FRS/BRZ

[Desert Rat]

Who here has any experience with these cars? Strongly considering moving on the Z31 and going much newer.

I've read the reviews...good handling, but people complain about the harsh ride. Figure it won't be worse than the Z. And not tons of power, but on paper it's better than my NA Z31 although with slightly less torque. Curb weight seems a tick lighter.

Would love some impressions.

[frapjap]

Theres quite a few members here who will be able to answer! Most enjoy(ed) their cars though.

[PapaSmurf2k3]

The real answer is "go test drive one".
The drive is definitely going to be different than your Z. The FRS feels lighter on its feet, although not as luxurious/plush.

[Bubba1]

Agree 100%^^^. They're agile and fun to drive, though I suspect they'll seem small if you're coming from a Z31. The only complaint I've heard about them is the same thing you hear about every other small sports car, "it could use more power". But I've smiled every time I've driven one. If I were in the market, I'd consider one.

[themadscientist]

Engine has less balls than a roid freak and a huge dip in the torque curve that seems to defy physics.

The interior is just big enough to not feel cramped. The front seats are great, but the back seats are only for show. The storage space in the trunk is cavernous and flip the back seats down and you can carry huge loads. They were thinking of track day guys who want to carry tires.

The suspension is firm, but not abusive and the car loves corners like a fat kid loves cake. It's eye-opening.

Oh yeah, if you know how to keep the car in the powerband, it's faster than these two dudes.

[Eikon]

Buy a nice used one and install the new hks supercharger kit. You won't be able to wipe the smile off your face for years.

I loved mine.. best handling car I've ever driven. Comfortable and we'll sorted. Looks great! The downfall is the engine and how it's tuned like tms said above. Fix that with forced induction and it's a perfect car.

[Jesda]

I had no idea there was a back seat. I dont think my dog would even fit back there.

[MinisterofDOOM]

My favorite thing about the BRZ is such a tiny thing, but I love it so much:
Bezel-less rearview mirror. It seems like such a trivial thing, but it's entirely in keeping with the car's nature. Look forward and what do you see? Not 63 homelink buttons, not photosensors and wiring, no compass. You see what's in front of the car, and what's behind the car, and that's it.

WHY do all cars not have bezel-less rearview mirrors?!

[Desert Rat]

I don't have kids...just a GF...don't care about the back seat (obviously...I do drive a Z31!)

I'd definitely be looking at a used one. I'm all for letting someone else take the depreciation hit for driving the car off the lot. Also, used, private party sales in AZ carry no sales tax, so that's another chunk of money saved (sales tax is about $2k on a new one) There's a few low mileage manual transmission cars in the area in the $16-20k range. Best cash price I've found on a new one is about $26k out the door with taxes and fees.

I'm hesitant to go drive one....afraid my curiosity will turn into an obsession. If I do this I need to get a good price out of my Z first. It's one of the nicest base model Z31s in the valley and it will be priced accordingly.

[Buzzman]

Saw this on the highway while in Florida.
Not the best pic, but we were moving fast.
This thing was 100% chromed. Every body panel, bumper, trim. Everything.
It was either a FRS or a BRZ. Moved to fast to tell, plus it was de-badged.
Cool.

[PapaSmurf2k3]

Driving around, blinding people ha.

[Buzzman]

Driving around, blinding people ha.

No kidding.
It was a sunny day and I saw this thing coming in my rear view mirror about half a mile back.
At first I didn't know what it was. Thought maybe the sun was reflecting off his windshield.
As it pulled up along side, I grabbed my phone and took the pic.
It was really cool. An attention grabber for sure.

[RicerX]

I'm gonna make my typical plug in this argument.

Everyone's response with this car is to buy one, put some better wheels and tires on it, and add a supercharger. I say just buy a 370Z with the sport package if you're going to do that. A supercharged Subayota will barely be quicker than a stock 370Z, and if it eats you up that much, the VQ37 responds really well to basic breather mods and a tune, which will be significantly cheaper than converting to forced induction.

Test drive both - 370s are getting cheap on the used market. However, everyone is different, and if you're just head-over-heels in love with the thing, then don't let it stop you.

You're a Z car guy... you will miss the Z-ness going to one of those things in short order. Trust me.

[Bubba1]

^I agree. The FRS/BRZ is a nice car, but if you're coming from an old Z, a 370 certainly should be checked out too.

[Desert Rat]

370Zs are on my short list too, but there's not a helluva lot of them out there on the used market, and those that are either autos or the owners want new car money for them. Not shucking out $30k on a used car, and sports cars need manual transmissions. Only ones under $20k are either high mileage or on salvage titles. I would absolutely prefer a 370Z over a BRZ, but price is a factor.

Why not a 350Z you may ask. Well, Truth is, I just don't like those that much. The 370Z is so much better looking and the interiors are better too without that goofy little 3 gauge pod like the 350 has. the extra 40-50HP never hurts either.

