Rented a Camaro 2SS for the hell of it this wkend. unbiased review

UNKNOWN_370 · 04-07-2010, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 280z/300zx

Not really. We took our 2SS camaro to auto-x the other weekend and I was surprised how well it did. It wasn't as poised as my 370z and you were always on the edge of control, but it pulled off some amazing times for it's size and weight. We got better times in our camaro than the smaller, lighter miatas, minis, and hondas. The track was not set up for long straights either. Most of it was slalom and S turns.

Having both the Camaro and the 370z I'll say I enjoy my 370z far more but only because thats what I'm used to. From the age of 17 I've had Z's. Got my 300zx at 17, bouth my 280z at 18, and just recently got my 370z (had a WRX for a little while in between there). The Camaro to me just has a different feel but is still a worthy car. My favorite feature of the camaro is launch control. Just slap it in first and pop the clutch and you get a perfect launch every time. So easy.

I'll close with this. The Camaro could learn a few tricks from the Z but the Z could also learn a few tricks from the Camaro. Lastly, to the OP, we got our fully loaded 2SS for 34k. No need to wait for a year or more for rebates and stuff. There are deals to be made out there, you just have to look for them

I 97% agree with you. The only thing is, a camaro and Z are so different in design, purpose and characteristics. I don't really see how we can make one more like the other. But I can say for each car, they both serve there individual focuses well.
Someone mentioned that they were on the border of losing control in rhe camaro. Interesting. I had read that in magazines as well. I did some interesting burnouts, donuts and wild launches but what I always had was control. The car seemed to do what I say at all times. I was only limited by its enormous size. That was my biggest issue.

PapoZalsa · 04-07-2010, 08:14 PM

Leave the battle to the Camaro, Rustang, Charger and Challenger. Yes they up the HP because they couldn't compete with car on their league. The price of these muscle car are $40K+.

Be happy with your Z if not just go and buy a muscle car.

Matt · 04-07-2010, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PapoZalsa

Leave the battle to the Camaro, Rustang, Charger and Challenger. Yes they up the HP because they couldn't compete with car on their league. The price of these muscle car are $40K+.

All 4 of the cars you listed, Camaro/Mustang/Challenger/Charger, have models available in the mid 20k range....something that the Z does not have.

All 4 of the cars you listed top out about the same price as the Z tops out, with the Roadster or Nismo packages.

theDreamer · 04-07-2010, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt

All 4 of the cars you listed, Camaro/Mustang/Challenger/Charger, have models available in the mid 20k range....something that the Z does not have.

All 4 of the cars you listed top out about the same price as the Z tops out, with the Roadster or Nismo packages.

That is because those vehicles have an "economy" version of their car where the Z does not. The performance vehicle of the American cars (V8) are all 28K+:
~Camaro - 30,945
~Mustang - 28,395
~Challenger - 31,585

WICKED_GRIN · 04-07-2010, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UNKNOWN_370

I 97% agree with you. The only thing is, a camaro and Z are so different in design, purpose and characteristics. I don't really see how we can make one more like the other. But I can say for each car, they both serve there individual focuses well.
Someone mentioned that they were on the border of losing control in rhe camaro. Interesting. I had read that in magazines as well. I did some interesting burnouts, donuts and wild launches but what I always had was control. The car seemed to do what I say at all times. I was only limited by its enormous size. That was my biggest issue.

I agree…..muscle car vs. sports car!

Matt · 04-07-2010, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theDreamer

That is because those vehicles have an "economy" version of their car where the Z does not. The performance vehicle of the American cars (V8) are all 28K+:
~Camaro - 30,945
~Mustang - 28,395
~Challenger - 31,585

Which was my point. He tried to imply that the 4 muscle cars were much higher priced than the Z to justify their higher performance numbers.

The prices of those 4 models (excluding the economy and "collector" versions of each) are priced exactly where the Z is.

