Nissan Z Performance Is The Best Sports Car You Can Buy For Under $50,000, But There Are Some Issues That Need Addressing

The Nissan Z was one of the most hyped Japanese sports cars prior to its arrival. Upon its debut, owners rejoiced as the long-awaited 370Z successor finally hit the showrooms. Out of all the trims available, it seems the Nissan Z Performance is the most sensible for the average enthusiast.

It packs all the must-have features a sports car should have, including a limited-slip differential (which the base "Sport” trim doesn't have), bigger Brembo brakes, and more. With the Z Performance being available for under $50,000, it is hard to beat the Japanese retro-inspired sports car.  

However, not all is well as both journalists like me and owners of the Z are pointing out some of the car's shortcomings. Among them, one sticks out particularly. There is also a trait of the Nissan ZR34 that makes it one of the most misunderstood sports cars out there. Kind of like the Mercedes SLR McLaren, and no, I am not, in any way, comparing the two cars. 

The biggest issue that hinders the Z's drivability 

One of the biggest complaints with the Nissan Z is one that directly affects driver confidence negatively. A soft brake pedal isn't the biggest deal, but the way the car is all over the place under hard braking is hardly inspiring, especially when canyon-carving or on a racetrack.

For the record, the 370Z feels more composed under hard braking. This is even besides the fact that the Nissan Z Performance comes with Brembo brakes with four-piston calipers in the front and two-piston calipers in the rear, as well as 14.0-inch vented brake rotors in the front and 13.8-inch in the rear. 

What people need to understand about the Nissan Z 

The Nissan Z may be largely based on the 370Z, but there is a good reason why the two sports cars feel so different. While the Z34 model is geared more towards performance, the new Z is more of a GT car. This explains why Nissan had given the ZR34 softer suspension and a less aggressive clutch, despite its six-speed manual being a direct carry-over from the 370Z.  

Why the Nissan Z Performance is the one to get 

While some enthusiasts might debate between getting the NISMO Z or Nissan Z Heritage Edition, I see three reasons why the Z Performance is the one to get. Firstly – the price. With an MSRP of $54,110, the Nissan Z Performance is $10,000 more expensive than the base car but almost $13,000 less than the NISMO variant.

The Performance trim has a few key features that the Sport trim doesn't get you. The most important one is the mechanical limited-slip differential. It also gets you active noise-cancellation, BOSE audio, and navigation with a larger 9.0-inch touchscreen (instead of 8.0-inch), among others. 

The Nissan Z Performance: Verdict 

It is commendable that in an era of cooperation and cost-cutting, Nissan developed the new Z independently. Granted, the model is almost entirely built upon the bones of the aging Nissan 370Z, which is still a capable sports car even 17 years after making its first appearance.

Not all is perfect, however, as some owners are reporting problems with shifting the manual transmission of the Nissan Z, but ultimately, this iteration of the Z is 80 percent where it should be. The good thing is that the aftermarket is enormous, and much of the goodies developed for the 370Z (Z34) work on the ZR34 model. 

Currently, there are many good deals for the Nissan Z Performance, and you can even find examples for under MSRP, making this Japanese classic the most affordable way to get behind the wheel of a brand-new, 400-horsepower sports car.  I am curious to hear what you think of the Nissan Z. Would you buy one, or would you go for one of its competitors? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comment section below.

Dimitar Angelov's automotive interests made him an expert in a wide variety of vehicles. Japanese brands like Toyota are closest to his heart, although performance cars in general are his favorite segment, which is why he is constantly on the lookout for the best deals on the market. Dimitar Angelov's car passion and knack for the written word led him to complete a Master of Arts in Media and Communications, and classic car restoration. Dim is happy to get behind the wheel of any car and share his impressions. You can follow Dimitar on X, Linked-in, Instagram, and Facebook.

Image source: 2024 Nissan Z press kit