GT500 vs 370Z

spearfish25 · 01-03-2010, 10:14 AM

I had a unique opportunity this weekend to drive my friend's new Mustang GT500 around Florida. Having owned my 370 for about 9 months and read quite a bit about the GT500, I was curious how a 540hp hotrod compares to a more refined sports car like the Z. Since I'm sure you guys have probably read about the GT500 as well and perhaps had an owner try to race you, here are some interesting comparisons.

Engine:
Well, the rumble of that V8 is pretty sweet. It's not incredibly loud and is probably on par with a catback and hfc install on our car (in terms of overall loudness). Unfortunately, we'll never replicate that deep rumble. Add the supercharged whine over 4500rpm and it's darn cool to 'get on' this car.

Acceleration:
While the GT500 has incredible power, the weight of the car makes it feel very comparable to the 370Z in terms of butt dyno. There is a more visceral experience with the noise of the V8 though.

Handling:
The car is very responsive to wheel input but doesn't feel connected to the road at all. Despite the low profile 18" tires, I didn't have that sense of the road surface and steering feel of the Z. The size of the car makes it feel cumbersome as well.

Braking:
Those Brembos are nice. Braking is top notch.

Interior 'bits':

Shifter: a very cool pool cue knob and a notchy, extremely short throw shifter. I was amazed at the effort it took to shift gears...you'd think the Z was butter compared to this car. Throws were too short for my liking at maybe 1.5" (unbelievably short). Combining the short throw and force needed to shift, I kept thinking I missed the shift. The throttle response made it very easy to rev match downshifts the traditional way. Clutch 'take' was very much like our car but perhaps even higher off the floor.

Fit and finish:
Pretty darn good. The seats are better than those in the Z. They just fit perfectly and give incredible head, neck and back support. The car is laden with plastic around the dash and center console which reminds you that you're still in a Ford.

Lighting:
I can't believe Nissan didn't do something like this for the Z. You guys tearing apart your cars to change your interior lighting colors would die with envy. All the lighting in the GT500 is customizable (ambient feet, doors, cupholders, and ALL dash lighting). The car's computer lets you change the LED color of all these lit areas and you even have three custom options where you can mix up your own colors. Why a Z doesn't have this is beyond me.

Nav:
Ford put a voice controlled nav in the car which seems to work pretty well. The shining upside is that you can always input a new route using voice commands, but have to stop like every other nav to do it by hand. Gone are the days of pulling over to put your destination in. It couldn't figure out long street or town names, but gives you the ability to verbally spell things which makes up for the shortcoming.

Overall, I like my Z better. We won't be able to compete with the V8 sound, I'd bet our cars are quicker in a straight line unless the GT500 is driven by a very skilled person. In corners, there's no question. Most GT500 owners will be worrying about spinning out while you zip past them given the loads of power, lack of road feel, and beefiness of the car. The GT500 feels large, heavy, and lacks the finesse of the Z.

If you can get a chance to drive one though...go for it

.

theDreamer · 01-03-2010, 10:19 AM

Sounds about dead on, the lights can also be changed in the GT maybe even the V6.

The one thing I feel envious of my two co-workers is the V8 sound, but that is where it stops for me.

280z/300zx · 01-03-2010, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spearfish25

I'd bet our cars are quicker in a straight line unless the GT500 is driven by a very skilled person.
.

The GT500 runs roughly 12.6 at 113mph. Even with a not so skilled person, just someone decent, it's going to be pulling on the 370z.

spearfish25 · 01-03-2010, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 280z/300zx

The GT500 runs roughly 12.6 at 113mph. Even with a not so skilled person, just someone decent, it's going to be pulling on the 370z.

You can spin the tires in 4th. It takes skill to make the GT500 fast.

Mag350Z · 01-03-2010, 11:43 AM

a GT 500 will crush a 370Z, so will the 2011 GT

Mag350Z · 01-03-2010, 11:45 AM

in a straight line I mean
the 370Z will run away from both on a track

shabarivas · 09-23-2010, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mag350Z

in a straight line I mean
the 370Z will run away from both on a track

Ha ha im sure you like to believe that but the 2011 GT will have its way on any track where you can average near triple digit speeds...

