Thinking about leaving the Fords and getting an SS

[Stormcloak]

Originally Posted by V8forlife

Hi all, so I'm thinking about going for a 2013-ish Camaro SS or Mustang GT. The only cars I've ever owned were Mustangs, and I'm on my fourth now. It's a 2003 Mach 1 (it's a 32 valve DOHC, not 16 valve SOHC like the GT) with a Procharger making 448 rwhp. Only 27k miles. I don't have to sell it or anything, it's running great but lately I've had thoughts about just getting something newer.

I LOVE my Mach 1, it's a beast but it's really at about it's safe limit without digging into the motor and it's just not worth it on a 12 year old car. Both the new 'stang and Camaro motors have so much more potential than the old 4.6. Even as it stands, pushing this much power through it makes me nervous every time I get on it. I've got an awesome tune, and it's probably going to last a long time but it's still hard not to worry about a rod ventilating my block.

So I guess the reason I'm here is to see if I can be swayed over to the DARK SIDE instead of getting another Mustang. Obviously you guys prefer Chevy. What is it about the 5th gen Camaro that makes you guys take it over the Mustang 5.0? As far as looks go, they're about a wash for me. I like 'em both.

I was actually fairly set on a '15 Mustang GT before buying this car. I drove a PP version that was spec'ed quite close to what I would have ordered on my own.

The cliff notes: I loved the interior, the looks, the absolutely incredible brakes, and the motor..... but the car felt squishy and not all that confidence inspiring driving it at speed, certainly not as much as I expected anyhow.

I test drove the 1LE, and found the motor to be equally fun (yet different) with what seemed like more midrange grunt, and the car felt completely confidence inspiring in a way that the Mustang wasn't. Loved the looks equally (if not more), and the price difference was impossible to pass up.

I've yet to think "gee, I should have bought the Mustang", but I don't really think you can go wrong with either car.

[Spec]

The style and looks, the power, the handling.... everything about this car (my car) is outstanding in my mind and eyes. The LS3 is a powerful, proven engine so you can't go wrong with that. Still turning heads since 2010ish. I still get very excited like a little kid at a toy store, every time I sit in the driver's seat with somewhere to go.

This car's a game changer! I've driven late model Mustangs and to me, they feel too light and cheap. With the Camaro, you feel firm, strong, confident... with the Mustang I feel like I'm going to break something if I get aggressive. Maybe not, but its the feeling you get when you drive something more refined vs. something less.

I highly recommend you get one and join us in all the fun we're having, as you probably already know just reading through this forum and the experience Camaro guys are having.

Good luck with your decision.

[CamaroCracka]

Originally Posted by qcman

LOL don't kid yourself its only dudes who ask about the Camaro too not the ladies

I once had a women tell me it reminded her of Lighting McQueen. I took it as a compliment, but I don't think she meant it that way.

[LynxSSavage]

Originally Posted by V8forlife

I might feel the same way! I'll hop in an SS as soon as I can and take it for a spin. The visibility thing is probably going to suck but damn it looks cool with the small windows.

I had been in modded imports the last 10yrs. My #1 favorite being my modded RX-8. So you can see where I am going in terms of driving/handling. I started in American Muscle and was waiting for the right opportunity to get back into American Muscle.

Given where I was coming from and where I wanted to go I tried the big 3.

Drove an SRT8 Challenger. I loved the power, hated the body roll. Great in a straight line but imports taught me to appreciate that the real world is full of curves.

Drove the Mustang and it felt boring. I loved the heritage of the car and it's retro interior. But coming off of imports, that rear suspension wasn't cutting it.

Then I drove the Camaro. My first car was an 87 Firebird. There is no more Pontiac so I figured, lets give the Firebirds sibling a try. MAN! I was floored. It was no contest. I test drove a 2SS. It was wide and stuck to the curves like the tires were made of fly paper. I loved the power, loved the retro styling, loved the lack of body roll, loved the near perfect weight distribution (both it and the RX-8 are 48/52) and loved that it felt like a much larger, much heavier, much more powerful RX-8.

So I bought the Camaro. I drove all 3 and the Camaro won me over with it's track chops. Shortly after buying it I wanted to make sure it was for me. You have 7 days for buyers remorse. So I took it to my favorite roads to carve out with my RX-8 and let it rip. The rear suspension is amazing for a car so large and heavy. Took a couple of tries but I was able to get it sideways even with TCS on! I was hooked!

So try them all, pick the one that makes you smile the most.

[JLSuperfly]

Originally Posted by V8forlife

I'm not gonna lie, I get a disproportionate amount of dudes checking out my Mach 1 compared to women...

Nah, those dudes were checking you out.

[JLSuperfly]

Originally Posted by V8forlife

The visibility thing is probably going to suck but damn it looks cool with the small windows.

Submarines have better visibility than a Camaro.

[BLU DUCE]

All these statements is why I don't ask what other people think of anything I'm going to buy. Just to much negative in the statements & some one posts a positive of what they like. Right away someone has something bad to say about it.

I just go get what I like. To bad if someone else don't like it I could care less. Just as bad if you tell them what you paid for it. Doesn't matter it's my money.
I know I sound like a hard A$$ and you would be clearly right. But that's me.

[Spec]

Originally Posted by spike III

All these statements is why I don't ask what other people think of anything I'm going to buy. Just to much negative in the statements & some one posts a positive of what they like. Right away someone has something bad to say about it.

I just go get what I like. To bad if someone else don't like it I could care less. Just as bad if you tell them what you paid for it. Doesn't matter it's my money.
I know I sound like a hard A$$ and you would be clearly right. But that's me.

Just being honest, bud... don't really care whether that agrees with people or not...

