Compare the2004 Nissan 350ZVS 2004 Ford Mustang

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages

Safety

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The 350Z offers optional front seat side-impact airbags and available head airbags, which act as a forgiving barrier between the passengers and the door. Combined with high-strength steel door beams this system increases protection from broadside collisions. The Mustang doesn’t offer side-impact airbags.

Using vehicle speed sensors and seat sensors, smart airbags in the 350Z deploy with different levels of force to help better protect passengers of all sizes in different collisions. The Mustang’s airbags don’t have smart features and will always deploy full force.

The 350Z has standard four wheel antilock disc brakes for quicker stops and controlled steering ability, especially under poor traction conditions. Antilock brakes cost extra on the Ford Mustang.

The 350Z Coupe offers optional Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC), which uses the antilock brake hardware along with powerful software and additional sensors to detect the beginning of a skid. VDC then intervenes by automatically applying the brake at one appropriate wheel, preventing a skid. The Mustang doesn’t offer skid prevention.

The 350Z’s gas tank is mounted inside the frame rails in front of the rear axle to optimally protect the fuel tank in a collision. The Ford Mustang’s gas tank is mounted behind the rear axle, where it is more susceptible to rear collisions.

Both the 350Z and the Mustang have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners and available traction control.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new cars. In this test, results indicate that the Nissan 350Z Coupe is safer than the Mustang Coupe:

	350Z	Mustang
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Leg injuries (L/R)	625 / 716	1001 / 1426
	Passenger
Leg injuries (L/R)	573 / 581	1365 / 446

More stars indicate a better overall result. Lower numbers indicate better individual test results.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 38.5 MPH side impact tests on new cars. In this test, results indicate that the 350Z is safer than the Mustang:

	350Z	Mustang
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	3 Stars
Thoracic Trauma	51	87
Pelvis Deceleration	63 G’s	90 G’s

More stars indicate a better chance of avoiding serious injuries. Lower numbers indicate better actual numeric test results.

Warranty

Nissan’s powertrain warranty covers the 350Z 2 years and 24,000 miles longer than Ford covers the Mustang. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years and 60,000 miles. Coverage on the Mustang ends after only 3 years or 36,000 miles.

Reliability

For smoother operation, better efficiency and fewer moving parts, the 350Z has an overhead cam design, rather than the old pushrod design of the 3.8 V6 in the Mustang.

The battery on the 350Z is under the seat, which protects it from hot underhood temperatures which can degrade battery life. By keeping the 350Z’s battery 20 to 30 degrees cooler, its life is increased by years. The Mustang’s battery is in the hot engine compartment.

J.D. Power and Associates’ surveys of the owners of three-year-old cars provide the long-term dependability statistics which show that Nissan vehicles are more reliable than Ford vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Nissan 15th in reliability, above the industry average. With 28 more problems per 100 vehicles, Ford is ranked 23rd.

Engine

The 350Z’s 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 94 more horsepower (287 vs. 193) and 49 lbs.-ft. more torque (274 vs. 225) than the Mustang’s standard 3.8 V6. The 350Z’s 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 27 more horsepower (287 vs. 260) than the Mustang GT’s standard 4.6 SOHC V8.

As tested in Car and Driver the Nissan 350Z is faster than the Ford Mustang (manual transmissions tested):

	350Z	Mustang V6	Mustang GT
Zero to 60 MPH	5.4 sec	7.1 sec	5.5 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	13.9 sec	20.6 sec	14.9 sec
Quarter Mile	14.1 sec	15.6 sec	14.2 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	101 MPH	90 MPH	98 MPH
Top Speed	156 MPH	113 MPH	138 MPH

In a Car and Driver race course test, the Nissan 350Z Touring Coupe was clocked 2 seconds faster than the Ford Mustang Mach 1 (70 sec. vs. 72 sec.) at an average lap speed 1.2 MPH faster (77.7 MPH vs. 76.5 MPH).

Fuel Economy and Range

The 350Z has 4.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the Mustang (20 vs. 15.7 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Transmission

A six-speed manual is standard on the Nissan 350Z, with closer gear ratios for better performance and a lower final drive ratio for quieter highway operation, less engine wear and better fuel mileage. Only a five-speed manual is available for the Mustang.

A five-speed automatic is optional on the Nissan 350Z, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a four-speed automatic is available for the Mustang.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the 350Z’s standard brake rotors are larger than those on the Mustang:

	350Z	Mustang
Front Rotors	11.7 inches	10.87 inches
Rear Rotors	11.5 inches	10.51 inches

The 350Z’s brakes have 34% more swept area (the area covered by the brake pads) than the Mustang with its standard brakes (533 vs. 398.6 square inches), so the 350Z has more braking power available. The 350Z’s brakes have 25% more swept area (the area covered by the brake pads) than the Mustang Mach I (533 vs. 425 square inches).

The 350Z’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs standard on the Mustang are solid, not vented.

In an emergency stopping situation, many drivers don’t press the brakes with enough force to stop the vehicle in the shortest distance. Whatever factors cause this tendency, the 350Z has standard Brake Assist to detect emergency braking situations (by how hard and how quickly the brake pedal is pressed) and then automatically apply maximum braking immediately in order to help prevent a collision. The Mustang doesn’t offer a brake assist feature.

