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C5 vs 5th gen Camaro ownership - Thoughts and opinions welcome
Hey guys
I'm still in car limbo after selling my Z06
Lately ive started researching the 5th gen Camaros and I have to say I'm quite impressed
I know they are completely different cars , mainly in size and handling but the Camaro has a lot of things going for it as well.
They are generally a little cheaper to buy then corvettes
It comes stock with an LS3 + 6 speed
The interior is many times better then the C5
Updated tech
Larger car for us bigger guys
Cheaper aftermarket support
etc...
I have a chance right now to get a heavily modified , very powerful supercharged LS3 6 speed Camaro SS with super low miles and a ton of goodies for a few grand less then what I sold my 02 Z06 for.
I'm really tempted and just wondering your guys thoughts on them
Or if anyone else has made the switch and how it worked out
I thought the 5th Gen Camaros would begin to be hitting some serious depreciation curves by now, but people with V8 trims seem to think they're still sitting on some seriously valuable cars and a good chunk of them are well above C5 prices. On top of that, for myself, the prior gen Mustang towards the end of it's life with the facelift and the current Mustang in particular are exceptionally good looking cars. And Ford makes so many the market is all over the place.
That being said though it's kind of crazy how far along even the base V6 Camaro came with the 5th Gen. By the end of it's cycle it was rated at 323 HP. And here I thought the LS making a ~340 HP rating was serious back in the day.
If you are afraid of blind spots avoid the camaro.
If you buy the 2ss the leather sucks.
If you buy an RS the halo's fade and pita to replace. Also make sure if you buy one that it has OEM Halos. I seen some where people replace them and do a hack job. People place in ovens to break the seal and it reseals like garbage.
Broken head light tabs watch out for. People buy halos headlights and rig the broken tabs.
If you buy a manual have it checked out. 2010's were notorious for popping out of first and second.
Under the rear factory spoiler check for chipping. Factory torqued down the bolts so tight that the ends chipped the paint. People are taking stock ones off and finding mass paint peeling/chipping. This applied to 2010-2012 models.
Watch out for poor workmanship by garage mechanics. The front strut piston bolts have been known to break off due to over torquing. People were breaking off the top of bolt instead of replacing the strut they cut top off. They bolt it down and put a cap over the bolt so the next buyer cant see the issue.
Paint chips galore if you daily drive it.
If you buy a auto with no warranty turn off AFM with a tune. Makes aftermarket exhausts sound like fart cans.
Replacing factory radio SUCKS!!!!! And expensive.
Also if you plan to fit 4 people in the car....you cant unless your all 5' 4" and below.
I can go on and on. Not a bad car but was more of a headache than anything.
I own both and they each have their good points . The corvette handles better and is more sporty to drive . The camaro looks meaner and performs in corners more like a typical sedan than a sports car . The styling and mean muscular look of the camaro turns a lot of heads . Visibility is fine on the camaro once your used to it but it feels like a jacked up 4x4 compared to the vette . For a daily driver the camaro would be my choice because it's a tighter feeling car and has a lot of modern refinement to it .Mine is a 2015 with 2,000'miles and the c5 is a 2000 with 30,000 miles
Z/28 handles waaaaay better than the C5 and a lot more fun to drive. LS7 in the Z takes care of that.
Best used bang for the buck would be ~550hp 1LE. Great handling and you only need another 75hp to make it go. The LS3 is the new legend.
The 'jacked up' comment is for real. I pick myself up off the floor of the C5 and get in the Camaro and I feel like I'm sitting way up high. Your really not though, it's relative.
If I had to choose one, I'd rather have one of the new Mustangs than a new Camaro. Mainly based on looks. I also don't like the blind spots and narrow windows. I haven't driven one but went for a ride in my Uncle's 2SS Bumblebee.
But I think a review I read said the new Camaro does handle better than the Mustang. But the Mustang is a better daily driver. It splits the difference between the Camaro and Challenger. (which is fast but handles like a land yacht)
I've owned 2 Mustangs, my girlfriend owned a 5th gen Camaro, and I currently own a C6 Corvette. Here are my thoughts.
Even if I like the looks of some (very few) of the Camaro's I see, I absolutley hate driving them. I cannot get over the blind spots and feeling like I'm going to hit someone everytime I change lanes. A car should be fun to drive. I was just nervous as hell every time I drove the Camaro.
I like Mustangs, I've owned two. I'm trying to convince my girlfriend to buy one. A lot more emjoyable to drive. The new 5.0 Coyotes are amazing engines. At the end of the day, I got rid of mine because I was tired of seeing them every where I went. There are tons on the road, and you probably won't realize it until you're driving yours but you'll end up being just another mustang. I briefly considered a GT500 before the vette but at the end of the day, its just another mustang. My girldriend couldnt tell the difference and neither can most other people. Same hold true for the Camaro I guess.
Onto my vette. Corvettes are in a league of their own, no doubt about that. Theres something special about Vettes. I remember constantly asking myself why didnt I buy this car sooner when I finally did. It gets attention everywhere, has a sexy look I believe will be timeless, and is easy to mod. Given the choice of a brand new mustang or camaro, or used corvette, all about the same price, I'd take the corvette everytime.
Several of the last few suvs I've owned had much worse blind spots on them than my camaro for passing . You woukd surely get used to it and learn to use your camera and your mirrors at certain times . I've owned classic cars with race back designs also and the camaro has much better visibility out the back and sides than any of my chargers did . You will feel like your sitting in a tank though . Because your actually low but the body and dash around you is high .the camaro is a much better looking car than a mustang and outhandles them . Everybody and their brother have a mustang .
This might be just me, but I see those Camaros coming and going. When they first came out they turned my head but now I virtually ignore them. When a vette, any vette drives by, I take notice, always have, always will. There is a unique characteristic look to a vette that is timeless, exotic, and beautiful and I always noticed corvettes over any other sports car since I was a little kid. I guess that's why I own one, LOL.
I have a C5 Z06 and a 5th Gen Camaro ZL1. Awesome cars. I have no trouble with blind spots. Head room is better in the Z06. I'm 6'5 so I had to get the ZL1 without a sunroof ( you lose 1.5 of head room with a sunroof). Comfort wise, ZL1 is way better. As for the radio..I have the My-link with the Boston Acoustics (factory) sounds good to me. ZL1 with some bolt-ons is putting down 600 rwhp. The Z06 put down 367 rwhp. Not a big Mustang fan but that Coyote motor responds well to mods.
The only thing I like about the 5th/6th Gen Camaros is renting an SS, and handing it back over smoking, smoldering, beat, and tired. They don't compare to the C5 or anything thereafter with a Corvette badge on it.
The ZL1 is a monster and a very sweet ride. The SS the same (lacks some suspension) but I would still stick with the vette if my only choice is between one and the SS
06-15-2017, 03:43 PM
C5 vs 5th gen Camaro ownership - Thoughts and opinions welcome
