370Z, A4, or BRZ

wstar · 05-17-2013, 12:18 AM

Don't let the VDC issue scare you at all. The car handles great. Any decent sporty rear-wheel drive car can get you in trouble with the happy pedal in a hurry, especially in the wet. The Z is no exception. VDC is the factory traction control. It still won't save you from trying to defy the laws of physics, but it will correct minor mistakes in your driving.

DarkJak · 05-17-2013, 01:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RollTideZ30

See what is this!!! After the reviews I'm leaning 370 and now y'all are starting to scare me!!! What is VDC and what is so unpredictable about the 370 that you might end up in trouble?

It's a RWD car that has enough power to break traction on a turn easily.

It is scarier than an FRS/BRZ because the tires are stickier and the car can grip more on a turn, so when you do break traction, the change from static friction to kinetic friction is a larger drop than with a less grippy tire. That's one reason why people say the FRS handles so well. Toyota put the same tires on the car that they put on the Prius. The tires are skinnier than the Z's too. So when the rear breaks loose, it happens more gradually, as oppsed to our cars, which snap out less gradually.

Another thing that makes the car a little more unpredictable is the shorter wheelbase and length. I noticed this between driving our G37 and 370Z. Both were on PSS, so I know it's not due to the tires. Shorter wheelbase and length results in a lower moment (rotational inertia), so the "force" that rotates the rear out can do it much faster than in a longer car.

Honestly though, if you keep VDC on you'll be fine. I wouldn't practice driving with it off on anything other than a closed controlled environment. Like a track with decent runoff.

Nismodean · 05-17-2013, 02:32 AM

VW beetle

shadowfax · 05-17-2013, 02:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SS_Firehawk

Get a Z while you still don't need a back seat. Because when you knock someone up or settle down, you probably won't have a 2 seater for a while. Chicks dig the intimacy, Chicks dig fast cars, the FRS is not, and that A4 is going to hurt when it's out of warranty. Be prepared to spend $$$ replacing tires and brakes on the Z compared to the other two though. And check insurance, you might get raped. Did you drive a sport package Z or a base model (7AT or 6MT)

The most wisdom of any post so far, imo

3.7 ZPA · 05-17-2013, 06:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RollTideZ30

See what is this!!! After the reviews I'm leaning 370 and now y'all are starting to scare me!!! What is VDC and what is so unpredictable about the 370 that you might end up in trouble?

Nothing to be scared of. And it's not unpredictable. It's just tail-happy. If you end up buying a Z, take your time learning the car and its abilities/shortcomings. All high powered, rear wheel drive cars can be a menace on the road. Make sure you get the right tires and LEARN THE CAR before romping on it. Once you do, you will enjoy the **** out of it.

UruZai · 05-17-2013, 06:54 AM

I agree with what everyone has been posting. The number one thing to figure out is what you want out of your car. I have drove a 6 speed A4 quattro and an FR-S (Yes I know it's not a BRZ but it's pretty much the same).

The A4 is definitely a fun car to drive with its AWD and 2.0L turbo, but it doesn't feel like you are "driving a car". It feels like you are playing a video game, you can't feel the shift linkages going into any gears (But I do not know how the automatic trans reacts, maybe it's more fun). It's a fast car but, to me, I didn't feel connected to the car in any way. On top of that the maintenance prices are quite ridiculous for this car and idk how long these cars usually last.

The FR-S/BRZ is very good in the handling department, but to me it lacked the power. Don't get me wrong, for a car that only weighs about 2700 lbs, it accelerates pretty well but not as well as the 370Z. The transmission is not as rough as the 370Z and the Torsen LSD operates pretty well, but I liked the looks and power of the 370Z more. This car would probably be a little more DD friendly though, if that's what you are gonna use it for.

Like I said earlier, it depends on what you want from these cars as they are all in different classes. If you want that acceleration that would put you back in your seat and has 4 doors, the A4 or maybe a WRX/STI/EVO would suit you more. If you want that light and nimble sports car with back seats and better gas mileage, the FR-S/BRZ would be a better choice. If you want a car that's well rounded when it comes to power, handling, and looks, but you don't mind that it only has 2 seats then you might want to go with the 370Z.

