Unbiased frs/brz opinion over my very own 370z
 

Why am i looking at the twins? Read below

Financially, I am in a bit of a jam. Ill try to make this short. Last year I didn't expect myself to be going back to school this quick so I bought myself a brand new 2012 370z touring sport.. I just got into UCLA's graduate program to become an NP and have come to realize the tuition is killer. I am looking at about 100k. Personally, investing in myself comes first so school is priority over fun. That isn't my reason to look for a cheaper alternative though. At my orientation, UCLA told us that to be successful in this program I would have to curb my hours at work and be part time.

That is where the problem lies. With me being part time, owning the Z is becoming more unrealistic. With full time I can easily afford the car, unfortunately its looking like I have to part with it since i may have to reduce my hours.

So the hunt begins....

For a cheaper alternative in the 20's there is no other car i wanted but the frs or brz.

Subaru in socal is a joke. They are all greedy pigs and want a ridiculous mark up. Scion however is more willing to deal. Today, i finally found a dealer to let me test drive a frs. MY first impression of the car itself was that it looks amazing. Now onto the drive.

As soon as you start driving the car you do feel the weight difference coming from a Z.

Handling: The frs feels sharp and crisp, the Z gets the job done but takes a little bit more effort. They both handle amazing, but because the frs is a lighter I got the impression that it handled better. The Z rolls a little bit while the FRS stays a bit more planted. I didn't go fast enough to throw the tail out so I didn't experience what most reviewers said about the Prius tires.

Engine: The frs in cabin engine noise sounds great. I did a few 0-60 runs and felt the engine sounded great up to redline. Power wise I felt this was a huge step back. If anyone is coming from 300+ horses this car will feel slow. Even though it feels slow, it works for this car though. I wasn't disappointed at all. It still felt sufficient.

Cabin: The layout is easy, everything is in reach. Seating position is great, i felt I was able to see out easier with less blind spots. The seats hug a little more. However, i couldn't help the fact that everything felt a little cheap. The Z's materials is superior, but I suppose I can live with the scion.

Overall build quality: The hood, doors, panels, everything just feels cheaper. I suppose this is why the car is so light. Thankfully....driving the car makes you quickly forget all that but i couldn't help to compare this aspect of the Z to the FRS.

Final oppinion: For the money, comparing new cars to new cars....... I definitely would not buy anything over the FRS or BRZ in the 20 thousand range, THESE CARS ARE DEFINITELY WORTH IT. However, i don't know if it was all the magazine hype but I don't get what the HOOPLA is all about. This car isn't a gift from heaven. I honestly feel advertisement money went along way here but what do I know. Don't get me wrong, this car is great, it looks nice, handles nice, and does have fun factor but THROWING money aside I WOULD NEVER EVER cross shop this versus a Z. The Z is in another class, The Z i felt is more well rounded, its FAST, and handles just as good.

Will I buy the car? It is very possible that I may have to do the switch. After driving the FRS, I felt I won't be missing much except the power, but even then the FRS felt sufficient like i mentioned above. If i wasn't in the JAM i am in, i wouldnt even think twice about getting rid of my Z. Unfortunately, in my position I will have to reassess my situation and see what I can do.

At the End of the day, these two cars are on separate playing fields. The Z is great for the price and for what it can do but so is the FRS. Bottom line is I wouldn't mind driving either, but will never ever pick one over the Z if I didn't have to. Thank you for reading! :tiphat:

... Frank, jump off a cliff, Z brothers FOR LIFE, if you buy a FRS/BRZ, a Justin Bieber fan will be born and another will win the lottery

Don't think it will help u financially getting another car that is already in the 20's then on top that probably having to roll portion of z that u owe on top, that will probably put u back in the same position.

Best thing is either find a way to pay on z or sell and get a car in 5000 range or less. Then when out of school and back to ft work get a newer car.

This is the best advice... Not based on my opinions but by your situation.

Well the situation is.

I have equity in this car. I paid almost half if it already. I would actually be getting thousands back because I owe less than what it is worth. If that money went towards an frs my monthly will be maybe 200$ cheaper.

Or I can buy old car route.

Ok let me get this right. You bought a new car last year and now you are are going to save money by selling it at a loss and buying another new car?

Yup you don't calculate sunked costs.

That money I already lost, the monthly wont change if I keep the z, if I get a cheaper car the monthly changes its simple.

I'm fully aware of what I lost already with the z. I'm just looking at a more manageable monthly payment.

You know you can refinance it right? I am sure the difference won't be that big if you re-extend the terms again

Or I can do this.

Nicely written review. I test drove the FRS also while car shopping and came to a similar conclusion. The FRS is a great car, but I wouldn't put it in the same category especially with the $10k price difference. Even the Scion sales guy (who is a family friend) told me to not even bother with the FRS if I was thinking about getting the Z.

As far as your financial situation, if it were me I'd get a car (preferably used) priced so that I wouldn't have any more monthly payments. Plus if you're really trying to cut costs, look at stuff like insurance costs, gas mileage, etc. to try to minimize long term expenses. Anyway, that's just my 2 cents. Good luck with your decision! I know it would pain me a lot if I had to give up my Z!!!

