Input FR-S vs 370z

[DarkSunrise]

Originally Posted by serialk11r

SUB just curious have you driven a Miata or MR2? They have more displacement per unit curb weight than an RSX/Celica/FRS. While I don't like how my rev limit is only 6750, usually I use less than 3500rpm and the only gripe I have is that the 5 speed box's gears aren't close ratio, so when I shift into 2nd gear it feels like the engine is out of breath (it's just perception of course, the large rpm drop makes it feel like there's suddenly no power where 1st gear feels pretty brutal and jerky...) I think if I had the 6 speed I'd be mostly happy, 10% more oomph in gears 2-5, and a more sane cruising rpm. I feel like you'd enjoy an NB or NC Miata.

Highly disagree on him enjoying the NB Miata. If he thought his RSX was gutless, I can only imagine what he would think of the NB. I used to own an RSX and spent a lot of seat time in NA and NC Miatas (have also driven the NB). When you drive the cars back-to-back, the k20a3 in the RSX feels more torquey than either the NA or NB. The NC Miata is better, but I doubt he'd think it was a large improvement from his RSX, which seems to be what he's looking for.

You can't judge how torquey a car will feel based on displacement per curb weight. Not a good proxy for a multitude of reasons. That's how you end up with incorrect assumptions, like the RSX/Celica/FR-S grouping in your post. Compression ratio, gearing, and throttle response will all make a significant difference in how torquey an engine feels (in addition to your metrics of curb weight and displacement).

[fatoni]

Originally Posted by serialk11r

Too much $$$ for a car that I might not even keep in a few years 2ZZ + 6 speed swaps run 4000 dollars minimum, and I only paid a bit over 5k for the car. I also feel like these engines are really outdated already. A C60 swap is about 2000 dollars, which is slightly more reasonable but still pretty steep. It would increase my gas mileage by maybe 5%, but that's like 2 tanks per 15000 miles lol.

yeah when you put it that way its dumb but when you think about having a slightly heavier/slower elise for under 10k and maintenance is a joke it sounds like a screaming deal

[serialk11r]

Originally Posted by fatoni

yeah when you put it that way its dumb but when you think about having a slightly heavier/slower elise for under 10k and maintenance is a joke it sounds like a screaming deal

Yea, I know, and there's a good reason why a huge number of Spyders are 2ZZ swapped, but I think at this point I don't need to blow the money on such a luxury. It's all a downhill spiral anyways, once I put the 2ZZ in I won't like how it only hits 8500rpm and pretty soon cams will start getting regrinds, oil pump will go, flywheel will have to go, etc.

Can't take the first fatal step of making a performance mod. Most I'm willing to do is put in the 0.725 5th gear so I can cruise at 3200 instead of 3600 rpm (seriously, whichever engineer at Toyota decided it was a good idea to have a 1ZZ revving over half its rev limit on the highway, fuck you)

[fatoni]

Originally Posted by serialk11r

Yea, I know, and there's a good reason why a huge number of Spyders are 2ZZ swapped, but I think at this point I don't need to blow the money on such a luxury. It's all a downhill spiral anyways, once I put the 2ZZ in I won't like how it only hits 8500rpm and pretty soon cams will start getting regrinds, oil pump will go, flywheel will have to go, etc.

Can't take the first fatal step of making a performance mod. Most I'm willing to do is put in the 0.725 5th gear so I can cruise at 3200 instead of 3600 rpm (seriously, whichever engineer at Toyota decided it was a good idea to have a 1ZZ revving over half its rev limit on the highway, fuck you)

almost as bad as living with a 1.6 miata. while i know that none of us are immune to that slippery slope, there is just a little thought in the back of my head that says as long as you are using factory toyota parts, you wont get out of control. thats why i plan to do a 1.8 vvt swap even though it will end up costing about as much as forced induction. well that plus the whole reliability thing.

[serialk11r]

Originally Posted by fatoni

almost as bad as living with a 1.6 miata. while i know that none of us are immune to that slippery slope, there is just a little thought in the back of my head that says as long as you are using factory toyota parts, you wont get out of control. thats why i plan to do a 1.8 vvt swap even though it will end up costing about as much as forced induction. well that plus the whole reliability thing.

