Should I trade in my 370z?

[TuxedoCartman]

Originally Posted by ZDan

500-600 lb. lighter-weight = "real advantage" for a sports car. 370Z is a scrunched-down/stiffened G37...

Of course the 370Z is WAY faster, but I'd rather drive an FR-S/BRZ. Much more similar driving experience to my 240Z and S2000 than the 370.

Fair enough: lighter is better. But I don't think of the FR-S as being a 'lightweight" sports-car, no more than I think of the 370Z as being a heavy one. While 500 lbs. isn't to be scoffed at, it's not exactly the difference between going from a GTR down to a Lotus Elise. And when you consider the Z has at least 130 more horses to haul around that 500 lbs., and a very well tuned suspension, well...

If the OP wants a genuinely lightweight car, then I'd direct him to a gently used Lotus, or to wait until the ND MX-5's come out next year. Rumor has it Mazda's got big plans for that little car, and are aiming to make it much lighter than it already is.

[eriktherod]

Tbomb, I'm going to assume you don't drive a FR-S/BRZ. This thing GOES even at low RPM, it's hardly like my Si was (that required 4-5k rpm to get moving). I still have the power to gain a good bit of speed in 6th gear at 2-3k rpm in the FR-S. So no, you don't have to "rev the guts out of it" to get it moving.

Honestly, this thing feels like it has the power of V6 at low rpm, it's quite fascinating really. Maybe not Z-style V6, but definitely doesn't feel like you need to spin it up good to gain momentum.

[DieDriving]

Another solution is sell the Z to me for cheap then buy the FRS....I'll personally drive to SF pay straight up $$$$$ for it....what yr, trans, and how much you want for it? You will get rape trade it in....

[Z.Tune]

Originally Posted by motofan

I drove both 350z and FR-s, a little bit. In my view, when you kick the gas in the FR-S for the first time, you will miss the power, or torque. After driving both for a while, I think they are what they are. I mean 350 feels more solid and powerful. FR-S feels more agile. So it's really your own decision. Sorry for not helping :p

Oh, u r helping! I ll keep ur words in mind

Originally Posted by Prava

or you could sell the Z and whatever profit you have left over after purchasing the FR-S you could use to mod it? just a thought...

Mod is a must do!

Originally Posted by abitolder

The less powerful car will be more fun as you will be revving the engine, working the transmission, and be more involved with the car. Think of driving in Europe where most cars are under 2 litres, but revving them all the time and shifting gears will bring a smile to your face. I just sold a newer Corvette with the manual trans, lots of power but you can seldom use it, rev it up in 1st or 2nd and you are in the speeding ticket category. The FRS should be cheaper to maintain also. Just my 2 cents

Good point, about the revving engine thing, I think its subjective.
I dun think we should argue with that, for example:
My mom yelps and smacks me when I push whatever car's engine over 4K rpm.
In the other hand, I love the sound of high rpm.

Originally Posted by Moto-P

If you long for a lightweight car that can put a smile on your face - YES.
If you are financially sensible, then I'd wait till you pay off the Nissan - No.

The Z is payed off.

Originally Posted by Gaiakai

+1 to what everyone else said - doesn't really make much sense to sell the Z now for one of the twins, unless you absolutely need the extra space. I'd suggest pay it off first/wait until a higher powered version of the twins come out.

Also, what's an E49 M3?

The Z is payed off. My bad, E46, lol, i dun even remember my ex wife's name!

Originally Posted by Turbowned

You should definitely drive both back-to-back and make your decision. A couple months ago, I test drove a 2010 370Z Sport 6MT and was very disappointed - I had wanted one since I saw the magazine ads in 2008 - the engine was incredibly coarse, the gearbox felt clunky, and the car overall felt too big and heavy. It didn't even feel that quick! The modern Z is no longer anything like it's 2300lb 240Z ancestor, and this made me rather sad. Just look at the two next to each other - it's like David and Goliath:



Then last week I drove an FR-S. The FR-S on the other hand was much more enjoyable to drive, in my opinion. Less interior refinement than the Z, and I can't really comment on the acceleration because it was an auto and I drove it on an auto-x course (shifted to second but should've stayed in first), but the balance and sheer enjoyment of tossing it through the corners and slaloms made me want to buy one immediately! It reminded me of my Datsun 240Z only a little heavier but more balanced. Since my 240Z has been sitting in my garage for the past few years with no sign of being completed soon, I decided that the FR-S or BRZ would be a worthy successor for the old girl.

