Input FR-S vs 370z

[bucket]

I test drove a 370z and considered one, especially since the price difference would be too great compared to the BRZ. Opted for the BRZ though. I kind of thought the 370z was a bit disappointing compared to what it could have been. It felt soft and not as fast as the HP numbers point to. The BRZ actually surpassed my lofty expectations...it is "slow", but about 95% of the time I do not notice.

[gmookher]

1996 was the last year Z car worth buying

[Kamus]

Originally Posted by Turbowned

The FR-S is a much better driver's car that, in the hands of a skilled driver, can beat a Z on the right course..

Yes, if by that you mean having an amateur on the Z and a pro driver on the FR-S. But then, the pro driver would probably beat the lesser driver even if he was on an Accord.

The FR-S is good enough on it's own, no need to make shit up to defend it. Not even on a small Circuit like Tsukuba would it beat it. The difference in power is simply too great. And you can't even bring the argument that the FR-S is faster in the bends. Because it's just not true if both cars are stock.

I'm sure you can think of some scenario where the FR-S could use it's weight to it's advantage, like say some "initial D" style downhill race, but if you have no evidence, why make shit up? what's the point? here's the 370z in Tsukuba:

Nissan Nismo 370Z-1:06.64

Nissan 370Z-1:06.67

Here's the 86 in Tsukuba: 1:09.77

That's actually a great time for the FR-S if you consider the power and grip deficit the car has. That said, that's just Tsukuba, a really small circuit with straights that aren't that long and only 1 high speed corner. The gap would just get larger on a higher speed circuit.

[IloveBaldEagles]

Wait a minute, they are marking up the FR-S price? They can not do that, Scion is Pure Price and that means you pay sticker.

Unless the dealer adds their own stuff, like tint for $600 and a "paint protector" for $800...

Only way they can mark up the Pure Price.

[Kamus]

Originally Posted by gmookher

1996 was the last year Z car worth buying

That car was my favorite sports car when i was a kid. But it's strange that you think that. Since that was the one car that older Z fans liked the least. They considered it "not a pure sports car". the 350Z is more true to the looks of the original Z. And the 370z takes that a step further by being even more simple.

And lets not forget that the 300zx was much more expensive than the 350 or 370z. If adjusted for inflation that car would be worth about $70,000. It was the most expensive Z ever made. And it will stay that way.

[SUB-FT86]

I saw what a 370Z did to a S2000 on Best Motoring on one of there Japanese tracks. Totally crushed it! What was so funny was the S2K was nowhere in camera sight after the 1st lap and the Cayman S driver had a Z on his bumper. Now imagine what a S2K would do to a FR-S and you get the gist of where I'm going with this.

[SUB-FT86]

Originally Posted by Kamus

Yes, if by that you mean having an amateur on the Z and a pro driver on the FR-S. But then, the pro driver would probably beat the lesser driver even if he was on an Accord.

The FR-S is good enough on it's own, no need to make shit up to defend it. Not even on a small Circuit like Tsukuba would it beat it. The difference in power is simply too great. And you can't even bring the argument that the FR-S is faster in the bends. Because it's just not true if both cars are stock.

I'm sure you can think of some scenario where the FR-S could use it's weight to it's advantage, like say some "initial D" style downhill race, but if you have no evidence, why make shit up? what's the point? here's the 370z in Tsukuba:

Nissan Nismo 370Z-1:06.64

Nissan 370Z-1:06.67

Here's the 86 in Tsukuba: 1:09.77

That's actually a great time for the FR-S if you consider the power and grip deficit the car has. That said, that's just Tsukuba, a really small circuit with straights that aren't that long and only 1 high speed corner. The gap would just get larger on a higher speed circuit.

Also too add fire to the flames the 300ZX TT was the most obese Z coupe ever. I still love its looks though

[ST185RC]

370z vs 86 is like comparing a chainsaw to hedge clippers they both get the job done, but one will do it much faster, the other will do it slower but with more finesse.

