Need some advice on a very big decision

[gtface]

I am in the market for a car right now and I am trying to decide between a 2005 mustang gt and a 2000-2001 camaro ss. My dad has a friend who is trying to unload a mustang he just bought a month or so ago, and I could likely get a very good price on it. This guy has taken very good care of the car for the short time he has owned it, and has never raced it. Before this came to my attention i really had my heart set on a used camaro ss. There are multiple cars on autotrader with very low miles that are selling for $20,000 and below. Imjust not sure whether i would rather have a slightly faster car that is a little bit older or a nearly brand new car that is just a little bit slower. Also, i have never driven either of these cars, although i drove a v6 camaro all throughout high school. I f anyone has any suggestions or comments, I would love to hear them.

[Spastik_Roach]

I'd personally take the Mustang, they're nice cars, its got th eV8 right?

[CdocZ]

id get the mustang. love the new one

[gtface]

The performance specs for these cars are very similar:

Mustang GT- 0-60: 5.2, 0-100: 13.2, 1/4 mile: 13.8@ 102, top speed: 150, gas mileage: 17/25

Camaro SS- 0-60: 5.2, 0-100: ?, 1/4 mile: 13.6@ ?, top speed: 160, gas mileage: 19/28

I like the styling of both of these cars pretty equally. I couldnt find any specs related to handling so any information on that would also be appreciated.

[Slicks]

Alright, first off I must ask is the SS a 6 speed? And will the GT be a manual as well. (I highly suggest manual transmissions in both cars)
Next, how many miles are on the SS?

As far as handling goes, youll really have to drive both cars and get the feel of them.
The SS pulls .87Gs, while the GT got .89Gs.
I dont have slalom speeds for the GT, but the SS ran a 63mph slalom.

Either way its a win/win situation here, I highly suggest driving both cars and seeing which one you like better.

[gtface]

yes both would be 6 speed manual

[Quiggs]

And which one will be cheaper to maintain (and modify if you so choose). Gas won't be pretty on either. Neither will insurance. I'd pick by which had a nicer color.

[gtface]

gas mileage isnt horrendous on either car. Its good enough to where I can deal with it.

[TheOne]

i'd pick the mustang GT, with a really good driver that car can do 13.4 secs(has been done bone stock) down the quarter, couple of bolt-ons and it'll do 12's(tho the camaro can do same).
i like the style of the new mustang better though, they're selling a GT at a ford dealer near here, its gray color, pretty badass:).
the good thing about the SS is the engine, the LS1.

[taz_rocks_miami]

Since the Mustang is only a month old as you say, then it's still under warrenty, that's a big plus should anything go wrong as opposed a used SS. I'd go for the GT.

[CdocZ]

Since the Mustang is only a month old as you say, then it's still under warrenty, that's a big plus should anything go wrong as opposed a used SS. I'd go for the GT.
good point there. make that a major deciding point, thats very important

[IBrake4Rainbows]

That's one thing i love about the american car industry: Reliability and after-sales service needs to be good.

I would go for the Mustang. It's new, so their should be a lot of parts for replacement or tuning coming on the market shortly. People gave up on the Camaro ages ago.

[crisis]

Does the Camaro run an LS1?

[fpv_gtho]

Sure does, i think its only 300hp though.

[gtface]

the camaro has a 325 hp ls1 and 350 ft/lb of torque.

[byronleehk]

Mustang GT, that's a no brainer for me. New car, nice design and as powerful (vs the SS). And the warrenty is a BIG BIG plus!

[Slicks]

I would go for the Mustang. It's new, so their should be a lot of parts for replacement or tuning coming on the market shortly. People gave up on the Camaro ages ago.
I havent seen anyone giving up on the Camaro so far... There are still new designed aftermarket parts being made.

[Slicks]

the camaro has a 325 hp ls1 and 350 ft/lb of torque.
The LS1 is underrated in the F-bodies, it makes the same amount of power the Corvette does. Its 345hp/365-370ft.lbs of torque.

[crisis]

the camaro has a 325 hp ls1 and 350 ft/lb of torque.
Well that seals it for me. Camaro baby.

[megotmea7]

Well that seals it for me. Camaro baby.
definitly, and if you wanted to modify it... LS1 will show its colors :)

[gtface]

The LS1 is underrated in the F-bodies, it makes the same amount of power the Corvette does. Its 345hp/365-370ft.lbs of torque.

