I have been watching the light flicker off the nib of my pen for a few minutes now, my hand is shaking as I’m making some cue cards ready to call the people in the Nissan press office. My notes read something similar to, “I’m sorry...”, “It’s just really unlucky”, and there’s also a diagram, how will I explain that without sounding like I’m insane, or making it up.

I know more about this car than usual, I know that Nissan in the UK commissioned Nismo (that’s Nissan Motorsport) in Japan to build this one off monsterpiece for them to showcase, and run up the hill at the 2005 Goodwood Festival of Speed. I also know other snippets like it’s too low to go over some speed bumps, it’s the only one Nissan have, and it’s treasured by the company. I know this information not from any of their leaflets or website, but from the numerous warnings, and conversations we’ve had with them, and how they have nearly all ended with, “don’t crash it now...”, and “be careful, yeah?”

So you ask why am I making notes for a telephone call, simple: I crashed it.
Ok, now crash is a strong word, and in reality I saved the car (or at least this is how I choose to look at it). When the moon was out and the roads were empty we headed out in the car to see what it was made of. Baring in mind this is all in moderation, I was interested in the car, but I was as interested in remaining friends with Nissan, we were driving with moderation.

As far as the car goes, it’s undoubtley awesome, it accelerates as hard as it looks and delivers one of the rawest and intense driving experiences I have ever had. At low speeds the car is relatively easy to drive but when the speed picks up everything seems to make sense, the car feels planted, secure and safe at anything over 70mph and everything from A roads, motorways and country lanes are gobbled up with a beast-like ferocity.

The whole car is geared up for some real action, from the fast and high revs of the engine to the shift lights inside and solid and enthusiastic gear shift.

After an hour and nearly a full tank of fuel I’m starting to realise just how capable this vehicle really is, on a track I’m certain that it would be fantastic, it’s a true race car for the roads - without any sacrifices for either activities.

As I flip my sat nav on and begin to make my way home I’m heading through the busier roads, there’s an increase in traffic and I can’t help but giggle, thinking back to my previous antics, as I head into familiar lanes I drop to dipped beams as there’s a car coming and slow right down, down one gear to take the 350 through the final few corners before my house and... DEER-already dead, taking up my whole lane!
On with the brakes and the ABS kicks straight in, in front of me lies a simple but unfortunate choice, bush, deer, or another car.

The car slowed to around 30mph and we ploughed into the deer, I continued my journey home worrying about what I’m going to say, wondering how it happened, and whether I could have avoided it in any way. There was quite a thud and some other alien noises, have I ripped the Nismo custom-priceless bumper to shreds? Thankfully no. After the shock of what had happened, I spent the evening thinking about who should buy this car, and to put if simply, everyone should! Grey imports of this 350z will be available in a calmer colour scheme, and at under £50,000 makes a very interesting, very unique option for a very fast, very fun weekend car.