I bet you've never driven a Cayman S.

Have not. I agree with the next thing you are probably wanting to say, too, it's not all about power. Yes, yes, and yes. The Cayman S is an awesome car, but if the person I quoted is ONLY onsidering it because he is tired of the VQ, I think they would be sad at the lack of acceleration/possible loss of acceleration realized after their trade. The VQ (supposedly) sounds "harsh" at high rpm, but that's about it imo.

Also, the price-range they are looking in is mid 20's, which means one of the older Cayman's. Not the new one.

he drives a G20 with max 117mph but can go faster with a SR20DETT and drift backwards like dorifuto-king.

Yep :tiphat: Good DD if it hadn't been breaking all the time.

Thanks for your longer, comprehensive reply, above. I didn't feel it was "ricer math." I should have emphasized in my original post what my priorities are: agility, handling, supple and planted ride, country/mountain road type driving. All your points were good ones and sounded carefully thought out. Due in part to finances and in part to tastes, if I ever left the Z, it would probably be a downsize to something like an Elise, an MX-5 or an older Boxster. My priorities are definitely on the side of agility and not on drag strip type power. I am an older guy who grew up driving MGs and Austin-Healeys (old British sports cars). Thanks again for your post. Now, if I could have the performance of my Z with the sound of an A-H 100/6 or 3000 Mk. III, that would be just fine...

Jeffrey :tiphat:

If your tastes allow it...

My experiences with the S2000 were good one's, and you won't find a car in that price bracket/segment with more attention to detail regarding the interior. I would get an S2000 before I got an Elise. Service/maintenance, comfort, quality, etc.

*Took one out on a test-drive and knew I wouldn't push the car as all I had driven at that point was my crown-vic and my '95 Trans Am. I was 19. So, had the dealership supply me with a good driver who knew the car (At this point, I worked for Ford. It was late 2004 and our new Mustang had just hit the floor. There was some competition between the dealerships with the S2000 AP2 and the new mustang. Typical testosterone fueled "ours is faster" stuff). He got the back end loose on many occasions and tempted the corners. VERY! agile little car. They are pretty quick, too. Faster than the other cars you mentioned other than the Elise. Raced one in my 5.0 (247whp) and it was about dead-even. They are decently quick little cars, and the interior is just awesome. Typical Honda craftsmanship regarding materials/driving lay-out/quality.

Just my take, but the best little roadster for the money is an S2000. However, I would prefer a 370Z Sport/Touring to that any day, but you seem to want the open-air "roadster" experience, and the S2K delivers that very well, much better than anything you mentioned except the Elise, which is a total 1-trick pony and looks like a toy in person.

With the S2K the clutch and then the rear-end is a weak-point in the factory car, but I know a guy who put down 700+whp on stock internals. The engine is bomb-proof. With stock power the only thing you possibly need to think about doing is upgrading the clutch if you want to drive it aggressively. Honda improved the rear end year-to-year, I belive. Maybe the same with the clutch. WIth any car, buy the newest one possible. I think they stopped making them in 2009 as a 2010YM, or some similar.

Another really nice, detailed and helpful reply. Thanks, Import Convert, I appreciate hearing your thoughts.

if you want a gt get a gt if you want a z get a z if you got a z and now you want a gt get a gt if you have a gt and now you want a z get a z.........zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz zzzzzzzzz

:bowrofl::bowrofl::bowrofl::bowrofl::bowrofl::bowr ofl:

I saw a GT this am. All I remember is the big ares hockey puck of an emblem on the trunk. :D

From hamburger to hockey puck. :p

I sense a little, mild peer pressure to end this thread. :)

i think i just threw up in my mouth a little bit

swallow it

Hi guys.... just wanted to offer my 2 cents.

As some of you know, I just recently purchased my 2010 PW Z. I love her. I owned a G35 coupe before that as well. Prior to buying, I spent about 3 months researching and test driving. It all came down to 2 cars (as far as NEW cars were concerned...ended up nixing getting a USED something): The 5.0 and the 370. I test drove all the versions. The GT coupe and the vert, and the Z coupe and vert. I went back 3 times because they were so close. I was looking at price, performance, handling, and looks as my 4 criteria.

