Subaru BRZ = 240sx Successor

[ditchs14]

its supposed to be FWD from what i read on motor trend

[Future240]

Originally Posted by ditchs14

its supposed to be FWD from what i read on motor trend

So far that's the word.

http://www.torquenews.com/1084/new-n...e-fr-s-and-brz

Nissan Working on Mini-Z to target FR-S/BRZ - Motor Trend

[simmode1]

Whew... I was almost worried for a moment until I read this:

“unique sports car for drivers in emerging markets leading active lifestyles with an interest in motorsport.”

IE - They ain't gonna be bringing that hunk of shit to the US. Probably.

[markfitz14]

Originally Posted by silverarrow27

I'd still buy the s15 over the FRS. S15 just looks wayyyyy sexier.

I have to say the FRS has nice curvy lines and looks like a modern car.
The S13,14,15 are more square lines and boxy looking.
I would love an FRS to death if i could afford one. I think 25k is way more than any average person can afford such as myself. I am looking to buy a new car and plan on spending 10k and that is really stretching my budget as is.

[exitspeed]

Originally Posted by markfitz14

I have to say the FRS has nice curvy lines and looks like a modern car.
The S13,14,15 are more square lines and boxy looking.
I would love an FRS to death if i could afford one. I think 25k is way more than any average person can afford such as myself. I am looking to buy a new car and plan on spending 10k and that is really stretching my budget as is.

What fucking brand new car can you buy for $10k? A Versa and a few other shit boxes. You certainly can't buy a car with soul or sportiness.

[markfitz14]

Originally Posted by exitspeed

What fucking brand new car can you buy for $10k? A Versa and a few other shit boxes. You certainly can't buy a car with soul or sportiness.

Sorry maybe i should have been more clear. I am obviously looking at used cars. Such as a 350z or RX7 or swapped S chassis done nice.

[simmode1]

Originally Posted by markfitz14

I think 25k is way more than any average person can afford such as myself.

Are you sure you're the average person? I think $25k is super affordable for average man earning the median US income of about $40k+/year. I don't make quite $40k, but even I could afford an FRS or GC 2.0T if I weren't financially supporting disabled family members. If you are making in the $20K range, you are NOT average.

Originally Posted by markfitz14

Sorry maybe i should have been more clear. I am obviously looking at used cars. Such as a 350z or RX7 or swapped S chassis done nice.

Since I AM supporting two different households, I restricting myself to the same car market you are. An early 350Z would be just fine for my needs and would easily embarrass any non-boosted FRS/BRZ anyplace I'm likely to be driving all the while being more reliable than an RX7 or swapped S-chassis.

[exitspeed]

Originally Posted by markfitz14

Sorry maybe i should have been more clear. I am obviously looking at used cars. Such as a 350z or RX7 or swapped S chassis done nice.

Ok, that makes more sense.

Originally Posted by simmode1

Are you sure you're the average person? I think $25k is super affordable for average man earning the median US income of about $40k+/year. I don't make quite $40k, but even I could afford an FRS or GC 2.0T if I weren't financially supporting disabled family members. If you are making in the $20K range, you are NOT average.

Agreed. Even with two small children I could afford to buy this car on top of already owning an 09 Murano. It's just not practical for me at the moment. Now if they do a small sedan (or better yet, a WAGON(which will never happen)!!)on that same platform as rumors suggest, I'm in.

[Future240]

In a few years it will be a tough choice for me between the BRZ and 1st Gen Genesis coupe.

[markfitz14]

Originally Posted by Corbic

Why does everyone go Gaga over the BRZ and not the FRS? Subaru has done well their their marketing.

A true "240sx" successor would be a car that sells extremely well (in large volumes) but then a few years latter prices drop to the floor. I don't see the FRZ selling in great volumes or even sustaining multiple generations (I hope they do however).

The 350z is right now the "new 240sx", there are a million out there and you can get one for 10k. You'd have to spend at least 10k to get a 240sx to perform like a Z33.

FRZ is $25k, while its a great car, is it $15k greater than my Z? Is it worth $500 a month to me? Not really, and most 240sx owners are bigger broke asses then even me.