[so26]

In case you haven't seen this already:

[SUB-FT86]

It should only boil down to how you feel about either car when you drive it. Asking people on this forum or a 370Z forum is mostly going to be biasness. I am also in the same predicament as you. These are the only 2 cars I like under 40k. I have one major gripe with one and one minor gripe with the other.

Major gripe is for the FR-S. 2.0L engine with a torque dip in the rpm area which I enjoy driving in(mid-range).

Minor gripe is for the 370Z. Only thing I despise is that the one I like is 3,350 lbs. That weight is not a big issue for a DD however and I don't track cars. If the Z was 3600+ lbs like the typical muscle coupes it would turn into a major gripe for me. The heaviest I like is low 3,000's

A major gripe(like light steering/weak feeling brakes/torqueless engine/sloppy handling) makes me unhappy with a car overall. One can ruin it for me.

[Siberian Husky]

I too was at this very same crossroad. The best way I could describe a 370z is....heavy. The car is powerful, the car handles well compared to competitors at the same weight/class, but strictly comparing the Z to an FR-s makes it feel heavy and clunky. It is no secret that the FR-S is slow in a straight line. Some people admit that the power is just enough, I personally feel the FR-S is very underpowered. I used to drive RB swapped s13 240s and own a Datsun 240z with a 383 chevy/5 speed. I know fast and the FR-S is far from it. I was like you, and read/viewed every review the interview had to offer regarding the FR-S.

It is true what everyone says. The FR-S provides a fun factor even at slow speeds simply because of its mandatory driver engagement. Everything from the ergonomic feel of the car, to the tight shifter feel, and responsive steering makes finding a parking spot enjoyable. I had the pleasure of driving the two cars back to back, with the FR-S being second. I could not believe how much fun I was having just puttin that thing through the streets--I didn't even goose it much during the test drive (for obvious reasons) and it felt funner than many cars I've driven in the past.

It's very hard to explain the feeling of "togetherness" the FR-S offers, especially in a sports car market that emphasizes horsepower wars. More importantly for me, however, is that the FR-S provided a better starting platform. I'm a modder, always have been always will be. With the weight advantage, the FR-S is just a mild forced induction package away from being on par with Z acceleration while keeping the balance/handling benefits that the Z does not have [out of the box].

Do yourself a favor and find a [good] dealer that will let you have 5 minutes behind the wheel. You will know what everyone is talking about when they say the FR-S is "fun."

[wallace03]

FYI: i remember someone on a forum said they saw 370z's going for 5k under msrp for for end of the year model 2012? so you might want to shop around if you looking to get a 370z

[GNS]

370z is overpriced, overweight and underpowered for its class. It is faster than an FR-S/BRZ, yes, but the rear view out the back of the 370z - not to mention its total and utter lack of any semblance of practicality - will make you hate daily driving it.

[Kamus]

Originally Posted by GNS

370z is overpriced, overweight and underpowered for its class.

Really?
Weight of the cars:

Gen Coupe = 3,389 (v6)
Mustang GT = 3603
Camaro SS = 3849
WRX STi = 3384
Lancer Evo X = 3,517
370z = 3,232

So there goes your weight argument down the window.
Now, the only cars that have significantly more power than the Z are the Camaro SS and the Mustang 5.0

It would've been nice if Nissan kept updating the Z in meaningful ways like Ford has with the Mustang. (or the GT-R for that matter) But calling it overweight and under-powered for it's class is nonsense.
The Z still outperforms the Gen Coupe even with the 2013 updates. It will probably get smoked by the Mustang GT and Camaro on a high speed circuit though.
If you are using the power you get for your buck on the 370 vs the Mustang GT and the Camaro SS as an argument for value, then sure. The 370z does fall short vs both cars.

That said, if power vs the competition on same priced cars is your cup of tea, i got news for you:

The twins fare MUCH worse than the Z on that category, you can get much more powerful cars for the same money. (not saying buyers of the twins would care, but you are the one that brought it up!)

Also, the Z is a 2 seater, if you need something practical why would you ever consider a 2 seater? The Z is obviously not a practical car, i'll give you that. And yeah, nothing i can say will change the fact that the rear visibility is shit.
I also have to agree that it's not the most comfy daily driver.