Camaro why?

[gus6464]

After going through some crap trying to buy a Mustang last year I figured someone was trying to tell me something so I decided to hold off and take a long breather and take my time. Well deals season is back so I decided to go back out there and see what's left of the 2016's but the break also convinced me that I would not be happy unless I got a GT so now looking at those.

The dealer I went to had a Chevy dealer next door with lots of Camaros on the lot so figured why not and went to check them out. Also some were on deep discount with over $4k cash back as well. Test drove a 1SS with magnetic ride control.

The visibility was horrible. I mean it makes a Mustang feel like a big sedan in the visibility department. The Camaro barely had any. Why does Chevy think a sports car should feel like you are in a box with tiny windows? Makes no sense.

The interior is cheap, and I mean cheap compared to the Mustang. I was comparing apples to apples of what gets me what for a specific amount of money and the Mustang GT Premium with PP is $38k which means leather and a nice interior but for same amount of money the Camaro feels like cheap crap. The only thing that was nice in the Camaro was the magnetic ride.

I keep reading that Ford is spanking everyone else in this segment by a huge factor and it makes total sense why.

 

[tsupersonic]

I've had my 15 GT for about a year and a couple of months. I checked out the new Camaro at a few car shows and a dealer, after the new generation came out. The visibility is definitely a big issue. Reading through some owner experiences, some people say they get used to it, and others still complain. The interior in the new Camaro is just alright. I'm a bigger fan of the Mustang's interior (specifically Premium trims). Prior to the Mustang, I had a couple of German cars, so it's nice to see Ford punching outside its weight class here. It really is a nice interior, considering (imo) the Mustang's biggest advantage - the price point. With the x-plan discount, a GT premium costs $30k (minus tax/other fees of course). That to me is a bargain for a brand new V8 muscle car, and the Mustang is just filled with loads of features. I also think the Mustang looks better than the Camaro, but that's subjective.

Of all the reviews I've seen online, the Camaro is the far better "driver's car." I'd still be curious to drive one and live with one for a week or two. The Mustang is powerful enough and is a much nicer car to own in the long run.

 

[JulesMaximus]

I'm curious what a loaded Mustang GT costs or a loaded Camaro. Having purchased a CPO low mileage 2014 Mercedes E550 Coupe recently for $42k. This car has a very upscale interior, it is comfortable, sexy and it has 400hp at the wheels thanks to a 4.6l twin turbo v8 engine. This is a car that had an MSRP of $65k new.

I'm not doing track days with it but man is it a great car.

 

[tsupersonic]

I'm curious what a loaded Mustang GT costs or a loaded Camaro. Having purchased a CPO low mileage 2014 Mercedes E550 Coupe recently for $42k. This car has a very upscale interior, it is comfortable, sexy and it has 400hp at the wheels thanks to a 4.6l twin turbo v8 engine. This is a car that had an MSRP of $65k new.

I'm not doing track days with it but man is it a great car.

I know the GT convertible (starts at $42k) is the expensive one tops out at $48-49k. I tried building a Camaro on the website, and can I just say, this is the worst configurator ever. It is so beyond broken. I mean WTF is this?

. I think it tops out at $60k+ for the 2SS convertible.

The E550 is an awesome car, and I'm sure Mercedes is underrating the HP/TQ figure. The E550 starts at $60-61k, but tops out at $80k. It's a different class of car, but we all knew that. I'd love to own an MB again, but those repair/upkeep costs still haunt me.

 

[JulesMaximus]

The E550 is an awesome car, and I'm sure Mercedes is underrating the HP/TQ figure. The E550 starts at $60-61k, but tops out at $80k. It's a different class of car, but we all knew that. I'd love to own an MB again, but those repair/upkeep costs still haunt me.

I'm curious. What did you need to have repaired that cost so much?

 

[gus6464]

I'm curious what a loaded Mustang GT costs or a loaded Camaro. Having purchased a CPO low mileage 2014 Mercedes E550 Coupe recently for $42k. This car has a very upscale interior, it is comfortable, sexy and it has 400hp at the wheels thanks to a 4.6l twin turbo v8 engine. This is a car that had an MSRP of $65k new.

