370z vs ft86/fr-s/brz
 

I'm sure this question had been beaten to death, but can't seem to find the search function on this forum.

I am looking for a dual use daily driver/track car and kind of settling between these 2 for a new car (or s2000 or e36 m3 when including used). I track semi-regularly, would consider myself an intermediate driver, and plan on tracking regularly with my next car. I don't really want to have a second track car, and so plan on having a dual use car for the next few years.

I currently drive a g35 sedan and am not really pleased with how it drive at the track. It is fun enough and really taught me how to manage weight shift, but I drove an s2000, and the sheer tossability makes it so much easier and more exhilarating and less nerve-wracking to drive at the track. It's hard to explain, but when I get oversteer or power over in the g35, it feels super unsteady like the rear is going to get away from me at any second, whereas in the s2000 it feels like a go-kart and I can manage it confidently with steering and throttle input. So I was looking at the brz for the tossability and the lightweight dynamics, but then I see them at the track and they are basically a glorified miata. I don't know if I could live with the 200hp, with no real throttle steer or throttle over, and I think it would really bug me for daily driving. I was wondering if anyone had any input on how the 370z drives at the track, compared to like a brs/brz or s2000.

Also another miscellaneous question, does anyone know the smallest diameter wheel that will fit around the sports caliper and rotor?

You can't go wrong with the S2000 or 370z for the track, but S2000 is way worse as a daily driver

If I didn't fall in love with the Z32 as a child making me such a Z fanboy, I'd be driving an S2000. I love everything about that car, but at the end of the day, it's just too small and underpowered for my liking. I haven't driven the FR-S, but no matter how balanced that car is, 200 hp is for kids.

370z makes a dual use car. get the sport package. people usually track with 18'' wheels.

the fr-s is just too slow. i probably put down 2x the HP to the wheels as a stock fr-s. i'd go sk2 over it, so the fr-s would rank last for me.

^this. I own both the S2000 and a 370z. If I had to give one up it'd be the S2000. There is no way I could daily my S2000. It's too tight and not enough creature comforts. IMO the S out handles the Z where as the Z out accelerates the S.

since you live in ca and have access to canyon driving, and since it appears you need everyday utility, i think a honda fit would fit your needs perfectly. :icon17: :ugh:

Z would be best overall, but for tossability and handling, s2000 for sure. frs/brz if you want a new ride. i think you will appreciate the Z more after driving the other cars.

Mine's a dual use daily/track car once a month. I love this car on the track albeit it is a big heavy car in comparison to an s2000/frs. FRS is like you said a glorified Miata. S2000 is its own thing and the people that track them generally love them.

Hard to compare because I only know the 370, but once you learn this car you will love it at the track. It is a finesse car though and isn't going to be as forgiving on bad lines and overshoots-you will probably go off the track a lot more in this car while you are learning its braking and weight etc.

That being said, I think it has a lot more track potential than a stock FRS or S2000 once you figure out how to drive it. The guys I track with that are much more skilled than I am put in really fast times with stock 370+boltons. Make no mistake the 370 is a very fast track car-but it has a higher learning curve than an FRS.

I test drove the BRZ and FR-S, a Camaro 2SS, S2k, and a Z4M before getting my Z.

The BRZ and FR-S, as well as the S2k, are very "tossable" at slow speeds, if I was an autocross guy, thats what id go for, but im more of a track guy, so the low power was just not livable.

The Camaro was very powerful, but handled like ***, had worse blind spots than a Z, and had WAY too much plastic inside for the money.

I had a REALLY hard time not liking the Z4M coupe, it was powerful, small, well appointed, but it was an 07 so I had a hard time justifying that much money on a car that old, and the maintenance costs are insane.

I went with the Z because it had the right balance of nimbleness, power, reliability (compared to 'murican and de german cars) and build quality, and im very happy with my decision.

At the track the s2000 is a competitor. The BRZ is not.

wat is the BRZ at the track, mr. tam?

IMO, from what Ive seen, equal drivers, the s2000 will get RAPED by a 370 on a track. I like the s2000, love it actually buts its not in the same league as the 370 at this point, nor should it be. Dont get me started on the frs/86 car. I have pages of rants about that on the 350z forum. I HATE that BRZ. Most overrated POS on the planet!! My main point of contention is i priced them out, test drove two, they wanted $29K OTD for a BRZ. It handles....well its fun to handle. put it this way stock handling SUCKS!! Because its fun to handle does not mean it handles well. Fun is not fast either, that being its completely gutless in any gear at any RPM. My sisters Honda Odyssey will show its taillights to this limp wrist. If it were 20, 21K OTD, be a different story. Needless to say i picked up a 2013 Z for a couple grand more. Z will EAT that BRZ on ANY track at any time.

I've never driven it, but multiple automotive magazines would beg to differ.

Yes it has in many different ways. In the end it all boils down to the fact that a miata has better doors.
;)

Honesty the Z is a sports car that made some compromises to keep costs down from being a out of the box track car. Those compromises will cost you money (a few grand) to make it a worry free track day ready car.

With suspension and aero, the s2k is a beast on the track, probably faster than the 370z unless it's a long track with a lot of straights. however, it's not as much fun for DD since it has nothing down low. The car doesn't have any power until you hit the high RPMs.

Disclosure: I do not own nor have I driven a s2k, this info is from my friend who tracks often and has one. Since he has also tracked an STI, Evo, c6 z06 and an open wheel race car, I believe what he says.