Is the Nissan 370Z a Good Daily Driver? (9 Crucial Aspects)
The Nissan 370Z replaced and surpassed its predecessor, the 350Z, in several performance aspects.
Still, the 370Z is only a reasonable choice for a daily driver as the excessively noisy interior remains, making long trips tiresome – though it may not be a deal-breaker for some.
Nissan 370Z’s Drawbacks as a Daily Driver
Certain car aspects may matter more than others, so the 370Z’s suitability as an everyday car varies for different drivers.
#1 Road and Tire Noise a Constant (Still)
Engine, tire, and wind noise feature prominently in the cabin, and it remains a notable drawback for the Z series; most rivals aren’t this loud.
Unfortunately, the road noise becomes more pronounced at highway speeds.
The ever-present and unrefined noise and vibration felt through the engine are hard to ignore.
It is tolerable in short commutes, but the constant presence of a noisy cabin driving it daily or on long trips may wear you out eventually.
But some may argue that the noise is a reminder of driving a sports car every day.
#2 Low-Slung with Poor Visibility
As is typical in most coupes, the 370Z’s low-slung position and sloping roof present two drawbacks: difficult seeing out and laborious getting in.
Visibility out the front and sides is still acceptable if you’re average height, given the high dash, but the view out the back is problematic with huge blind spots.
Changing lanes and reversing a 370Z demand an added degree of focus.
Visibility in the 370Z shouldn’t pose a problem for those who’ve driven sports compacts and coupes, but if you come from driving an SUV, the difference is stark and will require a period of adaptation.
For taller drivers, entering and exiting the 370Z will take some effort due to the low height – a 370Z measures approximately 51.8 inches (131 cm), a Toyota Corolla 56.5 inches (144 cm), and a Honda Accord 57 inches (145 cm).
The seats feature sporty contours that excel at keeping you in place during spirited driving.
However, the side bolsters on the seat impede a straightforward getting in and out of the already-low seating position.
Expect some ducking and twisting on your way in.
Note that the steering wheel tilts but doesn’t telescope, so some seat adjustments are needed to reach an ideal driving position.
#3 Limited Cargo Space (Even for a Sports Car)
The 370Z is a sports coupe (and convertible), and the tiny trunk shouldn’t surprise you.
Still, the space is limited by sports cars standard.
The 370Z convertible, like its predecessor, has one of the smallest trunks among coupes and convertibles.
| Cargo Capacity (seats in place) | |
| 350z (convertible) | 4.1 cubic ft. |
| 370z (convertible) | 4.2 cubic ft. |
| Mazda Miata (convertible) | 4.6 cubic ft. |
| Ford Mustang (convertible) | 11.4 cubic ft. |
| 350z (coupe) | 6.8 cubic ft. |
| 370z (coupe) | 6.9 cubic ft. |
| Subaru BRZ (coupe) | 6.9 cubic ft. |
| Ford Mustang (coupe) | 13.5 cubic ft. |
| VW Golf R (hatchback) | 22.8 cubic ft. |
| Honda Civic Type R (hatchback) | 25.7 cubic ft. |
Among entry-level sports and sporty cars, the Volkswagen Golf R and Honda Civic Type R, with their hatchback body style, have some of the roomiest trunks, ably serving your practical needs.
#4 Premium Fuel Requirement
Fuel prices have skyrocketed in recent years and are a bane for drivers with gas guzzlers.
Having a daily driver that solely consumes the pricier premium fuel will put a serious dent in your monthly gas budget.
Feeding the 370Z premium unleaded fuel is a requirement across all trims and model years, except 2009.
Opt for the 2009 Nissan 370Z if you wish to avoid paying more at the pump, as using premium fuel is only a recommendation.
However, using regular gas, in this case, may result in decreased power output – but the difference should be negligible.
#5 Relatively Pricey (Used) Daily Driver
370Zs are affordable sports cars brand-new.
But because they hold value well (details on depreciation later in the post), used 370Zs are relatively expensive compared to a regular daily driver.
A 2020 Nissan 370Z in excellent condition costs north of $30k, and 2015 models average above $23k.
For comparison, a 2020 Honda Civic Si in similar condition costs $25k or more, and a 2015 one costs around $17k.
The Civic Si isn’t a sports car but a sporty one and is less expensive to start with.
Still, when comparing compact cars for a daily driver, the relatively high price tag of a used 370Z is a factor.
Obviously, the price of higher-end sports cars or supercars like the Ferrari, McLaren, or Porsche are off the scale and incomparable to the 370Z as a daily driver.
Nissan 370Z’s Pluses as a Daily Driver
#6 Agile and a Joy to Drive
Fans appreciate the 370Z styling and the thrill of driving one daily and see the stiff ride as an acceptable compromise.
