carguycw

Yeah, but it costs $35k, and no dealer will discount them one cent because people are lining up to buy them. Plus, they weigh far too much and use outdated, overweight, inferior rear suspension from a late 80's T-bird. A used LS1 F-body is a better value. Plus, the price of a Cobra will buy a slightly used C5 Vette.

This is my candidate for overall bang-for-the-buck, but it occupies a different price sphere than the original question.

funkdaddysmack

C&D did a comparo of the SVT cobra, RX-8, and G35 coupe and the mustang had the fastest time around the track by a second or so. Sure, it has A LOT more power, but faster around the track is still FASTER. Rear suspension I don't believe is shared with the 80's t-bird, it's my understanding that it is now independent rear, maybe I was thinking of the Mach 1?

I agree with a lot of the choices above. I'd have to take the WRX Sti over the 350Z as nice as they are. You could do A LOT with that Sti, including use it as a winter car if you were so inclined. Plus it's cheaper. The SRT is probably the most value you can get out of a pocket rocket, it would probably hang well with a new Sti from a roll. 220whp stock? That's INSANE!!!! I think more car manufacturer's should state whp, even if they didn't mean to But I also think the Z06 is the high-end bang for your buck. They handle great, they are very quick, and still bust out great gas mileage. Whadda car!

carguycw

That's kind of what I was getting at also. The 350Z is cool, but a bang-for-the-buck challenge requires something with more bias towards raw performance. The Z's speed is nothing to sneeze at but it's not stellar either.

IMHO a lot of the Z's appeal comes from styling and image, which it's got in spades. Call it "bling-bling"-for-the-buck. This is not necessarily bad, I would argue that Z's have always been this way. However, it's NOT a hardcore performance car.

carguycw

Some Mustang fans will invariably get all bent out of shape when people point this out, but the Cobra's IRS is roughly based on the rear suspension from the last generation of T-bird and Merc Cougar that was built in the late 80's and early 90's before the new "retro" T-bird. Many parts are different, but the basic geometry and design are the same. Yes, it is independent, but it's also got poor geometry, it's prone to rampant wheel hop, and it weighs a LOT. Part of the problem is its bolt-on nature- the IRS is designed as a subframe that bolts up under the unibody of the Cobra (it will actually bolt up to any SN95 Mustang). This adds a LOT of weight- the IRS unit actually weighs ~80 lbs MORE than the regular Mustang's solid axle. It's a Band-Aid fix on a chassis that's already had more Band-Aids applied to it than anything else in recent automotive history.

funkdaddysmack

Well, I do definately agree that the Mustang's suspensions leave something to be desired, but seriously... If it can still beat an RX-8 around a track, it's poor design still can work.

Decent conering + ungodly straightline speed = excellent bang for the buck, much like the SRT. It corners well, not as well as the MSP, but it can sure go in a straight line without a problem!!! Holy poo!!!

sileighty21

go find a nissan dealer and take one out for a test drive. they are definetly a hardcore performance car. the suspension is tuned so tightly, you can feel every bump on the road, it is so tight. it has the shortest shifter i have ever seen or driven, in terms of size and throw. did you read the article in sport compact car about the z? they tried to make an exhaust for it, but they ended up losing hp and torque, that's how good the exhaust system is now. plus it has a kick-*** exhaust note. for a little extra you can get either the supercharger kit from stillen or a turbo kit from greddy(both hopefully available soon). base price is only 26k. same engine, tranny, and suspension as all the other models. in my opinion, the Z is definetly a hardcore performance car. all you gotta do is drive one, then you'll know.

PhotoPro5

If you string out a Neon so that it can match a ZO6 in certain areas, I doubt that Neon will see a full year of constant use before it gives up. The beauty of the Z06 is you don't have to modify anything to get it to perform. For what it is, the Neon is a great buy. But I think asking it to go above and beyond the call of duty is only asking for trouble. The ZO6 would still be covered under warranty...

I have thought about the STi and the EVO. Maybe if I lived in an environment where it rained more often, I'd consider the STi more strongly.

As for the Cobra having dated technology, I promise that as soon as you drive one, you're not going to care if the suspension was based on a 20 year old design. You can always call Griggs Motorsports for upgrades...

carguycw

This is just one example. Let me repeat... I am NOT trying to slam the 350Z, and no, I haven't personally driven one. Yes, they are fast. They're just not fast enough to win a Bang-for-the-Buck smackdown.

The Z is best compared to a car like the Porsche Boxster. It offers pretty damn good performance stats in a package that offers good everyday practicality and lots of mad pimpin' style for a price that's not outrageous. However, is it the fastest car for the money? NO. Several common late-model cars (including a $20k NEON!) will outrun it for much less money. Short shifters and a cool engine note don't win races.

350Z... cool sports car? Yes. Best bang for the buck? NO.

sileighty21

this discussion sounds more like a "pocket rocket" one than a bang for the buck one. i agree the neon is a pretty fast car for the money, but i'm sure there's other "bang for the buck cars" that are two or three times more expensive.

all you need to do is get an early 90's skyline gt-r for about 20-25k. upgrade the turbos, some suspension, intake and exhaust things as well maybe and you're all set. these cars are awesome, granted i've never driven one or even seen one in person, but i still would not mind having one in my stable.

sileighty21

alrite, i'm just gonna give up. i thought this was our opinion on bang for the buck. sorry if i favor nissan, but i've worked there for 2yrs, and my dad has worked for nissan for 20yrs. that's what i grew up around so i'm partial to imports, nissan especially. i never got into the pushrod stuff.

carguycw

Since when is a 194" long, 74" wide, 3,400 lb, 5.7L LS1 V-8 powered Camaro a "pocket rocket"?

sileighty21

it sounded to me like everyone was favoring the neon. there are other cars out there with awesome performance, but cost more money. same thing with the spec-v, which in my opinion is not a good car after driving many of them.

SedanMan

Thats the whole point of this thread. Best bang for the buck. Best performance for the money. So if you get cars that perform as well but are more expensive, than they are eliminated.

I happen to agree with the neon being the best bang for the buck IF you are shopping for a new car.

Protege5Lava

My friend has THIS car!! it is freakin unbelievable... and the Brembos!!!!!! damn!!!!!

sileighty21

thank you very much. that makes two of us for the nissan. it is a damn sweet car.