97 Mustang Cobra v.s. 97 Camaro SS

[illegal_eagle187]

1997 Ford Mustang Cobra:

Curb Weight:3404 lbs.
0-60: 5.8 seconds
1/4: 14.0
4.6 Liter V8
HP:305@5800 rpms
TQ:300@4800 rpms
Top Speed: 152 mph



1997 Chevrolet Camaro SS:

Curb Weight:3375
0-60: 5.4
1/4: 13.8
5.7 Liter V8
HP: 310@5200 rpms
Top Speed: 155 mph
TQ: 335@2400 rpms

Comparison: (personal preference)

acceleration: camaro
comfort: mustang
bang for the buck: camaro
looks: mustang
overall: camaro

[kman10587]

Acceleration: Camaro, just because it makes its power at a lower RPM. They are about the same time-wise.

Comfort: I actually feel a lot more comfortable in the cockpit of the Camaro. The clutch/shifter action is better, too. The visibility sucks, but oh well.

Bang for the buck: Camaro. I believe the Camaro SS was a bit cheaper than the SVT Cobra in '97, and I think it offers a little more bang overall.

Looks: I don't really like either one compared to their newer versions (Mustang in '99, Camaro in '98). It's about a tie.

Overall: Camaro. More "muscle car" feeling from the pushrod engine, better transmission, better seats, better gas mileage (especially on the highway), lower price, slightly better handling...the Mustang sold a lot better, though, because unlike me, most people find the Mustang a lot more comfortable.

[MclarenF1]

Well, can't really argue with your take between these two very fine cars. I'm not loyal to one brand or the other (I firmly believe brand loyalty is for suckers), so I just call it as I see it. The Camaro was the better handler, better straight line sprinter, and had reliability ratings equal to the Mustang (although that's not saying much). Still- the Mustang kicked the Comaro's ass in terms of showroom sales.

To this day, I'll never understand exactly why.

P.S. I am a HUGE fan of the new Mustang GT. I do wish Chevrolet would get off it's sorry ass and come back with a new muscle car of their own, though.

[MclarenF1]

Your post went up just a second before mine, Kman. My sentiments exactly.

[kman10587]

Still- the Mustang kicked the Comaro's ass in terms of showroom sales.

To this day, I'll never understand exactly why.

Well, there's more to the Mustang V8 line-up than the SVT Cobra. The regular old Mustang GT was noticeably cheaper than the Camaro Z28/Camaro SS. It definitely lost out in terms of performance, but it was, to most people, more comfortable and more civilized. It's not that the Camaro Z28/SS was a worse car, it's just that it appealed to a different, smaller group of people.

[MclarenF1]

Yes, when I wrote about my inability to understand why Camaro sales lagged, I forgot about the substantial price difference bewteen the base Z28 and base GT. If I recall correctly, a convertible model Mustang could be purchased for about the same price as a regular Z28 coupe. When I stop and think about it, I can also recall my dad saying how shocked he was at the rates the insurance companies charged for full coverage on Comaros. (He was, and still is, an insurance agent.) As a matter of fact, insurance on the Camaro was often more expensive than on the Corvette. I guess that was all the result of the accident prone audience that purchased the car. Mustang insurance was considerably cheaper, if memory serves me right.

Whatever the case, I'm sure most of us can agree the Camaro was a great car slaughtered by bad circumstances. Sadly, it looks like the GTO might suffer the same fate. I know most people hate the understated styling of that car, but I'm a fan. Especially with the 400hp motor that it's getting this year. Seems like a case of history repeating itself. On the bright side, maybe Chevrolet will fill the GTO's void with a similarly performing car that carries a base price tag closer to the new GT Mustang. I'd say GM's corporate accountants will end up ruining that possibility, though.

[kman10587]

They've tried to bring back the Camaro a few times, but they keep killing the project because their next-generation trucks and SUVs need all the funding they can get.

[MclarenF1]

Originally Posted by kman10587

They've tried to bring back the Camaro a few times, but they keep killing the project because their next-generation trucks and SUVs need all the funding they can get.

Yeah... That's supposedly why the Zeta platform has been killed, or at least delayed for a few years. Shame. I guess SUVs are still where the money's at. I've heard sales of the Cobalt and Pontiac G6 have not been so great, but the Equinox is really moving. It's all a shock to me, especially since gas prices are still so high.

[kman10587]

Well, bigger is better, or so we Americans seem to think.

[porscheguy9999]

Personally, I'd go with the Mustang. I dont have loyalty to either because my Dad owned both (70' Mustang 302 V8, and a 74' Camaro 350 V8 I think) so I say the Mustang because it was the original "Pony" car. Thats why they called them "Pony" cars, because of the Mustang. The Camaro is just too much of a "me too" car of Chevy wanting those Mustang sales.

[BlackGT2000]

Well looks comfort and bang for the buck are all really subjective, particularly on a used car. The cobra had it alot more together when it came to handling than the GT did so I don't know if it would necessarily loose to the camaro. The cobra had some bad ass brakes on it I know that. I love camaros and mustangs, this is really a toss up but I think I would go with the cobra on this one.

[Muscletang]

acceleration: Camaro, more torque at a lower rpm is why, the Cobra is a high rev engine
comfort: Cobra
bang for the buck: have to have price on here, anyway, wasn't the Cobra cheaper?
looks: both, it's hard to pick because the Fox-4s were pretty ugly and the Camaros were plain looking
overall: Cobra

[SuperHighOutput]

I love both cars. I'd have to go with the Camaro on this one, I like the seating position in it, it just feels like I'm in a jet getting ready for take-off.

[mustangmann9]

mustang

[gti1689]

camaro, but the cobra is still sweet. i would love to own any of them.