Just went through the same excercise, but with a background in just about everything NISSAN (may sound strange but aside from a 914 I had, I really miss my Spec V). ANYWAY, my decision actually came down to the DEALER and SERVICE. Talked to few friends who are car people that I respect. Hands down the local Ford dealer was known to walk-the-walk and talk-the-talk. So now I drive an '06 GT and saved about 2 grand to boot. . .it also helps that the GT has a high-grin factor. Heck, just lighting it up every morning, I roll the window down!
My only regret for this vehicle is the lack of factory Sirius.
As stated before, you can't really go wrong either way, both cars are solid. Just think about the long-term relationship with the dealer.
Let me tell you man, I looked at the Z for a long time. The Z is awesome. I spent a long time deciding whether to get the new Z or the new Maxima (also nice). I took both on about a dozen test drives over the course of a year or so.
Then I went and took the look at the 2005 Mustang GT. I took it for a drive and I said: "Order it." The truth is I was ready to buy it by the time I sat in it and as soon as the engine turned over I was sure I had made the right decision If you really want me to I'll go into all the reasons why I will, but for now it's sufficient to say that for me the choice became blindingly obvious.
I think a lot of people in the 350Z wonder about the 05GT because I seem to end up racing a lot of them. I'm pretty sure the GT is faster, but it's real close. The handling in the Z definitely counts for something on these NY highways.
Either way, I'm sure you'll be happy with your car.
Ok, I read through these threads and a lot of them seem to end with "either way" or "toss up" or something like that, and since you have come seeking guidance, I'm going to make a complete 180 and say: "F*** THE 'Z'!" F*** it again for making me use quotes within quotes!
Here's why:
We've established that they're both a good match when it comes to overall performance, but here's what the Mustang has going for it:
Top 10 reasons to get the Mustang instead of the Z:
10. If you're tall, the Mustang will probably be more comfortable.
9. It has a back seat, which is actually bigger than it looks.
8. The Z is a finely tuned machine. A fine tune in the Mustang can get you another 20HP.
7. It invokes a powerful emotional response in people.
6. It has "personality".
5. It makes a sound that scares cats.
4. There's a horse on it.
3. It reminds old people of the Mustang they used to have way back when digital cameras only had a maximum resolution of 3.7 megapixels.
2. You can change the color of your gauges.
1. It looks absolutely, positively, undeniably, BADASS.
You ask a silly question and this is what you get.
I own a 350Z and a GT and I like the style of them so I had to own them both. These are my comparisons between the two.
Mustang GT
* 4-seater Throaty V-8 rumble Excellent straight line acceleration Power feels available when you need it. Smooth sporty ride Stable at high speeds 5-speed Manual Light clutch Smoothe shifter More cargo space Mods very afforable Spacious engine bay Message center: AVE MPG, Gallons used, Odometer, Trip Odomoter, Distance to Empty, AVG MPH, MyColor settings Value for the money Classic retro style Regular Unleaded for best performance Insuranc:e 6-month premium $406.80
350Z (2003)
* 2-seater Ricer killing V-6 rumble Great Acceleration Better handling/cornering Stiffer suspension Very stable at high speeds 6-speed manual Light clutch Short throw shifter Limited truck space (rear strut bar) Tight engine bay. Mods more expensive: $1000+ for NISMO exhaust $3300+ for NISMO wheels Trip computer: Speed indicator, Air Temp, Dist to Empty, AVG MPG/MPH, Elapsed time/Trip Odo, Stopwatch, Tire PSI, Upshift indicator, MPH. Affordable Retro style Super Unleaded for best performance Insurance: 6-month premium $331.70
Current Mods: NISMO LMGT4 Silver rims NISMO Cat-back
If you like cruising, then both cars are good for doing that. But as for long distance driving, I would drive my GT. I drove my Z to from Tampa to Miami (4+ hours) and it was a great drive, but I don't think I would've driven it that much farther because of the stiffer ride.
