Tell me what car to buy and why
05-27-2017, 12:06 AM
#161
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Location: Tampa, FL
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Based on my google investigation the AVO kit does sorta look right. I could've sworn it was a garrett turbo though. I dunno, it was like 2.5 years ago when we installed it so I probably don't know what I'm talking about. I recall the install instructions were terrible and that engine bay is way more of a pain to work with than the miata, but I suppose that's well known to you subaru folk.
*Edit: apologies for the semi thread jack, but this thread has kinda been all over the place anyway... ls400 or mr2 turbo, how does one decide!!
*Edit: apologies for the semi thread jack, but this thread has kinda been all over the place anyway... ls400 or mr2 turbo, how does one decide!!
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05-27-2017, 02:09 AM
#162
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Based on my google investigation the AVO kit does sorta look right. I could've sworn it was a garrett turbo though. I dunno, it was like 2.5 years ago when we installed it so I probably don't know what I'm talking about. I recall the install instructions were terrible and that engine bay is way more of a pain to work with than the miata, but I suppose that's well known to you subaru folk.
*Edit: apologies for the semi thread jack, but this thread has kinda been all over the place anyway... ls400 or mr2 turbo, how does one decide!!
*Edit: apologies for the semi thread jack, but this thread has kinda been all over the place anyway... ls400 or mr2 turbo, how does one decide!!
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05-27-2017, 12:32 PM
#163
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Turboing most NA subarus doesn't usually end well because the only people that attempt it are too stupid to just start with one of the myriad turbo'd subarus in the first place.
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05-28-2017, 04:21 PM
#164
I own this car now
Drove smooth during the test drive, shifter is great. The gates feel like plastic and are real light/easy to shift through. Engine sounds fine, no crickets... Tires make a lot of noise though when getting on the highway.
Most damage is to the rear passenger rim where the PO curb checked, took out a few chucks of tire but it's holding air. Not really attached to the factory rim anyways.
Kinda taking a gamble, as there is no warranty on the vehicle. It just expired under toyota's terms due to years. From what I know about the PO, She was a college student that drove from two towns close by on the highway while going to college. Possibly went on a few road trips but nothing major. The interior is mint, outside is mint. Still even smells like new.
Overall, happy with my purchase. But this means the MSM is off the road... aka megasquirt time
Drove smooth during the test drive, shifter is great. The gates feel like plastic and are real light/easy to shift through. Engine sounds fine, no crickets... Tires make a lot of noise though when getting on the highway.
Most damage is to the rear passenger rim where the PO curb checked, took out a few chucks of tire but it's holding air. Not really attached to the factory rim anyways.
Kinda taking a gamble, as there is no warranty on the vehicle. It just expired under toyota's terms due to years. From what I know about the PO, She was a college student that drove from two towns close by on the highway while going to college. Possibly went on a few road trips but nothing major. The interior is mint, outside is mint. Still even smells like new.
Overall, happy with my purchase. But this means the MSM is off the road... aka megasquirt time
Last edited by Girz0r; 05-28-2017 at 04:50 PM.
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05-29-2017, 11:16 PM
#170
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congrats on the BRZ purchase!
my .02 though, I cannot justify at BRZ for the money.. its essentially a "miata level" of fun for 3-4x the cost at minimum.. if I'm spending $15-20k on a used car I'll go snag a C6 z51 and get similar MPG, decent handling, and it can get out of its own way in a hurry if it wants (albeit the c6 interior isn't great by any sense of the imagination)..
buddy of mine actually just went through this very situation a few weeks ago. His budget was $20k and it needed to be RWD and manual. He test drove a boosted 350z, BRZ, multiple c6's, a c5 z06 and a 370z nismo. Ended up walking with the nismo. Freaking awesome car for the money if you want something with a nicer interior than a vette, but more speed than a BRZ.
my .02 though, I cannot justify at BRZ for the money.. its essentially a "miata level" of fun for 3-4x the cost at minimum.. if I'm spending $15-20k on a used car I'll go snag a C6 z51 and get similar MPG, decent handling, and it can get out of its own way in a hurry if it wants (albeit the c6 interior isn't great by any sense of the imagination)..
buddy of mine actually just went through this very situation a few weeks ago. His budget was $20k and it needed to be RWD and manual. He test drove a boosted 350z, BRZ, multiple c6's, a c5 z06 and a 370z nismo. Ended up walking with the nismo. Freaking awesome car for the money if you want something with a nicer interior than a vette, but more speed than a BRZ.
