Personal Test drive review: 11 GT vs. 11 2SS vs 10 Challenger R/T

[lil_chef]

Originally Posted by Supermans

I should put a pink neon sign on the side saying (Ticket please) as well.

I already got a ticket for going 10 over the speed limit while this silver nissan that was going twice as fast and passed me was let go. The cop clearly saw the other guy.. Orange Camaro ticket makes the cop feel better..

That is why I need a darker color that blends in with its surroundings. I've never liked blue on a car before until I saw the Kona Blue.. It's better than Imperial Blue in my opinion.

Grabber Blue sure does grab everyone's attention

Kona was actually my first choice, but the lot only had one track pack equipped car on the lot. needless to say the color has grown on me since then.

[Supermans]

Originally Posted by lil_chef

Kona was actually my first choice, but the lot only had one track pack equipped car on the lot. needless to say the color has grown on me since then.

I like Grabber Blue as well. The track pack is simply Brembo's and 19 inch rims right? The one I'm getting doesn't have the track pack, but it does have polished rims which are nice. I'm following PQ's advice and getting an automatic Stang so my wife can drive it without worries. It will be a GT Premium in Kona Blue with the Saddle interior. I know the Premium comes standard with a 500 watt system that has a better sound than the Boston Acoustics system in the Camaro (healthy bass is the main reason and the audio options) Tomorrow will be the last day I have with my Camaro SS :( Kinda feeling down since I've been lusting over the SS ever since Transformers 1. However I drove the5.0 Stang and all the positives from it outweigh the positives for keeping the Camaro. I've put a lot of thought into my decision since it isn't something I wanted to make lightly or on a whim.

Pro's for the Mustang: (All opinions)
Better interior overall. More comfortable seats, armrests, vision thru the front and side windows are larger, rearview mirror is not HUGE. Radio control's are better placed and easier to manage. Double din for easy upgrade. Make the gauge any color you want. Ambient light on the floor's and door's standard. Metal pedal's standard. Faster than both Camaro's stock vs stock. Base model less expensive than the Camaro. In fairness the Camaro base model comes with more features standard.

Con's: The automatic does not have paddle shifters. No remote start. No Standard Brembo's. Not as flashy as the Camaro. (this is a pro for me). No standard HUD for the 2011's.

Pro's for Camaro: Cooler looking car from the exterior. Brembo's standard. IRS, HUD standard, Paddle shifters standard.

Con's: Non adjustable passenger seat for height. Poor visibility, clunky shifter in comparison to the Mustangs manual (yes I tested the manual but will be getting the auto) L99 has fuel management cylinder cutoff while the Stang does not and gets better gas mileage. Poor visibility (did I say that twice). More expensive for the Camaro but about equal if you include the track pack on the Stang.. Brembo's optional for the Stang but not the Camaro.

Perhaps this is why the Camaro interior is getting a re-design. I agree that it should.. However I don't see the visibility improving as long as the roof is as low as it is. Making the rear-view mirror smaller would help a lot and perhaps the pillars less thick if possible.

[Mr. Wyndham]

Originally Posted by Supermans

I like Grabber Blue as well. The track pack is simply Brembo's and 19 inch rims right? The one I'm getting doesn't have the track pack, but it does have polished rims which are nice. I'm following PQ's advice and getting an automatic Stang so my wife can drive it without worries. It will be a GT Premium in Kona Blue with the Saddle interior. I know the Premium comes standard with a 500 watt system that has a better sound than the Boston Acoustics system in the Camaro (healthy bass is the main reason and the audio options) Tomorrow will be the last day I have with my Camaro SS :( Kinda feeling down since I've been lusting over the SS ever since Transformers 1. However I drove the5.0 Stang and all the positives from it outweigh the positives for keeping the Camaro. I've put a lot of thought into my decision since it isn't something I wanted to make lightly or on a whim.

Pro's for the Mustang: (All opinions)
Better interior overall. More comfortable seats, armrests, vision thru the front and side windows are larger, rearview mirror is not HUGE. Radio control's are better placed and easier to manage. Double din for easy upgrade. Make the gauge any color you want. Ambient light on the floor's and door's standard. Metal pedal's standard. Faster than both Camaro's stock vs stock. Base model less expensive than the Camaro. In fairness the Camaro base model comes with more features standard.

Con's: The automatic does not have paddle shifters. No remote start. No Standard Brembo's. Not as flashy as the Camaro. (this is a pro for me). No standard HUD for the 2011's.

Pro's for Camaro: Cooler looking car from the exterior. Brembo's standard. IRS, HUD standard, Paddle shifters standard.

Con's: Non adjustable passenger seat for height. Poor visibility, clunky shifter in comparison to the Mustangs manual (yes I tested the manual but will be getting the auto) L99 has fuel management cylinder cutoff while the Stang does not and gets better gas mileage. Poor visibility (did I say that twice). More expensive for the Camaro but about equal if you include the track pack on the Stang.. Brembo's optional for the Stang but not the Camaro.

I hate engaging like this....but he simply commented on the color of the car. Why did you need to launch into your rationalization for purchase?

