I didn't see a Mustang vs. Camaro thread so I thought I would start one and let the arguing begin.

I am a big Chevy fan so I am a bit biased and obviously like the Camaro more. But Ford has done some impressive things with the Mustang, especially the 2011's and I'll admit, the Camaro is a bit of a porker and could use a diet, but the Camaro imo is the better looking car and has been the better performer until the 2011 Mustang's come out. Still...go Camaro!

*Crap! I messed up the title. I hate when that happens.

 

Probably because this is an RX8 forum...

But to answer the question. The Camaro looks better but has terrible seating position. The Mustang drives much better and has better handling...I've driven both numerous times and thats just my opinion...I'm not a fan and would not own either of them.

 

I am with you as a camaro fan, but its short term as the better performer is soon to end.

About the porker thing I was reading on another forum about a recent change that chevy plans to make. It had something to do with how they are planning on changing the frame to a newer setup which will cut down lots of weight.

 

I know it's an rx8 forum. That's why I put this thread in the "general automotive" area. Hence the: "Discuss all things automotive here 'OTHER' than the RX-8."

But thanks for your opinion.

 

lol well I was going to make that comment but seems that Topgear beat me to it...

Mustang all the way I like the mustang better when it was a 4.6 and now the 5.0 has made it that much better, then again I've always liked Dodge and Ford more than chevy

 

I loved the camaro and, for me, it won the competition between it, the mustang and challenger.

That was until they put a bigger and more powerful engine in the mustang. Unless the new engine drastically changed the handling (not sure about positioning and weight), the mustang wins to me.

I used to hate mustangs. Still not a huge fan overall, but the newest model is a very tempting car.

 

I've test driven the V-6 and V-8 versions of both cars and honestly I really can't even say which car I like better. Power wise and handling they both felt the same to me and looks-wise I could go either way. The only thing I will say...as mentioned earlier...is that your driving position seems a little weird in the Camaro...maybe a little too low but if I had the car and got used to it I don't think it would be a problem for me.

The car I really want to see is that Kevin Morgan concept Trans-Am, but that aint happening unless you have a ton of extra cash to unload for the conversion. I know GM refused to sell the Pontiac nameplate so I'm hoping at some point they can revive it. Buick and/or GMC are the brands they should have dumped.

 

The seating position thing has always been there I've had a ton of F-bodies and my wife always had mustangs. And sure enough we would always complain about each others cars. I would say her mustang seating position was too high "like driving a bus". And she would say mine was too low "like your butt is gonna drag on the road"

Easy to get used to either after a bit of driving

 

I thought I saw something in a magazine not too long ago that around 2014-2015the Camaro will actually be getting smaller. It makes sense if you think about it. I think with 400 hp in the mustang and camaro that is about the pinnacle for normal production cars. These HP wars can't go on forever so the next logical step is to go for smaller and lighter.

 

Yes, I'm diaspointed the Americans couldn't figure that out.

The should have made the Mustang Camaro Challenger the size of a RX8.

You'd be getting at least 3 to 8 more MPG and they'd be flying out the door.

Of course you wouldn't have the same HP but don't need it as car is smaller

 

I would never consider either of these cars. I'd get an Accord Coupe before either of these, and I don't even want to get an Accord Coupe.

 

You are wrong? The new mustangs have actually become good cars, and that's before they got an increase in power for this model year. I used to hate mustangs. I would seriously consider one now (aside from interior space). They're not the best handling cars, but they're not terrible by any means now.

 

With the Mustang and Camaro, I'm still at that "almost could buy a Hyundai but not quite there" stage. So, yes, they're like buying a Hyundai to me. I'm not quite there yet.

I'm going to wait for the next rotary. And if the wait is too long, I might even go for the Toyota FT 86, which should be similar to what a Kabura-like next generation rotary would be like.

 

From the comparisons I've seen (I haven't had the opportunity to drive either)while the V-8 versions are closer in power the Camaro SS is still faster in a straight line even with the extra weight. The other aspect is that while the Camaro is closer to the "ideal" 50/50 weight distribution the Mustang handles better. Some of the results seem to show the Mustang edging out the Camaro when at the track while the Camaro edges the Mustang at the 1/4 mile drag strip. Honestly, if when I look at these cars I'm primarily looking at straight line performance and as far as the Camaro SS and the Mustang GT go the SS is still slightly faster in a straight line. I'd personally take the Camaro SS (I'll also admit I honestly do not like Ford).

As far as the V-6 versions go...there really isn't a whole lot of discussion to be had because even in the areas that there are small advantages the Mustang wins.

