Mustang vs. Camaro

CaptinFocker · 10-14-08, 10:39

Here is my dilemma, I am getting rid of my 2003 Saab 9-3 due to the fact that i dont drive it anymore. I was looking at either a 98-2003 Mustang or a 98-2002 Camaro. I was wondering if anyone owned either of these and could give me some insight on how they ran ect.

ajnavo61490 · 10-14-08, 01:10

2003 SVT Terminator Cobra

shine · 10-14-08, 01:30

LS1. The end.

Just my preference. Although the 99-03 is my favorite styling for the Mustangs.

longdx · 10-14-08, 01:35

It really is a matter of preference. They both have similiar handling traits (solid rear, strong engines). I perfer the interior of the Mustang's of that period. The Camaro's exterior is more pleasing to me, but I did not feel comfortable inside. The base models have comparable V6 power numbers and the V8 models are comparable (I think stock the advantage is the Camaro).

bigfish528 · 10-14-08, 01:48

I owned a 94 Z28 and the exterior I liked more than the mustang but the interior of the camaro was very cheap but then again I did not buy it for the great interior. For v8 performance I would go for the camaro /trans am over the mustang. If you get the V6 maybe the mustang would do. As far as ride it very stiff then again look at the type of car. I thought the handling was decent for a 94 Z28 it took corners fairly well and straight line performance was good for what I paid and the year. I did not like the headlights of the camaro they did not illuminate well enough mustang wins that one. Mustang also takes regular gas GT and base v6 except maybe the cobra (premium) I think as for the Z-28 or SS premium or Trans am/Formula premium.

David Fermani · 10-14-08, 02:04

If you want to go fast (high 11's) with 4-5 cheap bolt-on components, buy a 03 SVT Mustang Cobra. You can pick up one now a days for under $20,000 already modified.

99blackSE · 10-14-08, 02:05

Unless it's a Terminator or Mach1/99(?) Cobra, no 99-03 'stang is gonna come close to the LS1 all things equal or stock.

IIRC an '03 Mach 1 and an LS1 is a driver's race. The Terminators are probably the only one I'd buy out of that generation, maybe a Mach if the price was right.

fbirdquik6 · 10-14-08, 03:10

fbody FTW! idk bout you but id rather be running low 13's than low 14's stock

BigJimZ28 · 10-14-08, 05:25

I like the f-bodys better: the ls1 is a great motor, t-tops are always nice

but go fast parts are usually a little cheaper the rustangs

you should just drive them and find what you like

BLK GTO · 10-14-08, 05:26

Have you considered 04-06 GTOs?

Way2SSlow · 10-14-08, 05:42

If I were making this choice, I'd probably lean toward the LS1 car. I'm kinda GM biased; however, I did consider an 03-04 snake before I snapped to my senses and realized that I didnt want payments.

I've driven both cars in question, so here's some of my observations:

The Cobra has a very STIFF clutch...It's not something I'd really look forward to sitting in rush hour stop and go traffic in; HOWEVER, the car is so much fun to drive wide open, I'd deal with it. The blower whine is great and will DEFINITELY put a smile on your face every time you stomp the go pedal.

The F bods are decent daily drivers, but the clutches and rears could stand to be a bit stronger for the hardcore drag racer. I dont think that's a concern with the daily commute, but I've had a few friends break rear ends or have clutches stuck to the floor after running them hard at the track. Everything is repairable, and the rear on an F car is probably going to be cheaper than the IRS on the Snake (yes, one of my buds blew a rear on his 04 Cobra, so it can happen). LS1's make big power with simple mods, so with the money you save in the purchase price of the F car vs the Snake, you can easily build the F bod to negate any straight line peformance difference.

One thing I hate about the F cars is that stupid hump on the passenger side where the cat is. I think they should have put that somewhere else.

Depends on the car, condition and miles for me. I'd get the best car you can afford, no matter which model it is. Personally, if you're comparing a regular GT to a Z28 or T/A, I'd probably get the F car, but if it's an 03-04 Cobra we're talking about, then it'd be a hard choice for me.

TH0001 · 10-14-08, 05:48

Mustang GT's stock= 14.2-14.5 1/4 miles
Z28 stock= 13.2-13.4 stock

In terms of straight line performance they are pretty far apart.

I had a 1998 Z28... with a march pulley kit and headers (PITA to install), intake, and cat back I could run 12.7's on drag radials (the clutch let go pretty quick, but then again 5k drops can do that).