Typically when we look at sports cars, especially the domestic ones, and choose to put them up against each other they are vehicles that are extremely similar. When it comes to the Mustang usually the Camaro is its direct rival, but when you have a Shelby model you might need to go a little higher in the Chevrolet hierarchy. For this comparison the Mustang Shelby GT350 for 2016 is pitted against the Corvette Stingray Z51 also for 2016 to see which one would be the best everyday American sports car. The beauty of this test is that the real winner is those of us who buy these awesome machines.
The goal with this matchup is to figure out which car gives us some great road course action but also maintains the real world drivability that is needed. We want a car that looks fast, sounds fast, is fast and is thrilling to drive while also being comfortable enough to handle the rigors of daily driving. Of course you should note that the Mustang used is the top model while the Corvette is not, but that doesn’t really make a huge difference for this challenge.
The Cars
Starting with the Corvette the one chosen shows up with the Z51 package to be ready to take on the track easily. This car comes with the seven-speed manual transmission, and the 2LT package which includes the Magnetic Ride Control shocks, a data and video system for lap recording, suede microfiber seats and the Laguna Blue paint which does come at an additional cost. This package all told comes to a total of $70,830 making it a car that not everyone can afford, but still a reasonable price for this high performance machine that has been a stable of Americana for several decades.
When we turn to the Mustang the exterior look is the same as any of the lower models, but with the GT350 that has the optional Track package added and the Over the top Racing Stripes there isn’t much else that can be added to the Mustang based on the packaging that Ford has done for this car. The Mustang is 300 pounds heavier than the Corvette and stands five inches taller to be an interesting matchup for this contest. As for the price, the Shelby comes in at $56,970 with all the equipment it offers, which makes it a substantially discounted vehicle compared to the Corvette.
Corvette Performance
At a road track the Corvette took to the track to be an active and enthusiastic performer that appeared to be built for the track. With an inch lower center of gravity and a rearward weight bias this car stuck to the track like glue and make for perfection on the track. Using the massive 6.2-liter V8 engine to pull in the power the Corvette offers a quicker lap time than the Mustang by 1.3 seconds on this particular track that was a full 2.5 miles in length which was perfect for the Corvette to chew up.
The Z51 was also able to reach sixty mph in less than four seconds and braked from seventy mph in under 150 feet. The more than 1.0g of force on the skidplate shows us why the Corvette can handle the track so perfectly and easily. While this was certainly an impressive car on the track it offers less enjoyment on the road when you have to keep the throttle lower. It makes perfect sense that this car needs to have higher speeds in order to perform better off the track, which makes it a tough sell as an everyday driver.
Mustang Performance
Using the 5.2-liter flat plane V8 engine this car was made to grunt and growl in earnest. The GT350 does not offer an automatic transmission at all, which makes this a car only built for real drivers who can handle the 526 horsepower and massive torque that come with this car. Even though the engine was at one time our famed and loved 5.0-liter V8, this added displacement makes for a car that can give you even more without going crazy with the added size of the power.
While the Corvette is made for the track and for a smoother ride in a machine that is perfect for racing the Mustang shows a particular drivability and quality on the road. This car feels and drives like a lot of fun and even though you have to do more work than in the Corvette this is the car that makes you want to drive it every day on the roads around you. This is truly because of the added grunt it likes to give regardless of the speed and challenges of the road, which the Mustang swallows up eagerly.
The Verdict
The idea here is to find the car that is the best to drive on a regular basis. With the Corvette you have a car that is quicker than the GT350, is an excellent track car and offers easy to get to power. The steering is a bit slow and the car doesn’t always shift when you would like it to. Overall this car has better numbers than the GT350 but offers a drive that is not even close to as much fun as the GT350.
For the Mustang the car shifts smoothly, has great steering and is a good ride with excellent body control and high revs for you to enjoy. On the downside the Mustang is not as quick as the Corvette, and it does vibrate a lot, which you have to understand before you ever buy one. Overall this is the car that is the most fun off the track, making it the one you will want to live with the most.
Which one is right for you? While the Corvette is the track beast, unless you have some track time scheduled every week you will have a lot more fun driving the Shelby Mustang GT350 on a daily basis. The raw ride gives you the throwback feel that makes it a great car to drive, especially for those driving purists in the crowd.