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

Pharmacist

why would anyone like and older outdated and inferior technology compared to better well engineered and modern technology? so that's the mentality of a typical mustang owner

theDreamer

I cannot answer that as I am not or have ever been a Mustang owner.

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frost

Keeps the cost down? Just a guess, I have no idea.

fullmonty

If it ain't broke don't fix it. And whats your issue with this 'mustang owner mentality'?

Pharmacist

if ppl thought this way we'd all still be driving a ford model t in the 21st century

theDreamer

Actually, the Ford Model T has been proven to be a horrible car with many major flaws. It sold in that time period because it was cheap to the masses.

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Pharmacist

maybe. i have no idea, since i didnt even exist when that was going on. but anyway, it was just a figure of speech, not meant to be taken literally.

Old Chuck

I know I shouldn't bite but it seems as if you have a problem with Mustang owners. The live axle is done because it is cheaper. They made the decision years ago to save money. The solid axle is better in a straight line and there are things that can be done to overcome many of its faults in corners. I did not mean a highly modded mustang with 600 HP against a stock Z. Just a couple grand in shocks and dampers. Many here mod their Z's with exhaust, cai's etc. worth more then a couple grand. You are correct in that Mustangs were designed for straight line however, look at some of the auto X times against the 370Z and you will find that in stock classes without HP increases that the Mustang can hold it own or win against the Z.
You also stated that a Z will beat a Cayman. It should outrun it as it has a bunch more HP(60). Compare HP to HP and the Cayman S should be its comparison. The Z will NOT beat the Cayman S either in a straight line or in the twisties. The Z like the Mustang was built to a price point. We each have cars that we love but I respect everyones' right to drive what they like. We can all pick apart the weakness of others' cars but I would rather embrace the love we all have for cars whatever they are...

mkdiehl

to the OP:

This may not help much, since I am still confused myself about what car "I" want...

In the last couple of years I have had:
03 Cobra (500/500 to the wheels)
Mini Cooper S
08 M3 Sedan
10 370z sport/touring

The mustang appears to have ruined me for life when it comes to acceleration. It simply makes every other car seem slow (that I have driven...) despite sub 5 second 0-60 times some of the others listed.

I sold the mustang and went with the mini due to it's lightweight, excellent handling, and supercharged engine (easily modified for a little more power). I miss that car from a fun factor.....was just a little too rough around the edges for me.

I moved on to the M3 because I wanted a more luxurious ride but something that still could move and handled well. I really wanted one with the DCT transmission (daily driver in traffic) but got such a good deal on a manual that I couldn't justify the difference. It was everything I hoped in terms of handling and comfort but the high reving nature of that engine made it tough to get in the power band without really racing it around (as compared to the 2 previous supercharged cars I had that hit instantly). Now that it's gone...I miss it too.

Moved on to the Z (sold the M3 becuase we bought a 335 for the wife and felt that the two were too similar....was very wrong). Pretty happy with it from a handling standpoint but again miss the power of the Cobra and the low end grunt of the supercharged cars (mini included for around town type speeds). I miss some of the convenience features of the BMW in the Z but overall for the price it is a nice car. Haven't taken it to the track yet and it is still cold here, so summer will tell me more of the story from a handling standpoint.

Been followng the supercharger threads religiously wondering if that may be my answer...but not sure I want to pour that kind of money into a car that I am sure I will not hold onto for more than a few years (history shows).

Bottom line.....if you want light, good handling car...Z. If you want the kind of horsepower that will scare your passengers....GT500. I thought about both as well when I bought my Z.

Just had to get that off my chest as I second guess myself all the time...

good luck.

TheSnakeJake

very helpful... thanks.

i eventually will have a gt500, i just feel like i want to try something different for a while. although i am a bit scared of the oil temp and oil consumption issues that these cars seem to have...

mick

i just followed mustang recently so i don't know much about its history.
one thing that confuses me is how come the price of the gt350 is more than the gt500? doesn't the gt500 have a bigger engine?

TheSnakeJake

the gt350 is a shelby american, inc vehicle. it is not a product of ford...

NewlyIMPORTed

i had a 07 mustang gt with the CDC shaker system and when i went to the 370 the change was crazy going from a car that is refined and handles like it should was a nice change

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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.