05 Mustang GT versus 350Z.

[syr74]

This is a comparo that begs being done. Surely, Motor Trend, Car and Driver, or somebody has to do it in the near future. Until then however, lets hear what everyone here has to say.

First, some specs.

350Z:

3.5L, DOHC/24-valve,alloy 60-degree, V-6 with VVT
287hp@6200rpm/274lb-ft tq@4800rpm
300hp@6400rpm/280lb-ft tq@6200rpm (Track model)

6-speed manual or 5-speed automatic

3-link IFS
4-link IRS

curb weight: 3200-3350lbs
wheelbase: 104.3
length: 169.4



Mustang GT:

4.6L, SOHC/24-valve, alloy 90-degree, V-8 with VVT
300hp@5750rpm/315lb-ft tq@4500rpm

5-speed manual or 5-speed automatic

MacPherson IFS, reverse L-Arm
3-link, live axle rear susp.

curb weight: 3400-3500lbs
wheelbase:107.1
overall length:187.6



The above specs. are just a quick rundown as there is obviously a lot more. Price wise, the Z car starts at $27,060 with destination. If you want leather you'll move up to the 350Z Touring which starts at $33,960 with destination. If you want the Track model's 300hp, that is going to be $34,860 with destination when it debuts.

The new Mustang GT starts at $24,995 with destination, and moves you up to $26,330 with destination if you want leather. The leather model is the 'Premium" package and brings a stereo upgrade as well.

As for performance numbers this should be a good one in upcoming years. We already know that the new GT can out-scoot the 287hp 350Z sold now. And in all likelihood, the upcoming 300hp Track will only close the gap some. In the drag race part of this comparo the new GT is already known to be a mid 13-second car (even with the auto tranny) and likely a low 13-second car when all is sorted out. This is a solid win for the GT for now.

Now for handling. Yeah, I am gonna catch some flack for this one, but reviews so far say the skidpad grip on the Mustang is just slightly better than the 350Z Touring. Both cars knock on .90G door though which is danged respectible in any company. Also, even after I drive the new Mustang I wont be able to say much other than citing what reviews say regarding this as I left my skidpad/slalom data-gathering equipment at my grandmothers.

No doubt the Track Model betters the GT's numbers above by a bit. But, the Mustang has an 18" wheel/summer tire package waiting to debut as well so all things are not yet equal. Suffiuce it to say that in the end it would appear skidpad grip is going to be a tossup between these two cars.

The Mustang loses in the slalom.....surprise. Moving through the cones to the tune of 2-3mph slower than a Z seems to be the average Mustang run. This is still a good number for the Mustang considering how well the Z car handles. That said the Z car seems to slalom at about 70mph with the 18's, and a mph or two slower without them. The GT slaloms well, but gives up a mph or two to the 17' tired Z-car, with 66mph seeming to be a good average figure.

Unfortunately, there are not a lot of numbers available for the Mustang yet in regards to brake performance. I would expect the Z car to stop a bit shorter than the pony due to less weight with what are really similar brake setups. Anything else here would be outright guessing.

For a bit more info on the new pony, reports thus far say understeer is not a problem in the new pony whgich is good news. C&D's Larry Webster even wrote that the new GT had "BMW-like poise and handling".! Indeed, the new Mustang appears to be on another level dynamically when copmpared to the old model. To be fair, we already know the Z car does these things well.

So, with that quick rundown of various reviews and specs. what do you think? Ford bias aside, the extra oomph provided by the V-8 for less dough seals the deal for me. And while the Z-car's look is growing on me, I much prefer the Mustang's skin which helps too. The Mustang's new-found roadcourse credibility is just icing on the cake.

[freakonaleash1187]

i would personaly go with the 350z. the performance of the two will most likely be about the same as you stated, with the z outhandling the mustang by a small margin, and i love the corners. so that puts the z up a little bit. also, although the mustang looks pretty good, i still like the 350z's styling more. so that puts the z more ahead in my eyes. plus, it is a z, and i love z's. but i put that out of my decision because of the bias, but with the handling and the looks, i would pick the z as the winner.

-Jared

[youngvr4]

the gt i beleive is gonna be a stronger straightline runner

the two numbers i've heard was 13.8 and 13.6 tested by mags.

the Z might be able to out handle it but who knows.

my hands give thumbs up to the stang

[NISSANSPDR]

350Z is a better overall package...I like the straightline numbers the GT is going to put up...but it's suspension doesnt inspire me and neither does the interior...give me the Mustang GTR anyday...(yes I know it's not in the same category...but it's freaking sweet)

[kman10587]

Struts up front and a solid axle in the rear, combined with a 3400+ lb. curb weight, should give the Mustang some understeer problems, and sure enough, all the tests I've read have the Mustang understeering when driven past 8/10ths. Of course, if you throttle it during a turn, the back end steps out quite nicely and predictably, making a fun and easy car to drive. I'm gonna have to say that the 350Z is slightly superior in performance, but the Mustang is definitely a better value.

