We all know and love the Nissan 370Z. Whether it was our favorite car in Need for Speed: Underground 2, or we were actually lucky enough to own one, this car is definitely the coolest thing Nissan has ever made––well, that is, until NISMO’s debut. Imagine taking everything you know and love about the 370Z and modifying it so that it’s a race-track-capable car. If you can picture that, you can picture the NISMO. If you find one of these models at a used Nissan dealership, you’ve hit the jackpot.
The 370Z NISMO first showed up in 2009 as a two-seater with a more powerful engine than the standard 370Z. The NISMO version is also more powerful and visually appealing than ever before. Just remember that there are two different versions of this model––the road car and the race car. The NISMO road car offers the perfect balance between the traditional, street-capable Nissan 370Z and the NISMO race car. This is the car you want to find and snatch up when you can. Here’s why.
#1 – Beautiful (and Comfortable) Seating
The regular Nissan 370Z offers your typical everyday driver sports car appeal. While it’s certainly nice to look at, the NISMO offers a more track-ready appeal. It’s got red and black seating with a black interior and red accents to match. These seats are brand new for the upgraded model. These leather-appointed seats are custom-made by Recaro and include red Alcantara accents. They also offer red stitching and red trim, along with a red NISMO logo.
While the overall design has been upgraded throughout the years, the latest 370Z NISMO is consistent with its red and black design. In addition to offering catchy colors, this model has supportive, race-ready seating. When you are pushing a car to its limits, the last thing you want is to be sliding around in your seat, and these sports seats will help keep you firmly in place. In fact, it almost looks as if Nissan bolted gaming chairs to the NISMO’s floor, leading to an even cooler aesthetic and great back and neck support.
#2 – Matching Lights, Dials, and Accents
The car’s exterior matters when you’re trying to impress your friends, but the interior is what you’ll be seeing the most of. Due to this, you want it to be as aesthetically pleasing as possible. We already know about how great the NISMO’s seats are, but Nissan has to include further accents so that those custom seats don’t stick out like a sore thumb. In addition to red and black seating, drivers also get a leather-wrapped steering wheel with a red center stripe, along with a red tachometer for further accenting. The dials are also red-accented, making the dashboard pop.
#3 – Suspension Made for Racing
Your suspension determines your lifestyle. There’s suspension made for everyday driving, for off-roading, and in this case, for racing. Thanks to the 370Z NISMO’s stiffer, race-ready suspension, you’ll experience much less body roll, meaning you can take tighter curves even faster without having to worry about any lean. While this leads to a less “smooth” ride, you can be more confident when it comes to corners.
#4 – Largest Brakes Ever Offered on a Z Car
We’re by no means suggesting that you speed. However, if you happen to be going fast (and believe us, the NISMO certainly allows you to do so), its 14-inch 4-piston front brakes and 13.8-inch 2-piston rear brakes are there to stop you quickly. This NISMO upgrade was inspired by Nissan’s famous GT-R model and added higher quality brake hoses, along with performance-level brake fluid for faster stops than ever before. Oh, and the brake calipers are red to match the NISMO red-accent pattern.
#5 – It’s a Rare Model to Find
The 370Z NISMO has been discontinued in preparation for the new 2023 Z, meaning you can never buy a new one ever again. If you happen to find this model at a used Nissan dealership, know that it certainly will not be there for long. Even when you check Nissan’s official NISMO Z page and click on the “Certified Pre-Owned” button, you’ll find several 370Zs––but the NISMO version is scarce. Put simply, if you want the 370Z NISMO, buy it when you find it.
#6 – Nostalgic, 2000s-Influen ced Infotainment Center
When you hop into your NISMO’s driver’s seat, you might find yourself a bit confused at first. Is this really the modern model? Or did you just purchase a 350Z NISMO instead? Don’t let the dated infotainment center fool you––the 2020 Nissan 370Z NISMO really does include a small infotainment screen with button controls. Yes, you read that correctly, button controls.
While some may find this disappointing, it’s actually one of our top reasons to buy this model. Hear us out––the 370Z NISMO still includes Bluetooth connectivity and built-in navigation. You can connect your phone and use voice commands, as well as access a rearview camera. This, paired with the car’s traditionally styled air vents, makes it feel nostalgic while still maintaining the modern technology you need.
#7 – 6-Speed Manual Shifting
There’s nothing more enthralling than shifting gears and feeling your momentum increase as you cruise down the highway. The good news is that the NISMO’s available 6-speed manual transmission will give you everything you want. The gears are spaced precisely, and the shifter throw is nice and notchy. Between the great shifting feel and the powerful engine noise output, you’ll feel faster than Chris Forsberg taking his Formula Drift championship. Just don’t actually go that fast unless you’re on the track. That’s one speeding ticket you won’t be able to get out of.
#8 – Easy-to-Access Controls
Speaking of transmission, since you’ll be shifting gears on your own, you want to feel comfortable while doing so. Thanks to the comfortable seating and a low-lying armrest, you can shift in comfort without being tensed up for having to raise your arm in an uncomfortable manner. Furthermore, all your center console controls are hard buttons rather than touchscreens, meaning you can simply feel for them and learn the controls quickly without having to take your eyes off the road.
#9 – Impressive Steering
Sports cars need to have tighter steering than your everyday commuter, but not so stiff that you have to constantly fight the wheel. Thanks to vibration dampers and chassis reinforcement, the 2020 NISMO’s special body dampers allow for the perfect steering experience. This rigid body design makes your steering smoother and allows for better traction, handling, and cornering.
#10 – Classic Z Car Design with its Own Unique Twist
The main reason to want a Nissan Z aside from its performance is for its impressive good looks. Let’s be honest here, as kids, we all bought into the Z’s beautiful orange exterior color and arched rear end, paired with its elongated hood. Part of why this car was included in so many racing games is because it perfectly balances both performance and appeal.
The 370Z NISMO maintains the Z car’s classic Z car design while adding its own unique appeal, including the red-accented mirror stripes and front bumper. It also includes beautiful 19-inch RAYS forged alloy wheels with a two-tone finish, which means this is one used sports car that’s almost certain to still have its factory wheels.
