HoosierDaddy
Well-Known Member
- Thread starter
- #1
I am going to order a GT or SS and test drove each for a second time today.
Bear with me for a minute..... I ordered a 2013 Cadillac ATS manual trans turbo because I wanted what I consider the best platform in existence in the <$100k range and the Cadillac ATS was the only game in town. I normally wouldn't care about the luxury features so normally wouldn't shop a Cadillac. And it has lived up to my expectation. Much better handling than my Performance Package 2011 or any 5th gen Brembo package I've driven. But then its a LOT stiffer has 50/50 weight distribution and a relatively light 3400 lbs so no surprise there. I mention that because the 6th gen Camaro is also an Alpha and I knew it MIGHT eclipse the S550 PP handling.
Wrong! It seems its not a true Alpha but an Alpha+ like in the latest CTS. I was very disappointed how badly compromised the Alpha is when stretched for the bigger CTS. Incredibly, the Camaro has all the handling deficits the CTS does (compared to the ATS).
So I expected the Camaro to out-handle the S550 and the choice coming down to: do the areas where the Mustang excels (I knew of several going in) offset that. But the Camaro didn't even handle as well on the street as the S550 so the Mustang wins pretty easily.
I did expect the Mustang to have a BIGGER advantage on price than it did because all I've heard is that dealers aren't discounting the SSs much yet. But the dealer I went to offered me a 2SS for ~$4000 under MSRP ordered or off the lot with no extra charges or dumb fees. It was the Sales manager I was dealing with and he claims that was his cost and all he would get is the hold-back.
The Camaro interior was as fugly as the first time I saw one and all the internet pictures. Of course that's just personal preference. Mustang wins that hands down in my book although I really wish you could get a non black interior in the Mustang or the Camaro. Not a fan of just a few dabs of color here or there. One of the best things about the Cadillac is there isn't any BLACK in the interior except the piano black stack surround and the gauge background. Much less claustrophobic. The Mustang is a slightly bigger car than the ATS but it seems a LOT smaller inside with black dash, doors, pillars, headliner, etc, etc closing in on you.
The Camaro has worse rear visibility as everyone knows but its not enough to count for much. I didn't take any points off for it.
The exhaust on the PP sounded better to me than the SS. I didn't try an SS with the switchable exhaust but wouldn't order it so no point.
Shoot me but I like the looks of the Camaro from the side a little better than the Mustang. But the front and back are big turnoffs, not that the front of the Mustang should win many awards - its still a LOT better than the SS.
Again personal preference but I think the Mustang has more interesting colors not to mention more colors.
Supposedly, SS is quicker but since I don't drag race, I just care about how quick it feels. So if its the gearing, the angle of the seat backs or whatever, the Mustang PP feels as quick as the SS I drove.
I'd rather spend time in the Mustang than a new SS so that's what I am ordering (MT, 401, Competition Orange, PP (silver PP wheels, premier leather, Adaptive Cruise, etc.). Going with the dealer that will shave the 5.0s for free or the least cost. I'm not trading in and they can't play with the price since its an A-Plan so perks like the shaving is all I can ask.
Interestingly a saleswoman that seemed more on top of things than any I've dealt with in quite a few years, thinks its worth talking to some contact she has in Ford to see if they can slap non-GT fenders (no badge alignment holes) on my order. I used to do stuff like that all the time when I ordered cars back in the 70-80s but will be surprised if she can pull that off these days.
Bear with me for a minute..... I ordered a 2013 Cadillac ATS manual trans turbo because I wanted what I consider the best platform in existence in the <$100k range and the Cadillac ATS was the only game in town. I normally wouldn't care about the luxury features so normally wouldn't shop a Cadillac. And it has lived up to my expectation. Much better handling than my Performance Package 2011 or any 5th gen Brembo package I've driven. But then its a LOT stiffer has 50/50 weight distribution and a relatively light 3400 lbs so no surprise there. I mention that because the 6th gen Camaro is also an Alpha and I knew it MIGHT eclipse the S550 PP handling.
Wrong! It seems its not a true Alpha but an Alpha+ like in the latest CTS. I was very disappointed how badly compromised the Alpha is when stretched for the bigger CTS. Incredibly, the Camaro has all the handling deficits the CTS does (compared to the ATS).
So I expected the Camaro to out-handle the S550 and the choice coming down to: do the areas where the Mustang excels (I knew of several going in) offset that. But the Camaro didn't even handle as well on the street as the S550 so the Mustang wins pretty easily.
I did expect the Mustang to have a BIGGER advantage on price than it did because all I've heard is that dealers aren't discounting the SSs much yet. But the dealer I went to offered me a 2SS for ~$4000 under MSRP ordered or off the lot with no extra charges or dumb fees. It was the Sales manager I was dealing with and he claims that was his cost and all he would get is the hold-back.
The Camaro interior was as fugly as the first time I saw one and all the internet pictures. Of course that's just personal preference. Mustang wins that hands down in my book although I really wish you could get a non black interior in the Mustang or the Camaro. Not a fan of just a few dabs of color here or there. One of the best things about the Cadillac is there isn't any BLACK in the interior except the piano black stack surround and the gauge background. Much less claustrophobic. The Mustang is a slightly bigger car than the ATS but it seems a LOT smaller inside with black dash, doors, pillars, headliner, etc, etc closing in on you.
The Camaro has worse rear visibility as everyone knows but its not enough to count for much. I didn't take any points off for it.
The exhaust on the PP sounded better to me than the SS. I didn't try an SS with the switchable exhaust but wouldn't order it so no point.
Shoot me but I like the looks of the Camaro from the side a little better than the Mustang. But the front and back are big turnoffs, not that the front of the Mustang should win many awards - its still a LOT better than the SS.
Again personal preference but I think the Mustang has more interesting colors not to mention more colors.
Supposedly, SS is quicker but since I don't drag race, I just care about how quick it feels. So if its the gearing, the angle of the seat backs or whatever, the Mustang PP feels as quick as the SS I drove.
I'd rather spend time in the Mustang than a new SS so that's what I am ordering (MT, 401, Competition Orange, PP (silver PP wheels, premier leather, Adaptive Cruise, etc.). Going with the dealer that will shave the 5.0s for free or the least cost. I'm not trading in and they can't play with the price since its an A-Plan so perks like the shaving is all I can ask.
Interestingly a saleswoman that seemed more on top of things than any I've dealt with in quite a few years, thinks its worth talking to some contact she has in Ford to see if they can slap non-GT fenders (no badge alignment holes) on my order. I used to do stuff like that all the time when I ordered cars back in the 70-80s but will be surprised if she can pull that off these days.
Sponsored
