Quote:
Originally Posted by AnalogMan
Thank you, very much, everyone for your thoughts, I greatly appreciate them! Your observations and experiences are exactly what I was looking for, and are very helpful (I would 'thank' everyone but it seems I have to post 9 more dumb questions before I can do that).
humfrz, I used to live in your neck of the woods, Portland OR. Just moved from there to the east coast. I'm kind of in a similar boat with Mrs. AnalogMan - she's not a fan of convertibles. Never was. I had 1990 and 1999 Miatas (Miatae?) back when, and she hated it when I would put the top down. If I got another Miata, I suspect the top would only come down when I was driving alone.
Mr.ac, I test drove the Camaro when I was shopping for the Mustang, and have rented them a few times. I find the visibility to be non-existent. It's like peering out of a tank slit. The Mustang GT fills my adolescent need for a 'V8'.
dhuang and alphasaur, I had the same thoughts that the 370Z is more of a 'Japanese muscle car', kind of equivalent to my Mustang GT. It would be redundant now, but that was also my thought - I can't see owning the Mustang long-term (though it's been 4 years already). It's a fun car in a primitive sort of way, but after having owned a long line of Japanese cars, the build quality and reliability just aren't there. I can foresee getting rid of it in the not too distant future as more things break on it.
Though I've owned 105 cars in my life, this is one of the harder choices I've made (which could be solved with more money and a bigger garage...). To me, the 370Z and BRZ are almost polar opposites. The 370Z has a (to me) fantastic engine. The 3.7 liter VQ is a gem, old school naturally aspirated, the last of its kind in a world increasingly moving to '2 liter turbo' sameness - but the car has a number of design limitations (poor visibility, limited cargo space). The BRZ is a terrific car, engaging, that rare feeling of 'rightness', kind of like a modern Triumph GT6 or Datsun 240Z, but with an unremarkable engine.
Like a million other people have said, if only the BRZ had 50 more hp, it would be a no-brainer (I would probably get the OFT tune to flatten out the torque dip, but I'm too old to start messing with turbocharging). The analysis paralysis continues...
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From reading your first post and reading you last post. You sir want the BRZ! If straight line power is starting to bore you and I know the must numb steering isn't any fun 370z are awesome cars however heavy not as nimble higher maintenance cost higher aftermarket costs. Now onto the Miata you're 6' 200 I'm 5"11 190 I'm telling you right now no! Lol those things are way too impractical size wise and like you said CONVERTIBLE
lol. I know shit was looking at the 370Z MUSTANG GT FRS and s2k (practically the same impracticality as the Miata) I'll you this the BRZ Will be your best choice out of these. If you plan on cruising in the mountains or speeding downhill this car is for you it's so driver oriented it's not even fun. I've driven a Ferrari 458 Italia and the FRS seating position feels better than it. I have yet to find a car that makes you feel like the FRS makes you feel. It's no straight liner by any means but this car fits a driver enthusiast like a glove. I made my choice August 18 2013 and I don't regret one bit I'm keeping this car for Life in fact I pay it off in just a few months. There has been times where I was like I should've for the 370z for the power and sound, then I go to a canyon road abd could careless. This platform is just more practical than all the rest it's definitely the most analog
what color do you plan on going with for the BRZ btw it has so my luxury trim options too
P.s don't get me wrong I will most likely own a nismo 370 or a gtr in the future beautiful driver's cars as well. You want more power definitely go z they can still handle turns they're just not as nimble feeling and you can't go 10 10ths down a canyon lol