Again, drive them back to back and make up your mind then! But I'm just sayin:

VERY VERY GOOD POINTS!! I seriously think the Z is over weighted! The gear box is ok, but the sound of the engine is a bit coarse. Yes u r right, I miss the 240z feeling. Test drive is the next thing I will do and I hope I will have a answer after that. (I think I will.) THANKS!

Originally Posted by Fish

I think the best thing to do is test drive the car and decide for yourself. In the end it's going to be your car. No one elses. I came from an Evo 8. I knew about the power difference. 200HP isn't a lot these days, but it also isn't actually as bad as it sounds. I think the BMW 128i has a similar 0-60 time for what it's worth.

Also, I'm pretty sure you meant E46 M3 right?

Yes, test drive is the next thing I ll do. I have never drove a EVO8, but I drove the 9 and 10. The EVO feels so easy to drive, just like others say, a mini GTR. 200 hp is fair, I can even enjoy the Mx5. But in the other hand, 200hp is not enough for I will do, so I will mod it if I bought it. Sorry about the E49, LOL!!

Originally Posted by MVJ1975

It's the result of insane Moar Powar horsepower inflation. Everything has to have 300+hp, a V6, and go 0-60 in less than 6 seconds or it's "underpowered" and will "have trouble merging onto the highway". This ridiculous trend has produced monstrosities like the current V6 Camry. With a few exceptions, these cars have no fun factor at all; they go in a straight line and have all of the feel of a minivan on novocaine.

Huge kudos to Toyota (and Mazda, who's been holding the line on this for a long time - see RX8 and MX5) for bucking the trend and going back to basics. This is the kind of car I've always loved.

I agree, there's no really underpower, just what it fits u or not. I love the Mx5 news u gave out, I ll keep a eye on it. Sadly is not happening soon.

Originally Posted by ZDan

500-600 lb. lighter-weight = "real advantage" for a sports car. 370Z is a scrunched-down/stiffened G37...

Of course the 370Z is WAY faster, but I'd rather drive an FR-S/BRZ. Much more similar driving experience to my 240Z and S2000 than the 370.

Originally Posted by DieDriving

Another solution is sell the Z to me for cheap then buy the FRS....I'll personally drive to SF pay straight up $$$$$ for it....what yr, trans, and how much you want for it? You will get rape trade it in....

2009, 6MT, touring with out NAVI, silver, 12K mile, LCD screen and Ipod mod from the 1st owner. I have all the parts that took off. I just change the oil last week.

[Turbowned]

12k? That thing must be cherry! Sell it and get all the moneys for it

[Liquidsnake]

Bro, I traded in my Z for the FRS two weeks ago. I have not thought about it once. Not once. I am so damn happy. The Z was fun and fast, but sloppy as hell. Her azz was all over the place.

I do not regret it one bit. I would do it 10/10 more times.

[fatoni]

Originally Posted by Liquidsnake;[URL="tel:258563"

258563[/URL]]Bro, I traded in my Z for the FRS two weeks ago. I have not thought about it once. Not once. I am so damn happy. The Z was fun and fast, but sloppy as hell. Her azz was all over the place.

I do not regret it one bit. I would do it 10/10 more times.

i feel like the frs will have the azz all over the place compared to the planted nature of the z. also, 10/10=1

[Liquidsnake]

Originally Posted by fatoni

i feel like the frs will have the azz all over the place compared to the planted nature of the z. also, 10/10=1

From my experience it is not. The Z just doesn't handle well. I spent 3 years with it, and I never felt connected to the road.

[fatoni]

Originally Posted by Liquidsnake;[URL="tel:258620"

258620[/URL]]From my experience it is not. The Z just doesn't handle well. I spent 3 years with it, and I never felt connected to the road.

not being connected to the road and having the azz planted are two different things. thats all. im sure the frs has more feel and all, i just dont know how i would explain it

[Z.Tune]

Originally Posted by Liquidsnake

Bro, I traded in my Z for the FRS two weeks ago. I have not thought about it once. Not once. I am so damn happy. The Z was fun and fast, but sloppy as hell. Her azz was all over the place.

