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

so i am looking for a new car around $30k. i just recently sold a '02 z06 vette, and before that owned a '03 cobra (modded), a '96 cobra, and a '00 mustang GT.

i have always been a ford guy, but wanted to try the vette for something different. i liked it, but the interior was extremely cheap and i don't like corvette owners in general.

i was considering a bmw m3, but after researching them they are a bitch to maintain and have a lot issues. the Z seems to be pretty reliable from what i have read, besides some tranny issues, the high pitched noise, and high oil temps. but i figure if i buy one it will be under warranty so i should be ok.

anyway, i was just looking for some objective opinion from previous mustang owners. i have yet to drive a 370z, but plan to as soon as the weather gets better. i am considering a 07/08 gt500, the 370z, or maybe the new '11 mustang when it comes out...

i had a vibrant red 1993 svt cobra (modded garage queen). First year of svt and only year they made a fox cobra. I sold it a few years back to buy a new house... i miss it all the time.

I had a modded 2004 Mustang V6 with all the bolt ons before bought my 370Z. It was pretty quick and fun to drive especially with the 4.10's I put on it.

My better half had an 03 cobra for a short stretch. Blast to drive, crap interior.

if money was not a factor, i would pick the gt500 because it got 550 hp, 200 hp more than what my car got :eek:

550 hp is definitely in the supercar territory, in my book.

the last gen gt500 only has 500 hp... but it is VERY easy to bump that to 650+...

the problem is it is still a muscle car, not a sports car. it won't handle anything like the z. i am just afraid that the z might not have enough power to satisfy me, coming from the vehicles that i have recently had...

It won't be. I had an 04 z06, 06 regular vette, the terminator, and an 06 gto. The power difference is very noticeable. But in the end the high quality interior stole me.

I've had both a 2002 Mustang GT and a 2004 Corvette. And guess what, I'll take my Z over both of them. You're exactly right about the muscle car vs. sports car perception. Just depends which way you want to go.

yeah, that's what i am thinking also... i would rather have a car that is a blast to drive all the time and can carve up the backroads, not just blast in a straight line. plus, i really like the the 370z interior, but i have not actually been inside one yet...

If I was to ever own one, my dad would have owned my head. He's a die hard chevy guy. Being a vette owner and everything. Funny how people are. But he does have much respect for the Z and the history it carries.

how about a camaro, you don't consider it at all?
i really like the way it looks. i want to get a base car with no option as a daily driver :)

no camaro for me. i hate the way the rear end looks, and the interior is HIDEOUS. i would take any mustang before i do that...

haha. i think the camaro interior looks different but i am not turned off by it. to me both the mustang and camaro are very nice looking cars.

camaro interior is garbage, easily the worst out of the few cars i looked at (sat in) which include mustang, z, and genesis.

Go for a test drive and make your decision based on your experience

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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

+ they don't sell mustang/cobra here

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.

serge, why not take a look at a 135i? They have the same engine as a 335i but are lighter and faster. I knew a guy who has one, they are very quick and fun.

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

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.

while getting my tires put on (and F'd up my rims) I went over to the ford dealership and they had a Cobra for $51K and the Rouse for $33K. I liked the interior of the Rouse better but both seem very bland inside compared to the Z. Also they had another sticker on the car bumping the prices up. That sticker had the Cobra at $63K and the Rouse at $50K, dont know if that was the price or just trying to make it look like your saving. But insides suck IMO.

I haven't owned a Mustang since my college days in the mid-sixties when I had one of those neat little '66 Mustang convertibles (as we all say, I wish I would have kept it!). So my comments aren't really relevant re:today's product. However, having said that, the quality and reliability factors of Nissan vs. Ford is a major consideration. No offense to Ford owners and fans, but by perception is that Nissan's production quality and long term reliability are superior to Ford's and that's important---just the thoughts of an OldGuy.

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.

well, i was referring to the e46 m3. they have tons of issues... the most major being the subframe cracking, vanos issues, smg issues, etc...

Depends on what you're looking for. I've had modded fox bodies, a 97 and 99 Cobra and an 05 Mustang GT with upgrades. If you want straight line power take the Mustang. If you want a combination of power and handling take the Z. I haven't been sorry. I've had it almost a year now with no regrets. I also looked at the Camaro before I bought the Z, and laughed at the salesman. The interior is a joke. Prior to the Z I was a Ford fan. Still am but the Z has my attention now.

