You choose --- 370z, Mustang 5.0, Camaro SS

[ryansride2017]

Originally Posted By: RamFan
Here is the deal, I'm selling my truck do to an extremely large shipping cost that I will not pay for so it is time to buy a new vehicle. I wish I could get a new truck but I'm willing to pay around 25k which means an MSRP sticker of 30-32k tops. I would only be able to afford a sub-par (compared to my criteria) of a truck so I've decided to buy a car. These are my three choices that if I can get a good price on I will be pulling the trigger on. They are in order of my prefernce.

1st- '10 Nissan 370z w/ Sport package
2nd- '10 Camaro SS1
3rd- '10 Mustang GT 5.0

I'm liking the Nissan the most because of its light weight good fuel efficiency and some what scarcity in my area, only seen one since I've been here. The only thing I'm not to sure about is its overheating tendancies which from what I read can be fixed by simply adding an oil cooler.

The Camaro has really caught my eye, I didn't like it when I first saw it (partly from bias, not a big chevy fan) the back end just looked ugly but it has since grown on me. The strong points for me are the camaro oriented interior and the base price amenities that come with it. The things I'm not sure about is that its a Chevy and I'm not a chevy fan, reliability mostly. Sure they've made some great vehicles but they are cheaply made so I'm not quite sure...and it is one heavy piece of vehicle.

Last is the Mustang. I've got to say that I love the Mustang, I truly do, the 5.0 is a great engine I like the exterior design and the interior design, problem is that with the base GT the interior is bland at best. So essentially I feel like I'm buying a good exterior with a powerful engine. In addition to these complaints they are just all over the place and it is getting almost annoying at how many I see everyday, but then I here one stomp on the throttle and just to hear that Mustang particular note makes my heart skip a beat.


I will be doing modifications to all of these as well they wont be stock for their entire lives. They wont be raced however I do like to jump on the trottle at stop lights on more than more than just an occasional basis and I do like to get up to speed a little quicker than most. I wouldn't say I'm a lead foot but maybe a lead toe instead. It would be for mostly around town driving with a couple of long distance trips a year.

So if you were in my situation with my budget which would you perfer and why?


Everyone keeps giving their recommendations as if price wasn't a factor. Do you really think you could get any of your choices for $25K? I don't. You should revise your list to be made up of:

1. V-6 Mustang
2. V-6 Camaro
3. Standard 370Z

 

[RamFan]

Originally Posted By: ryansride2017
Originally Posted By: RamFan
Here is the deal, I'm selling my truck do to an extremely large shipping cost that I will not pay for so it is time to buy a new vehicle. I wish I could get a new truck but I'm willing to pay around 25k which means an MSRP sticker of 30-32k tops. I would only be able to afford a sub-par (compared to my criteria) of a truck so I've decided to buy a car. These are my three choices that if I can get a good price on I will be pulling the trigger on. They are in order of my prefernce.

1st- '10 Nissan 370z w/ Sport package
2nd- '10 Camaro SS1
3rd- '10 Mustang GT 5.0

I'm liking the Nissan the most because of its light weight good fuel efficiency and some what scarcity in my area, only seen one since I've been here. The only thing I'm not to sure about is its overheating tendancies which from what I read can be fixed by simply adding an oil cooler.

The Camaro has really caught my eye, I didn't like it when I first saw it (partly from bias, not a big chevy fan) the back end just looked ugly but it has since grown on me. The strong points for me are the camaro oriented interior and the base price amenities that come with it. The things I'm not sure about is that its a Chevy and I'm not a chevy fan, reliability mostly. Sure they've made some great vehicles but they are cheaply made so I'm not quite sure...and it is one heavy piece of vehicle.

Last is the Mustang. I've got to say that I love the Mustang, I truly do, the 5.0 is a great engine I like the exterior design and the interior design, problem is that with the base GT the interior is bland at best. So essentially I feel like I'm buying a good exterior with a powerful engine. In addition to these complaints they are just all over the place and it is getting almost annoying at how many I see everyday, but then I here one stomp on the throttle and just to hear that Mustang particular note makes my heart skip a beat.


