2004 Pontiac GTO Preview @ Autoweek **Updated 11/19**

[Mr.IncrediblyBored]

Originally posted by: NFS4
The didn't compromise on anything. They didn't even DO anything. They just took another car and slapped a pontiac badge on it.

Well somebody had to design it and make the necessary compromises, even if it wasn't GM/Pontiac.

 

[NFS4]

Originally posted by: vi_edit

Find another new car $33k that can perform like the GTO.

Nissan 350Z
Evo
WRX STi


I'd personally take the 350Z Track

 

[Rent]

Originally posted by: NFS4

Originally posted by: vi_edit

Find another new car $33k that can perform like the GTO.

Nissan 350Z
Evo
WRX STi


I'd personally take the 350Z Track

The only car on that list that could take the GTO is the STi... and thats because of a weight advantage. I have no doubt in my mind that the GTO would run it down in the top end.

There are already reports of preproduction GTOs running 13.6 @ 105mph. I think this car offers a hell of a lot of performance for the $$.

 

[RU482]

I wonder if you can buy a chip for this car

 

[MorphineChild]

If anyone is interested in the entire story so far behind the new GTO check out the following:

www.newagegto.com
www.ls1gto.com

yes it is a rebadged Holden Manaro, but that car is a highly desired sports car in Australia. I plan on owning a 2005-6 GTO, definately going to get my hands on one while they are still being built in Australia. 2007 GTO is being built in the US.

 

[bernse]

Originally posted by: NFS4

Originally posted by: vi_edit

Find another new car $33k that can perform like the GTO.

Nissan 350Z
Evo
WRX STi


I'd personally take the 350Z Track

A Mach 1 would hang in there too, and cost less to boot.

A Mustang SVT has got to be damn close to the $33K, is it not? (Maybe only $1K or so more) And it would wipe the floor with the GTO, wouldn't it?

<--- Drives Jeep Cherokee

 

[vi edit]

Originally posted by: redly1
I wonder if you can buy a chip for this car

Batteries ran out on sarcasm detector...so can't tell if this was serious or not.

A chip would get you negligible gains.

 

[MorphineChild]

Originally posted by: NFS4

Originally posted by: vi_edit

Find another new car $33k that can perform like the GTO.

Nissan 350Z
Evo
WRX STi


I'd personally take the 350Z Track

I would say the 350z would be the only car in the list near the GTO's class. The car is more than just pure power. Check out the interior and features this car offers, can any on this list come close? I really like all the cars mentioned, but they are a different class, and arent these all over $35k?

 

[vi edit]

A Mustang SVT has got to be damn close to the $33K, is it not? (Maybe only $1K or so more) And it would wipe the floor with the GTO, wouldn't it?

'Stang SVT is almost $3,000 more.

 

[iamwiz82]

people call it bland and then jump in their accord/civic/camry/etc 😕

 

[NFS4]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82
people call it bland and then jump in their accord/civic/camry/etc 😕

Yes, but the Accord/Civic/Camry aren't supposed to be performance machines.

An Evo/STi are far from bland. The G35 and 350Z are nowhere near being bland. Nor is the RX7.

 

[KokomoGST]

Originally posted by: Rent

Originally posted by: NFS4

Originally posted by: vi_edit
Find another new car $33k that can perform like the GTO.

Nissan 350Z
Evo
WRX STi

There are already reports of preproduction GTOs running 13.6 @ 105mph. I think this car offers a hell of a lot of performance for the $$.

That straightline performance I don't doubt at all... but the Evo and STi both run mid 13s as well. And I highly doubt a stock GTO can keep up with an Evo in the turns. Then again, it takes a friggin Enzo to do that. Not to mention the Evo and STi are a few grand cheaper... and you can do a whole lot to both with just a few grand. Pruven Performance did 12.59 @ 107.69mph with a 1.72 60ft with just an FMIC, axel back exhaust, Manual Boost controller, fuel management, upgraded fuel reg., test pipe.

But I think low 13s and if driven right with some minor mods the GTO is an easy 13flat. If some stock Vettes can be ripped into high12s with just some awesome driving... I don't the the GTO is far off.

