As some of you may know, I recently traded my heavly modified 2SS/RS in on a 2012 GT500 w/ the SVT Performance Package, Electronics Package and Recaro Seat options. The reason was I wanted to try something different. I got a heck of a deal on the trade in (more than what I expected) and w/ 9k off of MSRP on the GT500, I had to jump at the chance.
I have had the GT500 for a little over a week now so this is just more quick thoughts than anything .. once i have had more seat time, I'll talk more on it and give more comparisons / thoughts.
Lets get looks out of the way since they are so subjective .. Looks: GT500 front end looks more aggressive, Camaro back end is so sexy ... Can I just mate the two together
... Both get looks, but I'll give a slight edge to the Camaro in this category ..
I love how the GT500 has a nice big touch screen with all of my controls there. Dual climate control, great stereo, 10gig hard drive, USB connection, voice command (Microsoft Sync) .. they did a very good job w/ this stock system. Compared to the Camaro in this category, GT500 wins.
Ambient lighting in the GT500 is cool and has it in more places than the Camaro. I can also change the colors (and speedometer, odometer etc colors) which is a cool feature .. GT500 wins
Lets get the seats out of the way. The recaro seats are an option ... they are hands down the best seats I have ever sat in for a car. They are manual adjust which is ok as it helps keep the weight down and they are not heated which is a minus .. however, these seats rule. GT500 wins in the seat category ... GM should offer these in the Camaro (any trim) as an option. Ford is doing that for the mustang now I believe ... Again .. this OPTION is worth every penny.
Ride quality. I had the PFADT springs, sways and ADM widened wheel package on my car. The GT500 rides as about as stiff as that package from the factory. The biggest downfall is the SOLID rear in the GT500. Don't get me wrong, this car can take corners just as good as my modified SS, but it doesn't take the bumps as good ... Camaro gets the nod here.
Engine: I think this is subjective as well. The 5.4 revs very smooth compared to the 6.2.. I had a 2.3L TVS with about 9lbs of boost so I was putting more to the ground than the stock GT500. (I was at about 600rwhp vs I'm sure high 400s right now in the GT500). What I get w/ the GT500 is a fully built, low compression engine from the factory, so I do think it will be cheaper to get more HP out of it (based on having owned my 04 cobra). I know Ford Performance parts even sells a 750HP kit for it that is about 6k I think. Either way I think for about 5 or 6 hundred, I can swap pullies etc and get a good 100 rwhp (although i'm doing other things first). I will call it a tie here since I feel that both have their advantages and I have much respect for the GM LS engine line!
Wheels (and potential) .. love the forged from the factory GT500 wheels (ZL1 guys are going to love it) .. what I don't like .. is I have a 550 HP car w/ 285's on 9.5 inch rims out back .. whether it is functional or not, it just would look cool having 11 inch rims out back. That is why in the SS, I did the widened ADM wheel package .. it just makes the car look tough .... I think there is more potential in the Camaro as I think there is more room in the back vs the GT500 .. plus the ZL1 is going to get those 11 inch rims w/ 305s out back (NICE!!!) ... I give the nod to the Camaro here.
Visibility (from inside the car). I know this is something the mags said was terrible for the camaro ... I think it is just as good as in the GT500 (maybe I just got used to it). But the GT500 has rear head rests that stick up and that doesn't help much. Ford does give us smaller mirrors built into the side mirrors though that help w/ the blind spot ... Nod to the GT500
Paint Quality .. this may have changed since I had an early build Camaro (June 2009 delivery and I was in the first 10k cars built) .. anyway .. the GT500 has better paint quality than my camaro .. I had fish eyes and dirt in the paint and some other odd spots .. it didn't really detract from the car, but I knew they were there. GT500 wins here.
In the end, I think both cars have their pros and cons. I ENJOY driving both and that is what matters most. I am a car guy and not limited to one brand. The real winner is US. Just think, we can go out and by a car for under 60k or so and be competitive w/ cars worth MUCH more. Ford and GM have come a long way (but need to continue to strive to be better so they can continue to keep it close w/ the other manufacturers). I love how the "WAR" is back as well .. competition breeds excellence and as each car pushes the other, it is a win win situation. I very much look forward to the next generation of each to see what Ford or GM have in store for us.
I still plan to be active on this site and hope to still meet up with a lot of you and hang out. You can check out the GT500 and drive it and maybe I'll get lucky and someone I know will grab a ZL1 so I can take it for a spin!!
Crowley