Mustang vs. 350Z

[nickdrinkwater]

Looks like I was the second person to vote 350Z. 

[SVT666]

Looks like I was the second person to vote 350Z.?

SHAAAAAAAAME!

[Nethead]

Hmmmmmmm.....240Z.? Now that's a car I love.? I would love to drop a 5.0L V8 in it

Animal!

[Raza]

I think the California Special package is only available on the GT.

Now it is.  But it started with the V6.

[the Teuton]

The 350Z is probably a better car, and I think it sounds amazing, but it looks too plain  next to the 'Stang.

[Ron From Regina]

The 350Z is probably a better car

Please elaborate.

[MX793]

Now it is.  But it started with the V6.

Of the current generation cars?  I think they offered it with the V6 in the last gen ('99-'04), but I thought it was GT only with the S197.

[LonghornTX]

Of the current generation cars?  I think they offered it with the V6 in the last gen ('99-'04), but I thought it was GT only with the S197.

You are correct, with the S197, only the GT was offered with the GT/CS package.

[LonghornTX]

I voted mustang, but I must say that I have become intrigued with the NISMO 350Z.

[the Teuton]

Please elaborate.

It has an independent rear suspension, is more of a sporting car right out of the box, is cheaper, a better handler, the engine is pretty rev-happy, the exhaust note with the upgraded exhaust sounds amazing (not a V8 rumble but great nonetheless), it has a 6 speed manual on the models that matter where I think some V8 stang models still have a 5 speed, it's more compact, it doesn't look like everything else on the road, and it has a decent-sized aftermarket following (not compared to the Mustang, but big nonetheless).

[Raza]

Of the current generation cars?  I think they offered it with the V6 in the last gen ('99-'04), but I thought it was GT only with the S197.

I guess I'm wrong.  I could have sworn there was a 2006 V6 California Special.

[Raza]

It has an independent rear suspension, is more of a sporting car right out of the box, is cheaper, a better handler, the engine is pretty rev-happy, the exhaust note with the upgraded exhaust sounds amazing (not a V8 rumble but great nonetheless), it has a 6 speed manual on the models that matter where I think some V8 stang models still have a 5 speed, it's more compact, it doesn't look like everything else on the road, and it has a decent-sized aftermarket following (not compared to the Mustang, but big nonetheless).

Well, you make good points, but my advice is to drive both.  Even though it's not really cheaper.  The most expensive GT right now 27,6, so I can't imagine that the Shelby GT will start at much more than 30 or 31.  The base model 350Z stars at 27,9.  Go Grand Touring and it's 36K.   

[TBR]

It's closer in price to the Shelby then it is to the GT in the US...and where I am the 350Z is the same price as a GT500.

No it isn't. The Shelby GT costs $35k, a similarly equipped GT costs about $30k, and a 350z Touring fits right between at $32.7k.

[SVT666]

It has an independent rear suspension, is more of a sporting car right out of the box, is cheaper, a better handler, the engine is pretty rev-happy, the exhaust note with the upgraded exhaust sounds amazing (not a V8 rumble but great nonetheless), it has a 6 speed manual on the models that matter where I think some V8 stang models still have a 5 speed, it's more compact, it doesn't look like everything else on the road, and it has a decent-sized aftermarket following (not compared to the Mustang, but big nonetheless).

You're speaking out of your ass for the most part because you have never driven a Shelby GT, so how would you know which handles better and which is sportier?  I am willing to bet the Shelby GT will be at least as good as the 350Z in performance, if not better.

[Onslaught]

You're speaking out of your ass for the most part because you have never driven a Shelby GT, so how would you know which handles better and which is sportier?? I am willing to bet the Shelby GT will be at least as good as the 350Z in performance, if not better.

Have you driven both cars? If not then you also are speaking out of the butt.

[SVT666]

Have you driven both cars? If not then you also are speaking out of the butt.

Not at all.  I'm not saying it performs as well as the 350Z, I'm saying I'm willing to bet it will.  He stated that the 350Z outperforms the Shelby...period. 

[nickdrinkwater]

It has an independent rear suspension, is more of a sporting car right out of the box, is cheaper, a better handler, the engine is pretty rev-happy, the exhaust note with the upgraded exhaust sounds amazing (not a V8 rumble but great nonetheless), it has a 6 speed manual on the models that matter where I think some V8 stang models still have a 5 speed, it's more compact, it doesn't look like everything else on the road, and it has a decent-sized aftermarket following (not compared to the Mustang, but big nonetheless).

Plus it looks better 

[Onslaught]

If I had to have one it would be the 350Z. I'm more of a sports car person rather than a muscle car guy.
I've driven a Z and a GT Stang and the Z just has the "feel" that I like more. But to be honest the Z is too heavy
and I can't get past the looks of the door handles.

