2012 Mustang or Camaro?

Jstas

exalted512 wrote: »

I have to agree on all points. The camaro and mustang are very close...and at that point, the driver has more to do with it than the car. The thing I dont like about the camaro the worst is the visibility, as mentioned earlier.

There's not many better looking cars than a synergy green camaro though:biggrin:

I really hate what Dodge has done with the 'hemi' and the charger. A 4 door charger is a disgrace. I really like the car...NAME IT SOMETHING ELSE. Same thing with the hemi. The name is so diluted now it doesnt mean much anymore.

I really loved the mustangs when they first came out...and still do. But like Assimilated said...theyre freaking everywhere. They should be do for a major body update soon too.

64-68 (5 yrs)
69-73 (5)
74-78 (5)
79-86 (8)
87-93 (7)
94-98 (5)
99-04 (6)
05-12 (8)

One of the longest running body styles even when most newer cars are getting major updates quicker than ever.
-Cody

The Mustang was just updated at the end of 2009 for the 2010 model year. Has a sharper, cleaner, sleeker look. Not easy to see to someone who doesn't have the disease like I do but park a 2009 next to a 2010 and the differences are substantial. The chassis is the same, although it's been stiffened for 2010 so the Mustang is likely a good 3-4 years out for a redesign. Especially now that the Edge is just a refresh on the same car as the 2010 model, that's due for a redesign and apparently, the Escape is going back to the drawing board too. The Taurus and Exploder are brand new from 2010-2012 too so all the flagship models are through the refresh/redesign cycles now and Ford's going to concentrate on the lower performing brands. Plus they are throwing tons of resources at giving Lincoln a better brand identity rather than gussied up Fords. Ford took all the money it was spending on keeping Mercury afloat and sent it over to Lincoln including the ad budget.

I'm bettin' we're gonna see some slick stuff coming out of Lincoln and Ford. Even though stock prices are up for Ford, you buy now and in a year you'r going to get probably a 20% interest rate on your investment. They are gaining ground, lean, mean and they have a stable of hot products coming out with new models from Europe coming as well. Stuff like the C-Max, a tall Focus wagon/minivan that should sell pretty well here given the success of stuff like the Fit, Element and Matrix. Ford is also rumored to be bringing over the Kuga or at least a variant to replace the Escape. I'm disappointed to see that because I think the Escape is a fantastic little ride but the Kuga outsells the Escape 3 to 1. Business is business.

Besides, they didn't do much on the body of the Mustang because they were hell bent on bringing back the 5.0 which they did and it's a sweet mill! Won all kinds of awards so far and the tuners are pulling 600 horses out of it with next to nothing in modifications. It's a bruiser of an engine and Ford put a TON of work in to it.

Ford's got alot in the pipeline. So does GM but the difference is Ford doesn't have the bailout stigma hanging over their heads. Fords only problems right now are related to Japanese suppliers affected by the disasters over there.

exalted512

I noticed differences, but it was like headlights, front/rear bumper, and tail lights. Looks like the exact same car otherwise, no?

I understand a lot of it was because of the 5.0. Understandable, its a helluva engine.
-Cody

Demiurge

Hello,
The wife and I are thinking about picking up a little pony car. If we decide to buy one it will be the 2012 Mustang GT (5.0 V8) or Camaro SS (6.2 V8). I've driven both and the Mustang is a much or intuitive designed car, it just feels right. The Camaro is really difficult to see out of and doesn't feel as responsive as the Mustang. Every review I've read gives the mustang the edge in performance. On the other hand the Camaro is pretty cool looking. Personally I like the Mustang but the wife likes the Camaro. So with all that said, what car do you guys like?

If I was making the decision, I would buy the Mustang for a number of reasons there's no sense in listing. If it's primarily going to be your car, you should be able to buy what you want and not have to concern yourself with what your wife likes more. If it was my wife, and she actually brought it up beyond just giving a friendly opinion, I'd tell her that. You don't pick out her shoes for her, do you? She buys what she likes and that's that. Yes, this is a slightly larger purchase than shoes, but you can apply it to anything she buys primarily for herself. You need your own individuality in your hobbies.

Jstas

exalted512 wrote: »

I noticed differences, but it was like headlights, front/rear bumper, and tail lights. Looks like the exact same car otherwise, no?

I understand a lot of it was because of the 5.0. Understandable, its a helluva engine.
-Cody

I said that.

