Had a Mustang as a rental for three days; My Review - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Airmaster · 06-21-2013, 05:21 PM

Brought my Camaro in to get my rear bumper taken care of from a previous rear end accident I posted about a while back and ended up in a Mustang for 3 days (I'm now in a hybrid Kia Optima because the Mustang only had 8% oil life left... I'm taking a road trip tomorrow, didn't want to damage the engine, even if it is a rental Ford haha).

My Camaro: 1LS, 6 Speed, V6

Rented Mustang: Base, Auto, V6

Exterior wise the car looked, well... like a Mustang. I honestly feel it's a pretty good looking car. The xenon headlights come standard, and the tail lights look really nice. I still prefer the Camaro exterior as it looks more mean and has a more pronounced/aggressive stance in my opinion, the regular headlights don't bother me one bit in my ride, just interesting to note the Mustang has the upgraded ones standard.

Mustang 7, Camaro 9

Upon sitting in the Mustang, I felt it had cheaper quality everything. From the dashboard to the seats and even the steering wheel, it all had a chintzy feel. Seating position was not all that great either. Radio seemed weaker than the stock Camaro radio. Infotainment system overall was not as good as the Camaro's. I felt more cramped inside as well. Not as roomy and not as jet fighter pilot-esque.

Mustang 5, Camaro 8

The handling was quite a bit better in the Stang, it was much more lighter on its feet and "felt" faster. Where the Camaro likes to roll a bit the Mustang stood strong with more bite. The ride was slightly harsher but not completely noticeable unless actually going over speed bumps (which upset the Mustang A LOT more than my Camaro--could be the rear suspension differences).

Mustang 7, Camaro 6

The power delivery was pretty nice, it "felt" faster in this aspect as well. The Mustang's stock exhaust sounds quite a bit more pleasing then the Camaro's. Overall the Mustang has numbers on its side with a better power to weight ratio. I feel like it might be a draw if transmissions were the same.

Mustang 7, Camaro 7

Finally, the overall gut feeling. I think at the end of the day both vehicles are nice, but the better handling of the Mustang does not make up for the cheap feel, nor the absolute sexiness of the Camaro.

Final Score: Mustang 26, Camaro 30

If I had the choice to go back, there's no doubt I'd take the Camaro.

And if I factor in a little bit of Bias... Um... what's a Mustang?

Hope you guys enjoyed the read through. I forgot to get pics but it looked just like this...

strych9 · 06-21-2013, 05:42 PM

Good review! I've driven the Mustang as well, and your assessment is in line with mine.

05stram · 06-21-2013, 05:54 PM

I drove a couple mustangs a couple weeks ago - is it me or does it appear you are looking down the deck of a airplane carrier when looking down the hood of one. I know the length is negligible but it seemed like the hood went on forever.

Optimus · 06-21-2013, 09:24 PM

I rented a Mustang GT during a recent trip and really enjoyed it but I still liked my Camaro better. To me, the Mustang felt heavier and not as fast. In any event though, I had some fun and if there were no camaros, I could own it. I think the Camaro has made the Mustang a lot better than previous versions. Now that there are Camaros, Mustangs and Challengers, all of us benefit.

RoadieWingZ · 06-21-2013, 10:56 PM

I test drove new Mustang V6 at same time I tested drove my new 1LS back in December. Camaro was better cornering and in high speed lane changes; felt planted and solid. Better cockpit positioning in Camaro as well and seemed less cramped width-wise. Different strokes for different folks I always say. Liked the Mustang, love the Camaro.....

Airmaster · 06-25-2013, 07:59 PM

Thanks guys, finally got my ride back from the shop

motorhead · 06-25-2013, 08:17 PM

It's nice to see a guy that has a base Camaro finally compare a base Mustang. It's more believable. Often you see these types of reviews except a guy with a 2SS or ZL1 decides to compare their rides to a rental car base Mustang. That's like, no sh%$ of course your car is nicer. This is more believable ,but I'm sure somewhat still bias. After all who would really say their car is not as nice as a rental especially a Camaro guy comparing a Mustang.

rez333 · 06-26-2013, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by motorhead

but I'm sure somewhat still bias. After all who would really say their car is not as nice as a rental especially a Camaro guy comparing a Mustang.

LOL

I had to laugh when he said this : "The power delivery was pretty nice, it "felt" faster in this aspect as well. The Mustang's stock exhaust sounds quite a bit more pleasing then the Camaro's. Overall the Mustang has numbers on its side with a better power to weight ratio. I feel like it might be a draw if transmissions were the same.

Mustang 7, Camaro 7"

So.. everything better in the Mustang (power, sound, performance numbers, power to weight ratio) but it still gets the same score?

