GT500 vs 370Z

DIGItonium · 09-24-2010, 07:24 AM

I park next to one at work... the GT500 with stock exhaust is scary quiet.

Slynky · 09-24-2010, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DIGItonium

I park next to one at work... the GT500 with stock exhaust is scary quiet.

Lug · 09-24-2010, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DIGItonium

I park next to one at work... the GT500 with stock exhaust is scary quiet.

Can you share anything about the quality of it's doors?

m4a1mustang · 09-24-2010, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lug

Can you share anything about the quality of it's doors?

The doors are amazing, but not quite on the level of the Miata.

Lug · 09-24-2010, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m4a1mustang

The doors are amazing, but not quite on the level of the Miata.

Of course they aren't Miata-level but could you give a percentage like say 87% Miata and compare that percent to a 370Z percent rating? Obviously Miata is the foil all others are tested against, everyone knows that.

m4a1mustang · 09-24-2010, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lug

Of course they aren't Miata-level but could you give a percentage like say 87% Miata and compare that percent to a 370Z percent rating? Obviously Miata is the foil all others are tested against, everyone knows that.

OK,

So in terms of the "clunk" sound and feeling when you close the door as it relates to the Miata's awesomeness, it's like this:

2011 Mustang GT - 63%
2009-2010 370Z - 31%

m4a1mustang · 09-24-2010, 11:59 AM

Do you think the hinges can handle the torque?

flashburn · 09-24-2010, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m4a1mustang

Do you think the hinges can handle the torque?

Gonna go with some custom Carbon Fiber hinges. Should help minimize the difference in weight from the two.

ProfessorDave · 09-24-2010, 01:47 PM

Miata doors are engineered to be supported by structures beneath the frame, dramatically reducing unsprung weight. And they fling open if the driver stops suddenly, producing a flap-drag effect like airplanes when they land.

daleks · 09-24-2010, 01:53 PM

Ford issues TSB for 2011 Mustang over clutch problems — Autoblog

Nothing to see here. Move along.

shadoquad · 09-24-2010, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daleks

Ford issues TSB for 2011 Mustang over clutch problems — Autoblog

Nothing to see here. Move along.

This is unacceptable. I've never heard of a car having a Technical Service Bulletin or recall of any kind. This must be new and unique to Ford's "Mustang" product. I, for one, am writing my senator.

m4a1mustang · 09-24-2010, 02:09 PM

Pretty awesome. There were some clutch pedal issues reported and Ford jumped on it right away.

And the people reporting the problems were tracking the cars, too. And Ford knew it. By high RPM shifting they mean 7,000 RPM powershifts.

ImportConvert · 10-03-2010, 05:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spearfish25

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

.

Having raced a 2009 GT500 (the 500hp one) and having played with plenty of Zs with mods ranging from full bolt-ons (265whp 6-speed, killed it by 2 cars from 60-120) to a single turbo (pretty close race, just played tag a bit, never trulyl ined up and honked, but he never was able to get away from me) and beating every one of them except a late model 350 with rumored spray/turbo/ etc (never confirmed mods) in my WS6, I can tell you that a new GT500 would slaughter you in any kind of acceleration competition you want to have. It also laps quite a bit faster around VIR. No comparison in numbers, regarless of what you "felt".

I test drove a 370Z the other day and if felt IDENTICAL to my WS6. The numbers seem to indicate that it is. That 2009 GT500 beat me by 4 cars 60-115.

spearfish25 · 10-03-2010, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ImportConvert

I can tell you that a new GT500 would slaughter you in any kind of acceleration competition you want to have. It also laps quite a bit faster around VIR. No comparison in numbers, regarless of what you "felt".

Read my post again. I essentially state that the GT500 requires driver skill to be driven quickly where the Z is more forgiving of less experienced drivers. If I were to lap VIR in both cars, I guarantee I'd be faster in my Z. I wasn't posting Michael Schumacher's experience with both cars, just my own. Driven by someone who can handle the GT500, it'll lap faster than a Z due to the straightaway speeds it can achieve. This is purely a horsepower advantage. The GT500 suspension is archaic and inferior to the Z, and the Z could definitely achieve higher cornering speeds.

ProfessorDave · 10-03-2010, 06:01 AM

I saw a Roush Mustang yesterday. The growl of the engine was really aggressive and turned heads. It was like all 435 HPs were talking at once. And the Shelby has over 500 HP? Must be crazy fast.

09-24-2010, 07:24 AM	#1 (permalink)
DIGItonium A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Kansas Posts: 3,800 Drives: 09 Z34-TT 6MT Rep Power: 43	I park next to one at work... the GT500 with stock exhaust is scary quiet. __________________

09-24-2010, 11:59 AM	#7 (permalink)
m4a1mustang A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Northern VA Posts: 55,385 Drives: on two wheels Rep Power: 6963	Do you think the hinges can handle the torque? __________________ - Steve Zs & Coffee - Saturdays at 10AM in Fairfax, VA and Columbia, MD (Click the banner!) LIKE us on Facebook!

09-24-2010, 01:47 PM	#9 (permalink)
ProfessorDave A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Scranton, PA Posts: 1,580 Drives: In the fairway Rep Power: 20	Miata doors are engineered to be supported by structures beneath the frame, dramatically reducing unsprung weight. And they fling open if the driver stops suddenly, producing a flap-drag effect like airplanes when they land. __________________ Rain, snow, sleet, hail: 2009 Mazda 3 sGT HB Everything else: 2009 370z, PW Touring 6MT

09-24-2010, 02:09 PM	#12 (permalink)
m4a1mustang A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Northern VA Posts: 55,385 Drives: on two wheels Rep Power: 6963	Pretty awesome. There were some clutch pedal issues reported and Ford jumped on it right away. And the people reporting the problems were tracking the cars, too. And Ford knew it. By high RPM shifting they mean 7,000 RPM powershifts. __________________ - Steve Zs & Coffee - Saturdays at 10AM in Fairfax, VA and Columbia, MD (Click the banner!) LIKE us on Facebook!

10-03-2010, 06:01 AM	#15 (permalink)
ProfessorDave A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Scranton, PA Posts: 1,580 Drives: In the fairway Rep Power: 20	I saw a Roush Mustang yesterday. The growl of the engine was really aggressive and turned heads. It was like all 435 HPs were talking at once. And the Shelby has over 500 HP? Must be crazy fast. __________________ Rain, snow, sleet, hail: 2009 Mazda 3 sGT HB Everything else: 2009 370z, PW Touring 6MT Last edited by ProfessorDave; 10-03-2010 at 06:08 AM.

09-24-2010, 01:53 PM	#10 (permalink)
daleks Enthusiast Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: St. Louis Posts: 424 Drives: 2011 Evo X MR Rep Power: 16	Ford issues TSB for 2011 Mustang over clutch problems — Autoblog Nothing to see here. Move along.