Showdown - 2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 vs. 2013 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 - CAR and DRIVER

We take the 2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 and 2013 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 to the track to see which one will be supreme in the pony-car kingdom. It's the ultimate muscle car show down. Need we say more?
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CARS: Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, Ford Mustang Shelby GT500
LOCATION: Belding, Mi.
MAG EDITORS: Daniel Pund, Michael Austin
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[@setunedouche]

10 years and I’m finally about to get a ZL1!!! Super stoked!!!

[@mustang8206]

Congratulations

[@anick32]

Awesome, I can’t imagine how great that feels

[@El1Miauu]

So did u buy it how the experience whit it?

[@setunedouche]

Sure did!! I love it. Had to get the manual!! Absolutely love it. My first Camaro.

[@serbianwolfgaming9623]

Congrats, i am 3 years away from the goal

[@stephenmcshane8595]

People gotta realise something both cars are amazing. But the zl1 580hp was meant to conpete with the 540hp gt500. They were not anticipating a 120+ horsepower jump 😂😂

[@adrinz4870]

I never seen a drag race between the 2. Who you think would win?

[@stephenmcshane8595]

@@adrinz4870 the gt500 for sure. The horsepower and weight difference is to big

[@adrinz4870]

@@stephenmcshane8595 so you are saying the 580hp zl1 would lose to a 540hp gt500? I seen videos of the zl1 going against the 2013gt500 662hp and the zl1 kept up pretty good.

[@stephenmcshane8595]

@@adrinz4870 my bad, i thought you meant the 662 shelby. Its been a while since i watched this video. Id say zl1 but it would be close

[@yerrymartinez]

550 horsepower

[@pistolpete6114]

I love my '13 GT500 and now that we live in Germany, so much FUN on the Autobahns!

[@perezjos002]

Come sing along with me "Why can't we be friends, why can't we be friends." Both cars are awesome!

[@SrRdRacinG]

Two great cars. One is faster in a straight line while the other is a more consistent on the track. From all the reviews I've read, it seems the GT500's lack of good brakes keeps it a bit behind in performance.

[@blakethompson6632]

I daily drive my 2015 Camaro zl1 and the car is such a perfect daily driver it has just enough power to keep you in control and almost never lose the grip on the front tires but also enough to keep you going wow every time you step on it. It can go from a comfortable spacious touring car to a buckled down race car throwing it in manual and turning into race mode in a split second

[@user-sk8we2tg2t]

How reliable has the car been?

[@sae4071]

@@user-sk8we2tg2t I would imagine very since GM didn't introduce DI on their v8s yet

[@kingkoko8602]

it can be auto and manual? what is that called?

[@ColCornKernel]

I love both cars but if I had to choose I'd go with the Camaro in a heartbeat. Although the Mustang is faster I like the design and the sound the ZL1 makes.

[@SportsMusicCars]

Too bad the interior is a cave. I've been in both and the Camaro is a joke for visibility. I cannot imagine what GM was thinking with the roof so low.

[@FL50ssp]

​@@SportsMusicCars Spoken like a true frod fan eating up the crap from the media and internet keyboard warriors. If you bothered to spend more time you'd come to realize this "visibility issue" is overblown. Much the same as numerous mustnag owners have stated. But hey you caught a ride in or drove your buddy's Camaro for x mins so you are well positioned to spread the bs.

[@kirikos65]

It's pretty simple to increase the power on the zl1. Safely to around 700rwh. Remember its only pushing 9psi. When The gt500. Is already at 15psi. But it will take a lot more to make the shelby handle and drive as well as the zl1. FYI.

[@josemontes9105]

Oh shut up bro. They're both awesome cars. Don't be a girl

[@NitemairMedia]

The Shelby GT500 was never really meant to be a track car, so it is impressive that the 2013 does so well. These cars were built to just roar down the 1/4 mile as fast as they could. The Boss 302 was the track Mustang and I think the ZL1 is sort of meant to be the track Camaro. Sure you can drive it on the street but you're not going to get that full experience, where the GT500 is just going to do its thing at the track, the strip, or the street.