Jstas wrote: »

The chassis is the same, although it's been stiffened for 2010 so the Mustang is likely a good 3-4 years out for a redesign.

It's not exact though. External dimensions are different and the drivetrain is completely new. Including the engine. The chassis has different tuning but when you change the power level of a car, it changes the balance the car previously had. If you don't compensate for the new found power with suspension and brake changes/upgrades, you end up with a twitchy mess that even the best drivers won't touch.

The chassis is still the same based off of the D2C platform. The drivetrains for the other engine options are the same and the only real difference is the V6 gets the power bump to 305 horses. Everything else above the GT in the line is the same. However, from 2009-2010, the only exterior body panel that is the same dimensions or even uses the same dies is the roof panel. Everything else is new.

sucks2beme

The new v6 Mustang performs almost as well as last years V8.
And the new v8 hauls. The car isn't quite as sharp as the Camaro
from the outside, but it's still pretty sharp. The backseat headroom
is better and driving it was MUCH better. I really like the integrated spot mirrors a lot.
I could buy the v6 pretty darn cheap for a sports car and
enjoy it. I'd have a fistful of tickets with the V8. There are so many
out there because it's a great bang for the buck.
From a comfort level, the Challenger was the best, and wasn't too shabby
with the V6. V8 was very good. I'm hoping the new engines make
the V6 as good as the Ford is.
A couple year old Vette is a great car. You can buy a cherry one
anywhere, and it's a fun car. As long as you don't need a back seat
or a trunk, it would be a great pick.

dave shepard

mantis wrote: »

But Honestly if I was going to get a sports car VIA American it would be the Challenger .

OMG NO. That thing is a pile of crap. Trust me I know. I would get the Stang.

Dave

WagnerRC

Challenger srt8 here and NO regrets .

Tank_PD

Have you considered the new 2012 Boss 302 Mustang?
http://www.ford.com/cars/mustang/2012mustangboss/

Supposed to be faster than an Audio R8 around Laguna Seca.
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/coupes/1102_2012_ford_mustang_boss_302_test/index.html

This seems like THEE Mustang to buy. Especially over the more expensive Cobra.

blueboxer

Spammer reported, but aside from that the Boss 302 looks sweet and seems like a better all around deal and performer than the GT 500. Wonder how different the insurance would be on the two?

JimKellyfan

Women like the Mustangs, but the Camaro is where it is at.
And really, a Vette is better yet.
Me, I have a poor man's Vette, a 94 Caprice wagon, stock with the LT1

JimKellyfan

If I had the money, I would have 2 ends of the spectrum, a supercharged top of the line Rover, and a Tesla roadster to compliment my Vette for every day of the week collection I don't yet have.

ohskigod

the Mustang will not be updated until 2014, and it's probably going to be a more modern design on a world car platform.....so if you like a little old school with your car, now is the time to get the Mustang.

I love my 07. It's amazing how much 300+ horsepower seemed like just 5 -7 years ago, and now it's weaksauce..LOL meh, spend 5 or so g and supercharge it and I'm conservatively at 450 to the wheels....I just don't need it. I get into trouble just with the gears and tune I put on the 07.

It's still enough for me, and I put too much into the suspension to trade her in, I'll drive this car for a long time. On that note, I know someone mentioned getting the 6. that 6 is a monster........lighter, thus more handlin potential/better balance since the weight your saving is right over the front wheels.

People are going to like what they like........I loved the look of the Camaro but hated the inside feel and visibility. others like the Camaro? great, it's a great car and I'm not surprised. Incidentally, I like the look of the Challenger the best of the 3.......she's just so portly. I wouldnt mind doing a cross country cruise in it at all though.

I just feel the Mustang has a great combination of functionality/comfort to performance (and more importantly performance potential with aftermarket and such) Just look at the Laguna Seca Boss Mustang and look at the potential this platform had all along since it came out in 05.

sucks2beme

The Challenger is more of an all rounder than a sports car.
Like many of the cars of the 60's, It has good straight line
get up and go, but not so good in the curves. The back seat
is actually usable.
The engine and front suspension are both getting the same
makeover that the rest of the line got. Add an 8 speed automatic
with more HP and better handling(and less front end problems)
It makes a good adult car with a little excitement thrown in.
Think of it as the Charger with 2 doors.

dorourke07

If you are looking at 2012, grab Motortrend and some other magazines and see what's in the pipeline. The camaro convertible just came out but there could new packages or slight updates for the ride and handling of the coupe. I know that several mustangs just came out, such as the new Boss, so each manufacturer is always trying to stay one-up on the other. You might find that what you have the showroom now is not what you buy in the fall. Since a car is a longterm purchase, do the homework.

