BrianMSmith

I had the old SS, albeit with some well upgraded suspension, and geared down, still geared way higher than the Z...

The old SS kills the Z in seat of the pants kick, way more torque, and with my set up noticeably faster in a straight line. The SS was excellent in the corners, until I drove the Z on the same roads. The Z makes it feel so much easier, and is noticeably faster through twisty, bumpy, challenging roads, and it feels safer (which it actually is) and that makes it more fun for me. The Z refuses to under or over steer with the stability control on, at any speed I'd hit on the road...which is extremely fast, like 75mph in a 45mph-signed corner. The Z has way higher technology in stability control, which keeps the car safer for very agressive driving. The Z is almost as fast as the SS in numbers, but doesn't feel it, as the power comes from high RPM and not high torque.

The Z is a much more mature vehicle, it's like a luxury car in terms of interior experience, fit, finish, refinement (except for the road noise...which is insane...but probably will be much improved with better tires..see Tire Rack ratings for comparos).

The SS is dominated by the experience of the engine. In the Z you hardly notice the engine, it's rather all about the handling dynamics and incredible braking....you can go into a corner at completely mad speeds and last second braking...I'd never do that in the SS, which doesn't have nearly the braking nor the composure. The SS takes it's time getting set up in a corner, but once it does it has very high grip, though well below the limits available in the Z. The SS would get all rear end steery with traction control off, which was fun, very controllable. I haven't tried that in the Z yet, and probably won't.