[@baviaanshit]

These cars can only be chosen by the feeling you have for these machines. If you are a Ford (shelby) guy, pick the GT500. If you are a Chevy guy, pick the Camaro. But for me it's the Gt500 that steals my heart, C'mon it's a Ford. they have the Mustang, Ford GT, Raptor,F-150. In Europe, we have legendary Ford's. Like the Escort Cosworth's, Sierra Cosworth's, Focus RS's, Fiesta st's,Mondeo st220's AND SO MANY MORE. So if you look back in the history of Ford comparing it to Chevrolet. Ford is much more of a sport-brand. But Chevy made some awsome looking cars too!

[@doubletapproductions]

I Love Ford as my baby is a 93 Ford Bronco, But I would have to take the Chevy! Just a bit better looking to me and handles a but better which I love with plenty of power! But like you said, its all personal preference

[@nwigchert10]

Chevy= SS, camaro ss, zl1, z/28, corvette stingray z51, corvette zo6. Thats just new. You got ls7 zo6s, zr1. FORD GT is so old. Good luck findin one cheapenough to be worth it. Raptor really thats dirt not street. Finally the gt500 just lost me. For so long its had all kinds or problems. But instead of fixing, they just gave it more HP. Yea the zl1 has less power but hey how often are YOU street racing?

[@rubens1977]

What do you mean how often? I mean really if you have any of these two cars your gonna be street racing all the time your gonna be going in a straight line right? Your not gonna be like let's do a couple laps around town are you?

[@nwigchert10]

glen lantz Because NOBODY street races....thats stupid. spend 60k for your car to sit in an impound lot? And lets be honest. If your in the ZL1 how many cars are you scared of? GT500s are RARE to say the least....still killing every 5.0....

[@rubens1977]

You don't make any sense at all and lots of people street race. As a matter of fact how many people actually take their cars to a track?

[@whyeff21]

I've been watching gt500 vids all DAMN DAY

[@julingy]

it was nice to read the article and then jump on youtube and watch the comparison.... never done that before

[@sickjohnson]

Hard choice, but I would have to give props to the faster one. Being a larger person (over 6 feet) the mustang gets another point, especially when you factor in the better field of view through the window. Still they are very close! Customers win!

[@MrMraggies1996]

I just purchased a Camaro ZL! i love my new car!!!

[@thomasochs7020]

ZL1: First car for rich kids. Shelby: midlife crisis car for speed demons.

[@ms3ben]

I'll take one of each! Both amazing machines

[@scottclark4047]

I vote Camaro all the way! Every review you read and video I watch, the Brakes fade or even melt on the Shelby. Also, I live in the mountains and I don't drive everywhere in a straight line. On the Track the ZL1 wins every time, especially with multiple laps because the brakes don't fall off. You can enter and exit the corners faster in the Camaro.

[@adamdavis2760]

Well it's 7 years later and if you were to ask me which one I would take given the equal performance on the track and the fact that the Camaro is much better equipped suspension wise. I would have to choose the Camaro as it is $15,000 cheaper on average to buy a used one right now

[@j.jmcquade5278]

2013 ZL1 for sale near me. Beautiful black on black. $29,995 with 96k miles. The high mileage scares me, but its so beautiful!

[@NickB1LE]

I love that track! Its the Grattan Raceway in Belding, MI. It has one very tricky turn though...

[@jayce1418]

I would have both but since I'm over 6" I can't fit in the camaro so i got the mustang and am loving it

[@bricemorgan6952]

Oh thank gosh I saw this comment because once I get back out into the work force, I’m going to chase down a 2013 GT500 for the low. I’m 6’2 or 6’3 so will I be able to fit in it?

[@3rdGenGuy]

The Ford fans can argue all day about straight line acceleration, But at the end of the day, the Zl1 has won EVERY comparison. Motor trend, Drive, Edmunds, car & driver ex.

[@ImFastrnU]

Just keep reminding yourself of that while you watch the Mustangs tearing the Camaro a new one in real life.

[@3rdGenGuy]

David Cleveland All the Zl1 has to do is one hard stop. While the GT500 would be sliding into a tree.

[@ImFastrnU]

Stopping?! Is that the best thing Chevy has got!? lol!!!!!!!!! Of course the Chevy would stop...why try to catch the Mustang when it's a hopeless cause?

[@3rdGenGuy]

David Cleveland The Gt500 has terrible brakes. 662HP with single piston caliper brakes. Stupid level over 9000.

[@Studio2770]

David Cleveland I'd rather have confidence that my car won't kill me. And yes, the Camaro can stop and watch the Mustang slide around aimlessly in the sunset.

[@p4horror]

Very fair review. They're both great performance cars, no doubt about it.