The best way to determine what you want is to just test drive all of them. I hope this helps!

( Click to show/hide )

Chuck33079 · 05-17-2013, 08:45 AM

I wouldn't buy a used Audi at gunpoint. If I had to have one, it would be new with the longest extended warranty available. And it would be sold the day before that warranty ran out. Check out repair costs and frequency before you sign yourself up for a lot of time in loaner cars.

Tigger · 05-17-2013, 09:17 AM

***Audi = too expensive to maintain, especially used as previous commenters pointed out. I have driven the A4, RS4 S5 and A7 all with the same desire to own one of these pretty little things. But every time I came back to the cost associated with upkeep and the depreciation is disgusting.

***FRS/BRZ = If you don't need a lot of power in stock form and don't wish to go FI or are on a budget and can't, well, you can't really go wrong. But I would definitely wait for the '14 model year. My bro had one of the first FRS vehicles delivered in the U.S. and is now one of the highest mileage FRS vehicles on the road according to nationwide service records. He's quite possibly getting a new motor already. That is at just over 24k miles. New cars = new bugs and no long term track record.

But the car is still pretty sweet. But right along with you, no dealer would let me test drive one even when I proved that if I liked it i was signing for it that day. So I gave them all the middle finger because they can't differentiate between a Ferrari and a mid-$20k sport car. So I refuse to buy one and I won't do so having never driven it. I don't believe in hype. I believe in first hand experience.

***370Z = I personally hated the looks for a long time too. Until something about it caught my eye. Test drove 3 in 6MT including a Nismo and 2 sport package over a period of a year. Still didn't bite because there was something holding me back. I finally broke down and drove the 7AT Touring. I signed for it that night and have been in love with it more and more everyday. It is a striking car. And it has balls. No it isn't the fastest but there's always someone faster than you on the road so who really cares? Another previous comment that was made is that it is raw. Indeed it is and it feels like old, raw, roadster power. And the quality is pretty awesome too. The leather seats in my Acura started breaking down on the first drive. These haven't even got a wrinkle.

IMO, it is your decision in the end. So with that I look forward to welcoming you to the Z family.

edub370 · 05-17-2013, 09:38 AM

no need to scare him with the vdc of nonsense... its jsut like any car, don't drive it like an idiot and you'll be fine. i'm guessing u guys saying its a handful with the vdc off have never driven an 80's or 90's porsche, or any car before pretty much 1990. this car, even with vdc off, is extremely predictable imo. u can feel the back end starting to lose grip very gradually before u swap ends or hit a pole or whatever.

N8GTOL · 05-17-2013, 10:15 AM

I like all three cars you are considering, but all for very different reasons which others have highlighted above.

The majority of the people who complain about the Z are the ones that thought they bought a Porsche. It's an all around fantastic car IMO for what you pay. Yes there are faster cars out there. Yes there are cheaper cars out there. Yes there are cheaper cars to track. But if you want a pure driving experience and want to feel connected with the car and the road and go fast, then the Z is one of the best cars for the money.

As far as getting scared due to comments on here...the Z handles incredibly well...so well that you can get over confident and wreck if you are not used to RWD power (especially on wet roads). I too came from a truck as my first long term vehicle for almost 10 years. I drove my truck hard on occasion so I knew how RWD with a light a$$ would react to loss of traction...the Z just amplifies this because you need a lot more energy to break it loose. The stock understeer helps mitigate over rotation which is good for a novice driver trying to find the limits of the car.

Obviously I am a huge fan of the Z and I encourage others to look at it as an option. But, if you're spending $25K+ on anything, then make sure there is no doubt in your mind on your choice. The OP is on the right path doing his research and seeking first hand opinions but based on reading the OP's posts so far, I'm not entirely convinced the Z is the exact right car for him. Best of luck in your search and let us know when you pull the trigger on whichever option.

kenchan · 05-17-2013, 10:33 AM

i still think the op should get the 2013 honda accord sedan in that 6MT sport trim. $25K or something new. looks good, sporty driving (per reviews), can handle people and some cargo. great for someone that's on a budget with only one car.

im sure swift will be releasing springs for it, get some 19's on there down the road, should look

370Z's are great for someone that already has another car or two, and some extra mula to spare. hardly a budget car even though it is sold that way... sort of.

