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.