370z or Camaro SS

cmancha003 · 01-06-2010, 03:20 PM

Yes I know these are completly different vehicles but still looking at both. I have been looking for a new car for a couple months now and won't be able to buy one until next Jan. anyway. The reason for me not being able to choose is two fold. One, I did own a 280zx and a modded 300zx tt for a couple of years and loved it. I now have a son so 2 seats is difficult. We do have my wife's car which has back seats so in my mind is that if its just me and him then my car works. If its all three of us then just take her car. I have owned all 2 seaters until now, z was breaking so bought a pos truck until i graduate. The thing is I know the Z is lighter, handles better, and has better tech in it. But I also know that the SS is quick, has back seats, and the engine won't ever break. I am leaning towards the SS but I do miss having a light, quick car. Mostly just looking for some real pros and cons between the two. This sounds like rambling so I guess this is where the discussion begins.

zfokaiz · 01-06-2010, 03:52 PM

I cant vouch for the SS as i've never driven or ever even sat in one. but I can say that I love how the Z drives head and shoulders above my dads challenger.

(which I know is not a camaro. but it is a big, heavy, car with more horse power.) it felt like I was driving a boat.
I hear the camaro z28 is coming out next year. I'd wait and test drive both before I decided. (i'd also recommend asking this same question on a camaro forum.)

ZKindaGuy · 01-06-2010, 04:13 PM

I'd rather be driving something whose designers understood the meaning of future direction, class and quality than whose designers were atavistic knuckle-draggers bent on prolonging an era that really reached into its last-hurrah.

Matt · 01-06-2010, 04:25 PM

The Camaro is very nice, not gonna lie....from the outside.

I sat inside it and felt very underwhelmed. When I sit in my Z, I feel like I'm in a sports car. I feel like I'm already going blistering fast and I haven't even started the car yet. When I sat in the Camaro, I really felt that I was still back in the 90's. The ambient lighting is ok in the Camaro, but looks like they only half completed it, when compared to the Buick's ambient lighting. The gauges are horrid compared to the Z. The steering column telescopes, which the Z doesn't, but the cluster does not move when the steering wheel is adjusted, which the Z does.

The stock exhaust note of the Camaro reminds me of my Mercury Tracer...non existent, especially for a V8 (2SS).

You mentioned the engine won't break in the Camaro. While every car has it's problems, thus far the engine in the Camaro seems to have more issues than the Z. Long term, nobody really knows, but these VQ's seem to be well-built.

The Camaro mods a little better than the Z, from what I've heard, as it's a V8. Bolt ons and a tune sky rocket the already high Hp/Torque numbers, where as the Z really doesn't get a whole lot, being a V6 NA car from the factory.

The back seat and trunk offer the illusion of more space, comfort and convenience, but really just make the car bigger than it should be. The backseat has zero leg room if the front passengers are over 5'9, which is great if you have a couple car seats back there and nothing else. The trunk is more of a 2nd glove box, albeit bigger than the cubby hole of a glove box they gave us in the Z.

The 2SS is going to win at the traffic light sprints, if that is what you're going for.

The Z is going to win, in my opinion if your ultimate goal is to create a driving experience you're going to remember and cherish for a long time.

WICKED_GRIN · 01-06-2010, 04:42 PM

The Camaro SS is butt ugly inside. You should wait until the 2011 Mustang 5.0 arrives. If you need a back seat, the Mustang 5.0 should be considered. I know I’ll test drive it!

nuTinmuch · 01-06-2010, 04:49 PM

Oh, hey, I was in this position.

I test drove both back to back a few times, so I'd like to think I have a pretty solid grip on both cars.

The Camaro is faster in a straight line and has the roar of the v8 which is just awesome. Honestly, that was almost enough to make me go with it. It also has back seats (although your kid will be uncomfortable back there, lol -- really isn't that much room) which may also sway your opinion, like you said. The handling isn't bad on the Camaro, but it is pretty typical for a car of its type.

