Mustang GT vs 350Z vs Mini Cooper S
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Shelby GT500 Member
Joined: March 10, 2004
Posts: 2,586
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From: Sherman, TX
In this issue of Winding Road (still free online subscription):
You don't wanna know which the writer seemed to favor more though...
Switching to the Mustang and retracing most of the routes I traveled in the Nissan
yields an entirely different experience, as might be expected. What surprised me
is that I had at least as much fun in the Mustang, if not more. Let’s just say that torque is a good thing. If you look at the specs on paper, the Mustang
has only slightly more power than the 350Z, and it has to move about 300 lb more over the tarmac. But then if you look at the torque on tap for each car, the
source of the gutsier feel of the Mustang starts to become obvious. The Mustang’s
torque-to-weight of 182 lb-ft/ton is only a bit higher than the Nissan’s 170, but combine this with a flatter torque curve and you can feel the difference. You can, of course, keep the revs up on the 350Z and get some cracking good power coming out of a turn, but there’s something lovely about being able to ask the Mustang for power at any moment and get it. Rather lazy, this approach, but quite fun.
yields an entirely different experience, as might be expected. What surprised me
is that I had at least as much fun in the Mustang, if not more. Let’s just say that torque is a good thing. If you look at the specs on paper, the Mustang
has only slightly more power than the 350Z, and it has to move about 300 lb more over the tarmac. But then if you look at the torque on tap for each car, the
source of the gutsier feel of the Mustang starts to become obvious. The Mustang’s
torque-to-weight of 182 lb-ft/ton is only a bit higher than the Nissan’s 170, but combine this with a flatter torque curve and you can feel the difference. You can, of course, keep the revs up on the 350Z and get some cracking good power coming out of a turn, but there’s something lovely about being able to ask the Mustang for power at any moment and get it. Rather lazy, this approach, but quite fun.
Besides the possible issues with the basic suspension design, you need to know that
the Mustang feels like a larger car than the 350Z. That might seem obvious, but you’re also giving up a feeling of agility in the process. Strangely, what you gain with the Mustang’s tuning is a sense that the car telegraphs more of what the suspension is doing than the Nissan does. This is probably because the Mustang is less composed than the 350Z, but even so, real car folk seem to have worked on setting up the Mustang.
the Mustang feels like a larger car than the 350Z. That might seem obvious, but you’re also giving up a feeling of agility in the process. Strangely, what you gain with the Mustang’s tuning is a sense that the car telegraphs more of what the suspension is doing than the Nissan does. This is probably because the Mustang is less composed than the 350Z, but even so, real car folk seem to have worked on setting up the Mustang.
All this isn’t to say that the 350Z and Mustang GT are inadequate. They’re loads of
fun. Though, of the two, the Nissan is the better car – more refined, more linear, and probably faster in the right hands. Still, we think 75 percent of drivers would have more fun in the Mustang, at least if they live in areas with relatively good road surfaces. Because of image differences, few will crossshop the Z and the Mustang, but they should. If they could forget their preconceptions,
we’d bet that more than a few purchase plans would change.
fun. Though, of the two, the Nissan is the better car – more refined, more linear, and probably faster in the right hands. Still, we think 75 percent of drivers would have more fun in the Mustang, at least if they live in areas with relatively good road surfaces. Because of image differences, few will crossshop the Z and the Mustang, but they should. If they could forget their preconceptions,
we’d bet that more than a few purchase plans would change.
Guess which one I prefer 
Bullitt Member
Joined: June 26, 2005
Posts: 208
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Originally posted by 94tbird@August 5, 2005, 12:19 PM
he says which he prefers right here
Though, of the two, the Nissan is the better car – more refined, more linear, and probably faster in the right hands
he says which he prefers right here
Though, of the two, the Nissan is the better car – more refined, more linear, and probably faster in the right hands
Member
Joined: July 25, 2005
Posts: 49
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Fundamental problem with this review - well, from my point of view, being a convertible driver - the 350 is a 2 seater conv, the mustang is 4 - totally different cars and not comparable in use. Now, certainly if you are comparing sport coupes they are comparable - remember that prior the to 64 Mustang's release the Ford mustang folks were pushing comparisons to the rear-engined 4 cyl turbo Corvair, that was the state of the (american) art in sport coupes at the time. What he seems to be saying is the mustang is less refined but more fun and more elemental (good and bad) - something that has been true of every good mustang.
Now, the Cooper S Works Convertible vs. the GT Convertible is an interesting test - but I can't get my golf bags in the Mini. Come to think of it, is there any 4 place conv under 40k that compares to the Stang on a sporting level except for the Mini?
Now, the BMW 330 conv at 40k+ and the M3 Conv at 50k+ are the most direct comparisons in size and power - but at a very real cost.
Now, the Cooper S Works Convertible vs. the GT Convertible is an interesting test - but I can't get my golf bags in the Mini. Come to think of it, is there any 4 place conv under 40k that compares to the Stang on a sporting level except for the Mini?
Now, the BMW 330 conv at 40k+ and the M3 Conv at 50k+ are the most direct comparisons in size and power - but at a very real cost.
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