Well there's also that I feel like if I want to sell the car, everything better be stock...if nothing is modified then there's not as much to be suspicious about. Also the way the car is, I'm spending maybe 50 bucks a month on gas, O2 sensors are shot but that's a quick 100 dollar fix, and the miles accumulate so slowly every time I read BITOG I have to ask myself "why do I care?"

For the cost of the gear swap (230 + unknown number of hours needed by professional mechanic to pull the gear and install the new one, one of the cheapest mods on the list) I could buy new O2 sensors, replace all the lubricants, and buy quite a few tanks of gas. As a fellow ragtop owner with no proper cruise gear, I'm sure you know that the wind noise is much worse than the screaming engine, and getting a hardtop to fix that would be even more money down the drain.

The one modification I have thought through and okayed is machining the flywheel when the clutch finally needs replacing (with an OEM clutch of course). Catback exhausts run over 200 bucks, not going to venture there, even if it's easily reversible. I considered a camshaft regrind (quoted by Delta for ~175 dollars, not too bad), but it would be pain to buy a new stock camshaft and install it if I sell.

[Texas BRZ]

I really wanted to own a NISMO 370Z, but there were a few things that held me back. The price was higher than I wanted to spend, but I would've still managed it if the car could provide that sports car FEEL that I was looking for. I'm sure it has the performance, and I've test-driven one before, but the car lacked the feel that I've always wanted in a sports car.

I attend track days regularly, and I get passed by 370Z's often, and I don't doubt its performance... But when I'm shopping for a sports car, I'm looking for a car that connects with me every single time I get in and drive it... And the 370Z never did it for me.

Another aspect that held me back from considering one was that it suffered some sort of brake issue when a magazine tested it out on track (I'm sure many of you have already heard of this, and that the stock pads may have caused the issue, perhaps?). Also, I've heard that the car is sensitive / prone to the engine overheating and fuel starvation (at the track)... So these few things added up for me to go in a different direction.

Other than all this, I think the NISMO 370Z looks killer and is a great car.

[Jaylyons1]

The Z is awesome. The reason I chose the BRZ was for many reasons that suited myself. I live farther from work so the fuel economy played a part. I like the lighter feel as well. I did like the power in the Z but the BRZ has more than plenty of power to have a blast. This on top of the added cost of a Z nowadays. I remember when they used to be affordable!

[ill86]

Both great cars. Drive both and make your own decision. Which is better is a loaded question. PS, I own a z, FRS and lots of other machines. Apples to oranges.

[Anduz]

you guys are lucky in the states.

in the land down under.

the 370 is about 2.5x the price of 86.

[Panda Grahams]

To the OP. I currently own a '09 370z and I absolutely love it. The handling is superb and the power is great. The interior is a bit cheap. Some of the silver plastic is starting to peel, but it's an easy fix. There are a few rattles in the driver side door too. But other than those minor issues, the interior is great and everything is set up in good proximity to the driver. The exterior is easy to look at but not easy to clean/wax. The engine has great power and is well balanced. It sounds great, but road noise is pretty loud and sometimes uncomfortable. Overall it's a great car. However, I've now tested the Fr-s and I think it's a much better value for the money. Heck, it's just a better car in my opinion. If you're looking for more power, the 370z is a solid choice. But the Fr-s just delivers that sport car feeling that I don't get in the Z. You feel more connected in the Fr-s. I always feel like I am at the mercy of the Z when I am driving it. It's sometimes uncontrollable, not in an unsafe way, but in a way that makes you feel like you are being taken by the car at the car's own will. In the Fr-s you feel like you are wearing it and you are in a symbiotic relationship with the car. Yes, it is lacking power compared to the Z, but it is a more rewarding experience driving the Fr-s. Hope this helps. Let me know if you have any questions!

[tennisfreak]

I test drove a 2013 370z with sports package for the first time ever this past weekend.

I must admit it was a freaking blast to drive. I had been test driving used 2008 Porsche Cayman S (all under 15k miles and around $40k) and they were amazing. None of the other vehicles I drove could hold a candle to it; UNTIL I drove the 370z!!