Bucketlist2012 · 05-17-2013, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by edub370

no need to scare him with the vdc of nonsense... its jsut like any car, don't drive it like an idiot and you'll be fine. i'm guessing u guys saying its a handful with the vdc off have never driven an 80's or 90's porsche, or any car before pretty much 1990. this car, even with vdc off, is extremely predictable imo. u can feel the back end starting to lose grip very gradually before u swap ends or hit a pole or whatever.

We are not trying to scare him, just give him the heads up..

I grew up on rear wheel drive, no computer controlled , High Horse Power cars...

We just don't know his skills and want to let him know what to expect...Big difference with VDC on...The "nanny" does the driving for you..

Oh and this is what I have driven for 30 years...No computer and plenty of Posi drifts..

ElVee · 05-17-2013, 11:15 AM

If you've got some time and not pressed to have a car very, very soon, then by all means take your time. Other than a house, a car is probably most people's biggest single purchase in their lives. And unlike the house, you can pretty much not expect to make any money back off of it.

I highly recommend looking up youtube vids of all three cars. Owners who talk about them are useful (probably more brz vids in that vein than z), but also car reviews and comparisons. This can let you see what the cars usually are compared against for other options.

If you can wait a bit, you might be happier with a brz/frs in convertible form, or with some upgraded power; even just 20-40hp should be a sweet spot. The convertible should age better and not look quite as readily like a kid's car (basically how I see every Civic or WRX these days...it makes me sad).

Also, be sure to ask questions of yourself like others have mentioned. Is this your daily driver? Do you need cargo space? Will you be driving it in the winter? Do you do stupid things while driving, or do your stupid things only very cautiously?

Welcome to the forums, btw. There really is no better Z resource on the web than browsing around the threads here. Take a few days to cruise around the stickies and such.

Tazicon · 05-17-2013, 12:14 PM

Never mind, you can delete this post.

DLSTR · 05-17-2013, 12:21 PM

Stick with a sedan. The A4 is nice but its a very bland design compared to the past. If you want an A5 wait and get one later. Do not buy the Z if you think the A4 is great car. Its pedestrian at best with a 2.0 Motor. The S4 is a better car but in a different league. The A4 is a boat.

Im an Audi guy and that is the worst car they make in terms of looks and I had one here in Germany. Nice solid very very boring car. The new S3 sedan will crucify it. Dont waste your money on a Z if you find the A4 that good. Buy it and hit up Audizine for all your needs.

05-17-2013, 12:18 AM	#31 (permalink)
wstar A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 4,024 Drives: too slow Rep Power: 3594	Don't let the VDC issue scare you at all. The car handles great. Any decent sporty rear-wheel drive car can get you in trouble with the happy pedal in a hurry, especially in the wet. The Z is no exception. VDC is the factory traction control. It still won't save you from trying to defy the laws of physics, but it will correct minor mistakes in your driving. __________________ 7AT Track Car! Journal thread / Car setup details

05-17-2013, 02:32 AM	#33 (permalink)
Nismodean Enthusiast Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Washington Posts: 313 Drives: 2009 RIP Now 2012 Rep Power: 15	VW beetle __________________ The Truth, it hurts sometimes. FI LTH & FI CF CBE. This is a 370Z forum, if I want to fling poo at another brand of car and your feelings get hurt, then you're hanging out in the wrong forum (cry elsewhere).