[lil_chef]

Originally Posted by Supermans

I like Grabber Blue as well. The track pack is simply Brembo's and 19 inch rims right? The one I'm getting doesn't have the track pack, but it does have polished rims which are nice. I'm following PQ's advice and getting an automatic Stang so my wife can drive it without worries. It will be a GT Premium in Kona Blue with the Saddle interior. I know the Premium comes standard with a 500 watt system that has a better sound than the Boston Acoustics system in the Camaro (healthy bass is the main reason and the audio options) Tomorrow will be the last day I have with my Camaro SS :( Kinda feeling down since I've been lusting over the SS ever since Transformers 1. However I drove the5.0 Stang and all the positives from it outweigh the positives for keeping the Camaro. I've put a lot of thought into my decision since it isn't something I wanted to make lightly or on a whim.

Pro's for the Mustang: (All opinions)
Better interior overall. More comfortable seats, armrests, vision thru the front and side windows are larger, rearview mirror is not HUGE. Radio control's are better placed and easier to manage. Double din for easy upgrade. Make the gauge any color you want. Ambient light on the floor's and door's standard. Metal pedal's standard. Faster than both Camaro's stock vs stock. Base model less expensive than the Camaro. In fairness the Camaro base model comes with more features standard.

Con's: The automatic does not have paddle shifters. No remote start. No Standard Brembo's. Not as flashy as the Camaro. (this is a pro for me). No standard HUD for the 2011's.

Pro's for Camaro: Cooler looking car from the exterior. Brembo's standard. IRS, HUD standard, Paddle shifters standard.

Con's: Non adjustable passenger seat for height. Poor visibility, clunky shifter in comparison to the Mustangs manual (yes I tested the manual but will be getting the auto) L99 has fuel management cylinder cutoff while the Stang does not and gets better gas mileage. Poor visibility (did I say that twice). More expensive for the Camaro but about equal if you include the track pack on the Stang.. Brembo's optional for the Stang but not the Camaro.

Perhaps this is why the Camaro interior is getting a re-design. I agree that it should.. However I don't see the visibility improving as long as the roof is as low as it is. Making the rear-view mirror smaller would help a lot and perhaps the pillars less thick if possible.

well i only have a soon to be supercharged 2010 GT, so i have the traditional track pack. the 2011 doesnt have a track pack option as the suspension upgrade is standard, but the brembo package is what gets you the summer tires and reprogramed traction control system.

i kinda test drove a 5.0 (2011 stage 2 roush) because i was researching suspension systems to put on my car. based off of my test drive of the roush 3 weeks ago and my test drive of the camaro SS last fall i would actually prefer the camaro im going to attribute that to all the weight the stang gained in 2011, and the roush body kit. so with 2011 the mustang (roush one at least) lost its weight advantage, and i find the camaro 10x sexier.

Dragon, i think only the first part was addressed to me, and the rest of his response actually pertained to the topic of the thread.

[Supermans]

Originally Posted by Dragoneye

I hate engaging like this....but he simply commented on the color of the car. Why did you need to launch into your rationalization for purchase?

Should I have created a new thread then about the purchase i will be making tomorrow? This thread is about a comparison between all three current model year USA muscle cars is it not? I can't make my own opinion's about the pro's and con's?

Originally Posted by lil_chef

well i only have a soon to be supercharged 2010 GT, so i have the traditional track pack. the 2011 doesnt have a track pack option as the suspension upgrade is standard, but the brembo package is what gets you the summer tires and reprogramed traction control system.

i kinda test drove a 5.0 (2011 stage 2 roush) because i was researching suspension systems to put on my car. based off of my test drive of the roush 3 weeks ago and my test drive of the camaro SS last fall i would actually prefer the camaro im going to attribute that to all the weight the stang gained in 2011, and the roush body kit. so with 2011 the mustang (roush one at least) lost its weight advantage, and i find the camaro 10x sexier.

Dragon, i think only the first part was addressed to me, and the rest of his response actually pertained to the topic of the thread.

Yes I was trying to get back on topic with this thread for the rest of my post. The track pack is standard in 2011 (except for the brembo's and 19 inch wheels) Obviously this is a touchy subject here in this forum because it involves a camaro5 family member jumping ship so to speak to the enemies side. I for one have tried to make it clear I will continue to be a part of this forum in whatever capacity I can as long as Dragoneye allows me to post my opinions. I have very little bad to say about the Camaro besides the Con's I posted above. It's been a fun ride, and I did not ever imagine I would be doing this until I test drove the Mustang GT manual for myself. I would get the manual if it wasn't for my wife, since I want her to be able to enjoy the car and she is scared to drive stick. Believe me I and a few others have tried to teach her in my Camaro but she does not want to take the chance and get into an accident. I would feel terrible if she did get into an accident while driving stick. So taking PQ's advice I will get an automatic and keep my wife happy And for anyone reading my comparison's..Don't take my word for it, you go and test the cars out for yourself and come up with your own conclusions. That is the best way. Overall I will be saving a hundred or so a month moving from a 1SS to a GT Premium while losing about $2,000 on the trade in from what I paid for my Camaro. That is not too bad for one years worth of driving.