PapoZalsa · 01-03-2010, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mag350Z

a GT 500 will crush a 370Z, so will the 2011 GT

And it cost thousands more!!!!!

cashbred · 09-23-2010, 06:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mag350Z

a GT 500 will crush a 370Z, so will the 2011 GT

haha sorry to say but my z when it was stock never lost to my brothers 2011 ford 5.0 maybe you just have a lemon or mine is a freak who knows

MightyBobo · 09-23-2010, 06:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cashbred

haha sorry to say but my z when it was stock never lost to my brothers 2011 ford 5.0 maybe you just have a lemon or mine is a freak who knows

Or your brother is a terrible driver...the 5.0 is a sick setup.

FastJew · 01-03-2010, 11:48 AM

The GT500 to 370Z comparison is a very difficult one to make seeing how many differences there are just in the general makeup of the cars. 4 seats vs 2, overall size/weight, IRS vs solid rear axle, etc...

GT500 competes with the Camaro SS, SRT8, Charger, Challenger, and few others I am sure I am forgetting.

370Z was meant to compete with Corvette, Cayman, and Z4 to offer similar performance at a much cheaper price.

When it comes down to it between the GT500 and 370Z you are really just comparing lifestyles not car performance.

m4a1mustang · 01-03-2010, 11:53 AM

The GT500 is a beast to drive fast. It takes considerable skill to work the 1/4 in 12 seconds with one. If you check out the mustang boards the top drivers are ridiculously fast and then there are others stuck in the 13s with high traps because they can't hook.

m4a1mustang · 01-03-2010, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FastJew

The GT500 to 370Z comparison is a very difficult one to make seeing how many differences there are just in the general makeup of the cars. 4 seats vs 2, overall size/weight, IRS vs solid rear axle, etc...

GT500 competes with the Camaro SS, SRT8, Charger, Challenger, and few others I am sure I am forgetting.

370Z was meant to compete with Corvette, Cayman, and Z4 to offer similar performance at a much cheaper price.

When it comes down to it between the GT500 and 370Z you are really just comparing lifestyles not car performance.

Exactly. In a perfect world Id have both.

FastJew · 01-03-2010, 12:21 PM

The GT could hardly be considered competition for the Camaro SS and SRT8. Now in 2011 that will all change with the coming of the 5.0 in the GT.

m4a1mustang - That would be nice...take the stang to the dragstrip and the z to the roadcourse

carlos3366 · 01-03-2010, 11:39 AM

You can't compare any Rustang to the Z.

01-03-2010, 10:14 AM	#1 (permalink)
spearfish25 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Naples, FL Posts: 4,117 Drives: to work Rep Power: 1856	GT500 comparison to 370Z I had a unique opportunity this weekend to drive my friend's new Mustang GT500 around Florida. Having owned my 370 for about 9 months and read quite a bit about the GT500, I was curious how a 540hp hotrod compares to a more refined sports car like the Z. Since I'm sure you guys have probably read about the GT500 as well and perhaps had an owner try to race you, here are some interesting comparisons. Engine: Well, the rumble of that V8 is pretty sweet. It's not incredibly loud and is probably on par with a catback and hfc install on our car (in terms of overall loudness). Unfortunately, we'll never replicate that deep rumble. Add the supercharged whine over 4500rpm and it's darn cool to 'get on' this car. Acceleration: While the GT500 has incredible power, the weight of the car makes it feel very comparable to the 370Z in terms of butt dyno. There is a more visceral experience with the noise of the V8 though. Handling: The car is very responsive to wheel input but doesn't feel connected to the road at all. Despite the low profile 18" tires, I didn't have that sense of the road surface and steering feel of the Z. The size of the car makes it feel cumbersome as well. Braking: Those Brembos are nice. Braking is top notch. Interior 'bits': Shifter: a very cool pool cue knob and a notchy, extremely short throw shifter. I was amazed at the effort it took to shift gears...you'd think the Z was butter compared to this car. Throws were too short for my liking at maybe 1.5" (unbelievably short). Combining the short throw and force needed to shift, I kept thinking I missed the shift. The throttle response made it very easy to rev match downshifts the traditional way. Clutch 'take' was very much like our car but perhaps even higher off the floor. Fit and finish: Pretty darn good. The seats are better than those in the Z. They just fit perfectly and give incredible head, neck and back support. The car is laden with plastic around the dash and center console which reminds you that you're still in a Ford. Lighting: I can't believe Nissan didn't do something like this for the Z. You guys tearing apart your cars to change your interior lighting colors would die with envy. All the lighting in the GT500 is customizable (ambient feet, doors, cupholders, and ALL dash lighting). The car's computer lets you change the LED color of all these lit areas and you even have three custom options where you can mix up your own colors. Why a Z doesn't have this is beyond me. Nav: Ford put a voice controlled nav in the car which seems to work pretty well. The shining upside is that you can always input a new route using voice commands, but have to stop like every other nav to do it by hand. Gone are the days of pulling over to put your destination in. It couldn't figure out long street or town names, but gives you the ability to verbally spell things which makes up for the shortcoming. Overall, I like my Z better. We won't be able to compete with the V8 sound, I'd bet our cars are quicker in a straight line unless the GT500 is driven by a very skilled person. In corners, there's no question. Most GT500 owners will be worrying about spinning out while you zip past them given the loads of power, lack of road feel, and beefiness of the car. The GT500 feels large, heavy, and lacks the finesse of the Z. If you can get a chance to drive one though...go for it . __________________ 2013 Cadillac V-Wagon, RIP Z Last edited by spearfish25; 01-03-2010 at 05:49 PM.