What turned me off of the Camaro however was how mediocre the interior quality was. I had previously driven a Cobalt + a G5 (which is a Cobalt with Pontiac badging

) and with the exception of the "retro" feel, the interior felt the same. The seats were comfortable, but the materials felt tacky and just generally unpleasing. I wasn't a fan of the retro gages or steering wheel either.

I think it is worth noting that I am a young guy and wasn't in the market for a Porsche so my bar for interior quality wasn't really high -- and yet the Camaro -still- bothered me.

Also while the Z isn't as fast in a straight line, but it isn't that far off the mark considering a SS is made to go fast in the 1/4 mile. The handling in a Z makes up for that, too. Trust me. I've had the car for only a short time and I'm already in complete love.

Exterior wise the cars are a toss up -- that's all up to your personal opinion. I think that Camaro looks awesome, but the 370Z is just sexy. I am always smiling when I walk up to my car.

Ultimately it comes down to what you want and what you like, though. I strongly suggest you do some more research on both cars. Go to your local dealer and get a test drive in both and try to squeeze as much time out of them as you can.

One more thing -- while I agree on going and asking some Camaro dudes what they think, be ready for "BUY AMERICAN" and similar things. I read over a few forums and was extremely turned off by the community over there, but to each his own!

Good luck in your search and feel free to PM me if you have any questions about the car, I'll be glad to help!

Horseface · 01-06-2010, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZKindaGuy

I'd rather be driving something whose designers understood the meaning of future direction, class and quality than whose designers were atavistic knuckle-draggers bent on prolonging an era that really reached into its last-hurrah.

Just so you know, I'd give you a rep point for that if I could...

juicybusa · 01-06-2010, 06:53 PM

Infiniti G37s

KillerBee370 · 01-08-2010, 12:49 AM

Well I guess you have to decide between Japanese sports car or Canadian muscle.

For your particular concern I would say get an Evo X. Or, as someone else stated, a G37S.

scruffydog · 01-08-2010, 07:17 PM

I test drove the Camero 2SS last week when I was browsing around for cars. I've already have my heart set on the 370z Sports + Touring + Nav, but I figured it doesn't hurt to see my other options around $40K.

The Camero 2SS was the top notch version at the dealership; the one i test drove was black and had some $3,400 21" Factory option rims on it - crazy...so not worth the price. The MSRP was $45K. So without the rims add-on, it's really apples to apples I'm comparing against with the fully loaded 370z ($41K).

Anyways, although the exterior of the Camero 2SS looks really mean and agressive, even if you don't make this a Daily Driver...the interior was really really cheaply made. Japanese just knows how to keep the interior exciting. The interior not only wasn't exciting, it reminded me of those American rental cars. Just the center console and everything. The gauges are not put in a conveniently visible location like the 370z. The front and Rear windshield is totally small from the inside - I can understand the rear being small since the 370z isn't that much better, but the front windshield is totally squashed vertically. The Camero was really really hard to see through. Also, it may seem like a bigger car from the outside...the trunk access for the Camero is ridiculous, it has a super small opening compared to the actual trunk size. Plus, the best thing they have for NAV is their stupid ON STAR system, no Factory NAV even if you want it. Enought about the interior, so I test drove it, unfortunately AUTO Transmission was all they have...the handling around a sharp turn was really good. It grip just like the 370z, but the acceleration was a dissappointment to me because I was expecting it to be much quicker considering they put the 400 hp Corvette Engine in it - but the car was too heavy.

So my verdict is that the 370z is a better car for me. Hope this helps.

By the way, I test drove other cars such as Porsche and BMWs and I find the interiors of German cars relatively boring as well. The 1 series BMW was practically the same layout since it's previous generations. And the funny part is it doesn't change much from 1 series to an M3, 5 series, or 7 series. They all look the same and very interesting layout. And same with Porsche, their Cayman and Boxster is pretty much the same....but I guess if you're in love with the car itself, I can understand these little minor details don't matter. A BMW is still a BMW and a Porsche is still a Porsche.

