Camaro VS Mustang Mega Thread

[newmoon]

I just went through this decision. Always been a Ford guy, the car I traded in was a 04 Cobra. I spent alot of time test driving both, and while I wanted to like the 5.0 and kept trying to come up with reasons to buy it over the Camaro I could not. I bought the car I really wanted and what was right for me. The 5.0 is a nice car and is quick but I really didn't care for the rear of the car at all, and I couldn't justify spending that much money on something I wasn't thrilled about owning.

[DarkneSS]

If you are looking for stock performance get the Mustang. If you are going to mod a lot then it really doesnt matter, they both have great potential.

If I was buying knowing I was going to mod a lot I'd just go based on looks, which means the Camaro is the better choice.

[syr74]

Originally Posted by mikeSS

hell dont get the gt500 get the zo6. hell now we are at a z06. why not get a ZR1 or R8 ?

I don't get this either, it's like they have nowhere else to go so they go to the absurd. This would be akin to me responding to the folks who gravitate toward the Camaro's looks and the attention it receives by stating...

'if looks and attention are what you really want why get a Camaro? For 50k you can pick up a used Aston Martin DB9 (yes, you really can) and learn a new definition of what the term gawkers and beauty actually mean'

....the above is 100% true since, as I noted already, you can actually buy a used DB9 for around 50k and having been in one for one drive I can assure you, that car's zero to the super hot blonde I picked up at the club just got naked on my front seat time would absolutely kill that of a Camaro, Mustang, Vette, etc were you to own one. The thing looks like sex on wheels and draws everybody out of the woodwork with mouth agape including WASP's who would never lower themselves enough to allow you to think they were impressed by your Vette or a Mercedes S CLass for that matter never mind a Camaro.

The only problem here is the insinuation that the step up to a used, 50k Aston Martin is a simple matter compared to buying a Camaro which is, on it's face, absurd. But, in the end, it's no different than the oft pulled out used ZO6/ZR1 approach which is so ridiculous as to not be worth discussing.

[newagemuscle]

Had the 5.0 been out when I bought my camaro it would have been a harder decision. I am not stuck on one car or one brand as long as it is american muscle. I have owned 4 mustangs and this was my first camaro. I do feel the camaro is a much nicer looking car. It turns much more heads than when I am driving my dad's or brother's mustang. You won't go wrong with either one. I myseld, am happy with the decision I made and probably would do it again just the same.

[brantley847]

Originally Posted by syr74

I don't get this either, it's like they have nowhere else to go so they go to the absurd. This would be akin to me responding to the folks who gravitate toward the Camaro's looks and the attention it receives by stating...

'if looks and attention are what you really want why get a Camaro? For 50k you can pick up a used Aston Martin DB9 (yes, you really can) and learn a new definition of what the term gawkers and beauty actually mean'

....the above is 100% true since, as I noted already, you can actually buy a used DB9 for around 50k and having been in one for one drive I can assure you, that car's zero to the super hot blonde I picked up at the club just got naked on my front seat time would absolutely kill that of a Camaro, Mustang, Vette, etc were you to own one. The thing looks like sex on wheels and draws everybody out of the woodwork with mouth agape including WASP's who would never lower themselves enough to allow you to think they were impressed by your Vette or a Mercedes S CLass for that matter never mind a Camaro.

The only problem here is the insinuation that the step up to a used, 50k Aston Martin is a simple matter compared to buying a Camaro which is, on it's face, absurd. But, in the end, it's no different than the oft pulled out used ZO6/ZR1 approach which is so ridiculous as to not be worth discussing.

Is this a joke? The performance between these two vehicles are very similiar. Right off the bat, stock seems better for the mustang...but most of us who are picking up GT or SS are modifying the vehicle. The capacity to mod the SS and the gains it receives are incredible...

If performance and interior are similar...what would be your deciding factor? Looks...why is that hard to understand? You are now comparing what could be a 30-32k brand new SS to a "50k Aston Martin".. where are you finding a relatively decent Aston Martin for 50? Not flaming you...actually interested to see proof of that. I don't recall the guy saying he wants to throw down for a GT500 or ZL1.

From someone who has been fortunate enough to deal and operate (transport company..it is actually a fun secondary job on weekends) the ZR1, Porche 911, R8, Ford GT, and the Benz AMG series..this car turns heads better than half of those cars. Is it a better car? Absolutely not...Is it a better looking car?..not necessarily.. However, it tugs the heart strings of many Americans. Maybe Orlando is just different than a smaller town USA, but I will easily see 10 of these high end Europoean luxury vehicles in a quick 20 minute drive...

