Unless you live somewhere snowy

Right. Don't do that.

I'm a RWD bigot. If you have snow, you need AWD and/or skill. I don't live in the snow, but I do visit it from time to time, and I'm more comfortable in a RWD car in the snow than FWD. FWD is probably easier for a novice in the snow, but I'm rather happier having seperate friction circles for steering and drive, rather than trying to do it all at one end.

Similarly, I don't really equate AWD with handling or performance in the dry. It's really different, and perhaps more forgiving, but I don't actually think it's worth its weight. FWD is obviously wrong for dry performance. (before the Saab purists descend...my family has owned several Saabs, and they were great cars. Indeed, being FWD was the only thing wrong with them.)

As to the aesthetic issues, I'm in both camps. As evidenced by the empeg-carriers I own: A Miata (gorgeous) and an M Coupe (form follows function, and not that closely)

The aircraft analogy is apt...when Automobile gave the M Coupe their Design of the Year award, the article was titled "Don't think 911, think Bf.109"

So my recommendation, get the 350Z. You like the looks much better (I'm not sure I agree, but that design doesn't do it for everyone), and I think it's probably a better driver's car. And if you're concerned about capacity, look at the Infiniti version. It's heavier, but all the road tests keep coming up with the same 0-60 times as the 350Z.