Mustang or a Camaro?
Discussion
Hi,
I live in Germany and currently have a lovely TR6 as a toy for the weekends but am selling it as it's simply too old to enjoy fully. By that I mean I'd like take missus A for the odd long weekend to the Alps, or similar, and can't do that in the TR6 without it taking a day to get there and us both not being able to walk for a week or so afterwards.
My thinking is to get something newer, with a lot of oopmf, and that will be both fun, and reliable. I'm not looking to buy something as an investment, I'm looking to get something to enjoy. I had thought of an Aston Martin V8V but whilst a lovely looking car I don't want the worry of if it breaks it could potentially ruin me.
So I am now looking at Mustang 5.0 GT, or a Camaro SS, both full fat V8 versions, both would be around 5 years old with about 50,000km on them, so (to my eyes) still pretty new low mileage cars that should go on and on.
Any views on which would be better, things to look out for, or even alternative suggestions would be very welcome.
If Greta's watching, sorry dear.
I live in Germany and currently have a lovely TR6 as a toy for the weekends but am selling it as it's simply too old to enjoy fully. By that I mean I'd like take missus A for the odd long weekend to the Alps, or similar, and can't do that in the TR6 without it taking a day to get there and us both not being able to walk for a week or so afterwards.
My thinking is to get something newer, with a lot of oopmf, and that will be both fun, and reliable. I'm not looking to buy something as an investment, I'm looking to get something to enjoy. I had thought of an Aston Martin V8V but whilst a lovely looking car I don't want the worry of if it breaks it could potentially ruin me.
So I am now looking at Mustang 5.0 GT, or a Camaro SS, both full fat V8 versions, both would be around 5 years old with about 50,000km on them, so (to my eyes) still pretty new low mileage cars that should go on and on.
Any views on which would be better, things to look out for, or even alternative suggestions would be very welcome.
If Greta's watching, sorry dear.
Having had both, the Camaro is more 'next generation' with a lot more toys than the Mustang. Sound and performance are relatively similar. Mustang is slightly smaller overall and is not as exotic looking.
The Gen 6 Camaro is a huge improvement over the Gen 5, the Mustang is more of a development improvement.
Both are epic.
The Gen 6 Camaro is a huge improvement over the Gen 5, the Mustang is more of a development improvement.
Both are epic.
Have driven new versions of each car. Camaro interior is an improvement over Mustang (although still a bit old school Game Boy in terms of instrumentation) Current Camaro is perhaps on a par with an earlier series Corvette in terms of handling (and the better for it) and imho better than Mustang. Visibility is poor in Camaro - a bit like driving from inside a post box - probably fine if your profession is Gynacology related.
Driving position in current Camaro reminds me of my old '71 Mustang 'Breadvan' - too low to see over dashtop and front hood - too low to see too much out of side windows and 'prop' your arm - rear window is too high and too flat a angle to see where you've been (especially in rain) and hense OEM rear camera as standard. Otherwise its 100% perfect (if you like privacy) - perhaps the 'smart buy' vs the Mustang?
Hmm, I had the talking to by my kids yesterday, combined with looking at the tax figures for the V8 over here in Germany, I think I might have to go down the 3.6 V6 route. My conscience is telling me that anyway.
Are they still okay? Obviously the soundtrack of a V8 would be a million times better but other than that?
Are they still okay? Obviously the soundtrack of a V8 would be a million times better but other than that?
I have a Gen 6 Camaro and while yes, the visibility is not great, I've not found it an issue, with the exception of oblique junctions! It's got a great balance between ride and handling too - in tour mode with active dampers it's very comfortable yet stick it in sport or track and handles brilliantly well. Love the heads up display too.
