Test drove an FR-S, thoughts

[cfusionpm]

Originally Posted by fatoni

i cant help but think that neither of those bold statements are true even though i agree with the overall message.

Z price fluctuates from 33k-43k, but even at the cheapest, that's 8 grand more. Curb weight sits around 3350 lbs, which is a 600lb difference. I was under the impression that the Touring model was a lot more, but I guess not! The Roadsters though, get upwards of 3500 lbs, an 800lb difference.

i think for what nissan intended, the z is great its pretty far from offering the driving experience of the frs. iirc, its target was to bridge the gap from these small sports cars and the more gt or high speed cars like the corvette. i think the most telling thing about the car is that its not even really that trackable considering the brake and oil issues.

Agreed. It's not a bad car, it's just got a different philosophical direction. Plus, the 18/25MPG isn't exactly attractive when I'm getting 24/33mpg in my FR-S.

[cfusionpm]

Originally Posted by oxygen

This was my first manual car, was pretty easy to drive as a novice in my opinion

Yeah, this is one of the easiest manual cars to drive. I learned on a beatup old box of bolts, this thing is like silk by comparison.

[Mandy]

I like the Z, but at its current price point, I hate it. The main thing I couldn't get over was the interior. It felt very ricey; they way the gauges moved with the wheel and the overall design. I'm hoping the new Z is going to be a direct FR-S competitor; an affordable sports car, just like the original Z.

[fatoni]

Originally Posted by cfusionpm

Yeah, this is one of the easiest manual cars to drive. I learned on a beatup old box of bolts, this thing is like silk by comparison.

down here in socal the base z goes for a bit over 31k and i try not to compare the vert as all its weight goes to something other to performance (i guess well have to wait to compare vert to vert). another thing that i think gets overlooked is the flipside of the tire argument. people are well aware of how much tires improve the handling but i dont think people seem to acknowledge what they will to to mpg. i would still assume its better than that of the z though.

Originally Posted by Mandy

I like the Z, but at its current price point, I hate it. The main thing I couldn't get over was the interior. It felt very ricey; they way the gauges moved with the wheel and the overall design. I'm hoping the new Z is going to be a direct FR-S competitor; an affordable sports car, just like the original Z.

here in socal it sells for $1200 more than the brz so i dont really know what price point you are thinking of but i think its a pretty good deal if thats what youre into. the original z creator said that the miata is the spiritual successor to the original z and spoke highly of the twins while criticizing the 350/370 for its weight so if nissan listens, you might get your wish.

[Enraged21]

Originally Posted by oxygen

This was my first manual car, was pretty easy to drive as a novice in my opinion

+1

only took me about 2 days to learn. Haven't stalled since. Sometimes some jerky shifts but that's it.

[GNS]

Advice: Don't buy from pushy salesmen or shitty dealerships that won't talk to you

[powerj2]

i learned manual on a 2010 Kia forte koup SX. Ordered it blind because they didnt have any SX models their. So day it came in, dad drove it home then i took it out and learned how to drive it. only way to learn

newer cars with the CDV are wayyyy more forgiving then the old ones with out

[marky]

i drive my brother in law Z and its a heavy but the V6 makes up for it but still not as fun as GT86/FRS/BRZ nimble

[motofan]

I drove both 350Z and FR-S. Didn't feel FR-S was anywhere near the Nissan's power though.

[TRICKspeed]

I agree, I had a chance to test drive an Fr-s and was amazed how well the engine revved. Unfortunately, I was in Durham, and my test drive wars cut short due to the storm and the sales lady started to freak out! I'm so over these dealers attaching all the extra stuff to drive the price up, I checked out like 4 dealership and none of them offered the Fr-s with the base price with stock options.

So want this car, but price is few grand over what I want to spend!

[strat61caster]

Originally Posted by TRICKspeed

So want this car, but price is few grand over what I want to spend!

Did you tell them you were willing to put down a refundable deposit to get the car without options?

It was still a pain in the ass because most lied and said "that opportunity is over" or will take the deposit and put their options on it anyway but it may be you're only option.

Good luck, fucking hate dealers too.
:happy0180:

[B L U E S L A T E]

VLSDs that Nissan use are junks.

[TRICKspeed]

Originally Posted by strat61caster

Did you tell them you were willing to put down a refundable deposit to get the car without options?

It was still a pain in the ass because most lied and said "that opportunity is over" or will take the deposit and put their options on it anyway but it may be you're only option.

Good luck, fucking hate dealers too.
:happy0180:

I did... I was totally upfront with the sales person I went on a test drive with. If you can't get me a base FR-S then don't bother trying to sell it. As car salesman are, she did and she just kept chatting about how good it is to have these extra stuff on it and its cheaper to get it now then install it later.

but there is another way around the price. I'm thinking about leasing the FR-S. I've looked at some quotes online and can get a 36 month lease of 293 a month with 2k down which allows 12k miles a year.

Good thing 2014 scions are rolling in end of the year... may put a good deal on 2013... hopefully

[naikaidriver]

Originally Posted by TRICKspeed

I did... I was totally upfront with the sales person I went on a test drive with. If you can't get me a base FR-S then don't bother trying to sell it. As car salesman are, she did and she just kept chatting about how good it is to have these extra stuff on it and its cheaper to get it now then install it later.

but there is another way around the price. I'm thinking about leasing the FR-S. I've looked at some quotes online and can get a 36 month lease of 293 a month with 2k down which allows 12k miles a year.

Good thing 2014 scions are rolling in end of the year... may put a good deal on 2013... hopefully

If you plan on leaving the car stock, this would be the way to go. If you plan on doing ANY modifications to it, I would strongly recommend you don't lease. Toyota is not very forgiving when it comes to this.

Scott