American Muscle vs. European Coupes
American Muscle vs. European Coupes
I think it would be interesting to see a comparison between the 2010 SS Camaro, 2010 GT Mustang, 2009 Audi S5 and 2009 BMW 335i Coupe. I know the Camaro / Mustang comparison has been done but to put all these cars together at the same time in the same place and test them would be pretty cool IMHO.
My reasoning behind this is to illustrate the value and performance available from American muscle, and how well they perform against similarly configured coupes from what many around the world feel are the top 2 "drivers" car manufactures. Let me be clear, I am NOT one of those people, but I would LOVE to have a magazine compare them so that "those" people might have something to consider / fear the next time they roll up to a new Mustang or Camaro on the street!
And I agree that a world challenge with a 370Z and 3.8 Track Genesis Coupe in the mix would make for a GREAT read!
Why woudlnt you compare the 335i to the SS? If I had the means to buy a 335i or M3 I would compare them to the SS 2SS and or future Z28. My brother went with a 4dr 335i and its pretty nice but I couldnt afford it myself. And yes he cross shopped it with a G8, Lexus, Acura, Infinity, amoung others.
Last edited by 5thgen69camaro; Apr 26, 2009 at 04:45 PM.
The SS doesnt really stack up to the M3. A 335i would be a much better comparison.
The M3 is faster and lighter than the Camaro, and almost definately has better fit and finish (At least I hope so for the money). It should also be more taught around the corners than the Camaro.
The 335i is closer in price and performance and would make a much more realistic competitor.
The M3 is faster and lighter than the Camaro, and almost definately has better fit and finish (At least I hope so for the money). It should also be more taught around the corners than the Camaro.
The 335i is closer in price and performance and would make a much more realistic competitor.
the m3 may not be the perfect competator for the camaro but its more comparable to the camaro ss than the 335. yes the 335 is probably a very quick car, ill let you know after i drive my grandmas new hard top/vert 335i, but its not in the same catagory as the camaro.
how is it not? how is m3 a better comparison? because of horsepower? 335i is a fine comparison and a better one. goes mostly on prices, if someone is shopping for a camaro i am pretty sure they are not trying for a spendy m3. just cause the 335i is not a muscle car doesnt mean its not the same category.
6' 200 lb 12 year old and a 4'5 90 pound 12 year old are still both in the same class.
6' 200 lb 12 year old and a 4'5 90 pound 12 year old are still both in the same class.
how is it not? how is m3 a better comparison? because of horsepower? 335i is a fine comparison and a better one. goes mostly on prices, if someone is shopping for a camaro i am pretty sure they are not trying for a spendy m3. just cause the 335i is not a muscle car doesnt mean its not the same category.
6' 200 lb 12 year old and a 4'5 90 pound 12 year old are still both in the same class.
6' 200 lb 12 year old and a 4'5 90 pound 12 year old are still both in the same class.
and the 6' 200lb 12yr old vs a 4'5 90 lb 12 yr old would not be in the same class in wrestling.
They start around 40. 
A while back, one of the magazines posted a review of the Corvette Z51, C06 and ZR1, judging which was the best deal for the money. Completely different price ranges and levels of performance.
I'd like to see something similar done for all of the listed cars, price, horsepower, and luxuriousness aside. All of these cars are sporty RWD coupes with a decent bit of horsepower. What if somebody with enough money for any of them but no preconceptions about which brand is "best" wants an honest opinion about how to spend their money?
For the camera guys, I think of this kinda like Ken Rockwell's recommended camera page. In it, he recommends several cameras, ranging in price from ~$100 to ~$5000, saying which ones are best for which people. He gives an overarching recommendation for the Nikon D40, which is far from being the best or fastest camera out there. At $450, it's simply the best for the money. He goes on to say that if you have specific needs, there are better (and more expensive) options.
I'd like the car comparison to end with a similar judgment (including justification) by the writers as to which is the best for the money, and then the specific circumstances under which they feel that certain people would be better off with one of the others.

I'd like to see something similar done for all of the listed cars, price, horsepower, and luxuriousness aside. All of these cars are sporty RWD coupes with a decent bit of horsepower. What if somebody with enough money for any of them but no preconceptions about which brand is "best" wants an honest opinion about how to spend their money?
For the camera guys, I think of this kinda like Ken Rockwell's recommended camera page. In it, he recommends several cameras, ranging in price from ~$100 to ~$5000, saying which ones are best for which people. He gives an overarching recommendation for the Nikon D40, which is far from being the best or fastest camera out there. At $450, it's simply the best for the money. He goes on to say that if you have specific needs, there are better (and more expensive) options.
I'd like the car comparison to end with a similar judgment (including justification) by the writers as to which is the best for the money, and then the specific circumstances under which they feel that certain people would be better off with one of the others.
Im not sure they would want to compare the M3 with the camaro ss.... Ive seen comparisons of the M3 with other higher power and more expensive cars then the M3, yet the M3 still out perform them. It wouldnt be a bad idea, but we know who would come out on the top and it wouldnt be the camaro.
The 335i would also be a good comparison for the camaro ss...
But in reality the camaro ss is in a different class and thats why i think it has nothing to do with European cars. I think it should aim to compete with them, but dont forget its a muscle car, which Europe lacks..
The 335i would also be a good comparison for the camaro ss...
But in reality the camaro ss is in a different class and thats why i think it has nothing to do with European cars. I think it should aim to compete with them, but dont forget its a muscle car, which Europe lacks..
Im not sure they would want to compare the M3 with the camaro ss.... Ive seen comparisons of the M3 with other higher power and more expensive cars then the M3, yet the M3 still out perform them. It wouldnt be a bad idea, but we know who would come out on the top and it wouldnt be the camaro.
The 335i would also be a good comparison for the camaro ss...
But in reality the camaro ss is in a different class and thats why i think it has nothing to do with European cars. I think it should aim to compete with them, but dont forget its a muscle car, which Europe lacks..
The 335i would also be a good comparison for the camaro ss...
But in reality the camaro ss is in a different class and thats why i think it has nothing to do with European cars. I think it should aim to compete with them, but dont forget its a muscle car, which Europe lacks..