I'm not doing track days with it but man is it a great car.

Apples to oranges. Sure the benz has same power but doesn't drive the same and it doesn't come in a manual. Also Mustang parts are cheap and plentiful while the Benz will wreck you.

A fully loaded GT Premium is $46-48k. A super well equipped GT Premium is $38k.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Apples to oranges. Sure the benz has same power but doesn't drive the same and it doesn't come in a manual. Also Mustang parts are cheap and plentiful while the Benz will wreck you.

A fully loaded GT Premium is $46-48k. A super well equipped GT Premium is $38k.

I keep hearing this but nobody seems to have any definitive proof of this and on the Benz forums they tout my car as being pretty reliable. I guess I'll find out though as my wife and I own two of them now (an E550 Coupe and a CLS550). They are both still under warranty for a couple more years though so my plan is to just drive the crap out of them and see how it goes. My Mother-In-Law had a couple E-class Mercedes and never really had any major problems with them.

I'm not sure what I'm giving up in terms of driving experience. Most of my driving is commuting to and from work. The Benz is comfortable, quiet and powerful. It has excellent brakes and is well damped at each corner. As for the manual transmission, it would be an absolute nightmare in stop and go traffic.

 

[gus6464]

I keep hearing this but nobody seems to have any definitive proof of this and on the Benz forums they tout my car as being pretty reliable. I guess I'll find out though as my wife and I own two of them now (an E550 Coupe and a CLS550). They are both still under warranty for a couple more years though so my plan is to just drive the crap out of them and see how it goes. My Mother-In-Law had a couple E-class Mercedes and never really had any major problems with them.

I'm not sure what I'm giving up in terms of driving experience. Most of my driving is commuting to and from work. The Benz is comfortable, quiet and powerful. It has excellent brakes and is well damped at each corner. As for the manual transmission, it would be an absolute nightmare in stop and go traffic.

I'm pretty sure it's not really about the car being reliable but more along the lines of when you are out of warranty and have to pay for the part and labor out of your pocket it is going to wreck you. Everyone knows German car parts don't come cheap. Hell, whenever my wife's parents BMW gets a light in the dash it's at least $2k to make it go away.

 

[JulesMaximus]

I'm pretty sure it's not really about the car being reliable but more along the lines of when you are out of warranty and have to pay for the part and labor out of your pocket it is going to wreck you. Everyone knows German car parts don't come cheap. Hell, whenever my wife's parents BMW gets a light in the dash it's at least $2k to make it go away.

I'll keep mine for a few years and then get something else. I don't plan on keeping it more than 4 years max.

I'll let you know how it goes though.

 

[ElFenix]

the current camaro is the first one i really like the styling of in a long, long time. GM did exactly what it needed to do in making it 10% smaller in every dimension. except those damn gunslit windows.

but should be a great driver's car, as it's essentially ATS v. 2.0 underneath, and that is already a great driver's car

 

[KentState]

Sat in one yesterday and the interior didn't feel any cheaper than a Mustang. The both have plastic center consoles and large sections of the dash.

 

[JulesMaximus]

the current camaro is the first one i really like the styling of in a long, long time. GM did exactly what it needed to do in making it 10% smaller in every dimension. except those damn gunslit windows.

but should be a great driver's car, as it's essentially ATS v. 2.0 underneath, and that is already a great driver's car

I reserved an ATS for a week back in March but they didn't have that car when I went to pick it up. Ended up with an Audi A6 2.0T instead which I really wasn't impressed with.

 

[Midwayman]

I keep hearing this but nobody seems to have any definitive proof of this and on the Benz forums they tout my car as being pretty reliable.

Probably owned Chrysler era MB. Those were pretty bad from everything I've heard.

 

[monkeydelmagico]

I keep hearing this but nobody seems to have any definitive proof of this and on the Benz forums they tout my car as being pretty reliable. .

Bunch of kool-aid drinking touters. You could have had a bitchin camaro.......

 

[KentState]

Bunch of kool-aid drinking touters. You could have had a bitchin camaro.......

Song reference?

