Editor's notes:
Although 36 years have passed since the first Nissan Z arrived on our shores, the 2006 model year is only the seventh to include a convertible. Heavier and more expensive than the coupe version, the 350Z Roadster still delivers on the established Z-car virtues of performance near the levels of exotic cars, with a price that's not in the stratosphere. It's a lot of high-performance sports car for the money.

What's new for 2006
Having undergone its most comprehensive freshening yet, every 2006 350Z features a revised grille, bi-xenon high-intensity discharge (HID) headlights, LED taillights, interior updates, speed-sensitive power steering and bigger brakes (for those models that don't receive the racing-style Brembo brake system). Also available on roadster models are a revised navigation system and MP3-CD compatibility. With the six-speed manual transmission the 3.5-liter V6 engine is now rated at 300-horsepower, while when equipped with the five-speed automatic it's 287 horsepower.

You'll like this car if…
With a powerful engine, sharp handling, retractable roof and relatively low price, the 350Z Roadster offers a lot of style, performance and driving pleasure for the money. And it is, after all, a Z-car.

You may not like this car if…
If performance isn't at or near the top of your list of reasons for considering a two-seat convertible, the 350Z's stiffer highway ride and cumbersome rearward visibility could make it unappealing. And there are other two-seat convertibles available for less money.

Exterior
As with a lot of convertibles, the 350Z Roadster doesn't look its best with the top up, but it's sleekly handsome when the power-operated cloth top is hidden neatly out of view beneath the body-color tonneau cover. Under the skin, structural reinforcements that counter the absence of a fixed roof result in a car that's about 230 pounds heavier than the coupe. And for 2006 there are new 18-inch alloy wheels.

Interior
The 350Z Roadster's interior is roomy and well arranged, and even our tallest driver was able to find a position in which the steering wheel, pedals, shift lever and controls were all within comfortable reach. Significant elements include well-bolstered seats, aluminum pedals and an angled three-pod gauge cluster reminiscent of early Z models. Overall, the interior design is clean and straightforward. Storage space is limited, as you might suspect, but according to a pictogram affixed to the inside of the deck lid, the trunk is big enough for a set of golf clubs.

Notable standard and optional equipment
The base 350Z Roadster includes a 3.5-liter V6, six-speed manual transmission, limited-slip differential, automatic air conditioning, Antilock Braking System (ABS), HID headlights, power windows/locks/mirrors, remote keyless entry, cloth seats, tire pressure monitoring system, AM/FM/CD audio system, integrated garage door opener, traction control and 18-inch alloy wheels.

Options
Optional and trim-level equipment includes a five-speed automatic transmission, DVD-based navigation system, front side-impact airbags, Bose audio system, leather seats, front and rear spoilers, stability control, Brembo brakes and lightweight, forged-alloy wheels.

Pricing notes
Priced roughly $5,000 higher than comparable coupe models, the 350Z Roadster starts at a base Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $35,655 and will climb past $43,000 for a loaded Grand Touring model. New Car Blue Book Values have reflected real-world transaction prices about $1,000 below those MSRPs. As a Kelley Blue Book Best Resale Value Award winner for the outgoing 2005 model year, we expect the 350Z to hold its value better than almost every vehicle in its category.

Driving impressions
Once you've started the silky 3.5-liter V6 engine, the next order of business is dropping the top—a push-button affair that takes about 20 seconds. After that, a determined squeeze on the throttle pedal should get you to 60 miles per hour in less than six seconds. In the corners, extensive structural reinforcements help the 350Z Roadster maintain the sharp, solid handling characteristic of the fixed-roof model. Six-speed manual models feature a crisp, short-throw gear selector, while the five-speed automatic transmission now features downshift-rev matching for quicker and smoother downshifts. In cruising mode, the 350Z Roadster, even with the top down, does an admirable job of sheltering its occupants from the wind. The ride might be harsher than some people might prefer, and limited rearward visibility can make parking lot maneuvers difficult, but those can be small prices to pay for the driving experience delivered by the 350Z Roadster.

Our favorite features
3.5-Liter V6
The heart and soul of every 350Z is the smooth, powerful 3.5-liter V6 engine, good for up to 300 horsepower.

Triple Gauge Pods
A sporty touch that's also a nod to the car's past, the 350Z features three gauge pods mounted on the center of the instrument panel.

Under The Hood
Under the aluminum hood of the 350Z resides one of the world's most renowned engines, rated at 300 horsepower when mated to the six-speed manual transmission, or 287 horsepower with the five-speed automatic. The engine is a model of smoothness, response, power and operating efficiency. With the six-speed manual, and a professional driver behind the wheel, the car is almost a half-second quicker to 60 miles per hour.

3.5-liter V6
300 horsepower @ 6400 rpm (manual), 287 horsepower @ 6200 rpm (automatic)
260 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4800 rpm (manual), 274 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4800 rpm (automatic)
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 19/25 (manual), 19/25 (automatic)