Which car is most like the FT-86/FR-S/BRZ?
 

Which car that's currently on the market do you feel has the most in common with the FT-86/FR-S/BRZ in terms of price/performance/looks etc. If you had to pick one car to compare it to, what would it be?

Or simply put, what will its closest rival be?

370z - Two seater 300hp+ pure sports car
MX-5 - Two seater convertible
Genesis Coupe - HEAVY RWD 2+2 with a bit of power
RX-8 - Midweight 2+2 with a low-torque Rotary
G37 - Expensive 2+2 Luxury RWD coupe
BMW 1 series - Expensive RWD compact car

RX-8 is really the only thing close, but its also going to be more expensive not to mention soon to be discontinued.

The MX-5 and Genesis coupe compete pricewise and will be the more direct competition.

The 370z is basically a setup up from the BRZ/FRS while the 1-Sieres and G37 are higher end cars and won't directly compete.

However, I wouldn't be surprised if people cross shop ALL of these cars...

RX-8 or Silvia.

the rx8 has more torque than the frs

Currently on the market, I believe it'll be the Genesis Coupe 2.0T

I said low torque, not less torque :p

The torque/HP ratio of the RX8 makes it more similar to the BRZ/FRS than the power numbers from the other cars.

No contest - RX8.

I vote RX 8.

Slightly bigger, slightly more powerful (to weight), slightly more practical (no idea here really, never seen an image of someone in the backseat of a Toybaru), but closest overall.

As a current RX8 owner, I'm considering the BRZ only if the back seat is usable for an average sized human male. If you can fit a 180 pound, 5 foot 11 man in the back (which you can easily in the RX8) I might be getting a new car.

Edit: Also, the driving position must be lower slung. I owned a Miata before the RX8 and I miss the driving position most of all.

I pretty much agree with what you guys have said above. I too went for the RX-8. 2+2, price looks like it will probably be fairly close, more of a driver's car than a stoplight monster.

I know that the 370Z is a $30k+ car, but we don't know the price range yet, so I had to throw it in there. And since I threw the 370Z in there, the G37 is essentially a 2+2 version.. (even though much more expensive) so it went in as well.

Anyway, long story short - I've just heard a lot of people comparing the FT-86 to these cars. I tried to make the most realistic rivals list as possible.

What makes it kind of interesting though is that the RX-8 will have its final year (in the US) in 2013. What would be next on the list?

Nissan S13/S14 :bow:

RX-8 obviously. It's the only 2+2 with similar power/weight. Be interesting to have a go at the track ... one day next season ... will it be close or not? Anyone wanna place a bet???? :)

Though I voted RX8, since that seems to be the closest in performance for a new vehicle, I agree with the folks that said s13/s14. Though I would have to specify the Silvia K's/180sx. With an SR20DET in stock form, you're looking at very similar weight and power numbers to the FR-S/BRZ. Now the SR20DE and KA24DE powered s13/s14, no way, not even close.

BRZ/FR-S:
2570mm Wheelbase
4240mm Length
1285mm Height
1230kg
147 kW (200ps / 200hp) @7000rpm
151 lb-ft (205 N-m) @ 6600rpm

S14 Silvia:
2525mm Wheelbase
4498mm Length
1288mm Height
1253kg
162 kW (217 hp) @ 6000rpm
203 lb-ft (275 N-m) @ 4800rpm
(and as a fun note, both use a bore and stroke of 86mm X 86mm)

Then take into account the lower CoG, better weight distribution, of the FR-S, I would wager that performance numbers will be better than an S14 in the handling department, and trailing slightly in acceleration. Though a lot of that also depends on transmission and rear end gear ratio. Silvia's used a 4.08:1 rear end, not sure what the Subiyota will have.

I for one would say miata. RX8 is a close second... but typically weighs much more, has four doors, and has a slightly bigger base sticker price than FR-S.

I would call the FT-86 a Miata coupe.

