Best Year for the 370Z
 

What is the best year for the 370Z?

Few mechanical changes have been made to the 370 over the years. In 2012 they added an oil cooler from the factory. The aesthetics have changed a little, but some, like me, prefer the earlier front ends. So that's a matter of personal opinion.

To answer your question, I don't think there is necessarily a "best year".

I only like the 2018+, I was never a fan of the original silver head lights and thought they looked hideous. However with the change to the blacked out lights and the black rear diffuser with the new tail lights, it won me over and here I am the proud owner of a 2020.

I admit these are really minor changes, but they went a long way to making both the front and rear end look more modern and high end.

buying a 2020 means paying a dealer for 2020 prices
which is pretty dumb since every year is nearly the same

the best year is the year of the cheapest, best condition one near you

the only reason decision is:

Do I want the Nismo v1 body kit?
Do I want the NIsmo v2 body kit?
Do I want an aftermarket body kit (buy the base one and throw the bumpers away)?

Not when you live in Canada. $30,500 CAD for my base model = $22,500 USD for a brand new vehicle with all the latest part numbers with a warranty.

Hey, it's your money. Do what you want with it.

Year over year there has been very minimal mechanical changes. In 2012 (which I have - Sport Touring) they added cooling to help but that was not significant. It still ran hot so I changed to a 34 row. 2015 is when Nissan offered the Nismo Tech and Nismo Spec plus the updated body kit (a kit that I liked and switched to) was more aggressive than the original was pretty good. This was a pretty good release but I like the 2018 Nismo better with everything in it including the Exedy clutch (except for pricing $$$). So for me, a '12 Sport Touring if non-Nismo and the '18 Nismo with everything on it for the Nismo. If you want vert, any year from '12 and after. Two things that I think was a miss for Nissan is with their lame CSC and general lack of power as the car got older. Would have been a good move to add a TT for the Nismo in '16.

OP already has a 2010 roadster.

Just about anything after 2011. The earlier years had ESCLs and updating navigation was a PITA. All changes since 2012 have been minor and mainly cosmetic.

I think 2017 is the best year :tiphat:

I would say this, given how much the Z is kinda an open canvas at this point.
Later models only really benefit from a speculatively better clutch system, but I'd still HD CSC or CSC delete it no matter what. Every M.Y. needs an oil cooler.

Kinda like OptionZero said, from there you're just picking packages. Would throw in 2013+ in his list if you're more inclined to those wheels and DRL's.

Why 12 and after for the verts? I'm feeling bummed out. I have a 10.

Not much difference, just slightly improved cooling and without the dreaded steering lock issue to worry about.

The late Nismo models, 2015+ I believe, have a very unpleasant fake electronic motor sound inside the cabin as you give throttle. It sounds horrible. If you intend to modify your car, the model year does not matter. On the other hand, if you would like to keep your car stock, definitely go for the latest you can find.