The 370Z, more so than the 350Z, does not disappoint.
Steering response is quick and conveys ample feedback.
It proves a delight to drive, exhibiting plenty of grip and staying virtually flat when cornering.
The 370Z will give you a good reason to look forward to driving it every day.
#7 Class-Competitive Fuel Economy
All 370Z model years average between 20 and 22 mpg combined, with highway drives as high as 26 mpg.
These figures better the 350Z it replaced and are on par with muscle cars like the Chevy Camaro and Dodge Challenger.
| Combined MPG | |
| Nissan 350z | 20 mpg |
| Ford Focus RS | 22 mpg |
| Nissan 370z | 22 mpg |
| Chevy Camaro | 22 mpg |
| Dodge Challenger | 23 mpg |
| Honda Civic Type R | 25 mpg |
| Honda Civic Si | 30 mpg |
The Civic Type R or Civic Si are attractive options if you want more horsepower than a regular daily driver but still save money at the pump.
Plus, they are much easier to live with day-to-day.
#8 Inexpensive Upkeep
The 370Z is a discontinued model, but fortunately, its repair and maintenance costs are cheaper than the average small car.
RepairPal estimated the Nissan 370Z’s maintenance to cost $504 annually, below the $526 average for small cars.
Let’s compare the 370Z’s year-to-year increase in maintenance cost to that of the Honda Civic (the gold standard in inexpensive running costs), the Ford Mustang (a sports car), and the BMW 3-Series (a luxury sedan):
| Year | Annual Costs (Nissan 370Z) | Annual Costs (Honda Civic) | Annual Costs (Ford Mustang) | Annual Costs (BMW 3-Series) |
| 1 | $235 | $183 | $254 | $437 |
| 2 | $269 | $214 | $294 | $515 |
| 3 | $323 | $262 | $359 | $640 |
| 4 | $409 | $339 | $461 | $840 |
| 5 | $480 | $403 | $547 | $1,007 |
| 6 | $592 | $504 | $682 | $1,268 |
| 7 | $821 | $708 | $955 | $1,799 |
| 8 | $911 | $790 | $1,063 | $2,010 |
| 9 | $996 | $865 | $1,164 | $2,206 |
| 10 | $1,121 | $977 | $1,314 | $2,497 |
| 11 | $1,137 | $992 | $1,334 | $2,535 |
| 12 | $1,271 | $1,112 | $1,494 | $2,847 |
The probability of major repair also increases with the 370Z’s age:
- 1.79% in year 1,
- 8.43$ in year 5,
- 17.36% in year 10, and
- 33.46% in year 12.
These figures are close to Civic’s, further underlining its low running costs.
That said, a used vehicle’s condition varies, so you’ll need to check and verify the car’s condition before buying.
#9 Strong Resale Value
Most brand-new cars average between 50% and 60% depreciation in the initial five years.
The Nissan 370Z retains value well, depreciating 42% after five years and, more remarkably, only 58% at the full-decade mark.
| 5-yr Depreciation | 10-yr Depreciation | |
| Mazda MX-5 Miata | 38% | 55% |
| Dodge Challenger | 40% | 61% |
| Chevy Camaro | 40% | 62% |
| Subaru WRX | 40% | 70% |
| Nissan 370z | 42% | 58% |
| Ford Mustang | 43% | 66% |
| Dodge Charger | 48% | 75% |
| BMW 3-Series | 55% | 78% |
Only ten-year-old Mazda Miatas hold value better than the 370Zs at the same age.
The BMW 3-Series may seem an outlier, but it is a premium sports sedan with relatively steep depreciation, the perfect backdrop to illustrate the sports cars’ substantial resale value.
That said, a car’s resale value depends heavily on its condition.
Nissan 370Z Comparison with Other Vehicles
370Z vs. 350Z as a Daily Driver
Table Guide:
- Fuel Economy: mpg combined (base trim).
- Fuel Type: Prem=premium; ReQ=required; ReC=recommended.
- Maintenance Costs: per year avg. (RepairPal).
- Visibility: excellent, good, average, poor.
- Ride Comfort: excellent, good, average, poor.
| Engine | Horsepower | Fuel Econ. | Fuel Type | Maint. Costs | Visibility | Ride Comfort | |
| Nissan 370z | 3.7L-V6 | 332-hp | 20-22-mpg | Prem-ReQ (2010-2020) Prem-ReC (2009) | $504 | Poor | Poor |
| Nissan 350z | 3.5L-V6 | 287-306-hp | 19-20-mpg | Prem-ReC (2007-2009) Prem-ReQ (2003-2006) | $452 | Poor | Poor |
The 370Z replaced the 350Z roadster in 2009, although 2020 is the 370Z’s final year before the all-new Z’s debut (400Z).
