Input FR-S vs 370z

[stilletto]

Previously owned a DE Z33. Was fun, but I'd much rather have owned an HR Z33. Bolt Ons result in 300rwhp, and a reliable engine.
Z34 provides Synchro Rev Match, which is awesome, and an EASY 300whp+.
Z Chassis feels sluggish compared to the 86, but the power makes up for it.

[sofrsnsokleen]

Originally Posted by m.wood0213

perfect description of a BRZ owner

pfft! i scoff at the brz, the fr-s is clearly superior and a lot faster!!

sometimes i do get horsepower envy when i hear mustangs or have z cars revving at me, but the fr-s isn't meant for brute force. its the manny pacquiao of sports cars.

[m.wood0213]

Originally Posted by sofrsnsokleen

pfft! i scoff at the brz, the fr-s is clearly superior and a lot faster!!

sometimes i do get horsepower envy when i hear mustangs or have z cars revving at me, but the fr-s isn't meant for brute force. its the manny pacquiao of sports cars.

Ive yet to have any car rev at me. but i do envy power at times and wish i should've bought a WRX STi

[TRD_86]

Originally Posted by sofrsnsokleen

pfft! i scoff at the brz, the fr-s is clearly superior and a lot faster!!

sometimes i do get horsepower envy when i hear mustangs or have z cars revving at me, but the fr-s isn't meant for brute force. its the manny pacquiao of sports cars.

or why not call it a very refine car as quick as slim cut Bruce Lee. lol

[norsamerican]

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

[Adeets]

Originally Posted by krushin

Well i'll briefly give the low down on my situation

My Background:
Recent college grad that has been driving hand me down cars (aka cars older than 10 years and 4 cylinders), but now its time to start picking out a car of my own! My mom owns a nice 2012 v6 mustang so i have gotten accustomed to a nice amount of HP, but obviously not used to "good handling" that the FR-S can offer.

Earlier today i was at a dealership that was selling a used 2010 370z MT (~35k miles) for a just at 24k. I test drove it and i liked it a bunch!

Next door to them is the toyota lot ... so you know what i'm going to look at :-p anyways they had a MT asphalt FR-S. They had a few addons to it (spoiler, and headunit). Apparently someone had just bought it so i couldn't drive it, but they let me sit in it and have a good look around. But they had another FR-S they were expecting in a week or two that was almost the exact same. They are asking for 28k! He even ADMITTED and TOLD ME that because they are in high demand "yeah we are marking them 2-3k above MSRP". Anyways i tried to explain the deal with PURE price, and how thats ridiculous and he say, that we could negotiate... either way i don't like these stupid kinda games.

anyways could anyone try to give their input on these two cars. From an overall standpoint. I'm single probably won't be having a family anytime soon just want an overall fun car to drive, thats good for primary/daily driving, and reliability standpoint.

I'm looking for an honest/un-bias (i know that a bit hard on these forums :-p) as possible feedback from someone who has either owned or driven both plenty of times to have a well-rounded opinion! Thanks again!

There is a black list for car sales companys that mark up above MSRP, make sure u add these guys. Its winter, The demand isnt high right now, no reason for a mark up.

[dan370z]

As a person who traded in their 370z for a BRZ, I can say a few things.

Both cars handle quite similarly. The BRZ does it with cheaper and smaller tires. The Z runs on 19's(because you aren't a bitch who buys a base model Z) which are considerably more expensive than the BRZ's 17's. I should also mention that it runs a very aggressive suspension setting so it eats tires for breakfast. In owning the car for almost 2 years I changed the tires three times. I got a little wild in the first month of owning the Z but nothing that will completely demolish a tire. First set lasted ~6mo. Second set lasted a year.


The road noise in a 370Z base model with sport package is horrendous. Like yes you paid 33k+ for this car but a miata has less road noise than a 370z. I'm not sure how a touring is but I wasn't in the market for a touring.

The power in the Z is amazing though. Torque through the entire powerband. I'm having to get used to having to downshift to pass people when I usually never did. The sport package includes their SynchroRev technology. If I could describe it in one word: Amazing. Every manual needs this. I completely forgot how to heel-toe downshift because of how seemless the engine does it for you.

The BRZ is more practical though. I got a dog and soon realized that the Z would become a problem. The BRZ's "back seat" is perfect for a dog.

All in all, it really depends on what you want and how much you want to pay.

[sofrsnsokleen]

Originally Posted by m.wood0213

Ive yet to have any car rev at me. but i do envy power at times and wish i should've bought a WRX STi

sometimes i feel the same but the sti and wrx aren't very sexy at all. the fr-s looks sexy standing still. only thing sexy about the wrxs is the uel rumble and the power. i briefly considered a wrx but i wanted an auto because i'm too chicken to learn stick on a brand new car and also wanted a car i could drive asap.

