C&D: Mustang GT vs. Camaro SS vs. Challenger R/T

[GoCougs]

First: Ford Mustang GT

Highs:
Lighter and tighter in every way
Good visibility
Fab 1-2-3 turn signals
King of V8 roars

Lows:
Only a five-speed
Capless fuel filler frequently spills
Smallest fuel tank

Verdict:
Yeah, we're shocked, too, but this Mustang rocks

Second: Chevrolet Camaro SS

Highs:
Fastest through the trap
Grip and zip in the gymkhana
Fresh and inventive interior

Lows:
Looks angry
Tiny trunk
Hard seats
Nose-deep-in-a-hole feeling

Verdict:
A neo-Corvette underneath the Deathmobile from Animal House

Third: Dodge Challenger R/T

Highs:
Classic bod
Smooth Controls
Big inside
Snick-snick six-speed

Lows:
Corners on custard
Too heavy
Drap cabin
Tries off the church bus

[GoCougs]

I don't agree with the results, and neither do virtually all other comparison tests. C&D just has it for the Mustang it would appear.

[565]

In before the Mustang Fanboyz descend upon this thread. 

[S204STi]

In before the Mustang Fanboyz descend upon this thread. 

+1

[Rich]

+1

+2

[Eye of the Tiger]

+1

+2

-3

[S204STi]

+2

-3

D'oh!

[MX793]

Ford needs to either up the content or drop the price on the Mustang.  The base GT in particular isn't a great value, nor is the V6 Premium.  IMO, the base GT should start no higher than $26.5K given its feature content (and the fact that there are no upgrade options or packages).  And the GT premium should be at least a grand cheaper than it currently is.  That's really the only negative thing I have to say about it.

[S204STi]

Ford needs to either up the content or drop the price on the Mustang.  The base GT in particular isn't a great value, nor is the V6 Premium.  IMO, the base GT should start no higher than $26.5K given its feature content (and the fact that there are no upgrade options or packages).  And the GT premium should be at least a grand cheaper than it currently is.  That's really the only negative thing I have to say about it.

I have to agree... it's a great car, but perhaps a bit of the price comes with the name.

[FlatBlackCaddy]

Ford needs to either up the content or drop the price on the Mustang.  The base GT in particular isn't a great value, nor is the V6 Premium.  IMO, the base GT should start no higher than $26.5K given its feature content (and the fact that there are no upgrade options or packages).  And the GT premium should be at least a grand cheaper than it currently is.  That's really the only negative thing I have to say about it.

I prefer the content route. Ford needs to step up the timing for these new engines.

New V6, that new 5.0L V8 and a six speed manual for both. Throw IRS in and keep the weight about where it is and i'd be interested in a V8 GT.

[GoCougs]

Just before They begin, let me get in that I believe the Mustang GT is a great car and a decent value, but I just don't think that it's either a better car or a better value than the Camaro SS.

[S204STi]

I prefer the content route. Ford needs to step up the timing for these new engines.

New V6, that new 5.0L V8 and a six speed manual for both. Throw IRS in and keep the weight about where it is and i'd be interested in a V8 GT.

I'd even consider suffering through a well-sorted multilink rear end, which the current car seems to have.  Still, IRS would be nice.

[FlatBlackCaddy]

I'd even consider suffering through a well-sorted multilink rear end, which the current car seems to have.  Still, IRS would be nice.

Yes, believe it or not I would allow that to be the last and only thing not incorporated in my list. A 5.0L V8 and a six speed would be good, i'd have to drive the hell out of it(not speed wise) before i'd commit to the solid axle though.

[MX793]

I have to agree... it's a great car, but perhaps a bit of the price comes with the name.

I was looking at the difference between invoice and MSRP.  I think Ford intentionally inflated the price so that dealers would have more wiggle room to make consumers think they were getting a bigger deal.  On a base Mustang GT, the difference between MSRP and invoice is over $2200 and on the GT Premium that grows to a little over $2500.  The difference between invoice and MSRP on a Genesis 3.8GT is $1675.  On a Camaro 2LT, it's $1200.  $1640 for a 1SS.  In addition, Ford has the highest destination fee (in what world does it cost more to ship a car built in the US to a US destination than it does to ship a car made in Korea to someplace in the US?), which only further inflates the price.

[2o6]

What is the 1-2-3 turn signals?


---------------------------


C&D must really be crap. I disagree with the frivolous reasons on why things are where they are.

[MX793]

What is the 1-2-3 turn signals?


---------------------------


C&D must really be crap. I disagree with the frivolous reasons on why things are where they are.

The tail lamps have 3 LED bulb clusters that light up sequentially when the blinker is turned on.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89UiyukoQNg

[S204STi]

What is the 1-2-3 turn signals?


---------------------------


C&D must really be crap. I disagree with the frivolous reasons on why things are where they are.

They really are pretty cool, but cool blinkers a superior car does not make.

[Raza]

I don't agree with the results, and neither do virtually all other comparison tests. C&D just has it for the Mustang it would appear.