RX-8 is the closest on that list, IMHO. The SR20DE N/A and Turbo Silvias are similar too.

The RX-8 is also a higher revving engine, at least in the high-output manual version. The pre'09s had 4.444 gears and the '09+ all have 4.777 gears. Though it is much heavier, 2012s curb at 3100lbs now.

I would bet the RX-8 would win most any race. :iono: But everywhere else including the DD kind of stuff, I am expecting/hoping the FT86 twins to beat it in all categories.

RX8 is the closest rival.

Put others because I think the S2000 is a good contender. Considering the dementions are very similar. which is surprising that they officially used a CRZ as comparison like a CRZ? really lol

VW Scirocco 2.0 seems to be the closest one on european market.

I've seen several people saying things like Silvia S13/14/240sx, S2000 etc.

Remember, these cars are no longer in production.

The point of this thread was to see how the car competes with other vehicles that are currently on the market (brand spankin' new)

You don't feel like the BMW 1 series is closer? (although a bit more expensive?)

i think price is a pretty important component when measuring cars along with the hundreds of pounds too i guess

I think the Silvia chassis, you totally forgot that one

Nissan quit making the Silvias nearly a decade ago. It wouldn't be considered an option for someone looking to buy a new car.

The 1 series does weigh more, but it also makes a little more power.

The power to weight ratios aren't that far apart between the two cars, and they're both rwd coupes. Also, I'm not convinced that the BRZ won't be close to $29-$30k. With the 128i being around $31k, it isn't far off if that's the case.

RX-8 in my opinion.

yeah the power weight ratio might be similar but the fact is that the weight, power, and price will be different. you could say its more like a v6 mustang, or a lotus elise, or a mini cooper, or....see what i mean? the 1 series isnt an attempt to be a sports car

Closer than the BMW 118i compact with the new turbo 4? Those weigh only a bit more than the FRS/BRZ and they has a turbo. Plus they are RWD.

Wow! TRDChamp, I love your Celica. GT? I had a yellow '04 GT a few years back. I loved that thing.

very nice ride. And I agree, RX-8.

On paper it is closer to an RX-8 than a Miata, but I'm hoping that the actual driving experience is closer to a Miata.

By far the MX-5 is the closest of the bunch!

In driving, the miata has to be the closest. You could of course say Cayman/Boxter, but the price gets in the way. But every review compares it to those cars so it obviously is suppose to be comparable to them.

RX-8 is the close one. Miata is close too, but not a coupe and certainly not 2+2.

W/O taking production into consideration, this car is essentially a naturally aspirated S15 with 200HP and 6 speed MT. They engine shape is different, but that's about it.

I voted RX8 being very similar in specs and size. But, the FRS/BRZ could even be a miniature Genesis. Less weigh, less physical size, less hp.

Since someone mentioned the Scirocco, I'll through the upcoming Veloster Turbo out there. Aside from being FWD, it's size and specs are comparable.

I agree with the -50hp, NA boxer S15 Silvia comment

RX-8:

Similar size, both 2+2, RWD, similar power,....

Is this only counting new cars or older cars as well?

Thanks for the avatar <3

As a twin and G37 Coupe owner, seeing the G37 as an option for being most comparable is hilarious. As well as someone in 2020 resurrecting a 9 year-old post.

The classics (old threads and cars) never go out of style.

FWIW, I used to own a S2000 and a RX8 for about 10 years each (yeah, I know, I still beat my head against the wall for ever selling either of them). I think the BRZ/86 is sort of like the love child of those two cars, which is why I bought it.

Like both of those cars, the BRZ/86 is small, lightweight, low-torque, a flingable momentum car for twisty roads. It combines the coupe body and relatively greater interior space and (again relatively) comfort of the RX8 with the reliability of the S2000, and throws in a dose of practicality for daily use greater than either of those cars.

1st post - currently being sold.
So ... can't get some of the cars in the poll now. :slap: