Hard Decision
 

...I love my 370Z, and I've enjoyed everything about it. I installed several aftermarket parts (wheels, CAI, CBE, HFC, audio upgrades, etc) and feel as though it is the best looking vehicle on the road today. The aggressive look of both front and rear end is something that sold me and I just had to have it. Recently, the 2016 Camaro 1SS/2SS has released and again, I am falling in love with another vehicle (I feel like I'm emotionally cheating on my car). This wouldn't even be a discussion to have if the 370Z could compete with the 455 horsepower and 455 torque (granted the Camaro isn't delivering this to the rear wheels but still impressive numbers).

Again, I love my car and would do anything to keep it but the last straw was when a 2010 Lexus GS460 left me at the light. I didn't know we were about to go but at no point should the 370Z need notice of a pending challenger of that caliber. So now I'm trying to decide whether I should trade the Z in for an american made vehicle. I love my imports though...tough decision though...my brother bought a 2012 Mustang GT and I've ran against it and again, I was no challenge for the amount of power its able to put down. Yes, two different classes (8v6) but now I feel I'm getting disrespected every time I turn my head.

I know someone is going to suggest that I either get a SC or TT but for the amount of money I will be spending on that, I would have bought the SS plus a little honda civic. So, I don't know...comments or suggestions?

If it's all about the Hp, then a Z cannot compete with American Muscle. The Z is about sporty handling; not engaging in d$%k measuring contests at stop lights.

If you really need the extra Hp then consider forced induction.

This thread irritates me...

In short, your 370Z is a total waste in your possession.

If you're considering getting rid of your 370 just because there's faster, more powerful cars out there, then you haven't grasped the concept of this car and you don't deserve it.

I don't care what kind of car you buy, there's ALWAYS going to be something more powerful, quicker, faster than yours. Go ahead and buy a nasty American muscle car, then start crying and complaining the first time some big turbo diesel pickup or some ratty, beaten up modded Honda Civic blows your doors off.

:shakes head:

The new camaro, based on the new chassis is quite the performer even in the corners. If you have the money and like the car, go for it.

A car is a car. Tastes change. If I had 50K burning a hole in my pocket I'd get the 2ss myself. Or an ats-v.

No matter how good they are getting, I still wouldn't buy one.

If $50k was burning a hole in my wallet, I certainly wouldn't waste it on an American car. No, I'd be buying a Porsche, BMW, Audi...

I'm not sure that asking this on the internet would be the best place to get the answer you are looking for. Also, you'll most likely get the same answer from 370z owners since must of us will prefer the 370z. It's your decision, money, and life so whatever makes you happy should answer your question.

About the 2012 Mustang GT, I could be wrong so I apologize ahead of time, but shouldn't the 370z and 2012 Mustang GT be very similar in performance? Specially 1/4 mile run? Best of luck!

I see Camaros all the time,ehh, only have seen 1 new vette and it is FUGLY.

It's true. American auto-makers have really stepped up their power:displacement game, and a lot of the recents will kill a 370z in a drag race. Notice how even tiny Ford "hot hatches" have impressive 0-60 times?

So you're at a fork in the road so to speak: do you want a drag race champ, or are you happy with the way the Z drives and looks?

No matter what you buy, there will be a faster/cuter/cheaper-but-faster car out there at some point. :D

If it helps, here's why I have a Z:

- Rare (you don't see these driving around as rentals), and many people who see it aren't quite sure what it is! It's a conversation starter in parking lots.

- Very quick, even though nowhere near the fastest, it's just plain fun to drive! C'mon, it was released in 2008. :)

- Drive it through twisty mountain roads, and it really comes into its own.

There's no car you can buy that won't have things that can't be improved upon, or won't be obsolete in a few months acceleration wise. It's up to you if the compromises made with a Z are ones you're okay with. Full respect if you decide to go with something like a Shelby or Camaro SS. Those things are f'in FAST!

I have an affection to my Z that I've never had with any other car I've owned. It is because of all of the items that @sgosh mentions above.

