Best Daily Drive: FRS, Mustang or 370z?

[TylerLieberman]

I would say the mustang is the overall better daily. More usable space-not much seeing how we're comparing 2dr coupes. Mustangs have come a long way (Ford as a whole has actually) and they're noticeably better than past models.

I enjoy my FR-S and it's enjoyable to drive but for the price, there are more practical cars in the same class. It comes down to what your priorities are in a new vehicle and which YOU personally like most

[reeves]

For my 90-mile daily commute, nothing beats my BRZ's 30 (or higher) MPGs and the fun factor! The only 'usable' space I need is for a gym bag and laptop case.

[CSI:86]

Originally Posted by animal007

What car is better to use as a daily drive? forget about the track just daily drive.

Owned a 2011 370z for a year before i bought the Toyota 86. Put an injen intake and stillen catback on it. Daily driving power was very good especially in mid range (3.5k to 5.5k), engine was very responsive to the bolt ons and 0 - 100kmh acceleration was between mid 4's to late 4's. However, didnt like the primitive-like suspension feel and the steering feel.

However a FRS is going to be much better for daily driving. It has capable power for daily driving. Awesome firm controlled suspension feel and the steering feel is orgasmic. I prepare to have this car for many years until the next best thing comes out (next generation integra and/or s2000 *cough* )

[whaap]

Any of them would make a good, enjoyable daily driver. I would go with the one that I had the strongest feelings for. If you consider it a three way tie, perhaps none of them are for you. Turn up your sights and your budget and buy something that can give you a little fun and excitement.

[Nezz]

If fuel prices go up, the ZN6 (or a ZC6) will definitely be rewarding.

Considered a BRZ Premium? Lots of nice little extras that can go a long way to making a car more amenable day to day. Climate control and heated seats are nice things if you're going to have it as a daily drive, and the extra weight isn't much to think about.

Having driven a 370Z, I've got to echo sentiments that up around the pointy end of things, they get hairy, and it's just not as enjoyable near the limits. I value precision and predictability (and feedback!) and the ZN6/ZC6 has these in spades.

The Mustang definitely has outright power, even if it lacks severely on feedback, response and predictability. Next year's will have an EcoBoost 4cyl Turbo, which may be a nice option, as well as a new suspension setup-- But I doubt it'll be in the same playing field. MotorTrend has a nice review with a professional driver on a circuit and a reviewer on the road, if you want a comparison.

My money would be; BRZ Premium, or V6 Mustang Track Pack, with a heavy bias towards the ZC6 (BRZ).

EDIT; Here's that review. [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pD3hgleEOXA"]Subaru BRZ vs Ford Mustang! - Head 2 Head Episode 7 - YouTube[/ame]

[FRiSson]

Just my personal take on the Mustang vs FR-Z. When you sit in the Mustang, you feel surrounded by a lot of mass. You sit low and the dash rises up in front of you like a cresting wave. The result is that you feel like you are driving a powerful torpedo, but that you feel somewhat isolated from the outside by the high beltline and heavy feel of the car. By contrast, the FR-Z is lighter and significantly smaller. The world seems closer and more accessible, and the taut steering and road feel reinforces that connectedness. So it comes down to how you want to feel in your car. I chose the FR-S because acceleration is less interesting to me than the feel of driving in a responsive, connected machine.

[jflogerzi]

Originally Posted by chappys4life

I drove 3 5.0s, I went to a ford dealer they offered me 19k in a trade in they called a toyota dealer too. I owe 24k more of a hit I wanted to make a switch. Trying to sell it private at the moment to break even. I thought I would like the sports car change more and not miss the power, my 2000 gt only had 260 but I miss a v8 something bad. I really like the 370z and I think its power was enough but I think you get a lot more car out of the mustang and cheaper.

I think you are much better off keeping the FR-S and just adding a solid entry level Turbo or Super Charger kit!

[chaoskaze]

For Best Daily, I Think 370Z wins unless u put a taller final gear in FRS.

[Nezz]

Originally Posted by chaoskaze

For Best Daily, I Think 370Z wins unless u put a taller final gear in FRS.

No way, the 86 motors along happily at 100mph without using too much fuel. DI and the light weight of the car nullify the extra revs and if you keep the exhaust and intake standard it's nice and quiet inside-- the ZN6/ZC6 have notably lower wind resistance and their standard tyres make a lot less noise.

[butdamnbrian]

Originally Posted by n2oinferno

That bad of a clutch eh? I didn't think it was very heavy at all when I test drove one, but I learned on a car with a very heavy clutch, so who knows. And 18mpg.. lol might as well own a RX8.

i definitely wouldn't call it bad, just challenging.. shifting smoothly is really difficult during normal/slow driving. the nissan drivetrain in the z and g cars tends to be noisy/rattle/vocal. when clutching in while decelerating in low gears, the transmission will shake and make noise. it's a normal thing (see http://www.the370z.com/engine-drivet...tch-pedal.html), but can be annoying. it's avoidable by clutching in at exactly the right times, etc., but it can make driving in stop and go traffic a chore. it requires a lot more thinking and anticipation to drive smoothly, whereas the brz is a jump-in-and-go daily driver.

it's not an issue at all while driving the z hard, though. also not an issue for guys with auto trans.

[EAGLE5]

Originally Posted by chappys4life

I drove 3 5.0s, I went to a ford dealer they offered me 19k in a trade in they called a toyota dealer too. I owe 24k more of a hit I wanted to make a switch. Trying to sell it private at the moment to break even. I thought I would like the sports car change more and not miss the power, my 2000 gt only had 260 but I miss a v8 something bad. I really like the 370z and I think its power was enough but I think you get a lot more car out of the mustang and cheaper.

Sell private party or buy a supercharger. The Mustang will take more of a resale value hit in the long run.

[fatoni]

Originally Posted by Nezz

No way, the 86 motors along happily at 100mph without using too much fuel. DI and the light weight of the car nullify the extra revs and if you keep the exhaust and intake standard it's nice and quiet inside-- the ZN6/ZC6 have notably lower wind resistance and their standard tyres make a lot less noise.

at 100 mph its a lot more about power to drag rather than power to weight. i think if anything its the small size/low cod and the low resistance tires. if you put sporty tires on the frs, the mpg is going to drop.

[cfusionpm]

Originally Posted by chaoskaze

For Best Daily, I Think 370Z wins

Except in gas mileage or back seats.

[m.wood0213]

frs might be the least practical but imo the better overall choice, lower insurance than both and more unique w/ a personal statement about yourself. plus resale values will be really good in the future. I considered both of these too for my first new car and it didnt take long to figure out the FRS/BRZ is obvious. WRX however is a GOOD option, best of all.