NewlyIMPORTed · 01-06-2010, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZKindaGuy

I'd rather be driving something whose designers understood the meaning of future direction, class and quality than whose designers were atavistic knuckle-draggers bent on prolonging an era that really reached into its last-hurrah.

HAHAHAHAHAHA Knuckle-draggers

RDGR12 · 01-06-2010, 04:50 PM

It sounds like you're looking for a car that has "function" with "performance". The Z offers more performance than the latter. If I was a man with family, I would go for the Camaro SS. It's a car with performance and with my family occupying the rest of the seats. IMO, everything else is subjective for a man with family like yourself.

Matt · 01-06-2010, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RDGR12

If I was a man with family, I would go for the Camaro SS. It's a car with performance and with my family occupying the rest of the seats.

If I was a man with a family, I'd make sure my *other* car was the family car.

CrownR426 · 01-06-2010, 04:54 PM

In before lock!
You obviously don't know what you want.
Z = 2 seater sports car
Camaro SS = 4 Seater sports car
I think you should get a camaro cause you sound like a fanboy.
[:

cmancha003 · 01-06-2010, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrownR426

In before lock!
You obviously don't know what you want.
Z = 2 seater sports car
Camaro SS = 4 Seater sports car
I think you should get a camaro cause you sound like a fanboy.
[:

My wife does have the family car. I don't know why you say that. I have owned 2 Z's so I know what I getting into. The biggest issue that I have with the Z is the engine. Yes its a great engine, but if anything breaks, well it costs tons of money unless you do everything yourself. With my 300zxtt it would have cost me 1000 just to get to my injectors that went out twice. And I was also have to change what you said. Z = 2 seater sports car SS = 4 seater muscle car. That is the biggest issue. The Z is quick and nimble, which I like, while the SS is quick in a straight line, which I also like.

01-06-2010, 03:20 PM	#1 (permalink)
cmancha003 Base Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Fort Worth Posts: 60 Drives: 2010 370z Nismo #390 Rep Power: 16	370z or Camaro SS Yes I know these are completly different vehicles but still looking at both. I have been looking for a new car for a couple months now and won't be able to buy one until next Jan. anyway. The reason for me not being able to choose is two fold. One, I did own a 280zx and a modded 300zx tt for a couple of years and loved it. I now have a son so 2 seats is difficult. We do have my wife's car which has back seats so in my mind is that if its just me and him then my car works. If its all three of us then just take her car. I have owned all 2 seaters until now, z was breaking so bought a pos truck until i graduate. The thing is I know the Z is lighter, handles better, and has better tech in it. But I also know that the SS is quick, has back seats, and the engine won't ever break. I am leaning towards the SS but I do miss having a light, quick car. Mostly just looking for some real pros and cons between the two. This sounds like rambling so I guess this is where the discussion begins.