[@lbravo18]

I'm surprised it was actually an un biased comparison for once. Good job Car and Driver

[@sidjohnson1207]

I really like both of these cars, I want one of each

[@mathieulepage4910]

No matter what any of you think every single time these two cars are compared by people that do such for a living the Camaro wins, even the 1LE and the SS won in they're comparisons. Everytime they do the classic Camaro vs Mustang they all say it the Camaro is a better built and more refined machine.

[@darthbane5408]

I did a test drive like so many of you fans say to do, I'm not a pro driver, but the Camaro is just fun. Test them both for yourself you'll feel a big difference.

[@Quest4Unknown]

Jim jones juice I'll drive it

[@80KG_Costco_Chicken]

Winner is loser here. We don't buy muscle cars cause they are good. We buy them because they are badass. And quote from Chris Harris, "In the land of muscle, bad is good. And the GT500 is the baddest of all".

[@brentwood06]

Yes I agree! That would make the Shelby have a clear advantage. Let's just hope that Ford can make it work since it's new for them to put IRS on a 650+ hp car.

[@bulatok1]

CAMARO

[@Lewandowsification]

For me it really comes down to this, the Mustang has been refined and tweaked to a point where it is a muscle car the holds onto all of that character that comes with being a muscle car, while also being able to hang with some of the fastest cars out there. While GM just ditched anything muscle car about the Camaro, took its body and put it on a CTS-V chasis, this doesn't at all make it a bad car, but the reason it is so much better than the SS is because it really isn't the same car.

[@trooper5131]

both are amazing cars and they both look badass..id be happy to own either of em

[@eidolonbreed]

Drag base!!! Fuck track racing. It's all about the 1/4 mile. That's wat defines a muscle car

[@garretthall3511]

yes but half mile is always fun as well

[@Dominus396]

Fuck quarter miles..! Lemans..! Are the real muscle sport..! The Zl1 would fare rather well..! I've seen this car be on the track for 12 hours straight..! I'm sure it can do more..

[@SHADOWBLACKs650]

The Shelby is much much more comfortable

[@xotic1680]

deffintly not ive rode in a s187 and ive been on a test drive in one of those shelbys and i ride in a zl1 now the same year model actualy and its so much better

[@hebeb394]

That's the first ZL1 I've seen without the mylink stereo and navigation 🤔

[@Everett901]

I have a 2012 model GT500. Had it for 5 years now. Congratulations to anyone driving a Camaro_ZL1 or Shelby_GT500 (continue shifting & stay safe)

[@NissanTy]

I am a Ford fan and LOVE the mustang, but IF and IF I had the coin, I'd REALLY consider the zl1, but since I dont have the coin for one, either or is fucking badass to me

[@dodfox1]

I RACE my 2013 GT500 most every weekend (SCCA) in the summer, so I know you have no idea what you're talking about. I've NEVER yet been beaten by a 2012/13 ZL1. They didn't even finish in the top five (5) slots. Top three (3) spots in EVERY race were 2013 GT500s. I think YOU are the one who's delusional.

[@gearhead4005]

2 of the baddest, best all around modern American muscle cars ever.

[@satadanny]

This video is just asking for a million arguments. Ford Mustang vs Chevrolet Camaro! Damn Car and Driver. Ding, Ding.

[@GregConway3]

Dammit I love the shelby gt500's!!!! But it's odd that I own a camaro...

[@jonahjudy9608]

I would drive the camaro because it has better steering and brakes. Camaros are faster and more powerful. Camaros are my favorite car. Go camaros.

[@camirocz]

Faster?More powerful?Shelby has 662 h.p camaro has 580.Where is the camaro faster and more powerful?Oh in your dreams ,ok i see.

[@Studio2770]

camirocz They have a weight thing too but I think it's for safety. The Camaro has a better safety rating, quite sure it's the ZL1, or any of them. But I'd much rather have stability. Plus, I think the Camaro is sexier.

[@camirocz]

Its not faster and more pwerful so where se your logic?

[@richardcerritelli9657]

@@camirocz overall you have to admit the Camaro still it's by far the better car

[@camirocz]

@@richardcerritelli9657 In 2012 yes it was.for 2020 the Gt 500 is on another level.

