"Jayhawk Jake" (jayhawkjake)
01/18/2016 at 17:55 • Filed to: None
5
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"Jayhawk Jake" (jayhawkjake)
01/18/2016 at 17:55 • Filed to: None | 5
| 16 |
I was fortunate enough to have the day off work, so I decided to go test drive a couple cars. Namely the Camaro SS and Mustang GT.
I’d like to replace my Sonic with something more naturally sporty this year, and while I’ve considered a new Camaro with the Turbo or V6, lately I’ve been giving more thought to sacrificing handling for V8 noise and power. Previous generation Camaros and Mustangs can be had for under $25,000, so I’m intrigued.
I went out to a dealer with a Camaro on their lot: 2011 2SS with 18,000 miles on it. Manual of course. It happened to be parked next to a 2014 Mustang GT, also with a manual, so I had a great opportunity for an immediate back to back drive.
The Camaro was first. Upon sitting down in the Camaro I made a few observations:
The windshield is hilariously small. It’s kinda adorable.
The seats are stupid comfortable. Supportive? Eh, not really. They feel very similar to my seats in that they hug you a bit but will totally give way under cornering
The gauge cluster is big and really easy to read, and the HUD is awesome.
The steering wheel sucks. I could get used to it, but the 9-3 spokes are so tall
We set out on the road and a few more things became quickly apparent. LS motors sound amazing . This had the stock exhaust, and it sounded so good. Deep rumble, growling revs. I was in love with the motor immediately. Wichita has no curvy roads so I couldn’t exactly throw it at corners but the steering felt responsive. The ride was surprisingly comfortable and the road noise was surprisingly quiet, which will be important later. Power was great, plenty of torque anywhere but if you’ve driven anything with an LS you know what your getting. I really liked the way this thing drove. It didn’t really fill as big as it is and felt really good to drive, and the motor was so sweet.
But what about the visibility, you ask? Honestly, it’s not that bad. Sonic it is not, but despite the windows being small I frankly didn’t feel like it was hard to see out of. Front and side was fine, back and over the shoulder was a joke. With the mirrors adjusted properly I never really felt like I was constricted. The cabin is a bit dark, especially compared to the Mustang, but for all the jokes and complaints I just didn’t feel like it was nearly as bad as people act like it is.
We got back in the Camaro and switched to the mustang. Just as with the Camaro, I had a few initial impressions:
The cabin feels airy compared to the Camaro. This is where I think the visibility comparisons fail to capture the reality. Was the Mustang easier to operate because of the bigger windows? No, but it felt more open than the Camaro.
The seats are terrible. On their own I’m sure they’re fine, but back to back with the Camaro they suck. These were leather but not recaros. No bolstering and it felt like sitting on a plank. The salesman agreed with me, in fact I stated to him that I didn’t like the seats and then he made the plank observation on his own.
The gauge cluster is a bit hard to read. Like the seats I don’t know that I would have made this observation without the immediate back-to-back comparision
Car makers, for the love of god stop putting metal on steering wheels and shifters. The 9-3 spokes of the Mustang had metal bits and the shifter was a metal knob. That shit gets really cold when it’s below freezing! Otherwise I vastly preferred the Mustang’s steering wheel.
Setting off in the Mustang I immediately observed that the Camaro sounded better. This one even had an aftermarket exhaust. The Coyote motor just sounds tinnier than the LS. It doesn’t sound bad, but I preferred the Camaro. Down low the Mustang didn’t quite match the Camaro’s grunt. And the road noise? Awful. Just awful. Again the salesman confirmed the observation and said, as I did, that back to back the Mustang made significantly more road noise.
How did it feel compared to the Camaro? I’m not sure I have the words to describe it. The Mustang just feels like a car. It didn’t really feel special. Maybe that’s just my subconscious bias, but driving the Mustang just felt like driving any other car down the road while the Camaro felt like driving a sports car. The Camaro just felt better. Is the Mustang nicer inside? Yeah, absolutely. The Camaro isn’t bad but it’s a bit bland, the Mustang felt more refined. But the Camaro felt better to drive, and overall was a better experience.
I had a moment of wanting to buy the Camaro on the spot, but it’s the first one I looked at. Who knows, I might go back next week and buy it if it’s still there, but it was silver and I’d rather not get a silver one. I also think I’d rather have a newer one, with the better (IMO) steering wheel and a little more mileage for the same money. After today I’m fairly confident a Camaro SS is in my future.
Vítor
> Jayhawk Jake
01/18/2016 at 18:36 |
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What else are you considering? Challenger/Charger, maybe something European/Japanese?