I will be doing modifications to all of these as well they wont be stock for their entire lives. They wont be raced however I do like to jump on the trottle at stop lights on more than more than just an occasional basis and I do like to get up to speed a little quicker than most. I wouldn't say I'm a lead foot but maybe a lead toe instead. It would be for mostly around town driving with a couple of long distance trips a year.

So if you were in my situation with my budget which would you perfer and why?


Everyone keeps giving their recommendations as if price wasn't a factor. Do you really think you could get any of your choices for $25K? I don't. You should revise your list to be made up of:

1. V-6 Mustang
2. V-6 Camaro
3. Standard 370Z


V6s are in consideration. Yes I can get those for 25k, I was at the Ford dealer on Sunday and they've got a 5.0 with a 31k sticker.

 

[BeanCounter]

Originally Posted By: Ben99GT

So the primitive solid axle 3820 lb '11 GT500 is quicker around VIR than every 3,300 lb IRS-equipped C6 outside of the Z06.


I support solid axles as much as the next guy who likes them, but to be fair, that was a pretty open course with some long straight stretches (i.e. simply greater power of acceleration wins here). Interesting they didn't try out a ZR1 for kicks.

I don't like foreign...well, anything really...but I'm sort of questioning the STI being SO far behind if this is really supposedly a course that displays the best handling (which I'd have to disagree). 10 seconds behind a portly Camaro? Over 13 behind a low torque M3? Ehh, I dunno...

Interesting nonetheless.

 

[ryansride2017]

I'm not sure Ford will discount a new GT $6K. I think you could get that deal with a '10 GT leftover.

 

[addyguy]

I'd go with the 370Z. Love those little Nissan's/Infinity Coupes!

 

[Ben99GT]

Originally Posted By: BeanCounter
I don't like foreign...well, anything really...but I'm sort of questioning the STI being SO far behind if this is really supposedly a course that displays the best handling (which I'd have to disagree). 10 seconds behind a portly Camaro? Over 13 behind a low torque M3? Ehh, I dunno...

Interesting nonetheless.


It's 6 seconds behind the Evo X as well, yet no significant hp/weight advantage for either.

 

[BeanCounter]

Originally Posted By: Ben99GT
Originally Posted By: BeanCounter
I don't like foreign...well, anything really...but I'm sort of questioning the STI being SO far behind if this is really supposedly a course that displays the best handling (which I'd have to disagree). 10 seconds behind a portly Camaro? Over 13 behind a low torque M3? Ehh, I dunno...

Interesting nonetheless.


It's 6 seconds behind the Evo X as well, yet no significant hp/weight advantage for either.


I suppose so.
I just think that on a much more auto-x type course, aimed at handling as much as anything else, a lot of these big motored cars wouldn't fair nearly as well. The more straight lines, the better they do, and that goes for the IRS as well.

 

[Ben99GT]

Originally Posted By: BeanCounter
I just think that on a much more auto-x type course, aimed at handling as much as anything else, a lot of these big motored cars wouldn't fair nearly as well. The more straight lines, the better they do, and that goes for the IRS as well.


The Mustang solid axle is also doing better than the Camaro IRS and as well as the BMW E92 M3 IRS in Grand Am Cup.

 

[BeanCounter]

Originally Posted By: Ben99GT

The Mustang solid axle is also doing better than the Camaro IRS and as well as the BMW E92 M3 IRS in Grand Am Cup.


Given the correct suspension setup, I think both solid and IRS can excel.
I still believe with big, wide stickies and LOADS of power that a solid rear can be built stronger for cheaper, so it's a moot point with me.
IRS has it's place though, especially if money isn't a factor (i.e. buying a new vehicle, etc. vs. building one).

 

[Trav]

Originally Posted By: BBDartCA
I would choose 2010 Challenger RT Classic.

From all the retro cars this has to be the nicest looking one by far,nice smooth lines.The hood inlets look like they belong not a stuck on afterthought.
I like this car based only on its looks,the Hemi doesn't hurt it either.It looks like an American muscle car.

 

[Bill in Utah]

Originally Posted By: Trav
Originally Posted By: BBDartCA
I would choose 2010 Challenger RT Classic.

From all the retro cars this has to be the nicest looking one by far,nice smooth lines.The hood inlets look like they belong not a stuck on afterthought.
I like this car based only on its looks,the Hemi doesn't hurt it either.It looks like an American muscle car.