[Ragnar]

Not a bad choice between both cars op. I get compliments from time to time, that I have a nice looking Mustang! I just grin and say thank you! That said, here is an idea.

[Rangore]

I'm curious....what sort of comments/advice are you getting on the Mustang forums? Good feedback or bashing?

[christianchevell]

Before buying a Camaro ss I went online to the various configure the car online site for the Challenger the Camaro and the Mustang, when equipped as best you could for the car the others cost more. A mustang had to have the track pack added, and then scoops and stripes, massive$ for the infotainment, additional money to get a trans cooler etc etc and it added up. And still the Camaro offered things that the Mustang did not have like auto dimming mirrors,or auto headlights etc etc... Now I am not saying their are not specials going on now compared to then.... I am on my second gen 5 my first was a 2011 2ss/rs l99 convertible triple black, now I am in a crystal red coupe ls3 as I wanted a newer manual with the upgrades made by then. I have never had a problem with either Camaro that required me to take it to a dealer and the safety recall for keys is a stupid thing but hey some people are supposed to have common sense and some are not......

Heck even Mopar fans got the Scatpak that came out for decent change compared to the SRT8 price..... And sure sports cars are fun , The shape of the Camaro with her wide hips is undoubtedly muscular and now modern muscle has its Camaro. I would say you would be in for $4000 about if you wanted to do headers, cam, install and dyno tune along with a good CAI. Headers the cheapest good stainless are lower $700 with cats or more...., camshaft package a decent one $750 for cam springs and pushrods. A good CAI $4-500 if you want a scoop and washer relocate, heads if you wanted heads would be $1200 for the cheapest gmpp ported heads. Add in fluids, 2 rounds of oil change with filters and antifreeze and Freon for the ac if disconnected which is usually the way. I use special br30 driven racing break in oil. $200 , if doing things right and the engines fairly used you would want new lifters for the new cam $100, and need a three bolt timing gear for the cam $30, And a harmonic balancer bolt for $20 and if doing the heads new torque to yield bolts $100 or better, and you need the new front engine gaskets $70 new head gaskets $150 and if you want comfort of mind in the build being finished you go for a C5r timing chain $150 or other better than stock, and a new ported/ high volume oil pump $150 and ls2 dogbone dampener $20 and then the oil pan gasket if needed....

Add all that then figure $500 ish for dyno tuning and then the install hours which can vary but $1500 plus usually,( I do not know the mechanics estimate via if they are using the gm time tables for amount of labor..... places very ). That's about the best your gonna get for a guesstimate...lol There are a few shops that do offer specials but they are where ever.... Florida etc...

[ChocoTaco369]

Originally Posted by christianchevell

Before buying a Camaro ss I went online to the various configure the car online site for the Challenger the Camaro and the Mustang, when equipped as best you could for the car the others cost more. A mustang had to have the track pack added, and then scoops and stripes, massive$ for the infotainment, additional money to get a trans cooler etc etc and it added up. And still the Camaro offered things that the Mustang did not have like auto dimming mirrors,or auto headlights etc etc... Now I am not saying their are not specials going on now compared to then.... I am on my second gen 5 my first was a 2011 2ss/rs l99 convertible triple black, now I am in a crystal red coupe ls3 as I wanted a newer manual with the upgrades made by then. I have never had a problem with either Camaro that required me to take it to a dealer and the safety recall for keys is a stupid thing but hey some people are supposed to have common sense and some are not......

Heck even Mopar fans got the Scatpak that came out for decent change compared to the SRT8 price..... And sure sports cars are fun , The shape of the Camaro with her wide hips is undoubtedly muscular and now modern muscle has its Camaro. I would say you would be in for $4000 about if you wanted to do headers, cam, install and dyno tune along with a good CAI. Headers the cheapest good stainless are lower $700 with cats or more...., camshaft package a decent one $750 for cam springs and pushrods. A good CAI $4-500 if you want a scoop and washer relocate, heads if you wanted heads would be $1200 for the cheapest gmpp ported heads. Add in fluids, 2 rounds of oil change with filters and antifreeze and Freon for the ac if disconnected which is usually the way. I use special br30 driven racing break in oil. $200 , if doing things right and the engines fairly used you would want new lifters for the new cam $100, and need a three bolt timing gear for the cam $30, And a harmonic balancer bolt for $20 and if doing the heads new torque to yield bolts $100 or better, and you need the new front engine gaskets $70 new head gaskets $150 and if you want comfort of mind in the build being finished you go for a C5r timing chain $150 or other better than stock, and a new ported/ high volume oil pump $150 and ls2 dogbone dampener $20 and then the oil pan gasket if needed....

Add all that then figure $500 ish for dyno tuning and then the install hours which can vary but $1500 plus usually,( I do not know the mechanics estimate via if they are using the gm time tables for amount of labor..... places very ). That's about the best your gonna get for a guesstimate...lol There are a few shops that do offer specials but they are where ever.... Florida etc...

Cam only + headers + tune with a CAI and exhaust is closer to $4,000.

If you want heads, too, you'll be shelling out $6,000 if you do it all at once.

The only way I see you getting H/C/I/E for $4,000 is if you do all the labor yourself. Add another $500-1,000 if you have an L99.

[krisprz2010camaross]

How bout the challenger? Lol

[Alex Benavitz]

The way I see it is that they Camaro gives the best of everything in terms of looks and performance. I'll just mention the problems I see with the current mustangs and challengers. These are just my opinion:

Mustang: I think the front is too big and looks like a whale.

Challenger: thin tires, very big and heavy (even more so than the other cars)

The Camaro is just my favorite because it is good looking, powerful, handles great for a car that sized, and is priced good as well.