STI or 370Z

Z1st

I will be purchasing a new vec when in about 8-10 months. I am pretty set on getting a 370z nismo from what i have read, and researched on but I have also read about the sti's on here. I am wondering what you all think? What are the pros and cons when it comes to mods?

Methodical4u

I have the new WRX as you might see on my thread. I don't know about the Nismo since I didn't have it. I understand it's no quicker than the base with sport package. Depends on what you're getting it for though. The STI mod wise has a lot more options and will be faster hands down. The Nismo is an overrated car from everything i've read. The Z overall is a great car, but there's not to many mods for an NA car unfortunately unless you go FI.

280z/300zx

Honestly I would wait until much closer to your 8-10 months. Reason being is that the new WRX/STI redesign is already slotted for 2014 which means that come mid next year they will be on dealer lots. We should start seeing information on the new WRX/STI in the next 4-6mo. Basically, after the new BRZ/FR-S has already died down in hype. It's been known for a while now that the next gen WRX/STI will be completely separate from the Impreza line up. Said to be smaller and lighter while still retaining around 300hp.

Also the next gen Z isn't going to be too far behind either. Considering we are on our 5th year already it's plausible that we will see a new Z in the next 1-2 years.

That being said, between the current Nismo and STI, it's a hard choice. Both are awesome cars. The STI has far more mod potential but out of the box the Z is a better and faster car. Interior quality goes to the Z for sure. Reliability is about equal I'd say. Looks is subjective. Handling goes to the Z but for a novice the STI will be easier to approach the limits.

I love both. Currently have a Nismo but when I was shopping I did look at the 2011 sedan STI. I've been a Z lover and owner for 13 years. Owned a 06 WRX for a couple years and fell in love with Subys too. The deciding factor back when I was shopping was that in typical Suby fashion the dealer wouldn't even let me sit in the car, let alone drive one before buying it. Considering there is only one Suby dealer in all of Vegas I had no other option other than driving 300+ miles out of state. Wasn't about to do that. Having already had a 2009 touring sport 370z (totaled) I figured I would just get the Nismo and be done with it. I don't think you can go wrong with either one but they are two totally different cars in both design and feel.

Methodical4u

I wouldn't say handling went to the z over an sti at all. Over the wrx yes... the sti would really depend on the driver. The subaru can correct mistakes the driver makes while the z will be turned around when it comes to a track.

Z1st

Thanks guys! I will be driving in as a dd in the summer, year round while i live down south. I have driven a 2003 z and i love it to death. I have yet to drive a sti but i have heard that it the handling and overall performance is way better. so i agree with the correcting mistakes, i do like a challenge though and that puts the z up front. It isnt a car for moving stuff around either haha.

Methodical4u

The Z is a GREAT handling car don't get me wrong... but the STI's and Evo's are a little bit ahead IMO. Both of my Evo's would outhandle my Z.... likely due to the AWD. Especially the X which can pretty much drive itself lol.

slo

What do you want from the car? I have had both including a few other cars in between. For me, the STI was 4 door, great drivetrain from the factory, pretty good mod potential, easy to track although it does react like a fwd on the track.

370z, hardly any hp mod potential without going FI, but the driving experience, puts more of the challenge back into the drivers hands. Takes much more skill to push the Z, with an STI or EVO, just have the guts to push it and the car will take care of itself. Coming from 1 STI and 2 back to back EVO's, I found myself wanting a rwd, something to put the driving experience back into my own hands.

370z interior may not be the best, but it is definitely light years ahead of the EVO and still ahead of the STI. The styling of the 370z also won me over. The BMW 135i I had in between? That car was nice in a straight line but any slight power bump and you see the negative affects of an open diff, along with many daily inconveniences....I won't even go into why I will never own another BMW after owning one for 4 months lol.

Let us know which route you take.....

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Nismodean

Bite your tongue child!
Top Gear Track lap records - FastestLaps.com
Use CTRL + F and type in STI or EVO X.

For the 370Z
Nissan 370Z lap times and specs - FastestLaps.com

The "slower than" section is a bit off though. The Mini Cooper S was placed in the wrong category. I have no idea how the 2011 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 is faster than the 370Z, especially on the track (solid rear BLOWS CHUNKS)! Every 2011+ 5.0 in my area knows their place when they see me, eyes forward, both hands on the wheel, and let me pass!

__________________
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).

Reaper42

daily driver- STI
sports car- 370z

I have two very good friends, one has a fully built 20g sti (about 20+ grand under the hood) and another who has a 400whp AMS evo X, My NA 370z is as fast as BOTH (they both SLIGHTLY pull on my in an official race, but by the time we are 120mph+ they are only a cars lenght ahead)

so its pretty clear, these are two way different cars, dont compare them, compare what you need in a car.

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Z1st

I am planning on FI, I enjoy pushing the car, but again I do enjoy putting it in my hands. Also if I buy used would you recommend buying something that has mods on it already so that i have a baseline or is that just a dumb idea?

Z1st

Thanks for the times. Glad i have 8 months to figure this out haha

Methodical4u

Those are good times... however the STI is an 07... shouldn't we compare the same years? It's all done by the same driver as well, so technically another driver could get into the car and perform a better lap.

It's like trying to say the STI is better because the Tommy Mäkinen record lap set at the nurburgring means that it's better than the 370z when the STI had some mods done to it.

Methodical4u

It really doesn't matter... both cars are pretty equal and it depends on what someone wants. I need AWD and 4 doors. Crusing in my 370 was a lot of fun and it's something i'll miss from time to time... until the snow comes and I can still go anywhere I want and feel perfectly safe... or until I go to the beach for the weekend and I have all the room I need for my stuff. It's all about what you want.

Z1st

ok, the winter thing i understand seeing as I used to live in MN, but because of the amount of salt and other crap they put on the streets now a days i dont plan on driving in the winter. also dont have much stuff to move around if i do need to thats what i have my truck for. but are you basically saying that unless i need to move stuff around go for the Z

Nismodean

Here is what I gave you earlier and prices to compare (2012 MSRP) and Top Gear track times for the most CONSISTANT performance comparison.
-370Z $31,910 - $42,750 1:27.50
-Subaru Impreza WRX STI $25,595 - $37,445 1:28.20
-Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X $34,495 - $37,695 1:28.22

All very close in price range.
Here are some of the cars that are quicker than the 370Z

Aston Martin DB9 $189,915 - $211,821 (4/10ths of a second quicker at the Top Gear track)

Lexus IS F $61,300 (6/10ths of a second quicker at the Top Gear track)

Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class $71,300 - $94,900 (6/10ths of a second quicker at the Top Gear track)

Jaguar XFR $82,000 (8/10ths of a second quicker at the Top Gear track)

Porsche Cayman S $62,100 (8/10ths of a second quicker at the Top Gear track)

BMW M3 $60,100 - $68,750 (1 second quicker at the Top Gear track)

99% of the people that look at seriously buying a 370Z is doing it for a great looking car with awesome performance and value. Granted if you want utility to go along with your performance , sacrifices will have to be made.

Methodical4u: Researching, I have not found any significant changes to the STI to make a difference in performance. The time listed for the 370Z was from 2009 but the time will be the same today as there have been no significant changes. As far as the driver is concerned, I think we can all agree that the Stig is a worth while source of how well a car can perform. Also, having these times from the same driver skill level makes for great comparison.

__________________
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).