350Z bares all
Nissan's sporty roadster is simply addictive

I admit, I'm a big fan of convertibles. There's something truly enlightening about basking in the sun and drinking in the freedom of the open air while behind the wheel. Why fret about cancer-causing UV rays and the potential messiness caused by overhead birds when there's a sunny day to enjoy, good tunes on the stereo and construction-free roads to discover?

Yet while driving Nissan's 350Z Roadster top down during the last warm days of fall, the warm sunshine gently glinting off the pavement, I noticed a strange phenomenon going on all around me: people driving convertibles with the top up. Not in the blazing heat of mid-summer, but on a warm autumn day, in early afternoon on a Sunday, in what could have been (but thankfully was not) the last top down worthy day in southern Ontario this year. I had to fight the urge to follow each and every one of them to wave a nagging finger for not fully enjoying those all-too-rare days of fine Canadian weather.

Okay, so those drop tops were not quite as new as the Z Roadster, which hit the market in August, exactly a year after the hardtop 350Z was released and quickly became the best-selling sports coupe in Canada. None had the Z's power operated canvas roof that orchestrated its own top down, lid closed, 20-second sequence, unlike the manual tops of some pricier convertibles.

On this particular day, it was by far the most attention-grabbing drop top around. The Z's somewhat chunky profile becomes sensuously sleek once it goes topless. Twin rear bubble fairings just behind the dual roll bars help give it an aggressive, fast-forward look, although those bars look a touch too low to offer much rollover protection for tall adults.

Once the top goes back up, the Z Roadster loses some of its visual charm. Not only does the top stay black no matter what colour vehicle you choose, but the necessity of folding the top away automatically leaves more visible ribs than at a supermodel lingerie party. From inside, it suddenly becomes much more of a challenge to drive, with large rear blind spots and a small glass rear window limiting one's ability to assess the view outside.

Perhaps the lack of underhood muscle was behind the indifference to sunshine shown that day by my fellow convertible drivers - they couldn't muster up enough wind in the hair motivation, merely a slight draft. Not so with the 350Z Roadster. Its 287 hp and beefy low-end grunt means the throttle controls your own instant wind tunnel, varying from slightly breezy to hurricane force when burying the gas pedal.

The Z Roadster weighs at least 90 kg (200 lb) more than the standard hardtop's 1473 kg (3,247 lb), so those looking for all-out performance will want to steer towards the coupe's Track Pack model, which offers bigger brakes and even tighter suspension settings.

But the 350Z Roadster, which like the coupe is available with either a 6-speed manual or 5-speed automatic transmission, is no cushy cruiser. It snorts around off-ramps like a furious bull charging a circling matador. There's plenty of weight behind it, but you're always in control.

If you do manage to overstep the boundaries of prudence in a corner, Nissan's high-speed VDC system is there to apply the brakes and reduce power if necessary. Those who like to see smoky burnouts and tail-out cornering - on race tracks only, of course - will be happy to know both the low-speed traction control system and the VDC system can be turned off. This is the best of both worlds: an electronic guardian angel when you need it and a fly swatter to shoo it away when you just want to have fun.

So yes, the 350Z Roadster is a handler. Yes, it makes plenty of power. Yes, it looks good and it's easy to get the top up and down. But the one thing that makes the 350Z Roadster truly special is the way it sounds. Nissan engineers have done a brilliant job of tuning the exhaust note so it's quiet when you want it to be (at low rpm and while cruising on the highway), but comes alive with a rich baritone bellow halfway up the rev range and above. Like the G35 Coupe, this is one car that will tempt you to leave it in a lower gear, time and again. The sound comes through much clearer with the top down, and therefore becomes so addictive it should come with its own support group.

Then again, if you want practicality, buy a minivan. If you want a fun drop top that won't let you keep the top up in nice weather, try the Nissan 350Z Roadster.

Immediate competition:
Audi TT Roadster, Chevrolet Corvette, Honda S2000, Porsche Boxster