I agree. But that was not on his short list.

How much do they get for one of those? NICE car (and I like the color too!)

 

[andrewg]

Originally Posted By: LS2JSTS
Originally Posted By: andrewg
370Z. Has more class in my opinion. Every guy (and his girlfriend) in town will soon have a new Mustang or Camaro. The Z is the least common of the three (although certainly not rare) and from what I've seen the interior is of a tad better appearance (not as cheap looking).


Yeah, I should have said, get the 5.0, no question. That is unless you value what other people think of you, or how you may be judged by meatheads based on what you drive.

Fortunately I'm not one of those "guys" more concerned with their image than having fun in their cars.

Oh please! That's amusing. Cars are about many things....performance, reliability, and for some, value. Image ranks right up there. Otherwise car makers wouldn't spend millions trying to create an 'image'. Nothing wrong with that. If image had nothing to do with it we would all drive ugly little cars. The OP asked for an opinion....I gave it. I used to own an '08 Mustang GT/CS. Next thing I know I see them everywhere. Malls, grocery store, work. It's always like that with 'stangs and I'm sure it will be with the new Camaro. The Z (when not tricked out) just looks more classy to me. You want to label that as pretense or snobbery? Lol...have at it.

 

[ARCOgraphite]

The Z is a chick car: the one you give to your trophy wife. I dont have the latter so I dont have the former. I do hear for 2011 the stying has be "masculinized" a bit. Too many silly circus do-dads on the 350Z.

To each his own.

 

[mechanicx]

Contrary to Top Gear's baloney, on a smooth race track a good live axle can handle and ride about as good as an IRS. On real world roads where the car is going to mostly be driven, an IRS is a big advantage. I would consider an IRS a huge selling point for the Camaro.

 

[Trav]

I think on the race track a limited slip would be more beneficial regardless of if its in a IRS or Live axle.

 

[addyguy]

Originally Posted By: ARCOgraphite
The Z is a chick car: the one you give to your trophy wife. I dont have the latter so I dont have the former. I do hear for 2011 the stying has be "masculinized" a bit. Too many silly circus do-dads on the 350Z.

To each his own.


And a Yaris is what, a MASCULINE car???

 

[addyguy]

Originally Posted By: Trav
Originally Posted By: BBDartCA
I would choose 2010 Challenger RT Classic.

From all the retro cars this has to be the nicest looking one by far,nice smooth lines.The hood inlets look like they belong not a stuck on afterthought.
I like this car based only on its looks,the Hemi doesn't hurt it either.It looks like an American muscle car.


I didn't mention this car in my original comment, as it wasn't on the option list.

But, if i had to choose anew pony car to have, it would be one of these - has to be the best retro-styled car that has come out of all of them recently.

Put one of these right next to an original, and the differences, for 40 years, are very, very few. Impressive.

 

[Ben99GT]

Originally Posted By: mechanicx
I would consider an IRS a huge selling point for the Camaro.


Even though it doesn't work as well as the Mustang's 3-link live axle?

Rear end hop out is virtually nonexistent on the newest Mustangs.

 

[Ben99GT]

Originally Posted By: addyguy
Put one of these right next to an original, and the differences, for 40 years, are very, very few. Impressive.


Clearly you've never seen the two parked together. The older Challengers are much smaller, and the new slab-sided Challenger lost one of the most distinctive Challenger styling traits, which was the tucked at the bottom and bulging at the center sides which is really one the biggest parts of the old Challenger's and Cuda's muscular appearance.

This picture doesn't highlight the old Challenger's lack of slab sides, but it shows they are alike in only superficial ways.

A couple more:

Both the Mustang and Camaro do a better job of staying true to the source. That includes more than appearance.

 

[SteveSRT8]

Originally Posted By: BeanCounter
I suppose so.
I just think that on a much more auto-x type course, aimed at handling as much as anything else, a lot of these big motored cars wouldn't fair nearly as well. The more straight lines, the better they do, and that goes for the IRS as well.


This is true. And note the new GT500 is an ALL aluminum motor which finally brought the performance in anything other than a straight line up to the other cars in it's category.

But you are totally correct in assuming that a tighter course without big straights would benefit your smaller awd cars.