Man Maths: Nissan 370Z

Generally I think the V6 an overrated configuration but not this one. Sure, it’s no Dino or original NSX motor and a bit gruff, but it fits the no nonsense character of the car to perfection: it makes all the right noises, delivers the goods with enough torque low down and comes with a pleasing crescendo of power as the revs rise. It goes with a hefty, precise gearshift too. There was an automatic version, but I really don’t know why you would.

These are not delicate machines on the open road; you won’t be guiding it with your fingertips as you might a Lotus Elise. You need to get stuck in, flex your muscles and really take control. Then these cars are brilliant: not sophisticated, but playful, rewarding and guileless. On track I remember just how naturally balanced it felt, how willing to be steered from the rear and how I really didn’t want to get out of it.

There’s something else too. Usually when talking about mass-produced sports cars that are far from young any more, there’s a big, red flag somewhere lying across the path to purchase. But not this one: there are some yellows – ferocious thirst, regular servicing costs and a probably pretty pricey VED bill among them – but you just don’t hear stories of them falling apart, or one fatal weakness you ignore at your peril. I’ve heard the motors that drive the roof of the roadster aren’t the most reliable, but you might first want to ask yourself if a heavier, floppier, slower version with poorer handling is really the car you’re looking for in the first place.

If I were buying, I’d be extra careful about the history, because I’d not want a car that had been modded, thrashed and put back to standard for sale, so I’d be looking for service history and a modest number of owners before fretting too much about mileage. You can find older early cars from 2010 with 80,000 miles on the clock and a full service history for little more than £7500 while later, more powerful Nismo versions start at around twice that money. And if you looked after it, I don’t see it dropping much in value. And if it did, just keep what I have always considered to be one of the most underrated cars on the market.

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