Which car should I buy?

shawnwhipple · **Joined:** Wed Aug 20, 2003 6:28 pm **Posts:** 603

So I've been driving a lot of cars lately looking for my next autocross toy and I'm narrowing down the list. My front runners at this point at a Subaru BRZ/Scion FR-S or a Nissan 370Z. They both have pros and cons and I hoping to tap into the collective THSCC wisdom to help in my decision making process.

The Subaru BRZ/Scion FR-S. On the pro side for these cars. I've driven both of the twins (BRZ and FR-S) and liked them both but for the little bit of extra cash the Subaru has more non-autocross features that I like. Driving these cars really reminds me of my 94 Toyota MR2 and I loved that car. The wheels are 17" and there a lot of wheels out there and they can be had for cheap. It would probably use 225's unless I could squeeze a set of 245's on it, so a set of Hoosiers for it would probably run around $1100. The insurance is a little cheaper and it gets better gas mileage. On the con side of the list, it gets better gas mileage because it needs more power and I'm not sure it's that competitive of an autocross car but it's really hard to tell at this point?

The Nissan 370Z. For it's pro side this car has great power. I think it's a great looking car and I've toyed with the idea of getting a Z on and off since I test drove a nice used 240Z in 1990, but I've never actually owned one. Someone set fastest raw time at Nationals this year in a 370Z but coned on his fast time to move back to 3rd so it looks to be a good CS car. On the down side it's gas mileage is worse and the insurance is a little higher. The big downer in my mind is the version you want is a sport package and that comes with 19" wheels. The cost of 19" versus 17" Hoosiers is about a $400 add :thumbsdown:

And 19" wheels are also way more expensive that 17's

Price wise the cars can be had for about the same $ with the Subie being new and the Z being lightly used late model cars

So what say you?

Oh and before you suggest it, I don't fit that well in a S2000. And besides the club has maxed out it's quota of those.

JamesShort · **Posted:** Mon Oct 08, 2012 9:26 pm

I hated the 350z's that I drove VERY much. Lots of lame things that bugged me. Then I drove the 370.....loved it. The shifter/trans feel is eleventy billion times better. Gearing better. Clutch feels better. Interior nicer. Steering ratio or transitional response is faster.

Given those 2 options I'd go 370z, but yea 19s suck. Given you don't get a real LSD till a nismo package care, why not go with a car with 18s?

Jeremy Ellison · **Joined:** Fri May 13, 2011 5:01 pm **Posts:** 186

FR-S/BRZ for sure. Especially if you are running Hoosiers, as apparently they fit with the back seat folded down. The 370z had no "feel" when I test drove it, it felt a lot like a racing sim - disconnected (if that makes sense).

shawnwhipple · **Joined:** Wed Aug 20, 2003 6:28 pm **Posts:** 603

Two replies. Two different answers. LOL

I forgot about the tires fitting the FR-S/BRZ. That is another down side to the Z. I haven't been able to find anyone who makes a tow hitch for them and there is no way you are getting 4 tires in the back of that car.

Matt McGrain · **Posted:** Mon Oct 08, 2012 9:58 pm

Shawn I'd say that the FR-S would have a better resale value when the time comes, fwiw. There was a gorgeous grey one next to me in the paddock with a set of 235 r-comps that were carried along in the back 'seat' and the driver and his passenger didn't look uncomfortable spacewise.

You can put a set of 275 A6's on these things too. :thumbsup:

Dustin Fredrickson · **Posted:** Tue Oct 09, 2012 12:14 am

Not answering this with any real value, and I haven't come within 5' of a BRZ, but I will say that a coworker has a 370 Nismo that I drove (granted, at almost legal Durham county speeds) and I wasn't that impressed. Somebody else mentioned disconnected, and that may have been it, but it just wasn't as interesting as I was expecting.

MikeWhitney · **Joined:** Wed Aug 20, 2003 9:15 pm **Posts:** 4724

You should buy a 2002 WRX sedan. I think I saw one for sale somewhere.

Scott Johnson · **Posted:** Tue Oct 09, 2012 8:02 am

Shawn,

You are welcome to codrive my BRZ to find out how it autocrosses mostly stock. I've got non-stock wheels now, so we would have to slum in STX (or CSP-tire)

At VIR the BRZ left me wanting more power about everywhere

Steven Carter · **Posted:** Tue Oct 09, 2012 8:19 am

Between the two choices given I'd say go with FR-S/BRZ. Lots of momentum behind the cars, excited aftermarket for parts development, competitively placed in CS or STX.

Jason Tower · **Joined:** Wed Jun 11, 2008 3:31 pm **Posts:** 1173

recently i was instructing at vir when we came up behind a slower car that i didn't recognize but appeared to have been beaten with an extra large ugly stick. i said to my student "holy crap what is that horrific looking monstrosity in front of us?" he replied "oh that's the new brz".

shawnwhipple · **Joined:** Wed Aug 20, 2003 6:28 pm **Posts:** 603

Quote:

recently i was instructing at vir when we came up behind a slower car. i said to my student "holy crap what is that ugly monstrosity in front of us?" he replied "oh that's the new brz".

Yeah, but you like BMW's so your judgement about looks is questionable

Quote:

At VIR the BRZ left me wanting more power about everywhere

That's kinda the feeling I got from driving them on the street too. Thanks for the offer of the co-drive, I may take you up on it one day.

Quote:

Between the two choices given I'd say go with FR-S/BRZ. Lots of momentum behind the cars, excited aftermarket for parts development, competitively placed in CS or STX.

Just from what I've read online I think that even if the car doesn't do well in CS the SCCA knows the car will be significant and will probably reclass it if needed.

RodneyWright · **Posted:** Tue Oct 09, 2012 8:52 am

You had mentioned a possible co-drive in the mustang for the last event. That seat is still open if you're interested. I say just line up a bunch of co-drives and start your quantitative testing.

JamesShort · **Posted:** Tue Oct 09, 2012 8:58 am

I will agree the 370 has blah steering response. It has double wishbone suspension and decent spring rates, but it is just such a fat pig. My comment above was mainly around 370 vs 350. I haven't drivent the BRZ/FRS yet though. But the 370 sure has the torque

.

Talk is with the MSR and ZOK getting booted is that the 370 might be the car to have in CS.

Steven Carter · **Posted:** Tue Oct 09, 2012 9:21 am

Fat pig? For modern cars, 3200 lbs is svelte. Everyone goes ape over the BRZ weighing in at 2700#, so 3200 is not that bad. Certainly not great, and IIRC it is close to the heaviest in CStock, but far from "fat pig" status.

JamesShort · **Posted:** Tue Oct 09, 2012 9:23 am

Steven Carter wrote:

Fat pig? For modern cars, 3200 lbs is svelte. Everyone goes ape over the BRZ weighing in at 2700#, so 3200 is not that bad. Certainly not great, and IIRC it is close to the heaviest in CStock, but far from "fat pig" status.

Well when you toss it into a corner it sure felt heavy. Is the 370 lighter than the 350?

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