There are a lot of cars that I lust after (American, Japanese, German, Italian etc...) but to get the same feeling that I have whenever I see mine (or any other Z), no other car does that for me.

Maybe it's the epitome of a true old school "sports car"; it's quick, agile, unique, fun-to-drive and at a price that most can afford.

It is ultimately your decision, but make sure you remember where you park your car, because there will be another 20 or so parked within the same vicinity that will look exactly like yours...

Summary of your post:

-You repeatedly mentioned the Z's HP deficit
-You got embarrassed in a straight line by others
-You did not mention why you like the Z other it being an import

Conclusion

- Seems like HP and drag racing are the most important thing to you. Z is a mismatch for you. You should go for the American muscles.

And respectfully, if a GS460 dusted you, it's your fault, not the Z.

Not being an A$$, you know what you car and yourself is capable of. Don't blame the Z as to why you got smoke on either American car or Lexus. This tell me that you don't know your car.

Question:
let say you bought the Camaro and Z smoke the car you driving. what will you do?

I like the Z, why? lot of potential not only by looks or power, but every single inches the car bring. In my eyes Z is one of the kind car out there that no equivalent.

why would you ask other people what car you should or shouldn't own? everyone has his/her own preferences. just get the one that makes you happy.

Adios Torreto. Enjoy the straight lines.

Every dream car owner still has a dream car!:driving:

^ except Jay Leno

I never got passed at the tail of the dragon... lol

Seriously as fun as the 6 second wot thrill may be it's more enjoyable doing spirited corners. None of the cars mentioned like to follow my spirited corners

After watching Jay Leno's Garage last night, my next choice has to be the Koenigsegg One:1. I'll need to check with my wife though. Until then, I'll be happy with my '12 Touring/ Sport 6-spd. My next door neighbor has a '16 Z06 Vette and just parks it in his driveway, facing the street. Guess all the neighbors are supposed to be impressed. He never drives it anywhere. So what's the point? Of course, it is plastic.....

For kicks. All stats are 2016 models and pricing:

http://www.the370z.com/attachment.ph...8&d=1466114479

If it were purely a case of HP:$, or Power:Weight, every enthusiast would drive the same car. Given the high number of Mustangs on the road these days, we can see what's driving a lot of people's decisions, and we can expect that to tip in the favour of Camaro purely on power per dollar, and even power:weight ratios.

It depends on what we consider valuable.

Too many people are just looking at the HP as the determining factor for performance. Those who criticize the Z like to point out the lack of HP for the buck, in comparison. Hey that's fine, it's not the most practical price point, but there is no denying the Z's handling. Those who criticize usually haven't been in a Z.

Every time I give friends a joy ride for the first time, I purposely push the turns and they're hanging on for dear life, with a facial expression of WTF was that!, and wet the seats out of excitement. :eek: Thank goodness for suede protection.

But guess it's all about who makes it faster to the next traffic light. And if that's the most important thing to the OP, so be it, whatever makes him happy. Just don't underestimate the Z's strong points.

On another note... out of seeing hundreds of Camaros on the street, I've only seen like 8 370zs, and 2 Nismos (not including mine) in my daily drives. I like the uniqueness. But that's my opinion. :driving:

Why is the title of this thread 'Hard Decision'? Seems pretty clear the OP does not belong in a Z and needs a different car to beat those GS460s :ugh:

I agree. In my eyes, and perhaps in the eyes of most Z (or similar niche-car) owners, the biggest enemy to Camaro and Mustang desirability is how common they are. You can find fleets of them in rental-lots!

It's all about personal value-judgments. And for some, it really is "... all about who makes it faster to the next traffic light." :driving:

I'd much rather have quality, beautiful design, agility and handling over brute force any day. Besides, these Z's aren't no slouch. I've seen 0-60 times on a stock Z range from 5.5 sec all the way down to 4.5 sec, and 1/4 miles times from 13.5 sec down to 12.7 sec. And that's all from a $30k sports car.

Any car from Porsche, BMW, Mercedes, Audi, Lexus, etc, etc that's capable of 4.5 sec 0-60 and a 12.7 sec 1/4 mile time range between $60k - $80k.

