Quote:
Originally Posted by speedaddictM3
Most cars built for handling do NOT have slip and slide until you get to the very limits of the car. That's how you maximize use of available power and traction. The Z is built to maximize corner grip and put the power down to the pavement to be as fast as possible around a track. it's no different than an M3 in that regard. The FRS is made for fun and sliding around at slow speeds. that's why it has lousy cornering ability and skidpad and slalom numbers. Even if you add power, you still need to upgrade the suspension and the tires before it can handle well. The Z can keep up with a 987.1 Cayman S and totally smokes a BMW Z4, or Mercedes SLK. The FRS will get spanked by a 7 year old Civic SI 
You can also see the difference in the suspension engineering. The Z comes with double wishbones with aluminum control arms. The FRS comes with a basic strut suspension with cheapo econobox stamped steel control arms. The FRS can be considered either a RWD competitor to the Civic or an entry level beginner RWD sports car. It isn't god's gift to the motoring world that all the hype makes it out to be. |
I don't think that's a fair statement. The Z dates back decades has always meant to be a japanese version of and less expensive competitor to other car's in its market (M3, Camaro, Cayman/911, corvette, etc...) the same way the GTR is a less expensive competitor to the 911 Turbo. Its no more track-dedicated or purpose built and deals with the same compromises any manufacturer deals with for making a production car. Now the Nismo would be more track-oriented the same way an M3 GTS, 911 GT3, etc... are.
The FRS isn't in the same category as the 370 or M3. It's more comparable to a MX5, 1-series, Civic, Boxter, etc... It's a less expensive entry-level car with a tire size to match its weight and power. There's nothing wrong with struts when the M3 and Porsche's have used them for decades and it's not the greatest car ever, but for its price point, it's a great handling little car with a crazy low Cg. I hate all of the "you can buy a used X for less" comments because you can get a used C5 Z06 for less than an FRS and blow everything out of the water. There's nothing wrong with either the FRS or 370. I don't think many of the comments on either side are justified when they are attacks on the other brand.
FWIW 370s engines are pretty darn good with an almost identical hp/torque curve as the S54. With a pair of headers it's a pretty impressive motor that can spin to 8K rpm. The FRS is a great handling little car and many are turboing them and throwing decent tires on them and making the car very quick on tracks. It's not far off an S2K in stock trim which is impressive.
Quote:
Originally Posted by 6MT M3
With the stock suspension, wheels, RS3, brakepad, brake fluid, the brz/frs can run a 2:07 at buttonwillow which is respectably fast for a car with near no mods.
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I think they are a little faster than that. ~2:05s IIRC. Heck a stock Mazdaspeed 3 does a 2:09.2