11-26-2017, 12:48 AM | #1 |
Drives: 2018 SS 1LE Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: North Jersey
Posts: 776
|
Another Camaro vs Mustang comparison... and personal verdict
I just want to preface this post by mentioning that I'm not a brand loyalist. I grew up in my younger years tinkering with a SR20 powered FWD Nissan, moved on to a Saabaru wagon and then went electric with the Volt. Each experience was unique in it's own right, but the V8s really started grabbing my attention about three years ago when I saw the '13-'14 revisions of the S197 Mustang. From there my interest spread into the Challengers, Chargers, Camaros and the Chevy SS, each offering something different in it's own right. I can appreciate the Dodge products for what they are, straight line muscle car beasts. But that's not exactly what I'm after. I own a share of a Lemons/Chump racer, so I much prefer the twisties as oppose to the quarter mile strip. In that regard the choice comes down to two, Camaro SS vs the Mustang GT.
I don't have to tell you guys, the Camaro is hard to beat. It has it's flaws, just like any other car, but it has owned the Mustang for a while now in the performance department. I was really waiting for the '18 refresh to make my mind up about the Mustang, wanted to see what Ford had to offer. So today I finally had the opportunity to test drive a brand new GT with the Performance Package back to back with a 2018 Camaro 2SS, both with a manual transmission. Here are my observations... Butt dyno: This will come as no surprise, they were very very similar in terms of power, but the delivery was definitely slightly different. The Mustang feels smoother, and has a longer rev range. The Camaro is somewhat brute, but not necessarily in a bad way. Even. Joystick: The shifter on the Camaro is good, very good. But the Mustang's is absolute butter. So smooth and precise, they've done a great job there. And I found my foot adapting to the Ford's clutch a lot quicker. (Advantage) Mustang. Sights: The Mustang is obviously a lot easier to see out of. The seating position in the pony is also more upright. The Camaro is a straight up sports car. You sit lower, the car sits lower, the A-pillars block more of your view. The rear is 'forget it', but you get the backup camera in both cars, so you have what you need when you need to go backwards. Mustang. Sounds: The Mustang GT did not have the active exhaust option like the Camaro, but that didn't stop it from signing some fine tunes. It really was heavenly. The Camaro belted out some great songs as well, but... Mustang, by a slight margin. Turning: No magnetic control in either car. Truthfully I didn't have the opportunity to push either of them into the corners. They both felt compliant and adequate, met my expectations. Even (although we all know Camaro wins this on the track). Slowing down: Ford Brembos vs Chevy Brembos. I think the Mustang's fronts are 6 pod in PP trim, where the Camaro get 4 pods in stock form. Honestly, they felt similar. Even. Livable space: When I first test drove a Camaro I brought my kid and his booster seat. I knew about the unusable back seats as far as adults are concerned, but needed to ensure the kids fit. They do. I expected the Mustang to surpass the Camaro in this category by a large margin, but not so. It would still be extremely hard to place an adult comfortably behind the driver. And let's talk about the trunk. The Mustang has a bigger opening, sure, but the extra space it has on the sides is really not that usable. The Camaro opening is smaller, but the trunk is probably as deep if not deeper than the Mustang's by a few inches. Even. Breaking necks: This will probably upset a bunch of people, but don't get too butt hurt. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. IMO, the new Stang is gorgeous. Vader front is growing on me, the rear is delicious, especially with the new PP wing, which is 100x better that the Camaro's. The Chevy though is not far behind in some aspects. The front is killer in it's own way, and not necessarily less attractive than the Mustang's. The rear... well. Let's just say it looks good with the blade spoiler and NPP exhaust, I'll leave it at that. Mustang. Fun: Both are fun on the street, that's the bottom line. How can you not have fun in these cars... well okay, maybe the speed limit prevents it, so take it to the track... Even. $$$$$: Since the 6th gen came out, all I've been hearing about is what a bargain the Mustang is over the Camaro. Well... a base Camaro SS stickers at $37,995. Let's say you want a base Mustang GT, minus the calculator screen, so you step up to the 201A package and get the same things that a base Camaro gets. You're at $37,995. Not a coincidence. Even. At this point you're probably wondering, when all this nonsense is going to end, so without further adieu... <drum roll> Verdict: I bought a Camaro. Bottom line, the Chevy is a much better value overall. You get more toys for your money. If you spec out the SS 1LE and a comparable Mustang GT PP L2 (almost the same price), the Mustang is missing the trans and diff coolers, rev matching (although they do have no-lift), HUD, NPP exhaust (separate option), and the PDR option. But most importantly it's also missing a warranty that extends to the track. If I'm buying a legitimate sports car I want to take it to the limits at the track and do so with the comfort in knowledge that the manufacturer stands behind their products. |
11-26-2017, 01:06 AM | #2 |
Drives: 17 SS 1LE Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Houston
Posts: 1,920
|
Congrats but from reading your review you should have gotten the Mustang, you found it equal or better in every category and even though 'Al said so' there is no guarantee you will have a hassle-free warranty claim if something breaks on track.
|
11-26-2017, 01:32 AM | #3 |
Drives: 2016 1SS NFG A8 Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: 46804
Posts: 6,764
|
No surprise you bought the Camaro. Ford had to build a car that cost more to compete. It's not the bargain it once was, so I see sales declining for Ford and increasing for Camaro. Aside from some of the 6th gen Camaro issues, it's seems to be gaining popularity. Seeing more of them everyday on the streets.
