You choose --- 370z, Mustang 5.0, Camaro SS

[RamFan]

Here is the deal, I'm selling my truck do to an extremely large shipping cost that I will not pay for so it is time to buy a new vehicle. I wish I could get a new truck but I'm willing to pay around 25k which means an MSRP sticker of 30-32k tops. I would only be able to afford a sub-par (compared to my criteria) of a truck so I've decided to buy a car. These are my three choices that if I can get a good price on I will be pulling the trigger on. They are in order of my prefernce.

1st- '10 Nissan 370z w/ Sport package
2nd- '10 Camaro SS1
3rd- '10 Mustang GT 5.0

I'm liking the Nissan the most because of its light weight good fuel efficiency and some what scarcity in my area, only seen one since I've been here. The only thing I'm not to sure about is its overheating tendancies which from what I read can be fixed by simply adding an oil cooler.

The Camaro has really caught my eye, I didn't like it when I first saw it (partly from bias, not a big chevy fan) the back end just looked ugly but it has since grown on me. The strong points for me are the camaro oriented interior and the base price amenities that come with it. The things I'm not sure about is that its a Chevy and I'm not a chevy fan, reliability mostly. Sure they've made some great vehicles but they are cheaply made so I'm not quite sure...and it is one heavy piece of vehicle.

Last is the Mustang. I've got to say that I love the Mustang, I truly do, the 5.0 is a great engine I like the exterior design and the interior design, problem is that with the base GT the interior is bland at best. So essentially I feel like I'm buying a good exterior with a powerful engine. In addition to these complaints they are just all over the place and it is getting almost annoying at how many I see everyday, but then I here one stomp on the throttle and just to hear that Mustang particular note makes my heart skip a beat.


I will be doing modifications to all of these as well they wont be stock for their entire lives. They wont be raced however I do like to jump on the trottle at stop lights on more than more than just an occasional basis and I do like to get up to speed a little quicker than most. I wouldn't say I'm a lead foot but maybe a lead toe instead. It would be for mostly around town driving with a couple of long distance trips a year.

So if you were in my situation with my budget which would you perfer and why?

 

[aquariuscsm]

370Z all the way!

 

[saberz]

As much as I love the Camaro, i'd pass on all 3 of them. I'd want something unique, or not as "common". I see 370Z, Stangs, and Camaro's all over the place in NJ. Heck even the Challenger is very pronounced here(nice that the economy is working out for them).


But as for you, I'd seriously stick with the Ford Mustang. Great power, excellent room and no qualms in reliability. The VQ motor in the Z series needs to be spoon fed an oil type to help quite down its noisy engine(correct me if I am wrong).

The sheer amount of options on the Mustang is staggering and you can almost "build" your own with that.

 

[hypervish]

Originally Posted By: aquariuscsm
370Z all the way!

x2. Go with the Nissan.

 

[Ben99GT]

The '11 Mustang GT gets better highway mileage than either the 370Z or the Camaro, is quicker than either, and takes to basic bolt-ons better than either.

The '10+ Mustang interior is also a lot better than the Camaros IMO, though I agree the base Mustang's black dash is a tad bland. But IMO, bland beats out the caricature that is the Camaro's dash. Get the interior upgrade package in the Mustang and it's no contest.

The 370Z was on par with the 2010 GT acceleration wise, which means it's in '11 V6's league and not the '11 GT's.

 

[Steve S]

The Mustang is a far better all around car than the Camaro. Why with all that has happened would you $upport a company like G.M. . The Nissan is a nice car I Pesonally wouldn't by one . They are nice but I just never had good vibes? from any Nissan I have ever been in. That is just me.

 

[AlienBug]

370z. Where I live, roads sometimes curve. Also, having driven a 2000 Maxima since new, I feel no car company makes a V6 like Nissan.

 

[Ben99GT]

Originally Posted By: AlienBug
370z. Where I live, roads sometimes curve. Also, having driven a 2000 Maxima since new, I feel no car company makes a V6 like Nissan.


Good thing the '11 Mustang GT loves curves.



I believe the Ford Cyclone V6 (3.5, 3.7, 3.5 EcoBoost) has eclipsed the Nissan VQ.

