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'm not trying to make out the 86s to be some kind of perfect product. C'mon, I'm not trying to be
GoingTooFast over here.
I'm also not sure where you're getting the lousy handling stats from. To cite an
Insideline full test (a team that typically produces conservative testing stats), a BRZ on its lousy rubber manages a 69.1 mph in the slalom, 0.92g on the skidpad, and 114ft 60-0. Those are far from lousy.
And you're completely right; it's not a direct competitor to a 370Z. It's in the same rung as the hot hatch group (+1 Civic Si and Gen Coupe). I really don't care about outright pace since I'm not looking to 1-up the person next to me on the road, and being in FL, I really don't have many places to flex the extra muscle.
Again, I'm saying that the Z is not for me.