Used 370Z, or Brand new GR86?

[gnarjunkie]

My last car was a 450whp STi. Had it set up for the track with great coilovers and tons of handling mods. It was violently quick, had traction for days, and was almost certainly faster in every possible metric than my 86.

But the 86 is still more fun to rip around town in. It's all about the feel for me.

[Liquidsnake]

I had a 370z and it was awesome, back in 2009. In the year 2023? I would not give my car up for it.

[WNDSRFR]

Ask the same question in the 370Z forum and see if you get the same answers.

[Teseo]

None. Buy used Camaro SS

[Sjej]

Originally Posted by vindiesel

Just drive them both… new car with warranty vs older car with no warranty. Depending on how much money you have buying an extremely low mileage z is going to cost almost a new brz.

I had a 350z I drive well over 100,000 miles it was a de engine and dynoed 250hp 250trq with basic bolt ons. Ran a 14 flat at 100mph in the 1/4. Which is comparable to the brz. I myself contemplated on getting a 370z but for the price and the crazy used market I don’t feel paying almost 30k for a low mileage used one was worth it given it does run a low 13 second 1/4 mile. Mind you I have owned literbikes, turbo cars and other vehicles that would blow these cars away. When I ordered my brz I tried a nd2 Miata because I never been in a light weight sports car and I didn’t fit well. I ordered the brz without test driving one. Then Subaru has very short gearing compared to the z transmission. You can accelerate in 6th on the highway in the z you have to fast and furious downshift. The light weight you receive a lot of feedback and it hits you in an emotional level of being connected with the car. The power on tight technical roads it has plenty. Obviously on highway going 80mph dropping it in fourth gear and punching it is lack luster. Even though the brz and old 350z had similar 1/4 Mike times the brz engine isn’t as fun as the z’s tourqey power band. The z engine oozed with character. The brz engine is linear and friendly which most have said it feels “industrial tractor like” which I agree. The clutch engagement in the 370z is really high which I don’t like. The brz is mid-low to floor engagement and very smooth after broken in.

If you plan on auto crossing it or tracking it all the time I would read up on rtv and oil pressure issues which may deter you from purchasing a brz. They haven’t found a solution yet and it is questionable on the longevity of these engines regardless. I believe when I read up on 370z they have cooling issues on track.

What is your goal with either car? That would be a better idea on which one is better. More power doesn’t always equate to more fun. It cost more tires, tickets and gets you in trouble. If your looking for more touring “good” all around type car a mustang gt could fit the bill but substantial more money and consumables. Then your 40 50 60k plus for a depreciating asset. Take in account brz will have substantial resale value vs 370z

It's gonna be a fun car that I'm not taking to work but still plan on driving almost everyday. Occasional autocross and taken to twisty backroads. Think you convinced me though, also watching POV drives of a Z and 86, the 86 looks like its going faster than the Z when theyre going the same speed lol that's all I needed to see


And also can't find any 370zs/86s that are auto that can be test driven nearby. But first one I see pop up I will. Maybe if my dad comes with they'd be more willing to let me do it. And yeah I'm not too concerned about power, if the car feels fun and fast, I don't care if it does 0-60 in 6 seconds my ford edge sport does it in 7 (thats what google says, its probably closer to 8, even less considering i never launch it) and god i have a blast in it, I can only imagine what a 5.4 sec 0-60 would feel like (gr86)

[Sjej]

Originally Posted by bcj

For fenceline roads that go straight for 2 or 3 counties, probably an F-150.

So when I hit a deer, it obliterates the deer and doesn't destroy my car? Good call, maybe I can lift the 86/Z and make it into an offroad build

[Sjej]

Originally Posted by soundman98

warranty was never a consideration for me. i avoid dealerships as much as possible.


i can't speak specifically about the 370z, but i can speak about the 350z.

this came out before the brz/86 existed.

i wanted a 350z ever since. then the 86 came on the market around the time i could swing a new car. my main 3 interests at the time were the 350z, brz, and genesis coupe. i test drove all 3.

for context, i was driving a mitsubishi eclipse at the time, which is based on a shared platform with the galant and endeavor suv. it had the looks of a sports car, but the handling of the galant.

the 350z and genesis coupe were both more than fast enough in a straight line. though as is the brz, imo. i don't need ultra-fast though.

but both the 350z and genesis coupe very clearly showed handling signs of their shared platform origins. the 350z's fm platform also rides under many 4-door infinity vehicles. and the genesis coupe was obviously more developed for the plush genesis luxury sedan.

