2012 370z or 2013 frs?

[CDM3DCT]

I'm looking to pick up a nice daily and have narrowed my choices down to a 370z and an FRS. Ultimately I'm looking for an automatic that will give me the choice of switching over to paddle shifting. Something fun and around/under 30. I'm coming from a 2004 Honda accord coupe as my current daily.

Frs pros- lightweight, fun to drive, cheap and easy mod/track.
Cons- plain interior, and somewhat of a boy racer feel.

370z pros- fast and for a mature crowd
Cons- heavy and could cost more to mod

Any recommendations?

(On a side note keep in mind I don't want a GTI or an older Porsche- I already have an E92 in the garage)

[pgviper]

370z all the way. You will get bored with the frs pretty fast. Both are great cars but I feel that the frs is just way to slow.

Also, 370z really is not heavy at all. You're m3 is a boat compared to it.

[Billup]

^ What he said.

You'll be much happier with a 370z. When I test drove an FRS, it felt like a complete dog, and felt cheap as well. The exterior styling is great, but the car is not what I thought it would be.

[b0bab0i]

Learn to drive a manual.

Auto in either of those cars are

[F32]

What have you done to your M3 to no longer make it daily-drivable?

[KingOfJericho]

I rarely come across anyone mature driving a 370Z.

[ShocknAwe]

Originally Posted by KingOfJericho

I rarely come across anyone mature driving a 370Z.

+1

[Mtxzptlk]

Go for FRS - cheaper, probably offers slightly more practicality space-wise, better gas mileage by virtue of smaller engine.

Suggest you get in manual for fun.

[F32]

Originally Posted by KingOfJericho

I rarely come across anyone mature driving a 370Z.

Agreed. Demographically, the Z and FRS/BRZ are identical, except FRS/BRZ drivers aren't as over-extended. They're both cars for 17 year-olds, but perhaps the driver of the Z can get the girl who's a sure thing on Friday night purely because it's faster.

[M3_WC]

If you buy an FRS in automatic, I hope your friends beat you every time you show up in it.

[M3_WC]

Originally Posted by Mtxzptlk

Go for FRS - cheaper, probably offers slightly more practicality space-wise, better gas mileage by virtue of smaller engine.

Suggest you get in manual for fun.

FRS or BRZ in auto is a complete fail. A manual is needed with the low power to have any fun in that car.

[CDM3DCT]

Originally Posted by b0bab0i

Learn to drive a manual.

Auto in either of those cars are

I've considered but keep in mind I'm going to be daily driving the car thus it's counter productive to have a manual inside the city in bumper to bumper traffic each day.

In my current role- I lead several employees and do go out from time to time with other leaders and peers. FRS could give off the wrong impression (I know it's ridiculous but inside the city perception is everything).

When it comes to space and back seat seating, I don't care for either. I don't let people sit in my back seats anyways and aside from time to time grocery runs I don't use my trunk space. I don't have a wife or kids at the moment (not planning for a while) thus when the time comes I want to be able to comfortably switch over to an SUV or sedan without looking back and saying "what if" I had that sport car.

[Red Bread]

Why is driving a manual counter intuitive? I drive in DFW traffic and moved here from Orange County and LA and never found a manual as annoying as having to always hold my foot on the brake of automatic cars. My wife's old 1 automatic 135i was more annoying in traffic than my manual M Coupe.

I've driven the BRZ and the Z and would take the BRZ, it's a very fun car in stock form and would be supremely easy to learn manual on.

[Brad335d]

NISMO 370 6-speed

[Mtxzptlk]

If OP is adding perception as a category, you might want to add other cars to choose from. Based your response you're pretty much disqualifying the BRZ. Unless you've decided on the 370z.

[Cerezo]

Have you tried driving a 370Z? The Z's so freaking stiff, it'll knock your teeth filling out. For that reason alone makes it not a good DD.

[son_of_siggy]

Originally Posted by CDM3DCT

I've considered but keep in mind I'm going to be daily driving the car thus it's counter productive to have a manual inside the city in bumper to bumper traffic each day.

It's counterproductive to have either car, auto or not, if your main use is going to be bumper-to-bumper traffic. A Ferrari wouldn't make that type of commute fun, so why are you eyeing either given your drive and intended use?

[M3_WC]

Get an auto Golf GTI and call it a day.

You will have a hell of a time trying to sell an auto FRS when you are done with the car. 99% will want that car in manual.

[bunnn]

Why can't you just DD your E92? It seems to fit your needs the best.

[F32]

Originally Posted by bunnn

Why can't you just DD your E92? It seems to fit your needs the best.

That's what I'm wondering.

I don't get it.

[pgviper]

Originally Posted by CDM3DCT

I've considered but keep in mind I'm going to be daily driving the car thus it's counter productive to have a manual inside the city in bumper to bumper traffic each day.

In my current role- I lead several employees and do go out from time to time with other leaders and peers. FRS could give off the wrong impression (I know it's ridiculous but inside the city perception is everything).

When it comes to space and back seat seating, I don't care for either. I don't let people sit in my back seats anyways and aside from time to time grocery runs I don't use my trunk space. I don't have a wife or kids at the moment (not planning for a while) thus when the time comes I want to be able to comfortably switch over to an SUV or sedan without looking back and saying "what if" I had that sport car.

If you're interested in perception get a g37s coupe with the 7 speed and paddle shifters. You can have your fun when you want, you get all the perks of a 370z however you sacrifice slight performance due to the weight of the luxury features.

[CDM3DCT]

Originally Posted by pgviper

If you're interested in perception get a g37s coupe with the 7 speed and paddle shifters. You can have your fun when you want, you get all the perks of a 370z however you sacrifice slight performance due to the weight of the luxury features.

Hmm I haven't considered. I like the g37 but it's missing something for me, a bit to plain butI can't put my finger on it. I am definitely going to give the BRZ a test drive as well as the 370. Regardless of which option I choose the car will undergo some modifications; wheels, drop, exhaust, and maybe a front lip. The Z would get some TE37s while the BRZ would get Enkei RFP1s. BRZ I would prob track while the Z would cruise.

Now I had a buddy throw in a wildcard option... Evo MR...

I'm taking a guess in terms of reliability: Scion, Nissan, Mitsubishi?

I hear everyone out and I truly thank you for your input, however I want everyone to also keep in mind that the non negotiables are: turning my M into a DD or getting a manual- I simply don't care to have one. Even with the govt shutdown my buying price has gone up to 35K.