Used 370 Z or New FRS

[Corner Carver]

What would you rather buy, a used Nissan 370 Z or a Brand New Scion FRS, state your reasons???

[HyperFX]

I'm currently having the same comparison issues. I believe they are 2 cars in a different leagues so it would be comparing apples to oranges. The 370Z is a six cylinder engine so a comparable vehicle would be the Hyndai Genesis 3.0 or the Ford Mustang V6.

I also believe that the Hyndai Genesis 2.0T would be the only comparable vehicle to the FR-S so far.

Personally i would buy a new FR-S, add a larger aftermarket turbo & upgrade the internals which would probably be the same cost of a used stock 2010/2011 370Z Sport Package edition.

[ej25ti]

Well this is Toyobaru.net, not used370zs.net
jk lol :P

i actually really like 370z's, just not enough to really buy one
350z's used to be one of my favorite cars when they first came out, but too many people drive em now
which will probably be a reason I won't wanna drive this after it comes out too, esp if it's branded as a scion, i think a bunch of 16 y/o's are gonna be roamin around in em
jus sayin lol

[Corner Carver]

@ HyperFX: the FR-S should also be more practical too

@ej25ti: Yeah seeing how cheap this car is supposed to be, every high school teen is going to want it, if the refresh of the Gen coupe comes out nice, i might go for that and wait for the FR-S to fade out and develop more

[Susanoo]

I prefer to buy a new FRS.
I like to drive in mountain roads and for that I prefer a lighter car.
Eventually, if I can't have a new FRS maybe I will buy a used Miata NC 2.0

[Cal]

Agreed the two cars are in different classes. At the point until more is known about the Fr-s it's difficult to say.

[Corner Carver]

Yeah I should have atleast waited until the specs came out for the FR-S, I would assume driving characteristics may match more to the Miata or rx8, I guess we will find out when Toyota releases some data

[modifiedMR]

Yeah I should have atleast waited until the specs came out for the FR-S, I would assume driving characteristics may match more to the Miata or rx8, I guess we will find out when Toyota releases some data

yep.

I myself am in a dilemma. Buy the frs/subie or fully restore my 91 mr2 turbo and boost it to the limit? It needs body work and a stronger clutch if I add any more power. It's just hard to find anyone to work on it as I have a business AND a night job that take up alot of time. I might have more time for it in the future, but would I rather just start fresh? I think the specs and a test drive might give me my answer. Saving big time till then. I should almost be able to buy one outright. or maybe I'll drop it on some coilovers, wheels and custom cat-back until the warrantee goes out? Too many variables right now for me to decide right now.

[Cal]

I think a lot of us are in this category. Thankfully I am waiting on the 2nd Gen suby so my RB25 S14 plans will not affect this.

[West]

I wouldn't mind either, and would personally prefer any used car over a new one, unless I bought new expecting to drive it until I retire. With that said, I'd rather buy the FR-S solely because I intend to modify the car, and it offers more of what I find exhilarating at its core, lightweight, excellent CG, and sadly it's a 2+2 lol

[San Diego Kouki]

A 370z especially with the rev matching system, that is... if budget wasn't an issue. I would rather get an FRS for two reasons. 1. It is anticipated to be more affordable 2. I think there will be more of a community and culture to a cheaper RWD car. I like to go to meets and hopefully I'll take my car out to a track by early next year, most people driving 240's and drifting are young, I hope it's the same for FRS but I promise you if you try to kick it with a 370 you'll be too afraid to tear it up and really see what it has. Parts to modify it will be more expensive also. But if you have the money for a 370 with revmatch than do it, without revmatch you might as well buy a 350 and get it to breathe better.

[Cal]

I wouldn't mind either, and would personally prefer any used car over a new one, unless I bought new expecting to drive it until I retire. With that said, I'd rather buy the FR-S solely because I intend to modify the car, and it offers more of what I find exhilarating at its core, lightweight, excellent CG, and sadly it's a 2+2 lol

Yeap that way when something breaks you can be like oh well and fix it later and not have to worry about getting to work the next day.

[Corner Carver]

@west and @san diego , you guys make an excellent point. I was just scared this car was going to into what every teen dreams of having as a first car =/

[Cal]

So far it seems to expensive for that. Look at the Genesis, not many teens drive it.

[Corner Carver]

@ Cal: very true, i never thought of it like that, I'm dying to know some more details about this car.

[modifiedMR]

@ Cal: very true, i never thought of it like that, I'm dying to know some more details about this car.

x2. Not just the FRS either, the subaru looks like it might be the one to get. If you can afford it.

[Cal]

I am guessing the Subie at 28-32k easy. Only rich kids will have that kind of scratch.

[Corner Carver]

Is the subaru version going to make it to the states? I thought the FR-S was the only US bound version and that the FT-86 and subaru counterpart were rest of the world ?

[ej25ti]

C&D just said 28 for the Scion too... although nothing is final yet

[modifiedMR]

C&D just said 28 for the Scion too... although nothing is final yet

If this is the case, I'm not buying it. Gonna restore my mr2 turbo and put down 350 whp on pump and 400+ on e85. I am on the fence about what to do.

Mr2 is cheaper (I own it and can pick what more I want to add), but will cost a bit to maintain at that level. It will take work to get it where I want it, but I will learn more from it and it will be very fast. Not economical or have any room though.

OR

FRS/216a $?, $ for light mods at first until it's paid off (which won't be long), economical with such an efficient setup (even if it's turbo), better balanced/handling, more room and newer. It would be nice to have the FRS, but at $28k base, it's gonna cost over 30k by the time you get the keys! Not for a 200 hp coupe rwd wrx without a turbo? This car won't sell at that price. 370z is only just over 30k and so is the mustang with 400+ hp and over 20 mpg!!!!!

