Greetings to all.

[DYNAZOR]

New to the forum as of today (2/8/2012). New to Nissan '12 370Z as of Monday, 2/6/2012.

60 years old, retired, traded in my '09 Mustang V-6 for a new 370Z, base model w/sport package and a few other minor options, (time's running out, right?). Color is gun metallic. So far it's one great automobile. I hope it is more reliable than was my '04 Altima (3 recalls, never-ending "Check Engine" lights after having computer's software upgraded according to factory bulletin, no such problems before the upgrade).

Looking forward to participating in this forum.
Thank-you,
Larry R.

[frost]

Welcome aboard. My Z has been super-reliable, but everyone has their stories.

[DYNAZOR]

Thank-you frost, will comply.

[pedZ]

[370ZilverZ]

Welcome and congratulations. I think you made a good decision as far as a reliable sports car. Plenty of good information to be found on the forum. Mostly is about how much fun folks are having with their Z's. Enjoy

[6MT]

Hi

[nmjaxx9]

Welcome and congrats on the 12'!

[ZMan8]

welcome!

[Scorpio0124]

Welcome & Congrats !!!!

You only live once, so you might as well make the ride enjoyable....

Just watchout for those curves and have fun..

[DYNAZOR]

Thank-you everyone.

[sparky]

Congrats Dynazor. I have the same on order with a long wait ahead. Would like to hear your initial impressions. How would you compare power, handling, road noise to the Stang?
And ya there is a ton of great info on this forum and the members on here make this the best board on the net!

[DYNAZOR]

Thanks Sparky. I've only had the car a few days now, but it didn't take long to figure out that it is light years ahead of the Mustang. Keep in mind though that the Mustang was NOT a GT, and so it cost a LOT LESS dough. Nevertheless, the Mustang DOES have a 4.0L V-6, but only 210 HP (I forget the torque figure), and its MPG is comparable to the Z, so I would have hoped for more out of the Ford. The Mustang was fun to drive, I thought. Taking a test ride in the Z changed all that.

So here are my observations of the Z vs. the Mustang:
Power: Absolutely the Z, the Mustang doesn't come close; if it did I might not have gotten rid of it. The new Mustang V-6 apparently has 300+ HP, less CID, and better MPG than the Z, so the new Stang would be a fairer comparison, as would the GT.

Handling (including braking): again, the Z wins by a large margin. Tight, responsive steering, good lateral stability in tight, fast turns, unbelievably efficient braking (sport package). The Mustang wasn't BAD per se, but its braking left something to be desired. Z handling is still much better though.

The Z has a 19 gallon fuel tank, the Mustang had a 13.something gallon tank, so with comparable MPG the Z will get you about 100-150 more miles per tank full, pretty good range, Id say.

One thing that I'm a little troubled by in the Z is the exterior visability from the driver's seat in the right rear quadrant. The right rear window is tiny (looks good though) and you don't even catch much of it when you turn your head to clear the right rear area. This requires more attention on your part to avoid mishaps. It can be done, but it's not going to be done by itself, you have to use your mirrors more effectively and more often.

Road noise: each one comparable to the other, neither of which I consider to be satisfactory. Maybe that's deliberate so that you don't forget you're driving a car that you are likely to be driving FAST.

Style: no need to address this issue except to say WOW!!!! when you are talking about the Z.

Audio: The Mustang had the Pony package which includes the 500w Shaker Stereo system. This is a killer system. The Z only has the basic system, not too bad, but the Shaker leaves it cold. I have to check into what my options are for improving the audio. This forum should provide me with plenty of options.

The Mustang is a very nice throwback design (stylewise), but the Z is, in my opinion, the future.

I hope the paint on the Z is more durable then the paint on the Mustang. The Mustang was VERY susceptable to small chips, and the bumper and hood and fronts of the front fenders were full of them. To make matters worse, the Mustang was Black, and the prime coat appeared to be white or a very light color, which of course made the chips all stand out that much more easily. Annoyed the hell out of me.

Synopsis: the Z is similar to a women to me: as long as it stays tight, responsive, reliable, and doesn't give me a lot of grief I'll keep it around for a while.

[sparky]

Nice comparison post Dynazor! One of my issues with the Mustang is there seems to be so damn many of them on the road. I understand the popularity but pulling up to a light or sitting in traffic and there are 2 more of the car you're driving just bugs me after a while. LOL. I'm driving a Mazda 3 right now so I know, and seem to see almost as many Mustangs. I guess that's where some of the appeal for the Z comes from, that just won't happen to you very often if ever.
On the paint issue, I suggest you put some clear bra at least on the front as soon as possible. Comments on this forum indicate weak paint on the Z too.

[Mr&Mrs]

Welcome!

[ZCarMan]

Congrats and welcome! I miss the San Diego weather. Almost as much as I miss the Hawaii weather!