Originally Posted by Shamu

Agreed I havent been on track for two years and had never driven that track before that weekend. But for purposes of the discussion I will say the 370Z is a very balanced car and would be much easier for an inexpereinced driver to fling around a track than a Mustang. However I dont place much relevance in some pro drivers either the differences amongst the pros can be fairly significant as well. I see the car as the enabler just as much as the driver. Good drivers can often drive past a cars flaws easier than an amatuer can. This too can hide flaws of the Mustang that wont show in standard performance data.

What I can offer to you is that I have driven Porsche race cars and the 370Z is a very capable car on track. This Z handles like a Porsche and is very confidence inspiring. More so than a Mustang could ever imagine in near stock trim. I have driven the new Mustang and while impressive it isnt really what I would call a good track car out of the box. It would take some extensive work on the Mustang, not just a set of coilovers to get it to handle anywhere close to the 370Z. The new Boss Laguna Seca probably approaches something a little closer to a track car but good luck getting a deal on that car! It wont come cheap!

I'm going to be watching Grand Am race at VIR to see how the 370Z does against the Boss Mustangs. Those Grand Am cars maintain much of their stock suspension mounting points, engines arent overly moddified and weights are reasonable in comparison to each platform.

The weight and solid axle of Mustang are not something that work well on more technical road courses. Thats an issue regardless of the nut behind the wheel. However the Mustang definitely belts out the ponies. Its all in your preference. I tend to enjoy a car I can attack turns with. Mustang aint going to cut it in that element. That high reving Ford V8 certainly wins points on sound track front however!

Its all good I just think 370Z is more of a sports car as opposed to the Mustang muscle car.

Originally Posted by m4a1mustang

The Grand Am series shows just how good of a track car the Mustang can be. It, along with the M3s, are dominating this year. If you haven't seen much of it might surprise you a bit.

I agree with a lot of your points, many are ones I have made in the countless 370 vs. 5.0 debates. I'm not sure what Mustang you drove, base suspension or Brembo package, but in either case the stock shocks/struts are the limiting factor on the stock suspension. You'd probably be really surprised at how much a difference a proper set of shocks/struts or coils will make on one of these cars. I'd venture to guess you'd be pretty pleased with the feel of a Brembo package 5.0 on Koni yellows and Steeda sport springs... much better control. I'd actually be pretty interested in your thoughts on the Boss if you get a chance to get behind the wheel of one on track.

But that's really beyond the point. It's still not going to "feel" like a sports car because like you said, it really isn't. It might put down the numbers and get lumped into that sports car performance category, but it won't feel quite like a Z or a Cayman.

It's a different driving experience and it all comes down to preference, like you said. I'm just glad there are still people out there willing to discuss this kind of stuff maturely!

I do suspect the 2014 redesign will be somewhat of a game changer. If what Ford is saying is right, we're looking at a smaller, lighter (250lbs or more) Mustang with a direct-injected 5.0 and IRS. Should be interesting.