Car and Driver's Mustang GT vs Camaro Z28 comparison.
Lots of good quotes. "165-hp 5.0 liter V-8 with throttle-body fuel injection", "these cars go around corners", "electronic controls are used as Band-Aids", "tires have been upgrade from 190s to 220s"
Makes you realize how far we've come.
Actually quicker than I thought they'd be.
I'll have to check that out...since the Camaro looks like the one in my driveway, except mine has t-tops, regrettably (but it has a 5 speed!).
Clem
ClemSparks wrote: I'll have to check that out...since the Camaro looks like the one in my driveway, except mine has t-tops, regrettably (but it has a 5 speed!). Clem
Same here.. I wish mine had a 5-speed.
The photography is less glamorous but more informative; a couple angles, wheel well, trunk, and seating. It tells the reader a lot about the car, not as much about the photographer or the production values of the review. Just sayin', re; C&D today.
That was certainly not an impressive year for the Mustang 
You know you're old when you realize you bought that issue, new. Of course it was $2.95 in Canada (most of my allowance back then), not the $1.50 on the cover.
If someone were to hand me the keys to one or other today, I'd grab the Mustang. Double bonus if it was a Capri since I like the boxed fender flares those got with the Fox platform.
Mine came with the 145 horse Q-jet. Took less than 6 months to void the warranty with a mail order package from the hot rod store-Comp cam, edelbrock, you know the stuff.
I just acquired a set of Brodix heads for the 406 I'm putting together now. 
This will only be engine #3 since 82, but I'm thinking trans #4 might need to be in for a bit of an upgrade if my motley collection of used parts makes the horsepower I'm hoping for.
I have the wheels off the mustang if any one is interested.
Cool .
How do you only get 165hp out of a 5.0l V8? 
Still, the acceleration figures are far from shabby, thanks no doubt to the entirely reasonable kerb weights.
I think I'd have the Camaro.
Luke wrote: Cool
I'm going to guess rudimentary engine management (electronic carbs, anyone) designed to meet emissions standards. We are in the glory days of horsepower and emissions, and it looks like we'll be adding efficiency to that, too. The new 5.0 Mustang reaches 30+ mpg, and has 400 horsepower .
Good times, indeed.
i recently read an article in hemmings classic car comparing late 70's station wagons. The worst I think was a 455 cubic inch oldsmobile making... 195 hp!! I don't know much about the american car dark ages, but I didn't think it was that bad.
ZOO wrote: The new 5.0 Mustang reaches 30+ mpg, and has 400 horsepower
26 mpg does not equal 30mpg.
A good step in the right direction.
when cars like this reach 35 and 40mpg then we'll talk.
Those '80s Camaros are surprisingly good looking when they're not clapped out transportation for meth heads. But I'd rather have a Firebird if it came down to it.
I'd trade my '83, 5 speed, factory composite hooded, t-top, now 350 motivated Z28 for a Fox body with a 5.0 liter, 5 speed and NO t-tops.
I've had both, and for whatever reason, the Ford I just like better.
Clem
Luke wrote: Cool
I figured out the other day that between net vs. gross HP ratings, and wheel vs. crank HP, than my Civic is putting more HP to the ground, and nearly as much torque, as my Dad's old '63 Impala SS with the 300HP 327.
Jay wrote: Those '80s Camaros are surprisingly good looking when they're not clapped out transportation for meth heads. But I'd rather have a Firebird if it came down to it.
They were very good looking cars.. just fallen on hard times like the 70s camaros before them.
mad_machine wrote:Jay wrote: Those '80s Camaros are surprisingly good looking when they're not clapped out transportation for meth heads. But I'd rather have a Firebird if it came down to it.They were very good looking cars.. just fallen on hard times like the 70s camaros before them.
Watch yerself.... my 1981 may disco dance all over you.
When I was a teenager (16 in 76), my acceleration test was from an intersection between two highways near my home. If I pulled away from the stop sign and really pedalled it, I could usually be doing about 60 mph by the time I went past my friends lane.
I can do over 60 in my wifes automatic 2.3 Accord with her and the kids in the car, without using full throttle. We live in grand times now, young people.
Had a clapped out '85 Z28. Will have a nice one. Shoulda kept the one I had. You live and learn.
The new 5.0 and of course all the LSX engines are amazing, but people would absolutely crap themselfs if there was a Mustang or Camaro just over 3000Lbs available with a warranty. With modern standards and crash reqs. I doubt it is possible for any reasonable price even if they used the V6 with 'only' 300HP.
Sparetire wrote: The new 5.0 and of course all the LSX engines are amazing, but people would absolutely crap themselfs if there was a Mustang or Camaro just over 3000Lbs available with a warranty. With modern standards and crash reqs. I doubt it is possible for any reasonable price even if they used the V6 with 'only' 300HP.
if GM would sell a stripped down version of the Camaro and Ford would sell a stripped down version of the Mustang and drop the prices accordingly, then we'd truly be in the golden age. how much fun would it be to have a 2SS Camaro with a 6 speed if it didn't have 800 pounds of useless stuff like extra sound deadener, 20 inch wheels, AC, and stereo equipment with just basic manual seats?
I was one year old when this article came out lol.Ive never seen it and it had a lot of interesting info. I have a 1991 trans am with a 5 speed that i autocrossin F stock, and i love to read old car articles on 3rdgen F bodys. Ive autocrossed a 91 5.0 mustang and i just think the F body handles better. My car has also run faster than any other stock fox body that has run with my club. but i think thats more driver than anything else
My first car was an '83 Capri with the 3.8 V6 and I loved it. That year was the first for the infamous bubble back hatch on the Merc and with the factory two tone paint, box flares and all the badges pulled off most people had no clue as to what it was. I had the factory optioned Recaro seats with the mesh headrest too. Boy, I miss that car a lot.
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