Before I dive into this post, since no one really knows me here I should probably explain where I am coming from. My first car was a 79 camaro back in 91. I loved that car. I have owned 4, 79, 81, 91, and 2000. They were all good for me. I was among the sad when they discontinued the line and excited when they announced they were bringing it back. After my 2000 Z28 I started buying German cars. Mercedes SLK, Porsche Boxster etc. When we found out my wife was pregnant we decided it was best if she was a stay at home mom. We bought a house and the expensive car payment had to go. So now I drive a Mazda 3 . It has been almost 4 years now and I am starting to car shop again. I narrowed what I wanted down to the Mustang and the Camaro. I have never owned a Mustang, but figured it was worth a look based on all the positive reviews. I am not shopping the Chally since my boss owns one. LOL. recently I have been traveling for business. So on my last trip to Az I decided to rent a 2SS. It was an automatic, but what can you expect from a car rental place in the states. I have also been lucky enough to have a lot of time behind the wheel of a 2010 GT manual with the 3.73 "track pack". So here is what I have thought so far:

Engine: The 2SS here is much better. That engine just pulls forever. Even with the automatic it seemed much faster than the GT. I don't have any #s, but that was my impression. This is the best part of the car by far.

Handling: Here the GT was far superior. The SS understeers like no other car I have driven. Even with the bigger brakes you felt like it was handling much worse in a turn. The mustang was fluid through the turns. Here a manual makes a difference since you can downshift better than in the auto, but still it wasn't even close.

Interior: This is really subjective. The mustangs console is a bit busy. The camaro's doesn't seem like there is anything there and doesn't look as good. Materials seem nicer in the GT and as lame as it sounds, the cup holder in the SS is in the wrong place if you have a manual. The SS has the sunroof which I really like, but that is not a defining option for me. It seems to me to add a nav system into the SS you would have to redesign the interior already. Seats were decent in both, but the GTs were a little better.

Exterior: Again, really subjective. I like the way they both look, but the SS a little better. However I could see out of the GT a lot better. Also with some of the appearance options you can add in, really makes it close for me.


So here is what I am thinking; I was planning on buying a car for myself this year but I am going to wait now. That engine is intoxicating in the SS and can't be ignored. I know everyone here is a mustang loyalist and rightfully so, but that engine is amazing. It is too bad the rest of the car doesn't live up to it's potential. With everything I have read about here, the new engine in the mustang is going to have the same stats. So with that I am going to wait and if the 2011 still handles like the 2010, I will be ordering on around June next year.

For what it is worth, if I were going to buy one today, the GT would be the way I would go. Everything about the car is better than the SS except the engine. This from a Camaro fan. Seems like that is changing very soon though.

 

If you can wait, I think that's a good plan, regardless of whether you're leaning toward the Camaro or Mustang. On the bowtie side, the car needs another year in the oven to be done. Maybe the next year won't have the first-year quality and reliability problems. As you said, the engine lineup for the '11 Mustang will remove any perceived advantage from the competition.

As a lifelong Mustang driver, I'm glad to see the Camaro return. If nothing else, competition makes the breed stronger.

And lest I forget, welcome to the forum!

 

Excellent post Sounds like you are a well informed buyer and I agree with all you said. New Engine will be officially announced in december at the LA auto show, but we should have some "official" stuff before then in late november when the order banks open up.

Welcome to the forum, and welcome to joining "The Wait" Club. We're all waiting on the 5.0 lol

 

I just couldn't spend much time in the Camaro interior. Ugly and cheap are too kind for it. Great motor though.

 

I had the same feeling as you do. Currently, the mustang is behind in the engine compartment, but is generally better for me than the camaro. The tiny trunk opening on the camaro is also a large deciding factor.

Come next year, if (when) the 5.0 gets here, I expect the mustang will be superior in every respect that I desire.

 

You're coming to a Mustang forum for a non-biased answer? Not exactly the best place to start. Go look at all the articles and comparisons to date. The Mustang wins is nearly every category. In the end it's your money. Who cares what anyone else thinks?

 

Here's an unbiased answer:

Go get in one. Then get in another. Then make your decision.

YOU have to drive it. YOU have to pay for it. Therefore, all other opinions DO NOT MATTER. It's your car, your choice, buy the one you like most.

Having said that, can you figure out why I have Awesome and not something else?