I can understand not getting the V8 in Europe though, given the taxes. In the UK, it's £150 a year RFL. It's also surprisingly economical on a long trip. I recently did 1500 miles of driving over 2 weeks and averaged 28mpg (V8, 6 speed manual). If I have a heavy foot I'm sure I can see the petrol gauge move though
I can understand not getting the V8 in Europe though, given the taxes. In the UK, it's £150 a year RFL. It's also surprisingly economical on a long trip. I recently did 1500 miles of driving over 2 weeks and averaged 28mpg (V8, 6 speed manual). If I have a heavy foot I'm sure I can see the petrol gauge move though
Adenauer said:
Hmm, I had the talking to by my kids yesterday, combined with looking at the tax figures for the V8 over here in Germany, I think I might have to go down the 3.6 V6 route. My conscience is telling me that anyway.
Are they still okay?
No...in a word.Are they still okay?
The single one and only thing these have going for them is their V8's.......take that away and there is no point to them....at all.
You'll be wishing you hadn't sold the TR if you go that route.
If you want something newer, but modern classic, what about something like a late 2000's Z4M coupe...?
Adenauer said:
I hear you, really I do, and having checked the road tax here in Germany it's like the media in the UK, full of scare mongering
The difference between a 6.2 litre V8 and a 3.6 litre V6 is about 150€ per year!
Full fat it is then
The difference between a 6.2 litre V8 and a 3.6 litre V6 is about 150€ per year!
Full fat it is then
Oh, and I'd have the Mustang out of the two - but I'd still have a Challenger instead as mentioned by another poster
The Camaro has a great engine.......but the Ford looks better, and as others have said its not like driving around in a post box.
Adenauer said:
I hear you, really I do, and having checked the road tax here in Germany it's like the media in the UK, full of scare mongering
The difference between a 6.2 litre V8 and a 3.6 litre V6 is about 150€ per year!
Full fat it is then
Absolutely a must. My wife had a 2016 Camaro RS, this is the 2.0 4 pot turbo. Did nothing for me at all apart from the looks. My older 6.2 V8 SS on the other hand.......The difference between a 6.2 litre V8 and a 3.6 litre V6 is about 150€ per year!
Full fat it is then
We have also had a 2 3.6 V6 versions in the G5 series, again underwhelming.
To add my two pence
Picked up my 2017 Mustang GT in Duisburg yesterday. The 600 mls back home to Munich with a few deviations along have been the most enjoyable time spent at the wheel of any car, and I had my share...
You can find the story of a PHer, TREMAiNE, who had two, a 2015 or so and after a crash a 2018 somewhere here.
The best summary of the car I ever read, a must read before buying.
You are spoilt in a few ways: 35k gives you the option of a nice crash free EU spec car or a US one.
With US cars, check the VIN, get a carfax etc.
Beware of the differences, the only thing in favor for EU is the nicer leather, but each to its own.
For cars like this, the raison d'etre is the engine, so V8 and nothing else, preferably a manual. You regret the 4 cyl less than the V6 performance wise, the 4 pot with a few mods can show the 5.0 some tricks (it is the Focus RS engine, so tunable to the nth degree), but, you get the idea...
I had a few amurrican cars along, have torque monsters in my stable, but the coyote engine is just epic, it just goes!
I deliberately went for the pre face-lift, as the newer ones have different gear ratios, and direct injection, which seems to be not so trouble free as the coyote II, according to various sites.
The quality inside is nothing to write home about, but not so appalling as the S197, which made Fisher-Price products of the highest order. Huge interior in front, large trunk, a few gadgets, okay visibility (def better than Camaro, comparable to Challenger), great seats (stay away from the Recaros, no heat, no cooling, very hard), looks good, sounds fantastic even stock, ride is comfy, it's no precision tool, more a friendly boat, you rather sail than drive it, but in no way wallowy (you can upgrade to Porsche crushing quality, if you want) and surprisingly frugal in mixed conditions.
Best of all it's a car that doesn't take itself too seriously, even if it can deliver on all accounts. The most fun part. You navigate that huge bonnet through traffic and enjoy the noise and the sense of occasion.
It took me so long to get that message, no Porsche or Ferrari comes close, you can really use it all day long, no worries in the parking lot, what's not to like
And where do you get 450 hp with a manual for less than 35k...?
