Finally A VR4...Maybe

Alright here's the scoop, I just sold my SL...sort of sad, but anyways I now have a good 15k to get a new car. My choices are a 93+ VR4 or a 98-02 Camaro SS. I am pretty sure you all know about the specs of the VR4, so I'll fill in the blanks for those of you who don't know much about the SS.

It has an LS1 engine, basically the same v8 aluminum block as the corvette. This puts roughly 320hp @ 5200rpm and 345ft/lbs of torque at around 4400rpm. 0-100 in 12 seconds, does the 1/4 in 13.6 @ 106.5. The slalom goes by at around 66mph and it does the skidpad at about 0.87g. The Camaro also has a fuel economy or 18 city and 24 freeway, I beleive that this is more than the VR4 but I don't know for sure.

VR4 had 0.87 in skid pad 0-60 in 5.3 mph and a 1/4 eta of 14- sec. ar around 100mph and a slalom of 66.7mph. Both cars on paper seem pretty compairable, but what about real life? It seems as if the SS has the edge over the VR4. I found a 1994 VR4 with 80k on it for about 15k and a SS with 75k on it for around 13k, it seems as if the SS are going for cheaper around here. Is the SS a better bang for the buck.

I have always been a fan of both these cars, but I have never really had to choose between them, except for now. I know that there are many of you that have kills on LS1's, but honestly stock vs. stock which is a better car to have. You know, performance, matinence, durablity, aftermarket parts, fuel econmy, and sheer enjoyment factor. How does the SS handle compaired to the VR4 I know one is AWD and the other RWD, but the SS only wieghs 3439lbs dry while the VR4 is siad to be around 3800. Thank you for any input, and thankyou for your time and consideration.

VR4 info:
http://www.scuderiaciriani.com/rx7/magazine_articles/Motor_Trend_article01.html

SS info:
http://www.stangbangers.com/98_RoushMustangVsCamaroZ28SS_Article.htm

I had to decide the same thing, I picked the VR4 because of the extras like AWD, AWS, active areo (which is fun as hell!), and also looks and rarity. Its just more my style but I still like the Camaro a lot.

I never was a really big fan on the looks of the camaro, so I say in that aspect the VR4 wins, plus everyone and there mother has a camaro or a firebird, I personally would go with the VR4, however I'm biased.

I've raced quite a few LS1s, some have gone in my favor, but mostly I've taken the early lead, and they've come back and passed me in 3rd...now drop 4-500 on the BPU mods in my sig...and the advantage is mine again. LS1s are more common, so you will see them everyday, but they are also really nice cars and have a great aftermarket out there.
I personally would say go with the 3S unless you have aspirations of 10s or lower. 2 of my friends have TAs...one is a modded ws6, one is a modded 350, both run 12s, and the ws6 might be in the 11s by now. I have tons of respect for their cars...but I'd take mine any day. How many times do they get asked if their driving a lamborghini?

If I were you, I'd test drive both and see what you prefer.

F-Body = Easy Cheap Speed
3S = Rare Sexy Speed

Depends what you want...as far as your stats look around more i've seen specs on the stock VR4 as 4.7 sec 0-60 and 13.5 in the 1/4 (might have been the 99 though).

Grad a stelath RT/TT bout half the price do a 99 FEC and RWC. THen mod the heck out of the engine. Or if u just like the VR4 i'd say go with it cause as most ppl have said everobdy own a camaro/firebird. I've seen them my whole life i didn't see my 3KGT until 1 month ago. I'm 19 so that says somthing bout seeming them.

Grad a stelath RT/TT bout half the price do a 99 FEC and RWC. THen mod the heck out of the engine. Or if u just like the VR4 i'd say go with it cause as most ppl have said everobdy own a camaro/firebird. I've seen them my whole life i didn't see my 3KGT until 1 month ago. I'm 19 so that says somthing bout seeming them.

A VR-4 can run the 1/4 in 12.8-12.9 for around $50 worth of modding. Just get a cheap intake from ebay and a MBC (good idea to get a boost gauge at this point), and then gut your precats. Learn to drop a 1.8 60' time which is pretty easy to do if you know how to drive, and you have a 12 second car. An SS can't quite do that for that little amount of money.

In fact, my friend did it for $10. I gave him my old airfilter cause i didnt need it anymore, another friend made him a manual boost controller for free, I sold him a VDO boost gauge for $10, and he gutted his own precats for free. So $10 got him a 12 second car, and bear in mind, he did this in a 92 with 120K miles.

he aint lyin^^

They are two different animals. I have a stealth twin turbo which i feel has more style and is more fun to drive. But there is no better sound than that V8 growling. SS comaros will soon be collectables to.

Another way to look at this once u start upping the power on the camaro you will lose traction on hard take off. Where as 3SI if u wanted to u could reve to 4.5-6k and drop the clutch and go. So go with the 3SI

Sorry To bother you guys again, I haven't been able to get to the comp for a while so this is the first time I am able to read all the replies. Anyways thanks for all the info and opinions. One question I have though, is if you would autocross both cars which would come out on top. Stock vs stock and light modded vs light modded. I know the VR4 is AWD and should have more grip and what not, but I heard the camaro SS was a bith lighter and the oversteer was easier to handle in face pace circuit driving than the understeer normally seen in AWD...I haven't driven A VR4 though so I can't say for sure if it has too much understeer. I have an eclipse GSX and it grips like velcro, but it just never had the stableness, predictability, and rigidness of the SL. But that's jsut my two cents. So yeah anyways, please give me your input on what would make a better autocross car