[Ron From Regina]

It has an independent rear suspension,

This is an old argument. Its already been stated by several people who have drvien the Mustang, plus countless magazines, that the live axle in the mustang is as good as any IRS setup in the segment. The only time time it is noticed is when applying big power and hitting a bump mid corner.
With my car, very rarely do I even notice, and when I do, its not a big deal.
Further, the live exle setup is what helps keep the costs of the mustang down, and is easy to modify by those of us who are into drag racing.

is cheaper,

I'm too lazy to look up the pricing, but as Hemi as already pointed out, a 350Z in Canada costs the same as a Shelby GT500. I can't imaging the 350Z is a whole lot different in price than a Shelby GT.

a better handler,

Says who? Its already been argued to death that the Mustang GT can handle almost as well as the 350Z. The Shelby GT has a fairly major suspension upgrade. Although handling is hard to quantify, M/T pulled .91G on their skid pad, and 25.7 seconds on the figure 8; both figures besting the nissan signifigantly.

the engine is pretty rev-happy,

What matters is how the car is geared. The mustang has enough torque to not stall on blacktop when dumping the clutch off idle, and will pull you back into the seat, all the way to its redline.

the exhaust note with the upgraded exhaust sounds amazing (not a V8 rumble but great nonetheless),

I'll give it that. I do like the exaust note on the Z, but I have to say, I do prefer the stock exaust on the mustang. Aftermarket is anyone's call.

it has a 6 speed manual on the models that matter where I think some V8 stang models still have a 5 speed,

Although I've always wanted a 6spd in the mustang, just to say it had one, I certainly don't think it is necessary. Sure, it would be nice to bring the revs down a bit (from about 2600)? when cruising at 80mph, though.

it's more compact, it doesn't look like everything else on the road,

It also has 2 less seats.
I would argue that the mustang has the more unique look on the road. Sure, there are more of them, but nobody would mistake a mustang for anything else.

[SaltyDog]

I'd take the Shelby or the GT over the Z. 

[SVT666]

I would argue that the mustang has the more unique look on the road. Sure, there are more of them, but nobody would mistake a mustang for anything else.

Which is why the word Mustang shows up a total of 0 times on the car.

[Onslaught]

Which is why the word Mustang shows up a total of 0 times on the car.

You don't have to spell out the name when you put chrome emblems of the animal all over the place.

[Ron From Regina]

You don't have to spell out the name when you put chrome emblems of the animal all over the place.

By all over the place, you mean the one on the grill? The only other mustang logo's visible from the exterior are tiny ones edged into the glass on the windows, and are no more than a 1/4 inch.

(The V6 has it on the trunk and side badges, but the V8 ones just have a badge that says GT.)

[Onslaught]

Don't forget the one on the steering wheel and how some of the V6 ones have those ugly decals with Mustangs all down it.

[the Teuton]

Hemi, I voted for the Stang out of those two because it's a special edition and looks amazing, but otherwise it's just and ordinary Mustang with a nice paint job and some Ford catalog parts.  It still has the wrong suspension in the back and it's just another iteration because it's one of the few cars that Ford makes that draws a profit and they're trying to milk the hell out of that car. 

That being said, it could be a better, cheaper car, but Ford has a monopoly on the muscle car market right now and they can charge whatever the heck they want for whatever special edition they want.  I don't see this as a $200k car in 30-40 years because Ford is pumping out so many special editions.  SRA limits tunability unless your name is Jack Roush and makes it a less desirable car.  That's why 350Zs, RX8s, and Camaros will/do exist.

[SVT666]

Hemi, I voted for the Stang out of those two because it's a special edition and looks amazing, but otherwise it's just and ordinary Mustang with a nice paint job and some Ford catalog parts.

What do you think a NISMO 350Z is?

It still has the wrong suspension in the back

and it's just another iteration because it's one of the few cars that Ford makes that draws a profit and they're trying to milk the hell out of that car.?

Yup, nothing wrong with that...is there?  What do you think they did back in the late 60s and early 70s?

[Lebowski]

350Z, no question in my book.

[GoCougs]

Substitute the base G35/7 coupe and I'm sold, which at a base of $33,000 still undercuts the Shelby GT by almost $4,000.

The 350Z bothers me because of the lack of a back seat, and the rumors of a lot of road noise and lack of refinement. For not a lot more money, one can have the G35/7.

The only compelling argument for the Shelby GT is exhaust note IMO.

[SVT666]

Substitute the base G35/7 coupe and I'm sold, which at a base of $33,000 still undercuts the Shelby GT by almost $4,000.

Try $2000.

[MX793]

I found a Shelby GT on ebay and a very clear shot of the window sticker shows an MSRP of $32K and change.  Of course, dealer markup makes sticker prices moot, but their MSRP isn't as high as a lot of people seem to be indicating.

EDIT:

NM, it appears these cars come with two window stickers.  One for the original Mustang and a second from Shelby highlighting the cost of the add ons.  Prices are indeed north of $35K.  Base price of $36,970 according to leftlanenews.com.