370Z, A4, or BRZ

Bucketlist2012 · 05-16-2013, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RollTideZ30

Thank you all for your input! I know this seems jackass to ask this question here, but I found a site for all three of these cars and this one has gathered the most replies and most useful information so I thank you.

As for the looks comment, don't be offended!!! I really like the looks of the 370, but slightly like the looks of the other cars just a little more, but not enough to count out the 370.

No offense taken...But you really have to love the look of the Car you buy...

You need to drive all three first....And as far as this forum giving you great feedback ? That is just how this forum is....The percentage of good people is quite High...Not too many haters here...A few, but way less than most forums..

Good Luck...But the Audi is for sure more luxuryb sedan and the Z is more low riding sports Car...I don't know much about the BRZ..

GSS138 · 06-10-2013, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RollTideZ30

Thank you all for your input! I know this seems jackass to ask this question here, but I found a site for all three of these cars and this one has gathered the most replies and most useful information so I thank you.

As for the looks comment, don't be offended!!! I really like the looks of the 370, but slightly like the looks of the other cars just a little more, but not enough to count out the 370.

The 370z guys are smarter than the guys in those other forums. That fact should guide your decision.

1st · 05-16-2013, 05:10 PM

Ima put it to you like this.

A4= Grandpa
Z34= Man
Brz= Boy

RollTideZ30 · 05-16-2013, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1st

Ima put it to you like this.

A4= Grandpa
Z34= Man
Brz= Boy

That's what I was afraid of with the BRZ. I'll be driving it with every 16 year old in America soon.

BTW if anyone has any other suggestions for cars in the price range I listed I am open to any suggestions as this is an important decision and I need to consider all options.

You guys are great and I may just come here to post and talk even if I don't buy a 370. I'm enjoying the post/posters here.

Tigger · 05-17-2013, 08:17 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.

ZNasty20 · 05-17-2013, 11:40 AM

Alright I am going through the same issues. Only my three cars I am considering are the BRZ, 370z, and an E46 M3. Here's what i have learned about these cars from driving each.

M3 (like your A4)-Great engine and great fun. Has a good v6, though i think the 370's v6 is better. Has more luxary, but difficult to find a clean one. The downside of this car and your Audi will be the astronomical maintenance costs.

BRZ-This car is fun out of the box and can be tossed around corners. Severely under powered in my opinion, and where I am from there are not enough twisty roads to drive on to compensate for the lack of power on the straight roads.

370z-Wonderful engine and good cabin. I like the way the 370 looks and i like how much there is to do to the outside to make it my own. Not as great around corners as the BRZ, but still a great fun ride with a better engine.

Good luck man

Chuck33079 · 05-17-2013, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZNasty20

M3 (like your A4)-Great engine and great fun. Has a good v6, though i think the 370's v6 is better. Has more luxary, but difficult to find a clean one. The downside of this car and your Audi will be the astronomical maintenance costs.

Nope.

bdavis89 · 05-17-2013, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuck33079

Nope.

Yep.

AutoSpeed - The BMW Six Cylinder Guide

..:: M3Addict.com :: e46 BMW M3 ::.. | M3Addict.com

Red__Zed · 05-17-2013, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bdavis89

Yep.

AutoSpeed - The BMW Six Cylinder Guide

..:: M3Addict.com :: e46 BMW M3 ::.. | M3Addict.com

Double check your engine layout.

370Zsteve · 05-18-2013, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZNasty20

M3 (like your A4)-Great engine and great fun. Has a good v6, though i think the 370's v6 is better. Has more luxary, but difficult to find a clean one. The downside of this car and your Audi will be the astronomical maintenance costs.

M3 has a V6? And the Nissan 6-cyl, with all the vibration, is better?

DarkJak · 05-16-2013, 05:13 PM

If you prefer comfort over handling, the A4 for sure. It's a very mature car. It's also FWD or front-biased AWD. Not a very sporty car, although I know people who would argue otherwise.

Between the Z and the BRZ, if you find them at around the same price, probably the Z. Stock for stock, it's a much faster car than the BRZ. Now, if you can get the BRZ for significantly cheaper, like 6-10k cheaper, which would be the difference in cost new, a pretty good case could be made for it. The FRS/BRZ aftermarket support is huge. Many times larger than the 370Z's in much less time, due to how well they are selling. If I were in the market now, I'd have a pretty hard time deciding whether to pay 35-40k for a new 370Z, or 25-30k for a new BRZ and spend 10k in mods from the start.