If I got an FR-S I wouldn't be souping it up. I'd just DD it. My Z31 is restored to stock as well. I just like 'em the way they came. My 4x4s are an entirely different story....lol

I did stop at a yota dealer on the way home from work yesterday. They had a 2.0 6 speed sitting there for 30k sticker. I'd be more interested in a base coupe which I've already priced at about $26k out the door cash price (with tax, title, doc, discounts, etc). I wasn't really interested in it and left within 30 seconds of the low life sleazebag sales person coming out and gagging me on a windy day from 20 feet away with his Axe body spray or whatever the hell he decided to bathe in that day.....

I really hate car salesmen. Going for a new car is something I seldom do...usually prefer low mileage used to save on the fees and sales tax, but that idiot just watched a cash customer turn tail and flee because he was such a douche. Riverview Toyota for anyone who's curious. It happens to be on my way home from work. They had exactly one FR-S on the lot.....

[BusyBadger]

The 370Z is so much better looking and the interiors are better too...

Yes, but...

...without that goofy little 3 gauge pod like the 350 has.

350Z


370Z

The triple pod is present in both. The thing I hate is the led strip for the gas level indicator in the 370Z. For a car that really tries to honour its roots that entire left hand gauge is out of place.

the extra 40-50HP never hurts either.

You're really only going to see numbers like that if you're comparing a Nismo 370Z to a 350Z or a standard 370Z to an older 350Z - but you're also talking about completely different price structures. The Nismo 370Z is rated at 350 HP, the standard 370Z has 328 HP. You can get an 350Z with an HR engine that kicks out 306, the RevUp is 300 and the older VQs are 287.

[asoomal]

Brand new 370Zs are still going for 30 grand up here in Canada, which equates to about 23 grand USD.

That's always an option.

[Desert Rat]

Been watching used prices here. Lots of variation. Not many cars for sale either....probably because the 370Z isn't being produced and sold in the numbers that the first couple years of 350Z were.

Like I said, I'd love to have one, but the FRS I think would suit my needs equally well for a lower price. Neither car is exactly flooding the used car market tho. I'm looking for something under 30k miles preferably. I might buy new, but it just sickens me to pay all that sales tax and the dealer BS fees. Finding either car that hasn't been abused is even more of a challenge, and that's evidenced by the fact that half of these that you find are on rebuilt or salvage titles, which I won't touch.

[RicerX]

Been watching used prices here. Lots of variation. Not many cars for sale either....probably because the 370Z isn't being produced and sold in the numbers that the first couple years of 350Z were.

Like I said, I'd love to have one, but the FRS I think would suit my needs equally well for a lower price. Neither car is exactly flooding the used car market tho. I'm looking for something under 30k miles preferably. I might buy new, but it just sickens me to pay all that sales tax and the dealer BS fees. Finding either car that hasn't been abused is even more of a challenge, and that's evidenced by the fact that half of these that you find are on rebuilt or salvage titles, which I won't touch.

Your market must be an absolute struggle. The used market in the eastern US is full of these things (at least at dealerships). Many of which are just as cheap as the used BRZs that are out there. Out here though, the used BRZs aren't as easy to find, and pricing typically reflects that.

If you're buying new, I wouldn't even show up to the dealership until it was time to inspect the vehicle and sign papers. Do it all online/via email. That way, you don't run into any more axe body spray than you have to, and you make whatever deal you strike contingent on the vehicle passing your inspection when you show. Internet car sales guys tend to work on number of units moved for their commissions, so as long as their prices aren't causing them a loss, they're much easier to work with than the trolls walking the lots.

[RicerX]

I just caught where private party sales in AZ carry no sales tax. You lucky dog, you. I can see how the market is thin over there given those criteria.

[Desert Rat]

Yes, I'd buy new just like when I bought the x wife's Murano. Deal was done when I got there.

[Desert Rat]

Well, if all goes well, tomorrow I'll own a 2014 370Z 6MT. Decided that I probably wouldn't be happy with the power of the FR-S over the long term. Found one local with 10k miles for a good price.

That said, my pristine '85 Z31 is for sale. Check the classifieds.

[PapaSmurf2k3]

Congrats!

[Desert Rat]

Brought the Z home last night. 2014 base coupe model, but strangely it has leather seats. 10k miles. 6MT. Black and beautiful.

Z31 really needs to go now.

[BusyBadger]

Pics!

[Desert Rat]

Yeah, I need to snap a couple and get them up, huh?

[BusyBadger]

Yeah, I need to snap a couple and get them up, huh?

Eh, you're probably having too much driving to get out long enough to take pics!

[float_6969]

[Desert Rat]

ok, ok. Here's a pic. She's a 2014 model, just over 11k on the clock. Mucho stereo upgrades....

[float_6969]

It looks gooooooddd!