I think with the slp package it might have 345 hp but the regular ss has 325. I think it is a slightly detuned ls1.

[Slicks]

I think with the slp package it might have 325 hp but the regular ss has 325. I think it is a slightly detuned ls1.
No, people have dynoed their stock Z28's and with the 15% drivetrain loss calculated 350FWHP and 370FWTQ. GM claimes their detuned so Corvette sales dont hurt.
BTW I dont think that the maro had an SLP package, but the T/A did.

[The Ferrarist]

Mustang GT!

[Cotterik]

take the mustang, for sure. There's little other things that equal to driving a legend :)

[Smokescreen]

I personally would take the SS, if you plan on keeping it for a long time, the SS will grow in value, they were made in a limited production each year, in about 5 years the mustangs will be on every corner, the SS will be rather unique.

[gtface]

looks like i will probably be getting the ss, since this guy was asking a lot more than i thought he was for the mustang. There's a guy in california selling a black 2001 ss with 15k miles for $18,500. Theres also another guy with an ss with only 6,500 miles and its selling for $21,000. The warranty seemed like a big plus but i dont think it's worth $7,000.

[Carmaniac]

I had to think for an amazingly long time of exactly 0.0001 seconds to figure this out. So here is my simple conclusion…

Camaro=good
05 Mustang=good
05 Mustang>Camaro SS ;) :D

[Slicks]

I had to think for an amazingly long time of exactly 0.0001 seconds to figure this out. So here is my simple conclusion…

Camaro=good
05 Mustang=good
05 Mustang>Camaro SS ;) :D
Camaro SS - Cheaper than stang (its used)
Camaro SS quicker than stang (1/4 13.5 compared to 13.8)
Camaro SS quicker to 100 (11.8 compared to 13.2)
Camaro SS better on gas (18/27 compared to 17/25)
Camaro SS tied Mustang GT on roadholding (.87Gs)
Mustang GT beat Camaro SS in braking(60-0) by 4ft (116ft compared to 120)

05 Mustang GT < Camaro SS ;)

[more-boost1555]

yeah the SS is a beast of a ride and probably outperforms the GT in most areas. But you know damn well the Mustang is gonna ride better, it's just a newer chassis and Camaros were never known for being particuarly comfortable. Besides it's not like the SS blows the stang away, it's marginally better in a few areas.

For fit and finish and ride quality I'd take the stang, plus you get the warranty. I suppose for all out performance and the cheaper price the SS wins. It depends on what you really want.

Oh one more thing, there is no six speed for the stang yet. It has five speed auto and manual transmissions.

[pAinTrAin]

the camaro has a 325 hp ls1 and 350 ft/lb of torque.

Omg why wouldn't you get that thing?

Chevy will out last Ford any day :D

[Slicks]

If your going to get the camaro its better have the V8
The SS only comes with a V8 :rolleyes:

[pAinTrAin]

The SS only comes with a V8 :rolleyes:

I know thats why I changed my post :o

[ZeTurbo]

Mustang GT, that's a no brainer for me. New car, nice design and as powerful (vs the SS). And the warrenty is a BIG BIG plus!
spot on. warranty, reliability and new car factor make the stang my choice. i think its does evrything better than the camaro. and the interior... wow the camaro is butt ugly inside, while mustang is clean and pretty.

big decision. make the good one.

no pressure he? lol :D

[pAinTrAin]

spot on. warranty, reliability and new car factor make the stang my choice. i think its does evrything better than the camaro. and the interior... wow the camaro is butt ugly inside, while mustang is clean and pretty.

big decision. make the good one.

no pressure he? lol :D


I hate the way people judge the cars buy there interior...That can be changed(just need to know the right people). The Camaro is 100% better the mustage will ever be. :cool:

[Slicks]

spot on. warranty, reliability and new car factor make the stang my choice. i think its does evrything better than the camaro. and the interior... wow the camaro is butt ugly inside, while mustang is clean and pretty.

big decision. make the good one.

no pressure he? lol :D
A 2001-2002 SS will most likely still have its warrenty. And whats this about reliability? How is the new mustang more reliable? BTW read my post earlier in the thread, the mustang does very few things better than the SS.