Compare the2004 Nissan 350ZVS 2004 Volvo C70

The 350Z Coupe offers optional Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC), which uses the antilock brake hardware along with powerful software and additional sensors to detect the beginning of a skid. VDC then intervenes by automatically applying the brake at one appropriate wheel, preventing a skid. The C70 doesn’t offer skid prevention.

The 350Z’s gas tank is mounted inside the frame rails in front of the rear axle to optimally protect the fuel tank in a collision. The Volvo C70’s gas tank is mounted behind the rear axle, where it is more susceptible to rear collisions.

Both the 350Z and the C70 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four wheel antilock brakes, available front seat side-impact airbags, head airbags and traction control.

Nissan’s powertrain warranty covers the 350Z 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Volvo covers the C70. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years and 60,000 miles. Coverage on the C70 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are over 3 times as many Nissan dealers as there are Volvo dealers, which makes it much easier to get service under the 350Z’s warranty.

The camshafts in the 350Z’s engine are driven by a hardened steel chain, with no maintenance needs. The C70’s camshafts are driven by a rubber belt which eventually needs to be replaced. If the C70’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 C70’s 80 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 C70’s battery is in the hot engine compartment.

J.D. Power and Associates’ surveys of the owners of three-year-old cars provide the long-term dependability statistics which show that Nissan vehicles are more reliable than Volvo vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Nissan 15th in reliability, above the industry average. With 63 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volvo is ranked 28th.

The 350Z’s 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 90 more horsepower (287 vs. 197) and 64 lbs.-ft. more torque (274 vs. 210) than the C70 LT’s standard 2.4 turbo DOHC 5 cyl. The 350Z’s 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 45 more horsepower (287 vs. 242) and 31 lbs.-ft. more torque (274 vs. 243) than the C70 HT’s standard 2.3 turbo DOHC 5 cyl.

The 350Z has 2 gallons more fuel capacity than the C70 (20 vs. 18 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

For more complete vehicle control the 350Z offers an optional manually controlled automatic, with the available convenience of an automatic transmission and the complete gear control of a manual transmission without the inconvenience of a clutch. A manually controlled automatic allows the driver to eliminate unwanted shifts and maximize engine braking by down shifting while cornering. The C70 doesn’t offer an automatic transmission that allows complete gear control.

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 C70.

For better stopping power the 350Z’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the C70:

The 350Z’s brakes have 25% more swept area (the area covered by the brake pads) than the C70 (533 vs. 425 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 C70 are solid, not vented.

In an emergency stopping situation, many drivers don’t press the brakes with enough force to stop the vehicle in the shortest distance. Whatever factors cause this tendency, the 350Z has standard Brake Assist to detect emergency braking situations (by how hard and how quickly the brake pedal is pressed) and then automatically apply maximum braking immediately in order to help prevent a collision. The C70 doesn’t offer a brake assist feature.

The 350Z stops much shorter than the C70:

For better traction, the 350Z has larger standard tires than the C70 (F:225/50R17 & R:235/50R17 vs. 205/55R16).

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 C70 LT’s standard 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 C70 LT. The 350Z’s optional 18 inch wheels are larger than the 17 inch wheels optional on the C70.

The 350Z with 18” Tires has a standard tire pressure monitoring system, which will alert the driver to a drop in tire pressure before damage to the tire or an accident might occur. The C70 doesn’t offer a low tire pressure warning system.

For superior ride and handling, the Nissan 350Z has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Volvo C70 has a rear torsion beam axle, with a semi-independent rear suspension.

The 350Z has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The C70’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

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 C70 doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

The 350Z’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (53% to 47%) than the C70’s (58% to 42%). This gives the 350Z more stable handling and braking.

The 350Z Touring Roadster handles at .88 G’s, while the C70 pulls only .74 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The 350Z Touring Roadster goes through Road & Track’s slalom 6.7 MPH faster than the C70 (67.2 vs. 60.5 MPH).

For better maneuverability the 350Z’s turning circle is 3.1 feet tighter than the C70’s (35.3 vs. 38.4 feet).

The Nissan 350Z may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs up to about 250 pounds less than the Volvo C70.

The 350Z is 1 foot, 4.3 inches shorter than the C70, making the 350Z easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The engine in the 350Z is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the C70. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

The 350Z’s entire steering wheel hub sounds the horn, facilitating hitting the horn in an emergency. The C70 has two small spoke buttons. These buttons can be hard to reach in an emergency.

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 C70 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. The power windows on the C70 don’t raise automatically.

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 C70 can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

To improve comfort and visibility, the 350Z Coupe (late availability) has standard pull-out visor extensions that block glare better. The C70 doesn’t offer any similar feature.

The 350Z’s standard steering wheel mounted cruise control is close at hand. The C70’s standard cruise control is on an over-crowded turn signal stalk.

The Nissan 350Z comes in both 2dr hatchback and convertible bodystyles; the Volvo C70 isn’t available as a 2dr hatchback.

Insurance will cost less for the 350Z owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the 350Z will cost $1235 to $1590 less than the C70 over a five year period.

The 350Z will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that the 350Z will retain 52.88% to 54.69% of its original price after five years, while the C70 only retains 46.55% to 46.6%.

The headlight lenses on the 350Z are made of plastic to be lighter, more resistant to damage and less expensive to replace than the glass headlight lenses on the C70.