EDIT:

To me, this whole "sports car vs muscle car" argument has been incredibly overused on these forums. It's the knee-jerk reaction as soon as some other car shows a faster 0-60 or 1/4 mile. When someone mentions the TTS or Genesis, they scoff at the "wanna-be's". When someone mention muscle cars, they start screaming about straight lines vs. curved lines.

The truth is, it isn't 1970 anymore. Unless your choice in life is between an Auto-X driver and a professional drag-racer, the "sports car vs muscle car" argument means absolutely nothing. NOTHING. Today's consumer isn't going to buy a Camaro, take a turn on a highway and go "man, I wish I had a sports car instead of this muscle car".

steveg78 · 04-07-2010, 09:46 PM

I experience the right front hood blind spot with my Z as well. I'm sure I'll get used to it in due time but just over a month in I still find myself taking turns wide at lights sometimes. You can't see how far the car juts out!

PapoZalsa · 04-07-2010, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt

All 4 of the cars you listed, Camaro/Mustang/Challenger/Charger, have models available in the mid 20k range....something that the Z does not have.

All 4 of the cars you listed top out about the same price as the Z tops out, with the Roadster or Nismo packages.

I'm refering to the ones with the big HP like the SS, GT350, GT V-8, Hemi 5.7 or 6.1.

I know they have base model with V-6 in those prices ranges close to the Z, however they don't have the performance, style or workmanship to compare with the Z.

Totally different league!

Again, be happy with your Z if not go and get one of those high end HP GM cars.

Matt · 04-07-2010, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PapoZalsa

I'm refering to the ones with the big HP like the SS, GT350, GT V-8, Hemi 5.7 or 6.1.

I know they have base model with V-6 in those prices ranges close to the Z, however they don't have the performance, style or workmanship to compare with the Z.

Totally different league!

Again, be happy with your Z if not go and get one of those high end HP GM cars.

The V-6 versions of those cars are much cheaper than the base Z. The price of those performance models are [gasp] the same price as the Z's performance model.

The "leagues" aren't as different as you think.

WICKED_GRIN · 04-08-2010, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt

Which was my point. He tried to imply that the 4 muscle cars were much higher priced than the Z to justify their higher performance numbers.

The prices of those 4 models (excluding the economy and "collector" versions of each) are priced exactly where the Z is.

EDIT:

To me, this whole "sports car vs muscle car" argument has been incredibly overused on these forums. It's the knee-jerk reaction as soon as some other car shows a faster 0-60 or 1/4 mile. When someone mentions the TTS or Genesis, they scoff at the "wanna-be's". When someone mention muscle cars, they start screaming about straight lines vs. curved lines.

The truth is, it isn't 1970 anymore. Unless your choice in life is between an Auto-X driver and a professional drag-racer, the "sports car vs muscle car" argument means absolutely nothing. NOTHING. Today's consumer isn't going to buy a Camaro, take a turn on a highway and go "man, I wish I had a sports car instead of this muscle car".

If only you could convince Car & Driver, Motor Trend, Road & Track, etc. the proper usage of the term…..(pony) muscle car……. and sports sedan, GT, sports car, roadster, sedan, SUV etc……………just saying

UNKNOWN_370 · 04-08-2010, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by getmecoffee

Before I got the 370z I test drove the Camaro and felt the same way about the front right of the hood. Even the rear view mirror was a distraction.

I can see how you felt that way. The front windshield has a rectangular narrowness to it that makes something like a rear view mirror feel like an obstruction. It took me like 9 hours to fully adjust to the cars quirks like the one you mentioned.

UNKNOWN_370 · 04-08-2010, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt

The V-6 versions of those cars are much cheaper than the base Z. The price of those performance models are [gasp] the same price as the Z's performance model.

The "leagues" aren't as different as you think.

