performance as in handling, not speed. these aren't mustangs people, they're designed to TURN. :driving:

My post wasn't directed towards you or your comments at all. Sorry for the confusion.

i know, i was just simplifying for the dunder-heads

no matter when you buy pretty much anything it will be outdated in a year... I would say wait if you really want or save some $$$$ on a leftover 09 and put 6 grand into it and you will smoke maros and rustangs

or you can buy a 07 grand cherokee srt8 off of me adn smoke em stock :)

as like i said the 09 370z in comparrason testing beats a gt premium rustang...

ewww a jeep. no thanks, i like my trannies to last longer than a few years.

Confused, Viper and Matt...

So, let me see if I understand:

Standard 370Z quarter mile and 0-60 times are about the same (or the NISMO is a bit slower).

Don't buy the NISMO for power, buy it for performance (suspension).

The NISMO DOES show (on average) about what it boasts in terms of HP gain on dyno.

-------------------

Now, where does the auto tranny fit in here? Is it faster than the manual? (if so, I'm having to turn my whole belief system upside down... LOL)

Yes, in the first head-to-head done by a major publication, the Nismo came up .1 seconds slower on the base's times, I believe. However, the tests were done before break-in of either car, and a later test showed the Nismo slightly better than the base after break-in. It's dependent on the driver, so who really knows how much faster or slower the Nismo is.

If you want this Nismo for increased speed and power over the base, you'll be disappointed. The Nismo has a fantasticly designed exterior including the bumpers, side skirts, and spoiler that some people love, and others hate. The Nismo has a great looking interior. The Nismo has incrediblely tuned suspension, albeit not the most comfortable as a daily driver. The Nismo has some GREAT features, but it's not as big of an upgrade compared to the Mustang's V6 vs GT500.

Dynos of the Nismo show it to be exactly what it should be, 18hp above base.

The automatic is a very well built transmission on the Z. It's a 7 speed with around a .5 second shift delay when sport shifting (via paddles or gear shifter), which is twice as fast as other "performance" automatics. 0-60 times show it slightly faster in the quarter mile, and usually right at or better than the 6MT on the 0-60s.

Again, the driver's ability plays a big part in it. I can shift faster than .5 seconds in my 6MT, but other drivers may not be that comfortable with the MT.

In other words, don't get the 6MT (only option for the Nismo) if you're under the old assumption that an automatic is slower. They both get the same gas mileage, and nearly the exact same performance. Me? I think driving auto is boring, but after riding in a 7AT, I completely changed my mind! My next car might very well be an auto if it's built like the Z's auto.

you tell him Einstein! :tiphat:

Can someone post this video up to find it easy? Also, i'm at work and somehow the videos on this Forum don't get blocked ;)

Drag Race - Genesis Coupe, 370Z, Mustang GT
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=77MstcS02Z8
[YOUTUBEHQ]77MstcS02Z8[/YOUTUBEHQ]

Mustang v 370Z SMACKDOWN: Ford Mustang GT vs. Nissan 370Z
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AfmkwY-Q_oM
[YOUTUBEHQ]AfmkwY-Q_oM[/YOUTUBEHQ]

Thanks for the long detailed reply.

Yes, I'm an old fart and this has shaken my foundation a bit.

Now, ONE of the reasons an automatic is generally slower is because of how the, hmmmm..., changing of the gears occurs. For example, an auto from 1 --> 2 will not just "thump" it into 2nd, it will try to approximate what we call in a manual, "slipping the clutch", for a smooth transition to the next gear. This built in "riding comfort" causes the auto to lose out to a manual 99 out of a hundred times because we slam it into 2nd, pop the clutch, and feel the jerk/pull of the engine. This translates to NOT losing speed, like the auto does.

So, Matt, you're saying (not putting words in your mouth) that the auto in the Z has gotten around that and is a bit more forceful when changing gears?

Having said that, I understand all the top fuel drags use auto but they are specially-built and tiny split seconds count there moreso than our measly 0-60 street times in our production cars.

I would be bored to death in an auto, I think. And, if I read between the lines, Matt, you are almost indecisive on which you might prefer (in the future). Maybe the tiebreaker should be the added expense of the auto... LOL

BTW, where DOES that extra 18 HP come from? Just the exhaust improvement (or did the ECU get a bit of a tweak)?

NOW...to the NISMO (NOT the engine):

Yes, I like the style much better than the more "snubby" looking base design. A bit longer in the snout and something to look at on the rear (side) instead of a "near Bertha Butt" look. BUT, I guess there are a number of suitable aftermarket body parts that could be used... :dunno:

Interior improvements? Maybe I'm missing something. What's different from the base?

I like the fact that the suspension has had some (hopefully) professional upgrading over the base.

I'm a bit upset that the 'Stang (GT) held pretty well against the 370Z in the drags, though. More HP from the Z, better aerodynamics on the Z, and almost the same curbweights. Well, maybe I'm being too harsh. I guess that's suitable for a car length win by the Z.

Mind you, I don't hate the Mustang. It has a great heritage, almost as colorful as the Corvette. It's just that (and you should know this, Matt) here in Georgia, too many rednecks think the Mustang rules. My brother-in-law has even gone so far as to say, "congress should make it illegal to produce any kind of engine except a V8". (see what I have to put up with ?!)

The 7AT in the Z is something I haven't experienced before. You'll need a test drive to really understand. It's got 2 different mods, regular old "D" or sports mode. When you shift with those paddles, or the shifter, it feels exactly like a manual when it shifts, only less "clunkiness" or "jerk". It's incredibly smooth, even when launching it to 80 in 3rd. In "D", it's early shifts are very smooth and unnoticed.

Most of those autos are dual-clutch, like the GTR. This redefines "automatic" into a whole other category. The Z's 7AT may be a far-cry from a dual-clutch auto, but it's certainly worlds better than the automatic in an Altima. (The CVT is nice though!)

I'll only be undecided if I move back to northern VA. The "traffic" in Augusta is non-existent. The only stop-n-go traffic is in a Wendy's drive-thru, so I get the best of driving MT and none of the worst (like I95 South at 6pm on a Friday). I enjoy feeling like I'm controlling the car with a MT, and figure if I got the 7AT Touring, I'd be lazy and never use sports mode anyways.

Nismo CBE and a Nismo tune. The consensus is that each gives about 9hp.

Some people like the sleekness of the base Z. I love the styling of the Nismo. To each their own. Aftermarket body kits are expensive and a pain to get "perfect" without paying out the arse. Paint matching and proper installation can change a body kit to a body mess. I like the fact that my Nismo factory body kit is installed properly, painted to match, and under warranty.

You get red stitching, if that means anything to you. Nismo written on the floor mats and seats. Red/Black interior instead of solid black. Nismo written anywhere they could find the space for it, basically.

That's a good way to put it. I'm in love with the suspension when I'm driving "spirited", but get annoyed quickly when I'm on a patch of bad road.

Mustangs are the king of the roads here in Georgia, at least that's what their owners think. There are plenty of Cobras and Saleens around my area that will do everything in their power to make their presence known to me on the road.

Most people, after taking a ride in my Nismo, say "You sure this is only a V6?". The only thing I feel we give up with the V6 is lower gas mileage and a little more of a ceiling on bolt-on hp gains.

Thanks for the reply, Matt. :tup:

Yes, I've stared in at the interior of an '09 NISMO near here. It's a sublte black/red look. Not overbearing. Nice.

And more info on the AT. Thanks ! Explains a lot.