2
Aa Nissan 350Z
7
Here's the revised review for the Nissan 350Z
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PAINT
AUTOart's version of the 350Z is available in two colours: Le Mans Sunset Orange or Diamond Silver. The paint is perfectly applied without any rough edges, unpainted areas or uneven spots. Like with most AUTOart models, it is difficult to tell the painted metal parts from the coloured plastic parts simply by looking on the Diamond Silver model. However you can tell on the Le Mans Sunset Orange model.
8/8 (7/8 for the LM Sunset Orange model)
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EXTERIOR
As expected, the model is to scale and the proportions are accurate. The panel gaps are tight and the opening parts fit very well. The "Nissan" and "Z" logos are actually badges not decals/stickers. The lights are realistically replicated with plastic pieces, no paint or decals. You may notice that there are no side repeaters below the Z-badges on the side but this model is based on the 350Z Concept car which is slightly different from the production 350Z. The large air dam is actually perforated and you can see the radiator and the fan through the grille. Door handles are included on the doors, which have windows as well. Correctly there is a depression beneath the doors. Also an antenna is present on the model. Frankly I can't find any faults with the exterior at all.
8/8
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INTERIOR
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The interior detail is extraordinarily good. The controls on the centre console are very realistic as they are moulded finely with some fine paint applied to indicate the controls. The gearstick even has the positions marked on it and the dials are very realistic too. Even the pedals and footrest are highly detailed - they even have cross-drilled holes. The inner door detail is rather plain but this is the case with the real car. The floor is carpeted and the seats have seatbelts, buckles and clips. Even the sizeable sub-woofers behind the seats are present. The trunk is quite good too. It is lined with felt to simulate the carpet and the beam fitted across the rear suspension is nicely rendered.
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In fact there is only one fault with the interior. The fault is that the seats are hard plastic and that they have no alcantara effect. But that fault is very small compared to what is good about the interior.
7/8
WHEELS & BRAKES
The wheels are nicely detailed with logos and wheel nuts accurately rendered. The tyres have a realistic tread pattern but they are unbranded. The brake discs are very realistic as they look like metal and the brake calipers are extremely detailed. The calipers however aren't branded (Brembo make the brakes). Still the brake discs do rotate with the wheels while the calipers remain fixed.
5/6
ENGINE & UNDERCARRIAGE DETAIL
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The hood opens revealing an equally well done engine. The detail is excellent and you can make out the water and oil wells, some wiring, the banks of the cylinders. A smaller cross brace is also fitted across the suspension turrets and the stickers (e.g. water well for windscreen wipers) are appropriately placed. The undercarriage detail is almost unbelievably good where you can see the engine, gearbox and the driveshaft clearly. Some wiring is also included as well as simulated suspension. The engine and undercarriage detail are a work of art.
8/8
COMPETITION
Apart from AUTOart, Hot Wheels and Yat Ming also make their own versions of the 350Z. Unsurprisingly AUTOart's is arguably the best of the three although it is based on the 350Z Concept/pre-production version. YM's version is severely disproportionate while Hot Wheels's lacks detail and is more like a high-quality toy than a diecast model although it is based on the production version of the 350Z. Maisto may release a 1/18 version of the 350Z in the future but it is almost certainly not going to be as detailed as AUTOart's rendition.
5/6
DESIRABILITY
AUTOart's model of the 350Z is of very high quality indeed. It wipes the floor with its competition. It costs slightly more than most AUTOart Performance Division models and it is not as easily as available as most AUTOart models but it is by no means rare.
5/6
OVERALL
AUTOart almost went out of their way to make this a great model and their effort most certainly paid off. The model is virtually faultless and although it costs slightly more than a regular AUTOart model, it is worth the premium. Z-car fans will love this model. AUTOart's 350Z is easily one of their best models to date.
Total Score - 46/50
Thanks to http://www.autobarnmodels.com and http://www.diecast18.com for the use of their pictures.
© 2003 www.DiecastXchange.com All rights reserved
PAINT
AUTOart's version of the 350Z is available in two colours: Le Mans Sunset Orange or Diamond Silver. The paint is perfectly applied without any rough edges, unpainted areas or uneven spots. Like with most AUTOart models, it is difficult to tell the painted metal parts from the coloured plastic parts simply by looking on the Diamond Silver model. However you can tell on the Le Mans Sunset Orange model.