Performance-wise, the 5.0 had the Z hands-down. I was almost going to buy the 5.0 on performance alone, but I had the Z winning in the other 3 departments. My "boy" side was all about speed... but I wanted the "whole package" so to speak. I think what tipped the scales for me was my wife... I had her in all the cars we drove, and she just thought the 5.0 was "ok". But when we saw the Z in the dealer lot, I won't forget her saying to me "Now THAT is a good looking car". :) She also gave me food for thought that made me buy my Z the next day. On the night before I signed the paperwork, she said, "I saw an old lady in a mustang convertible today (turns out it was a 2008 vert). Is that going to be how our car looks in a few years??? something an old lady drives???"

After that comment, I was dead set on the Z... no regrets. Moral of the story: the women in our lives give the best honest and unbiased opinions :)

The 5.0 is a GREAT car, don't get me wrong. But it wasn't right for me. Shape and looks can't compare to the Z. Again, just my OPINION.

pretty bland and boring...looks the robot from futurama on easter

Eat your heart out blue mustang. You are one ugly mofo

Oh gnoez, people are getting butthurt because they have different tastes. I r teh sad panda.

:drool:

don b sad panda...i luf your nismo mustang

:icon18: yah, i guess it's no different from our silly looking emblem.

So many opinions on subjective things it's hard to really compare two cars. The only way to do so is just to look at raw data and pick what is important to the buyer.

Do they care about 0-60? 0-160? mpg? horsepower? slalom speed? Skidpad numbers? VIR lap-times?

Then of course everyone has something they like/don't like regarding looks/brand, etc. Meh. It's impossible to compare cars unless you are at the track. That takes the argument out of things for the most part in at least 1 aspect.

I think I just fell in love and found my inspiration!!!

Does anyone know which body kit that is?

If we're comparing muscle cars to muscle cars, I think the GT is better looking than the Camaro or Challenger. Purely subjective, of course.

i would say challenger srt version> and i cant really decide between camaro ss and 5.0...i seen a couple of these that were pretty sexy...

lemme pop the hood and show you just how UGLY I am....
http://images.thecarconnection.com/l...00303262_l.jpg

:facepalm:

:iagree:

It's like... why add fuel to the fire? :shakes head:

The only thing ugly about that engine bay is the valve covers. That is honestly my only problem with the car. "Powered by Ford"... I mean what is this nonsense?!?! How about just black covers?

Also, on the 'hockey puck' thing in the rear.... that's not how you open the trunk is it? Because I was looking at it up close and I swear you can see the glue (or bonding material) to keep it attached to the rear panel. I think the 5.0 would look a LOT cleaner in the rear if you could remove it. Just my .02.

You know a car kicks *** when people are having to resort to whining about mundane things like what's written on the valve-covers.

+1 to Ford

Glad you caught the point of my post :happydance:

What's the old saying? Opinions are like ***holes... everyone's got one?

This debate will never end. Everyone needs to accept that they are both great cars. People will find pro's and con's to ANY car. We just need to be thankful that auto manufacturers still continue to make great sports cars for us gearheads, despite this economy and despite the strive towards everything "green" and electric. Go Ford AND Nissan ;) Let's enjoy them while we can.

That's what I've been saying all along. The morons that bash other cars aren't really car guys. But for those of us that are, we need to relish these days because it's not going to be long before government regulations mean the sportiest thing we can get from Ford or Nissan in 2020 is a 100 hp gas-electric hybrid that gets ten billion mpg. :icon17:

Good point! opinions ARE like asszholes and everyone does have one, i dont see what the big deal of having a damn discussing is though, just having some light hearted fun. i'm one to talk, i have a Ford raptor 6.2 and 370Z in my garage :bowrofl: i wish people knew how to have fun with discussions rather than worry about keeping everyone happy and protecting every ones feelings...it aint shiit to own a 5.0 just like it aint shiit to own a 370Z, any one of these can be had with a job and decent credit so no one is part of any elite echelon, it all boils down to personal choice...grow some thick skin and make fun of yourself and others...its fun and all in good spirit /rant

Agree... our cars are great, but not THAT great :) But hey, it's great to ME, and that's all that matters. Good hearted discussion is always fine and actually can be a lot of fun.

I see you own a PW Z as well... that's the ONLY reason why I am agreeing with you! hehe... :p

Considering Nissan is using Ford's technology (leased) to build their GT-R engines, this is accurate. :tiphat:

ooohhhh nnooo u didnt