Non biased comparison - 2012 GT500 / 2012 Camaro 2SS/RS

Crowley · 02-28-2012, 10:09 AM

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

snizzle · 02-28-2012, 10:14 AM

Nice writeup. I think we all respect the GT500 for obvious reasons but we don't have to like them

.

Enjoy!

Scrappy Doo · 02-28-2012, 10:43 AM

Nice!

Juiced1 · 02-28-2012, 10:48 AM

Nice deal on the 2012. I'm sure they are pushing them pretty aggressively with the 2013s right around the corner.

cjwa20 · 02-28-2012, 10:49 AM

Problem for the gt500 is that it's still a mustang. That will always hold it back. I have had 2 mustangs in my life a 66 and a 2001. My camaro gets more looks and more people coming up to it for a look. The gt500 is a monster though and I will respect it for what it can do!

SS 376 · 02-28-2012, 11:42 AM

$9,000 off MSRP? Dang. That means you got the 2012 for what, around $42K or so?

Crowley · 02-28-2012, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SS 376

$9,000 off MSRP? Dang. That means you got the 2012 for what, around $42K or so?

For the options this has, MSRP was about 58k, I got it for 49k..

thanks,
Crowley

tomsws6 · 02-28-2012, 12:04 PM

I love the front end of the gt500. Its just mean looking but the ass end sucks. This was a good write up and like you said everything is subjective to the owner and everyone else. Enjoy your gt500!

jmart53 · 02-28-2012, 12:24 PM

thanks for sharing!

newmoon · 02-28-2012, 12:48 PM

Nice review on a fantastic car, I looked into one myself about 6-months back managed to get the dealer down to about 45k, with a fair trade on mine, but even at that I would have been adding 17k over the purchase price of my SS, the Wife said no to the increase in payment. Unfortunately for me there will be no supercar ZL1 or 12/13 GT500 in my future until used models begin to appear.

Crowley · 02-28-2012, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by newmoon

Nice review on a fantastic car, I looked into one myself about 6-months back managed to get the dealer down to about 45k, with a fair trade on mine, but even at that I would have been adding 17k over the purchase price of my SS, the Wife said no to the increase in payment. Unfortunately for me there will be no supercar ZL1 or 12/13 GT500 in my future until used models begin to appear.

What helped me was the price I got for trade-in on the camaro .. brought the discounted GT500 price down to under 40k

Crowley

ffrcobra_65 · 02-28-2012, 01:22 PM

I still own both cars ...much is subjective except the performance, Nav, and Sync.
BTW, congrats again on the trade..$9k off MSRP is a score! In case u don't already know, the head rest for the back seats fold down when not in use. I love the look of the recaros. I wish they were offered in 2011. Be sure to warm up those G2 tires before you put the hammer down or you will fishtail into the next lane without warning. (can't ever hammer it in 1st or 2nd on stock tires). SC whine is almost non-existent due to the stock intake tube resonator. I have a spare Ford Racing tube (resonator delete for better SC whine) if you are interested.

tooslow · 02-28-2012, 01:26 PM

Pretty sure if you have the PP, your rear wheels are 20 x10 versus 9 inches wide as you stated.

Crowley · 02-28-2012, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tooslow

Pretty sure if you have the PP, your rear wheels are 20 x10 versus 9 inches wide as you stated.

Sorry I misspoke .. they are 19x9.5 in the front and 20x9.5 in the rear .. even so .. it needs to be wider

Crowley

02-28-2012, 10:09 AM	#1
Crowley Okie doke Drives: 2012 GT500 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: McKinney Texas Posts: 3,567 View My Garage	Non biased comparison - 2012 GT500 / 2012 Camaro 2SS/RS 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 __________________ Last edited by Crowley; 02-28-2012 at 03:25 PM.