 

As much as people may not want to admit it, the handling of these heavy muscle cars has been improved drastically over the last couple of years. Obviously you can feel the extra weight to them relative to the RX-8 but cars like the Mustang and Camaro are by no means slugs in the handling department anymore.

I'm about ready for a new car and after putting a lot of thought into it I think I'll end up with a Mustang. When it came down to it, I don't like the *** end of the Camaro. Seems like there's something missing. And I'm just in general pissed at GM since there is no longer hope for the retro Trans Am coming back anytime soon. This is the first time in my life I've even considered am American car. Only a few years ago I swore I'd never buy an American car. I don't know if it's completely because of the economy or brain drain or what but I think many on here would agree with me that the affordable sports car market in general completely blows right now.

 

It really helps to get rid of the rear live axle, doesn't it?

 

Know what Mustang I like? MY Mustang!

 

I was racing my friends nice new Mustang (on a track, calm down). We started off side by side on a short straight and he pulled about a car length in front of me. We got to the corner and as I downshifted and gassed it he slammed on his brakes. And he is a good driver with lots of experience. After I almost slammed into the back of him and we got out I told him I thought we were racing! His response was, "I can't take turns like that, not even close!". So I dissagree with your statement. The new muscle cars are muuuuch better than my '66 ^ but not "good" just not as life threatening..... IMO....

 

Nice mustang

 

Why thank you sir.

 

I test drove the Mustang GT and honestly, I was blown away by how it felt, drove, handled (for a car heavier than the 8), sounded...pretty much everything. This after a few years ago swearing I'd never even consider an American car. The thing just felt right for me...obviously way different then my 8 but I had no problem feeling right at home in this new Mustang. I tested the Camaro a few months ago and didn't like it at all. The Genesis Coupe 3.8 was ok, but the really clunky manual transmission was an instant deal-breaker on that one. I actually find myself seriously considering a Mustang right now. Never thought in a million years that day would come.

 

I absolutely hate how the camaros look. I can't stand them. To me they look like toy shark cars....or...as of recently...I decided they look like a middle-aged cougar who had to much botox done.

In fact, I was just thinking how people will not see these as attractive a few years down the road. I think people like them because they're new, they've been craftily marketed, and because they've been told to like them. I just don't see it. I think it will be like the 78' year(s) model of the camaro. Looking back, I would say it's the one generation that was severely ugly. But at the time, I''m sure it turned heads and everyone thought they were hot. Now, looking back I bet a whole lot more share my opinion

Then again...I don't like mustangs for the simple fact that they have become driven by real dirt bags lately. No offense to you sensible Rx8 people if you have a Mustang.

So....I choose.....Challenger.

But then again this all represents my own personal opinion.
________
The Peak Towers Prathumnak

 

I remember test driving a ~2006 Mustang GT a while back. The dealership only had an automatic available so I said what the hell and drove it anyway. It was painfully sluggish. Everything about it was slow as far as response goes. It was amazing how similar it was to my 1995 Ford T-bird, which also had a 4.6L SOHC V8 and an automatic tranny. The suspension was way too soft, the transmission felt like it was made of jello, and the engine was very lazy. You had to poke it in the eye with a stick for it to do anything. In a lot of ways it was like the 350Z I test drove. I'm sure it would've been fun at the drag strip or driving aggressively on the street, but as a daily driver it was about 3,600 lbs of fail.

Now this 2011 Mustang seems to be ligit. The body style looks decent, the performance is definitely up to par with the current line of sports cars from any company (supposed to beat an M3 around a track!), and its relatively affordable. Would I buy one over a Camaro SS? Maybe. I'm a die-hard GM fan but I don't like the fact that everyone and their sister has a 2010 Camaro SS. Maybe its because I like GM so much but I see way more Camaro's than I do modern Mustangs these days. Both are awesome and I think the horsepower war will only improve these cars as time goes on.

My vote? Corvette!

 

Ford put independent rear suspension on the Mustang with the 03-04 SVT Cobra's and it backfired on them hard. Owners who were launching their cars at the drag strip were destroying their rear suspension with only a few bolt ons done to the engine. Ford fans hated the new suspension so Ford switched back to the live axle and so far have had pretty good success tuning it.

GM has a very nice independent rear on the Zeta platform. They pulled ideas from their Corvette line up to create a very durable suspension. I saw a vid a while back of a G8 that ran 9's in the quarter mile. The engine blew up at the end but the chassis took it like a champ

 

You're in the wrong thread then.