The Nissan 370Z was produced from 2009 to 2020 and is arguably the last affordable V-6-powered sports car ever produced. During this production period, it built a reputation not just for its value, but for the purity of its driving experience. The 370Z was built through years of refinement of Nissan’s Z platform and delivers a balance of both confidence and control that outguns its price point. If you are looking for a 370Z today, there is still a decent supply available, but not every model year is worth considering. If you want to avoid headaches and have the best ownership experience possible, follow along as we discuss which years are worth targeting and which ones to avoid.
Why You Should Buy A 370Z Today
Despite the many different sports cars you can buy in its price range, the 370Z’s continued appeal is deeper than nostalgia. Few sports cars ever produced have offered the same combination of performance and value, and that fact remains true today. Most pre-2016 370Z models can be found for less than half their original MSRP, offering strong value in the current market.
A Legendary Powertrain
The Nissan 370Z was exclusively powered by the naturally aspirated 3.7-liter VQ37VHR V-6, which is the fourth generation of the legendary Nissan VQ V-6 engine. In the 370Z, this engine produces 332 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque and is paired with either a six-speed manual or seven-speed automatic transmission. This engine is the core identifier of the 370Z’s character, and its most notable feature is its screaming 7,500-rpm redline. The 370Z delivers strong acceleration performance, and it offers the perfect amount of usable power for both track and street use.
Even more impressive is how durable the VQ37VHR has proven to be over the years, with 200,000+ mile examples being commonplace with proper service intervals. Considering the performance capability of this engine, its longevity is noteworthy. The strength of the manual CD009 transmission is also notable, as it has become a popular choice for manual-transmission swaps. RepairPal gives the Nissan 370Z a reliability of 4.0 out of 5.0, with an impressive average annual repair cost of $504. The average compact car has an annual repair cost of $526, indicating its reliability is even better than that of most economy-focused cars.
The 370Z Proves Its Value In Many Ways
RepairPal also states that the 370Z only has an average of 0.3 unscheduled repairs per year—again on par with the compact car average. The probability of a severe repair is 13%, which is within reason for a performance car. The 370Z also has one of the strongest aftermarket support of any enthusiast vehicle. If you want to modify a car, few other vehicles will give you as many viable modification paths as the 370Z. It can be a track car, stance car, or daily driver (and a lot more). Its vast parts ecosystem means that it’s not too difficult to keep your 370Z running strong for years from now.
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Which 370Z Model Years To Avoid
The Nissan 370Z was produced for over ten years, but not every model year is worth buying used. Before you look at 370Zs for sale, you must know that the early production models are the most problematic and are generally best to avoid.
The Early Model Year Curse
If we take a look at NHTSA data, the first two production years of the Nissan 370Z, 2009 and 2010, received the most complaints. Despite this, no recalls were issued for either year. It is not uncommon for early model years to be the ones plagued with the most problems, and this is the case with the 370Z. Amazingly, the 370Z only had a single recall during its entire production run, a 2018 issue related to an airbag malfunction. There were other known issues with the 370Z, like the steering wheel lock mechanism. Nissan acknowledged this issue on other cars but declined to address the situation with the 370Z. It can be resolved with a DIY fix for under $100, so it’s more of an annoyance now than it is a problem with no solution.
2013–2014 Clutch Slave Cylinder Failures And Later Model Issues
2013 was the introduction of the 370Z’s first major facelift, and with it came a set of new problems. Though these newer models were certainly more reliable than previous years, there was an issue with the clutch slave cylinder that could lead to sudden clutch failure. Certain 2013 models also had common complaints about unexpected brake failures. 2014 models were also affected by the clutch slave cylinder, but to a lesser extent. There was a major recall for all 370Z models from 2009 to 2014 relating to a potential fire hazard, but this situation has been resolved. If you want to ensure you are getting the most trouble-free Nissan sports car possible, it is best to avoid the entire 2009 to 2013 window altogether.
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The Best 370Z Model Years To Buy
The 370Z was always pretty reliable for a sports car, even in its more troubled years. Yet, by 2015, almost all the major kinks had been sorted and represented the best balance of price and reliability.
2015: The Benchmark Year
The 2014 model year is already where the 370Z was at its turning point, but in 2015, its reliability was solidified. The clutch slave cylinder issues still exist in 2015, but only in outlier cases or with track use. Confirm whether the clutch slave cylinder has been replaced before buying a 370Z, and consider replacing it yourself if it hasn’t. 2015 is also when the Sport and Sport Tech trims were introduced, which bundled desirable standard equipment packages into a single trim level. There was also the debut of the Aerodynamics Package, which added a rear spoiler, front lip, and side skirt extensions for a more aggressive look. With the OEM aero package, the 370Z looks only slightly less aggressive than the limited-edition Nismo styling.
2016 Model Year And Beyond
By the time the 2016 model year had come along, most of the 370Z’s issues had been identified and resolved. If you can find a clean 2017 Touring or Sport Tech with a solid service history, it will provide the most value you can get for a used 370Z right now. They won’t be the lowest mileage examples, but 2017 models have a strong reliability rating across all model years.
What The Final 370Z Model Years Offer
If you are looking for the most refined version of the 370Z, you are going to want to opt for the last three production years: 2018 to 2020. It is a simple fact that these later models tend to have lower mileage and are more well-maintained than your average 370Z model.
The 2018 To 2019 Updates
The 2018 model year saw another refresh to the 370Z, which introduced new, darker headlights and taillights, new wheel designs, better throttle response, and an upgraded clutch for manual transmission models. The stronger clutch is, by far, the most important upgrade of the bunch and is a direct solution to a common complaint among 370Z owners. The 2018 manual transmission 370Z is one of the best 370Zs you can buy, and the transmission is often praised for its quality and feedback.
For the ultimate driving experience, opt for at least the Sport trim, which includes features like 19-inch RAYS forged wheels, a limited-slip differential, and red Akebono big brakes. To identify a six-speed manual Sport model, check for the SynchroRevMatch button or “S-mode” at the top right of the shifter area. Touring models add heated and ventilated leather seating surfaces, Bose premium audio, a seven-inch touchscreen, a rearview camera, and active sound cancellation. The Sport Touring trim combines both packages and is certainly the most desirable variant other than the Nismo models.
The 2020 Model Year: The Final Edition
By the time the Nissan 370Z was wrapping up production for the 2020 model year, sales had dwindled to only 1,954 copies. These scarce figures make the 2020 370Z the rarest year of the bunch, with the 2019 model year in close second with only 2,384 copies sold. That is a lot less inventory than most enthusiasts might realize, with only 77,428 examples produced over its 12-year run. The more desirable model years of 2015 to 2020 only produced approximately 25,745 examples.
The final and most notable variant of the 370Z before its discontinuation was the 50th Anniversary Edition, exclusively available for the 2020 model year. The outside of the 50th Anniversary Edition sports a two-tone red and white livery, bespoke 19-inch RAYS wheels, and unique badges. The inside features one-off leather seats with suede inserts and contrast red stitching, along with an Alcantara steering wheel and unique tachometer graphics. If you view the 370Z as a potential investment asset, opting for a well-equipped 2019 or 2020 model year is certain to provide the most long-term value.
Sources: Nissan, CarGurus, RepairPal, NHTSA