02-28-2012, 10:14 AM	#2
snizzle Recalled user Drives: '12 Camaro SS, '18 Colorado Z71 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 3,520	Nice writeup. I think we all respect the GT500 for obvious reasons but we don't have to like them . Enjoy! __________________ 2012 2SS 45th AE LS3 M6 Borla ATAK Catback Kooks Stepped LT Headers CAI Intake Hexvents VMAX CNC Ported Throttle Body RX Catch Can Hurst Short Throw Shifter Pfadt ZL-Spec Stage 3 Suspension Forgestar F14 Tuned by Frost

02-28-2012, 12:24 PM	#9
jmart53 Drives: 2012 Cruze LTZ RS Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: The Badger State Posts: 564	thanks for sharing! __________________

02-28-2012, 12:48 PM	#10
newmoon Drives: 2019 GT350 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: NC Posts: 3,232	Nice review on a fantastic car, I looked into one myself about 6-months back managed to get the dealer down to about 45k, with a fair trade on mine, but even at that I would have been adding 17k over the purchase price of my SS, the Wife said no to the increase in payment. Unfortunately for me there will be no supercar ZL1 or 12/13 GT500 in my future until used models begin to appear. __________________ 2019 GT350 RR 2013 Boss Mustang 2012 SRT Challenger 392 auto 12:40s 112 stock 2012 Ford Mustang 5.0. Brembo, 3:73s 2010 SS, LS3, Cammed, LTs, 12:20s 2004 Redfire Cobra, Pullied & Tuned 1986 GT, Ed Curtis 347ci, 11:20s motor. 10:30s 100-hp shot

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Camaro Product Manager - interview	Moose	5th Gen Camaro SS LS LT General Discussions	11	04-04-2012 07:10 PM
Over 230 Satisfied 2010 Camaro Customers! Paddock Chevrolet has 40 in stock NOW	camarojoe	Dealer Camaros for Sale	2	05-24-2010 06:58 PM
GM memo to dealers	Moose	5th Gen Camaro SS LS LT General Discussions	41	02-04-2010 08:33 PM
Official Camaro Convertible CONCEPT Press Release	Tran	Camaro Convertible Forum	12	11-18-2009 08:05 PM
Pedders Suspension Benchmark Track Testing and New Jersey Track Day	Info@PeddersUSA.com	USA - NY / NJ / PA	35	10-26-2009 06:20 PM

02-28-2012, 10:43 AM	#3
Scrappy Doo Drives: Callaway Rogue Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: W8n 4 Snow, Minnesota Posts: 4,731	Nice!

02-28-2012, 10:48 AM	#4
Juiced1 Account Suspended Drives: 2012 2SS CAMARO 45th Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: St. Charles, IL Posts: 18,648	Nice deal on the 2012. I'm sure they are pushing them pretty aggressively with the 2013s right around the corner.

02-28-2012, 10:49 AM	#5
cjwa20 Drives: Black 2SS Camaro Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Modesto ca Posts: 138	Problem for the gt500 is that it's still a mustang. That will always hold it back. I have had 2 mustangs in my life a 66 and a 2001. My camaro gets more looks and more people coming up to it for a look. The gt500 is a monster though and I will respect it for what it can do!

02-28-2012, 11:42 AM	#6
SS 376 Drives: 2010 IBM 1SS (Former) Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: NoVA Posts: 2,031	$9,000 off MSRP? Dang. That means you got the 2012 for what, around $42K or so?

02-28-2012, 12:04 PM	#8
tomsws6 Drives: 97 ws6 RIP Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: dover de Posts: 79	I love the front end of the gt500. Its just mean looking but the ass end sucks. This was a good write up and like you said everything is subjective to the owner and everyone else. Enjoy your gt500!

02-28-2012, 01:22 PM	#12
ffrcobra_65 Account Suspended Drives: SuperCharged 2SS/RS IOM MN6 Join Date: May 2009 Location: CA Posts: 5,094	I still own both cars ...much is subjective except the performance, Nav, and Sync. BTW, congrats again on the trade..$9k off MSRP is a score! In case u don't already know, the head rest for the back seats fold down when not in use. I love the look of the recaros. I wish they were offered in 2011. Be sure to warm up those G2 tires before you put the hammer down or you will fishtail into the next lane without warning. (can't ever hammer it in 1st or 2nd on stock tires). SC whine is almost non-existent due to the stock intake tube resonator. I have a spare Ford Racing tube (resonator delete for better SC whine) if you are interested.

02-28-2012, 01:26 PM	#13
tooslow Banned Drives: 4 Wheels, Gasoline Engine Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: USA Posts: 1,007	Pretty sure if you have the PP, your rear wheels are 20 x10 versus 9 inches wide as you stated.