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05-30-2017, 12:32 AM
#172
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curious to understand what about the nismo package 370 is awful in your opinion? I struggle to find any good reason to take a car like a BRZ over it.
agreed the 350 is trash (it was his budget friendly option, which quickly went to the end of his list for many reasons)
agreed the 350 is trash (it was his budget friendly option, which quickly went to the end of his list for many reasons)
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05-30-2017, 09:54 AM
#173
congrats on the BRZ purchase!
my .02 though, I cannot justify at BRZ for the money.. its essentially a "miata level" of fun for 3-4x the cost at minimum.. if I'm spending $15-20k on a used car I'll go snag a C6 z51 and get similar MPG, decent handling, and it can get out of its own way in a hurry if it wants (albeit the c6 interior isn't great by any sense of the imagination)..
buddy of mine actually just went through this very situation a few weeks ago. His budget was $20k and it needed to be RWD and manual. He test drove a boosted 350z, BRZ, multiple c6's, a c5 z06 and a 370z nismo. Ended up walking with the nismo. Freaking awesome car for the money if you want something with a nicer interior than a vette, but more speed than a BRZ.
my .02 though, I cannot justify at BRZ for the money.. its essentially a "miata level" of fun for 3-4x the cost at minimum.. if I'm spending $15-20k on a used car I'll go snag a C6 z51 and get similar MPG, decent handling, and it can get out of its own way in a hurry if it wants (albeit the c6 interior isn't great by any sense of the imagination)..
buddy of mine actually just went through this very situation a few weeks ago. His budget was $20k and it needed to be RWD and manual. He test drove a boosted 350z, BRZ, multiple c6's, a c5 z06 and a 370z nismo. Ended up walking with the nismo. Freaking awesome car for the money if you want something with a nicer interior than a vette, but more speed than a BRZ.
Last edited by Girz0r; 05-30-2017 at 10:05 AM.
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05-30-2017, 12:10 PM
#174
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Agreed on the Z.
I drove a 370Z Nismo a few years ago, was a low-mile example on the lot I worked at, asking price right around $40k. I owned a stock 2005 Pontiac GTO at the time.
I came away thoroughly unimpressed. I expected the lack of low-end torque, but it also wasn't fun to rev either. It rode super stiff but didn't really corner that well. Was stupid loud inside.
Nope.
I drove a 370Z Nismo a few years ago, was a low-mile example on the lot I worked at, asking price right around $40k. I owned a stock 2005 Pontiac GTO at the time.
I came away thoroughly unimpressed. I expected the lack of low-end torque, but it also wasn't fun to rev either. It rode super stiff but didn't really corner that well. Was stupid loud inside.
Nope.
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05-30-2017, 12:31 PM
#175
Yup: For a giant v6, it has no guts down low. For a relatively high revving engine, it definitely doesn't like to rev. It has a supposedly really strong transmission, but it can't shift fast to save it's life. For a big 'ol car, it has less room/space/storage than a corvette or basically any of the other cars mentioned. Gas mileage sucked. Got worse mileage than my 405HP vette z06 and my 435hp Mustang GT. Parts are not cheap, and don't add much gains. The car feels a lot bigger/heavier than it is/should feel like. You sit super low, and there aint much visibility, so it's like a tank and/or Camaro in that regard. Mine had full bolt ons and a cobb accessport OTS tune, and it felt slow and unrewarding to drive.
Couple things it did well: it sounded pretty good, and it got attention everywhere it went. Which I guess isn't always a good thing.
Couple things it did well: it sounded pretty good, and it got attention everywhere it went. Which I guess isn't always a good thing.
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05-30-2017, 12:40 PM
#176
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Yeah. I think it's a great looking car, and it puts up decent numbers, and sounds good. It just didn't make me want it one bit when driving it.
The 2010 Grand Sport convertible with a 6-speed I drove the other day, on the other hand....
The 2010 Grand Sport convertible with a 6-speed I drove the other day, on the other hand....
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05-30-2017, 12:43 PM
#177
its so weird man, because on paper it seems like an awesome car.
and before you drive it, just getting in and all that, you're excited cause its just really cool looking.
but then when you use it daily, its just......meh
and before you drive it, just getting in and all that, you're excited cause its just really cool looking.
but then when you use it daily, its just......meh
Last edited by 18psi; 05-30-2017 at 01:06 PM.
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05-30-2017, 01:02 PM
#178
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Yep, I had a 2006 350Z Touring (never driven a 370Z are they really not that much of an improvement?) and I got rid of it within 3 months. I traded it in on a Speed 3.
Just as quick for a DD and a ton more usable space. The BOSE in the 350Z was pathetic, it was worse than the BOSE in the ex's 2010 Mazda 3.
Just as quick for a DD and a ton more usable space. The BOSE in the 350Z was pathetic, it was worse than the BOSE in the ex's 2010 Mazda 3.
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05-30-2017, 02:43 PM
#179
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The 370 feels better than the 350, but that's not saying much because IMO the 350 is an underpowered piggy. The 370z puts out better numbers due to more power and less weight, but IMO isn't really all that much better to drive.
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05-30-2017, 06:04 PM
#180
The 350/370 Z's weigh more than a C5 Z06, make less power, get worse mileage, and are more expensive. The C5 Z06 is the king of budget speed deals right now. Horrible GM interior, though. You can make one a bombproof DD/light track weapon pretty cheaply, though. Trackhq.com has great thread breaking down how little needs to be done to them.
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