In the 370Z vs. 350Z daily driver match-up, the result concludes in favor of the 370Z with these advantages:
- Upgraded engine (from 3.5L to 3.7L V6) with horsepower increase (306 hp to 332 hp), but
- Thriftier in fuel consumption,
- Shorter and lighter, increasing agility.
- Marginal improvement in ride comfort.
The performance-tuned 370Z Nismo has a substantially stiffer ride quality than the base trim, offering tenacious cornering grip but ultimately the poorer daily driver.
370Z vs. Other Daily Drivers
Table Guide:
- Horsepower: base trim.
- Fuel Economy: mpg combined (base trim).
- Maintenance Costs: per year avg. (RepairPal).
- Safety (IIHS): 1 (poor) to 4 (good); IIHS tests average.
- Safety (NHTSA): 1 (poor) to 5 (safest); NHTSA overall.
- Visibility: excellent, good, average, poor.
- Ride Comfort: excellent, good, average, poor.
| Horsepower | Fuel Econ. | Maint. Costs | Safety (IIHS) | Safety (NHTSA) | Visibility | Ride Comfort | |
| Nissan 370z | 332 hp | 22 | $504 | NA | NA | Poor | Poor |
| Chevy Camaro | 275-323 hp | 22 | $585 | 3.8/4 | 5/5 | Poor | Average |
| Ford Focus RS | 350 hp | 22 | $569+ | NA | 5/5 | Good | Poor |
| Dodge Charger | 178-300 hp | 23 | $652 | 3.6/4 | 5/5 | Average | Average |
| Subaru WRX | 230-271 hp | 23 | $682 | 4/4 | 5/5 | Good | Average |
| Subaru BRZ | 205-228 hp | 24 | $672 | 3.8/4 | NA | Good | Average |
| Ford Mustang | 145-310 hp | 24 | $709 | 3.8/4 | 5/5 | Average | Average |
| VW Golf R | 288-315 hp | 24 | $903 | NA | NA | Good | Good |
| VW Golf GTI | 210-228 hp | 27 | $791 | 3.8/4 | 5/5 | Good | Good |
| Mazda Miata | 116-181 hp | 29 | $429 | NA | NA | Average | Average |
| Honda-Civic-Type-R | 306 hp | 25 | $368+ | 4/4 | 5/5 | Good | Good |
| Honda Civic Si | 197-205 hp | 30 | $368+ | 4/4 | 5/5 | Good | Good |
| Honda Civic | 110-158 hp | 33 | $368 | 4/4 | 5/5 | Good | Good |
The Chevy Camaro is a tad more expensive than a similar-age 370Z. Still, the base trim muscle car matches the 370Z’s fuel economy and provides a more supple ride, especially with the adaptive suspension.
Sadly, the Camaro’s equally poor visibility limits its practicality as a daily driver.
In that case, the Ford Mustang (coupe & convertible) and Dodge Charger (sedan) deliver similar thrills with fewer flaws.
The Ford Focus RS, Subaru WRX, and Subaru BRZ have comparable fuel consumption as the 370Z but vastly improved visibility for day-to-day livability.
All-wheel-drive is standard in the Focus RS and WRX, representing a clear advantage over the 370Z, especially for drivers living in snowy climes.
The BRZ is rear-wheel driven like the 370Z, but the former has sublime handling, agreeable ride quality, and better visibility on its side.
The BRZ’s lower curb weight offers obvious advantages in fuel-saving and improved driving dynamics.
Simply put, the Subaru BRZ is the overall better RWD daily driver and a tonne of fun to drive.
Both VW Golf R and GTI outperform the 370Z as daily drivers with better ride comfort, lower fuel consumption, and appreciably enhanced visibility.
Further, they are hatchbacks, offering superior trunk space and day-to-day practicality without sacrificing the fun-to-drive factor.
If you love the appeal of a two-seater roadster, the Mazda MX-5 Miata is a viable alternative to the 370Z.
The Miata is one of the most fuel-efficient entry-level sports cars.
Plus, there is a huge market for used Miatas, and maintaining one is thoroughly inexpensive.
The Honda Civic Type R and Civic Si are compelling options as they beat the 370Z in everyday livability and low running costs.
If you desire dynamic handling, ride comfort, and high fuel efficiency packed in a compact frame, they are the ideal daily driver.
The Type R is more potent than the Si, but both are fun to drive.
A regular Honda Civic is the perfect daily driver – but if your daily driver must have extra horses on tap for the added thrill, the alternatives above are superb choices.
References:
https://repairpal.com/reliability/nissan/370z
https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/bymodel/2020_Nissan_370z.shtml
