Official '11 Mustang GT vs 370z Thread

Red__Zed · 04-22-2011, 09:49 AM

I'm a huge fan of the Mustang, and that is pretty well-documented I think. There's a good chance either the Subaru or the Z will be traded in for a 5.0 at some point, but I have to side with Al on some points here.

A lot has been said about how the Mustang handles as well in the corners as the Z, and I really don't think that is true. I know the 'stang will beat a Z on most road courses, but I think that is mostly a function of the massive increase in power. VIR full course is also notorious as a "power course", which is going to further the lead even further. C&D's Nismo times are also not even from actual hot laps-- several members on here have datalogs showing faster speeds and times than C&D was logging (cossie being the one that comes to mind).
For most of the driving that my car gets put through, the Z makes more than enough power. Granted, I probably drive more conservatively than the rest of you guys, but the Z has more than enough power to get going was faster than you need to on the straights in between turns. I know I'd be out of my league with the 5.0 on a track, simply because I don't have the skills to brake late coming in that hot. I think most of us would probably be over our heads even in something much slower.

m4a1mustang · 04-22-2011, 10:22 AM

On the street the power difference is negligible. The feel is quite different though (massive torque in the 5.0 vs. the 370) but you still get from point a to point b in either car.

I've said it time and time again, but the 5.0 is the harder car to drive. It's a lot harder to drive than the 370Z at speed. In the right hands it will put a beat down on a lot of stuff that you probably wouldn't think it should.

I felt a lot more secure with the 370... it's an easier car to drive, period. It's got a lot built in understeer thanks to the staggered tire setup and soft sway bars. You can really push it hard and it won't bite you as long as you are not an idiot with the loud pedal. It seems like the guys that are wrecking the 370 with VDC off don't know how to handle a car when the back end starts to lose grip under power. They mash the gas, don't expect the back end to lose grip, and they lose control and crash.

With the Mustang you have to be comfortable driving "loose" all the time. Stiff bars, non-staggered setup on a fairly narrow tire for its weight and power, and a just about perfect 50-50 balance this car does not drive anything like the Z. It's a lot more neutral and is always wanting to rotate... which is good if you can handle it. You just have to get used to that four-wheel drift feeling at all times when you are really pushing it. It's a dynamite car, but it really makes you work.

If I had the cash there would be a 370Z Roadster sitting next to my 5.0 right now. That is how much I love both of these cars.

F*** the haters! On both sides! These are two freaking sweet cars.

cossie1600 · 04-22-2011, 10:41 AM

ford is already running incentives on it. 27k for a new gt

Educ8r · 04-22-2011, 10:47 AM

This 5.0 is crazy!!!! I haven't even thought about my Z since I traded it!

m4a1mustang · 04-22-2011, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cossie1600

ford is already running incentives on it. 27k for a new gt

Yeah, you can get good deals now. It's definitely a tough time still for any sports car.

m4a1mustang · 04-22-2011, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Educ8r

This 5.0 is crazy!!!! I haven't even thought about my Z since I traded it!

I still run the 370Z club here, so I think about them a lot. I'm passionate about my Z cars.

Red__Zed · 04-22-2011, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m4a1mustang

I still run the 370Z club here, so I think about them a lot. I'm passionate about most of those guys

m4a1mustang · 04-22-2011, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red__Zed

This is also true.

b1adesofcha0s · 04-22-2011, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m4a1mustang

F*** the haters! On both sides! These are two freaking sweet cars.

I can't wait to :gtfi: the 5.0, sounds like it's going to be fun

GZ3 · 04-22-2011, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m4a1mustang

With the Mustang you have to be comfortable driving "loose" all the time. Stiff bars, non-staggered setup on a fairly narrow tire for its weight and power, and a just about perfect 50-50 balance this car does not drive anything like the Z. It's a lot more neutral and is always wanting to rotate... which is good if you can handle it. You just have to get used to that four-wheel drift feeling at all times when you are really pushing it. It's a dynamite car, but it really makes you work.

If I had the cash there would be a 370Z Roadster sitting next to my 5.0 right now. That is how much I love both of these cars.

F*** the haters! On both sides! These are two freaking sweet cars.

totally agree!

the Z feels like its on rails when you corner and its really easy to drive! The Mustang handles really well but you have to be more skilled, i'll tell you i was not ready for the body flexing at first! I though i was drifting losing control at first...i got freaked out. But i have been taking the same turns at the same speed with no problems in the 5.0 now. the way it feels with the mustang is, turn, body flex, then grip, accel out...i was used to the first 3 bieng all in one in the Z then just accel out. I still the Z a slight, SLIGHT advantage in handling because of this...around a really tight autoX is where the Z would take it. But add some springs/drop, better tires, and its anyones game

m4a1mustang · 04-22-2011, 11:24 AM

You should try the Brembo GTs. They have stiffer springs and shocks/struts than the regular GTs. And they've got the GT500 control arms and Pirelli PZero summer tires.

shadoquad · 04-22-2011, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m4a1mustang

You should try the Brembo GTs. They have stiffer springs and shocks/struts than the regular GTs. And they've got the GT500 control arms and Pirelli PZero summer tires.