Me and this dude are thinking alike. I saw 3 Z's on just today. Having tons of new 350 being sold make them really cheaply available as a used car in the years to come.

[tqstarburst]

[LoneStarSilvia]

That lip kit looks silly as hell, but I'm digging the massive overs and meaty tires. He's got the new Star Specs, are those things available yet for us common folk?

[Corbic]

Originally Posted by simmode1

Are you sure you're the average person? I think $25k is super affordable for average man earning the median US income of about $40k+/year. I don't make quite $40k, but even I could afford an FRS or GC 2.0T if I weren't financially supporting disabled family members. If you are making in the $20K range, you are NOT average.

Median US Income is $26,364

Average House Hold is $63,091

Average Personal $41,663

$41k is about $2,400 after tax.

$650 (loan, tax, insurance) a month for a FRZ is a big chunk of change.

Average food cost for males 20-40 is $297 a month.

$180 gasoline (28mpg, $4 gallon, 15k a year).

Cellphone $100 ( who doesn't have one?)

Now you're left with $1,200 a month...

Rent/Mortgage, Electric, TV, Heat (gas), and all the bills that come with life...

[markfitz14]

Originally Posted by Corbic

Median US Income is $26,364

Average House Hold is $63,091

Average Personal $41,663

$41k is about $2,400 after tax.

$650 (loan, tax, insurance) a month for a FRZ is a big chunk of change.

Average food cost for males 20-40 is $297 a month.

$180 gasoline (28mpg, $4 gallon, 15k a year).

Cellphone $100 ( who doesn't have one?)

Now you're left with $1,200 a month...

Rent/Mortgage, Electric, TV, Heat (gas), and all the bills that come with life...

Thank you for helping me with what I was trying to say. Average is to scewed bc of the 1%ers that make billions. Median is more accurate. Most people I chill with couldn't afford $650 a month on a car. I like the FRS and would buy one and drive the shit out of it. Well some day when there are some used ones on the market I think a lot of people who drove S13 and S14 will be buying them.

[VROOOM]

you guys do realize that a 1998 240sx LE was the same price in 1998 as a new FRS is today.

[exitspeed]

Originally Posted by VROOOM

you guys do realize that a 1998 240sx LE was the same price in 1998 as a new FRS is today.

And that shit had 71hp. lol

[markfitz14]

Originally Posted by VROOOM

you guys do realize that a 1998 240sx LE was the same price in 1998 as a new FRS is today.

And if I wasn't 12 then I prbly would have been buying a 1975 Datson or something haha

[airhead]

Im really tempted to get one of these thangs soon.

I cant wait for nissan any longer. WTF is a mini-z??
They have came out with some funky designs lately

[Kingbaby]

used 07 Z will put a smile on your face

[simmode1]

Originally Posted by Kingbaby

used 07 Z will put a smile on your face

I guessing any year Z33 will put a smile on my face compared to the old heaps I'm used to driving. The problems ppl always mention about the early Z's are almost laughable compared to typical S-chassis shit.

[LoneStarSilvia]

I don't think I could own a Z33 for the same reason I sold my S14, the community was really starting to turn quite......Honda-ish.

I know this is way out of left field, but since we're talking about cars putting a smile on your face, I've been looking at this lately with much lust.

[simmode1]

^^^Those things are all over the place in Austin. But I like RWD too much to look at that car seriously.

I know what you mean about the Z33 scene, so I'm since I'm looking at RWD cars in the $10k to $14k range, options are limited. The Z's power and torque makes it easy to see why its so popular in that price range. I'd much rather take a BMW Z4 3.0is, but they're soooo hard to find with manual transmissions. A 330cic might be an ok compromise.

[upsdude]

get a used e36/e46 m3

[simmode1]

^^^E36's are out of the question. Too old for me now. E46 M3 has the same problem as the Z4's... Hard to find in manual and a tad above budget. Fuck that SMG shit. But if I do find a manual E46 M3, I wouldn't mind tighten the belt a bit to snag it as long as it was too far from my budget.

[LoneStarSilvia]

Originally Posted by simmode1

^^^Those things are all over the place in Austin. But I like RWD too much to look at that car seriously.