 

[monkeydelmagico]

my favorite cover band

 

[Sean Kyle]

This is a nice track

 

[evident]

Mustang over Camaro any day. I had a 1SS rental for a week and yeah while it was fast, I couldn't see out of the damn thing! I've never driven a mustang GT but the rental v6 and the new 4 cyl, and i loved both of them.

 

[Subyman]

My uncle has a newer Camaro SS with the RS package or something like that. It's all black, wheels too. I've ridden in it several times and it's a nice riding car. I'm certainly not sure about its track prowess, but it is very comfortable for long trips and cruising (which is what most people will do in it.) It sounds great, has awesome pick up, and looks bad ass.

Personally if I was spending that kind of money, I'd get a well done restomod with modern suspension and driveline and have it built up to my liking. Then you'd have close to the reliability and drivability of a modern car while having something completely unique.

 

[JulesMaximus]

My uncle has a newer Camaro SS with the RS package or something like that. It's all black, wheels too. I've ridden in it several times and it's a nice riding car. I'm certainly not sure about its track prowess, but it is very comfortable for long trips and cruising (which is what most people will do in it.) It sounds great, has awesome pick up, and looks bad ass.

Personally if I was spending that kind of money, I'd get a well done restomod with modern suspension and driveline and have it built up to my liking. Then you'd have close to the reliability and drivability of a modern car while having something completely unique.

And you'd probably never drive it because you wouldn't want the wear and tear on something you spent that much money on.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Bunch of kool-aid drinking touters. You could have had a bitchin camaro.......

I'm keepin' it real bro. I'll let you know what problems I have with mine.

 

[Subyman]

And you'd probably never drive it because you wouldn't want the wear and tear on something you spent that much money on.

That argument would be the same for the $50k new Camaro. I like the idea of building up my own thing if I was going to do a fun car. Just different perspectives.

 

[JulesMaximus]

That argument would be the same for the $50k new Camaro. I like the idea of building up my own thing if I was going to do a fun car. Just different perspectives.

I see people driving GT350s daily around here. I pass by one every day going to work and then again coming home.

 

[Subyman]

I see people driving GT350s daily around here. I pass by one every day going to work and then again coming home.

I'm not in a major metropolitan area, but we have a classic car shop in the area that does restomods. I see guys driving around older chevelles, camaros, and mustangs often. They have rack and pinion steering, disc brakes, upgraded suspension geometry, EFI, etc. The cars are pretty much as reliable as anything off the lot and are easier to work on if something goes wrong.

A fresh 351 Cleveland with a Holley EFI system will go well over 100k miles without any issues.

It does take a certain type of person to want to commit to learning all about the cars, systems, and want to talk to other enthusiasts during the process so it certainly isn't for everyone. I really enjoy it though.

 

[monkeydelmagico]

It does take a certain type of person to want to commit to learning all about the cars, systems, and want to talk to other enthusiasts during the process so it certainly isn't for everyone. I really enjoy it though.

Agreed and i have a lot of respect for the guys and gals who do the work. Too tedious, time consuming, and wallet draining for my tastes. Every once in a while I go shopping for someone else's mistake. The most recent was a well done early 70's corvette. LS2 conversion and decent stock-ish interior/exterior. It's an example case of the pitfalls of a resto mod.

It was, and still is, an old car. Yeah a modern drive train goes a long ways towards making it more reliable. Livable? That is questionable. This vette did not have AC. The need for some sort of heat shielding under/over the tunnel was apparent after 15 minute drive. The dash creaked. The chassis/suspensions setup had some judders. The steering was a bit vague. It was well sorted and all electricals worked but they are just.....old and more prone to failure. It looked killer and certainly had the nostalgia vibe in spades.

Sunk costs. If it's a labor of love. I suggest keeping them forever. The problem with the corvette described above is it had a stack of receipts and he was only asking half the total. I offered him about a third of what he had in it. He didn't want to do that deal at the time. 6 months later it was listed for what I offered. This guys dream car just whacked him in the cojones for over $30k loss.

For the price he had into his resto mod a brand new drop top mustang GT with all the bells and whistles could have been in his driveway. After having driven both I'd much rather have the new car.