I do not regret it one bit. I would do it 10/10 more times.

Originally Posted by fatoni

i feel like the frs will have the azz all over the place compared to the planted nature of the z. also, 10/10=1

i m not sure what "the azz all ove the place" means in fact.

but if u mean sideways, I guess the FRS is way easier to do so compare to the fat tire Z.

[Thunderchicken]

I can understand on not being able to really feel the road... My 2008 STi is fast but you can't really feel what is happening until it's understeer understeer understeer or when the back bounces left to right because of the rear suspension isn't quite there...

[switchlanez]

Originally Posted by fatoni

not being connected to the road and having the azz planted are two different things. thats all. im sure the frs has more feel and all, i just dont know how i would explain it

Road -> tires -> suspension -> chassis -> interior -> driver is the connection chain. "Azz plantedness" is determined by tires -> suspension -> chassis and is finally communicated to the driver through the interior; it has everything to do with the connection between road -> driver.

The tires and suspension on the Z are great but they are imbalanced by its less great chassis (not that it isn't great). The twins do a remarkable job at balancing the entire chain. Unlike the Z, it eliminates the feel of weight shifting as you turn. All the hype inflated my expectations and when I finally got behind the wheel of one, I still was blown away. It feels like magic. When you're driving around town you wonder why you don't hear scraping because it feels like your cruising just fractions of an inch off the ground. Then when you step out, it's perplexing to see so much ground clearance... Mind=f*cked. No words can explain the experience better than actually experiencing it. It's quite indescribable.

[Z.Tune]

Originally Posted by switchlanez

Road -> tires -> suspension -> chassis -> interior -> driver is the connection chain. "Azz plantedness" is determined by tires -> suspension -> chassis and is finally communicated to the driver through the interior; it has everything to do with the connection between road -> driver.

The tires and suspension on the Z are great but they are imbalanced by its less great chassis (not that it isn't great). The twins do a remarkable job at balancing the entire chain. Unlike the Z, it eliminates the feel of weight shifting as you turn. All the hype inflated my expectations and when I finally got behind the wheel of one, I still was blown away. It feels like magic. When you're driving around town you wonder why you don't hear scraping because it feels like your cruising just fractions of an inch off the ground. Then when you step out, it's perplexing to see so much ground clearance... Mind=f*cked. No words can explain the experience better than actually experiencing it. It's quite indescribable.

Can't wait to test drive

[ABQautoxer]

While I think the Twins will be fun, I think you are not going to like the change. As someone who has similar previous cars to you and owned a few Miatas, NA MR2, etc - its hard to go back to something that feels so gutless. The best advice IMO was the one given to wait for the STi version which we all know is coming, its just a matter of time. My daily drive is a Genesis Coupe 3.8, and while like the Z it feels big and heavy, its a good commuter and the torque makes it effortless when you aren't on a road that can be fun due to traffic. I'm seriously thinking about a Twin for daily driving and SCCA local events. I'm lucky this isn't my only car so I still do have a fun, not too underpowered sports car to drive when I feel like I need a bit more power. If I could only have one, I don't think the twins would be it. Good luck, let us know what you decide.

[7thgear]

You can have more comfortable sex in the FRS.

So yes, i would trade it.

[BioRage]

Originally Posted by Liquidsnake

Bro, I traded in my Z for the FRS two weeks ago. I have not thought about it once. Not once. I am so damn happy. The Z was fun and fast, but sloppy as hell. Her azz was all over the place.

I do not regret it one bit. I would do it 10/10 more times.

350? or 370?

[Z.Tune]

Originally Posted by 7thgear

You can have more comfortable sex in the FRS.

So yes, i would trade it.

LOL!!!! So true!!!! The Z is dang small for that huh?!?

[Liquidsnake]

Originally Posted by Z.Tune

i m not sure what "the azz all ove the place" means in fact.

but if u mean sideways, I guess the FRS is way easier to do so compare to the fat tire Z.

What I meant was it was very sloppy. The Z was very sloppy. The FRS is not.