Of course, I could add the Camaro, Mustang and Corvette in that list too, but that list above is for REAL cars that can go fast and hug the corners.

And while we're talking about the Z vs the Camaro or Mustang, those two still don't hold a candle to the outstanding looks of the Z. They just don't compare at all to the Z in style and design.

Anywho...

Style is subjective; personally I like the looks of the 15+ Mustang while the Camaro still looks like a turd IMO. As far as the C7 'Vette not holding onto corners... it beats the Z in every measurable category. For 2x the price it should, but don't go being an import homer while the domestic is obviously superior in this case. Hell, the GT350 beats the crap out of the Z too, both in cornering (surprisingly) and acceleration (not even remotely close).;)

Wow its brutal this morning on here:P

The 370z looks amazing and turns way more heads than any camaro, mustang or challenger outside of a hellcat ever will. I have sometimes felt the need to get more hp, and thought about going forced induction on my Z, but honestly I dont see the value in the cost of putting all that work into the Z with what I have already done. Its plenty quick and I customized the entire body, its an amazing car putting over 310 to the wheels.

If you want to get power, and you want it cheaper than you can with a Zcar then go American Muscle. You wont have nearly as cool of a car, or something unique, but it will be super fast, and a lot cheaper to upgrade. I had a camaro ss as a rental car in Vegas, and I really did not enjoy it all that much overall. That being said, follow your heart and do what makes you happy. If you wanna tear it up light to light against family movers and other idiots in cars, then you may have already made up your mind!
Gl with the choice! For 50k you should save a little more and get the 2017 zl1 Camaro

Maybe OP's excitement with owing a Z is no longer there? It happens sometimes specially if you have a second favorite. If I ever had to get rid of my Z would most likely be due to practicality (since it's only 2 seats and RWD). Hope that never happens but if it ever did I think my NEXT choice would be.

Subaru WRX

I don't think I could see myself in American Muscle, regardless of how much HP they may have. But as I said before, it's your life and you decision. While you may get burned by some of us regarding your reasons of wanting to change to another car, some of us do bring very good valid points. One thing I'll tell you, Z turns HEADS everywhere, it's a great feeling seeing people smile and point as you are passing by. Camaro's and Mustangs are so common now that they blend in everywhere they go.

u have self esteem issues.

minivans driven by bald headed middle aged men dust me in my Z and STI all da time. dey fast

I think everyone has scared the OP away, he hasn't responded.:rolleyes:

I don't know who to attribute this quote to (It could be Curt Cobain); if this is you, you probably own a Z:

"They laugh at me because I'm different. I laugh at them because they're the same.". :icon17:

Yes, style is subjective, and quite frankly, the new Mustangs are pretty darn sweet looking. The Corvettes are nice from the front and sides, but the back end is totally hideous.

And yes, the new American cars are getting much better in both quality and handling, especially the Mustang and Vette. The Camaro I don't know anything about. With that said, the interior of most all of the American cars is just cheap looking with fake chrome, fake aluminum and fake carbon fiber. They're just really cheap looking. Again, my opinion.

I think it may be the different on the drivers. The 2012 mustang is not that fast.

Traffic light to traffic light, it's no contest. I don't dare challenge bald-headed, middle aged, minivan driving (wo)men in my tiny Z.

I know my place (fiddling with my touch-screen).

Drag race: :excited: stock 2012 Mustang vs. stock 370z. Traction control off. In reverse. We all know who'd win.

yep. also them youngling boys and girls driving der leased hyundais. dey fastly too..

Back to Page 1
 

I DO have $50K burning a hole in my pocket, and I'm keeping my Z!

Or, even more frequently, when it rattles or breaks down. GM and Ford aren't exactly known for stellar reliability. Look at the Corvetteforum.com threads about the crappy A8 transmission for some examples.

This is a good point - Mustangs and Camaros come in V4 and V6 lesser models and those are the ones you see most frequently. Cheapens the car to have so many pretender vehicles out there; no such thing in the world of Zs.

Sounds like a perfect recipe to not learn from your mistakes (the "don't look back" part).