8/8 (7/8 for the LM Sunset Orange model)
EXTERIOR
As expected, the model is to scale and the proportions are accurate. The panel gaps are tight and the opening parts fit very well. The "Nissan" and "Z" logos are actually badges not decals/stickers. The lights are realistically replicated with plastic pieces, no paint or decals. You may notice that there are no side repeaters below the Z-badges on the side but this model is based on the 350Z Concept car which is slightly different from the production 350Z. The large air dam is actually perforated and you can see the radiator and the fan through the grille. Door handles are included on the doors, which have windows as well. Correctly there is a depression beneath the doors. Also an antenna is present on the model. Frankly I can't find any faults with the exterior at all.
8/8
INTERIOR
The interior detail is extraordinarily good. The controls on the centre console are very realistic as they are moulded finely with some fine paint applied to indicate the controls. The gearstick even has the positions marked on it and the dials are very realistic too. Even the pedals and footrest are highly detailed - they even have cross-drilled holes. The inner door detail is rather plain but this is the case with the real car. The floor is carpeted and the seats have seatbelts, buckles and clips. Even the sizeable sub-woofers behind the seats are present. The trunk is quite good too. It is lined with felt to simulate the carpet and the beam fitted across the rear suspension is nicely rendered.
In fact there is only one fault with the interior. The fault is that the seats are hard plastic and that they have no alcantara effect. But that fault is very small compared to what is good about the interior.
7/8
WHEELS & BRAKES
The wheels are nicely detailed with logos and wheel nuts accurately rendered. The tyres have a realistic tread pattern but they are unbranded. The brake discs are very realistic as they look like metal and the brake calipers are extremely detailed. The calipers however aren't branded (Brembo make the brakes). Still the brake discs do rotate with the wheels while the calipers remain fixed.
5/6
ENGINE & UNDERCARRIAGE DETAIL
The hood opens revealing an equally well done engine. The detail is excellent and you can make out the water and oil wells, some wiring, the banks of the cylinders. A smaller cross brace is also fitted across the suspension turrets and the stickers (e.g. water well for windscreen wipers) are appropriately placed. The undercarriage detail is almost unbelievably good where you can see the engine, gearbox and the driveshaft clearly. Some wiring is also included as well as simulated suspension. The engine and undercarriage detail are a work of art.
8/8
COMPETITION
Apart from AUTOart, Hot Wheels and Yat Ming also make their own versions of the 350Z. Unsurprisingly AUTOart's is arguably the best of the three although it is based on the 350Z Concept/pre-production version. YM's version is severely disproportionate while Hot Wheels's lacks detail and is more like a high-quality toy than a diecast model although it is based on the production version of the 350Z. Maisto may release a 1/18 version of the 350Z in the future but it is almost certainly not going to be as detailed as AUTOart's rendition.
5/6
DESIRABILITY
AUTOart's model of the 350Z is of very high quality indeed. It wipes the floor with its competition. It costs slightly more than most AUTOart Performance Division models and it is not as easily as available as most AUTOart models but it is by no means rare.
5/6
OVERALL
AUTOart almost went out of their way to make this a great model and their effort most certainly paid off. The model is virtually faultless and although it costs slightly more than a regular AUTOart model, it is worth the premium. Z-car fans will love this model. AUTOart's 350Z is easily one of their best models to date.
Total Score - 46/50
Thanks to http://www.autobarnmodels.com and http://www.diecast18.com for the use of their pictures.
© 2003 www.DiecastXchange.com All rights reserved
1 - 14 of 14 Posts
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Great review Castrol!!!
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I do like the car, but still I'm not planning to buy it, as I have lots of other cars on my wishlist :x
I do like the car, but still I'm not planning to buy it, as I have lots of other cars on my wishlist :x
G
Kudo's on the reveiw CSG nice reading :mrgreen:
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G
I've got mine since this review and I must say if anyone is considering this car avoid the Sunset Orange. The painted plastic front bumper on mine is horribly mismatched colour wise from the rest of the car. 
I've seen the silver and black and they look much better.
I've seen the silver and black and they look much better.
G
I think louis :? mentioned this was also a problem facing the auto industry. Interestingly, I saw a silver 1:1 up close yesterday and the front bumper on that was mismatched to the point where if I was the buyer, I would not be happy.
1 - 14 of 14 Posts
