With a history as long and revered as Nissan’s venerable Z-car, you can rest assured that the new generation will be better than the last.  But at what cost?  Well, with an MSRP of only $29,930, “not much” would be the appropriate response.  The first thing that grabs you is the shape of the 2009 Nissan 370Z.  Its short overhangs accentuated by voluptuous fenders underpinned Nissan’s design cognoscenti in their aim to establish an overall silhouette that paid homage to the original 240Z. On paper & picture, the 370Z sounds and looks like it could very well deliver all the bang-for-buck performance that made the first Z in 1970 legendary.

The differences between the 370Z and 350Z may appear subtle. But once you zoom in on the sharper A- and B-pillars and notice the swoopier rear hatch, the differences become apparent. At 167 inches long, the 370Z is a full 2.7 inches shorter than last year’s 350Z. The difference in wheelbase is even more dramatic, with the 370Z being 4 inches shorter than the 350Z between the front and rear wheels. This design feature makes the car more responsive through turns in addition to significantly reducing its turning radius.

And then we have the the gem of an engine known to Nissan enthusiasts and tech geeks as the VQ37DE, which helps the 2009 370Z to produce more power. The 3.7-liter dual-overhead cam V6 produces an impressive 332 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque. What makes this power plant such an engineering marvel is Nissan’s Variable Valve Event and Lift Control (VVEL) technology. By regulating air intake directly at the valves, this system completely eliminates the need for a throttle body and makes power delivery both smooth and instantaneous. Having such incredible throttle response, this feature allows for the first fully automated rev-matching downshift system used on a manual transmission. With its advanced engine technology and auto-rev-matching 6-speed manual, the 370Z could very well be the ultimate driver’s car. During their road test of the 2009 Nissan 370Z, Car and Driver wrote “The Verdict: At this price, possibly the best sports car on the planet.”

Motor Trend’s blog review also gave the 370Z solid marks for both performance and value.

To find a 2009 Nissan 370Z in your area, click here.

*All prices are Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP). MSRP excludes destination and handling charges, tax, title, license, and options. Dealer sets actual price.

2008 Nissan 350Z Coupe

While the automotive press is abuzz with praise for the all-new Nissan 370Z, the outstanding performance of last year’s model, the 2008 350Z, has been all but forgotten. However, the budget-minded auto enthusiast has known that this is the car to watch as dealers ponder how to move unsold brand new 350Z’s off crowded lots. Well, to you dedicated few we are pleased to say that your patience has paid off. Right now you can get an incredible four-digit rebate on any 2008 350Z or get financing as low as 1.9% APR for up to 60 months.

With its 306-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 and sport-tuned suspension, the 350Z is still a force to be reckoned with both on the street and at the track. On top of being an already capable platform to build upon, the 350Z’s 5-year production run means that there has been plenty of time for companies to develop go-fast parts for this tuner favorite. While it may be the outgoing model, the aftermarket support available along with its inherent high-performance nature give this car tons of potential. Whoever said there’s no such thing as a cheap sports car?