Quote:
Originally Posted by catharsis
I think the reality is just changing tires and camber alone and the handling numbers on the frs will sky rocket up. From the factory its set up to slide. Where as cars like the 370z come from the factory built for maxium grip. Trust me if the frs came with equal tires to the 370 it would out handle it. Maybe not out brake it. And definitely not out accelerate it.
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I think you nailed it.
The Z is all about grip. And it can handle very meaty tires indeed.
Toyota decided that since the car had a low center of gravity, it didn't need the extra grip. Their reasoning is that it's more fun to be able to drive the tires at their limit than not to.
This is of course true on the street, where under no circumstances you should be driving a car like the Z at the tire's limits, since you would be going too damn fast.
Now, the Scion would probably still be way slower than the Z on the track with even the same tire compound, but i'd be very interested to see what it would do to a V6 mustang.
In that recent MotorTrend comparison of the V6 Mustang and the BRZ, the V6 was faster than the BRZ. But the mustang comes with stickier tires. I think the difference was about 1.5 secs.
If they had the same tires i'm willing to bet they'd be either very close or the BRZ would come out on top, the track is Willow Springs.
Back on topic:
I own a 370z with sports package, which i bought used (2009, just got it about 4 months ago). I got a really good deal on it (21k miles, and got it for about 4K less than what the BRZ costs)
There's a lot to like about the car, the main thing is probably that it looks like a much more expensive car than what it is, it's a head turner for sure and this is kind of a big plus for me. I can't help but look at it as i walk away from it after I've parked it. The BRZ/Toyota looks... like a Toyota. It's not ugly by any means, but let's just say it looks it's price.
That said, even though i just got the Z, I still want to test drive one of these things. It would be a downgrade performance wise, but then I don't plan on illegal street racing or hitting the drag strip and i can't afford to track it regularly anyway.
I also like the idea of having good handling with longer lasting tires and small wheels. The first thing i did on my Z is buy new tires because it still had the original tires on, and man... good 19" tires are fucking expensive! (I bought Michelin PSS)
But of course there's the looks to worry about too... 17" wheels look pretty bad compared to 19"s... And of course 19"s are more uncomfortable for daily driving. (I guess we can't have our cake and eat it)
Using 19" wheels on the BRZ/Scion would kind of go against the philosophy behind the car. (fun over performance) But i'm sure it's the first thing people that get it are going to upgrade. (not sure if i would...)
Then there's also interior and comfort, Sports cars are not comfy. My GF hates the 370z for long trips, i wonder if the BRZ/Scion would be better (I have a love/hate thing going on with my Z's cloth seats since i love the support of the seats, but they are somewhat uncomfortable in long drives, too stiff)
The interior on the Z is very nice. the one in the Toyobaru looks like an econobox from last decade (i use the term last decade, cause damn... some of those new econoboxes have very nice interiors these days!) but I'm willing to overlook that if what they say about the driving position is true. (and of course the "OMG handling as good as Cayman claims are true)
As far the complains from that guy on the Z, and his reasoning why "it sucks" because of what he has read on the forum... he's an idiot.
OK, we get it, the car isn't track ready. And no, it doesn't "suck" because of it.
But I will say, that even though the engine is a performer, it does kind of sound like it belongs on a pickup truck, not a sports car.