However, which is the better two?
Thing is, I admit I'm a Detroit Muscle guy. They're one of my favorite types of cars. Big and gasoline-slurping, but can't you beat that sound.
That leads me to my next point. Which do I choose?
Probably my biggest complaint about the Camaro is the fact that it completely copied the Mustang yet again. They killed it off, then they decided to bring it back once they realized there really was a market for it - just like in 1967. When I first heard the rumors all over the interwebz about another GM F-body, I was one of the few who actually wished for a 'non-retro' design. I admit the design does look quite awesome anyway, but I kinda would have wanted to see what GM's designers would have come up with if they actually, you know, designed. It wouldn't hurt to have an original, new, distinctly American/GM design for a change.
The new Mustang's refresh for 2010 definitely struck me at first, but I'm still not sure if I like it or not. It's kinda like they tried to appease the retro-design lovers, while trying to appeal to the non-retro camp. I still love it just because it's a Mustang, but I don't know if I would rank it among the, maybe top 5 Mustang designs over the years.
Still we can't judge books by their covers, right? What's the most important part? The engine!
Let's see. I'm not going to bother comparing the GT500 and it's numerous variants, and the top of the line SS, which will probably have some sort of monster LS7 engine, mostly because I believe, while awesome and spectacular and such - anyone could do a lot better with $45-50,000 than to blow it on a Pony car.
So let's stick with debating the mid-level V8's in these models, mostly because that's probably all I could afford.
For 2010, Ford has massaged additional horsepower from their tried and true 4.6 Liter 'Modular' 3V V8 engine. The 2005-2009 GT's had 300 HP and 320 lb/ft of torque, while the 2010 has 315 HP and 325 lb/ft of torque. Not a bad increase. The 2010 Mustang GT, with the aforementioned engine has a mileage return of 15 City/23 Highway with a manual transmission. The Mustang GT starts at $27,995, an increase over the last generation's price.
One thing that still disappoints me is that Ford is still pushing their lower V6 model Mustang as the base/rental-special, while keeping most of the goodies for the big bad V8. The 2010 V6 Mustang gets an anemic 210 HP and 240 lb/ft of torque. Not fun for a car with a ~3500 curb weight. What I think Ford should explore, is alternative engine options for the Mustang. Maybe to broaden the market, but I think mostly to keep the name alive. I'm not begging for a Hybrid yet, but in these times, a high-power V6 with better fuel economy is much more attractive. They tried this in the 1980's (with a turbocharged 4-cylinder model called the SVO), but the concept didn't fly - but could very well now.
Which leads me to actually consider a Camaro. If anything, GM realizes the value of that concept by not offering a lower-end and ancient base engine, but by stuffing the 3.6 Liter DI V6 with 300 HP from the Cadillac CTS. I hear it's a beast of an engine that actually returns decent numbers, given the power. It's supposed to start at $22,995 with this engine (OK, I have to see it to believe it), which is around $2000 more than the base V6 Mustang starting point.
Of course, there wasn't Hall without Oates, so of course there wouldn't be a 'real' Camaro without a V8. GM still realizes the value of giving more for less by giving us the base Corvette's 6.2 OHV V8 as the mid-spec option. This would give GM a suitable Z/28 and/or base SS to compete against Ford's Mustang GT and 'in-between' variants (like the Bullitt or the probably-cancelled Boss models). However, at $30,995, GM's last hope starts at around $2000 more than Ford.
Which to choose? I don't know. I guess it would come down to how they both drive. However, a bigger concern is the fact that, as Jalopnik.com says, were in the midst of the Carpocalypse. Ford seems to have began delivery of the 2010 Mustangs, while, as I've always complained about before - all we still see are concepts, pre-productions, drawings, and bad promotional sites. Where's the actual car? Mustang sales took a dive the past 2-3 months, but they are still selling. GM does not have a suitable car at all to compete in the same segment as the Mustang until their vapormetal Camaro comes out. I will keep saying this until the actual car does come out. Hell, the Grim Reaper is practically banging at Chrysler's door - and they were still able to bring out their overpriced and underperforming pony car, why not GM?
OK, maybe the affordable sports coupe market isn't that huge - but seriously, any sales should be looked at as good sales over at the Renaissance Center. Just need to get those cars out, Ma General.
