[smbstyle]

I've owned two Mustangs (03 Mach 1 and 03 Cobra), driven a 2012 on a test drive and took a 2013 on track at Sebring, and here are my thoughts.

First off I think the 370z's look stupid, just my opinion, and after the new 370z got matched by a V6 Mustang on the speed limiter for most of the lap in C&D's Lightning Lap, I didn't even consider it.

My 03 Mach 1 and 03 Cobra were good cars for what they were; Muscle cars. I would never DD either, because of the heavy frickin clutch. The Mach 1 sucked for trying to make power out of, so I went with an 03 Cobra.

The 03 Cobra was a great drag racing car, it held up to everything, and I was making 608 rwhp out of it. The brakes were horrible though, the interior was a bit cramped, the shifter was in an uncomfortable position, handled like a boat, but damn would that thing haul ass in a straight line. Had some nice sounds too.

Heres a dyno vid and exhaust vid of my Cobra:

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DixwfY7jBko&list=UUI7_3qVwegS7kgSt8P_D3Yw"]Kenne Bell 2.2L Dyno - YouTube[/ame]

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XlIpjFhrbUg&list=UUI7_3qVwegS7kgSt8P_D3Yw"]New Exhaust - Mac O/R H pipe and Magnaflow Catback - YouTube[/ame]


Once I moved from MD to FL, I got out of drag racing and into auto-X, then road course track days, then into SCCA club racing. After learning to drive around corners rather than in a straight line, I had much more of an appreciation for good handling cars rather than just raw HP. I had a stock M3, lightly modified CTS-V, and a Miata SCCA race car, which were all incredible cars, and handled great.

When I had my CTS-V, I was considering selling it for a new Mustang, and test drove a 2012 5.0 with the Brembo package. After driving it, I just did not like how long the hood was, and even though it was lighter on paper than my CTS-V, it actually just felt like it was bigger and heavier, so I gave up on that idea.

Then, when the 2013's came out, I loved the front and rear end designs, and saw they had a "track pack", and then was even considering a Boss 302 because it was supposed to be an out of the box track car. I had the opportunity to take a 2013 V6 out on track, and my god I absolutely hated it. Don't get me wrong, it had some power, but the steering feedback was absolutely horrendous, even on the "sport" steering setting. You would turn the wheel, wait two seconds, then the car would turn. Like my 03 Cobra and Mach 1, it just felt like a boat around corners. Not only that, but the interior was still kinda crappy; the center console area is annoying on your arm for long drives, just the material and location rubs your arm raw, seats are horrible, unless you have the Recaro seats, and it just feels cramped. I honestly did not like it at all on the street or on track, but it was neat to look at. After driving it for the weekend I gave up on wanting a 2013 GT track pack or Boss 302.

I then had the opportunity to test drive a BRZ, and was sold the second I went around the offramp. Steering feedback is on par with Porsche IMO, zero body roll, very low center of gravity, it was just rewarding to drive, and put a smile on my face.

Going from a 608hp Cobra, then to a CTS-V, and then a 1.8 Miata, I actually enjoyed the Miata more than either car, and I did not miss the power. I can always add HP if I want it, but I couldn't make the CTS-V or Cobra handle the way the Miata does, and can't cut 1,000 lbs out of either car either.

Video of my CTS-V:

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FYMDgpS4T94&list=UUI7_3qVwegS7kgSt8P_D3Yw& index=32"]CTS-V chasing a 997 GT3 at Sebring - YouTube[/ame]

Video of my Miata:

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sw1TZBleLDs&list=UUI7_3qVwegS7kgSt8P_D3Yw& index=12"]Sebring 2:45 Lap in a Miata - YouTube[/ame]