Best car decision I made in years, so GO FOR IT
Picked up my 2017 Mustang GT in Duisburg yesterday. The 600 mls back home to Munich with a few deviations along have been the most enjoyable time spent at the wheel of any car, and I had my share...
You can find the story of a PHer, TREMAiNE, who had two, a 2015 or so and after a crash a 2018 somewhere here.
The best summary of the car I ever read, a must read before buying.
You are spoilt in a few ways: 35k gives you the option of a nice crash free EU spec car or a US one.
With US cars, check the VIN, get a carfax etc.
Beware of the differences, the only thing in favor for EU is the nicer leather, but each to its own.
For cars like this, the raison d'etre is the engine, so V8 and nothing else, preferably a manual. You regret the 4 cyl less than the V6 performance wise, the 4 pot with a few mods can show the 5.0 some tricks (it is the Focus RS engine, so tunable to the nth degree), but, you get the idea...
I had a few amurrican cars along, have torque monsters in my stable, but the coyote engine is just epic, it just goes!
I deliberately went for the pre face-lift, as the newer ones have different gear ratios, and direct injection, which seems to be not so trouble free as the coyote II, according to various sites.
The quality inside is nothing to write home about, but not so appalling as the S197, which made Fisher-Price products of the highest order. Huge interior in front, large trunk, a few gadgets, okay visibility (def better than Camaro, comparable to Challenger), great seats (stay away from the Recaros, no heat, no cooling, very hard), looks good, sounds fantastic even stock, ride is comfy, it's no precision tool, more a friendly boat, you rather sail than drive it, but in no way wallowy (you can upgrade to Porsche crushing quality, if you want) and surprisingly frugal in mixed conditions.
Best of all it's a car that doesn't take itself too seriously, even if it can deliver on all accounts. The most fun part. You navigate that huge bonnet through traffic and enjoy the noise and the sense of occasion.
It took me so long to get that message, no Porsche or Ferrari comes close, you can really use it all day long, no worries in the parking lot, what's not to like
And where do you get 450 hp with a manual for less than 35k...?
Best car decision I made in years, so GO FOR IT
I was in a similar situation to you in 2018. Rightly or wrongly I didn't want the Mondeo Coupe (I know it's not!) it just looked too ordinary - don't get me wrong it is a good looking car and nice to drive but really didn't float my boat which left me to choose between a Camaro and a Challenger. As I couldn't afford the Challenger I wanted (or indeed pretty much any challenger) I bought this:
which I enjoyed for a few years. It's not as good a car as the 6th gen - but then (IMO) it looks better and is substantially cheaper. It must be emphasised that with both the Frod and Chevy rear seats are pretty much for show.
Things change and so this year I managed to, finally, get myself into a Challenger:
[url]
|https://thumbsnap.com/eJ79unRK[/url]
There's a noticeable difference to the other 2. It 'feels' (and is) bigger, more spacious inside (rear seats that won't have passengers hating you!) and a cavernous boot. That said it's not a sports car (in R/T format at least) rather a GT/Cruiser and is, imo, a nicer place to sit than either of the other 2.
All the above being said I can appreciate why any one of these may not appeal compared to one of the others - really is a matter of choice and on the criteria set by the OP I'd go Camaro
which I enjoyed for a few years. It's not as good a car as the 6th gen - but then (IMO) it looks better and is substantially cheaper. It must be emphasised that with both the Frod and Chevy rear seats are pretty much for show.
Things change and so this year I managed to, finally, get myself into a Challenger:
[url]|https://thumbsnap.com/eJ79unRK[/url]There's a noticeable difference to the other 2. It 'feels' (and is) bigger, more spacious inside (rear seats that won't have passengers hating you!) and a cavernous boot. That said it's not a sports car (in R/T format at least) rather a GT/Cruiser and is, imo, a nicer place to sit than either of the other 2.
All the above being said I can appreciate why any one of these may not appeal compared to one of the others - really is a matter of choice and on the criteria set by the OP I'd go Camaro
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