01-06-2010, 04:25 PM	#4 (permalink)
Matt A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Augusta, GA Age: 42 Posts: 1,680 Drives: 2010 Avalanche LT Rep Power: 19	The Camaro is very nice, not gonna lie....from the outside. I sat inside it and felt very underwhelmed. When I sit in my Z, I feel like I'm in a sports car. I feel like I'm already going blistering fast and I haven't even started the car yet. When I sat in the Camaro, I really felt that I was still back in the 90's. The ambient lighting is ok in the Camaro, but looks like they only half completed it, when compared to the Buick's ambient lighting. The gauges are horrid compared to the Z. The steering column telescopes, which the Z doesn't, but the cluster does not move when the steering wheel is adjusted, which the Z does. The stock exhaust note of the Camaro reminds me of my Mercury Tracer...non existent, especially for a V8 (2SS). You mentioned the engine won't break in the Camaro. While every car has it's problems, thus far the engine in the Camaro seems to have more issues than the Z. Long term, nobody really knows, but these VQ's seem to be well-built. The Camaro mods a little better than the Z, from what I've heard, as it's a V8. Bolt ons and a tune sky rocket the already high Hp/Torque numbers, where as the Z really doesn't get a whole lot, being a V6 NA car from the factory. The back seat and trunk offer the illusion of more space, comfort and convenience, but really just make the car bigger than it should be. The backseat has zero leg room if the front passengers are over 5'9, which is great if you have a couple car seats back there and nothing else. The trunk is more of a 2nd glove box, albeit bigger than the cubby hole of a glove box they gave us in the Z. The 2SS is going to win at the traffic light sprints, if that is what you're going for. The Z is going to win, in my opinion if your ultimate goal is to create a driving experience you're going to remember and cherish for a long time. __________________ "Any man who can drive a 370z while kissing a pretty girl is simply not giving the Z the attention it deserves." Albert Einstein....modified. Last edited by Matt; 01-06-2010 at 04:46 PM.

01-06-2010, 04:49 PM	#6 (permalink)
nuTinmuch A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: New Jersey Posts: 1,092 Drives: PG 7AT 370Z Rep Power: 18	Oh, hey, I was in this position. I test drove both back to back a few times, so I'd like to think I have a pretty solid grip on both cars. The Camaro is faster in a straight line and has the roar of the v8 which is just awesome. Honestly, that was almost enough to make me go with it. It also has back seats (although your kid will be uncomfortable back there, lol -- really isn't that much room) which may also sway your opinion, like you said. The handling isn't bad on the Camaro, but it is pretty typical for a car of its type. What turned me off of the Camaro however was how mediocre the interior quality was. I had previously driven a Cobalt + a G5 (which is a Cobalt with Pontiac badging ) and with the exception of the "retro" feel, the interior felt the same. The seats were comfortable, but the materials felt tacky and just generally unpleasing. I wasn't a fan of the retro gages or steering wheel either. I think it is worth noting that I am a young guy and wasn't in the market for a Porsche so my bar for interior quality wasn't really high -- and yet the Camaro -still- bothered me. Also while the Z isn't as fast in a straight line, but it isn't that far off the mark considering a SS is made to go fast in the 1/4 mile. The handling in a Z makes up for that, too. Trust me. I've had the car for only a short time and I'm already in complete love. Exterior wise the cars are a toss up -- that's all up to your personal opinion. I think that Camaro looks awesome, but the 370Z is just sexy. I am always smiling when I walk up to my car. Ultimately it comes down to what you want and what you like, though. I strongly suggest you do some more research on both cars. Go to your local dealer and get a test drive in both and try to squeeze as much time out of them as you can. One more thing -- while I agree on going and asking some Camaro dudes what they think, be ready for "BUY AMERICAN" and similar things. I read over a few forums and was extremely turned off by the community over there, but to each his own! Good luck in your search and feel free to PM me if you have any questions about the car, I'll be glad to help! __________________ nuTinmuch! -- Platinum Graphite 370Z -- Check out my Gallery thread here!

01-06-2010, 04:54 PM	#14 (permalink)
CrownR426 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: South Korea Posts: 4,676 Drives: Manual Rep Power: 848	In before lock! You obviously don't know what you want. Z = 2 seater sports car Camaro SS = 4 Seater sports car I think you should get a camaro cause you sound like a fanboy. [: __________________ Love + Hardwork + Passion RIP SVTRacer

01-06-2010, 03:52 PM	#2 (permalink)
zfokaiz Base Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Cape Carteret Posts: 98 Drives: 09 370z 6spd Rep Power: 16	I cant vouch for the SS as i've never driven or ever even sat in one. but I can say that I love how the Z drives head and shoulders above my dads challenger. (which I know is not a camaro. but it is a big, heavy, car with more horse power.) it felt like I was driving a boat. I hear the camaro z28 is coming out next year. I'd wait and test drive both before I decided. (i'd also recommend asking this same question on a camaro forum.)