In my opinion a 370z is very much like a cheaper Porsche Cayman S. Its a little quicker but a little noiser and less refined.

The FR-S is fun to drive but, in comparison to the Porsche and Nissan, is slow.

Now I have a very tough choice to make.

Do I pay $25k for a new FR-S, then another $1200 for exhaust and intake, and another $1700 on better tires and wheels, to make the car a tad quicker bringing the total to: $28k.

OR

Do I pay $34k (quoted from dealer I test drove at, they said if I was serious I could possibly get lower) for a brand new 370z and just drive it stock as its already fast as heck. It will have the sports package with upgraded tires/wheels/brakes already on it.

Tough decision.

[Ahernandez0909]

Originally Posted by tennisfreak

I test drove a 2013 370z with sports package for the first time ever this past weekend.

I must admit it was a freaking blast to drive. I had been test driving used 2008 Porsche Cayman S (all under 15k miles and around $40k) and they were amazing. None of the other vehicles I drove could hold a candle to it; UNTIL I drove the 370z!!

In my opinion a 370z is very much like a cheaper Porsche Cayman S. Its a little quicker but a little noiser and less refined.

The FR-S is fun to drive but, in comparison to the Porsche and Nissan, is slow.

Now I have a very tough choice to make.

Do I pay $25k for a new FR-S, then another $1200 for exhaust and intake, and another $1700 on better tires and wheels, to make the car a tad quicker bringing the total to: $28k.

OR

Do I pay $34k (quoted from dealer I test drove at, they said if I was serious I could possibly get lower) for a brand new 370z and just drive it stock as its already fast as heck. It will have the sports package with upgraded tires/wheels/brakes already on it.

Tough decision.

I think you're gonna end up buying exhaust and intake eventually for the 370z

[shu5892001]

Originally Posted by tennisfreak

I test drove a 2013 370z with sports package for the first time ever this past weekend.

I must admit it was a freaking blast to drive. I had been test driving used 2008 Porsche Cayman S (all under 15k miles and around $40k) and they were amazing. None of the other vehicles I drove could hold a candle to it; UNTIL I drove the 370z!!

In my opinion a 370z is very much like a cheaper Porsche Cayman S. Its a little quicker but a little noiser and less refined.

The FR-S is fun to drive but, in comparison to the Porsche and Nissan, is slow.

Now I have a very tough choice to make.

Do I pay $25k for a new FR-S, then another $1200 for exhaust and intake, and another $1700 on better tires and wheels, to make the car a tad quicker bringing the total to: $28k.

OR

Do I pay $34k (quoted from dealer I test drove at, they said if I was serious I could possibly get lower) for a brand new 370z and just drive it stock as its already fast as heck. It will have the sports package with upgraded tires/wheels/brakes already on it.

Tough decision.

I would go for used cayman S

[DarkSunrise]

Originally Posted by tennisfreak

I test drove a 2013 370z with sports package for the first time ever this past weekend.

I must admit it was a freaking blast to drive. I had been test driving used 2008 Porsche Cayman S (all under 15k miles and around $40k) and they were amazing. None of the other vehicles I drove could hold a candle to it; UNTIL I drove the 370z!!

In my opinion a 370z is very much like a cheaper Porsche Cayman S. Its a little quicker but a little noiser and less refined.

The FR-S is fun to drive but, in comparison to the Porsche and Nissan, is slow.

Now I have a very tough choice to make.

Do I pay $25k for a new FR-S, then another $1200 for exhaust and intake, and another $1700 on better tires and wheels, to make the car a tad quicker bringing the total to: $28k.

OR

Do I pay $34k (quoted from dealer I test drove at, they said if I was serious I could possibly get lower) for a brand new 370z and just drive it stock as its already fast as heck. It will have the sports package with upgraded tires/wheels/brakes already on it.

Tough decision.

Go with the one you enjoy driving the most. I looked at all those cars (370z, used CS, FR-S) and chose the FR-S. In the end, I love its driving position and visibility, light weight, and the fact that you can use its power on the street without getting into trouble. Everyone's different though, so only you can decide what you like best for your money.