Considering a new GT

[dreamingat30fps]

Coming from strictly german cars for the past 10 or so years I am now considering switching to an american car.

I am debating between the 2016 Camaro SS and a 2016/2015 GT Premium. On the plus side of the SS I love the tech in it and I love the seats, just the right amount of bolster for my taste and great seating position. I also like the engine. The down side is I'm not a huge fan of the exterior design, visibility is none existent, feels a bit large and will probably be more $$ than the GT.

On the GT side I love the exterior design. Interior design I would say I'm 50/50 on with slight advantage to the GT over the SS. I prefer the way the GT drives a bit over the SS I find it feels lighter and I find the shifter to have a bit more feel to it than the SS. The main advantage on the GT is price. Since it's not a brand new model like the SS I can probably get a new one for around $36k and a low mile CPO for around $30k which is not an option on the SS.

One of my biggest concerns with either is reliability. I always thought the german cars were the worst, but from the ratings I have seen it seems ford and chevy may actually be below then in the reliability ranks.

So anyways I would appreciate any thoughts you guys may have that might help me make a decision. thanks

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[Pnasty]

I've owned BMW, Mercedes, Ford cars and trucks, as well as chevy trucks. I can tell you ALL of my fords and chevys were/are 10x more reliable than my BMW or Mercedes and I drive my cars hard daily. Not to mention if anything does go wrong its literally 5 times cheaper to fix.

As far as Mustang Vs. Camaro, I personally prefer the mustang in every way(of this gen.) especially with my california special, and I have no brand loyalty.

 

[highvoltage]

Well i just got a new Mustang GT with performance package. I love it. I wanted a Mustang since i was 10. I have had 4 F150s and currently have a 2015. Thats 5 total i have owned. Minor issues nothing that couldnt be handled easily and nothing i saw as out of the ordinary for any car manufacturer to experience. I havent owned any german cars. But Ford IMO has come leaps and bounds in the 2000's. only thing i like about the new Camaro is the Engine. I wouldnt own a Chevy unless it was a Corvette or an old school Camaro.

 

[VertMustang98GT]

If you're worried about reliability then you'll be fine with any Ford product. The only knock I've ever heard of and experienced is Sync. It can be finicky at times.

Reliability is what Ford hangs their hat on barring a major drive train issue which would be covered under 3/36,000 or 5/60,0000.

I've owned Ford's my whole life and the worst things that has happened to my 10+ vehicles is my plastic intake manifold cracked on my 98 GT (known issue back in the day).

You will not be disappointed with reliability and also maintenance cost is going to MUCH less than any German vehicle.

 

[ATLalien]

Between the Camaro and the Mustang, it seems you have an idea of the key differences, the Camaro is quicker by a few tenths if that matters.

On reliability, if you look at this forum, you can tell you might have some minor issues. Many are unsatisfied with the panel gaps/alignment from the factory, some have had loose leather on the seats, rear window alignment issues, etc. I had all 3 of those and all were fixed by the dealer at no charge. Those are all pretty minor, but I wouldn't imagine those types of fit/finish issues are too common for the German imports. It does seem that the 16's may have improved over the 15's here.

But I think the major components, which are to me engine & drivetrain, are solid. This is my 4th mustang and none of them had any major issues in this area. Some have reported problems with the 6speed manual of course, but both my 2012 and 15 with this gearbox have been fine.

In short, you may have some initial fit & finish issues, but I think the long term outlook is good on the major components.

 

[Nick71692]

If you came from the germans go with the mustang. I came from a string of Audi and BMWs and what you get spoiled with how well they put together the interiors...you wont realize what you have until its gone and I can tell you, the Camaro interior is terrible. The mustang, even if it is slightly slower on a magazine page is a better place to spend your time.

 

[TruBlue16]

If you're worried about reliability then you'll be fine with any Ford product. The only knock I've ever heard of and experienced is Sync. It can be finicky at times.

Reliability is what Ford hangs their hat on barring a major drive train issue which would be covered under 3/36,000 or 5/60,0000.

I've owned Ford's my whole life and the worst things that has happened to my 10+ vehicles is my plastic intake manifold cracked on my 98 GT (known issue back in the day).

You will not be disappointed with reliability and also maintenance cost is going to MUCH less than any German vehicle.

Yeap the main knock on Ford reliability for the past 5-6 years has been because of Sync not mechanical issue. The SYNC 3 system that comes in the newer cars is fast and solid though so you have nothing to worry about. Get the stang, that camaro is just not attractive like you mentioned. Why would you ever buy a car that you are not happy with the exterior styling?