Well, the Camaro V6 beat the Hyundai Genesis in C&D by one point only through Gotta Have It.  Maybe the Camaro isn't as good to drive as the Mustang.  Cars are more than numbers, you know.

[sportyaccordy]

I prefer the content route. Ford needs to step up the timing for these new engines.

New V6, that new 5.0L V8 and a six speed manual for both. Throw IRS in and keep the weight about where it is and i'd be interested in a V8 GT.

Make it a tiny bit smaller too, and fix the ugly ass rear windows. Maybe make the regular/GT/Cobra models IRS and make a Bullitt or some other BS version available with the horse wagon axle. Or make a kit. Share the rear suspension with the Explorer or something to save costs and give the Mustang some import/Euro cred. I'd be all over that like white on rice. A 99-04 Cobra is on my list of cars to possibly own when I'm settled...

[SVT666]

Just before They begin, let me get in that I believe the Mustang GT is a great car and a decent value, but I just don't think that it's either a better car or a better value than the Camaro SS.

Coming from someone who has never driven either car.  

Every review I've read (even the ones that put the Mustang 2nd...which is all of them) state the steering, handling, and grip of the Mustang are superior to that of the Camaro.  In fact, one comparo even said it was a photo finish (which you discounted for some reason).  Maybe, just maybe, the Camaro only won those comparos because it's the new kid on the block.  I haven't driven either of these cars, so I'm only speculating, but it sounds to me like the testers all agree that the Camaro ain't as good as some think, and the Mustang is better then some think.  But, that's just speculation on my part.

[r0tor]

i was waiting for this to be posted... lolz

the camaro got rocked in the handling department

[GoCougs]

Coming from someone who has never driven either car.  

Every review I've read (even the ones that put the Mustang 2nd...which is all of them) state the steering, handling, and grip of the Mustang are superior to that of the Camaro.  In fact, one comparo even said it was a photo finish (which you discounted for some reason).  Maybe, just maybe, the Camaro only won those comparos because it's the new kid on the block.  I haven't driven either of these cars, so I'm only speculating, but it sounds to me like the testers all agree that the Camaro ain't as good as some think, and the Mustang is better then some think.  But, that's just speculation on my part.

I don't need to drive any car to levy judgment. Just maybe, the Camaro keeps winning because it embodies to a greater degree what a pony car should be; powerful, quick/fast, styling and most of all, value. Further, most every other review has criticized the harshness and road noise of the Mustang's optional Track Pack.

[SVT666]

I don't need to drive any car to levy judgment. Just maybe, the Camaro keeps winning because it embodies to a greater degree what a pony car should be; powerful, quick/fast, styling and most of all, value. Further, most every other review has criticized the harshness and road noise of the Mustang's optional Track Pack.

Hmmmmm, that's interesting.  Care to point out where you read that?  I haven't read that anywhere.  I just quickly ran through the 2010 Mustang Review Thread and didn't find those comments anywhere.  I also grabbed a couple of my magazines here and can't find comments to that nature.  Every review I've read praises the Track Pack for still having a comfortable ride, and nowhere have I read anything about road noise.  Every single review has mentioned how the new Mustang's interior is so quiet now that the exhaust noise had to piped into the cabin so you can hear it.

[SVT666]

i was waiting for this to be posted... lolz

the camaro got rocked in the handling department

I'm not saying the Camaro isn't a good car, because it is a good car.  But maybe it's not as good as you want to think it is.

[GoCougs]

Hmmmmm, that's interesting.  Care to point out where you read that?  I haven't read that anywhere.  I just quickly ran through the 2010 Mustang Review Thread and didn't find those comments anywhere.  I also grabbed a couple of my magazines here and can't find comments to that nature.  Every review I've read praises the Track Pack for still having a comfortable ride, and nowhere have I read anything about road noise.  Every single review has mentioned how the new Mustang's interior is so quiet now that the exhaust noise had to piped into the cabin so you can hear it.

MT and R&T both complained, and it's really not without seeing; IMO; tightening up a strut and live-axle machine is going to cost.

[Xer0]

While these muscle car camparisons are fun and all, I want to see the 370Z get tossed in aswell since its in pretty much the same performance/price catagory.

Oh, and having seen a couple of Camaros on the road already, the '10 Mustang looks better, imo.  The Challenger still looks the best though.

[SVT666]

MT and R&T both complained, and it's really not without seeing; IMO; tightening up a strut and live-axle machine is going to cost.

I can't find these complaints you speak of.

[GoCougs]

I can't find these complaints you speak of.

And I'm too lazy to do the work...

[Gotta-Qik-C7]

I wanna see how the Stang performs without the optional Track Pack.

[sandertheshark]

Second: Chevrolet Camaro SS

Lows:
Looks angry

What?   

I love how evil it looks, like its waiting for the right moment to come alive and kill people.  Every muscle car should have a heavy helping of sheer, untamed menace.