Last question, do you own the new Camaro? Have you ever had a guy in a Maserati slow down to see YOUR car and give a thumbs up? Then take that camaro to a local gas station, and you tell me you can't find talent with the camaro. I just wish I had purchased this car before I was married...I certainly didn't get any more attractive in the last 12 months...in fact probably got a little more hairy and nasty. Either the ring attracts women or the car does...maybe both. I didn't buy this car for the looks, because the heat for this Camaro will die down..most likely in the next 24-36 months...but if you think this car cannot hold its own with cars twice and three times its value, you either aren't driving it or just refuse to believe it. If performance and price are almost the SAME..you go for the car that has the better looks, period. You don't jump 25k to find a used vehicle.

Again.....maybe things are different in Kentucky, European luxury cars are about as common as the Kia in downtown Orlando. I am sure we can thank Disney for that...

[syr74]

Originally Posted by brantley847

Is this a joke? The performance between these two vehicles are very similiar.

Similar? Yes. Equal? No, as you even indicate below.

Originally Posted by brantley

Right off the bat, stock seems better for the mustang...but most of us who are picking up GT or SS are modifying the vehicle. The capacity to mod the SS and the gains it receives are incredible...

The SS takes to modifications nicely, but the finer points people pay big bucks to get in some cases....that perfect balance of understeer/oversteer, steering feel, etc...are much superior in the Mustang and are not negated by the fact that the SS mods as well as the GT. Fixing those issues will cost you more money, plain and simple.

Originally Posted by brantley

If performance and interior are similar...what would be your deciding factor? Looks...why is that hard to understand?

But overall performance isn't similar, the Camaro is close to as quick as the Mustang but isn't nearly as much fun at speed. Both of those are part of the performance equation. Faster and more fun? I would forward the notion that, for those who buy a Camaro, the appearance of the car was far and away their determining factor the majority of the time and performance fell somewhere behind that. And of course, you would have to personally prefer the looks of the Camaro for that to be the case, which you obviously do but not everyone does.

Originally Posted by brantley847

You are now comparing what could be a 30-32k brand new SS to a "50k Aston Martin".. where are you finding a relatively decent Aston Martin for 50? Not flaming you...actually interested to see proof of that. I don't recall the guy saying he wants to throw down for a GT500 or ZL1.

Did you actually read the thread? I was ridiculing the notion posted earlier that a GT500 would be a realistic alternative to the GT or SS. When did I say anybody wanted to 'throw down' for a GT500 or ZL1? If you're going to respond to what I say, at least read and understand the thread.

As for 50k Aston Martins, there is a DB9 on Auto Trader that just sold for 59k and I looked at a similar car on auto trader a few weeks ago with similar mileage for around 52k. I'm in the market, so I've been looking (an Aston Martin in Kentucky? Hell will surely freeze over!!)

Originally Posted by brantley847

From someone who has been fortunate enough to deal and operate (transport company..it is actually a fun secondary job on weekends) the ZR1, Porche 911, R8, Ford GT, and the Benz AMG series..this car turns heads better than half of those cars.

I've worked in the auto industry from manufacturing to high end luxury car conglomerates, the Camaro turns heads but I certainly haven't seen it compare to what a Ford GT or Aston Martin can and does manage whether that be South Carolina, Kentucky, Tennesse, Ohio, or Georgia and anybody who thinks otherwise is kidding themselves. Maybe Orlando really is different, or maybe you just don't know the difference between a WASP and the girl at the local Stop and Go.

You could drive a Camaro through the West Knoxville/Farragut area (that would be one of the more affluent portions of the Knoxville area for reference) and become convinced that you are the invisible man by the time the drive is over. I have been there in a Camaro and can assure you that while the car gets attention in certain circles, it doesn't attract the attention of the kind of people you portend that it does.

Originally Posted by brantley847

Is it a better car? Absolutely not...Is it a better looking car?..not necessarily.. However, it tugs the heart strings of many Americans. Maybe Orlando is just different than a smaller town USA, but I will easily see 10 of these high end Europoean luxury vehicles in a quick 20 minute drive...

Of course, and since I've never been out of Kentucky I wouldn't understand what with us going shoeless and all. I mean, I only lived in the Tampa Bay area for a decade, have friends who live locally that own several Vipers, a Lotus Esprit (V8 no less), a Ferrari F360, more Porsche's than you can shake a stick at, etc, etc. And some of them drive fairly well considering they do so with no shoes on.

I've been to Orlando countless times, your insinuation that true exotics are somehow crawling out of the woodwork is disingenuous at best. (Hey, that was a big word for a guy from Kentucky.) Ford GT's, DB9's, etc are relatively rare sights virtually everywhere, and Orlando isn't exempt. Worth mentioning, the town I live in has one of the five highest concentrations of millionaires per capita in the United States. And to think we managed that with no shoes!

