who here has previously owned a cobra (or mustang)...?

Minicobra1

I've owned 4, 69 Mach1, 70 Boss302 (I know, I'm an idiot for selling that one)
91 5.0/vortech, 04 cobra IRS. Always been a mustang fan, probably b/c my father was into them, they were easy cars to make fast at the track.
One thing that always bothered me, other then the 04, was that they didn't have IRS. If you had stiff shocks, springs and sway bars, sure you can make them handle good on a smooth track, but you were bounced and kicked all over the place on the street. The great thing about the Z is that it has the incredible handling with a ride that is actually somewhat comfortable. Yeah, my last stang handled as good as the Z, until you hit a bump mid corner, or any rough roads, it would unsettle real quick.
I do miss the torque of the stangs, but that's easily fixed with 3 words, super charge er After that it will be almost perfect :-)

Another thing to consider, big power isn't always usable on the street, it's nice to brag about, but trying to get traction is another story.
Good example is the Super Snake (750hp) on street tires a (485hp GTR) smokes it 0-60mph and on the 1/4 mile. AWD has a lot to do with that.
Just imagine how a regular Cobra would fair.


370z's with bolt on's are running hi 12.8's in the 1/4 and 0-60 under 5 sec.
12.8009 @ 110.33
and there is plenty of forced induction options coming available, rear gears, etc. that will get you some torque back.
I won't kid you though, I do find myself looking at pics and watching video of the 2011 Cobra from time to time like a said, always been a mustang fan. If it had IRS and was a little lighter, I would be all over it.

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Old Chuck

I too have always been a Mustang fan and can see the advantage of the torque from a V-8. I also am impressed with the handling of the 370Z after a couple of drives. Both cars offer a good ride. The 370Z is more rewarding in its basic form. With the Mustang, if you don't have at least the factory track pack option you will give up a few seconds around a track and it feels loose and sloppy. The basic Z will do much better even without the sport pack. It seems that many who buy the Mustang are only interested in the look and not performance. However, with the Mustang you never know what someone has done to the Mustang. I am on the fence about which to buy but am leaning toward the Z due to handling feel. Will reserve my judgement till the 5.0 Mustang has some miles on it. You and several posters are correct in that high HP and torque is nice however, most times you can not use them on the street. I felt the 370Z's power very useable and easy to control.

Terror

Yep, just got rid of (sorta) an 08 Mustang Bullitt with bolt on's, tune etc... But I just bought a 370Z and gave the Mustang to my girlfriend...

I love my new Z.....

a Corvette is a Corvette

a Mustang is a Mustang....

and a Z is a Z... all very different, different strokes for different folks.

its all a matter of what you like, but personally.. if your looking for a drivers car you wouldnt at all be upset with a Z34.

TheSnakeJake

thanks... this is what i was looking for.

how do you like driving the Z compared to the bullitt??

Endgame

Had an 02 GT modded to 560 HP to the ground; sold it to my father. The Z does not have the brute force, but handles SOOOOO much better. The newer Stangs handle better than the previous models but are still so very heavy when compared to the 350Z let alone the 370Z.

As stated previously, do you want muscle or sport? Up to you; the new GT500 is VERY COOL IMO.

Pushing_Tin

I've had a lot of Fords, but never a Mustang. I considered a Mustang, Vette and Camaro before I got my Z and really couldn't be happier with my choice.

fullmonty

Had a lightly modded 1997 Pacific Green Mustang. It was by far the best car I've ever owned as well as the first car I ever owned. When I was looking for cars I looked at many of the same ones you are, and let me tell you the only 2 cars to put a big smile on my face was a Mustang and the 370Z. I went with the Z because it was calling out to me, and it just looks sexy as hell. I would becareful jumping onto the 2011 5.0, I just came from a 6.0 Powerstroke, and I trust a new engine from Ford about as far as I can throw one. I only considered the Stang in my search because I knew it was still going to have the 4.6L V8, I know its tried and true. This new 5.0 I think is going to have some issues. Good luck on you search bud!

IDZRVIT

Isn't the 5.0L the same as the old 302 introduced in the late '60's? If so, that was a very reliable power plant and Ford used it for decades.

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"America.... still builds rockets!"
Vette: 355 cid, 400 rwhp
'13 CTS-V Coupe: 6.2L LSA, 556HP

>135I

No I am pretty sure that ford is using the modular engine, just made the displacement a little bigger.

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I will miss my Z. I hope she goes to a good home.

1slow370

if he buys a 2010 yes it is a modular engine. If he is looking at the new 2011 with all new ground up redesign of 5.0 engine with 413ish power thats a whole new game and a totally untested engine design that is different from the modular.

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fullmonty

I think the only thing the new and old 5.0s have in common is displacment and badging. I just skimmed the article in this months Muscle Mustangs about it but couldn't find any worthwhile information. All in all though, this isn't old reliable, this is wolf in sheeps clothing if you will.

chuckd05

gt500 if money isnt an issue. espesially if you came from an 03 corbra with the charger..

the 370z is fast and has plenty of power but 540 from the factory, and over 600 with a pulley and exhaust is something I would def take over my Zs sexyness...

gt500 gets my vote... sick car

saw a all black one liked it better than blue with stripes but both were really nice imo.

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09 370Z 6M PW - FBO Best 1/4 mile = 12.926 @ 109 SOLD -- 08 BMW 135i - FBO 12.1@120mph SOLD -- white 09 e92 335 Coupe Mtech - 11.9 @ 119 :-)

1slow370

if youre comparing a z to a mustang gt there is also the rarity of the car that comes into account. Nissan will only sell maybe 10,000 a year of our cars so in the lifespan of the model there will probably be only a years worth of production of the mustang as they sell a crapload of stangs. your more likely to be noticed in the z (for better and for worse). and i'll tell you what having driven the new mustangs there is more room in the z yet in the mustang you feel like your driving an explorer while the z sits you lower and feels like ur butt is kissing the ground. the ride is totally different between the two.

serge

My three candidates are the 370Z, the M3 and the 335i. The Z is a whole lot of car for just $31k (Base with Sport pkg)

While M3s aren't cheap to maintain, I'm a bit clueless about the numerous issues you are referring to. M3s are pretty much bulletproof reliable, saving a few units with DCT transmission.

Vegitto-kun

i never owned one but I would prefer the Z. not into the whole musclecar thing.

+ they don't sell mustang/cobra here