Just in case anyone is confused? I didn't write this post to compare the camaro to the Z. On the contrary this review should be the clarification that a camaro is a totally different breed from the Z and the two shouldn't be compared unless you are the type who is torn between. True sports and grand touring-sports.
My G37s coupe is more comparable so I made some comparisons there. Price vs quality was a comparison and performance for price. The G won the first, camaro won slightly on the latter. (Only due to extremely powerful engine)

The Z... when I think of her. Its like porsche cayman territory. I know nobody would compare a porsche cayman to a camaro. But IMO, a Z is a poor mans porsche cayman. So I compare them to together.
Muscle cars are a different breed that have an awkward place in society. Even amongst other GT cars. Refined mobiles such as the 135,335,G37,Rx8 and even the genesis coupe have such a different character from let's say the camaro, mustang and challenger.
The breed is different so what I tried to achieve was write a review of realistic expectations from a enthusiasts perspective.

By nature I love the Z and G. I bought my 09 G in november and will have my Z by my bday. The camaro is just a car that many put pre-concieved notions on. My test drive wasn't satisfying. So I rented one for the weekend.
One person wanted the Z owner perspective from my review by saying "halfway through your post I realized you don't own a Z, so I found it harder to relate" if I wrote a review about a camaro from the Z owners perspective? That would contractict my headline. UNBIASED REVIEW.

Either way. I hope you guys enjoyed the review.

Signing off

UNKNOWN

Montez · 04-08-2010, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PapoZalsa

I'm refering to the ones with the big HP like the SS, GT350, GT V-8, Hemi 5.7 or 6.1.

I know they have base model with V-6 in those prices ranges close to the Z, however they don't have the performance, style or workmanship to compare with the Z.

Totally different league!

Again, be happy with your Z if not go and get one of those high end HP GM cars.

As of 11, that Mustang V6 has some pretty good performance numbers.

pauley · 04-08-2010, 12:59 PM

Feeling the Camaro's exterior, a definite head turner! That interior is crap. The whole "retro" themed tach/ speedo and radio setup......EEEUUUHHH!

New '11 Mustang looks real promising with a true 5.0 engine.Way better interior than Camaro.

PapoZalsa · 04-08-2010, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UNKNOWN_370

Just in case anyone is confused? I didn't write this post to compare the camaro to the Z. On the contrary this review should be the clarification that a camaro is a totally different breed from the Z and the two shouldn't be compared unless you are the type who is torn between. True sports and grand touring-sports.
My G37s coupe is more comparable so I made some comparisons there. Price vs quality was a comparison and performance for price. The G won the first, camaro won slightly on the latter. (Only due to extremely powerful engine)

That is exactly the point that I'm trying to make, to not compare a muscle car with a Japanese Sport Car.

04-07-2010, 08:14 PM	#17 (permalink)
PapoZalsa A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Not in Sunny Florida Posts: 6,358 Drives: 16 Nismo w/Tech Pack Rep Power: 4500	Leave the battle to the Camaro, Rustang, Charger and Challenger. Yes they up the HP because they couldn't compete with car on their league. The price of these muscle car are $40K+. Be happy with your Z if not just go and buy a muscle car. __________________ 2009 370Z MB Base w/Sport Package 6MT Modshack's Custom Air Intakes /3M Clear Bra/ Illuminated Kick Plates / F. I CBE w/12" resonators / EVO-R Front Lip / Rear Hatch Wing / Tein S-Tech Springs /Ilegal Tint in the Rep. of VA/4x20mm Z1 Spacers/ Vinyl Roof/Liquid Carbon Designs

04-08-2010, 12:59 PM	#29 (permalink)
pauley Base Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Md Posts: 103 Drives: 09 370Z + 07 G35S Rep Power: 15	Feeling the Camaro's exterior, a definite head turner! That interior is crap. The whole "retro" themed tach/ speedo and radio setup......EEEUUUHHH! New '11 Mustang looks real promising with a true 5.0 engine.Way better interior than Camaro. __________________ 2009 370Z Blk/Blk Touring/Sport + 2007 G35SModified

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