05-17-2013, 06:54 AM	#36 (permalink)
UruZai Track Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Hawaii Posts: 531 Drives: '13 370Z SR 6MT Rep Power: 14	I agree with what everyone has been posting. The number one thing to figure out is what you want out of your car. I have drove a 6 speed A4 quattro and an FR-S (Yes I know it's not a BRZ but it's pretty much the same). The A4 is definitely a fun car to drive with its AWD and 2.0L turbo, but it doesn't feel like you are "driving a car". It feels like you are playing a video game, you can't feel the shift linkages going into any gears (But I do not know how the automatic trans reacts, maybe it's more fun). It's a fast car but, to me, I didn't feel connected to the car in any way. On top of that the maintenance prices are quite ridiculous for this car and idk how long these cars usually last. The FR-S/BRZ is very good in the handling department, but to me it lacked the power. Don't get me wrong, for a car that only weighs about 2700 lbs, it accelerates pretty well but not as well as the 370Z. The transmission is not as rough as the 370Z and the Torsen LSD operates pretty well, but I liked the looks and power of the 370Z more. This car would probably be a little more DD friendly though, if that's what you are gonna use it for. Like I said earlier, it depends on what you want from these cars as they are all in different classes. If you want that acceleration that would put you back in your seat and has 4 doors, the A4 or maybe a WRX/STI/EVO would suit you more. If you want that light and nimble sports car with back seats and better gas mileage, the FR-S/BRZ would be a better choice. If you want a car that's well rounded when it comes to power, handling, and looks, but you don't mind that it only has 2 seats then you might want to go with the 370Z. The best way to determine what you want is to just test drive all of them. I hope this helps! ( Click to show/hide ) Most of us are biased towards the Z

05-17-2013, 08:45 AM	#37 (permalink)
Chuck33079 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Houston Posts: 12,265 Drives: 2011 370ztt Rep Power: 29539	I wouldn't buy a used Audi at gunpoint. If I had to have one, it would be new with the longest extended warranty available. And it would be sold the day before that warranty ran out. Check out repair costs and frequency before you sign yourself up for a lot of time in loaner cars. GaleForce likes this. __________________ 2011 MB Touring-Sport-6sp-Nav/GTM TT/FI TT TDX/JTran/Kosmic/Eibach/Hotchkis/SPC/CSF/RPS/SoThatsWhereAllMyMoneyWent

05-17-2013, 09:38 AM	#39 (permalink)
edub370 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2011 Location: KCMO Posts: 3,458 Drives: 09 370z S/T 6MT Rep Power: 20	no need to scare him with the vdc of nonsense... its jsut like any car, don't drive it like an idiot and you'll be fine. i'm guessing u guys saying its a handful with the vdc off have never driven an 80's or 90's porsche, or any car before pretty much 1990. this car, even with vdc off, is extremely predictable imo. u can feel the back end starting to lose grip very gradually before u swap ends or hit a pole or whatever. __________________ 09 370Z ST 6MT//Injen CAI//Greddy CBE//TP//TSW's//Swifts//Stillen lip//Whiteline sways 326whp/268tq

05-17-2013, 09:17 AM	#38 (permalink)
Tigger A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: NM Posts: 8,063 Drives: Awedeeeeee Rep Power: 602	*Audi = too expensive to maintain, especially used as previous commenters pointed out. I have driven the A4, RS4 S5 and A7 all with the same desire to own one of these pretty little things. But every time I came back to the cost associated with upkeep and the depreciation is disgusting. FRS/BRZ = If you don't need a lot of power in stock form and don't wish to go FI or are on a budget and can't, well, you can't really go wrong. But I would definitely wait for the '14 model year. My bro had one of the first FRS vehicles delivered in the U.S. and is now one of the highest mileage FRS vehicles on the road according to nationwide service records. He's quite possibly getting a new motor already. That is at just over 24k miles. New cars = new bugs and no long term track record. But the car is still pretty sweet. But right along with you, no dealer would let me test drive one even when I proved that if I liked it i was signing for it that day. So I gave them all the middle finger because they can't differentiate between a Ferrari and a mid-$20k sport car. So I refuse to buy one and I won't do so having never driven it. I don't believe in hype. I believe in first hand experience. **370Z = I personally hated the looks for a long time too. Until something about it caught my eye. Test drove 3 in 6MT including a Nismo and 2 sport package over a period of a year. Still didn't bite because there was something holding me back. I finally broke down and drove the 7AT Touring. I signed for it that night and have been in love with it more and more everyday. It is a striking car. And it has balls. No it isn't the fastest but there's always someone faster than you on the road so who really cares? Another previous comment that was made is that it is raw. Indeed it is and it feels like old, raw, roadster power. And the quality is pretty awesome too. The leather seats in my Acura started breaking down on the first drive. These haven't even got a wrinkle. IMO, it is your decision in the end. So with that I look forward to welcoming you to the Z family.

