Used 370 Z or New FRS

[modifiedMR]

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.

Actually, I do believe you are way wrong. Not to be an arse, but dropping in an EJ isn't gonna be easy. It will also void your warrantee AND your car will not pass inspection (well technically it shouldn't, but everyone knows that ain't always true). The FB will probably have too high of compression and need pistons AND a full out turbo kit, etc or swap, wire the thing in and then add a larger turbo for bigger power. On the other hand, you can supercharge the z for close to 400 hp with stock internals or just add pistons and go much higher. With the extra displacement, you'll easily make gobs more power, for cheaper since BOTH are/will be efficient setups. I do think the FRS should win in the handling department though, which is why I'd like to have one. A stock turbo model or not until they are so cheap I can swap it for less than $10k.

Stillen Supercharger Kit 370Z / G37

try swapping a FULL EJ and then getting ^those results. Just ain't gonna happen.

[ForRealSomeday]

The engine? It's still EJ20 based shape. But Toyota re-casted everything, even down to the engine block with a new design, and with the Yamaha acoustics assigned to make every pulse, beat, and soul of air and vibration to become something to spice performance and tactile feel. Not much is exactly shared with the Subaru engine except the flat four configurations. However, the external mounting points remain the same as the Subaru EJ20, shared for very obvious reasons. That is so YOU can use a Subaru engine to swap if you PREFER the Subaru engine for racing. Why bother with complex fabrication, if Subaru has something you can use from 11 years of WRC?

This was in Moto-P's post after his "insider meeting" with Toyota, and what I was basing my comments on.

I realize that an engine swap is never "easy", but hopefully Moto-P was right, and the FR-S is atleast designed to accept an EJ.

[modifiedMR]

I realize that an engine swap is never "easy", but hopefully Moto-P was right, and the FR-S is atleast designed to accept an EJ.

If this is the case, only race cars and hardcore people with lots of extra dough will swap. Why not make a performance model to begin with? If the engine is similar to the EJ, it should be able to add boost like the EJ. IMO, Toyota is missing a chance to make a serious street contender that will be their halo car for the average joe and will advertise the company (like the mustang/camero/genesis/z). Selling a weak model (like the crappy rx8), just makes them look weak. Very few sports car fans are going to buy such a slow car. 2.0 with 200 hp and 150 tq in a 2800 lb car? Just no sense in making a 4 seater miata, IMO.

I don't doubt the mounting points are the same. It makes sense. They can drop the newer fb's into all the new subaru cars and not have to redesign much. It's expensive to retool and/or redesign new parts. The entire FRS is just a rechassis'd wrx that is rwd basically. Similar to how they created the mr2. With bits and pieces from other cars, modifiy a chassis/suspension/tranny to work in that chassis and presto, a new car that can be built for less.

[Cal]

If this is the case, only race cars and hardcore people with lots of extra dough will swap. Why not make a performance model to begin with? IMO, Toyota is missing a chance to make a serious street contender that will be their halo car for the average joe and will advertise the company, etc. Selling a weak edition, just makes them look weak. Very few sports car fans are going to buy such a slow car. 2.0 with 200 hp and 150 tq? I'd rather buy a 240sx and vq it. Just no sense in making a 4 seater miata, IMO.

Vq a 240sx? You are welcome to that 7K nightmare.

[ej25ti]

If this is the case, only race cars and hardcore people with lots of extra dough will swap. Why not make a performance model to begin with? If the engine is similar to the EJ, it should be able to add boost like the EJ. IMO, Toyota is missing a chance to make a serious street contender that will be their halo car for the average joe and will advertise the company (like the mustang/camero/genesis/z). Selling a weak model (like the crappy rx8), just makes them look weak. Very few sports car fans are going to buy such a slow car. 2.0 with 200 hp and 150 tq in a 2800 lb car? Just no sense in making a 4 seater miata, IMO.

I don't doubt the mounting points are the same. It makes sense. They can drop the newer fb's into all the new subaru cars and not have to redesign much. It's expensive to retool and/or redesign new parts. The entire FRS is just a rechassis'd wrx that is rwd basically. Similar to how they created the mr2. With bits and pieces from other cars, modifiy a chassis/suspension/tranny to work in that chassis and presto, a new car that can be built for less.

I'm not sure about people dropping in EJ's. but it's not exactly a rwd wrx

[modifiedMR]

It's not exactly a rwd wrx, but I'm sure they started there and used computers to reshape the chassis and layout. I'd bet you can interchange many parts on these cars just like the civic/crx's/del sol/accords,etc. The parts are very similar with the only big difference being the chassis. It was said that the FB and EJ's will be interchangeable. Not sure if it's true, but I would think they'd come out with a more high performance FB engine at some point that would be more efficient (like 4g63 vs 4b11's in evo's) and still be strong enough to make good power.

The VQ may not be a cheap option for the 240, but would keep the weight distribution good (maybe help it) and keep the weight down/similar. The aluminum motors are much lighter for their size, yet offer more displacement over something like the SR. Turbo components are heavy! Could build the engine before it goes in. It would be a wiring pain and new mounts, but done right and it would be sick.

[ej25ti]

why most people go LS's

[Cal]

I am against LS anything that is not a Chevrolet. I am against cross brand swaps. EJ207 swap into the FR-S seems like it would be a sick nasty swap.

[ProZach626]

I'd honestly go with the 07/08 350z, over the 370z. A lot of people like the auto rev match, but I want to drive the car myself, not have a computer drive it for me. The 350z is a little more raw. They are a lot cheaper, too.

[xxMALACHIxx]

Well I'd have to go with the FR-S just to try something new, been there and done that with the 370z great car and I miss it sometimes, but not really a daily driver if you ask me, now if I could have the 370z and the Evo I have now at the same time than I would be happy! lol

[bryanf]

I've been seriously considering a 370Z but decided to wait for the Scion. The main reason is the weight which hopefully will be a lot less. To me the weight of a car directly affects how much fun it is to drive, much more so than power.

[Turbowned]

That's a tough call. I wouldn't buy a 370Z unless it's a NISMO version, and they still haven't dropped below the $30k mark. If I could pick up an '09 NISMO for the same price as a new FR-S/BRZ, I might consider it. Then start saving up for a GReddy twin turbo kit

ProZach626, you can shut the SynchroRev Match off. You don't have to use it; though I think it would be fun to try I would probably leave it off.

[RGT]

There was a consumer report out recently that said the car one is most likely to be killed in in an accident was the 350z. Not sure how much they improved safety in the 370 but no thanks.




http://blog.leaky.com/the-most-dangerous-car-in-america-is

[eddie]

The 370Z is a fantastic car. But being a two seater, it's really prohibitive to a family lifestyle.

I have a Miata (which I would prefer hands down over the 370Z), but it's getting absolutely NO use ... other than a solo drive to Walmart or the supermarket.

The closest thing to a Miata will be the FR-S.

I'm not a fan of big engine muscle cars. I prefer nimble and tossable.

It may come down to a Genesis 2.0t coupe or the FR-S. The 370Z is not even in the picture.