airbillster

Excellent article. My favorite part-
In the final analysis, the 350Z Roadster is the better sports car. It's the one you'll want to take for a spin over a challenging section of tarmac. The exterior is aesthetically challenged but of little concern when your view is from the driver's seat. But the Mustang GT is still the favorite with classic good looks and the rumble of V-8 power. This Ford offers tremendous bang for the buck, and judging from the admiring looks, walkups in parking lots, and unsolicited thumbs up from a wide cross section of the population, young and old, the Mustang is a crowd pleaser. So good, in fact, that some folks will buy this car without ever taking it for a test-drive. That makes the Mustang GT the better icon.

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...es_comparison/

jt14894

Although they're not convertibles, I own both and get the best of both worlds.

sonicblue05

which ones faster? lol

SilverR1_04

350z is "exterior is aesthetically challenged " ....

lol, just a nice way of saying it's ugly.... so true

6xStang

that article is a year old....

cashman

Around a track?

LEJAY

Same 'ol, same 'ol sh**. Rice vs American Steel. roadster vs coupe.
When another manufacturer builds a similar model, then an accurate and fair test can be run
Very kind words given to the 'Stang, though.

PonyGT2005

With just upgraded springs and tires the 05 can outhandle and outrun the 350z on the closed track. With upgraded suspension its not even close....and that leaves me $5k to play with power and style enhancements to further outpace the 350z.

jt14894

Which ones faster?
Lets see, Hmm. I give acceleration the edge to my Stang. They're 0-60 and 1/4 times are close (350Z 5.4 - 5.6, 14.1 @ 101 MPH vs Stang 5.1 - 5.3, 13.9 @ 104 mph), but I think the stang will beat it in a tight race.

Around a track?
At an oval track, top speed for the Z is 150 - 155 mph and the Stang is 145 - 150 mph so that would be another close race, but I'd probably give the edge to my Z.
At an autocross, again, the edge would have to go to my Z because of its tighter suspension and better handling of the curves and tight turns.

Anything else you'd like to know, feel free to ask.

Yeah, but what if the 350Z also had upgraded springs and tires etc. (i.e. NISMOs, Stillen). You're comparing apples to oranges. Of course, those upgrades it will probably make the Stang outhandle a stock 350Z, but the stock Z suspension is already pretty damn good. I've tested my Zs limits and if it had the same upgrades, it could even be better than an upgraded Stang so you're right back where you started.



One thing I don't get is why people, forums (Stang and Z), magazines, etc. keep comparing the Stang versus the Z and the Z versus the Stang.
These cars are two different types (4 seater vs 2 seater) and yet they're always comparing them.
The Stang should really be compared to the G35 because its a 4 seater and has a comparable suspension to the Stang.
I know because my best friend has a G35 and I've ridden and driven it many times.
The Stang will most definitely edge the G35.

razol

Probably true, but it looks really funny.