[@01mycobra]

You obviously never paid attention to this video. The car was never forced to park, there was no overheating problems (except the brakes). They didn't drive the ZL1 quite long enough for it to heat soak, which does happen at SCCA events, or long enough to discover that the brake pads chew up the rotors. Those of us that do race the new GT500 have discovered that the only 'upgrade' required to fix any brake fade, was to change the brake fluid to DOT 4 (about $85, and required by SCCA anyway).

[@jikonko28]

Just based on the looks alone, not to mention the extra HP and faster 0-100km/h (0-60mph) u simply have to go with the Shelby every day of the week.

[@karamelmacchiato5000]

i love my mustang

[@mopedmessiah]

Im not gonna lie, I love the Shelby, but they just dont hit me anymore like they used to. The Camaros look way better and more seem like a truer muscle car

[@SportsMusicCars]

hard visibility out of camaros.

[@01mycobra]

The GT500 does not ever suffer from heat soak. Non-track pack cars do have an oil heating problem when run on a track hard. Track pack cars have oversized oil, transmission and differential coolers. It's the ZL1 that has heat soak problems. The ZL1 only remained consistent because they only ran it for three short laps at Laguna Seca. It's also been reported by insiders, that Chevy used a 'ringer' car at the Nurburgring. SCCA, however, is the real world of racing.

[@jm0n55]

I love car and driver!!

[@germanium1872]

I'd take the zl1

[@matthewhaga4672]

To Brandon Taylor...there is tons of aftermarket support for the ZL1 or any camaro for that matter. Hmmm...I wonder why I always see Chevy engines in mustangs. I never once have seen a ford engine in a camaro...

[@pllumajsgarages9149]

Bc Chevy queers realize that the mustang platform is better to build on and lighter but they know their GM engines on the other hand ford lovers could care less about those shitty Camaro platforms

[@silvershelbygt5006]

Why would you put a top of the line engine in a piece of sh!t platform?

[@s550danny]

Cmon guys. Both cars are amazing. Let’s just respect each other’s opinion because we all share the same passion for cars. Let’s just get along

[@darrylflowers2446]

they forgot a drag race

[@metalmaniac21]

camaro, simply the better car, better history as far as performance, mustang has a better history of selling and that's IT.

[@thetruth45ful]

Yes. They are coming back in 2015. Ford announced it in 2009 at autoweek when asked what would they to compete against the zr1 corvette. They said they had the advantage because chevrolet made the zr1 in 4 years whereas they are going to have nine years to make the ford gt a true supercar. They actually posted some concept pictures of the car. Type in 2015 ford gt in the search bar and click on the website that has forums motortrend com to see the concept that ford is doing. Hope you enjoy.

[@ReIIoaded]

These guys had great opinions. I liked this competition versus MotorTrends biased video. Can't argue though the GT500 takes skill to control while the ZL1 is a computer doing the work for you.

[@snapergallardo]

Gay mustang needed help to build the gt500 and Chevy didn't they did it by there selfs like real men. Chevy for life.

[@heydude76]

least we forget Ford didn't need our tax dollars to keep building, GM= Government Motors.......

[@heydude76]

the facts are the facts there Chrissy poo and I am a part of Ford you douche bag:)

[@TheNighthawk000]

Maybe ford should use some tax dollars that way they won't build shitty cars. GM has so much more to offer we have Pontiac GTO, G8 GT, GXP, Cadillac CTS-V, STS-V, XLR-V, Chevy SS, Camaro SS, Z/28, Corvette stingray, Z06, ZR1, Chevy Reaper. Ford doesn't have shit except their gay mustang oh and with the help of Shelby and their performance, the gt500 and raptor. That's all ford has how boring and shitty is that?

[@snapergallardo]

GM has more things to offer and have a variety of cars that would smoke any ford and nighthawk you're missing the Copo Camaro. I have to agree with nighthawk, ford wouldn't be anything without Shelby or Saleen (going bankrupt). Also ford isn't really reliable of all cases please GM is the best :).

[@fiapoko1]

dont forget the COBRA JET...oh and i thought Pontiac got discontinued...

[@alejandro3561]

I love my 2015 Camaro RS 1LT

[@01mycobra]

Wise decision. I love mine, also (I loved the 2013 GT500 so much, I also bought a 2014 Super Snake. Both are fabulous!

[@sandyshifers2832]

They are both good cars! Just live with it!

[@Wilcox3]

Chevy has Won More manufacturer Championship Awards Than Ford.

[@SFBay69]

Who gives a shit. Ford has sold more mustangs thane chevy since 1965.

