Coming from owning a 2007 350Z Nismo and now a 2014 370Z Nismo here are my thoughts for what they are worth based on my gut feeling. Have no idea what the actual stats are:
350 Nismo
- Feels a bit smaller lighter and more tossible, but much less stable at the limit than the 370 Nismo
- Feels rawer (by which I mean you feel more of the road, less sound deadening)
- Visually, more aggressive aero possibly due to more hard edges and staggered sized wheels with 18 front 19 rear.
- Maybe a bit more road presence than the 370 Nismo due to the vertical lines in the front splitter and hard edges, gold calipers, wire mesh on rear bumper and such. 2014 370 Nismo and both years 350 Nismo models have the same type of paint style with the grey accents which I like a lot.
- More boy racer/less refined or mature than the 370 Nismo. Although I owned the 350 Nismo when I was 20ish and the 370 Nismo close to 30 so there is some personal experience and age factoring in there, but I still love the 350 Nismo
- More noise from exhaust. I may be imagining it and I've been removed for a while but I feel like the 350 Nismo has a more notable exhaust
- Less storage space due to the brace being higher
370 Nismo
- More refined through and through. Fit and finish is better. No rattles and on my 350 Nismo my side skirt stared to come off a tiny bit and it drove me nuts
- Much more stable at limit, probably due to wider tires
- More space with the brace below the back hatch
- Sleeker looks. The 370 Nismo kind of reminds me a of a running sneaker. I really like it. In black it kind of looks jet fightery ish in certain lights and angles
- Much more comfortable in daily driving. Even though the suspension is stiff it soaks up bumps better than the 350
- More power, but not astronomically more than the 350. You feel it most at the top of the rev range.
- Less drivetrain (line?) friction. The 370 Nismo loves to coast at 2,000 rpm. It feels like there is no drag and the thing just wants to run. It feels like it always has more to give and you are doing it a disservice by not pushing it hard everywhere
- The noise in the 370 Nismo has less rumble than the 350 Nismo but when you get going it sounds like a turbine spooling up. Not quite a turbo type sound but a bit like the way a supercharge whine sounds. I like it
- No rear wiper in the 370 compared the 350
- Little shelves behind the seats are a nice touch, plus your glove box is where it is supposed to be instead of behind the passenger seat in the 350Z
In conclusion, you really can't go wrong with either. However, where prices are at, just from a newness point of view, you are probably better off getting a used 370Z Nismo. I think the 350 Nismo gave us a great reference point for depreciation. They kind of fall off a cliff after you buy it until they hit about $20,000 and then just stay there.
What is great about the Nismo, no matter what model you choose is that it just stands out in a way I like to think as my kind of persona. It's not high tech, it's not wildly expensive, it doesn't really have any luxury status to it. However, it is a no compromises drivers car that looks great and performs exceptionally well at its price point. The car makes me feel really special when I get in it, drive it, and even when I walk away from it. I'm really proud to say what my car is. Not in a bragging way, but in a car guys get it kind of way. There aren't many $40,000 cars that stand out and perform in such a way as the Nismo does. The ultimate knowledge you got a cool car is when a 10 year old kid ooogles the hell out of it. Because there is no bias, or jealousy, or judgement on maturity of driving "that type of car" at that age.
I think Richard Hammond on Top Gear put it best. To paraphrase, Buying a car for car people is an emotional decision. When you get in it you want to feel like your 10 years old driving something awesome. That's how I feel every day