Now I wanna race you, Steve, but safely, at highway speeds, since neither of us wants to mess up the nice cars that we obsess over.

m4a1mustang · 04-22-2011, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shadoquad

Now I wanna race you, Steve, but safely, at highway speeds, since neither of us wants to mess up the nice cars that we obsess over.

We'll race from 60 to 65 miles per hour. But at different times so it does not appear that we are racing. We will convene at a Starbucks in Fairfax and discuss the results.

b1adesofcha0s · 04-22-2011, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m4a1mustang

We'll race from 60 to 65 miles per hour. But at different times so it does not appear that we are racing. We will convene at a Starbucks in Fairfax and discuss the results.

Why not race against me? I think it would be a more competitive race, as long as Shado has both his seats back in.

m4a1mustang · 04-22-2011, 12:14 PM

You're just jealous that you can't dip your straw in our Frappuccino.

04-22-2011, 10:22 AM	#152 (permalink)
m4a1mustang A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Northern VA Posts: 55,385 Drives: on two wheels Rep Power: 6962	On the street the power difference is negligible. The feel is quite different though (massive torque in the 5.0 vs. the 370) but you still get from point a to point b in either car. I've said it time and time again, but the 5.0 is the harder car to drive. It's a lot harder to drive than the 370Z at speed. In the right hands it will put a beat down on a lot of stuff that you probably wouldn't think it should. I felt a lot more secure with the 370... it's an easier car to drive, period. It's got a lot built in understeer thanks to the staggered tire setup and soft sway bars. You can really push it hard and it won't bite you as long as you are not an idiot with the loud pedal. It seems like the guys that are wrecking the 370 with VDC off don't know how to handle a car when the back end starts to lose grip under power. They mash the gas, don't expect the back end to lose grip, and they lose control and crash. With the Mustang you have to be comfortable driving "loose" all the time. Stiff bars, non-staggered setup on a fairly narrow tire for its weight and power, and a just about perfect 50-50 balance this car does not drive anything like the Z. It's a lot more neutral and is always wanting to rotate... which is good if you can handle it. You just have to get used to that four-wheel drift feeling at all times when you are really pushing it. It's a dynamite car, but it really makes you work. If I had the cash there would be a 370Z Roadster sitting next to my 5.0 right now. That is how much I love both of these cars. F* the haters! On both sides! These are two freaking sweet cars. __________________ - Steve Zs & Coffee - Saturdays at 10AM in Fairfax, VA and Columbia, MD (Click the banner!) LIKE us on Facebook!** Last edited by m4a1mustang; 04-22-2011 at 10:31 AM.

04-22-2011, 10:47 AM	#154 (permalink)
Educ8r Enthusiast Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Houston Posts: 397 Drives: a car Rep Power: 16	This 5.0 is crazy!!!! I haven't even thought about my Z since I traded it! __________________ imagination + creativity = endless possibilities

04-22-2011, 11:24 AM	#161 (permalink)
m4a1mustang A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Northern VA Posts: 55,385 Drives: on two wheels Rep Power: 6962	You should try the Brembo GTs. They have stiffer springs and shocks/struts than the regular GTs. And they've got the GT500 control arms and Pirelli PZero summer tires. __________________ - Steve Zs & Coffee - Saturdays at 10AM in Fairfax, VA and Columbia, MD (Click the banner!) LIKE us on Facebook!

04-22-2011, 12:14 PM	#165 (permalink)
m4a1mustang A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Northern VA Posts: 55,385 Drives: on two wheels Rep Power: 6962	You're just jealous that you can't dip your straw in our Frappuccino. __________________ - Steve Zs & Coffee - Saturdays at 10AM in Fairfax, VA and Columbia, MD (Click the banner!) LIKE us on Facebook!

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04-22-2011, 09:49 AM	#151 (permalink)
Red__Zed A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: window seat Posts: 28,940 Drives: Mostly on two wheels Rep Power: 119	I'm a huge fan of the Mustang, and that is pretty well-documented I think. There's a good chance either the Subaru or the Z will be traded in for a 5.0 at some point, but I have to side with Al on some points here. A lot has been said about how the Mustang handles as well in the corners as the Z, and I really don't think that is true. I know the 'stang will beat a Z on most road courses, but I think that is mostly a function of the massive increase in power. VIR full course is also notorious as a "power course", which is going to further the lead even further. C&D's Nismo times are also not even from actual hot laps-- several members on here have datalogs showing faster speeds and times than C&D was logging (cossie being the one that comes to mind). For most of the driving that my car gets put through, the Z makes more than enough power. Granted, I probably drive more conservatively than the rest of you guys, but the Z has more than enough power to get going was faster than you need to on the straights in between turns. I know I'd be out of my league with the 5.0 on a track, simply because I don't have the skills to brake late coming in that hot. I think most of us would probably be over our heads even in something much slower.

04-22-2011, 10:41 AM	#153 (permalink)
cossie1600 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: californee way Posts: 5,380 Drives: 370, Leaf Rep Power: 29	ford is already running incentives on it. 27k for a new gt