Just saying you're looking to lose even more money with a new car when you can least afford it? Why not refinance the Z? Or sell it buy a used car?

Price differential between Z and BRZ isn't that much. You're incurring California sales tax and registration too.

Just doesn't seem like you're thinking this through? Doesn't make sense to me.

I guess if you got terrible finance rate with Nissan dealer and scion is offering 0 percent 4 year loan and still discounting car you won't lose as much but your still a net loss. Your just borrowing more over long term while you in school with low income? Still would be better off refinancing the Z. Hope your getting a MBA. lol!

No I'll actually be gettin my MSN and np license.

NP is nurse practitioner? For $100k? Wow.

I'd either keep the Z if possible, or sell it and buy a cheap car with cash. No payment will feel great and you can save up for your reward car once you graduate.

I agree with your scion review. I think looking at the interior though day after day will be hard coming from a Z. A month+ of driving with that interior and i see many days of nausea and chronic vomiting. You can find a 2003-2004 350z thats well maintained for $11,000 and you can save another 14,000 and not lose the power level you're used to.

Or you can consider a lower insurance FWD funmobile like the mazda 3 for $20,000 and save an extra $5,000

You can refi the Z but risk massive equity loss due to slow pay. If you plan on keeping the Z once you refi... do it. If you're going to get new ride hungry in two years? Trade for a lower priced car.

Or you can get a FR-S and have civics and integras pull up on you day in and day out... over and over and over and over and over... :wtf2:

Sell the Z, buy a beater. When you can afford to buy a car cash, do it!

This. Also, you may want to check out the new Fiesta ST coming out soon. Early reviews are great and it's a bit cheaper.

The only thing that you are worried about is the monthly payment... Just refi. don't downgrade and take a loss, that's not smart

or you could buy my 95 Z32-TT, have a better looking and quicker car than your Z34 and not have any payments. You will give up cup holders and a few other niceties. I still need to do a couple of things before putting it up for sale, but PM me in case you're at all interested.

LOL, I hope that wasnt serious, the Z32TT might be one of my favorite Z cars, but it's THE most expensive to maintain, lol

(Call Courtest Nissan parts, they'll tell you, they make their money off the Z32, and GTR part sales over seas [they buy totaled ones and refurbish them])

^Hush, guy's trying to make a sale here! lol

:bowrofl:

i'm going to read all of this, but if you're on the plus side with your Z, why not sell it and buy a 350?, not sure a step down then.

Haha. And to be fully on topic! If I needed a DD I'd probably get a BRZ, so yeah, I think they're great cars for what they are.

Good review.


Tapatalk2 ...

why am i only seeing FRS's on the road here in socal? Is the BRZ markup that bad or low stock?

low stock causing bad mark ups.

its an overall nicer car.

Interior quality is really stepped up between the two.

Ya i would rather have a Subaru than Scion also just for the name lol. I dont like the Scion aftermarket crowd. I think the BRZ has HID projectors over it too.

There are 9 Scions to every ONE Subaru, that's why

Another reason why there are 9 scions to one subaru is because TOYOTA was the one who funded the whole project and has a lot more invested so they were allowed a higher amount of allocations compared to the subaru.

That is actually written in one of the magazines, i think it was car and driver or whatever. One of them that compared frs vs brz

All i know is i got into a leased base model Z for the 31K invoice total after everything no bs before they raised the prices. I think thats a fair price, so marking up the BRZ is nuts they have it at 29K. Would your rather pay 2,000 more and get a base z right?

Thread has been cleaned

I'll ask members to Please KEEP IT ON TOPIC

Thank You.

^ Right, gotta keep it on-topic in the subforum marked Off-Topic :rolleyes:

I know, But I'm pretty sure folks even here would also appreciate their questions eventually getting answered

Talking about what career choice one should have? Was not the Op's question.

But again it's a heads up to stick to the topic :ugh2:

OP went kinda OT to begin with :stirthepot:





Tapatalk2 ...

Maybe, But he didn't ask for advise on his career but was merely explaining his situation

He's asking for unbiased frs/brz opinions

Op,

Should be able to swing a deal on either a frs/brz

Yup people read way to far into it.

I just wanted to let people know why I was even looking at one but whatever lol

Yeah. No big deal lols.

The education subtopic went viral and left the twins in the dust. I guess people found that more interesting. Maybe it should be another thread.


Tapatalk2 ...

I think this is where you'd be

I think you should keep the Z.

Based on your previous posts, it looks like you've put a lot of time and money into your car. Not only just aftermarket parts, but the time it took to research them and the time and money it took to install those parts.

In the end you would probably break even if you factored in all the time and money you spent on the Z. And then, you will probably end up modding your FR-S, so that's more money and time that you'll have to spend.

Now, if you really like the FR-S over the Z, that's a different story. But that doesn't sound like it's the case.

BRZ/FRS - Anyone driven one?
 

Mod moved my Thread and turned it into a post here. Do not reply, thread is over a year old.

OP has likely since made his decision on what is best for his finances and school, which seemed to be more of what this thread was about.

Mine was about the actual BRZ and if anyone else here had driven one, and their findings.

just sell the car and use the bus/bicycle or a small cheap hatch or something until you're done with school.