Nissan has a sports lineup that continues to impress. The 2011 Roadster 370Z takes the open road experience to the next level with superior looks, great handling and state-of-the-art technology. 

The 370Z ranks among the top choices of affordable sports cars for the enthusiast who wants it all at a bargain price.

Nissan offers three potential layouts for the 370Z: Base, Touring and Nismo. All come as complete packages with the Base and Touring trims powered by a 332-hoursepower, 3.7-liter V6 and a six-speed manual transmission. 

You can, however, choose the seven-speed automatic equipped with paddle shifters. 

Then there is the Nismo for the enthusiast who wants to spare no expense. This top-of-the-line trim has even more aggressive styling queues, better suspension and yes, more power. The Nismo dishes out 350 horsepower for an even more intense driving experience.

The black cherry 370Z I tested was just beautiful, especially enveloped in Austin’s spectacular sunlight. The low profile and huge wheels are what really set this affordable sports car apart from most of the competition. Throw in a ragtop, and you have a roadster that is the envy of all your friends.

There is not much room for anything but two passengers inside, but what else do you need in a roadster? The cargo area out back can accommodate an overnight bag for an extended excursion. The ragtop drops and secures in about 20 seconds – yes, 20 seconds to open-road freedom when you are ready to leave your daily routine in the dust. 

Nissan offers a l

ong list of standard features and optional ones, including a very cool navigation system.

On the road, you will be amazed at how this 370Z handles. Considering I am 6-foot-3 inches tall, I didn’t have a lot of extra room in the cabin, but it seemed to open up the more I drove. The smooth shifting, nicely laid-out gauges and premium sound system kept me from feeling cramped. 

On the highway, the more I wanted, the more that 370Z gave me. What a rush, especially in hard corners – it was like the car was on rails!

 The 2011 370Z includes all the basic safety features, including antilock brakes, stability control and traction control. Standard airbags include front, side and on the coupe, roof-mounted side-curtain units.

If you are in the market for a sports car that fits your budget, this 2011 Nissan 370Z deserves a test drive.