__________________
2016 NFG 1SS A8
Options-2SS Leather/NPP Perf. mods-Whipple 2.9/Fuel System/Flex Fuel/103mm TB/Rotofab Big Gulp/Cat Deletes/Corsa NPP Per. times- 10.5 @ 137 w/ 1.8 60ft Full weight on 20's 1200DA |
11-26-2017, 08:53 AM | #4 | |
Drives: 2021 BMW M2 Competition Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Niantic CT
Posts: 775
|
Quote:
But, like this reply says, your conclusion doesn't seem to match the bullet points in your review. Seemed that you preferred most aspects of the Mustang. You mentioned the 1LE and PDR - is that what you ended up with, or did you buy the same non-1LE SS that you test drove?
__________________
2021 BMW M2 Competition 6MT
2011 Candy Lime Green Kawasaki Z1000 (1/4 mile - 10.38 @ 129.61 mph - stock) ---------- Previous: 2018 Summit White 2SS 1LE; 2015 MINI Cooper F56 6MT; 2015 BMW M235i 6MT; 2003 MINI 5MT; 2005 Mustang GT 5MT |
|
11-26-2017, 09:15 AM | #5 |
Drives: '18 Zl1. '18 GT350. Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Katy
Posts: 2,104
|
Just more of thePill's offspring coming over and trolling. Ah, the joy.
__________________
There's only 2 people I trust. 1 of them is me, the other's not you. 2018 Zl1. 1199 RWHP/931 TQ.
|
11-26-2017, 10:00 AM | #6 | |
Drives: 2018 1SS 1LE Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Washington, MO
Posts: 208
|
Quote:
Regarding the points above: Turning - I haven't driven a Mustang, but the mag ride, performance suspension and the wheels/tires make the 1LE amazing from Tour mode to Track mode. Breaking Necks - What's wrong with the rear? Fun - If you think a standard SS is fun, a 1LE is... well. $$$$$ - Find the right dealer and a 1LE can be <$40,000.
__________________
|
|
11-26-2017, 11:17 AM | #7 |
Drives: 2018 PP GT Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: PNW
Posts: 264
|
i'll be doing the same comparison soon, currently own a 2016 ScatPack Challenger and haven't driven a 6th gen Camaro or Mustang before.
__________________
1966 Buick GS
2018 PP1 A10 Mustang GT 2016 Scat Pack Challenger (gone 1-6-2018) 2013 Mustang GT Auto(sold) 2013 Track pack Mustang 5.0 (sold) 2011 Mustang 5.0 (sold) 2010 Camaro SS 6M ( sold)13.36 @109 |
11-26-2017, 12:12 PM | #8 |
Drives: '18 Zl1. '18 GT350. Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Katy
Posts: 2,104
|
My buddy has a '17 Roush stage 3. It's not even in the same league as my Zl1. Interior, exterior. fit and finish. Nor performance. Not even close.
His response to me.............yea, but you still have a Camaro. I said, true, but you are down 200 hp, your suspension is complete garbage, and your seats are fkn hard as a rock. But, enjoy your Mustang. He still won't race me. And i know he lives on the Mustang forums, so all of his canned responses I know he gets his cue's from the Mustang crowd. I'm like, dude, do you seriously think your Roush is in the same league? He does unfortunately. He's one of those..........I have a Mustang, therefore I am King.
__________________
There's only 2 people I trust. 1 of them is me, the other's not you. 2018 Zl1. 1199 RWHP/931 TQ.
|
11-26-2017, 12:23 PM | #9 | |
Banned
Drives: 2012 2SS INFERNO ORANGE Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: sweden
Posts: 1,843
|
Quote:
the guys a fool. |
|
11-26-2017, 12:39 PM | #10 | |
Drives: '18 Zl1. '18 GT350. Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Katy
Posts: 2,104
|
Quote:
Stock, he was already at a disadvantage. He spent a few grand on suspension mods and negated performance. He said, why build more HP if I can't keep it on the ground? I said, good point. I don't have suspension problems in the Zl1. So, I'll go performance mods first. My suspension can handle the HP upgrades. I burned him.
__________________
There's only 2 people I trust. 1 of them is me, the other's not you. 2018 Zl1. 1199 RWHP/931 TQ.
|
|
11-26-2017, 03:56 PM | #11 | |
Drives: 2018 1SS 1LE & 1973 Datsun 240Z Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Ontario
Posts: 574
|
Quote:
Nigel 2018 1SS 1LE |
|
11-26-2017, 06:59 PM | #12 | |||
Drives: 2018 SS 1LE Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: North Jersey
Posts: 776
|
Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
I love the ScatPacks, both Challenger and Charger. Bonkers cars, lot's of fun, but ultimately not my cup of tee. |
|||
11-26-2017, 07:02 PM | #13 |
Drives: 2018 SS 1LE Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: North Jersey
Posts: 776
|
|
11-26-2017, 08:24 PM | #14 |
Drives: 2018 1SS 1LE Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Washington, MO
Posts: 208
|
They are ZL1 style side skirts for the 6th gen made by ACS Composites.
__________________
|
|
|
Post Reply
|
Thread Tools | |
|
|