2012 Nissan 370Z

The 370Z is, first and foremost, a sports car designed for driving pleasure. Its stiff suspension, strong brakes, and throaty engine are all designed to please enthusiasts. However, while it will make aggressive drivers smile, the 370Z is a little hard-edged for an everyday car. The ride can be harsh, and the engine sounds loud and unrefined when pushed. A 3.7-liter V-6 engine produces 332 hp. A six-speed manual or seven-speed automatic transmission direct power to the rear wheels. Cars equipped with the manual gearbox and the Sport package also have SynchroRev Match, a cool feature that automatically blips the throttle when the driver selects a lower gear. It makes sporty driving easy for those who struggle with heel-toe downshifting and can be disabled if drivers want full control. Cars with the automatic transmission have steering-wheel-mounted paddles for manual shifting. Both coupe and convertible body styles are available, the latter wearing a fabric top that retracts in about twenty seconds. Storage beneath the coupe's glass liftgate is cramped, and the convertible has an even smaller trunk. Fortunately, the interior has several storage cubbies to help transport smaller items. Buyers seeking even more performance can opt for the NISMO model, which uses a reprogrammed engine computer and louder exhaust to extract 350 hp from the V-6 engine. Available only as a coupe and with a manual transmission, the NISMO also receives stiffer springs and dampers.