To give you some background, I am coming from a 03 Mustang Mach 1 with 289RWHP and 312 RWTQ..

350Z - The car is solid and doesn't rattle and squeek everywhere like the Mustang did. When I close the door I don't hear everything jiggle. Handling is superb coming from the Mustang. The power... Missing, especially from down low. Maybe I am spoiled by the nearly 340 HP and gobs of torque my Mach had. I'd hit the go pedal on the Mach and it'd throw you back in your seat and GO. The 6 speed tranny is way ahead of my Mach's 5 speed. The clutch is light and smooth. Shifts are short and have a solid feel.

Not a fan of the Z's seats so far, maybe they just have to mold to my ***. The stereo sucks, enough said there. Overall, I am happy with the car. It's a good looking car, but no doubt they'll become more common, so the wow factor is gone. Would I trade the Mach in again for it? Most likely.. We'll see if the opinion changes after a month.

 

Get rid of the Z's stock stereo and the stock tires and you'll be set.

 

I have heard alot of Mustang owners talk about all the squeaks and rattles in their cars. Was it so bad that it made you want to trade it in for another vehicle? It would be tough for me to give up 289RWHP and 312 RWTQ.

Its amazing to me that Ford has been making cars since October 1st, 1908 and they still can't produce a Mustang that won't rattle you to tears. That is not a flame, just thinking out loud.

 

THe first month I got my car I put subframe connectors on my car. They are basically metal tubes they weld to your frame, about 10lbs of metal each (not too heavy). These come std on mustang convertibles. The only squeeks I get are in the summer when the AC is cranked. The interior bits squeek a bit from the temp difference. Other than that 75k of stiffened suspenion, Auto-x, open tracks, daily driving on potholed city road and not a single squeek otherwise.

I recommed the sf connectors for any 79-04 mustang. Best $100 you'll spend on the car.

 

Last I heard, the Z has its share of rattles as well. But of course those are japanese rattles, which dont count as much.....