New Mustang Versus 4th Gen Camaro?

[01Y87]

Comparing apples to apples here.... has anyone driven a '05 - '07 Mustang V6, and how would you rate the car compared to the Camaro V6 of '00 - '02 in terms of comfort, interior, and handling (stock)?

[Steel2686]

Comparing apples to apples here.... has anyone driven a '05 - '07 Mustang V6, and how would you rate the car compared to the Camaro V6 of '00 - '02 in terms of comfort, interior, and handling (stock)?

I rented a V6 Mustang a couple months back. My friend still has his '99 Camaro V6.

The Mustang was okay as far as comfort. I'm 5' 10, so I can't speak for people taller than myself. It handles far worse than the Camaro. Their was noticable body roll, this on corners my TL eats for breakfast. My buddy's Camaro does much better in the turns.

The interior was pretty nice in the Mustang. This was an absolute stripped car as it was just a rental, but it had a nice look to it. The quality was better than the last generation of 'Stangs (not that it's saying much). The GT has a much nicer interior as expected.

The thing that surprised me was it had decent power. It was much better on the highway than off the line.

Overall, I have a better respect for the base Mustang than I did, but the Camaro is a better buy if you can find a mint one for a good price (which should not be hard).

[Nightrage]

I thought my Trans Am's interior felt like it was made by Fisher- Price, until I drove the new Mustang. It feels like they used the cheapest plastic they could to slap that car together, the doors feel like they weigh about 600lbs each and the handling is nothing special, though it's not terrible. However, it does have a relatively large, horribly underpowered V6. When we went to pick up one of our Mustangs from a body shop (I work for a car rental company), the owner of the body shop thrrew me the key and said,"This thing is a beast, be careful in it". We laughed pretty hard at that one. It doesn't even get good gas mileage. If you're not going for the V8, I'd avoid the Mustang like the plague.

I think the Mustang looks really cool, but that's where it begins and ends. The Camaro might not look as good, but everything else is better.

[ConElite]

Like Nightrage said, If its not the V8, its not worth it. I dont have hardly any handling mods and I can Outhandle my buddies brand new GT. Off the line, He cant keep up. Yet he still payed 3 times what I did. He thought he would be able to kick my butt. Showed him real quick. ha ha ha

[01Y87]

The problem I have is today, there is so little to choose from. I want a new car to replace the Camaro as a daily driver, but I don't want to pay more than what this car was new (21k or so). I want all the same features and hopefully as much power. What are my choices?? Not a lot. There's the Mustang. GM's got nothing - I don't like the G6. Honda Accord - too plain. Toyota Solara - don't like. MItsubishi Eclipse - dont like the extreme style. Nissan Altima - decent, but no fog lights unless you get the premium package which then makes it a $24k car (at least) and that's the 4 cyl. $28k for the V6.

Damn, there is nothing that has the unique style of the f-body with sporty handling and all the features, and 200hp. I test drove the 'Stang because I really like the exterior retro style. How is it underpowered? The 4.0 V6 is 210 hp. I didn't mind the ride, but there are some little things about the interior that bug me. High door/window beltline, tiny gauges that can be blocked by the steering wheel.

My Camaro seems to have a good bit more body movement on bumps than the Mustang. I don't mean bouncing per se and I'm not talking about cornering. Just on rough roads & pavement strips going straight ahead the Mustang feels more solid and controlled. My shocks I dont think are bad because it doesn't bounce when I push the corners down.

I've been spoiled all these years by the ride of the Camaro. I'd hate to give it up and buy a cheap compact like the Cobalt. I like my heavy ride and my 200hp. My pet peeve is how GM is abandoning the Coupe segment one model at a time. Now in 2008 it's the Monte Carlo that is dead.

Anybody have any ideas? What's a good new car that's like the f-body? Another peeve of mine is that the coupes that are out today all kind of look the same. Put an Accord, Altima, G6, and Solara next to each other and there really isn't any unique style. Way to go, GM. OTOH, the Camaro is definitely a unique style - not bad either.

