370Z, A4, or BRZ
 

UPDATED ON PAGE 5!!!!!!!!

Hello everyone! I'm in my mid 20's, searching for a car, and in need of some help. Also, be easy on me, I don't know a whole lot about cars

First off, I have a budget of around 25-27K and these 3 cars I can get used with low miles and only a year of two of use.

I have drove an A4 and love it. I love the looks, the way the car drives, everything. The only thing is it is a four door (I can't afford the A5) and I was wanting a 2 door car.

I have also drove a 370Z and really like it as well! I don't like the looks as much as the A4 or BRZ, but it is still extremely stylish and drives well. One thing that worries me about that car is mixed reviews I am finding online about whether the owner really likes this car or not.

Finally the BRZ. I love this car. I love the looks and the specs, but I can't drive one!!!!! I have went to several dealerships and even some that say they have one in stock and they never have it!!! It highly frustrates me. Also, I want respectable car that won't be a teenager car in 3 years and I'm in my later 20's and look awkward. Not sure if it will keep its prestige.

Y'all may be a little biased here ;) but what would you do in my shoes? If anyone has drove 2 or more of these cars and have a personal QUICK review I would be very appreciative. Thank you everyone for your input and look forward to your answers!

UPDATED ON PAGE 5!!!!!!!!

I haven't driven the A4 or the Brz so I can't personally compare them, but based of what you said, if your not in love with the looks of the Z why consider it? My point is that if your more attracted to one of the other two, if you were to buy a Z, later down the road you may regret it and be stuck with it. Try driving a Brz I'm sure there's one out there, and then you will have more to compare than just looks on it

What do you want in a car?

A4 if you want some comfort and luxury. Based on the other two cars you are considering, I wouldn't choose this car.
BR-Z if you want great handling with less power on a budget. I haven't personally driven one, though I know a local forum member who owns both a BR-Z and a 370Z - he enjoys them both
370Z if you want a great package of power and handling. Of the three, I would consider this one the driver's car.

I recommend the Z :tiphat: :icon17:

2013 honda accord sedan. perfect car for you.

:iagree:

:iagree:

:bowrofl:

3 totally different cars in different price ranges. Figure out what you need in a vehicle, what you are will to pay then research and test drive all the cars in that market.

Asking guys on a Z forum which is best is silly since most bought the Z as it was the best fit for them. You need to figure out for yourself which vehicle is the best fit for you.

Each car you listed is much different than the next. The Audi has all the bells and whistles, and is a great cruising car. The BRZ handles great, but is low on power. The Z is a great handling car with some decent power. It has its quirks, though. It's raw, and will bite you if you're stupid with it. However, it's a blast to drive. In the end...just make a decision.

And for what it's worth, I couldn't disagree more. The Z blows both of them out of the water in the looks department. I'm biased, though. :p

You're on the 370z forums asking people if they would rather drive a A4, 370z or BRZ. You know the answer. Just get the 370z already

I love mine, its my baby. Trust me, you should get it.

I like the seats in the BRZ though. Fit me kind of snug and perfect with a jacket on.

Sounds like the A4 is your favorite, but you want 2 doors. The BRZ already is a teenager car imho, as it's much more attainable. The 370z is getting there as well, and you're not crazy about the looks.

My advice: Keep looking.

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..

Ima put it to you like this.

A4= Grandpa
Z34= Man
Brz= Boy

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.

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.

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.

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)

If your concerned with young drivers having the BRZ/FRS, that you will definitely see

New, its easier for a person to get a FRS/BRZ and from what I've seen, younger drivers but obviously a few older. It is a great handling car, I've only driven one for about 10 minutes though.

370z definitely carries more refined sports car feel to it.

I highly recommend you ask this question on the facebook than ask it on a Z, BRZ or Audi forum.:tup:

Your first thought, and I'm old enough to be your dad should be how much insurance for each car costs. At your age you can and will get raped by insurance companys for any true type of sports car. Not fair and it sucks, but they know that people in your age group have the most accidents in sports cars. We all had to go through it. So factor in the car payment and the insurance too. An Accord EX coup might be a good stealth choice.

Okay so this scares me just a bit and everyone be honest. I have drove a truck all my life. I don't want to admit it but will this car be too much for me? I honestly have only drove a car sparingly but lately I have been taking my friend's Infiniti G35 for joy rides and lovvvveeee the sense of it and want a car of my own. So the question is how will it "bite me"? I have read several reviews saying this and it makes me nervous

Small tip, keep VDC ON. If you don't, you will probably put your vehicle into a spot you did not intend. Examples: Other lane, pole, tree, house, mail box, parked car, moving car, dog, human, curb, T barrier, ditch, Semi, guard rail, and many other possibilities.

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?

You need to read up on VDC....VDC on, the car automatically stops the car from allowing the rear tires to break traction....VDC OFF, If there is any water on the road, it will spin out if you apply too much power...Even in the dry weather, if you apply too much power, you will get the car SIDEWAYS....So if you are not ready ? Curb shot and bent rims....At least...

Traction control on(VDC ON), and the car stops it from happening without you even knowing it...So you first learn the car with the VDC ON, and later in dry weather, you can turn it off if you are a good driver and watch your application of Power..Gas Pedal

basically what VDC is an electronic nanny that does its best to keep the car from going out of control. don't be scared by other comments though, it does take some experience to be able to drive spiritedly with VDC off but that is true of most RWD cars. mainly as long as you arent doing something stupid with the VDC off you should be ok, but most people leave it on just for extra peace of mind incase they hit like a patch of black ice in the road for instance.

First off will it be your DD? Will you be city driving? How are the roads? What is the climate like? Answer those and I think you will know what vehicle to choose.

370z all the way, get some swift springs and have way more fun.

I considered lots of cars, essentially I smile when I walk up to my Z. I see so many 4 door cars that they all blend in... The Z isn't the fastest car on the road but it stands out. I personally hate the interior of the FRS and BRZ.

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.

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.

VW beetle

The most wisdom of any post so far, imo

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. :driving:

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!

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.

***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. :driving:

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.

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.