Going Topless
by David Finlay (28 Sep 05)

It took rather a long time to work out that the Roadster's powered folding roof is neither powered nor foldable unless you remember to put your foot on the brake pedal as you press the appropriate switch. Having finally got this sorted out (shortly after a cry of "for God's sake, let's just look it up in the owner's manual, okay?" from the passenger seat), I was at last able to experience open-top motoring, 350Z style, and to declare it a Good Thing.

A car which is designed in the first place to have a roof and which then has that roof removed must of necessity be wobblier than one whose roof remains part of the structure. Manufacturers who go down the convertible route have to add lots of extra material to prevent the abbreviated bodyshell falling apart at the first bump, and the success of their efforts can be surprisingly variable.

Nissan has done the job expertly here. A 350Z Roadster feels almost as sound as a 350Z Coupé. The test car seemed absolutely secure over crests and across camber changes, and only the most severe bumps produced anything remotely resembling scuttle shake. Let's hope that this applies to the Roadsters that are available in Nissan showrooms and not just to the ones on the press fleet.

The feeling of solidity allows you to enjoy the pleasures of al fresco transport all the more, a process made yet easier by the fact that the Roadster displays so few of the vices. Even with the side windows open (which is how they end up after the roof has been folded away), and even at speeds I blush to mention, the airflow in the passenger compartment is relatively calm. You can create enough wind noise to drown out the 3.5-litre engine at full revs and full throttle, but you can't do much damage to your hairstyle without standing up or sticking your head out beyond the sides of the doors.

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