One thing I can rationalize about the Mustang is that it is designed as retro inside and out - and back in '65 interior ergonomics weren't too advanced hence the tiny gauges so this car is merely keeping true to the original, flaws and all. But the '65 didn't have a CD player

[86FireBird]

I actually find that the V6 mustangs give more punch than the v6 camaros. At the same time i find the mustang v8s (4.6) are quite underpowered for what they are. I mean all i hear is that pushrod engines are out dated and thats crazy talk. I mean an 02 mustang gt has an SOHC engine and putsout like 290hp and the new ones put out about 300. Meanwhile the LS1 was pushin 325 and the LS7 is pushin 500 with no boost adders! Ford needs a supercharger to even get near those numbers.

Oh and for a nice 4-door i would go with a nice Grand Prix GT or GXP...nice sleak styling, good horsepower, good gas mileage, and the luxury of 4 doors.

[MunsonGTA]

are you looking for something that's RWD or FWD? it's going to be very hard to find what you want for 21k or so and still be new. i'd suggest looking at a mazda 3 or mazda 6. me and my buddy test drove a mazda 3 last year, it was a great car. plenty of power even with the I4, great interior, awesome handling.

[Nightrage]

I've driven basically 90% of what's out there. I'll list the cars that I would personally buy new

- Volkswagen Jetta or Passat (The Passat's interior is very high quality, both cars feel well build and have decent power)

- Hyundai Sonata (This would definitely be way up on my list. Not sure what the reliability ratings are, but it has gobs of power, the interior isn't half bad and the fuel economy is decent)

- Pontiac Grand Prix (Comfortable, decent interior quality, good gas mileage, plenty of power)

- Buick Lucerne (Surprisingly peppy, good fuel economy, very comfortable)

- Nissan Altima (Good car overall, as is the Sentra which is somewhat slower than the Altima)

- Infinity G35 (I assume this isn't what you're looking for, but I'll list it anyway. It's almost as powerful as my LT1, handles well, well built, plus tons of available options)

[01Y87]

MunsonGTA, it doesn't have to be FWD or RWD. either one will do.

Nightrage, all those cars you listed are sedans except the Altima, which a lot of people describe as a Poor Man's Infiniti G35. And POntiac doesn't make the Grand Prix anymore, its the G6.

[Nightrage]

MunsonGTA, it doesn't have to be FWD or RWD. either one will do.

Nightrage, all those cars you listed are sedans except the Altima, which a lot of people describe as a Poor Man's Infiniti G35. And POntiac doesn't make the Grand Prix anymore, its the G6.

I don't know if you'll find much for $21K. Even though it's a sedan, I think it would be worth it to check out a used Grand Prix.

[01Y87]

I guess its true, once you drive an f-body for a while it grows on you and its hard to give it up! There are tons of choices in sedans - in fact I saw a Kia Optima that looked pretty nice inside, it looked like a much more expensive car on the inside and not bad on the outside. Only 21K loaded and with a 100,000 mile warranty! I have actually had several people here tell me that I should look at a sedan. Everybody likes having all that space but to me its just a waste of doors and space.

[Steel2686]

Here's another question... Does it absolutely have to be new?

I bought my '05 Acura TL with 20K miles on it. It's a Certified Pre-Owned Acura, so it actually has a better warranty than a brand new TL. It's 100K miles bumper-to-bumper, plus they replace every part on the car that has 60% life left or less. All this for $25K.

Granted, the TL may be a bit out of your price range, but most car companies have a certified pre-owned program. After buying this car, I would be hard pressed to ever buy new again.

[MDMike]

v6 charger

RWD Mopar?
Charger with a stick and V6 would be boss.
Even a Magnum.
Skye? Solstice?
Why buy new anyway? 2 yr old cars are a steal...

[01Y87]

I wish Dodge made a 2 door Challenger! I heard maybe there is a new one on the way in '09. chrysler got rid of their last Coupe in '05 or '06.

[Rob B (shoebox)]

... And POntiac doesn't make the Grand Prix anymore, its the G6.

Hmm...there is a GP listed on the Pontiac website...