Test drove a 5.0 Today

m4a1mustang

The Z outhandles the Mustang, but like I was saying, not by much. Stock for stock the Mustang will beat the Z on any track (save for maybe an autoX), it just won't put up the skidpad (.97 vs. .99) or slalom numbers the Z does. That's really it.

This is a very surprising car.

I said it before and I'll say it again. The 370Z reminded me a lot of a previous Mustang I owned. The Z to me is kind of like a Japanese Mustang... almost always the underdog and almost always exceeding expectations.

Both cars are excellent values and both cars take the fight to much, much higher end products. I'm lucky to have owned both.

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chewonyou

Z may be "a little bit better" in feel and handling, but it's not enough to offset the amount of power that the Mustang has. You can't say that the Z will be as fast as the Mustang on a track without saying that the Z will as fast as a E92 BMW M3 on a track...

There's no point for Nissan putting on a oil cooler now because what that will let mags do an objective comparison of the 370z vs. the 5.0 on a track and Nissan knows that the 370z will not be able to keep pace with the 5.0 on anything but an autox.

theDreamer

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GZ3

thanks for sharing with what I assume SHOULD be your own personal experience with both vehicles...correct?! BTW no one is trying to downplay the 5.0 here....am having flash backs of driving it like a wild night of sex that I was to drunk to recollect...but wanna remember and experience moooaarr

Endgame

Exactly. Not downplaying the 5.0 by any means. I am just saying, let's keep it real. The Stang is not a better handler. That is like saying the M3 handles better than a Cayman S. NOPE!

Power, yes, the 5.0 does have. And it is not a bad handler by any means. Just not with the Z.

And, the Z still needs an oil cooler.

Diesel370

The M3 DOES handle better than the Cayman S. And the '11 Mustang GT has OUT HANDLED the Nissan 370z. The Mustang can even out handle the Cayman!! Oh boy You're just full of assumptions aren't you?

At VIR:
Cayman S 3:05.8
BMW M3 3:05.4

At Willow Springs
Cayman S 1:28
BMW M3 1:27
'11 Mustang GT 1:27
Nissan 370Z 1:28

At Laguna Seca
Cayman S 1:43
BMW M3 1:42

At Nordschleife:
Cayman S 8:06
BMW M3 8:05

At Autozeitung:
Cayman S 1:41
BMW M3 1:40

Endgame

Ummmm. NO.

Not full of assumptions. I have driven both the Z and the Stang 5.0 back to back now. Z handles better and has the FREAKING LOOK AT THAT looks. Five point OHHHHH has the power!!! Great ride...

LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!! OMG. The Stang can out handle the Cayman. Wow. I have nothing more to say. I am just trying to keep it real.

Better driver's car:
Cayman S over M3
Z over Stang

Greater Power and outright speed car:
M3 over Cayman S
Stang over Z.

That is ALL I have been trying to say. Let's not get all crazy. The Z is not a brute force type of car, the Stang is not a canyon carver. Both cross the line somewhat, but have clear missions.

I cannot wait till my buddy sells his 4.6 and gets the 5.0.

M4A1... ENJOY your Stang Five point OH man....

Diesel370

Wow you have driven both cars so that makes you the expert on which car handles better? LMFAO!!

I guess track times mean absolutely nothing to you.