[@Wilcox3]

Ok, Well Chevy has won More Races than Ford, Chevy Doesn't Lay off their Employees every other 3 months like Ford does(Trust me I know This as a fact). Also Chevy has won More Car/Truck of the Year Awards than Ford.

[@SFBay69]

Ace Wilcox and chevy took a bailout. Forgot that part plus chevy trucks are junk. 5.0 Mustang is faster than Chevy SS camaros. Chevy needs a vette to beat one.

[@MrLeFunker]

SFBay69 LOL Chevy SS beats the 5.0 2 out of 3 times on drag and beats it 3:3 on track. ZL1 beats boss 302 on drags and track. GT500 is a moded car. You think Shelby is Ford or something? Lol, Make it fair, Shelby GT500 Super Snake vs Hennessy ZL1 HPE700. Mods vs Mods. Hennessy will make Shelby look like a slow piece of shit. Fair is fair kid. Ford needs a moded car to be able to beat stock Chevrolets. Chevy > Ford. Chevy modded > Ford modded And chevy modded cars don't over heat and have break activity decline like the Shelby does. Shelby is a one trick wonder. Good try Ford, but not consistent enough.

[@vaporx9723]

MrLeFunker Where do you get 2 out of 3 times from? You never been to a track before so try again and dont be so fail with your misinformation. BTW, Hennessy set a world speed record in a....FORD! Not a Chevy or Caddy, a FORD! If Hennessy Chevy is so great, why did Hennessy set world records in a FORD?

[@lavell9816]

I love Camaro's point blank period c comes before f lol. Ford (found on road dead)

[@FirstnameLastname-do1px]

Chevy = Crappiest Heap Ever Viewed Yet.

[@3rdGenGuy]

Caleb Carrigan How come the Camaro beat Mustang sales every year since 2010? the market has spoken.

[@FirstnameLastname-do1px]

Stephen Bagnell Its because camaros cost less, dumbass.

[@3rdGenGuy]

Caleb Carrigan 1. price isn't the reason genius. GT- $30,750 SS-$31,685. The Camaro has the best resale value of any car in its class.

[@rrawroo]

Stephen Bagnell im with ya on that one. Chevy camaros all the way. they look better, and meaner! fords are for pussies!

[@DuffyCDD]

It's always hard to choose which on to buy on racing games

[@Jimmyxsx]

Ford didn't publish it, but now SVTperformance leaked a video of when the GT500 was being tested in the nurburgring and it lapped faster than the zl1. Lol The GT500 lapped the Nurburgring in 1:39.28

[@kaaskoekjes1]

Camaro just SOOOO sexy, great car. Mustang not that sexy but still also a great car! i would pick the Camaro anyday! Bowtie's till i die

[@craiglemasters6611]

To all the people that say that the corvettes are better than mustangs just remember that mustangs are MUSCLE cars and corvettes are sports cars or super cars depending on who you talk to but at the end of the day ford vs Chevy or dodge for muscle car or sports car or super car ford wins.

[@Gthere-cs3ow]

Beautiful

[@wg8290]

These cars are insane even in 2021!

[@Umadeabadmistake]

I dislike the fact that the taxpayers paid for the (gm) car, I'll take the Stang every time.

[@Dominus396]

I dislike the fact that our taxes payed for the ford efficiency plan right before bankruptcy. But they kept it under wraps so well.. " we didn't take the money..?" Sad really..! We now have the crappy ecoboost v6 which is being marketed to women.. Not only does the engine expire before the truck, SUV or crossover can finish its life expectancy but it would just be cheaper to buy a ford v8 vehicle and last it the years is expected to.. ! That's why men don't fall for the ecoboost and tax payers money went down the drain.. Current as of 2014 gm stock.. 34.55, ford stock 14.55.. All companies are imperfect..! I just wish you could have thought before saying this..!

[@Trades46]

Normally I'd immediately drive the car with the better handling & easier to live with everyday, But when you're buying a >$50k muscle car, is refinement REALLY on the top of your priority list? There are better options... I'd pick the GT500 because it represents what muscle cars are all about. Handling & trackdays would be done in a Z28 & Boss 302, not these ~600hp brutes.

[@iknowwazup]

Yeah it should be on your list if you are spending $50K for a camaro or a mustang. THe GT 500 can't handle on the track ...neither the zl1 really. The 1 LE or the z28 if you want track refinement...or buy a vette and solve the problems. The boss I will give u credit but the z-28 will still rape it on track, probably the 1le too.