 

[SteveSRT8]

The mustang may be a far better car IN YOUR OPINION, but the Camaro is comparable in all areas of the performance envelope. Both the SS Camaro and the Stang trap out almost identically in stock form (110-111 mph). With fancy options they are both unlikely to meet your price target.

It could be argued that the Camaro has more content with a true fully independent rear end, etc. And in no way does the LS series of motors lack in easy mod-ability and outrageous performance potential.

The look is for you to decide.

The 370z isn't even in the same zip code.

 

[cryption]

I like the Nissan based on looks and interior comfort.

I like the Mustang because it's a Ford

IMO the Camaro is *****.

 

[beechcraftted]

The ease of getting in (and out )of the 370z is MUCH more difficult than either the Mustang or Camaro. I banged my knee every time on a test drive. I didn't think the 370z ergos were great.

Plus I'll take the V-8 torque any time.

 

[Ben99GT]

Originally Posted By: SteveSRT8
The mustang may be a far better car IN YOUR OPINION, but the Camaro is comparable in all areas of the performance envelope. Both the SS Camaro and the Stang trap out almost identically in stock form (110-111 mph).


Owner driven '11 GTs have gone 112-114 mph completely stock, the absolute quickest/fastest owner driven '10 Camaro SS trapped 111 stock. There is a very real gap between the two.

The Mustang not only weighs ~250 lbs less, but it puts 10-15 rwhp more to the ground stock for stock.





Quote:
It could be argued that the Camaro has more content with a true fully independent rear end, etc.


Does it really matter if the IRS-equipped Camaro doesn't handle as well as the Mustang?

 

[andrewg]

370Z. Has more class in my opinion. Every guy (and his girlfriend) in town will soon have a new Mustang or Camaro. The Z is the least common of the three (although certainly not rare) and from what I've seen the interior is of a tad better appearance (not as cheap looking).

 

[LS2JSTS]

5.0 no question. I like the Z more than the Camaro, and it does handle very well. But in the end I'd get the 5.0, no doubt in my mind.

 

[LS2JSTS]

Originally Posted By: andrewg
370Z. Has more class in my opinion. Every guy (and his girlfriend) in town will soon have a new Mustang or Camaro. The Z is the least common of the three (although certainly not rare) and from what I've seen the interior is of a tad better appearance (not as cheap looking).


Yeah, I should have said, get the 5.0, no question. That is unless you value what other people think of you, or how you may be judged by meatheads based on what you drive.

Fortunately I'm not one of those "guys" more concerned with their image than having fun in their cars.

 

[BeanCounter]

I thought we are talking 2010 models, as mentioned by the OP?
That rules out the '11 GT, meaning the Camaro SS and 370Z would have much better performance for the specified years.
Feel free to correct me if I am wrong.

 

[mcrn]

I have not priced the Nissan in a long time but couldn't you get some interior upgrades on the Mustang and still be under the price of the Nissan?

 

[Ben99GT]

Originally Posted By: BeanCounter
I thought we are talking 2010 models, as mentioned by the OP?
That rules out the '11 GT, meaning the Camaro SS and 370Z would have much better performance for the specified years.
Feel free to correct me if I am wrong.


I assumed it was a typo because he wrote Mustang GT 5.0, the '10 Mustang GT had the 4.6 3V. The 4.6 3V still runs neck-and-neck with the 370Z.

 

[RamFan]

Originally Posted By: mcrn
I have not priced the Nissan in a long time but couldn't you get some interior upgrades on the Mustang and still be under the price of the Nissan?


I priced a 370z with the sport package online at it came to a little over 32k whereas the Mustang was right under 32k with the 3.73 gears, if I added anything more then that it goes abote the 370z price.

And yes I was refering to 2010 models the mistake was on my end though I put 2010 5.0 however the 5.0 is technically only in 2011 models. So it should read '10 370z, '10 camaro, and '11 mustang. My mistake.

 

[JHZR2]

I'd rather have a small car with small interior dimensions than a big car with small interior dimensions... Thus I bought a 135i. Likely makes as much torque off idle (not peak though) as the stang or camaro.

Good handling, nice exhaust sound, etc. Even can do 30MPG.

The Nissan and camaro IMO are just too ugly to bring home (my taste, YMMV). I'd take a mustang, but having them as rentals, they are just too boatish.