The BRZ is a little more livable on a daily basis due to having back "seats". They can still fit friends in an emergency, much easier than the 370Z's trunk at least. Best way to know if you like it is to drive it. The feeling you get behind the wheel on a nice road isn't apparent through testing numbers and car reviews.

Bking · 05-16-2013, 05:34 PM

How about:

Lexus IS
C class
3 series
WRX/STI
EVO
Accord
Camry
TSX
Golf
Jetta
S40
Mustangs/Camaro

If you don't mind pre-owned then there are a lot of choices.

SS_Firehawk · 05-16-2013, 05:35 PM

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)

shadowfax · 05-17-2013, 01:40 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

UruZai · 05-17-2013, 05:54 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 )

05-16-2013, 05:10 PM	#3 (permalink)
1st A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: I 80 Biz U.S. 50 Posts: 1,710 Drives: Platinum Z Rep Power: 1616	Ima put it to you like this. A4= Grandpa Z34= Man Brz= Boy wstar, 03g35coupe6mt, LakeShow and 5 others like this.

05-17-2013, 11:40 AM	#6 (permalink)
ZNasty20 Base Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Chicago Posts: 12 Drives: 2013 Touring M6 370z Rep Power: 13	I have Driven 2 of them Alright I am going through the same issues. Only my three cars I am considering are the BRZ, 370z, and an E46 M3. Here's what i have learned about these cars from driving each. M3 (like your A4)-Great engine and great fun. Has a good v6, though i think the 370's v6 is better. Has more luxary, but difficult to find a clean one. The downside of this car and your Audi will be the astronomical maintenance costs. BRZ-This car is fun out of the box and can be tossed around corners. Severely under powered in my opinion, and where I am from there are not enough twisty roads to drive on to compensate for the lack of power on the straight roads. 370z-Wonderful engine and good cabin. I like the way the 370 looks and i like how much there is to do to the outside to make it my own. Not as great around corners as the BRZ, but still a great fun ride with a better engine. Good luck man

05-16-2013, 05:13 PM	#11 (permalink)
DarkJak A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Madison, WI Posts: 1,397 Drives: 2009 370Z Rep Power: 16804	If you prefer comfort over handling, the A4 for sure. It's a very mature car. It's also FWD or front-biased AWD. Not a very sporty car, although I know people who would argue otherwise. Between the Z and the BRZ, if you find them at around the same price, probably the Z. Stock for stock, it's a much faster car than the BRZ. Now, if you can get the BRZ for significantly cheaper, like 6-10k cheaper, which would be the difference in cost new, a pretty good case could be made for it. The FRS/BRZ aftermarket support is huge. Many times larger than the 370Z's in much less time, due to how well they are selling. If I were in the market now, I'd have a pretty hard time deciding whether to pay 35-40k for a new 370Z, or 25-30k for a new BRZ and spend 10k in mods from the start. The BRZ is a little more livable on a daily basis due to having back "seats". They can still fit friends in an emergency, much easier than the 370Z's trunk at least. Best way to know if you like it is to drive it. The feeling you get behind the wheel on a nice road isn't apparent through testing numbers and car reviews. Magic Bus likes this. __________________ @stupidtoycars \| My track vids 09 7AT\|MCS 2WNR\|Topgunz Rotrex\|Ecutek (Eugene)\|Maxxis RC1\|Titan-7 TS-5\|OSG LSD\|Rear Mount Derale Oil Cooler (WIP)+25 Trans Cooler\|Fismo\|G-LOC R12/R10\|Zeta III L\|NLR Wing and Splitter\|CJM Pan and Fuel Hat\|Radium Surge Tank\|AP Racing CP9668

05-16-2013, 05:35 PM	#13 (permalink)
SS_Firehawk Premium Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Tampa Posts: 4,142 Drives: 13' Magma Red Nismo Rep Power: 7335	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) shadowfax and GSS138 like this. __________________ Old Car:GTM TSC'd 550whp / 410lbft tq @ 11.88PSI New Car: Under Construction

05-17-2013, 05:54 AM	#15 (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, 08:17 AM	#5 (permalink)
Tigger A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: NM Posts: 8,063 Drives: Awedeeeeee Rep Power: 603	*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.

05-16-2013, 05:34 PM	#12 (permalink)
Bking Enthusiast Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Vancouver Posts: 298 Drives: 40th Z Rep Power: 15	How about: Lexus IS C class 3 series WRX/STI EVO Accord Camry TSX Golf Jetta S40 Mustangs/Camaro If you don't mind pre-owned then there are a lot of choices.