Toolfan66

The new 2012 Camaro ZL1 that will hit the streets in the fall will be freaking sweet!!!!

Earthy

I am excited to see the resurgence of the pony car wars. Watching them play leapfrog in the performance arena is fun!

nspindel

I own Ford stock, so I vote Mustang!

Toolfan66

fastz28 wrote: »

get this

http://youtu.be/T2r54WQl-U4

That Car is so sweet I have that in my favs!!!

outlander

I ended up with a 2012 5.0 Mustang GT. I love the looks of the Camaro but the Mustang it a much better performing car in my opinion. The Camaro felt somewhat sluggish in comparison to the stang and the lack of visibility was downright dangerous. Don?t get me wrong the Camaro is an awesome vehicle but in my case the Mustang just worked better for me. I also looked at the Challenger but that car is a far cry from the Camaro and Mustang. If Dodge had come out with this design 15 years ago they would have really had something but compare to what other manufactures are doing today Dodge is really lacking. Again these are just my opinions / observations after much research.
O

s.erwin

Man, you really can't go wrong with either. I haven't drove one of the new mustangs, so I can't compare, but a very good friend just bought an '11 Camaro 2SS, which I get to drive often, and I absolutely love it. On the other hand, we have a completely restored '66 Mustang 289 and I absolutely love that car too. I might be weird, but personally I like the older Mustangs more than the old Camaros and I like the new Camaros more than the new Stangs. If you were willing to wait a little longer and spend some extra cash, I would tell you to buy one of the new Camaro ZL1s, which should be coming out around February. They are definitely going to be one hell of a machine. My dad is actually pre-ordering one of these babies and I can't wait:biggrin:. Anyways, just go with your gut feeling. I don't think you'll regret it or be disappointed either way!

ohskigod

Atta boy. Welcome to the Mustang club.

Toolfan66

Nice looking car!!!

madmax

In order of what I would want is:
Challenger (would buy with a push)
Mustang (like to think about buying)
Camaro (wouldn't buy one)

sda2mike

congrats! enjoy your 5 oh!

Toolfan66

madmax wrote: »

In order of what I would want is:
Camaro (would buy with a push)
Mustang (like to think about buying)
Challenger (wouldn't buy one)

Fixed it for you..:cool::biggrin:

sda2mike

TOOLFORLIFEFAN wrote: »

Fixed it for you..:cool::biggrin:

saw 2 clones of your ss on 95 within a mile, the other day

Toolfan66

sda2mike wrote: »

saw 2 clones of your ss on 95 within a mile, the other day

When the sun is on them just right, they glow like a jewel. Pictures "even good ones" do no justice on that color IMO!!

sda2mike

TOOLFORLIFEFAN wrote: »

When the sun is on them just right, they glow like a jewel. Pictures "even good ones" do no justice on that color IMO!!

you're right...there's alot going on in that color...my 98 z28 was navy blue metallic...same thing...different angles and light conditions would make go from black to purple back to NBM

madmax

TOOLFORLIFEFAN wrote: »

Fixed it for you..:cool::biggrin:

You fixed it but eff'd it all up. I'm a dyed in the wool camaro fan, even have a 1le collectors scca camaro. The Challenger is the most bad assed option out there.

Toolfan66

madmax wrote: »

You fixed it but eff'd it all up. I'm a dyed in the wool camaro fan, even have a 1le collectors scca camaro. The Challenger is the most bad assed option out there.

I absolutely love the exterior of the Challenger, very sexy and super BADASS looking. when I went to look at them I wasn't super excited about the the interior, and slapping a HEMI logo on it when IMO should be a Mustang and Camaro Killer and I just didn't feel it. IMO the Challenger should have been the next Viper for Chrysler/Dodge..

They need to up their game to compete with the new GT500 and ZL1's that will and have hit the streets..

With that said I love seeing these 3 cars on the streets and hope we have only seen the beginning of whats to come, and what I love even more is one of them is sitting in my garage. Picked it up on December 29th and have only 5800 miles on it..what I would love even more is if I could have one of each..