For what a GT 500 costs it shouldn't have a solid rear axle, thats been the drawback for the mustang for years and ford seems to think that throwing more power into the car will make up for it. IMO the mustang should have independant rear suspension at this point in the game.

The Mustang preforms just fine with the solid rear axle, Mustang owner don't seem to complain much. Also if I remember correctly the 2010 Mustang GT out handled the Challenger and Camaro. People seem pretty quick to jump on the Mustangs solid axle, but hey if it ain't broke don't fix it. If Ford wanted an IRS on the thing I'm sure they would of put in on. I have a feeling that theres a reason it doesn't have one, other than cost.

Well curb weight might have something to do with that since the challenger is about 500lbs and the camaro is about 300lbs over what the mustang weights. Thats alot of extra weight to throw around. Out of the three I personally like the mustang the best for a alot of reasons, I just think a IRS would do alot of good for the car and feel its a drawback on the currrent platform when compared to the Z and other cars. For the coin a GT 500 should have IRS though, especially with that much power. But to each his own.

Tough Choice
 

I have always liked Mustangs since my first '66 in '67. They have changed a bunch especially with the '05-'10. The new 2011 5.0 should be a winner in that the weight will not go up but a few pounds( hopefully) and will have 412 HP. One poster mentioned the nemesis of a totally new engine and that is a valid concern. Look at some of the issues though minor with the 3.7 engine. I would think that Ford or any manufacturer would really watch quality with the current Toyota issue. I too, am interested in the potential of the new 5.0and it has me waiting till the 5.0 is out to decide. I recently drove a 370 and was impressed with the speed and handling. I have talked with many who know cars and have been told that the Mustang will never have the steering feel of the Z however, it can be made to handle as well or better with a few grand. I talked to a national champ in Auto X who drives Mustangs and Cameros. He has driven the Mustang against good drivers in the 370Z and has beat the times of the 370. However, he says that the feel of the 370 is better and you have to know the Mustang to get great times. Again, being a great driver is important in whatever you drive. As many have said here, it depends on what you want. Mustangs are easier and cheaper to mod then the Z and about 50% of those who buy the Mustang mod them. You almost have to mod them to be an individual because they are so common. The Z impressed me very much with a drive and it is a great car. It was very easy to drive and run through the gears. It pulled hard up high but it is noiser then the Mustang on the road but a whole lot of fun. The Mustang will have more grunt especially with 412 HP and 390 TQ but will never have the feel and controlled handling of the 370. The 5.0 is said to have even better handling and be much quicker then the 4.6. Can a Mustang stay with a Z? Sure but not with the same feel. Mustangs can be made to handle much better then stock and have a not bad feel but not llike a Z. Again, They are different cars and have different attributes. I would say to drive both and buy whichever one puts the biggest grin on your face.

Old Chuck- I can only hope the 5.0 will have very few issues like the 3.7. The reason for my concern with that is, Ford hasn't had a slam dunk in new engine reliability lately, speaking of the diesel engines though. I came from a 6.0 Powerstroke which had nothing but issues, as with a large majority of them. The 6.4s which replaced them had just as many issues. Granted these engines were designed by Navistar (International). I'm just extremely hesitant about a new engine offered by FoMoCo. You are totally right though with everything you said in your post!

the 2011 mustang is the return of the ford 5.0litre v8!

Fullmonty
 

I agree about the Ford diesel issues. I was a big fan of the 7.3 but after that, it has been a disappointment. Given that the 5.0 is new from the pan up and only a few bolts are common between it and the 4.6, could lead to buyer's issues. It will be interesting to see what the engine does as they hit the market and get thousands of miles on them. I am sure we will see some comparisons between the new 5.0 Mustang and the 370Z in a couple of months. They were close with the 4.6 so may be interesting to see how both stock cars compare. The new 5.0 is said to have better handling with stiffer bars and sticky summer tires but the stock shocks have always left much to be desired. Anyway, will be interesting to see if the competition helps both cars in years to come...The Z is hard to beat for the price. Not a Cayman but for the price, it shines....