The Z has had its share of issues and TSBs, but the new Mustang GT is not immune. They both have experienced the gas filling problem, but for me, it has since gone away. My Z has been fortunate that it has not experienced most of the problems that have been reported on most Z message boards. I've only had one major issue, tire feathering (fixed under warranty) and a minor issue, busted security alarm LED, and thats about it. There were issues of people experiencing grinding between 2nd and 3rd gears and between 4th and 5th gears where they've had to replace the entire tranny. My Z did that for a short period of time, but eventually went away and I didn't have to replace it. I guess I was one of the lucky ones. I've heard other bad stories where owners had a entire lost of problems, but I consider those cases very a small percentage. On the message boards, all you hear about the problems and you sometimes hear something about the good things.
That's all I can think of, but if you have anything that you want to ask, let me know. Best of luck to you!
< Message edited by jt14894 -- 1/11/2006 3:06:22 PM >
A friend of mine bought the 350 Z and loved it until he had trouble with the suspension. He fought with Nissan for a while and they wouldn't admit there was a problem. He went to message boards and found other people with the same problem and took it to mediation and won. They bought his car back and he ended up getting the EVO.
How old are you and who's your insurance carrier??
36 years young. My insurance (Nationwide) has a multi-car discount, as well as other discounts (i.e. ABS, Anti-theft, etc.). In addition to my Z and Stang, I have a 1995 Eagle Talon ($243.00 6-month premium).
< Message edited by jt14894 -- 1/11/2006 7:48:08 PM >
Posts: 4140
Joined: 4/6/2005 From: West Los Angeles Status: offline
Guess I'll weigh in here. I actually considered the 350Z recently due to my need for more luxury (accessories) and having done well in the stock market the past few months! I've decided against the 350Z as a replacement for my 2005 GT due to its lack of room, both for the driver as well as luggage! That rear strut bar really kills the room in the back! Plus the 350Z is much harder to get in and out of. It's much lower. I'd also want the Touring edition which costs much more than the GT. This said, I then looked at the Infinity G35 coupe and sedan. Much more $$$ (41,000 sticker) but these have got comparable power (298hp w/ the 6 spd manual), RWD, 5 spd auto w/ manual shifting, and all the toys like power memory seats and tilt telescoping steering wheel, NAV, bi-xenon headlights, sunroof and folding rear seats. It's much more comfortable and luxurious than the 350z and the Mustang. The sedan has the same features but 4 doors. Still not sure if I'm getting old enough for a 4 door sedan! I still may just keep the GT and put some $$ into it as it still has the looks! The Infinity isn't bad but they aren't original like the Mustang. There are lots of curvy cars on the road today! If I got one I'd have to get an original paint color!
_____________________________
2005 Mustang GT, Premium, Screaming Yellow, Auto, Interior Upgrade Package, Black Bullitts & Eibach Pro-Kit Louvers are featured here:http://www.wheelskin.com/
I'd say try both and see what you like about each. The 350z is good on handling corners and road corses. You never get that all crape feeling when you hit 140-160mph it hugs the ground pretty darn good. The plus side of the 350z if you are going manual is that the 2006 models has an bigger motor that usually comes in the Track version on last years model with 300 hp at the crank. If you go for the auto you will have the average engine with 287 hp at the crank. Now that's enough obout that. Now the 06' Mustang GT that's all a different ball game with it tq. and hp. you can do amazing burnouts. Fast straight lines also. I love my mustang it's alsome. And I do like the 350Z. So it all depend on what you want.
Ok, I read through these threads and a lot of them seem to end with "either way" or "toss up" or something like that, and since you have come seeking guidance, I'm going to make a complete 180 and say: "F*** THE 'Z'!" F*** it again for making me use quotes within quotes!
Here's why:
We've established that they're both a good match when it comes to overall performance, but here's what the Mustang has going for it:
Top 10 reasons to get the Mustang instead of the Z:
10. If you're tall, the Mustang will probably be more comfortable.
9. It has a back seat, which is actually bigger than it looks.
8. The Z is a finely tuned machine. A fine tune in the Mustang can get you another 20HP.
7. It invokes a powerful emotional response in people.
6. It has "personality".
5. It makes a sound that scares cats.
4. There's a horse on it.
3. It reminds old people of the Mustang they used to have way back when digital cameras only had a maximum resolution of 3.7 megapixels.