01-06-2010, 04:13 PM	#3 (permalink)
ZKindaGuy Track Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Ohio Posts: 699 Drives: 370Z-AT7 Tour+Sport Rep Power: 375	I'd rather be driving something whose designers understood the meaning of future direction, class and quality than whose designers were atavistic knuckle-draggers bent on prolonging an era that really reached into its last-hurrah.

01-06-2010, 04:42 PM	#5 (permalink)
WICKED_GRIN Enthusiast Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: New England Posts: 466 Drives: 370Z Roadster Black Rep Power: 16	The Camaro SS is butt ugly inside. You should wait until the 2011 Mustang 5.0 arrives. If you need a back seat, the Mustang 5.0 should be considered. I know I’ll test drive it!

01-06-2010, 06:53 PM	#8 (permalink)
juicybusa Base Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: kentucky Posts: 24 Drives: na Rep Power: 16	Infiniti G37s

01-08-2010, 12:49 AM	#9 (permalink)
KillerBee370 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: So Cal baby! Age: 52 Posts: 5,964 Drives: with passion Rep Power: 322	Well I guess you have to decide between Japanese sports car or Canadian muscle. For your particular concern I would say get an Evo X. Or, as someone else stated, a G37S.

01-08-2010, 07:17 PM	#10 (permalink)
scruffydog A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Nor Cal Posts: 1,113 Drives: with his eyes close Rep Power: 718	I test drove the Camero 2SS last week when I was browsing around for cars. I've already have my heart set on the 370z Sports + Touring + Nav, but I figured it doesn't hurt to see my other options around $40K. The Camero 2SS was the top notch version at the dealership; the one i test drove was black and had some $3,400 21" Factory option rims on it - crazy...so not worth the price. The MSRP was $45K. So without the rims add-on, it's really apples to apples I'm comparing against with the fully loaded 370z ($41K). Anyways, although the exterior of the Camero 2SS looks really mean and agressive, even if you don't make this a Daily Driver...the interior was really really cheaply made. Japanese just knows how to keep the interior exciting. The interior not only wasn't exciting, it reminded me of those American rental cars. Just the center console and everything. The gauges are not put in a conveniently visible location like the 370z. The front and Rear windshield is totally small from the inside - I can understand the rear being small since the 370z isn't that much better, but the front windshield is totally squashed vertically. The Camero was really really hard to see through. Also, it may seem like a bigger car from the outside...the trunk access for the Camero is ridiculous, it has a super small opening compared to the actual trunk size. Plus, the best thing they have for NAV is their stupid ON STAR system, no Factory NAV even if you want it. Enought about the interior, so I test drove it, unfortunately AUTO Transmission was all they have...the handling around a sharp turn was really good. It grip just like the 370z, but the acceleration was a dissappointment to me because I was expecting it to be much quicker considering they put the 400 hp Corvette Engine in it - but the car was too heavy. So my verdict is that the 370z is a better car for me. Hope this helps. By the way, I test drove other cars such as Porsche and BMWs and I find the interiors of German cars relatively boring as well. The 1 series BMW was practically the same layout since it's previous generations. And the funny part is it doesn't change much from 1 series to an M3, 5 series, or 7 series. They all look the same and very interesting layout. And same with Porsche, their Cayman and Boxster is pretty much the same....but I guess if you're in love with the car itself, I can understand these little minor details don't matter. A BMW is still a BMW and a Porsche is still a Porsche.

01-06-2010, 04:50 PM	#12 (permalink)
RDGR12 Base Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: San Bruno, CA Posts: 90 Drives: An Old Beater Rep Power: 17	It sounds like you're looking for a car that has "function" with "performance". The Z offers more performance than the latter. If I was a man with family, I would go for the Camaro SS. It's a car with performance and with my family occupying the rest of the seats. IMO, everything else is subjective for a man with family like yourself.