Yes, yes - the dreaded comparisson. You've seen it a thousand times, yet.. not really - this isn't a simply "which is better?" post, but rather a mindful comparisson and a request for input on specifics. Not a generalization, not a "who will win?!" thread, but some honest to goodness investigative research from someone who likes both cars - a lot.
The Stang
Torque: The Mustang GT can pull on a 350z off the line when both cars are equally driven. They're right about the same weight, but the Stang has the torque advantage, allowing it to muscle ahead and stay ahead given the power curve on bone-stock comparissons. This is a small advantage only, mind you - with these two cars, it seems to be a true driver's race. You can easily bog down or spin off valuable time in the Stang with this advantage.
Modability: Aftermarket parts flow more readily and at less expense for the Stang, and tend to give more bang for the buck. Straight down the line, you gain more horsepower per dollar burned with the Mustang, which is an attractive option.
Sound: While the 350z sounds quite nice and respectable for an import tuner, which is a rare thing indeed - the Mustang has done a good job with their exhaust this time around, and the aftermarket options are widespread and varied in their tones and aggression. You can have a truly ungodly sounding beast with all 8 cylinders under the hood of the Stang.
Cost: This seems to be in the mustangs favor, however I am torn on this. The Stang has a cheaper sticker price, but insurance costs of a GT model will probably even that out and surpass the discount afforded at purchase time, over the first few years.
Practicality: The Stang has a backseat, and more trunkspace. Period. This one is a tough call - you can only have one person enjoy your car at a time in the Zed, and while I wouldn't call being stuffed into the back pocket of the Mustang's rear "enjoyable", you get the point.
The Zed
Interior: While both car interiors have their flaws, the feel of the 350z interior is simply better. This can be debated, but you feel like you're in a racecar the moment you slide into the hip-hugging, bow-shaped interior of the Zed. It's more like a cockpit than a car interior, with it's gauges, moving steering unit, wheel controls, and seat-back subwoofers. Plus, it looks less plain overall. The flow is gorgeous with the doorhandles melding into the doors, nearly invisible.. so on and so forth.
Handling: There is no debate to be had, here. The suspension work on the Zed is track-quality, and can have you dipping and slipping through corners like a madman, easily trumping the Mustang's handling outside of straight lines. However, the ride doesn't really feel any better. It just performs better.
System: The sound system in the Zed seems to perform better overall, and it's probably due to the speaker placements and overall design. The acoustic balancing seems to work fairly well, not to mention the fact that you can actually hear the music over the roar of the exhaust note compared to a Stang with a throaty aftermarket exhaust.
Exotic Appeal: Some of the aftermarket bodykit stylings available for the Zed are classy yet give off an extremely exotic appeal. While the Mustang can achieve that truly aggressive, powerful look, I feel that the exotic look is slightly more refined and interesting. Both are good, don't get me wrong - this is perhaps the most debatable part of the post.
Rarity: This varies from region to region, but where I live.. Mustangs are a dime a dozen. Everyone has one - there are three on my street alone, one right across from me (always sitting there in his open garage, visible each tiem I look out the damned window). There are far fewer 350z models, and thus they have that more rarified sportscar appeal. When you see one, it really pops out at you. While most of the Stangs here are bone stock, there are a ton of models with at least racing stripes thrown on.. which makes it really hard to really catch anyone's attention until you have really modified your appearance with a good amount of modifications.
Give me your own thoughts as to what the advantages and disadvantages are between the two cars. Try and keep things objective, and avoid dragging the thread down into a blind fanboy argument. I'm genuinely interested in some comparisons and opionions, here.
Thanks guys.
The Stang
Torque: The Mustang GT can pull on a 350z off the line when both cars are equally driven. They're right about the same weight, but the Stang has the torque advantage, allowing it to muscle ahead and stay ahead given the power curve on bone-stock comparissons. This is a small advantage only, mind you - with these two cars, it seems to be a true driver's race. You can easily bog down or spin off valuable time in the Stang with this advantage.
Modability: Aftermarket parts flow more readily and at less expense for the Stang, and tend to give more bang for the buck. Straight down the line, you gain more horsepower per dollar burned with the Mustang, which is an attractive option.
Sound: While the 350z sounds quite nice and respectable for an import tuner, which is a rare thing indeed - the Mustang has done a good job with their exhaust this time around, and the aftermarket options are widespread and varied in their tones and aggression. You can have a truly ungodly sounding beast with all 8 cylinders under the hood of the Stang.
Cost: This seems to be in the mustangs favor, however I am torn on this. The Stang has a cheaper sticker price, but insurance costs of a GT model will probably even that out and surpass the discount afforded at purchase time, over the first few years.
Practicality: The Stang has a backseat, and more trunkspace. Period. This one is a tough call - you can only have one person enjoy your car at a time in the Zed, and while I wouldn't call being stuffed into the back pocket of the Mustang's rear "enjoyable", you get the point.
The Zed
Interior: While both car interiors have their flaws, the feel of the 350z interior is simply better. This can be debated, but you feel like you're in a racecar the moment you slide into the hip-hugging, bow-shaped interior of the Zed. It's more like a cockpit than a car interior, with it's gauges, moving steering unit, wheel controls, and seat-back subwoofers. Plus, it looks less plain overall. The flow is gorgeous with the doorhandles melding into the doors, nearly invisible.. so on and so forth.
Handling: There is no debate to be had, here. The suspension work on the Zed is track-quality, and can have you dipping and slipping through corners like a madman, easily trumping the Mustang's handling outside of straight lines. However, the ride doesn't really feel any better. It just performs better.
System: The sound system in the Zed seems to perform better overall, and it's probably due to the speaker placements and overall design. The acoustic balancing seems to work fairly well, not to mention the fact that you can actually hear the music over the roar of the exhaust note compared to a Stang with a throaty aftermarket exhaust.
Exotic Appeal: Some of the aftermarket bodykit stylings available for the Zed are classy yet give off an extremely exotic appeal. While the Mustang can achieve that truly aggressive, powerful look, I feel that the exotic look is slightly more refined and interesting. Both are good, don't get me wrong - this is perhaps the most debatable part of the post.
Rarity: This varies from region to region, but where I live.. Mustangs are a dime a dozen. Everyone has one - there are three on my street alone, one right across from me (always sitting there in his open garage, visible each tiem I look out the damned window). There are far fewer 350z models, and thus they have that more rarified sportscar appeal. When you see one, it really pops out at you. While most of the Stangs here are bone stock, there are a ton of models with at least racing stripes thrown on.. which makes it really hard to really catch anyone's attention until you have really modified your appearance with a good amount of modifications.
Give me your own thoughts as to what the advantages and disadvantages are between the two cars. Try and keep things objective, and avoid dragging the thread down into a blind fanboy argument. I'm genuinely interested in some comparisons and opionions, here.
Thanks guys.
). You will never say, "Oh check out that Fairmont...OOPS, that's a...Mustang????" I can't say the same for when I see a...Cavalier, no it's a...Cobalt, nope a...Grand Prix...damn, it was a new GTO
To me that is kind of where the Z falls. Never thought of it, but Lv51fer brought up the 911. A lot of those Japanese cars just get lost among themselves too easily. I have nothing against them, I just don't care for that styling. Eventhough those cars can/do pack some serious punch in them, the inner beauty alone is nowhere near enough for me
That was the deal maker in my case. My son enjoys riding in the back(granted when I have an adult passenger things get cramped), but my g/f cringes at the fact of taking it on more than a couple hour ride to here and there so I sob and we take her minivan most of the time.
