Try and convince me back

[strat61caster]

Also if you are into mawding you can supercharge a used 86 to get near enough the same power of a Z in the lighter, more nimble, more practical, easier to work on 86. For less money than a new Z.

[krayzie]

Seems like typical Renault bs engineering where you have to remove the front wheel or bumper just to change the headlight bulbs.

[totopo]

Originally Posted by strat61caster

Also if you are into mawding you can supercharge a used 86 to get near enough the same power of a Z in the lighter, more nimble, more practical, easier to work on 86. For less money than a new Z.

you can also supercharge the 370z with a CARB/50 state legal kit for 500HP. The VQ is probably a lot more reliable than the FA on boost.

[kodos78]

I really wanted a 370Z a few years ago, but got an RX8/R3 instead. Glad I took the advice of some friends who told me the 370Z was not a joy to drive (a faster car than the RX8, but not as much fun). I agree. I almost got a used 370Z this time around, but glad I test drove the BRZ before pulling the trigger. That, and the Chris Harris video convinced me.

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUhLXvxlQR4"]Toyota GT86 / Scion FR-S v Nissan 370Z v Used Porsche Cayman S - /CHRIS HARRIS ON CARS - YouTube[/ame]

Though the Nismo might be something rather special! I have never had the opportunity to drive one, but would love to!

[Braeden]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

That was exactly the wording I used to describe the test drive I took in one. I really wanted to like the car but it just did not do it for me at all. Even the power didn't bring out a grin since it just felt blah.

Really? Going into the test drive for the Nismo the fastest thing I had been in was a 98 z3 2.8 and that felt a lot like the BRZ I test drove. The Z put me back in my seat

Originally Posted by Takumi788

I am a nissan guy at heart and wanted a Z until I drove a twin. I felt like I was sitting on a couch in the Z. And I couldn't shake the fact that they will inevitably become like the 300zx bc they are a nightmare to work on. My 2 cents.

Now if Nissan came out with a rwd sports car under the Z (like a s16) I would buy it as soon as I could. But I would also keep my twin. My FRS will die with me.

The Nismo has some nice racing seats. It was a nice mix of comfort and sporty.

[totopo]

Originally Posted by kodos78

I really wanted a 370Z a few years ago, but got an RX8/R3 instead. Glad I took the advice of some friends who told me the 370Z was not a joy to drive (a faster car than the RX8, but not as much fun). I agree. I almost got a used 370Z this time around, but glad I test drove the BRZ before pulling the trigger. That, and the Chris Harris video convinced me.

Though the Nismo might be something rather special! I have never had the opportunity to drive one, but would love to!

Yeah, I don't understand why cris harris hates on it so much. A fairlady z must have beaten him up for his lunch money when he was a kid or something.

Here is another review. But I guess the problem with pobst is he probably loves driving any car on the track.
[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ut0vU5qwoAI"]Nismo Laps Laguna Seca! - 2009 Best Drivers Car Competition - YouTube[/ame]

[strat61caster]

Originally Posted by totopo

you can also supercharge the 370z with a CARB/50 state legal kit for 500HP. The VQ is probably a lot more reliable than the FA on boost.

Don't know how reliable the VQ is, but I have not seen a single CARB legal kit fail on the FA20. Cheapest 370Z's are ~6 years old and just barely under $20k so similar money to 86's.

So basically a wash between the two in terms of power improvement/$

[FX86]

Originally Posted by Braeden

Really? Going into the test drive for the Nismo the fastest thing I had been in was a 98 z3 2.8 and that felt a lot like the BRZ I test drove. The Z put me back in my seat


The Nismo has some nice racing seats. It was a nice mix of comfort and sporty.

actually the nismo seats are just the regular seats with the nismo logo on them haha

the 2015+ nismo has the fancy recaro seats

if you can find a nismo for a decent price with fairly low mileage then go for it i say

[Cole]

Originally Posted by strat61caster

ftfy

The only thing I don't like about the 370z is that it weighs 500 lbs more than it should for a 2 seater. Seriously, 4 door hatchbacks weigh less while being quicker through the corners. But never drove one so don't listen to the armchair quarterback, enjoy what you want.

I've only been a passenger in one, and have only sat in the drivers seat. I didn't hate it, but visibility was pretty meh.

They are fat, but they have some nice get up and go to them. It's all in the trade-offs with these types of cars, right?

If I wanted to flex and show off how well endowed I was at every stop light, the 370 may have been what I ended up with. But at the end of the day, something simple with cheap (well, relatively) upkeep won me over. Also, the price tags at the time, since back then (lol, was nearly a year and a half ago) the Z hadn't come down in price yet (has it, or was that just speculation) plus, the TMMC discount I got made it a no-brainer.

[Braeden]

Originally Posted by FX86

actually the nismo seats are just the regular seats with the nismo logo on them haha

the 2015+ nismo has the fancy recaro seats

if you can find a nismo for a decent price with fairly low mileage then go for it i say

Well for them just having a cosmetically difference they seem solid

[krayzie]

The fancy Recaro seats are actually on the Juke RS Nismo. The Recaros on the 370Z Nismo aren't as nice imo.

The front visibility has always been compromised since the 350Z with that stupidly high hoodline, it was mentioned when they first tested it on Best Motoring.

[vh_supra26]

Originally Posted by FX86

i remember trying to install led turn signals and reverse lights on my 370Z

what a pain that was...you need to remove ALL the trunk panels and then remove the bolts to remove the tail lights from the body and only then can you access the bulbs...it wasn't any easier putting it back together either

it's soooooooooo much easier on the fr-s

Kinda the same with the MKIV Supra, but did not have to remove the weatherstrip.

[radroach]

Originally Posted by Takumi788

I am a nissan guy at heart and wanted a Z until I drove a twin. I felt like I was sitting on a couch in the Z. And I couldn't shake the fact that they will inevitably become like the 300zx bc they are a nightmare to work on. My 2 cents.

Now if Nissan came out with a rwd sports car under the Z (like a s16) I would buy it as soon as I could. But I would also keep my twin. My FRS will die with me.

I'll add to this, when I rode in a 370Z during AutoX it felt like I was sitting in a bunker. As my driver set off I immediately said "whoah, this is different" as I couldn't really feel the pavement through the tires. A lot more numb, a lot more weight. The interior felt like it closed in on me. Also my driver, who was basically my driving instructor, had some pretty rough shifts (slammed the clutch) from 1-2, I imagine its a much tougher car to master than a BRZ.

Whereas in a BRZ, you have a huge windscreen in front of you to see out of, and there's plenty of free space in the cabin. And while the seats sit low you can still see over the front end, and can develop a good general idea of how to see out the rear. The car communicates a lot more road feel to the driver, which can be either good or bad depending on what kind of driving you like to do.

[FR-S.13]

86 > 350Z > 370Z

Source: I own or have owned all three.

.02