Muscle car power is addicting no doubt. Handling has improved tremendously, and I say this admirably. Even the camaro that gets less respect is pretty strong taking corners... It's excessive width is the biggest weakness that reserves confidence in the corners. Hard to see out front.
The mustang proved the superior handler. I myself didn't drive the track pack back in 2011. Just the GT. I found the 5.0 suspension too soft, steering feel was on the gummy side but the power was just so good, I have no real words. Just, at the price point, the stang pulls like some kind of high powered exotic. The Z can't compete in the straight line feel of a mustang.
What I didn't like though were things that others may find negligable.
1. The ugliest,most outdated gauge cluster I've ever seen on recent vehicles.
2. In the sports car world, the worst seating position. Felt like a sedan.
3. Steering to Road connection. Extremely flat, when you combine it with horribly high ride height,can't get it right seating position and softish suspension... It's a dealbreaker.
Now i know the track package must solve many of my road connection issues. But with other factors that i know that cant be changed b a suspension pkg. I cant do it.
Would love to drive the BOSS 302. OP, who tested the BOSS and found the steering horrid... Which key did you use? The red or the gold? One sets the car to DD mode, The other for track mode.
That said. I used to hate mustangs after the foxbody because i always felt ford gave the people a great engine, great power to weight ratio and bad everything else. This is NOT the case anymore. Mustang is back with a vengence and taking no prisoners. I just hope the next gen stang addresses what i don't like about it. At least make a model thats dropped 2.5 inches lower than the current one, with a much lower seating position.
My Z may be totally inferior in power and the stang may be equal in the corners. But it doesn't feel equal in the steering wheel. That said,i'll take the loss with the Z for now... I bought a Z cuz I like feeling connected to the road and going fast. I love that low slung seating position. I love being close to the ground. It was the best compromise... Not slow like Mazda miata etc... but feeling very connected to the road and able to swing through corners with ease.
That said. Under 40k. Nothing will f*&k with a stang on the track.
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