[BioRage]

Twin Turbo + COILS + Wheels + I/E/H on the Z, try that, than contemplate on the BRZ or FRS.


There's a video here..

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7890

Watch that, the corners he does are amazing, and he takes them at such high speed, but on the straight away, just get blown away, and passed by 3-4 cars.

[jinrawke]

My sixth sense tells me that you have already made up your mind and want to go from the Z to the BRZ/FRS. Here are my suggestions since I actually got rid of a car to get the BRZ.

1) Test drive one. and right after drive your Z for comparison.
2) Think of what you value more. Some may place a premium on power, acceleration, how much HP, passing speed on the highway. Others value agility, how connected you are with the road, or even simply how the car looks. Others may not even care about those and just want high quality interior and smooth ride.

My experience:
I had a 2009 IS 250 that I sold in order to get my BRZ. The comfort and luxury were nice but I never felt a connection with the car. The IS 250 was just a daily driver car and I never really felt like it was MY car, just a method of transportation. I appreciated it for what it did but never once did I say, damn I just feel like driving. I used to feel that way when I owned a CRX and later a Prelude (I just have a love for sports cars).
Many questioned my decision, including myself - why would you go from an 09 IS 250 to a sub 30k sports car without ever test driving it, let alone seeing it in person? it only has 200 hp, why dont you just get the new mustang. are you nuts?
Well... Yes
Once I saw all the reviews and also a few comparisons on how it handled like a CRX, I was sold. My CRX was the funnest car I owned. It was not fast (unless u dropped in an Integ engine in it), it was not luxurious, it was not roomy... yet that didn't matter much to me. I valued the driving experience and this is EXACTLY what I get with my BRZ and I could not have been happier. I expected to have some sort of remorse on my decision but thankfully that is not the case.

Good luck with whichever way you decide!

[Liquidsnake]

Originally Posted by jinrawke

My sixth sense tells me that you have already made up your mind and want to go from the Z to the BRZ/FRS. Here are my suggestions since I actually got rid of a car to get the BRZ.

1) Test drive one. and right after drive your Z for comparison.
2) Think of what you value more. Some may place a premium on power, acceleration, how much HP, passing speed on the highway. Others value agility, how connected you are with the road, or even simply how the car looks. Others may not even care about those and just want high quality interior and smooth ride.

My experience:
I had a 2009 IS 250 that I sold in order to get my BRZ. The comfort and luxury were nice but I never felt a connection with the car. The IS 250 was just a daily driver car and I never really felt like it was MY car, just a method of transportation. I appreciated it for what it did but never once did I say, damn I just feel like driving. I used to feel that way when I owned a CRX and later a Prelude (I just have a love for sports cars).
Many questioned my decision, including myself - why would you go from an 09 IS 250 to a sub 30k sports car without ever test driving it, let alone seeing it in person? it only has 200 hp, why dont you just get the new mustang. are you nuts?
Well... Yes
Once I saw all the reviews and also a few comparisons on how it handled like a CRX, I was sold. My CRX was the funnest car I owned. It was not fast (unless u dropped in an Integ engine in it), it was not luxurious, it was not roomy... yet that didn't matter much to me. I valued the driving experience and this is EXACTLY what I get with my BRZ and I could not have been happier. I expected to have some sort of remorse on my decision but thankfully that is not the case.

Good luck with whichever way you decide!

You summed up my feelings. All my friends and relatives told me I am going to regret selling the 370z. I swear I have not missed it or thought about it once.

[ZDan]

Originally Posted by ABQautoxer

While I think the Twins will be fun, I think you are not going to like the change. As someone who has similar previous cars to you and owned a few Miatas, NA MR2, etc - its hard to go back to something that feels so gutless.

For me, for daily driving, I don't have any issues going back to my gutless S2000 (never above ~5500rpm on the street, essentially a 150hp 2750 lb. car) after driving my 500+ hp 2825 lb. FD over the weekend.

I test-drove an FR-S Wednesday, and honestly in normal driving it feels very much like the S2000. I think a lot of people are needlessly worrying about whether 200hp is enough, when 99% of the time they're going to be using less than half that anyway.

The FR-S is a HOOT to drive, even at 2-3 tenths. It just FEELS a lot more like a sports car than bigger, heavier more powerful cars.