05-17-2013, 10:15 AM	#40 (permalink)
N8GTOL Base Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: San Diego Posts: 228 Drives: and flies Rep Power: 22	I like all three cars you are considering, but all for very different reasons which others have highlighted above. The majority of the people who complain about the Z are the ones that thought they bought a Porsche. It's an all around fantastic car IMO for what you pay. Yes there are faster cars out there. Yes there are cheaper cars out there. Yes there are cheaper cars to track. But if you want a pure driving experience and want to feel connected with the car and the road and go fast, then the Z is one of the best cars for the money. As far as getting scared due to comments on here...the Z handles incredibly well...so well that you can get over confident and wreck if you are not used to RWD power (especially on wet roads). I too came from a truck as my first long term vehicle for almost 10 years. I drove my truck hard on occasion so I knew how RWD with a light a$$ would react to loss of traction...the Z just amplifies this because you need a lot more energy to break it loose. The stock understeer helps mitigate over rotation which is good for a novice driver trying to find the limits of the car. Obviously I am a huge fan of the Z and I encourage others to look at it as an option. But, if you're spending $25K+ on anything, then make sure there is no doubt in your mind on your choice. The OP is on the right path doing his research and seeking first hand opinions but based on reading the OP's posts so far, I'm not entirely convinced the Z is the exact right car for him. Best of luck in your search and let us know when you pull the trigger on whichever option.

05-17-2013, 10:33 AM	#41 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141521	i still think the op should get the 2013 honda accord sedan in that 6MT sport trim. $25K or something new. looks good, sporty driving (per reviews), can handle people and some cargo. great for someone that's on a budget with only one car. im sure swift will be releasing springs for it, get some 19's on there down the road, should look 370Z's are great for someone that already has another car or two, and some extra mula to spare. hardly a budget car even though it is sold that way... sort of. UNKNOWN_370 likes this.

05-17-2013, 11:15 AM	#43 (permalink)
ElVee Track Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Iowa Posts: 750 Drives: 13 370z 7at t+s grey Rep Power: 16	If you've got some time and not pressed to have a car very, very soon, then by all means take your time. Other than a house, a car is probably most people's biggest single purchase in their lives. And unlike the house, you can pretty much not expect to make any money back off of it. I highly recommend looking up youtube vids of all three cars. Owners who talk about them are useful (probably more brz vids in that vein than z), but also car reviews and comparisons. This can let you see what the cars usually are compared against for other options. If you can wait a bit, you might be happier with a brz/frs in convertible form, or with some upgraded power; even just 20-40hp should be a sweet spot. The convertible should age better and not look quite as readily like a kid's car (basically how I see every Civic or WRX these days...it makes me sad). Also, be sure to ask questions of yourself like others have mentioned. Is this your daily driver? Do you need cargo space? Will you be driving it in the winter? Do you do stupid things while driving, or do your stupid things only very cautiously? Welcome to the forums, btw. There really is no better Z resource on the web than browsing around the threads here. Take a few days to cruise around the stickies and such.

05-17-2013, 12:14 PM	#44 (permalink)
Tazicon Track Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Vegas Baby! Posts: 773 Drives: German/British cars Rep Power: 14	Never mind, you can delete this post.

05-17-2013, 12:21 PM	#45 (permalink)
DLSTR A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2011 Location: Süd Germany Posts: 2,462 Drives: 21Supra 2.0/22 M240i Rep Power: 21267	Stick with a sedan. The A4 is nice but its a very bland design compared to the past. If you want an A5 wait and get one later. Do not buy the Z if you think the A4 is great car. Its pedestrian at best with a 2.0 Motor. The S4 is a better car but in a different league. The A4 is a boat. Im an Audi guy and that is the worst car they make in terms of looks and I had one here in Germany. Nice solid very very boring car. The new S3 sedan will crucify it. Dont waste your money on a Z if you find the A4 that good. Buy it and hit up Audizine for all your needs. kenchan likes this.