06-21-2013, 05:21 PM	#1
Airmaster Go Gators! Drives: Camaro Jeep Abarth 944 325i Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: CT Posts: 844	Had a Mustang as a rental for three days; My Review Brought my Camaro in to get my rear bumper taken care of from a previous rear end accident I posted about a while back and ended up in a Mustang for 3 days (I'm now in a hybrid Kia Optima because the Mustang only had 8% oil life left... I'm taking a road trip tomorrow, didn't want to damage the engine, even if it is a rental Ford haha). My Camaro: 1LS, 6 Speed, V6 Rented Mustang: Base, Auto, V6 Exterior wise the car looked, well... like a Mustang. I honestly feel it's a pretty good looking car. The xenon headlights come standard, and the tail lights look really nice. I still prefer the Camaro exterior as it looks more mean and has a more pronounced/aggressive stance in my opinion, the regular headlights don't bother me one bit in my ride, just interesting to note the Mustang has the upgraded ones standard. Mustang 7, Camaro 9 Upon sitting in the Mustang, I felt it had cheaper quality everything. From the dashboard to the seats and even the steering wheel, it all had a chintzy feel. Seating position was not all that great either. Radio seemed weaker than the stock Camaro radio. Infotainment system overall was not as good as the Camaro's. I felt more cramped inside as well. Not as roomy and not as jet fighter pilot-esque. Mustang 5, Camaro 8 The handling was quite a bit better in the Stang, it was much more lighter on its feet and "felt" faster. Where the Camaro likes to roll a bit the Mustang stood strong with more bite. The ride was slightly harsher but not completely noticeable unless actually going over speed bumps (which upset the Mustang A LOT more than my Camaro--could be the rear suspension differences). Mustang 7, Camaro 6 The power delivery was pretty nice, it "felt" faster in this aspect as well. The Mustang's stock exhaust sounds quite a bit more pleasing then the Camaro's. Overall the Mustang has numbers on its side with a better power to weight ratio. I feel like it might be a draw if transmissions were the same. Mustang 7, Camaro 7 Finally, the overall gut feeling. I think at the end of the day both vehicles are nice, but the better handling of the Mustang does not make up for the cheap feel, nor the absolute sexiness of the Camaro. Final Score: Mustang 26, Camaro 30 If I had the choice to go back, there's no doubt I'd take the Camaro. And if I factor in a little bit of Bias... Um... what's a Mustang? Hope you guys enjoyed the read through. I forgot to get pics but it looked just like this... __________________ '13 Camaro, '97 Wrangler, '12 500 Abarth, '85.5 944, '06 325i Suspension Mods: BMR and JPSS Sways, BMR Poly Bushings, BMR strut tower brace, BMR control arms, BMR toe arms, stock springs and struts Engine Mods: All bolt ons (haha) Brake Mods: Brembo SS caliper swap front and rear

06-21-2013, 05:42 PM	#2
strych9 I'll be back... Drives: Subaru, HD Road Glide Special Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Omaha, NE Posts: 3,036 View My Garage	Good review! I've driven the Mustang as well, and your assessment is in line with mine. __________________ Bye bye, Bumblebee! --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Build Journal My Garage GoPro Mic Hack

06-21-2013, 10:56 PM	#5
RoadieWingZ Drives: 2013 Black Camaro 1LS Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Austin, Tx Posts: 409 View My Garage	I test drove new Mustang V6 at same time I tested drove my new 1LS back in December. Camaro was better cornering and in high speed lane changes; felt planted and solid. Better cockpit positioning in Camaro as well and seemed less cramped width-wise. Different strokes for different folks I always say. Liked the Mustang, love the Camaro..... __________________ *2013 Camaro LS*

06-25-2013, 07:59 PM	#6
Airmaster Go Gators! Drives: Camaro Jeep Abarth 944 325i Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: CT Posts: 844	Thanks guys, finally got my ride back from the shop __________________ '13 Camaro, '97 Wrangler, '12 500 Abarth, '85.5 944, '06 325i Suspension Mods: BMR and JPSS Sways, BMR Poly Bushings, BMR strut tower brace, BMR control arms, BMR toe arms, stock springs and struts Engine Mods: All bolt ons (haha) Brake Mods: Brembo SS caliper swap front and rear

06-21-2013, 05:54 PM	#3
05stram Drives: 2013 RS - 2013 2SS/RS - 1971 RS Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: West Virginia Posts: 1,027	I drove a couple mustangs a couple weeks ago - is it me or does it appear you are looking down the deck of a airplane carrier when looking down the hood of one. I know the length is negligible but it seemed like the hood went on forever.

06-21-2013, 09:24 PM	#4
Optimus Drives: Former 2010 and 2013 Camaro owner Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Warwick, NY Posts: 145	I rented a Mustang GT during a recent trip and really enjoyed it but I still liked my Camaro better. To me, the Mustang felt heavier and not as fast. In any event though, I had some fun and if there were no camaros, I could own it. I think the Camaro has made the Mustang a lot better than previous versions. Now that there are Camaros, Mustangs and Challengers, all of us benefit.

06-25-2013, 08:17 PM	#7
motorhead Drives: Love the one you're with Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Downtown Charlie Brown Posts: 11,850	It's nice to see a guy that has a base Camaro finally compare a base Mustang. It's more believable. Often you see these types of reviews except a guy with a 2SS or ZL1 decides to compare their rides to a rental car base Mustang. That's like, no sh%$ of course your car is nicer. This is more believable ,but I'm sure somewhat still bias. After all who would really say their car is not as nice as a rental especially a Camaro guy comparing a Mustang.