Camaro ZL1 vs Mustang GT500 CAR Giant Test

[MBS]

Awesome read, Love seeing Detroit Muscle at their peak now . 662 HP -580 HP Amazing to think just a few Generations ago 200 HP was the beast . Chevy vs Ford is a good thing !

[DrkPhx]

Originally Posted by 2012-1822

What I take away from it is in the beginning the author talks about the next Mustang. I don't think what he is imagining is the next Mustang. I don't think it will have "zero" muscle to it and be catered to the Europeans and Asians. I think it has to be a fast 1/4 mile car as well as handle the twisties this time.

Of course I say all this knowing that most likely, so goes the Mustang, so goes the Camaro. Should the day come when the top motor in the Mustang is a Turbo 4, I don't think the Mustang will be standing alone. But we aren't there yet. I guarantee it. Expect a big motor available in the Mustang for this next generation. Is it going to be 662 hp, I don't know, may not need to be depending on whether the design is lighter than the current generation. But then again, Ford hasn't shown signs of doing just enough to beat Camaro, I think the gurus at Ford realize that even if they had a lighter car they couldn't drop the top motor down too much before Chevy swept in and knocked them in the jaw. It's the way it will always be between these two.

Yeah, I don't see (nor hope) how the new Mustang will be a metro sexual, 4-cyl, anemic yawn box. It has way too much heritage and hardcore fans to do that and they're releasing it on the 50th anniversary. I know one thing; I'm jumping ship if they do a Boss 429 model.

[Firefighter]

I am a diehard Chevy fan so this is no revelation but I would without a doubt take the ZL1 over the GT500. If the extra power was that important to me I wouldn't be too far away. Pulley, Air intake, Ported Snout and a Tune I'm sure you are past 662/631...

Either way the Camaro is more refined and livable.

[motorhead]

The article would have been good if they would left out their comparison of the current models. That has been beaten to death.

[shrinkdoc]

How a bout a video? I can't read.

[whiteknight012]

Originally Posted by lbls1

ZL1 wins again. Thanks for posting.

+1

[kingbambino22]

If racing was the outcome, ZL1 lost. Overall ZL1 won cause it's the better DD car?

[BaylorCamaro]

Originally Posted by kingbambino22

If racing was the outcome, ZL1 lost. Overall ZL1 won cause it's the better DD car?

Yeah but the price as tested had the GT500 close to $7,000 more than the ZL1. If you don't take all the race upgrades for the GT500 you lose your fluid coolers, TORSEN differential, Bilstein electronic adjustable dampers, springs, lighter wheels. With that $7,000 I could do a lot to the ZL1 (additional cooling, headers, pulley, tune).

[kingbambino22]

Originally Posted by BaylorCamaro

Yeah but the price as tested had the GT500 close to $7,000 more than the ZL1. If you don't take all the race upgrades for the GT500 you lose your fluid coolers, TORSEN differential, Bilstein electronic adjustable dampers, springs, lighter wheels. With that $7,000 I could do a lot to the ZL1 (additional cooling, headers, pulley, tune).

ZL1 without a warranty. Modded vs stock is a useless debate. There will always be a price difference when building cars period. MSRP for ZL1/GT500 are the same. Options depend on individual preference

[SoCalCamaro93]

Yeah the mustang is fast, but when you're driving on the streets, you'll never be able to use the power. Especially out here in LA. It's pointless. I'd much rather be comfortable, and have less power. Not as much, but still plenty of it. Besides, racing on the track, in my opinion, is a lot more enjoyable than a quick straight away (loads of fun though too).

[72MachOne99GT]

I'd still like the chance to drive a ZL1. Im sure I would love the feel and how it handles, but I wonder if the lack of power would be really noticeable. .

Same way if a ZL1 driver gets behind the wheel of a GT500....theyd fall in love with the power, but how quickly would they tire of the handling and such..

Both neat cars, two slightly different ways of punishing your bank account

[hockeylover86]

Originally Posted by Firefighter

I am a diehard Chevy fan so this is no revelation but I would without a doubt take the ZL1 over the GT500. If the extra power was that important to me I wouldn't be too far away. Pulley, Air intake, Ported Snout and a Tune I'm sure you are past 662/631...

Either way the Camaro is more refined and livable.

I have a 14 GT500 and no way is it un-refined or un-livable, its comfortable and very easy to drive. It actually rides and drives nicer than the 13 impala rental I had a few weeks ago. I am a Camaro fan too, owned my share of GM vehicles, including a 99 WS6, and currently and EFI live tuned Duramax, so I'm not brand blinded. But I just can't believe how many people dismiss the GT500 based on these mag reviews. I think if you had the chance to drive one you may not change your car choice, but I bet you would think about it a whole lot more...

[Expunge]

We "dismiss" the GT500 because we made the right choice and bought a ZL1.

Actually I did drive a GT500 before my purchase. Like others have said, it has power, bigtime. But it just doesnt match against the ZL1 when all factors are considered. Last but not least was the price which would have been close to 10G's more than what I eventually paid for my car.

It's great that you have more power... but that to me is the only significant advantage the GT500 can claim.

Comfort, handling, interior, cost, road noise, warranty, all break toward the ZL1. And if I need more power, that can be done to my Z easily.

My 2 cents

Edit: One other thing. Comparing a 60K plus car to a 30K rental that has been driven how many abused miles... really?

[72MachOne99GT]

I like the price game. I got my car just how I wanted it for less than a ZL1.
Also want to drive C6Z06, C7 who cares which model, LS1 Fbody, SRT Challenger, Raptor, arrgh...

too many cool cars