Had really hoped that I would be able to drive a Camaro first, but as we can't seem to get anything besides V6 models in Phoenix I decided to shop the competition. Funny enough, as I pulled out on Bell road in the Mustang, I passed what appeared to be a IOM SS with Black Stripes headed the opposite way. I thought it may have been from Midway Chevy, but they said it wasn't theirs.

Now about the Mudstang!
Layout- GT Premium, with 3.73 package (brakes, gear, stability rework), black with the red interior and door insets. Mach500 with Sync for tunes.

First impression....the car is built like a tank. Certainly not the loosey goosey build quality from the past. The car feels very solid and all of the switchgear has a quality feel to it. The Mach system is wonky and reminded me of the boomy C5 Bose system in sound. They put small subs in the doors like the old C5 layout. The fit and finish were very nice and the best that I have seen on a Mustang. Sitting next to the 09 Shelbys it made them look terrible! As far as the styling, I liked it Ok, but the domed hood sits high and takes some getting used to.

But how did it run? Interesting.....
The closest description I can share is that it pulled very much like a 99 Fbody but with a better shifter . I'm betting that there is more power available through a good tune. It doesn't feel like 315 HP in the same way that the first LS1s didn't feel like they were faster than the LT1s. My SOTP tells me that it is probably a 13.60ish car prior to break in. It pulled well, but it felt very overgeared with the 3.73. It only had 8 miles on it, so that has some bearing I'm sure. With another 50 HP, (or the 385 HP 5.0 that is in the works) this car could be very competive based on power/weight.

From a suspension perspective, it rides very well. I rapped it out over some rough pavement at an intersection and never even heard a peep out of the solid axle. It handles very slot car -ish.

It always amazes me that GM and Ford both seem to struggle with having the new body and the new motor show up at the same time. Ford has built a good platform, but this year the Camaro will take the cake for performance. With the 385HP 5.0 coming next year, all bets are off. 2011 wil be quite a year!

 

if the stereo is the same as the 05-09 ones you just need to play with the settings a bit. the stereo was one of the few things i loved about my 07 GT.

 

What was it that you disliked so much about the GT? I had a Shelby GT-H for a week a few years ago and thought it was a fun enough car.

 

i couldn't get comfortable in it..the whole steering wheel/seats/pedal position was off for me. i also found the steering extremely light.

 

Have yet to drive the Mustangs yet, but do you think the base Camaro can outperform the GT stock with the right driver?

 

Like the 3.6L Camaro? Expert in the Camaro and novice in the GT then maybe. Equal drivers no way. The GT's power to weight ratio is much better than the LS or LT.

 

Yeah, on fuel mileage...

Comparing the old 05-09 GT and new 10+, you can really tell the work that went into the interior and fit/finish.

I drove a GT vert with rear camera, dvd nav...its kinda cool being able to watch a burnout with the rearview camera

 

Not even close.

Mustang GTs have deceptively low horsepower numbers, plus they put out a surprising amount of torque. Ford also isn't as obsessed with mpg as GM is when they pick out drivetrain gearing. Ford's new Trac Pack turns the GT into a road course burner.

Looking at the V6 Camaro's 304 and Mustang's 315 horsepower numbers and thinking the V6 Camaro might have a chance depending on drivers would be an excercise in insanity.....didn't mention that the Mustang GT has roughly 300 pounds less weight 55 pounds more torque, and a far more aggressive rear axle than the V6 Camaro.

Little things like that tend to have a bit of an impact.


The V6 Camaro runs about 6 flat to 60. The new Mustang GT with the 3.73 does it in less than 5 (one comparason test had that Mustang setup running a 4.9 to 60 while the Camaro SS ran 4.7).

Add to the fact that the Mustang now outhandles the Camaro SS both in grip and in steering response (.95g ), and it's clear that the Mustang GT will not only mop the floor with a V6 Camaro... regardless as to driver... but unless you're doing quarter mile runs or talking top speed (or taking a curve on a potholed road), the new Mustang GT is a match and in some ways more than a match for the Camaro SS.

Where the V6 Camaro does shine is in value!

When you look at what you get for the price, there isn't another car on the planet that gives you RWD, IRS, evil looking exterior, a highly styled interior, over 300 horsepower, a 6 speed manual transmission, and a 155 mph top speed all for well under $25K. You simply can't beat it.

The V6 Camaro is plenty quick, handles extremely well, and is the current automotive steal of a deal, I'm even considering getting one.....

.....all you gotta do is just stay the hell away from 2010 Mustang GTs.


Now THAT'S something different!

 

I'm thinking that break-in is a factor here, because the car (GT) just didn't feel that fast. It probably also didn't help that it was 97 degress that day and the car probably heatsoaked in the first 5 mins! Another consideration was my passenger, but the saleman (19yr old kid) couldn't have weighed more than 97 lbs dripping wet. He thought my driving was awesome...!

Like I said, the car felt like the 3.73 was too much gear as it would leap off the line, but then slow it's rate of acceleration. I was completely impressed with the handling and the finish, but in the end felt like the car was at least 50 HP shy of being truly great.

 

That would happen no matter what rear gears it had, because of the very short 1st gear and the relatively low HP results in much less actual acceleration in 2nd gear and onward.

That car is not overgeared.

Oh....97F at your altitude is indeed a KILLER of performance.

 

so at 300lbs less, how much horsepower does a GT need to equal a 425hp camaro?anybody?

 

Absolutely. If Zia Zia Gabore is driving the Mustang GT and Don Prudhomme is driving the V6 Camaro.


Otherwise, no.

 

There are too many variables to be accurate, but you can do some quick math and get close.

Using easy numbers, assume Camaro has 425 HP and weighs 3900 lbs, and Mustang weighs 3600 lbs. Camaro's Power to Weight is thus 9.18 lb/hp. To get the same power to weight at 3600 lbs, Mustang would have to have 392 HP.

But again, things like gearing (both tranny & rear), power curve, ability to hook, and aerodynamics at higher speeds all come in to play.

 

I believe you are referring to the $34,330 "track pack" Mustang GT.

Just for clarification before someone reads that and thinks they are going to handle around an SS Camaro in the $27,995 Mustang GT that goes to 60mph in 5.2 seconds, .84g skidpad, and accelerates through the 1/4mi in 13.7 @ 24mpg.

Here's the changes to a track pack car