conceptual complexity. It's like watching Transformers from the front row.
For all the justifiable criticism leveled at the interior of the 2003 Nissan 350Z, I think I prefer this treatment. Sure, the doors are trimmed by featureless expanses of black plastic, but the presentation of the key elements is far better, even though the basic architecture is clearly similar to the 370Z. The 350Z's three instrument dials on the top of the dash were a real design breakthrough at the time, and I still prefer their use of multi-function electronics (including tire pressure and lap times) to the all-inclusive multi-function readout on the left side of the 370Z's dash, which manages to make even fuel level a mystery.
Sometimes good design is about utility, not just stylistic excess. Given the choice between the GT-R execution of the 370Z and the plainness of the original 350Z, I pick the 350Z.
Michael Jordan, Executive Editor @ 8,350 miles
altimadude00 says:
10:17 AM, 06/26/09
The three gauge cluster at the top of the dash has been a design element for most Z cars (90-96 being the exception). Nothing groundbreaking. Just a retro touch.
I will agree on the multifunction/gas gauge fiasco. Hopefully Nissan will improve it during the model refresh in a few years.
Saying that, I'll have to disagree with you. I like today's 370Z over the 350Z interior. It might be busier, but it looks more upscale.
hondacura4 says:
10:20 AM, 06/26/09
I will admit the 350's interior isnt as busy but its nowhere near as substantial looking as the 370's as its percieved quality is better in every measure. Ill take the 370 as its a better car in every way. I didnt care for the 350 at all.
SadButTrue says:
10:24 AM, 06/26/09
@altimadude00,
The original 300ZX ('84-89) had a two-gauge cluster (can two of something be a cluster?) at the top of the dash. But I take your point.
-JS
umiami350z says:
10:34 AM, 06/26/09
@Sadbutrue,
The original z was the 240z not the 300zx and it did indeed have a three gauge cluster on the dash. So yes take his point...
umiami350z says:
10:36 AM, 06/26/09
Also, the author must not be a techy. I and alot of other techy's would take a g37 or 370z over a bmw any day simply because of all the tech that is included as standard. I think nissan has done an amazing job the last couple of years ESPECIALLY in the tech department.
canadia says:
10:39 AM, 06/26/09
Personally, I think that the peanut-butter upholstery jutting out of a sea of black plastic looks horrid.
It's as if somebody tried to stuff some garish Maserati seats into a Civic.
Despite the overwhelming cry of the masses for the GT-R and the Z, neither car holds a special place in my heart. Maybe in my lower intestine.
adam_in_oc says:
10:42 AM, 06/26/09
It seems like the 370Z is Edmunds's new WRX STI...the articles/postings started positive, but are trending negative. That's not a criticism, it's just an observation. So what gives? Is it the additional time with the vehicle that changes the tone? What factors contribute to this change? (That might be good general info for car shoppers to consider.) Should this pattern change our (readers') perception of your initial reviews of cars? How do you recognize when the negativity turns into just "hating" on a car?
huyracing says:
10:55 AM, 06/26/09
additional time with car? no one is driving it! i think they feel they've neglected the car and are trying to find something to write about it. (without having to drive it)
huyracing says:
11:09 AM, 06/26/09
the interior is so much nicer on the 370Z... yeah there is that funky display, but c'mon... the 370Z is superior to the 350Z. if you don't like it, save yourself some cash and get the 350Z. i really don't love the styling of either car, so i'd get one on the basis of its performance. the fact i've only seen 2 370Z's on the road make it more appealing to me than the hundreds of 350Z's.
mikeolan says:
11:16 AM, 06/26/09
Yeah honestly, the 370z interior is still nicer than the 135i's by a huge margin. If you want to talk about a busy, sloppy interior, just look over to Germany's competitors.
compliance says:
11:26 AM, 06/26/09
Give me the 135i's interior any day. Materials and design of the 370Z is a disaster. It doesn't matter if it's better than the 350, it's a complete turn-off/deal breaker.
adantium says:
11:35 AM, 06/26/09
370Z interior is much better than the 350Z in my view. I don't like the 135i's interior. Ugly small similar looking buttons attached to a cliff faced dashboard.
audisport says:
11:49 AM, 06/26/09
@mikeolan- Please define busy, sloppy interior.
The 370z's interior is light years ahead of that of the 350's. The 350's rattled a bit and fealt cheap overall.
dougtheeng says:
12:20 PM, 06/26/09
I think the 350 interior was horrid, but I'm also not a fan of the 370 interior. Its trying too hard.
SadButTrue says:
01:06 PM, 06/26/09
@umiami350z,
"The original z was the 240z not the 300zx and it did indeed have a three gauge cluster on the dash. So yes take his point..."
Where did I say the original Z was the 300ZX?
Read first, then write.
-SBT
stovt001 says:
01:24 PM, 06/26/09
"It seems like the 370Z is Edmunds's new WRX STI...the articles/postings started positive, but are trending negative. That's not a criticism, it's just an observation."
In my opinion, instances like this reveal the true value of the Long Term tests. In addition to testing durability and everyday usability, you see which cars loose their luster. Some cars seem great at first, but after a while just don't seem so hot any more. It might be durability or every day living issues, or it could just be that the car really isn't all that the hype made it out to be.
clarkma5 says:
02:55 PM, 06/26/09
Simply put, I think you're nuts. They're equally busy in design to my eyes but the 370's is much more attractively detailed and has much higher quality materials.
charlesb says:
04:11 PM, 06/26/09
Transformers looks equally bad from pretty much any row.
mikeolan says:
06:38 PM, 06/26/09
"Give me the 135i's interior any day. Materials and design of the 370Z is a disaster."
yeah, if you think the Materials and design of the 370z is bad, take a look at the 135i. The 370z at least uses high quality polymers that don't feel like they were sourced from Suzuki's reject bin, excellent seats, and excellent build quality and get this- decent panel fitments!
cabriniman says:
08:26 PM, 06/26/09
As the owner of a 350Z whose also driven the 370Z I think the new upgraded interior is MUCH better.
wavehogger says:
10:52 AM, 06/27/09
""It seems like the 370Z is Edmunds's new WRX STI...the articles/postings started positive, but are trending negative. That's not a criticism, it's just an observation."
In my opinion, instances like this reveal the true value of the Long Term tests. In addition to testing durability and everyday usability, you see which cars loose their luster. Some cars seem great at first, but after a while just don't seem so hot any more. It might be durability or every day living issues, or it could just be that the car really isn't all that the hype made it out to be."
I've read the long term follow ups on more than one site. It's simple, the Z is sports car. It's loud, you feel every groove in the road, and YOU SHOULD! The magazine staff are mostly family guys and they admit themselves that if they didn't need more than 2 sears they'd all want to be taking it more. And stop comparing it to the 135, that's not a 'sports car". It may be about equal in a straight line but that's it the Z will out perform it every other way. And I'm not hating on the 135 it's great. And whine all you want about the interior, it's not an infiniti, it's a Nissan, for 29,999 to start, it's quite a bargain really.