Better than: Nismo 370Z
But not as good as: Nismo 370Z
GRM Bang For The Buck Index: 81.12
Have you had your eye on that Nismo 370Z, but you can hear the rest of the family scream about its lack of back seats before you even finish typing "nissanusa.com"? Infiniti has a solution, and it comes with plenty of options absent from its lesser cousin.
Figure an extra ten grand or so and you'll have not only a back seat, but a navigation system, a good stereo, power seats and power-adjustable steering wheel. At no added cost comes the sleeper status of the Infiniti exterior styling, which means you won't be attracting every fart cannon-equipped subcompact to drag race you.
One feature is missing from this guy though that the Nismo has: Nissan's SynchroRev system, which blips the throttle for you as you slip the shifter into its gate.
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I know that most of us tend to flock to the Nissan Z--it's lighter, smaller, etc.--but I really dig these Infiniti coupes. Maybe they give up a few ticks on track, but I think they make better daily drivers--just a bit more comfortable and composed in the weekly grind.
Not worth the money. A lot of the controls are Nissan-grade, and there's quite a bit of tire roar for a luxury-tier car. It's phenomenally mediocre.
It's quick, sure, and it's a lively driver too. But it's not outright fast, especially not for the price. This engine needs a boost—meaning turbo or supercharging—to provide memorable thrust. Gotta have a rear-drive Nissan and the spouse demands rear seats? Well, this is your only option.
But if you wander outside the brand, lots of cars provide more power, more refinement, or both for your fifty grand. A prime example? The Chrysler 300 SRT8 isn't a whole lot worse on gas, comes in at about the same price, and is a better car in every way: Gobs of power, excellent interior, a great tech interface, and space for more dead hookers than you've seen in your life.
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