2012-2013 Sport Coupes

[Vinsanity]

Just in case you forgot what they look like...




* technically over the $25k limit, but discounts galore

[Raza]

Camaro RS is ugly and hard to see out of, and not as good to drive as the Mustang.
The Genesis is too ugly.
The Challenger is the best looking car here, but comes only with a 5 speed automatic, so that's out.
The FR-S is probably awesome to drive, good to look, at, but I still can't get over that badge.
The Mustang is great to drive, has great looks, and has a good badge on it. 

It's close between the FR-S and the Mustang, but I think I'm walking away with the Mustang. 

[Onslaught]

FR-S and it's not even close. If they hadn't fucked up the Genesis with that new front end I'd thought about it. But now it's ugly.

[r0tor]

FR-S easily... and is it just me or is the camaro styling really aging poorly?

[Lebowski]

FR-S is the only one that does it for me. And yes, camaro is aging horribly.

[Gotta-Qik-C7]

There's no way in hell I'd EVER buy a pony Car with a V6! But in this comparison The Camaro has the most horsepower and an independant rear for the second lowest base price. I'd see myself on every corner but my money would go to GM.......

[2o6]

Genesis is hideous, Challenger is horrible to drive, never cared for the Mustang, Camaro is IMO worthless in V6 guise.


FRS by default.

[Gotta-Qik-C7]

Genesis is hideous, Challenger is horrible to drive, never cared for the Mustang, Camaro is IMO worthless in V6 guise.


FRS by default.

Worthless? It placed really high in a recent comparison that included the FRS. And the extra 123hp and extra $1600 in your pocket are a plus aslo!

[2o6]

Worthless? It placed really high in a recent comparison that included the FRS. And the extra 123hp and extra $1600 in your pocket are a plus aslo!

It's not the Camaro I'd buy.

[Gotta-Qik-C7]

It's not the Camaro I'd buy.

Me either! If it doesn't have a V8 I might as well buy a Honda Accord.......   

[Madman]

The FR-S is probably awesome to drive, good to look, at, but I still can't get over that badge.

I'm sure Toyota will sell you a "deformed T" badge to stick on the nose.  Otherwise, just buy the Subaru clone.

[MrH]

I've already spoken with my money.  BRZ, no question.

[sportyaccordy]

I would go with the FR-S but I just cant deal with people knowing I own a Scion

No but seriously FR-S, debadged w/an aftermarket navigation headunit, coilovers, wheels

.... and turbo kit

Actually for the $$$ I would REALLY rather just do an old M3. But thats just me

[GoCougs]

Easily the Camaro. However, if the V6 Genesis were in the poll, I might have chosen that.

[SVT666]

Well, since I have a family to think about, the FR-S or BRZ is eliminated.

The Genesis V6 would be the better choice over the 2.0T but the manual transmission and clutch are poorly executed.

The Challenger is horribly executed in V6 guise and is also very slow.

The Camaro might have the most horsepower, but a lot of good that does you when it's not the fastest.  Also, it's ugly and difficult to see out of.

The Mustang does everything well and is the fastest in the group and looks the best.  The Mustang would be my choice (I know....big surprise), but in reality I would never buy a pony/muscle car without an additional two cylinders.

In the end I wouldn't buy any of these.

[Raza]

I would go with the FR-S but I just cant deal with people knowing I own a Scion

No but seriously FR-S, debadged w/an aftermarket navigation headunit, coilovers, wheels

.... and turbo kit

Actually for the $$$ I would REALLY rather just do an old M3. But thats just me

I'm with you here.  I took my money and bought a used Z4 over these cars. 

[SVT666]

I'm with you here.  I took my money and bought a used Z4 over these cars. 

For the money I would buy a used 2011 Mustang GT.

[Gotta-Qik-C7]

For the money I'd go with another C6 myself.

[MX793]

Camaro:  Can't see out of the damn thing, and it's huge.  And they're everywhere.  There's 3 of them in my neighborhood alone.

Challenger:  Too big, too heavy, too soft.  I also don't think you can get the V6 with a manual transmission.  I think it's a great looking car, but more of a long distance cruiser than a corner carver.