If I were gonna go out and buy one tomorrow, I'd buy a 350Z Enthusiast model (for the rear LSD), mainly because it's Japanese and it's a Fairlady Z. But I give the Mustang a lot of respect for what it does and how much money it does it for.

[15poundhead]

i recently read that the GT and the Z touring model pull about the same on the skid-pad....and the stng would probably win in straigth line speed..but ill still give it to the Z cause its the one of the sexiest cars around..inmy opinion

[BP2K2Max]

i like the Z better myself. the mustang might take it in the 1/4 but the z is the better overall package. plus i'd prefer to own a nissan than a ford based on reliability. however SYR, where did you hear that the 350Z track package had 300 hp? all stock 350z's are 287 hp, the models like base, track, touring, etc just dictate the options like a front/rear spoiler, leather, side skirts, rims, and such.

[Kurtdg19]

Originally Posted by BP2K2Max

i like the Z better myself. the mustang might take it in the 1/4 but the z is the better overall package. plus i'd prefer to own a nissan than a ford based on reliability. however SYR, where did you hear that the 350Z track package had 300 hp? all stock 350z's are 287 hp, the models like base, track, touring, etc just dictate the options like a front/rear spoiler, leather, side skirts, rims, and such.

Yea I'm not sure about the track model pushing 300hp either. What is even more bothersome is those numbers also state max torque@6200rpm??? This would put max hp much higher than only 200rpm more, unless somhow the torque curve droped flat on its face within 200rpm....

[MR2Driver]

The Mustang is sexier, and faster.

The Z is nicer, and handles better.

For road racing or daily driving, i'd pick the Z. For drag/street, i'd want the Mustang.

If someone said "here are both car's keys, take one and you can have the car" I'd pick the Mustang. Z's are everywhere and i've seen 1 05 Mustang, outside of car shows (obviously this is going to change soon and they're going to be as common as usual)

[15poundhead]

i believe the 35th anniversary edition will have 300hp

[nissan350ztt]

35th Anniversary 350Z will have 300hp and 273tq. They lost one ft.-lbs. of torque and gained 13hp. It comes out in January 05. I'm debating this same thing. I know the Mustang mods would be cheaper than 350Z mods, and I could get a lot faster for a lot less. But like other people are saying, I think the 350Z is a better overall car, you can run 13.6 1/4 times when you learn how to launch it good, even though Mustang's are pulling 13.4's, it's not bad for the 350Z to run .2 seconds slower, especially when it has 40 less rwhp. I love both cars, i'd love to have both if that was an option.

[TatII]

the Z's handling number doesn't tell you the whole story of how it handles.

the current track model Z laps the same as a BMW E46 M3. yet it post inferior handling number to it, and is waay down on power compared to it.

this was proven in 3 sources.

1) Top Gear

2) Road and Track

3) BestMotoring International.

so you would safely assume the M3 will outlap the 05 GT since they make similar power but the M3 chassis is light years ahead of the strut and live axle combo.

so which leads me to conclude that the 35th anniversary Z with 300hp will own the Stang and E46 M3.

looks wise the 05 GT looks tacky. after seeing it person its no where near as pretty as the prototype/concept model.

the Z is still the better look car.

[MR2Driver]

New Rule: People with a chick with a Nissan top next to "chicks dig Nissan" just above a "thats as much power at the wheels as a 350Z" in their profiles arent allowed to post in any Nissan or Z threads...

Or else I whip out the Bias-o-meter

[TatII]

i maybe biased. however those are true facts that i've listed. remember i like the Z, but its no where near my favorite nissan.

and i respect mustangs. i love the cobra R and the SVT cobra. i'm just not a fan of their interior and overall design.

i mean hey i love hte MR2. i would pick a nice 93 + MR2 turbo over my S14. and i'm not kidding.

so yes i love nissan, and you can say i'm biased to a certain degree but i do give good cars the respect they deserve.

now back to topic

350Z 35th anniversary edition

[S2CorollaR]

Some guy at my job said that the 350Z in Japan has a turbo charged engine stock. Is there any ground to this?

If it does, then the 350Z loses my respect from now until it is discontinued for the company giving us a gutted version.

Anyway, the way it is now, I think the 350Z is incredibly ugly and slightly slow for the pricing on it. GT gets my vote. (On a side note I don't like how the new GT looks either, but since they're both ugly, I prefer the performance behind the GT)