Toyota GR 86 vs Nissan Z

[DevonK]

I’m hopeful about the new Z addressing the 370z’s short comings. I recently had a chance to drive a friends Boss 302 mustang. Amazing car all around, but I came away feeling like the steering was numb / vague and the chassis was less communicative then my Z. At the limit it felt much more sure footed then my Z though.

That experience showed me that the Z generally has a good chassis but I think the suspension needs some real tuning to be competitive. Small things like a real LSD to put power down better, improve the clutch feel, improved damping, etc would go a long way. It seems like those are specifically addressed with the new Z. I’m hopeful that with “Mr GTR” being in charge on the new Z Nissan can turn it into a 10/10ths car.

I really hope you are correct, and I agree there are reasons for confidence given who's involved and what they have said so far. They've got good bones to work with - lots of aluminum in the chassis, new clutch-type LSD, and those double wishbones up front and the multi-link rear. If a good portion of the development budget went to tuning we could be looking at a great-handling car. (Of course one could argue that Nissan should have done this tuning years ago on the 370Z to make it more competitive over the past several years.)

I am a bit worried that the great steering feel I recall from my 370Z test drives will be lost as a result of switching to EPS, but the response given by one of the lead engineers when asked about that was reassuring, it is getting close attention.

 

[Houston.RZ34]

I liked the 1st gen Toyobaru, it truly is the closest thing to a "S16" that ever came after 2002 but I have the same problem with it that everyone does - lack of power. Add to that the motors tend to pop after you add boost just makes it all the more frustrating.

The 2nd gen Toyobaru seems to be a perfected 1st gen (think 350Z vs 370Z) but again, lack of power....even more so due to the fact the motor in Toyobaru II is actually the exact same 2.4L turbo boxer from the new Scooby SUVs and the upcoming STi (but with the Turbo ripped off)

They want to protect STi sales, I get it.......but give us the choice on if we want a Turbo in a Coupe, SUV, Crossover or an AWD hopped up econobox.

Personally, I'd pick the Coupe.

 

[DevonK]

That shot of the Z with the GR86 offers a great comparison of the windshield area for the two cars, the forward visibility out of the GR86 is so much better. Looks like the Z's is maybe even a step back from the 370.

 

[Zboy]

Overview

Performance Specs

Fuel and MPG

Dimensions and Measurements

Wheels and Suspension

 

[V35]

I would say both the 86 and Z will be good sports cars and could be equal if you break it down to horsepower per dollar

 

[kwantum_shift]

I would say both the 86 and Z will be good sports cars and could be equal if you break it down to horsepower per dollar

Donut Media recently did a video about HP/$

 

[Darth Zed]

I’m getting the 6MT but I thought the new Z’s AT was an optional 9-speed, not 7?

 

[V35]

I’m getting the 6MT but I thought the new Z’s AT was an optional 9-speed, not 7?

Correct I think someone made a boo boo ?

 

[Lin626]

I'm tempted, but my local dealer is asking $35k for one.

 

[V35]

For me some plus for the 86 is that it has backseats and maintenance and upkeep will probably be less since its NA

 

[gymratter]

i kinda like the fact that the Z is a two seater. i dont have kids and i have a truck if i need to haul anything. also the greenhouse on a lot of 2+2 look bigger/chunky.

 

[Denver the Last Dinosaur]

^ It's all personal choice of course. The rear seats in most 2+2 sports cars are basically useless as actual seats (except for small kids), especially the one behind the driver if they are tall or long-legged, but those extra seats do make the cabin bigger so feels more roomy and less claustrophobic than a 2-seater sports car. Also being able to put the back seats down to give more boot/trunk space can be handy.

 

[Drseckzytime]

At this rate the 86 may end up being my go-to. I have a feeling the Performance trim is going to be bumped up too high by Nissan, for an ancient chassis and a "seasoned" motor.

 

[Orion]

At this rate the 86 may end up being my go-to. I have a feeling the Performance trim is going to be bumped up too high by Nissan, for an ancient chassis and a "seasoned" motor.

That's basically my plan as well since I have no faith that I'm getting the Z....even though I finally got an email from the manager at my local Nissan for a deposit lol.

 

[V35]