[@iknowwazup]

When I see a GT 500 on the road...this is what I think...what a waste...the car is fast in a str8 line and that's it. I just spent $55K for this POS car that can only accelerate in a str8 line. I think...this guy that bought this car has no fuckin clue bout shit and only wants power. I would buy an M3 for $8K more over a GT500 any day of the week.

[@rhoadsracingteam6465]

Camaros are the shit

[@ImFastrnU]

iknowwazup what? did you not watch the video? they had identical track times AND the GT500 is faster in straight line. If you want to be all cuddled and made to feel good, get the Camaro. If you got a pair, and want real muscle car, you buy the Mustang.

[@Maroqu1n]

David Cleveland Real muscle car? What's your definition of muscle car? If you're saying ZL1 isn't one because the GT500 beats it in a straight line for a 1/4 mile than, every Mustang previous to this one isn't a Muscle car either. I've driven a Camaro most of my driving life and the same excuse I hear from the pony boys (that's you Mustang huggers) every time is that Camaros are only good in straight lines. Historically Mustangs have been inferior to Camaro in power and the 1/4 mile (not to mention looks) and now that you finally, finally have a Mustang that can beat a Camaro in a straight line, it's the only thing that matters. I understand brand loyalty and everything that goes with it. You Mustang fans are use to having cookie cutter same as everyone else type cars. It's what you grew up with and what you are use to. However, don't knock all muscle cars because they don't have a pretty pony emblem showing off how much the owner needs to emphasize how important ponies are. We can all get along :) Here is a fast Mustang for you: fc02.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2011/268/6/5/i__m_a_rainbow_pony_by_axlrosie-d4awk5k.jpg

[@picklz69]

there both beautiful machines.

[@dodfox1]

Mine has the Track Pack, no overheating here. But the ZL1 heat soaks after about 2 laps. Too bad.

[@patrickgowdy7656]

ZL1 owners see this and just Hang their heads down as Shelby owners laugh 😂😂

[@snower7648]

Yet you guys need a track car to beat us, the ZL1 isn’t the track car Chevy has. Try beating the 1LE, good luck

[@ryanroberts9676]

Mustang all the way

[@Mercz_z]

Woot :D

[@dodfox1]

The '67 Chevelle had 375 hp / 415 lbs ft of torque. The 2013 GT500 has 662 hp / 631 lbs ft of torque. That's the NEW standard for MUSCLECARS, eh?

[@BigTimeTrucker432]

Thank you. Finally someone knows what the hell their talking about. Exactly

[@rollout34]

I think its funny how only 1% of these cars owners will actually do circuit racing with them. that being said. the Shelby is over 3k cheaper when you include gas guzzler tax of the ZL1..19hw vs 26hw have fun filling up the cow .the difference in shear power and much more. the only thing the zl1 has is the independent rear suspension which to me is a crutch since I drag often. the Camaro is tacky and has fuggly interior as well as un proportionate styling ,seems thrown together.so if you want the slower, pricier, less practical, transformer boxy car. by all means. I will add I own a 800hp GT500 and have driven stock and modified zl1's countless times and there is no comparison. all you ZL1 fan boys. plz do a test drive and see how your view will change.

[@greyknight9638]

Actually it's $1300 for a manual. $2600 for an automatic. Regarding the gas guzzler.

[@coureurdebois]

sigh its not about going to the track its about the daily livability of a car and the abilities the car has in terms of handling performance. When you go to take your dream car out you often imagine taking it on your favorite scene road or back road driving the twists and having a fun, engaging, communicative, G filled experience while having confidence your car can take the abuse and remain fun (with your confidence intact). its quite simple the GT500 can't do this as well as the Zl1. the zl1 when driving at 7/10ths on a backroad is the gt500 driving at 10/10ths while scaring the driver and not rewarding them. i can tell this wont matter since you claim to own a 800 hp gt500 which means you only care about going straight.... so it wont matter or make sense to you that this is what people want.... this is the future of muscle cars not sticking with the old and outdated "going straight means everything" philosophy. not to mention in real world public roads where are you ever going to use 580+ HP? on the highway its not going to happen unless you want to go 170 which means you need to lose your license.

[@greyknight9638]

justin bouche That's a point I've made for a while now. The Ford fanatics NEVER listen.

