Smokehouse, if i may, check out the 135i man. It was the car that came closest to the 370z that I cross shopped. Offers similar performance to the z and has a back seat. A tiny back seat, but big enough for kids. Only reason I didn't go with it was that it just a bit more than I wanted to spend, and it needs a few suspension mods to make it keep up with a z on the track. If had a bit more money, I would have gone with it for sure.
The mustang is a great car too. Makes good power, and the platform handles really well with a few cheap mods. Steering is a bit of an issue, but it's not horrendous. But I'm not a fan of the 2010 looks. I saw 2010 stang for the first time up close just yesterday actually. It's mostly the same, but uglier tail lights, and the new lines on the front end aren't as nice either.
Plus, i'm becoming automatic transmission pansy. Too many hills and stoplights around here, and daily driving a mt around here ends up pissing me off. The 7 speed auto in my z with the manumatic shit is a great substitute though. The mustang doesn't offer this. For this reaosn alone I'd probably count out the stang, but if you like manuals, I guess this doesn't impact you at all.
Matt
Personally, I love a manuals trans...
With that said I do eagerly await more paddle type or clutchless manual trans...the cars to do offer them simply have better timing than I ever will.
With the 2010 Mustang, it was the interior that got me...it's that nice. Coming from a Mustang background, they've had shit interiors for years...it's a good change.
I guess I'm looking for little complication in a car anymore. Fast but not insane, comfortable and nice on the inside. My 2001 GT was the best car I've ever had (sans the auto trans). It was a nice riding car and never had a single problem in the time I had it...not one. I can't say the same for the many other cars I've had.
Almost every performance car out there has issues...talk to some owners and you'll hear horror stories about factory defects...your 370z story is no exception. MS3 and WRX guys are popping their engines, GTO guys are dropping their rear ends, suspension...these are just a few...
...but newer Mustang GT guys on the other hand...they just run. I have many friends that are Mustang owners and save a few minor issues, the damn things just run.
I hope the 2010 will do the same...if so I'm going to get one, drive it, leave it stock and run the wheels off of it.
The 135i is over $30K right? A bit too much $$ for me at the moment. When/if I do get a 2010 stang...it will be a lightly used one lie the '01 I bought with 7K miles on it.