Competition: 2010 Chevy Camaro V6

Keep your friends close and your enemies closer. The old saying comes to mind as Mustang fans have to take a close hard look at the new competition from Chevrolet arriving at dealers this week.

It goes without saying that the 2010 Camaro SS with its 400+hp 6.2 liter V8 is an attractive set of specifications as compared to the 2010 Mustang GT's carry over 4.6 with 315hp. For top bidding, the 2010 Mustang can be had with a 540hp DOHC supercharged powerhouse in the Shelby GT-500 that no Camaro will be able to match while the PC Police at the Obama White House run GM. Game point for Ford.

Historically however, more base models of the Camaro and Mustang have been sold than their high performance counterparts. It is where the bread is buttered. In these tough economic times people will be looking at the value for the buck more than ever. So we choose to look further down the list at the entry level 2010 Camaro to see where the real sales wars will be fought.

The new Camaro betters the Mustang in many areas of the spec sheet, but the V6 1LS base version really rubs salt in the wound. GM chose to equip even the $23,040 stripper with a silky-smooth robust 304hp DOHC direct injection powerplant mated to a 6-speed manual or automatic transmission. That's a powertrain with more power and gears than even last year's Mustang GT. Furthermore, you cant even get a 6-speed manual in the Mustang unless you spend out for the GT-500. You cant get a 6-speed auto in the Mustang at any price.

The base Camaro even comes standard with dual stainless exhaust and some pretty attractive 18" steel wheels. The base Mustang with its coarse, decades-old 210hp V6 only comes with 17" aluminum wheels. You cant get basic steelies on the Stang. And you cant even option for dual exhaust on the Mustang V6.

If basic lines aren't your cup of tea, the V6 1LT Camaro is available with the same RS package as the Camaro SS. This adds attractive 20" wheels, spoiler, HID headlamps and other trim goodies. While the Mustang offers the Pony Package on the V6, you cant get 20" wheels on any Mustang.

While Ford did well to give the 2010 Mustang GT and Mustang V6 models distinctly different styling, there is something to the idea that you can get a Camaro V6 that looks nearly identical to a fully decked out SS. You can get the same spoiler, wheels, hood, and fascia - the whole enchelada and keep them guessing. Some may appreciate that, some might not.

Ford added some nice new colors like Grabber Blue for 2010 in the Mustang, but the Camaro is available in some of the hottest shades the Mustang doesn't even offer. This includes a nice metallic orange, shimmering aqua and a bright yellow. Nothing wrong with some sunshine in the driveway.

Styling and brand loyalty are always key factors to what people will buy. However Chevrolet really offers a significant value for the base Camaro that even this life-long Mustang enthusiast has to appreciate. For only $2000 more than Mustang's base $21,000 car you get a high-tech 304hp engine, 6-speed manual transmission and a modern world class independent rear suspension. This is BMW chassis specs for Chevy money! The driving dynamics of this car aren't rental grade by any stretch of the imagination. That cant be said for the V6 Mustang unfortunately.

Ford should look long and hard at the gap between the base 2010 Mustang and base 2010 Camaro. They ought to be looking at ways to make the Mustang more competitive where it counts. Because for buyers who care more about value and performance in days like these, there is enough extra oomph at the Chevy dealer's lot to make even this Ford Blue guy think about trying one out for size.