[Top Speed]

I didn't know where to post this, but I figured this is the best place. Call this a matter of opinion, or a case of observation.

I've been thinking about things; Ford Mustang Vs. Chevrolet Camaro, Lamborghini Gallardo Vs. Ferrari 430, Cadillac CTS-V Vs. BMW M5, Subaru STI Vs. Mitsubishi Evolution...

Look at the specs and performance of all of these vehicles, and this is just a very small batch. They're all strong rivals to each other, but why is it that none of the automakers go forth and say, "Ya know what, we're going to blow these guys away. We're really gonna stick it up their exhaust pipes this time." None of these companies make any effort whatsoever to vanquish their competition, once and for all. When they design their new "fighter," they never stray far from the competition. The horsepower numbers are always around the same, the handling is nearly the same, the technology is nearly always the same, etc. The performance between the opponents is usually so close that regardless which one you choose, you win.

...And now along comes Chevrolet with the new 2010 Camaro. They were on a mission. They targeted the Mustang and said, "Ya know what, let's just destroy these guys. Let's just blow them away. I'm sick of the comparisons between Mustang and Camaro, and let's just end it." So, this is what GM did. They redesigned the Camaro with an independent rear suspension, big-horsepower engine, and arguably polarizing styling. For the first time, GM made a true effort to leave the Mustang in the dust, once and for all. The Camaro has the power, arguably the looks, the sophisticated suspension, etc., and now for the second time in history, they have the lead in sales, too.

And then, there are companies like Subaru and Mitsubishi, or Lamborghini and Ferrari. They've been battling for years, but for some reason, neither one of them makes any effort to vanquish the competition; dead-close horsepower figures, handling, suspensions, sophisticated AWD (except Ferrari) setups. Drive either one of them and it wouldn't matter which one you buy, because they'll both get your rocks off.

I have observed that none of these automakers will ever build a great car, because they simply just don't want to. The Camaro will never be a great car, despite sporting all the right hardware. Why? Weight. It's carrying a big gun, but it does no good. With all that horsepower and those sophisticated components, it musters nothing more than an average performance. This is a car that should handle like a sports car, and accelerate nearly as quickly as a Corvette; maybe about .2-.3 off its pace. It doesn't. This is the car that could have scared Ford to death and sent them to the drawing board on its first day of production. It didn't. Ford doesn't even seem to be the least bit worried about it. Honestly, why should they be?

This is so common these days with no company trying to really rid them of their competition. If Lamborghini sees Ferrari put 540 hp under the hood, Lamborghini will retaliate with 541 hp. There just doesn't seem to be any "strive" to build a superior vehicle over that of a rival. Is there some sort of "I won't destroy you, you don't destroy me" deal that these automakers strike with each other?

I know, I sound like I'm just off on a rant and babbling incoherently, but does anyone else just get this same impression that nobody wants to build a superior product?

[All-Or-Nothing]

I completely agree with you 100%. The auto industry should be light years ahead of where we are now but there is no interest to do so.

[Top Speed]

Originally Posted by All-Or-Nothing

I completely agree with you 100%. The auto industry should be light years ahead of where we are now but there is no interest to do so.

Yep.

Recently I attended an auto show, and I went there dying to sit in a new Mustang. I was treated to a "sit" in a Kona Blue/White-striped GT500.

As I walked around, I eventually hit the Nissan area, and there sat a new GT-R and 370Z. Oddly enough, the 370Z was the one that grabbed my attention. Having never seen one in person, I just had to check it out. Up close, that car looks incredible. The styling is incredible.

To say the least, I went to the show wanting a Mustang, and left wanting a 370Z, or at least a drive in one.

First thing Monday morning, I hopped in my car and hit the Nissan dealer to drive a 370Z. The car was amazing. The acceleration was nice, the handling was incredible, and the interior was comfortable. I was impressed with everything about this car.

Here's the 370Z which is considered competition to the Mustang. I don't see how, because the 370Z is a sports car and the Mustang is a muscle car.; 2 seats, 4 seats, and a weight difference of nearly 350 lbs. The only two things these cars have remotely in common are acceleration figures. I would classify the 370Z in competition with a standard Porsche Cayman and Mazda RX-8 before classifying it as competition to a Mustang.

I noticed something about the Z. Nissan really made an effort to make a great sports car at an "affordable" price; 4 link independent rear suspension, shortened length, widened width, more power, better handling than the 350Z, and most importantly, WEIGHT. Yes, that's right. The new 370Z weighs 95 pounds LESS than the outgoing 350Z, bringing it to a weight of around 3250 lbs, and all the while, meeting updated safety requirements. They did this by using a carbon fiber driveshaft and a few aluminum body panels. Why is it that a new Mustang or Camaro can't meet safety requirements without lopping on 300 pounds of unnecessary crap?

Anyway, enough nut-hugging of the 370Z, but honestly, the effort Nissan put forth shows, and if every company puts forth the same effort, when people would say, "They sure don't build them like they used to," people would reply in a positive manner, "You're damned right they don't."

It's not only the auto industry that "celebrates" mediocrity, but it's also the entertainment industry. Honestly, what's that last great Metal band you heard? Probably something out of the 80s, and you Metal fans know what I'm talking about. Now, we get stuck with crap bands that shouldn't have ever made it out of the club scene like Lamb of God, Slipknot, Korn, Limp Bizkit, or Papa Roach. Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the millennium of mediocrity, where laziness and lack of ambition are king.

[cusp]

Originally Posted by Top Speed

Here's the 370Z which is considered competition to the Mustang. I don't see how, because the 370Z is a sports car and the Mustang is a muscle car.; 2 seats, 4 seats, and a weight difference of nearly 350 lbs. The only two things these cars have remotely in common are acceleration figures. I would classify the 370Z in competition with a standard Porsche Cayman and Mazda RX-8 before classifying it as competition to a Mustang.

Now and then I find the rear seat in the mustang to be a useful thing. And the Zee Car has no V8. And the Zee car is not American.

[Top Speed]

Originally Posted by cusp

Now and then I find the rear seat in the mustang to be a useful thing. And the Zee Car has no V8. And the Zee car is not American.

Good points about the rear seat and the Z not being American. Also, keep in mind that the Americans don't build any really awesome performing sports cars, aside from the Corvette (Viper has since been cancelled). Sure, there are the Solstice and Sky, but neither of them are going to be around for more than another year. If I were to go with either a Solstice or Sky, they would have to be either GXP or Redline versions, and those are creeping over $30,000. For that kind of scratch, I'm going to go with a car that has a better build quality and better all-around performance.

No matter though, a final decision is months away.