Cars That Compare

[zane11]

I just hope that its not compared to a wrx. Not in same league and the 350z is faster

[SpyVO]

Answering the original question, I have a few candidates. First is a Mustang GT. My brother just bought a new one about 2 or 3 months ago for $21,500, practically loaded. It's got 260 hp, and 302 ft/lbs. The other specs are pretty close to the 350Z's, too.

For the price of a Track Model you could get a 2003 Mustang SVT Cobra, which would stomp on the 350Z, for lack of a better term. Heck, you could go pick on Corvettes with one of those.

And even though they have stopped making them, you can still buy a brand new Camaro SS or Z/28. They list at $29,750, but I have a feeling you could get a sweet deal on one since they're soon to be extinct. Those too, would embarrass a 350Z. And if you're curious about back seats, CHECK THIS CAR OUT. You will be amazed. Not only does it HAVE back seats, but you can USE them! Seriously!!

The S2000 is in that price range as well, and would be a SERIOUS pain in the 350Z's ass. It plays the 'less weight' card, but it works very well. It's about as practical as the 350Z, too.

The WRX was already mentioned, and I myself would take one of these over a 350Z anyday. It's WAY easy to make turbocharged cars go a lot faster than stock. And just wait for the STi!!

So there's 4 different similarly priced cars that you could buy brand new, TODAY, and compare a 350Z to (I won't even talk about used possibilities). In fact, I'd consider ALL these cars to be better values than the 350Z. I'm not against it at all, but I fail to see why it will be a success. It doesn't seem to do anything GREAT, it's just OK and it isn't exactly cheap. In fact, it sorta comes off as being the way that Camaros and Mustangs have been looked at over the years: straight line performance, and turning is secondary (of course just TRY saying that about today's Mustangs and Camaros). I can see it becoming what the Audi TT or Nissan 300ZX has become: you see 'em around every now and then, but you don't hear much about 'em because they are not that great.

[zane11]

Let me start out by saying American cars will never be as good as foreign cars. That takes care of your mustang and camaro.

And as for the wrx 0-60 in 5.7
And the S2000 0-60 5.5
The 350Z has been clocked at its first test drive by car and driver in 5.4
which will beat both of these cars.

So I think it looks pretty good for the Z

[zane11]

Oh yeh and i forgot to mention your great Camaro SS is 0-60 in 5.5 which is slower than the 350Z.

[SpyVO]

Originally posted by zane11
Let me start out by saying American cars will never be as good as foreign cars. That takes care of your mustang and camaro.

I'm really sorry if your opinion prevents you from buying a faster and less expensive car. Doesn't matter to me that you want to spend the extra cash. I mean, SOMEONE has to buy one, right?

And I don't know where you got that 5.5 figure, but that's way off. Even Car and Driver got 5.2 0-60 for a Z/28, and 4.9 for the SS.

Go ahead and buy a 350Z, then go try to pick on the first Camaro SS you find. If he decides to play, you're going to be staring at his tailpipes. Plain and simple. Like I said, I'm not against the 350Z, but lets be honest: it is a neat car, but not a revolutionary car.

[zane11]

Yes thats why i said its only my opinion i got the 5.5 camaro ss from Road and Track if you wanna check.

From experience and friends all have alot more problems with american cars

[zane11]

April 1999 Camaro SS they got 5.5 , it must be wrong because the Z28 also got 5.5

There mistakenot mine haha

[zane11]

Actually i think the mistake aws on the z28.

Because not only road and track got 5.5 but http://www.supercars.net/cars/2000@$Chevrolet@$Camaro%20SS%20Coupe.html also got 5.5

Check it out for yourself

[Pennzoil GT-R]

Originally posted by zane11
Let me start out by saying American cars will never be as good as foreign cars. That takes care of your mustang and camaro.

cars have to go round corners too

[zane11]

Yes i agree and id take a Z for handleing before a camaro or mustang

[SpyVO]

Well Zane, it looks like my magazine is faster than yours.

Please do get a 350Z. It's a neat looking car, but I really think you're kidding yourself if you think your not only going to out accelerate an SS or Cobra but that you'll out maneuver one as well. You guys seem to think that those things can't handle either. They're not exactly nose heavy pigs anymore. The LS1 is all aluminum, just like your Z's motor, and it's set WAY back, They're actually pretty well-balanced pigs now. But don't take my word for it. Put down the magazines. Go buy one. Go to the track. Get REAL NUMBERS. TIMESLIPS. I have a 13 second timeslip from an SS RIGHT HERE. As far as we know, there are no 13 second 350Z timeslips. You can make one fast, sure, but you can make ANYTHING fast. As far as the stock-vs-stock arguement goes, you're pissing up a rope.

And that's only the domestic arguement...

[Pennzoil GT-R]

its not so much how high the lateral cornering g figure is, its the composure through the corner thats allows you plenty of warning about whats going on in the car, and that allows you to push that bit harder. not purposefully slating US cars but they generally havent quite got the chassis as refined as European and Japanese cars have (yet)

[merc50]

Yeah, its sad that American consumers have never put a premium on that aspect Penz. We could build them, they just chose not to (sad sad sad). But then again, take the Mustang for example. A chassis that has been around since the 70's refined to the level it is at is fairly good. I would love to see more balanced cars in the US.

[Pennzoil GT-R]

The US would have done well to make a big thing of importing some of their cars to Europe. A small selection would probably have sold brilliantly. The old Mustangs are considered pretty much cult classics over here, and the old vettes are also held in high regard.

[SpyVO]

I'll agree with you that americans have, for the most part, missed the boat on the handling issue. That is not to say that there are no cars that can deliver in that category. Corvettes have always been good, and some Mustangs along the way have done well. But yeah, there still is some work to be done.