Tuesday 25th August 2015

Mustang vs. 370Z NISMO vs. M3: Dab of oppo(sition)

New kid on the block or a well-established alternative? Time to decide!

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Dab of oppo(sition) - a fine idea even if we do say so ourselves - is the first of a new batch of PH stories you'll be seeing over the next few weeks, with five different themes for the five days of the week. You like reading and talking about cars, we enjoy writing the stories and so it all makes sense, right?

One other way to do c.£30K RWD coupe...

The premise here is very simple, a 'this or that?' comparison. Ford has announced 2,000 Mustang orders from die-hard Yank V8 fans in the UK, the £33,995 entry price and right-hand drive (at last!) holding considerable appeal.

But what if the Mustang doesn't do it for you? Just over £30K opens up all sorts of front-engined, rear-drive possibilities, and here we'll present our favourites for debate.

First up is the Nissan 370Z NISMO, Japan's vision of a brawny muscle car. Officially 71hp down on the Mustang but over 100kg lighter as well, the big Zed is arguably the Ford's closest new rival. Though the NISMO retails at £37,745, this nearly new car is for sale at £32,000. Hmm...

... and one more! Which to have?

And the used alternative? When the new car is a 420hp (alright, 415) front-engined, rear-drive V8, then the used car should be too. Step forward the BMW M3, the old E92. For the same money as a new 'stang, this 2011 Competition Pack M3 DCT is a hugely tempting alternative. That glorious engine, the perfect 50:50 weight balance, the everyday usability... You suspect the BMW would be sharper dynamically too. But then the Ford counters with new car appeal and the Mustang novelty while the NISMO offers its own unique charm and decent handling as well.

Which would you choose? Would it be any of the obvious Mustang rivals, or something else entirely different? Let us know below!

[Jamiae]

I was very taken by the E92 when driving around Nurburgring in one, the engine was just such a highlight - so engaging and keen to rev. And I suspect that would also be best at holding some controlled oversteer moments too. However, for me, I suspect the character from the American would be on a different level, so coupled with the novelty of new and RHD on a Mustang makes that a pretty easy winner for me.