I know what you mean about the Z33 scene, so I'm since I'm looking at RWD cars in the $10k to $14k range, options are limited. The Z's power and torque makes it easy to see why its so popular in that price range. I'd much rather take a BMW Z4 3.0is, but they're soooo hard to find with manual transmissions. A 330cic might be an ok compromise.

My situation is little different ofcourse, I still have my S30. Realistically I need a low cost, fun daily that won't drain my funds away from the S30 resto-mod. All the reviews I've seen of that thing seems like it's a ton of fun in small package. I need a test drive.

[Corbic]

Originally Posted by simmode1

^^^E36's are out of the question. Too old for me now. E46 M3 has the same problem as the Z4's... Hard to find in manual and a tad above budget. Fuck that SMG shit. But if I do find a manual E46 M3, I wouldn't mind tighten the belt a bit to snag it as long as it was too far from my budget.

Try looking on the Internet. There is a rumor that there is a M3 manual for sale...

[simmode1]

^^^Lol... This guy. Been there. Done that. Not willing to conduct a search too far outside of my area as I am not gonna spend that kinda of $ and be rushed looking over an out of town vehicle and site unseen is out of the question.

An E46 M3 sure would be nice, but it's pricing starts really just barely beyond what I wanna spend anyway. I'm not trying to stretch my resources that thin. Something like an early 350Z, G35 coupe, Z4 or 330ci, won't be the fastest/most refined thing around but I'm pretty sure I'm be happier than I an with my current car plus my monthly note will be more manageable.

350Z really is just the newest, cheapest, most powerful, low maintanance car you can buy on a budget, IMO. Hard to turn that away. I mean... there's the S2000 too... but I want some torque.

[Future240]

My question to all the 350Z owners what do you mean when you inevitably get used to the power and want more? Research tells me the VQ is not a boost happy engine with that 11:1 compression and fully built engines cost $$$$ and maybe subject to piston slap.

Then again I could be wrong as I don't own one. Anyone care to clarify?

[nujabe]

a good friend of mine is has one boosted and built with two 3071r.. thing puts down crazy numbers on shit 91.. and his is a de not a hr motor. if built they can do 1000 on e85 or c16. funny he was driving around with a seized gt28rs was his old set up thing was still destroying every thing. but his motor is built so.. stock de motors cant really do past 400 so around 5-8 psi if i recall.

[Corbic]

Originally Posted by Future240

My question to all the 350Z owners what do you mean when you inevitably get used to the power and want more? Research tells me the VQ is not a boost happy engine with that 11:1 compression and fully built engines cost $$$$ and maybe subject to piston slap.

Then again I could be wrong as I don't own one. Anyone care to clarify?

350Z by todays standards is slow. (So is a FRZ however). The Z33 High-Rev (twin throttle bodies) is actually a quick car, 13 flat stock, but the DE and Rev-Up are Camry fast. (So is the FRZ).

The problem with the Z is the cramped engine bay. This means no budget turbo kits. You are looking at a min. of $4,500 or so and a total PITA install. There are some mid and remote mount turbo kits.

Engine rods let go at anything over 450whp... which is epic lame. Compression Ratio is not your enemy. Weak Rods are. So get some pistons, rods and a good head-gasket and your now ready for 700whp. This puts you at $6,500 for your build. But at this point your going to need a clutch, and all sorts of other nonsense, fuel, gauges - blah blah and by the time your done you are pushing $10,000 in mods and only have 700whp.

Thus is the problem. If you want Big-Power, get a Muscle Car... if you want "easy" power, it's still hard to beat the WRX/STI and Evo for just a quick reflash or turbo swap. If you want styling and crisp handeling, get a Porsche.

Otherwise the Z is a stylish and a solid car. More power than a S2K or RX8, generally more "nimble" then a Mustang and much cheaper than a Porsche. I don't see the FRZ being better in any manner to justify the extra $10-15k at this time.

If I was buying another sports car however it would be a C6 (budge warrior), Porsche (sophisticated, driving feel) or 5.0 Mustang (raw power, practical) however.