i left underwhelmed at both the 350z and genesis coupe-- both handled very similarly like my eclipse at the time-- it feels like guiding a linebacker through a crowd.

for me, the brz is more like running a pencil across a paper-- it just follows what i want it to do, when i want it to do it. that's more important to me than power.


check some local dealerships, new and used. take a saturday and test drive everything you have an interest in.

yeah that does sound nice about the 86. seems like it'd be fun to toss around the city (safely, I'm not talking about sliding every turn double the speed limit). my ford edge sport handles alright, less SUV-like than my parents' cars but nothing like my friend's bmw. felt like my friend's charger, like i was in a sailboat on a windy day. i'd love to get to test drive an 86 because i've never got to drive a sports car like that and ngl it'd be a nice breath of fresh air to get a car that drives like a little go kart instead of a car that feels heavy but has more power than my current car.

[Sjej]

Originally Posted by Red-86

Having owned both a gen 1 86 for 5 years, and having owned a 370Z for the last 3 years, my advice is to test drive both rather than taking other people’s preferences as gospel. Everyone is different and seeks different things in a car - 1 size does not fit all.

An important distinction between these two cars is that the 86 is really a lightweight sportscar, whilst the Z is a GT i.e. a grand tourer (a Japanese Mustang is also a good description). It’s just like the difference between a Porsche Cayman and a Jaguar F-type. Both are great cars, but they’re designed with slightly different goals in mind, just like the 86 and the Z.

It’s why I think car comparisons that ignore design differences and personal preferences are a bit misleading. Too many people assume their personal preferences and needs in a car are universal and everyone should share their opinion. But it doesn’t work like that. Variety is the spice of life. And whatever you do, try before you buy, then enjoy your ride.

Will do man thanks for the input. Was thinking z for the acceleration on straight roads but I'm not trying to get myself arrested because I'd have way too much fun with the power lol

[Sjej]

Originally Posted by WNDSRFR

Ask the same question in the 370Z forum and see if you get the same answers.

Did on the 370z subreddit. About the same answers, the 86 is more of a lightweight good handling drivers car while the z is mainly about power. Told to test drive one, and the Z would probably be a better pick for me (due to the RTV/engine oil pressure issues with the 86 lately and because i want a car to mess around in) but i had my doubts. figured the best bet to even it out was to come here. Honestly pretty damn good responses from both communities despite the bias. This question came up because I saw a Z in person and realized how nice they are, haven't seen a 86 in a while

[soundman98]

Originally Posted by Sjej

(due to the RTV/engine oil pressure issues with the 86 lately

don't let the fearmongering get to you.

the rtv is an on-again-off-again thing, been that way since the 90's. but largely a small issue, mostly related to a small batch of issues at the factory. my understanding is that the '23 stuff is mostly sold out, so by the time you get a '24, it'd be mostly ironed out.

the oiling, it's during ultra-extreme turns while on the track--going 15/10th's-- if you're just chucking the car around town, you've got less than nothing to worry about.

oh, just saw you're in iowa-- ftspeed.com/jbautosports is in de moines. they've got demo cars, not sure how willing they are to offer rides, might be able to at least get a ride along for at least a rough idea.

[OkieSnuffBox]

Originally Posted by Red-86

Having owned both a gen 1 86 for 5 years, and having owned a 370Z for the last 3 years, my advice is to test drive both rather than taking other people’s preferences as gospel. Everyone is different and seeks different things in a car - 1 size does not fit all.

An important distinction between these two cars is that the 86 is really a lightweight sportscar, whilst the Z is a GT i.e. a grand tourer (a Japanese Mustang is also a good description). It’s just like the difference between a Porsche Cayman and a Jaguar F-type. Both are great cars, but they’re designed with slightly different goals in mind, just like the 86 and the Z.

It’s why I think car comparisons that ignore design differences and personal preferences are a bit misleading. Too many people assume their personal preferences and needs in a car are universal and everyone should share their opinion. But it doesn’t work like that. Variety is the spice of life. And whatever you do, try before you buy, then enjoy your ride.

I don't know if I'd call it a Japanese Mustang, considering the HP difference. Even my 2013 was 420 vs 330 I think for the 370z? And of course the TQ difference on top of that.

[Tokay444]

If you have to ask, please just get the 370Z.

[Ohio Enthusiast]

There's a great comparison Chris Harris did back in the day between the 1st gen Twin, 370Z and a used Cayman -

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[raisingAnarchy]

Originally Posted by Ohio Enthusiast

There's a great comparison Chris Harris did back in the day between the 1st gen Twin, 370Z and a used Cayman -

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Man do I miss that content from Chris Harris