The 350Z with its standard antilock brakes stops much shorter than the Mustang with antilock brakes:

	350Z	Mustang
80 to 0 MPH	213 feet	234 feet	Road & Track
70 to 0 MPH	164 feet	184 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	115 feet	132 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction and acceleration, the 350Z has larger standard rear tires than the Mustang (235/50R17 vs. 225/55R16).

The 350Z’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) which provides a stiffer sidewall than the Mustang’s standard 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the 350Z has standard 17 inch wheels. Smaller 16 inch wheels are standard on the Mustang. The 350Z’s optional 18 inch wheels are larger than the 17 inch wheels on the Mustang GT/Mach I.

The 350Z with 18” Tires has a standard tire pressure monitoring system, which will alert the driver to a drop in tire pressure before damage to the tire or an accident might occur. The Mustang doesn’t offer a low tire pressure warning system.

Suspension and Handling

For superior ride and handling, the Nissan 350Z has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Ford Mustang has a solid rear axle, with a non-independent rear suspension.

The 350Z has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the 350Z flat and controlled during cornering. The Mustang base suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

The 350Z has engine speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Mustang doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the 350Z’s wheelbase is 3 inches longer than on the Mustang (104.3 vs. 101.3 inches).

The 350Z’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (53% to 47%) than the Mustang’s (55% to 45%). This gives the 350Z more stable handling and braking.

The 350Z Track Coupe handles at .88 G’s, while the Mustang Coupe pulls only .82 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The 350Z Touring Roadster handles at .88 G’s, while the Mustang GT Convertible pulls only .82 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The 350Z Touring Coupe goes through Motor Trend’s slalom 4.1 MPH faster than the Mustang Mach 1 (67.8 vs. 63.72 MPH).

For better maneuverability the 350Z’s turning circle is 2.8 feet tighter than the Mustang GT’s (35.3 vs. 38.1 feet). The 350Z’s turning circle is 1.8 feet tighter than the Mustang’s (35.3 vs. 37.1 feet).

Chassis

The 350Z is 1 foot, 1.8 inches shorter than the Mustang, making the 350Z easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The design of the Nissan 350Z amounts to more than styling. The 350Z offers aerodynamic coefficients of drag from .3 to .34 Cd (depending on bodystyle and options). That is lower than the Mustang (.33 to .36). A more efficient exterior helps the 350Z go faster and keeps the interior quieter. It also helps the 350Z get better fuel mileage.

For excellent aerodynamics, the 350Z has standard flush composite headlights. The Mustang has recessed headlights which spoil its aerodynamic shape and create extra drag.

As tested by Car and Driver while at idle, the interior of the 350Z Touring Roadster is quieter than the Mustang GT Coupe (45 vs. 49 dB).

Passenger Space

The 350Z Coupe has .1 inches more front headroom and 1.6 inches more front hip room than the Mustang Coupe.

The 350Z Convertible has 1.2 inches more front headroom and 1.6 inches more front hip room than the Mustang Convertible.

Cargo Capacity

With its andedan body style, the 350Z offers cargo security. The Mustang’s non-lockable folding seat defeats cargo security.

Ergonomics

The 350Z’s standard power windows have a locking feature to keep children from operating them. Ford does not offer a locking feature on the Mustang’s standard power windows.

The 350Z’s front power windows raise and lower automatically with one touch, especially convenient at tollbooths or drive-up windows. The power windows on the Mustang don’t raise automatically, and only the driver’s window lowers automatically.

If the windows are left down on the 350Z the driver can raise them all using the key in the outside lock cylinder. On a hot day the driver can lower all the windows from outside the car using the remote. The driver of the Mustang can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The 350Z has standard lighted power window switches so that they are easily found at night. The Mustang doesn’t have lighted switches.

The 350Z has a standard locking fuel door with a remote release located convenient to the driver. A locking fuel door helps prevent vandalism, such as sugar in the tank and fuel theft. The Mustang doesn’t offer a locking fuel door.

To improve comfort and visibility, the 350Z Coupe (late availability) has standard pull-out visor extensions that block glare better. The Mustang doesn’t offer any similar feature.

The 350Z’s available outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. The Mustang doesn’t offer heated side mirrors.

The 350Z’s standard rear view mirror has an automatic dimming feature. This mirror can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on it, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Mustang doesn’t offer the luxury of an automatic dimming rear view mirror.

The 350Z Touring’s standard heated front seats keep the driver and front passenger extremely comfortable in the winter. The Mustang doesn’t offer heated seats.

The 350Z’s standard automatic temperature control maintains the temperature you set, automatically controlling fan speed, vents and temperature to maintain a consistent, comfortable environment. The Mustang doesn’t offer automatic air conditioning.

Economic Advantages

Insurance will cost less for the 350Z owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the 350Z will cost $505 to $2830 less than the Mustang over a five year period.

The 350Z will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that the 350Z will retain 52.88% to 54.69% of its original price after five years, while the Mustang only retains 47.72% to 50.64%.

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