Used Nissan 370Z review and buying guide (2009 to 2020): which one to buy and what to check

Which used Nissan 370Z should you buy?

No year of the 370Z stands out as the safer buy: there are no known faults against it and just two owners' reports, which is a thin record rather than a clean one. So the choice between the coupe, on sale from 2009 to 2020, and the Roadster, sold between 2010 and 2016, comes down to how each one drives and how you'll use it.

The coupe's ride is poor, and neither body feels especially settled or sharp on a twisty B-road, so don't buy one expecting a precise handler. The Roadster gives you the roof but rides hard on 19 inch wheels and is awkward to see out of around the mirrors. If open-air driving isn't the point, the coupe's the simpler choice.

Which 370Z engines and gearboxes are the safe choices?

The V6 is what you're buying a 370Z for, coupe or Roadster, and there's nothing against it: no known faults and no owner complaints about the engine itself. That's a short record rather than proof of health, so judge the car in front of you. It should start cleanly, idle evenly and keep pulling hard all the way up the rev range.

The seven-speed automatic works well with the V6, so take it if you'd rather not use a clutch. Nothing's been reported against it either, which isn't the same as a clean bill of health. On the drive, check it changes smoothly both up and down the gears and doesn't hesitate or thump when you pull away from a standstill.

What should you check when viewing a used 370Z?

Test the electric steering lock before anything else: lock and unlock the car and start it several times, and make sure the wheel frees up every time. One owner had this part fail on a UK car after a run of failures in the USA, so ask whether it's ever been replaced and get the receipt if it has.

Spend a few minutes with the Bluetooth and satnav. One owner had a fault with both that took months to sort and kept the car off the road, so pair your phone, make a call and set a destination before you hand over any money. If either one's dead or glitchy, don't assume it's a quick fix.

Take it on a bumpy road as well as a smooth one. The ride's firm, and it's at its worst on 19 inch wheels, so you want to know you can put up with it before you buy. On a Roadster, pull out of a couple of junctions and see how much the mirrors block your view, since that's where its visibility is weakest.

Paste the advert into the free check and it runs these against the listing, the MOT history and the DVLA record before you travel.

What does a used Nissan 370Z cost to run?

What do 370Z owners like about them?

The V6 is the reason to have one: it's quick, it's happy to rev hard and it sounds great doing it, so even a short run to the shops feels like an occasion. That muscular character is the same whether you're in the coupe or the Roadster.

The looks do a lot of the work too. It's a car people turn to watch, and the Nismo version in particular gets the sort of attention you'd expect from something far more exotic. The Roadster adds the roof-down feeling on a sunny day, which makes it a cheerful thing to own when the weather's on your side.

• The powerful V6 engine in this 2009 370Z delivers exhilarating performance, especially when revved to higher RPMs.
• The seven-speed automatic transmission in the 370Z provides smooth and responsive gear changes, enhancing the driving experience.
• The Nismo model of the 370Z attracts significant attention, comparable to much more expensive and exotic supercars.
• This 370Z Roadster offers a truly enjoyable and feelgood driving experience, perfect for open-top motoring enthusiasts.
• The 370Z Roadster boasts an appealing visual presence and produces an impressive, engaging exhaust note.