Battle of the V6's Mustang Vs Camaro

[scottmandue]

I know this will most likely fall into a Ford Vs Chevy contest but just for giggles.
In five years or so I will probably be looking at selling off my fun little mirco-car (the Miata) and get into something a little more comfortable for my creaky middle age bones to get in and out of (and something where you don't feel every expansion joint on the freeway).
Now as a car guy I would love to get a tire melting 400, 500, 600 V8 but realistically how often can you use that kind of power on public streets? And even more realistically with gas prices skyrocketing and Ford/Chevy putting out 300HP 30MPG V6's, well, why not?

So if you had to chose between a Mustang or Camaro which would you chose?

[masraum]

Interesting. I'm curious how they drive too. I couldn't say without driving both. I did drive a v6 mustang earlier this year. It was comfy, nice inside, and reasonably fun to drive.

[RANDY P]

I'm a Chevy guy but that Camaro is ugly as sin.

Frod.

rjp

[ledhedsymbols]

Originally Posted by RANDY P

I'm a Chevy guy but that Camaro is ugly as sin.

Frod.

rjp

What he said! I'm not partial to one particular maker over another, but I agree with his assessment of the Camaro. Fugly as all get out. I sat in one, and it was like riding in a pillbox. It's not a design that will age well. The newest body style Rustang is pretty nice looking, and I think it'll age better. No comments on driving dynamics as I have not driven either model.

[scottmandue]

Hate to say... I was raised in a GM family and therefor am leaning towards the Camaro... I don't find either body style particularly beautiful but truth be told I don't think there is anything in the new car market under $30K that gets 30MPG and is drop dead gorgeous.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Had both as rentals for an extended period of time. Camaro would be an instant no because of visibility. Short windows and a big C pillar make for lots of blind spots and a pillbox feel. Both automatics SUCK, they are MPG biased with hesitant downshifts and premature upshifts. Both engines are good with plenty of power. For me I would get a performance pack Mustang (Brembos, LSD, bigger wheels) with the optional Recaro seats and call it a day.

[fastfredracing]

Ahhhh fudge it , you only live once.



Fullfilled most of my boyhood dreams in a 1969 z 28. I have been chasing those long lost days most of my adult life. It would have to be the one with the bow tie for me, but it would not be a 6 er.

[A930Rocket]

Going by looks alone, I'd have to say the Mustang, but I've not driven either one.

[HardDrive]

I'm from a Ford family, so its Mustang for me. 300HP is nothing to sniff at. And I prefer Ford interiors to GM (both have gotten radically better over the years).

I like all the Mustangs 2005+, and I think the new Camaro looks great. I like the new Charger, but the thing is huge. Build it 7/8 scale, and I'm in.

[afterburn 549]

"camaro " looks like a Cartoon. UGH

[onewhippedpuppy]

Fred has a point, and in 5 years a LSX Camaro or 5.0 Mustang will be pretty affordable. Chevy recently introduced a new Camaro and the new Mustangs should be hitting the market soon, both will drive down prices on the prior model. My overwhelming opinion after having a Mustang, Camaro, and Challenger rental - muscle cars should have a V8.

[VincentVega]

Build it 7/8 scale

Completely agree and I'll add in the rustang and camaro, just too big.

[afterburn 549]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^Dito ^^^^^^

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

Had both as rentals for an extended period of time. Camaro would be an instant no because of visibility. Short windows and a big C pillar make for lots of blind spots and a pillbox feel. Both automatics SUCK, they are MPG biased with hesitant downshifts and premature upshifts. Both engines are good with plenty of power. For me I would get a performance pack Mustang (Brembos, LSD, bigger wheels) with the optional Recaro seats and call it a day.

I have not sat in either one, is the visibility in the mustang THAT much better?
Pretty much all automatics suck... that is a given.
Is the performance pack Mustang a V8 or V6?
Also a given that all retro muscle cars are bloated, guess I am looking for a best case scenario with affordable options.

[johnsjmc]

Originally Posted by scottmandue

I have not sat in either one, is the visibility in the mustang THAT much better?
Pretty much all automatics suck... that is a given.
Is the performance pack Mustang a V8 or V6?
Also a given that all retro muscle cars are bloated, guess I am looking for a best case scenario with affordable options.

There is a performance pack avail.on both , The v6 pkg is different than v8 Brembos weren,t available on v6 cars but v6 perf pkg uses selected parts from the v8 cars. ie bigger brakes stiffer sways etc. Last I looked (2012/13)
I think the v6 perf pkg required a manual trans (better anyway).

I bought and sold a 2012 boss 302 and agree the body is just too big and bulky still.

[Dantilla]

I find the Mustang more pleasing to drive. It's a few hundred pounds lighter, and the visibility is better than the Camaro.

The Mustang isn't light and tossable like a 911, sure isn't as nimble as a Miata, but it's on my short list of desirable cars. All-around pretty good car.

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by Dantilla

The Mustang isn't light and tossable like a 911, sure isn't as nimble as a Miata, but it's on my short list of desirable cars. All-around pretty good car.

And that is what this question is all about, looking for an "All around pretty good car"
I'm 57 now, hope to retire around 60-61... I've put $4K into the Miata so I feel I need to keep it a few years to justify that expenditure (I know some of you guys spend $4K on wheel for your car but that is a lot of money to wifey and I).

Styling is very subjective... having said that I prefer the look of the Camaro, however I think I would be OK with a Mustang... so a lot of this comes down to intangibles like which car (with the V6) is more reliable... nothing more annoying that having a car in the shop every other week... and comfort, things like seats and ergonomics.

As far as visibility I owned a 1994 Thunderbird 4.6 V8 that had bad visibility and it didn't bother me much... but then I grew up driving my dad's 1972 Oldsmobile Cutlass so having my head on a swivel is second nature when driving.

[scottmandue]

After looking at both the Camaro and Mustang on autotrader all I can say is they are both a huge meh in the looks department.

So it is like picking which of the ugly sisters you are going to chose.

Tossing looks out the window which car do you think is a better deal? Talking cost of ownership and probably end up taking it for any long road trips in our future.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by scottmandue

After looking at both the Camaro and Mustang on autotrader all I can say is they are both a huge meh in the looks department.

So it is like picking which of the ugly sisters you are going to chose.

Tossing looks out the window which car do you think is a better deal? Talking cost of ownership and probably end up taking it for any long road trips in our future.

I'm a bit puzzled. You express interest in the Mustang and Camaro, post a thread, realize that you find them both to be ugly, then still ask which one to get?

If your criteria is a comfortable coupe, you have way more choices than just the Mustang or Camaro. Thinking that both are ugly should probably be the end of this thread.

[jcommin]

Originally Posted by RANDY P

I'm a Chevy guy but that Camaro is ugly as sin.

Frod.

rjp

Randy, I'm with you on this.