Camaro Vs. Mustang Reliability: Which Cars are More Reliable?

Choosing the right car is never easy. After all, the modern market is saturated with quality choices. That’s a good thing, but it doesn’t make car buying simple, especially if you’re the indecisive type. However, one fact remains true no matter what: Camaros and Mustangs are both pretty great cars. But, which vehicle’s manufacturer makes the better, more reliable cars? That’s a complex question with a complex answer, but these insights should help you come to your own informed decision.

What Makes A Car Reliable?

Before you can answer the question of which is better, Mustang or Camaro, you first have to understand what, exactly, makes a particular vehicle reliable. So, take some time to think first about the factors that lend themselves to real reliability.

Marketing Doesn’t Really Matter

If you’re like most people, then you may find that you’re drawn in by marketing and advertisements for specific vehicles. But, no matter how good the marketing, it’s never an entirely realistic indicator of whether or not a car is reliable. So, as you make your choice, make a concentrated effort to separate yourself and your perceptions from the marketing you may have seen.

This can be more difficult than you might realize. Sometimes, marketing isn’t obviously marketing. Everyone knows a commercial is an advertisement. But, things like “reviews,” testimonials, or even “articles” can sometimes be paid for by the company to make their car look better than it is. So, keep an eagle eye out for real, unbiased sources that give you an accurate, non-paid representation of a particular car or brand. Usually, these are the only sources that will tell you both the good and the bad. You’ll also find that more marketing and more money spent on marketing don’t always equal a better, more reliable car.

Think About Performance with Proper Care

Since you can’t depend on marketing materials, what can you depend on? Well, one thing is how long a particular car typically lasts, on average, with proper care. That last part is important. Any car that is not properly maintained isn’t likely to last as long as one that is. Furthermore, all cars, just like any machines, do require some care as part of their upkeep. Thus, as you read real reviews and reports, look for signs that the person may not have taken care of the car. These reports won’t be as accurate as those where the owner did care for the car.

Look at Ratings

As you can probably tell, it can be hard to find reliable information about a vehicle. Even if you do find reviews written by real individuals, there are always other factors that could come into play and render that information less accurate. Thankfully, though, there are some third party companies not affiliated with any particular manufacturer. And, even better, many of these companies conduct the research for you and provide reliability ratings for various vehicles. If you’ve got your mind on a particular Camaro and/or Mustang, it’s worthwhile to compare their reliability ratings from major, trusted sites. Even those aren’t necessarily perfect, but they can give you a fairly good indicator of how long the car will last.

Ask In Person

Direct person-to-person communication might seem a little old-fashioned these days, but it’s actually one of the best ways to learn how reliable a particular car is. If you want to hear real experiences and thoughts, find real people who own cars similar to the ones you are interested in. This might mean going to a car show, searching for relevant message boards, or just asking people you know who own a car you want to learn more about. They’ll often give you straight answers about what they like and don’t like about their cars. You can then use this information to aid you as you decide which vehicle to buy.

Enjoy A History Lesson

Often, the best cars are those that have been around for a long time. After all, a vehicle won’t have much “staying power” if it’s bad and no one likes it. Thus, invest some real research into particular cars. Learn about their history, problems that have plagued the brand in the past, and also what people have loved about them. For example, the first Camaro was released back in 1966, while the Ford Mustang first debuted two years earlier in 1964. Since their respective releases, many varieties have come and gone. But, with such long histories in the industry, it’s easy to find out more about each and every one. All it takes is a little digging and a willingness to learn on your part.

Think About Mileage

As you conduct your research, remember that reliability isn’t just about how often a vehicle breaks down or has problems. It’s also about how easy and affordable it is to own and operate on a daily basis. As such, take notice of a vehicle’s fuel efficiency. If a car gets a lot of miles per gallon, it’s going to cost you less in the long run. If it’s a gas guzzler, on the other hand, you’ll have to think about whether or not you can live with that, especially if the vehicle is prone to other problems.

Determine Driveability

The most reliable cars are those that are easy to drive. They handle well and don’t surprise you by running off course easily. You might not think this matters that much in terms of reliability, but it does. If a car is hard to handle, you stand a greater chance of getting into an accident. If it’s easy to drive and responsive, on the other hand, your chance of damages and injuries can be significantly lower.

How Reliable Are Camaros?

Now that you understand some of the factors that go into reliability and how to judge it, you can start thinking about these two vehicle types in particular. Be aware, though, that whether you’re comparing the 2021 Camaro SS vs. Mustang GT or any other combination of these cars, some things are subjective. What you like and deem attractive or reliable about a car may not matter to someone else and vice versa, so take all opinions and thoughts with a grain of salt.

With that said, there is definitely a lot that people like about Camaros. For one thing, they typically come with excellent warranties, which really speaks to their reliability. Of course, you’ll have to see what kind of protection your specific dealer or seller offers, as this can definitely vary. 

These cars are also slowly but surely starting to incorporate more modern technology and features, all without losing their classic appeal. Furthermore, they’re known for being safe, easy to drive, and great at handling all kinds of road conditions. And, finally, they’re undeniably stylish. You’re sure to feel good about your car and yourself if you opt for a Camaro.

Despite all these great factors in their favor, no car is perfect. Camaros do have some commonly noted cons. For instance, a lot of people complain about the cramped back seats on many models. If you’re hoping to cart around your friends or carry a lot of cargo, then a Camaro probably isn’t for you. Some models are also notorious for getting not-so-great gas mileage, which could mean spending more than you want on fuel. Also, you might have a hard time finding all-wheel drive on some varieties, which many consider a major red flag.

How Reliable Are Mustangs?

Now that you’ve got the skinny on Camaros, what about Mustangs? Well, one positive many people point out is that they’ve been around longer than their Camaro counterparts. Yes, it’s only by a couple of years, but some consider the Camaro a kind of not-as-great “copy” of the Mustang. There’s no real evidence to back that up, though, so don’t take it too seriously.

What you should take seriously is how attractive and highly customizable these cars are. If you want a vehicle that you can easily make your own, a Mustang is a great choice. Plus, they are often a lot more affordably priced than people think. In fact, if you browse the prices on some newer models, you’ll likely be pleasantly surprised. These cars may look expensive, but they tend to be priced well within reason. 

Be aware, however, that owning a Mustang tends to make you part of a community whether you like it or not. Mustang has lots of loyal fans, and they’ll come out of the woodwork to talk to you if you own one. You’ll probably be invited to a few car shows too, but for some people, that’s all part of the fun of owning a Mustang. On the flipside, not everyone likes the rounded design of most Mustangs. Also, all those available customizations and upgrades can get pretty pricey. 

The Bottom Line

All in all, most car enthusiasts would agree that both Camaros and Mustangs are pretty great. Even better, most models are quite reliable. It all comes down to which variety of car you prefer. But, if you give it some real thought and consideration, chances are you’ll pick one you’ll be happy with, whether it’s a Mustang, a Camaro, or maybe even neither.