[Mr. Wyndham]

Originally Posted by Supermans

Should I have created a new thread then about the purchase i will be making tomorrow? This thread is about a comparison between all three current model year USA muscle cars is it not? I can't make my own opinion's about the pro's and con's?

Clever...no, you don't need to create a new thread. It just seemed....random.

[SWAT 79]

before you go and get an auto, really think about how much she'll drive it. I bought my car thinking my dad would want to drive it all the time....he hasn't drove it since he taught me how to drive stick. Wouldn't you rather teach her how to drive a stick, and get the faster (with a good driver) more enjoyable car (as in the manual transmission)?

[BigDan]

Originally Posted by Supermans

I like Grabber Blue as well. .

Yeah they look great with FRPP RTR 19's.

[Supermans]

Originally Posted by SWAT 79

before you go and get an auto, really think about how much she'll drive it. I bought my car thinking my dad would want to drive it all the time....he hasn't drove it since he taught me how to drive stick. Wouldn't you rather teach her how to drive a stick, and get the faster (with a good driver) more enjoyable car (as in the manual transmission)?

When you're married, sometimes you have to make sacrifices. No shame in an auto and it'll still be push back in the seat fast. Tomorrow is the big day. I will post pictures of the Maro and the Stang side by side at the dealer just for fun if I can. I'll miss my Orange SS for sure, but I can only afford one toy.

[Georgie]

you need to post pics--i love that inferno SS you have man, good luck w/ your trade

can you take an interior pic of the SS if you don't mind? i ask because i basically want the same exact car you have (for a bit longer)

[Supermans]

Originally Posted by Georgie

you need to post pics--i love that inferno SS you have man, good luck w/ your trade

can you take an interior pic of the SS if you don't mind? i ask because i basically want the same exact car you have (for a bit longer)

No Problem. I'll snap some pictures. My interior is the jet black cloth. It has been very comfortable this past year and still looks new. However after a years worth of wear and tear, the radio knobs are looser than they were when new, but remain looking new. The e-brake boot and the material in the center console area behind the cup-holders looks worn a bit for some reason in color. In the 2ss it is leather covered however in the 1SS it becomes worn if you put your elbow on it a lot when you drive I guess. I only use cotton and water to clean the interior since chemicals like armor all can hurt rather than protect over time. The stick shift knob still looks new, I've seen some peoples in the forum post pictures where it's really worn out. I'm sure it is because of some chemicals and sweat on their hands though. I hope the interior re-do comes out great for the Maro. Certainly not worth waiting another year for. If the ambient light went all the way around the dash stock, like in the concept and some of the testing vehicles seen at some auto shows, then the interior would have been that much more impressive from the get go. I think it got a bad rap because it was being compared to the re-design of the Mustang's interior which turned out a lot better than Chevy predicted. So all the review sites praised the Mustang interior and gave the Camaro bad marks while praising the Camaro's exterior styling in most cases and it's speed on the track. My advice is test drive the Camaro and compare it to other cars before buying it. You have to compromise visibilty somewhat with the camaro vs it's competition. I pre-ordered the Camaro as many on this forum did without a test drive or knowing what it would be like to drive one. It feel's like a cockpit of a fighter jet at first and is a lot of fun once you get used to it. Good luck and God Bless in your journey getting the car of your dreams. Just take my advice and test drive it and it's main competiton before buying. You don't want to have any regrets. I certanly don't and would have kept my Camaro for 10 years or more had my 2011 Mustang test drive not gone so well. I didn't expect it to but here I am praising the fierce competition for this forum..lol.. Since march of 2008 I've lusted over the Camaro in this forum and it is hard to believe I am doing this.. Now I'm off to bed and hopefully I'll be back in Miami Tuesday afternoon..

[lil_chef]

Originally Posted by BigDan

Yeah they look great with FRPP RTR 19's.

looks almost exactly like my car...great minds think alike......but i was supposed to be unique!!!

[CamaroBelarus]

Originally Posted by Dragoneye

I hate engaging like this....but he simply commented on the color of the car. Why did you need to launch into your rationalization for purchase?

Its a usual thing. No matter this thread is about comparing 3 rides, Viper had. The guy is buying a new toy and somewhere "in the deeps" he knows, that a previous toy is way better in every aspect, so he need the aprovement from another new toy owners, that he is now losing the best toy he ever had because of the... well, i have no idea, why. And thats when MT reviews are good to read. Ford marketing is good. He thinks, that maybe he will be 0.1!!!! faster (which is very hard to be the truth) or his leather in interior will be the better quality, made from not a cow, but from a children butts.

SO, in my mind, actually, it is good, when someone, who just dont understand, what camaro is, going after mustang. Such ppl should drive mustangs and spam camaro5 with a VS threads..:ion Or better smth like genesis, cos actually mustangs ARE great cars.
And this is really good to know that someone, who couldnt afford a new SS will get his inferno monster cheaper

[04Ram2500Hemi]

ViperTomcat- this is a really good write up. When it came down to which car for me, it was between the Challenger SRT-8 and the Camaro 2SS. In the end the Camaro won because it was to me a better value for the money, but I had a hard time walking away from the Challenger. The Mustang just never did it for me.