Genesis 2.0T:  Horrible, bottom-heavy powerband and assuming the 2.0T has the same transmission and clutch as the V6, a rubbish driveline.  The V6 model I drove a couple of years ago (and I drove two different examples, so it wasn't that I tested a dud) is in the running for the worst MT gearbox I've ever driven.  And that "worst" list includes agricultural equipment.  Pity, because everything else about the car was great.

FRS/BRZ:  This is kind of a dark horse.  I haven't driven one yet.  I love the looks, love the seating position, love the light weight.  Not enthused by the apparent lack of low-to-mid range power.  Raw power isn't the end-all-be-all for me (I was very very close to pulling the trigger on an RX-8 because I loved how connected if felt), but I'm also not fond of cars that literally have nothing to offer below 5000 RPM.  This car has an even worse 5-60 time than the much less powerful MX-5, which is the telling sign of a narrow powerband.  I wasn't impressed with the FR-S interior, especially at this price point.  Also not impressed with the engine note (heard them in person and in recordings).  And with gas prices where they are, if a car is going to require premium unleaded, it better deliver something that makes the extra money worth while.

Mustang:  This is the known quantity for me.  Interior (in premium guise) as is good as or better than anything else here.  Sync system is great.  Visibility is towards the front of the group.  It's not a small car, but it's not ungainly either.  It can (and has) held its own against an FR-S at an autocross.  It's comfortable on long drives.  I just got back from a 6 hour slog behind the wheel and have no aches and no fatigue (and this after a 6 hour drive yesterday).  Mileage is very good if you can keep your foot out of it.  I averaged 36.4 mpg on my ~300 mile trip this morning (without resorting to tactics like drafting, coasting, or shutting the car off at stoplights).  In mixed driving, I can get 25 mpg without much effort.  Motor is smooth, sounds good, and pulls hard from 2000 RPM all the way to the limiter, and only requires regular.

Excluding the FRS/BRZ, I'd buy the Mustang again without a second thought.  Even including the Toyobaru, I think I'd go with the Mustang again.  The FRS/BRZ would have to provide a truly magical experience to win out.

[Eye of the Tiger]

Veloster.

[MX793]

Veloster.

That brings up a valid point:  Why were the Veloster turbo and Mini Roadster S coupe left out?  Could also toss in the Civic Si while we're at it.

[Raza]

That brings up a valid point:  Why were the Veloster turbo and Mini Roadster S coupe left out?  Could also toss in the Civic Si while we're at it.

Seems like he only wanted RWD cars.

[Payman]

Genesis is hideous, Challenger is horrible to drive, never cared for the Mustang, Camaro is IMO worthless in V6 guise.


FRS by default.

Have you ever driven a Challenger??? I have, and it's a terrific driving car, maybe the best of the pony cars.

[Payman]

FR-S easily... and is it just me or is the camaro styling really aging poorly?

It's funny how the Challenger is more blatantly retro than the Camaro, but the design is holding up much better. It's still gorgeous.

[Vinsanity]

Seems like he only wanted RWD cars.

Kinda...didn't do this by intention, but I guess I just got my mind stuck on RWD. I should've probably included the Mini Cooper S, VW GTI, and maybe the Veloster Turbo, but I don't quite understand the point of FWD 2-seaters like the Mini "Coupe", and would anyone have honestly voted for the Civic Si? That car is way past its prime.

[MrH]

It's funny how the Challenger is more blatantly retro than the Camaro, but the design is holding up much better. It's still gorgeous.

+Juan

Camaros look ancient and over played.  It's the definitive "bro" car for every guy coming out of a college and getting a new car and wants a "sports car".

[SVT666]

Have you ever driven a Challenger??? I have, and it's a terrific driving car, maybe the best of the pony cars.

Yeah, I can't agree with that.  The Challenger is good, but it's the worst of the 3.

[Rupert]

It's funny how the Challenger is more blatantly retro than the Camaro, but the design is holding up much better. It's still gorgeous.

Aye. I was pretty into railing on Ford and GM for their stupid retro designs, and then I saw the Challenger. Foot, meet mouth.

[Rupert]

FR-S

Not that I've driven any of them, but the Challenger seems to only be worth it if it's an R/T.

[S204STi]

Would be between the Mustang and BRZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz