The automotive industry is changing and sports cars – or at least as sporty as we normal folk can afford – are a breath of fresh air for petrol heads that need a little affordable speed in their life. From the Toyota 86 for sale to the Nissan 350Z (which was discontinued in 2009), South Africans today have a range of stunning, fun and just plain awesome cars to choose from.
Today the Auto Mart team, and more specifically this writer, wanted to take a closer look at the sporty Toyota 86 and the Nissan 350z for sale. We wanted to highlight what makes these two sports cars so great.
The Toyota 86
With three rear wheel drive models to choose from, this sexy car is a dream come true for many enthusiasts. A bold move from Toyota, the 86 was made to exhilarate, turning the world around you into a playground where freedom and safety becomes one.
With a starting price of R 382 300, the 86 range from Toyota come standard with various drover supports including ABS, EBD, Brake Assist and Vehicle Stability Control (VSC).
Boasting a direct injection D-4S Boxer Engine, these fast coupes have sporty bucket seats, aluminium pedals and a Multi-Information Display (MID) that will blow your mind. Sound is also not a problem in these models, both the standard and high end range models boasting a display audio system featuring radio, CD a USB and an Auxiliary input.
The higher end models have the added seat heaters, smart entry system and cruise control, with both the standard and higher end models boasting a gorgeous three spoke, 365 millimetre steering wheel.
Other Interior Features of the Toyota 86 for sale include a central console box, moulded door trims, chrome door handles, united folding rear seats, a leather shift lever and knob, illuminated entry, manual seat reclining and adjustments, and six speakers standards.
Safety in both the standard and higher range models sports cars are a given. The Toyota 86 has 15” ventilated front brakes (16” for the higher range models) and 15” ventilated rear brakes. Equipped with an immobiliser and a high mounted stop lamp, the models in the 86 range from Toyota also feature manual airbags (with an on/off switch), an ISO-FIX Child restraint system, and airbags (from the driver and front passenger seat, to the driver knee and curtain shield airbags).
The models available in 86 range includes the 86 2.0 Standard 6 MT, the 2.0 High 6 MT and the 86 86 2.0 High 6 AT. All three of these models features a displacement of 1998 cm3, produces a maximum of 147 kW at 7 000 rpm and a maximum torque of 205 Nm between 6 400 and 6 600 rpm.
The two higher range models are also equipped with a Push Start Function, comes standard with the Standard Boot Spoiler and LED Daytime Running Lights.
Some of the outstanding exterior features of the 86 include a dual exhaust pipe and diffuser, front and rear fog lamps, and a sexy rear spoiler (for the higher end models in the range). The Standard 86 models also comes with 16 inch alloy wheels that sports machine finished highlights, while the high end models sport 17 inch alloy wheels that have machine finished twin spokes beautifully complimented by dark, thin accent spokes.
The tow manual models have a fuel consumption of 7.8 liters per 100 kilometers, while the automatic model has a fuel consumption of 7.1 liters per 100 kilometers. The two manual models go from zero to 100 kilometers per hour in 7.6 seconds, while the automatic model has the same acceleration in 8.2 seconds.
Looking at the 2007 – 2009 Nissan 350Z
Featuring both a Coupe Model (discontinued in May of 2009) and the Roadster (also discontinued in May of 2009), the Nissan 350Z was (and still is) a fun and more affordable sports car to own. While the Coupe Nissan 350Z for sale fetched a price of around R 460 000, the Roadster had a price tag of R 520 000.
Today, the 350Z is still a popular vehicle among many car enthusiasts. Available second-hand, you can find the perfect model for sale on Auto Mart.
The Nissan 350Z Coupe went from zero to 100 kilometres per hour in 5.7 seconds and had a Kerb Weight of 1 542 kilogrammes. With a ground clearance of 115 millimetres, these two door beauties had an 80 litre tank capacity and a DOHC camshaft.
With a six cylinder, longitudinal V6 engine, these manual models had a six speed gearbox and reached a top speed of 250 kilometres per hour.
Equipped with an aircon, this two seater 350Z from Nissan also boasted power steering, climate control and ABS. A rear wheel drive car for sale from Nissan, it was also equipped with ventilated rear and front brake discs and flaunted a displacement of 3 498 cm3.
