Compare the2004 Nissan 350ZVS 2004 Toyota Solara

Safety
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages

Safety

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Both the 350Z and the Solara have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four wheel antilock brakes, available front seat side-impact airbags, head airbags and electronic stability systems to prevent skidding.

Reliability

The camshafts in the 350Z’s engine are driven by a hardened steel chain, with no maintenance needs. The Solara 3.3 DOHC V6’s camshafts are driven by a rubber belt which eventually needs to be replaced. If the Solara’s cam drive belt breaks the engine could be severely damaged when the pistons hit the opened valves.

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the 350Z has a standard 110 amp alternator. The Solara’s 100 amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

The battery on the 350Z is under the seat, which protects it from hot underhood temperatures which can degrade battery life. By keeping the 350Z’s battery 20 to 30 degrees cooler, its life is increased by years. The Solara’s battery is in the hot engine compartment.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the 350Z third among premium sports cars in their 2004 Initial Quality Study. The Solara isn’t in the top three in its category.

Engine

The 350Z’s 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 130 more horsepower (287 vs. 157) and 112 lbs.-ft. more torque (274 vs. 162) than the Solara Coupe’s standard 2.4 DOHC 4 cyl. The 350Z’s 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 62 more horsepower (287 vs. 225) and 34 lbs.-ft. more torque (274 vs. 240) than the Solara’s optional 3.3 DOHC V6.

Fuel Economy and Range

The 350Z has 1.5 gallons more fuel capacity than the Solara (20 vs. 18.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Transmission

A six-speed manual is standard on the Nissan 350Z, with closer gear ratios for better performance and a lower final drive ratio for quieter highway operation, less engine wear and better fuel mileage. Only a five-speed manual is available for the Solara.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the 350Z’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Solara:

	350Z	350Z Opt.	Solara
Front Rotors	11.7 inches	12.76 inches	11.65 inches
Rear Rotors	11.5 inches	12.68 inches	10.59 inches

The 350Z’s brakes have 31% more swept area (the area covered by the brake pads) than the Solara (533 vs. 408.4 square inches), so the 350Z has more braking power available.

The 350Z’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Solara are solid, not vented.

The 350Z stops much shorter than the Solara:

	350Z	Solara
80 to 0 MPH	213 feet	223 feet	Road & Track
70 to 0 MPH	164 feet	188 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	113 feet	128 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the 350Z has larger standard tires than the Solara (F:225/50R17 & R:235/50R17 vs. 215/60R16). The 350Z’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Solara (F:225/45R18 & R:245/45R18 vs. 215/60R16).

The 350Z’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) which provides a stiffer sidewall than the Solara Coupe’s standard 60 series tires. The 350Z’s optional tires have a lower 45 series profile than the Solara V6’s optional 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the 350Z has standard 17 inch wheels. Smaller 16 inch wheels are standard on the Solara Coupe. The 350Z’s optional 18 inch wheels are larger than the 17 inch wheels optional on the Solara V6.

Suspension and Handling

The 350Z has engine speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Solara doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

The 350Z Track Coupe handles at .89 G’s, while the Solara SE Sport Coupe pulls only .76 G’s of cornering force in a Road & Track skidpad test.

The 350Z Track Coupe goes through Motor Trend’s slalom 6.4 MPH faster than the Solara SE Coupe (68 vs. 61.6 MPH).

For better maneuverability the 350Z’s turning circle is 2.1 feet tighter than the Solara’s (35.3 vs. 37.4 feet).

Chassis

The 350Z is 1 foot, 11.1 inches shorter than the Solara, making the 350Z easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

Passenger Space

The 350Z Coupe has .1 inches more front headroom and .5 inches more front legroom than the Solara Coupe.

The 350Z Convertible has .7 inches more front headroom, .6 inches more front legroom and .2 inches more front hip room than the Solara Convertible.

Servicing Ease

The engine in the 350Z is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Solara. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because there are no rear spark plugs and the accessory belts are in front.

Ergonomics

The 350Z’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge – which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The Solara does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The 350Z’s front power windows raise and lower automatically with one touch, especially convenient at tollbooths or drive-up windows. Only the driver’s window of the Solara works automatically with one touch.

If the windows are left down on the 350Z the driver can raise them all using the key in the outside lock cylinder. On a hot day the driver can lower all the windows from outside the car using the remote. The driver of the Solara can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

To improve comfort and visibility, the 350Z Coupe has standard pull-out visor extensions that block glare better. The Solara doesn’t offer any similar feature.

The 350Z’s standard power mirror controls are mounted on the armrest for easy access. The Solara’s standard power mirror controls are on the dash, hidden behind the steering wheel, where they are awkward to manipulate.

Economic Advantages

Insurance will cost less for the 350Z owner. The Car Book rates the 350Z with a number 5 insurance rate while the Solara is rated higher at a number 10 rate.

The 350Z will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. Kiplinger’s estimates that the 350Z will retain a greater percentage of its original price after two and four years than the Solara.

	350Z	Solara
Four Year	49% to 52%	42% to 47%
Two Year	65% to 68%	57% to 62%

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