[m.wood0213]

Originally Posted by sofrsnsokleen

sometimes i feel the same but the sti and wrx aren't very sexy at all. the fr-s looks sexy standing still. only thing sexy about the wrxs is the uel rumble and the power. i briefly considered a wrx but i wanted an auto because i'm too chicken to learn stick on a brand new car and also wanted a car i could drive asap.

Oh absolutely the frs is waaaaaay better looking than an impreza. Plus a BRZ is a great replacement for my mk3 supra.

[jarviz]

Originally Posted by DarkSunrise

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.

35MPGGGGGG and you get to mash that pedal without breaking the speed limit haha

Originally Posted by tennisfreak

Actually this past weekend in addition to test driving the 370Z I also test drove a 2013 Mustang GT and a 2013 Genisis 3.8 Coupe.

In my opinion the Mustang, while fast as heck, felt like a bloated pig and completely disengaging.

The Genesis Coupe felt ok but vauge and not exciting. It was not quite as quick as the Z. Worst part about the Genesis was not the car but the dealership. I felt like I needed to take a shower after I left. It completely put me off on getting any type of Hyundai.

Hyundai dealerships are the worst... walked in to one hoping to test drive the 2013 2.0T. I even called ahead to confirm they had one 45 mins prior and of course it wasn't there when I walked in. Somehow I end up talking to the manager and he says that i can test drive the auto. I said sure.

However he insisted that I signed paperwork saying I will buy the car if he let me test drove it. This logic blew my mind.

Then he persistently tried to sell me the 3.8 coupe instead since they had one on stock. I was like wtf... I came in asking for a specific model and had a specific budget, and he tries to sell me a completely different model and tells me that it's only a few thousand dollars more but it's a better car.... sheeeeesh man

sorry just thinking about that time and place still gets to me.

[tennisfreak]

Originally Posted by dan370z

As a person who traded in their 370z for a BRZ, I can say a few things.

Both cars handle quite similarly. The BRZ does it with cheaper and smaller tires. The Z runs on 19's(because you aren't a bitch who buys a base model Z) which are considerably more expensive than the BRZ's 17's. I should also mention that it runs a very aggressive suspension setting so it eats tires for breakfast. In owning the car for almost 2 years I changed the tires three times. I got a little wild in the first month of owning the Z but nothing that will completely demolish a tire. First set lasted ~6mo. Second set lasted a year.


The road noise in a 370Z base model with sport package is horrendous. Like yes you paid 33k+ for this car but a miata has less road noise than a 370z. I'm not sure how a touring is but I wasn't in the market for a touring.

The power in the Z is amazing though. Torque through the entire powerband. I'm having to get used to having to downshift to pass people when I usually never did. The sport package includes their SynchroRev technology. If I could describe it in one word: Amazing. Every manual needs this. I completely forgot how to heel-toe downshift because of how seemless the engine does it for you.

The BRZ is more practical though. I got a dog and soon realized that the Z would become a problem. The BRZ's "back seat" is perfect for a dog.

All in all, it really depends on what you want and how much you want to pay.

Thanks for the input dan. I was looking to hear from someone who has personally owned both and would give a non biased opinion.

The fact that the FR-S has a back seat (even though its close to useless) is a very big + over a pure 2 seat coupe. I can see myself using those backseats quite a bit. Stuff my kids back there (only if I get in a pinch and have to), put my workout/tennis equipment back there, groceries back there, fold the seats down and pack in luggage for me and the mrs on a weekend getaway, etc....

[DarkSunrise]

Originally Posted by jarviz

35MPGGGGGG and you get to mash that pedal without breaking the speed limit haha

Exactly! I'm getting 28 mpg in city driving, and I redline it whenever I need/want to -- which can be often. Good thing it's fun.

The FR-S is such a versatile car. It's playful on the street, competitive in autocross/track with the right tires, and refined/practical enough to take on weekend trips. Cheap too (initial cost and consummables). One of the fav cars I've owned.

[boead]

Originally Posted by DarkSunrise

Exactly! I'm getting 28 mpg in city driving, and I redline it whenever I need/want to -- which can be often. Good thing it's fun.

The FR-S is such a versatile car. It's playful on the street, competitive in autocross/track with the right tires, and refined/practical enough to take on weekend trips. Cheap too (initial cost and consummables). One of the fav cars I've owned.

ME TOO! This is definitely one of my favorite and best cars ive ever had AND Ive had ALLOT of cars!

[sofrsnsokleen]

if power is an issue, buy an optima or sonata turbo..... ok who am i kidding