[@coureurdebois]

Jacob McAdams ikr. honestly i could care less as im more of a M4/M3 guy... but i always hear the mustang guys say the same thing about the M3 coupe "its bad because it doesn't have 662 hp" im like OK you will fly off the road if you try to keep up with me and the whole time i will be smiling having fun ;)

[@greyknight9638]

justin bouche There is so much truth to that it's not even funny. That's one reason why I'm not impressed with the car. Granted, I'm hit and miss on the new Hellcat, but ironically, that car has a lot of weight on it (which I call in part a miss) which might help keep it on the ground. I remember getting into an argument with this idiot on Yahoo (I know, that doesn't really narrow it down lol) who kept criticizing my choice to buy a V6 RS Camaro over an equivalent Mustang. I gave my points and he still wanted to act stupid and even kept quoting Motor Trend's test of the 2015 models because they compared the Camaro's interior to a Happy Meal toy, to which I responded, and I paraphrase: So what does that say about the Mustang as a whole, considering they picked the Camaro over the Mustang? lol. Another fun fact, you can get a 770 hp engine from Chevrolet that's naturally aspirated. Says it works for Camaro models too. Although I'm not sure if it's legal on the street, but the point is, they make an engine that's more powerful in natural aspiration than Ford's GT500 engine, which is supercharged.

[@AchillesWrath1]

Who's gonna go to a race track? That GT500 will smoke the Camaro from light to light...3.5 second 0-60 in normal every day driving.

[@coureurdebois]

*sigh* its not about going to the track its about the daily livability of a car and the abilities the car has in terms of handling performance. When you go to take your dream car out you often imagine taking it on your favorite scene road or back road driving the twists and having a fun, engaging, communicative, G filled experience while having confidence your car can take the abuse and remain fun (with your confidence intact). its quite simple the GT500 can't do this as well as the Zl1. the zl1 when driving at 7/10ths on a backroad is the gt500 driving at 10/10ths while scaring the driver and not rewarding them. not to mention in real world public roads where are you ever going to use 580+ HP? on the highway its not going to happen unless you want to go 170 which means you need to lose your license. this is the future of muscle cars not sticking with the old and outdated "going straight means everything" philosophy. look at fords new gt350 strange how it has IRS, magneride, similar weight, and similar wheelbase to the zl1... ;)

[@LevelII]

Yeah what do I know. ....... I only work at a Ford dealer that gets a lot of people trading Camaros for Mustangs. Been in and driven several of both. I have seen the trunk openings. These cars are rarely bought for cargo space but it's still a valid point

[@dodfox1]

Sorry, but Muscle car is a term used to refer to a variety of high-performance automobiles. The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines muscle cars as: "any of a group of American-made 2-door sports coupes with powerful engines designed for high-performance driving."

[@Slinky108]

At least my tax dollars did not pay for Fords research and development!

[@jasr.1875]

Uumm, yes they did. www.forbes.com/sites/joannmuller/2012/08/29/automakers-report-card-who-still-owes-taxpayers-money-the-answer-might-surprise-you/

[@mastersoulification]

Ford was bailed out by Dodge since the start. www.allpar.com/corporate/bios/dodge-brothers.html

[@ryanhaverkamp4404]

Jas r. Bail or loan dumb shit

[@matthewkatz8087]

Every one knows that the mustang is better

[@Studio2770]

That's why the Camaro won.

[@ikeman99cobra]

Studio2770 it won their opinion, nothing else. identical track times. should of had a drag race also. GT500 would have spanked it like a red headed child.

[@Studio2770]

ikeman99cobra then neither are better since if you prefer one, that's just your opinion. Of course the GT500 would win on the strip, it's lighter first of all and has more horsepower. But I wouldn't take so much pride in a drag race. All you do is go in a straight line. On the track however, you put the car through it's paces with HP, steering, brakes, etc. You use more of the car's functions. Looking at other video comparisons such as MotorTrend, the ZL1 has pretty much identical comments about it and wins the comparison. So, if a car is easier to drive, that's not a matter of opinion unless you want a car that's easy to drive.

[@Studio2770]

ikeman99cobra of course you care about drag racing, otherwise you wouldn't have brought it up; nor did I say you shouldn't care about it. I kinda just take your words with a grain of salt when you chose to call Europeans "eurofags." That kinda made things childish. If people that bought these cars only cared about drag then why do tests on the track. I consider the track to have more weight NOT because the Camaro won but because, like I said, you use more of the car instead of just flooring it. What do you consider a "massacre"?