Toyota, I thought this car was supposed to be affordable? I can buy it, but not with the performance I'm seeing here. 200hp and 150 tq? weaksauce! This car was supposed to be just over 20k and then under 25k..............now 28k? Thanks for the mr2 turbo

[ej25ti]

if ur lookin for the power id prob go with the mr2 too
but eventually when u do wanna sell it youll prob lose a lot of the money you put in in mods =/

[Cal]

I just can't see 28K. That is out of this cars competition range. If it is 28K it better be loaded with all sorts of options and be packing a 280HP boosted engine with forged rods and pistons with an 9K rev limit.

[modifiedMR]

I just can't see 28K. That is out of this cars competition range. If it is 28K it better be loaded with all sorts of options and be packing a 280HP boosted engine with forged rods and pistons with an 9K rev limit.

if it had 250 hp and weight 2800 lbs, it would sell if it could handle well. The one thing that makes it viable to be that high, is the price of the s2000. It only had 240 hp and 160 tq at 2800 lbs for a roadster. They sold them for what 33k? Although, the s2000 did have hardcore suspension stock and 40 hp more than the FRS is supposedly going to have. The FRS manages to have rear seats AND the same weight (supposedly).

What gets me is that this is a rwd wrx/legacy with a bit of tech from toyota/yamaha/lexus, but no turbo. If the WRX sells for 26k, this car has less power by far, yet might cost 2k more? I know they are different "beasts" so to speak, but from a manufacturing stand point, they are not too different. The lack of turbo should offset the cost for the trick fueling/manifold etc. I cannot see it selling for more than 25k. They won't sell very many.

EJ>I hear you. I have already put alot of money in the car. I am looking for a ~350 whp pump gas and 400+ whp e85 car for racing. I can't work on my car for the next few years as I have a business to build up. So, either car will work. The advantage is that the FRS should have more potential and I can use it for a dd until I pay it off. The mr2 isn't easy to work on nor is it a "play around" type car. You'll find a ditch real easy pushing the limits in the mr2, while the FRS should be much easier to control. If I am going to race it, I'd rather be in something I can make some mistakes in and still pull it out. The mr2 can get a bit crazy on you, if you don't watch it. Can't go in snow either. At least around here with all the hills.

[ryun84]

^ Actually, this car is quite different from the WRX/Legacy. It is not simply a non-turbo, RWD version of those cars. The overall size is significantly smaller, weight is lower, engine placement is lower and further back, smaller displacement engine, reworked FB (instead of EJ) series engine, etc. But I agree with you that many of these reasons would support this car NOT being priced at $28K, which is a good thing.

[modifiedMR]

^ Actually, this car is quite different from the WRX/Legacy. It is not simply a non-turbo, RWD version of those cars. The overall size is significantly smaller, weight is lower, engine placement is lower and further back, smaller displacement engine, reworked FB (instead of EJ) series engine, etc. But I agree with you that many of these reasons would support this car NOT being priced at $28K, which is a good thing.

I very much know this is different, but ALL the parts are now similar to the other cars. The new wrx's and such will have this engine. It is still however a platform derived from the wrx/legacy with the same engine that they will have with probably the same suspension tweaked to work for the modified chassis, etc. This car probably was inspired/originated as an idea from rwd STI's in Japanese racing. The IS F was the same way.

rwd sti
Import Cars featured - Black Sheep: Cusco GT300 Subaru Impreza STi - Super Street Magazine

[ej25ti]

the cusco sti is nasty
but there are a lot of rwd sti's, im not sure its there reason for inspiration

[Cal]

That is hot. Rwd Subie, yes please!

[modifiedMR]

the cusco sti is nasty
but there are a lot of rwd sti's, im not sure its there reason for inspiration

It may not be their quoted "inspiration," but in Japan, their have been many rwd STI's in racing due to power limitations at the motor (awd eats power and is heavier). The new head of toyota, a Toyoda (founders last name and IIRC, Grandson of the founder), raced cars. I am willing to be he either drove one or wanted to. The same goes for the IS-F. A race team prep'd an IS300 (altezza in jdm) with a v8 from a LS back in '03 or '04 (unsure of the year), but then what do you know, a IS F comes out years later. Now we have a rwd car derived from subie parts. Coincidence? They used the AE86 name because it's a Toyota and Toyota wants to claim the car as much as possible. Really though, it's a Subaru. Toyota just helped develop and push the car through to production with a little help apparently from Yamaha (which is common for Toyota to bring in).

Toyota Chief Akio Toyoda: From Passionate Racer to Embattled Toyota President - ABC News

[ej25ti]

true
though i kinda think toyota's inspiration for the IS-F came from the M3, C63 AMG, and RS4
IMO

[ForRealSomeday]

Back to the original question. I think both cars have merit. To me the central question seems to be, "do you plan to modify your car or not?"

The 370Z is a great car right out of the box. To make improvements though, you have to drop a lot of money due to the complexity of the VQ engine, and the shoe horning they had to do to get it in the car.

The FR-S (rumor and speculation only) will have relatively modest performance numbers, but should still be pretty fun to drive. However, if you want to start doing modifications, they will be relatively simple and produce huge performance benefits. That's if the rumors coming form Club4AG are true that most EJ series engines should more or less bolt in. I also think that the FR-S will have an advantage in the handling department based on it's small size, anticipated low weight, and the advantages in CoG given by the boxer engine.

I faced a similar decision in 2002 when I was buying a car for College. I had narrowed it down to a VW GTI, but had to choose between the VR6 or the 1.8T. The VR6 was faster out of the box, but the 1.8T had way more potential. I of course made the wrong decision and got the VR6, and have been kicking myself ever since.

So, in conclusion, for me the FR-S is the obvious choice.