Used 370Z, or Brand new GR86?

[Sjej]

Hello all I've posted here before asking about whether an 86 was a good decision for a first car, and everybody's response was so friendly and i actually was convinced to look into the 86 twins as the car I buy next. So much so that I've learned a lot about these cars, the community of them and even gone out of my way to drive to dealerships just to see one in person. I get excited everytime I see one, because they're so rare by me, and I've wanted one for a while. I also decided that buying a brand new GR86/BRZ would be the better move and I've been saving up for a car in that ~30k price range for the last year or so and made good progress. The issue is, when discussing cars in it's price range like the 370z, an old used cayman, a miata, wrx, etc etc, the 370z kind of struck me. It's not the heaviest or lightest, but it has a great engine, sounds great, doesn't look as nice but the nismo bodykit fixes that, but people say it isnt as engaging to drive. It's faster and may corner as good but it just doesn't feel as fun to drive. I don't know, I haven't had the opportunity to go and test drive both so I'm really stuck here. What's the benefit of buying an 86 if the 370z is a better car? You might lose some engagement but which one would be more fun? Believe me I do not care whatsoever about being the fastest, purely about having the most fun possible, and here's my appeal with the 370z: the fact you can just rip it down straight line roads with the acceleration it has compared to the 86. From what I'm seeing the 370z appeals to people who like straight-line speed over driving twisty roads, but can do both just fine, while the 86 is the opposite (and it can do straight-line speed decently quick, it's not that slow) more on the side of twisty/curvy roads and less on the side of straight-line speed. But what if you're someone who likes both? And genuinely can't decide? I hope I get the chance to test drive one, I really do. I need an auto Z and auto 86/brz to show up nearby, because I can't drive manual (i will buy a manual, but i want to test drive an auto so im not looking stupid stalling on my way out the lot to test drive it) and the first chance I get I'm going to test drive both in every possible condition to see which one I like more but everybody I've talked to has told me the Z would be a better buy for the money... it may be true but would it be more fun? Because with a Z a supra can pull up and smoke you in a straight line while a track-tuned s2000 would destroy you on any curvy road so why even bother caring about being the fastest or best and just worry about how much fun you have? I need help here

[ACT86]

Sounds like a test drive of both will make the decision for you. Have driven both, but I prefer the lighter more agile feel of the BRZ / 86, plus it has back seats, for little people.

[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

[OkieSnuffBox]

I had a 350Z way back in the day, it lasted 3 months before I traded it in.

Quick enough, decently comfortable, but didn't do anything well.

[bcj]

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

[vindiesel]

Originally Posted by OkieSnuffBox

I had a 350Z way back in the day, it lasted 3 months before I traded it in.

Quick enough, decently comfortable, but didn't do anything well.

Is that when you bought a 1st gen brz?

350 370z is like the Japanese mustang

[DarkPira7e]

Or... you can get a used BRZ, throw on a turbo, and have the best car imaginable.

[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.

[Sasquachulator]

370 vs first gen 86

To extrapolate that to a second gen, the second gen pretty much fixes all the flaws of the first gen (mainly power and torque dip) without messing up the rest of the car.

[OkieSnuffBox]

Originally Posted by vindiesel

Is that when you bought a 1st gen brz?

350 370z is like the Japanese mustang

No actually after that was a new 2010 MazdaSpeed 3 (new), then an '11 Pro-4X (new) because I had the NA track rat, then '13 Mustang GT Track pack (new), then NC Miata, then the '15 BRZ Limited (new).

Then '13 135i with the DCT (january of '18, only kept for 1.5 years because it was a maintenance whore and then the DCT started making a terrible noise so I traded it for the Mazda 3). Then a '18 Mazda 3 that the fiance now drives, track prepped NC, then ordered the '23 BRZ and it arrived September of last year after the fiance and I shared the Mazda 3 since we were both working from home.

[alphasaur]

I've driven a 350z, you feel the weight difference for sure and the car feels heavier than it is IMO

The 86 platform feels closer to a scalpel. Super precise and light.

[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.

[DarkSunrise]

Originally Posted by Red-86

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.

This is an often overlooked point. While car comparisons are great and useful, the "winner" almost always depends what your preferences and usage mix are.

I owned a 350z for a few years and it wasn't for me, but that doesn't mean it's not a good fit for someone else.

[vindiesel]

Also take in consideration that unless you get a 370z nismo or a sport tech trim you do not get an lsd. The factory lsd isn’t that great long term. Buying a used sports car is like buying a used condom.