[@jared062398]

Looks like somebody got butthurt because obviously its not.

[@skippyelchulo69]

Both these cars are awesome! There's no competition here because they both are equally match in different ways. Anyone who says these are for losers and cheerleaders are fools and probably own either a used 2004 import or ride a bus to work/school and never driven any american muscle car. American cars have stepped their game up and there's no doubt about it! I love them both!

[@dodfox1]

That's true, but some dealers (Ford and Chevy both), add an additional 'market adjustment' onto the price. You may need to shop around to find a dealer that doesn't.

[@prestigemustang1]

The ZL! is completely out classed by the Shelby .I own a 13 as well as a 14 GT 500. they will smoke the Camaro at every turn! Car and drivers test was a joke!!

[@whatswiththissassylostchilld]

You foolish man, the zl1 would beat the gt500 at any track.

[@Guy24435]

Chevy won again

[@uriahbleue1947]

After it was built with my tax dollar.

[@coureurdebois]

Uriah Bleue get over it and go worship you god and savior king obama who knows everything. dont forget to blame bush. :P

[@zerofrictionz546]

yes

[@QUADSnGUNS]

i agree

[@wclutch]

The camaro is just terrible. It's like the really good McDonald's toy. Sure it can serve its purpose performance wise but then you can just go to the nearest toy store and get something 100x better. The camaro is just so cheap looking! It has a generic Chevy base model wheel and a terrible interior. The only camaro I would buy is the new z28. I'd swap out the interior and be set.

[@skyisdlimit6125]

Lol for the price it's what it is. you don't expect to spend 50k plus to have everything in a car.

[@wclutch]

***** True. It actually has pretty good performance for the price I suppose.

[@camman6912]

LOVE BOTH THESE CARS! THIS COMES FROM A CHALLENGER SRT OWNER!

[@high8high]

I love a Mustang and its Sound

[@Guy-mx4fb]

I was thinking getting an SS as a daily but i hear lot of people use this ZL1 as daily

[@desijaggijatt]

So True

[@AB-80X]

I am referring to a Porsche and both cars were borrowed, not rented. My wife and I have some very good friends around the states, and they have also been borrowing cars from us for trips up here in the northern part of europe. For the long trip, the owners were also part of the trip, and the GT500 was driven by my wife and me, while they drove another car. With the ZL1 in MI sometimes the wife and I drove it alone, on other occasions, the owner was driving and I was a passenger.

[@meandmymustangs]

My wife and I just bought our 2013 GT500. I'll probably never do anything near what this car is capable of.......but it sure is fun to drive though!!!!

[@juliancontreras6502]

The LSA redline is so Nice

[@doms360spinna]

For some reason these guys have always favored the camaro

[@fnfastone]

Exactly... And they still haven't figured out how to stop the wheel hop in the independent rear suspension in the camaro upon power shifting. Also , the solid axle is much less prone to breaking. Until they do , I'll stick with the good old fashioned American Muscle.

[@morg405]

Yeah. But they did apply for a government loan, which they are still paying back. I am a Ford owner currently, a Mustang to be exact and I love it. I just saw you insult someone who didn't insult you first, so I decided to drop a fact.

[@Drivermod_Josh]

at VIR : ZL1 - 2:52 GT500 - 3:00. At nurburgring : 7:41 vs ??? at gingerman raceway : 1:42 vs 1:45 at grattan raceway : 1:27 vs 1:28 At Sachsenring : tie ( 1:38 / 1:38 ) the ZL1 originally started at 54,095. Then chevy added the dealer + gas guzzler into the price and there's the 56k base. They have a fully loaded ZL1 with an automatic for 59 grand.... It's not fair to compare a bare-bones GT500 to a fully loaded ZL1. Explains why the GT500 needs to be in the 70s or even very high 60 grand.

[@dodfox1]

The ZL1 was designed to track. The GT500 was specifically designed to drag (and be street legal). Hence, IRS for the ZL1, solid axle (can hook up better, and handles much more torque) for the GT500. Even the COPO Camaro (designed to drag) has a Ford 9" solid axle. But it's nice that the GT500 (which, yes I do own) stays right with, and BEATS the ZL1 on smother tracks. Too bad YOU don't race, "Sleeper."