2. You can change the color of your gauges.
1. It looks absolutely, positively, undeniably, BADASS.
You ask a silly question and this is what you get.
HAHAHA!
It scares cats... 11. It makes children cry.
< Message edited by SPARTAN VI -- 1/12/2006 5:17:51 PM >
Yeah, I'm bumpin up a month old thread... so what :) It popped up in a search, and I just wanted to add something.
R.I.C.E. means Really Ignorant Car Enthusiast
The reason that imports have been branded as being tacky looking cars with fart can mufflers, ugly body graphics and shopping car wings is because of stupid movies like "Fast and Furrious". I blame it all on that movie! Before that movie came out, you really didnt see tacky looking imports around. Once that movie came out, all the teeny boppers wanted to be cool and started buying crap from ebay and just slapping them on... thinking they were cool. But they weren't. They were didnt know what they were doing, and they were being Really Ignorant Car Enthusiasts
Posts: 4140
Joined: 4/6/2005 From: West Los Angeles Status: offline
I thought a Really Ignorant Car Enthusiast would be someone who referred to Japanese cars as "rice"! A person who is truly "Car Crazy" doesn't see or care about where a car is from but can compare and contrast all models based on their specs and performance.
Posts: 1032
Joined: 1/6/2006 From: The high country Status: offline
quote:
ORIGINAL: als2052
Hey folks. New to this board and posing this question. I am torn as to which way to go since they both are priced similarly. Need some advice on which of these vehicles give the best bang for the buck.
I also looked at a quite nice looking white 350 Z before I test drove the 05 mustang. I fell in love with the sound of the Stang. It's very convincing and turns heads.
I would go with the Stang all the way, but if your into rice than thats fine too.
Obviously, this guy hasnt been paying attention
I would probably lean towards the stang too, but just to contrast 01SilverGT's post so he can see how ridiculous this whole derogatory slang "rice" is... I'll reply with this:
I would go with the 350z all the way, but if you're into mashed potatoes then thats fine too.
lol
< Message edited by Silverbolt -- 2/5/2006 8:42:19 AM >
I would go with the Stang all the way, but if your into rice than thats fine too.
Obviously, this guy hasnt been paying attention
I would probably lean towards the stang too, but just to contrast 01SilverGT's post so he can see how ridiculous this whole derogatory slang "rice" is... I'll reply with this:
I would go with the 350z all the way, but if you're into mashed potatoes then thats fine too.
lol
And if you wouldnt mind getting whooped everytime you raced, I would go with the 350Z.
I would go with the Stang all the way, but if your into rice than thats fine too.
Obviously, this guy hasnt been paying attention
I would probably lean towards the stang too, but just to contrast 01SilverGT's post so he can see how ridiculous this whole derogatory slang "rice" is... I'll reply with this:
I would go with the 350z all the way, but if you're into mashed potatoes then thats fine too.
lol
And if you wouldnt mind getting whooped everytime you raced, I would go with the 350Z.
well this seems to be the placeto chime in so here's my 2 cents, nissan has totally over rated the HP on the 350/G35 it claims a nice 298HP however my buddy has one and got it dyno'd before he started doing mods, and much to his suprise it lay' down 228HP at the wheels, not I understand the whole drivetrain % loss deal but losing 70HP i think not, so he went to the dealer to have the car checked out, everything came back normal. he wasn't very happy and still though that something was wrong, so we took a trip down 1 town south where there was another nissan dealer much closer to the dyno that he used. walked in a he said he was thinking about trading up to a new model and he wanted a test drive, no biggie. we took the new 350 back to the same dyno and straped it down, 231HP at the wheels, well I guess nissan was just over shooting because both cars had close to the same out come.......weak.
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RE: Mustang GT or 350Z? - 
RE: Mustang GT or 350Z? - 