 

That's basically it...
I used to tell my customers," You can have the most expensive car in the world, but if you aren't comfortable in it... its worthless."
I have had lots of cars.
If I were you, I would wait for the new Mustang engine.
Then make your decision.

 

Yep.

 

You guys didn't read his entire post, he has driven both. He likes the stang better

 

HP these days is far too cheap to get to be a final decision maker. The car as a whole is what you need to look at. And, I personally think the Camaro interior will age (look outdated) incredibly quickly -- though I really don't like it to begin with. That, plus the excessive weight were the big turn-offs for me on the Camaro (even though I love the LS3 and the exterior of the Camaro).

One other thing to think about, if you are into amenities, is there are ton of very nice features you can get on the Mustang that aren't even options on the Camaro -- glass roof, a legitimate nav, voice activated audio controls, etc. All can make for a much more enjoyable daily drive.

So, if hp is the only reason to get a Camaro, than that isn't a compelling reason for me. If the Mustang is the better all-around car (which all of us here think it is), than that is the most important thing -- especially since the '11 should close the hp gap considerably.

 

Thanks for the feedback guys. I have driven both and I do like the Mustang better. However, that engine in the camaro is very hard to not like. Everything else falls short of the mark. So I am going to wait a few short months and drive a 5.0 as soon as I can. If that still handles like the 2010, which I expect it will, then I will order a 2011. If for some strange reason it doesn't handle well at all, I am sure I will get a really good deal on a 2010 GT.

I am really liking what Ford has done with the Mustang and am quickly becoming a fan.

 

Thats what I would do too. Order banks on 2011s open up on 11/23/09 so the engine package should be disclosed by then. Job 1 is March 15th for the 2011. Hope the new 5.0 engine isn't just a special edition order. That would really bum me out. The 4.6 has run its course IMHO

 

I've owned a variety of GM products over the years (1968 GTO, big block and small block Chevy Nova, Buick, etc.), had a hot-rod Dodge pickup, and a lot of Mustangs and T-Birds. I am fairly unbiased as I don't care who builds it, as long as it's rear wheel drive with a V8 under the hood.

Your original post was very well thought out. You have rationalized both cars quite well. My neighbor just bought a new 2010 Camaro 1SS automatic and it's a sharp looking car with an intoxicating 400hp V8. I certainly understand why he likes it. I personally like the new Challenger (make mine an SRT-8, please) better than the Camaro, but both are very heavy cars - too heavy for my liking.

The Mustang is my current favorite as it is much lighter and a better package as a whole, IMO. While my '07 GT Automatic started out with just 300hp, it's making more than 450hp now and runs low 12's @ 113+ in the 1/4 mile for a total investment that's about the same as purchasing a new Camaro 2SS.

All three of the current pony cars are worthy of consideration, and any of them would be cool to own, drive, and race. Just gotta find the one that really makes you the happiest based on your priorities.

 

Welcome to the site!
Wait for the 5.0... then you shouldnt have ANY dislikes about the mustang!

 

I'm sure the engine in the SS is fun. But I find that no matter how fast the vehicle, I always get "used" to the power, so it's the other things that make continued ownership fun/enjoyable.

Sounds like you have a great plan. Enjoy whatever Stang you end up with.

 

how does the interior room compare between the two? How is the after market coming along for the camaro? Would you want to mod your new car are some point or you a get in and drive it kinda guy? I like the looks of the new camaro also.

 

I rented a Camaro on a business trip last month and the view out the back and sides is horrible - the C-pillar is huge. The visibility out of my Mustang is much better.

 

I'm not saying wait for the 5.0 unless you want the best of both worlds and acceleration is one of the top reasons you are buying.

A lot of the problems with the Camaro tend to show after the honeymoon phase is over.
Its a nice looking car with a lot of power...but...once the newness is gone, can you live with the minor (to major) issues that will pop up or affect everyday driveability? ( the view out the car would annoy me after a week)

To me its driveability/liveability/fun first... and the Camaro just doesn't do it (not to mention I think the interior looks like a can of smashed ****####)
I'd take the Stang over the Challenger....but I still love the look of the Challenger

 

You mean, much less bad! Lol...the Mustang has never had great rearward visibility, but I agree, the Camaro's visibility out back is pretty bad. Almost mid-engined bad.