280z/300zx

You'd be wrong. The STI runs 13.1-13.3 just like the 370z. From a roll the STI would be eaten alive as the AWD robs the power. To put it another way the 370z dynos at roughly 270hp at the wheels vs. 240hp for the STI. In order for the STI to have similar hp to the Z it has to run stage II.

To the OP, I was in a similar situation 1mo ago. My beautiful yellow 09 touring sport was totaled and I had to get another car. The only other cars I looked at were the corvette and 4 door STI ( I used to have an 06 WRX back in the day so I'm still partial to Subys). The corvette, while much faster, didn't have the same feel and the interior quality just wasn't up to par. I could have got past the materials they used but when looking at some used Vettes that were only 1-3 years old (wanted to see how the cars held up over time) I noticed the seats wore really bad, some rattles were noted, and there were areas where the carpet would pull up or fall down. Overall the Z just won out.

As for the suby, great car but two things lead me not to get it. First was that the dealer wouldn't let me test drive it. I went back twice and no dice. They wanted me to buy the car just from sitting in it. Second, as you already mentioned, it just doesn't feel as grown up as the Z.

In the end I wanted another touring sport in Blue (could no longer get yellow) but would have had to order it and wait 3mo. With my job I couldn't wait that long just driving my 280z or 300zx so I opted to get a black Nismo. I don't regret my option to get another Z since there really isn't anything out there similar. The mustang sure is tempting but it's just too generic looking. Besides, my girlfriend already has a Camaro 2SS 6speed