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Jayhawk Jake
> Vítor
01/18/2016 at 18:40 |
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Challenger is too big. Europeans and Japanese don't really have anything that interests me. I'd rather have a V8 than a V6 in like a 370Z or Genesis Coupe. European competitors are too expensive, even used. For my price range a Mercedes C class or Audi S-something would be older than a Camaro or Mustang
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Vítor
> Jayhawk Jake
01/18/2016 at 18:46 |
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Understood. What about a older Corvette? I think you can get a early C6 in the 25-30 thousands dollars range
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Vítor
> Vítor
01/18/2016 at 18:53 |
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Yep, early 2008-09 Corvette are sure on that price range. I don’t know what city you so I did a search nationwide (I’m very bored right now)and found some nice ones with reasonable miles at CarMax
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Jayhawk Jake
> Vítor
01/18/2016 at 19:49 |
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Corvettes are not great daily drivers
Danimalk - Drives a Slow Car Fast
> Jayhawk Jake
01/18/2016 at 20:11 |
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Not gonna wait for the 6th gen, huh?
Don’t blame you as deals on the 5th are going to get better and better as they roll out the next model.
My uncle had a friend that did a similar back to back test drive last year and he described the Camaro experience as if it felt like driving a concept car while the Mustang made him feel like he was driving a Fusion coupe. Seems like a similar “less special” description as yours above.
They’ll both walk away from an M car, so win/win in my book haha
Saracen
> Jayhawk Jake
01/18/2016 at 20:43 |
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Why wouldn’t a C6 Vette be as good as a DD as a 2011 Camaro SS?
Visibility is superior, handling is superior, it can get ridiculous highway mileage, ride comfort is acceptable unless it’s a Z07 package. It’s also arguable that the Corvette has superior practicality, because while it doesn’t have rear seats it has a mmmmmuch more useful trunk.
jdrgoat - Ponticrack?
> Jayhawk Jake
01/18/2016 at 20:49 |
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Depends on what kind of driving you do every day. Corvettes do plenty fine at most daily driving activities.
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Jayhawk Jake
> Saracen
01/18/2016 at 20:55 |
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Corvette is very low and more expensive to buy and own. A Camaro can at least attempt winter driving, a Corvette will turn into a snow plow
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Jayhawk Jake
> Danimalk - Drives a Slow Car Fast
01/18/2016 at 20:58 |
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I’m looking at options. I’d still like to wait and see what the turbo 6th gen is like, but a V8 would be awesome. I didn’t get as much of a tax refund as I was hoping so a V6 Camaro would really be stretching the budget.
Only time will tell if I do anything. I know I owe too much on my Sonic so I haven’t really gotten up the nerve to actually start the buying process, just looking and thinking at this point
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Saracen
> Jayhawk Jake
01/18/2016 at 21:03 |
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If you’re worried about winter driving, I wouldn’t look at either car. The ‘vette has the same powertrain, only thing more expensive about ownership would be tires and brake pads. You can buy a C6 Vette for $25k, and it will suffer less depreciation than a $25k Camaro.
TrickJos
> Jayhawk Jake
01/18/2016 at 22:03 |
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2012 and up Camaros have a different steering wheel and some leather on the dash. Makes it look significantly better inside. There were some suspension tweaks in 2012 (maybe 2011?) to sharpen the handling a little bit. 2013 and up have the MyLink system, which looks like a slapped on afterthought in my opinion. So, 2012 is the sweet spot for the 5th gen Camaro if you ask me. I’m slightly biased though. Some came with a Hurst shifter from the factory. Look for the little logo on the side of the shifter knob.
The seats are VERY comfy, as you noticed. I drove 800 miles in a single day once with absolutely no problems. It is an excellent road trip car for two people.
The stock exhaust is too quiet if you ask me. I’m looking at adding a Corsa exhaust system this spring. Can’t wait for that!
They aren’t perfect cars but they’re a whole lot of fun. You should definitely get one.
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Jayhawk Jake
> TrickJos
01/18/2016 at 23:04 |
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2012 would be ideal. Is the shifter a different shape? The shifter in the 2011 was awkward. Looks like it can be changed but still.
Aftermarket exhaust would be on my list for sure. It sounds really good stock but I agree it’s too quiet.
Do you know if there's any precedent for replacing the stock radio with a double din unit? I've had a touchscreen system in my car for 5 years, I'm a bit spoiled and would love to stick a Car Play unit in whatever I buy
TheD0k_2many toys 2little time
> Jayhawk Jake
01/19/2016 at 00:30 |
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Chevy Camaro: Official car of "I want my car to sound just like my truck dammit!"
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TrickJos
> Jayhawk Jake
01/19/2016 at 06:00 |
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The Hurst shifter is the same shape. I grew to like it eventually. It’s a popular modification to swap it out for a shift knob from a ZL1 which is a different shape.
People do swap out the head unit for double din touch screens. Last time I checked all the installation kits were pretty awful looking though. I strongly prefer a stock appearance inside and out for my cars, so I suppose that depends on your preference.
SL
> Jayhawk Jake
01/08/2018 at 23:01 |
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Drove a 14 2SS and 14 GT. I bought the GT. Faster, and sounds way better ( not sure what you’re on about, Mustang 4 valves sound great). I came from an LS3 by the way so no bias here.