Originally Posted by brantley847

If performance and price are almost the SAME..you go for the car that has the better looks, period. You don't jump 25k to find a used vehicle.

Read......the......thread. Perhaps things are different in Orlando, up here good reading comprehension is actually common. And, we actually think through our response prior to giving it. I'm not suggesting the Aston Martin is a good alternative. Is English your first language?

Originally Posted by brantley847

Again.....maybe things are different in Kentucky, European luxury cars are about as common as the Kia in downtown Orlando. I am sure we can thank Disney for that...

Been there several times, know better. I have also been in a Camaro and driven one multiple times. However, you have obviously never been to Kentucky.

[Rogey89]

I'd get a Camaro. Every major automotive parts retailer or advertising constituent has the face of a Camaro on their brochure, website, or other advertising such as sweepstakes. Its the unofficial poster-boy-car of the 21st century. for example; auto trader is giving one away, you could win one at the toronto auto-show, and they're always a major focal point of auto industry events/ shows. 25 years from now you'll look back and say, "man... I bought a mustang when the I could have owned the sexiest car to ever return from an 8 year hiatus, and scar the automotive world with its aggressive body lines and striking performance".

***Disclaimer; In no way is the above statement biased because of my current status as a throughput supervisor in Chassis (Flex Line) at the Oshawa assembly plant. Everything illustrated above is simply just the facts.***

[JHL88]

my question to the OP is... what are your plans for the car? wishing to modify any?

[SIN R G]

I test drove both, both are great cars. The Camaro just plain looks better.

[Soloshawn]

In June 2010 I wanted the 2011 Mustang. Because I know somebody high up in the corporation I could have bought it at least 1/2 list price or maybe even better. Before I even brought the question to him I decided to test drive the car first. The HP and torque were impressive and the handling was flat in the corners without any surprises snapping up at you. Ergonomically for a 6'1" it was very crowded and no back seat. Wasn't impressed and decided to just keep my present car. I was with the neighborhood 17 year old on the test drives and he wasn't impressed either. He said let's go test the Camaro. About the same amount of oomph in the engine. About the same in the handling department with a little understeer in tighter corners. Looking out the windows for apex's in corners is tougher. What the neighbor kid said was this "The Camaro has WOW, and the Mustang has none." It is a visual factor and being an ex racer the looks should have nothing to do with it. I'm not racing it. I have taken it since to 110 mph in mountainous corners. The ergonomics and interior were better in the Camaro and the outside WOW factor was times three over the Stang. I turned away from a hugely discounted price to go for something that reached out to me and told me that I deserve it. Dam right I do. I also liked the Camaro's independent rear suspension compared to the live rear on the Stang. If you are ox stock road racing then the Mustang is your car. If not I don't want a current day version of a Volkswagen Bug where they are everywhere on the road.

[syr74]

Originally Posted by Soloshawn

In June 2010 I wanted the 2011 Mustang. Because I know somebody high up in the corporation I could have bought it at least 1/2 list price or maybe even better..

....and I don't need to read any further. Having been in the business this is pure fantasy, and not a very well contrived fantasy at that.

[Inferno2SS]

The Mustang looks like every other year, and a million others on the road. Buy the better car and go with the Camaro.

[nester7929]

I went with the Mustang simply because I got a 6k discount on account of my brother working as a Ford salesman.

It really does just boil down to personal choice. You can't make a bad choice.

[Trevorw24]

Originally Posted by 32Fountain

I will buy a new 2011 performance car in the next 30 days. Right now I am leaning toward the Mustang GT 5.0 with the 6M tranny and a 3.73 gear ratio. I have driven both the auto and the manual transmission Mustang with very pleasing results. The dual OHC engine has a unique sound and a tremdous amount of torque for a 5.0 liter engine. The 412 hp rating seems to be understated and the add on performance options are very appealing. There are quite a few companies that are catering to the new Mustang with tuners, CAI systems and exhaust. I am not seeing that with the Camaro. Maybe I just don't know where to look.

Next week I am planning on testing a 2011 Camaro automatic and manual. I have to admit if it was on just looks alone I would be leaning toward the Camaro. However Mustang offers so many options in their appearance groups you can also make the Mustang look pretty darn good as well.

I am asking for your opinion on why I should buy a Camaro over the Mustang.

Thanks,
DL

I test drove both. The stock gearbox is better in the Mustang, but the looks are no contest (the Camaro of course). In terms of modding potential either way you have options. Based off of responses from people, Camaros turn heads Mustangs not as much. Get an SS and you'll be a Rockstar around town; get a 5.0 GT and you'll be a guy in a fast car