How does the 2009 Nissan 370Z fare against classic muscle found in the 2009 Ford Mustang GT? Along with other contenders, the Mustang GT is one of the competitors the 370Z will need to overcome for a bigger slice of the performance market. Not only does the GT have the technical specs to compete, but the name and prestige of a classic.
The 2009 Nissan 370Z is the undeniable winner in terms of power. At 300hp, the 2009 Ford Mustang GT can scoot, but only in the wake of the Fair Lady's 332hp giddy up. The 370Z also benefits from an extra gear; six to the Ford's five. The Nissan boasts this extra power with better fuel economy, although both are guzzlers: the Mustang GT at 15mpg in the city and 23 on open roads, the 370Z getting an extra three miles from every gallon no matter the road. In a debate over space, the Mustang GT allows you to bring three pals along while the 370Z can only carry two.
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| 2009 Nissan 370Z Model Line Overview |
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| Model lineup: |
Nissan 370Z ($29,930); 370Z Touring ($34,460) |
| Engines: |
332-hp 3.7-liter V6 |
| Transmissions: |
6-speed manual; 7-speed automatic |
| Safety equipment (standard): |
frontal airbags, curtain airbags, active head restraints, tire pressure monitoring system, electronic stability control, ABS, EBD |
| Safety equipment (optional): |
none |
| Basic warranty: |
3 years/36,000 miles |
| Assembled in: |
Japan |
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| Specifications As Tested |
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| Model tested (MSRP): |
Nissan 370Z ($29,930) |
| Standard equipment: |
air conditioning, power steering, power disc brakes, power windows, power locks, console, cruise control, message center, trip computer, floor shift, fog lamps, cruise control, intelligent key, Homelink universal transceiver |
| Options as tested (MSRP): |
Sport Package ($3,000) includes 19-inch forged lightweight aluminum-alloy wheels, Bridgestone Potenza RE050A high-performance radials, front and rear spoilers, bigger brakes |
| Destination charge: |
($695) |
| Gas guzzler tax: |
N/A |
| Price as tested (MSRP): |
$33,625 |
| Layout: |
rear-wheel drive |
| Engine: |
3.7-liter dohc 24-valve V6 |
| Horsepower (hp @ rpm): |
332 @ 7000 |
| Torque (lb.-ft. @ rpm): |
270 @ 5200 |
| Transmission: |
6-speed manual |
| EPA fuel economy, city/hwy: |
18/26 mpg |
| Wheelbase: |
100.4 in. |
| Length/width/height: |
167.1/72.6/51.8 in. |
| Track, f/r: |
61/62.8 in. |
| Turning circle: |
34.1 ft. |
| Seating capacity: |
2 |
| Head/hip/leg room, f: |
38.2/54.6/42.9 in. |
| Head/hip/leg room, m: |
N/A |
| Head/hip/leg room, r: |
N/A |
| Cargo volume: |
6.9 cu. ft. |
| Payload: |
N/A |
| Towing capacity: |
N/A |
| Suspension, f: |
independent, double wishbone, coil spring, gas-pressurized shock, stabilizer bar |
| Suspension, r: |
independent, multi-link, coil spring, gas-pressurized shock, stabilizer bar |
| Ground clearance: |
N/A |
| Curb weight: |
3232 lbs. |
| Tires: |
P245/40R19 front, P275/35R19 rear |
| Brakes, f/r: |
vented disc/vented disc with ABS, EBD, Brake Assist |
| Fuel capacity: |
19.0 gal. |
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| 2008 Ford Mustang Model Line Overview |
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| Model lineup: |
Ford Mustang V6 Deluxe coupe ($19,250); V6 Premium coupe ($20,480); V6 Deluxe convertible ($24,075); V6 Premium convertible ($25,305); GT Deluxe coupe ($25,840); GT Premium coupe ($27,020); GT Deluxe convertible ($30,665); GT Premium convertible ($31,845); Shelby GT coupe ($37,840); Shelby GT convertible ($44,605); Shelby GT500 coupe ($41,930); Shelby GT500 convertible ($46,755) |
| Engines: |
210-hp 4.0-liter sohc 12-valve V6; 300-hp 4.6-liter sohc 24-valve V8; 319-hp 4.6-24-valve V8; 500-hp 5.4-liter dohc 32-valve supercharged V8 |
| Transmissions: |
5-speed manual; 5-speed automatic; 6-speed manual |
| Safety equipment (standard): |
dual-stage front-impact airbags, torso-protecting front side airbags, tire-pressure monitor, LATCH child seat anchors |
| Safety equipment (optional): |
ABS with EBD, traction control |
| Basic warranty: |
3 years/36,000 miles |
| Assembled in: |
Flat Rock, Michigan |
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| Specifications As Tested |
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| Model tested (MSRP): |
Ford Mustang GT Premium coupe ($27,020) |
| Standard equipment: |
one-touch power windows, power mirrors and door locks, keyless entry, air conditioning, AM/FM/CD stereo with auxiliary input jack, tilt steering wheel, cruise control, rear window defroster, split-folding rear seat, six-way power driver's seat, 500-watt audio system with six-disc CD changer and MP3 capability; dual visor vanity mirrors, 12-volt accessory outlets (2); in-grille fog lamps, rear spoiler, sport suspension; Aberdeen leather-trimmed sport seats; 235/55R17 performance all-season tires on painted aluminum wheels |
| Options as tested (MSRP): |
5-speed automatic transmission ($645); Interior Upgrade Package with satin aluminum trim ($460); active anti-theft system ($325); wheel locking kit ($50) |
| Destination charge: |
($745) |
| Gas guzzler tax: |
N/A |
| Price as tested (MSRP): |
$28,500 |
| Layout: |
rear-wheel drive |
| Engine: |
4.6-liter sohc 24-valve V8 |
| Horsepower (hp @ rpm): |
300 @ 5750 |
| Torque (lb.-ft. @ rpm): |
320 @ 4500 |
| Transmission: |
5-speed automatic |
| EPA fuel economy, city/hwy: |
15/22 mpg |
| Wheelbase: |
107.1 in. |
| Length/width/height: |
187.6/73.9/55.7 in. |
| Track, f/r: |
62.3/62.5 in. |
| Turning circle: |
37.7 ft. |
| Seating capacity: |
4 |
| Head/hip/leg room, f: |
38.6/53.6/42.7 in. |
| Head/hip/leg room, m: |
N/A |
| Head/hip/leg room, r: |
34.7/46.8/30.3 in. |
| Cargo volume: |
13.1 cu. ft. |
| Payload: |
N/A |
| Towing capacity: |
1000 Lbs. |
| Suspension, f: |
independent, MacPherson struts with reverse-L-shaped lower control arms, coil springs, anti-roll bar |
| Suspension, r: |
live axle, three trailing links, Panhard link, coil springs, anti-roll bar |
| Ground clearance: |
6.5 in. |
| Curb weight: |
3556 lbs. |
| Tires: |
P235/55ZR17 |
| Brakes, f/r: |
vented disc/vented disc with ABS |
| Fuel capacity: |
16.0 gal. |
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