 

[VertMustang98GT]

Yeap the main knock on Ford reliability for the past 5-6 years has been because of Sync not mechanical issue. The SYNC 3 system that comes in the newer cars is fast and solid though so you have nothing to worry about. Get the stang, that camaro is just not attractive like you mentioned. Why would you ever buy a car that you are not happy with the exterior styling?

This x's 1000...

 

[paul123]

... The down side is I'm not a huge fan of the exterior design, visibility is none existent, feels a bit large and will probably be more $$ than the GT.

for me poor visibility was a show stopper. No matter how nice the 6.2L V8. Way too much traffic in my area to be hassling with large blind spots. Then again, there are a number of Camaros around here, so some people don't mind.

I was also price sensitive and wanted my car closer to 30k than 40k.

I cannot comment on reliability, other than they are relatively cheap to repair so if you keep one past warranty its not a big deal. Some people load engine tunes, superchargers, and other aftermarket parts, and drive them hard, so its not an apples to apples comparison to your average grocery getter.

 

[bluebeastsrt]

Both are nice reliable cars. I have owned a 5th gen Camaro and the 6th gen. Mustang. I drag raced both often. Both cars laughed at the beating and said bring it on. If you want to see out of the car. Get the Mustang. If you want to brag that magazine drivers are a few 10ths faster, get the Camaro.

 

[activeGT]

I have had Fords for years. Never an issue except my diesel with exhaust gas sensor issues.

As far as the GT vs. SS. I was actively shopping due to the new engine and face lift. Then I test drove one. Not bad but horrible feel for where the car is on the road and around others. Funny though, the guys on the Camaro Gen 6 board are grateful for the BSIL on the Camaros since they can't see shit!

I like the Premium interior and dash layout on the GT better as well.

 

[volinbham]

I came from a long line of German cars and agree with most of what's been said here. The Mustang doesn't have the refinement. However, this is a fun car for me and I'll say that it the rough around the edges part is part of the experience.

Also, I felt the car was big and heavy at first but now I'm used to it and the the suspension of the PP I really don't feel the size/weight anymore. My 3 series (no sports package) feels more sloppy on the road now that I'm used to the balance of the Mustang.

I can tell you that compared to my former S4 there is a big difference. The S4 was fast as hell and handled great but it was so refined that I had to be going crazy fast to feel the excitement of the car. With the Mustang, I can feel it more frequently

 

[timd38]

I can afford to buy German car, but I can't afford to own one. Sold the Porsche and replaced it with a Corvette, just sold the Acura and am replacing it with a Mustang as it arrives.

 

[Chameleon]

Coming from strictly german cars for the past 10 or so years I am now considering switching to an american car.

I am debating between the 2016 Camaro SS and a 2016/2015 GT Premium. On the plus side of the SS I love the tech in it and I love the seats, just the right amount of bolster for my taste and great seating position. I also like the engine. The down side is I'm not a huge fan of the exterior design, visibility is none existent, feels a bit large and will probably be more $$ than the GT.

On the GT side I love the exterior design. Interior design I would say I'm 50/50 on with slight advantage to the GT over the SS. I prefer the way the GT drives a bit over the SS I find it feels lighter and I find the shifter to have a bit more feel to it than the SS. The main advantage on the GT is price. Since it's not a brand new model like the SS I can probably get a new one for around $36k and a low mile CPO for around $30k which is not an option on the SS.

One of my biggest concerns with either is reliability. I always thought the german cars were the worst, but from the ratings I have seen it seems ford and chevy may actually be below then in the reliability ranks.

So anyways I would appreciate any thoughts you guys may have that might help me make a decision. thanks

Based on what you are saying go with the GT. The percentage of mis aligned cars and issues are small compared to the overall buyers experience vs a forum.

 

[dreamingat30fps]

Why would you ever buy a car that you are not happy with the exterior styling?

I don't hate it but I don't love it either. Honestly at first my biggest issue with the Mustang was the interior I disliked it more than I disliked the Camaros exterior lol.

However when I actual went and sat in it in person it changed my mind. I still don't like the way it looks in pictures but some how to me it seems a lot different in person. I do love the exterior though, however I spend all if the time inside.

Thanks for the great feedback thus far. I'm glad to hear there don't seem to be too many mechanical issues. The price is a big factor for me also I really would like to stay in the 30k range and that's not going to happen with the SS since I would want a 2SS.

Honestly I'm hoping by the time I decide to get rid of the GT/SS prices of the used C7s will have dropped and I can pick up one of those.

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