The Coupe delivered power of 230 kW at 6 800 rpms and a torque of 358 Nm at 4 800 rpms.
The 350Z Roadster is also a fun and affordable sports car for enthusiasts, going from zero to 100 kilometres per hour in 6.1 seconds, this model from Nissan also featured a DOHC camshaft and reached a maximum speed of 250 kilometres per hour.
With a displacement of 3 498 cm3, the Roadster delivered a power of 230 Kw at 6 800 rpms and a torque of 358 Nm at 4 800 rpm. Also a two doored, two seat, rear wheel drive model, this Nissan 350Z for sale had a Kerb weight of 1 629 kilogrammes and a ground clearance of 115 millimetres.
Equipped with power steering, the Roadster also featured a six speed manual gearbox, a longitudinal engine design and ABS. With ventilated rear and front disc brakes, these cars for sale averaged at around 13.14 litres per 100 kilometres.
The Toyota 86 vs the Nissan 350Z
For the purposes of this comparison table, we are using the high end automatic and manual Toyota 86 models alongside both the 2007 to 2009 specs we have for the Nissan 350Z Coupe and Roadster models. The prices included in the specification table for the 350Z are the ‘bought as new’ prices for these models.
Specifications for the Toyota 86 and Nissan 350Z
| 86 2.0 High 6MT | 86 2.0 High 6AT | Nissan 350Z Coupe (2007 – 2009) | 350Z Roadster (2007 – 2009) | |
| Engine Capacity (litre) | 2.0 | 2.0 | - | - |
| Displacement (in cm3) | 1 998 | 1 998 | 3 498 | 3 498 |
| Maximum Power | 147 kW @ 7 000 rpm | 147 kW @ 7 000 rpm | 230 kW @ 6 800 rpm | 230 kW @ 6 800 rpm |
| Maximum Torque | 205 Nm @ 6 400 – 6 600 rpm | 205 Nm @ 6 400 – 6 600 rpm | 358 Nm @ 4 800 rpm | 358 Nm @ 4 800 rpm |
| Gross Vehicle Mass (in kg) | 1 670 | 1 700 | 1 820 | 1 820 |
| Acceleration in seconds (from 0 – 100 km/ph) | 7.6 | 8.2 | 5.7 | 6.1 |
| Top Speed (in kilometres per hour) | 226 | 210 | 250 | 250 |
| Cylinders | 4 | 4 | 6 | 6 |
| Compression Ratio | 12.5:1 | 12.5:1 | 10.3:1 | 10.3:1 |
| Wheelbase (in mm) | 2 570 | 2 570 | 2 650 | 2 650 |
| Front Tread (in mm) | 1 520 | 1 520 | 1 535 | 1 535 |
| Rear Tread (in mm) | 1 540 | 1 540 | 1 545 | 1 545 |
| Ground Clearance (in mm) | 120 | 130 | 115 | 115 |
| Average Fuel Consumption in litre (per 100 km) | 7.8 | 7.1 | 13.14 | 13.14 |
| Price | R 430 100 | R 451 700 | R 460 000 | R 520 000 |
While both the Toyota 86 and the Nissan 350Z for sale are great options, each one differs in both price and performance. Coming down to personal tastes and preferences, both sports cars are stunning options for South African enthusiasts.
Beautifully designed, equipped with stunning features and delivering a performance that is exhilarating, why not browse through Auto Mart’s collection of classifieds to find the perfect Nissan 350Z or Toyota 86 for sale? Don’t forget to download our FREE Android Auto Mart App from the GooglePlay Store for an even better browsing experience on-the-go.
Thank you for evaluating both car editions. If I am going to choose I will be in favor of Toyota 86, I like its sexiest and sportiest look.
Hi Carl,
It’s only a pleasure. It is a great looking car!
Kind regards.
My money is on the 350z being a future classic. While the 86 has some heritage, they lost it by partnering up with Subaru and selling it as a Scion. The history was lost. Fast forward 30 years and I bet 350z prices will creep up higher than the Toyota.