01-03-2010, 10:19 AM	#2 (permalink)
theDreamer A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 30,879 Drives: 370z Rep Power: 4211	Sounds about dead on, the lights can also be changed in the GT maybe even the V6. The one thing I feel envious of my two co-workers is the V8 sound, but that is where it stops for me. __________________ theDreamer's Z // Fast Intentions // Uprev // GTM // HKS // TEIN theDreamer's Silvia // URAS // GREDDY Houston Zs // Facebook // Twitter // Instagram

01-03-2010, 11:48 AM	#11 (permalink)
FastJew Base Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Denton, TX Posts: 58 Drives: 2009/370z/TS/6MT Rep Power: 16	The GT500 to 370Z comparison is a very difficult one to make seeing how many differences there are just in the general makeup of the cars. 4 seats vs 2, overall size/weight, IRS vs solid rear axle, etc... GT500 competes with the Camaro SS, SRT8, Charger, Challenger, and few others I am sure I am forgetting. 370Z was meant to compete with Corvette, Cayman, and Z4 to offer similar performance at a much cheaper price. When it comes down to it between the GT500 and 370Z you are really just comparing lifestyles not car performance. __________________ 09 370Z - FI TDX CBE/Stillen G3/FI HFC's are next 06 Xterra OR - 3" SL - 33" Pro-Comp MT's - Shrockworks Sliders & Rear Bumper/Tire Carrier - Stillen Cross Drilled Rotors/Pads

01-03-2010, 11:53 AM	#12 (permalink)
m4a1mustang A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Northern VA Posts: 55,385 Drives: on two wheels Rep Power: 6963	The GT500 is a beast to drive fast. It takes considerable skill to work the 1/4 in 12 seconds with one. If you check out the mustang boards the top drivers are ridiculously fast and then there are others stuck in the 13s with high traps because they can't hook. __________________ - Steve Zs & Coffee - Saturdays at 10AM in Fairfax, VA and Columbia, MD (Click the banner!) LIKE us on Facebook!

01-03-2010, 12:21 PM	#14 (permalink)
FastJew Base Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Denton, TX Posts: 58 Drives: 2009/370z/TS/6MT Rep Power: 16	The GT could hardly be considered competition for the Camaro SS and SRT8. Now in 2011 that will all change with the coming of the 5.0 in the GT. m4a1mustang - That would be nice...take the stang to the dragstrip and the z to the roadcourse __________________ 09 370Z - FI TDX CBE/Stillen G3/FI HFC's are next 06 Xterra OR - 3" SL - 33" Pro-Comp MT's - Shrockworks Sliders & Rear Bumper/Tire Carrier - Stillen Cross Drilled Rotors/Pads

01-03-2010, 11:43 AM	#5 (permalink)
Mag350Z Base Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: South Florida Posts: 95 Drives: 2011 GS Corvette Rep Power: 16	a GT 500 will crush a 370Z, so will the 2011 GT

01-03-2010, 11:45 AM	#6 (permalink)
Mag350Z Base Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: South Florida Posts: 95 Drives: 2011 GS Corvette Rep Power: 16	in a straight line I mean the 370Z will run away from both on a track

01-03-2010, 11:39 AM	#15 (permalink)
carlos3366 Base Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Fort Worth, TX Posts: 54 Drives: 05 camry, 97 500sl Rep Power: 17	You can't compare any Rustang to the Z. __________________ twitter.com/carlos3366