I just wish it didn't have that friggin kidney grille.

And "...modified knee bolsters" equals widers seats for the American fatass? 😀

 

[XZeroII]

Originally posted by: NFS4

Originally posted by: iamwiz82
people call it bland and then jump in their accord/civic/camry/etc 😕

Yes, but the Accord/Civic/Camry aren't supposed to be performance machines.

An Evo/STi are far from bland. The G35 and 350Z are nowhere near being bland. Nor is the RX7.

They aren't performance machines because those people don't put enough stickers on them. Each sticker adds 3HP

 

[CraigRT]

I LOVE IT (probably because it's a Holden)

Holdens rock...

 

[StageLeft]

Very boring appearance but lots of power at $33k. C&D did a review and said that they noticed the tires were pretty thin, so adding some thicker ones would help. They did a 5.3 0-60, but I'm sure the car is capable of better with better tires.

I actually think this thing's appearance is tragically nondescript and it will surely suffer sales because of it.

 

[KokomoGST]

Originally posted by: CraigRT
I LOVE IT (probably because it's a Holden)

Holdens rock...

Ford should bring over the Falcon... Mmmmmm.

 

[TheAudit]

I don't think that it looks bad...
it just doesn't look good!

For that money I would definitely go with one of it's competitors.

 

[WinkOsmosis]

Boring? If it had flame surfacing and sharp angles you would be calling it ugly. It's beautiful, in the same simple way that Audi's cars are beautiful.

 

[NFS4]

http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=1084433

 

[NFS4]

http://www.autofan.com/newsdetail.asp?id=793&mn=11&yr=2003

 

[SgtBuddy]

Originally posted by: bernse

Originally posted by: MorphineChild
wait till it hits the streets!! I think the GTO is an awesome car, no retro POS like Ford is doing.

What retro POS would you be talking about?

I am sure he is talking about the Thunderbird. Ugh, what a waste

I like the new GTO. V8, AWD. Those who say it can't handle turns are so lost in the 80s. Things have evolved.

I need to hold an opinion vs fact class again.

 

[mAdD INDIAN]

Originally posted by: KokomoGST

Originally posted by: CraigRT
I LOVE IT (probably because it's a Holden)

Holdens rock...

Ford should bring over the Falcon... Mmmmmm.

Oh man.

if Ford brought over their Falcon in performance trim and competed it against the GTO, it would kick ass.

The import manufcatureres would go back to the drawing boards. I'd forsee a turbo in the G35C's future then. Subaru would make a classier version of the STi, etc..

All you guys that are saying the GTO looks bland, well isn't this just a placeholder till GM builds their own version of hte Monaro (basing off the success of this car)?

 

[NFS4]

Originally posted by: SgtBuddy

Originally posted by: bernse

Originally posted by: MorphineChild
wait till it hits the streets!! I think the GTO is an awesome car, no retro POS like Ford is doing.

What retro POS would you be talking about?

I am sure he is talking about the Thunderbird. Ugh, what a waste

I like the new GTO. V8, AWD. Those who say it can't handle turns are so lost in the 80s. Things have evolved.

I need to hold an opinion vs fact class again.

It doesn't have AWD

 

[mAdD INDIAN]

Originally posted by: NFS4

Originally posted by: SgtBuddy

Originally posted by: bernse

Originally posted by: MorphineChild
wait till it hits the streets!! I think the GTO is an awesome car, no retro POS like Ford is doing.

What retro POS would you be talking about?

I am sure he is talking about the Thunderbird. Ugh, what a waste

I like the new GTO. V8, AWD. Those who say it can't handle turns are so lost in the 80s. Things have evolved.

I need to hold an opinion vs fact class again.

It doesn't have AWD

but its coming soooon!!! Next redesign of the Monaro. Holden already demoed it out in the Sydney Auto Show.

 

[NFS4]

Originally posted by: mAdD INDIAN

Originally posted by: NFS4

Originally posted by: SgtBuddy

Originally posted by: bernse

Originally posted by: MorphineChild
wait till it hits the streets!! I think the GTO is an awesome car, no retro POS like Ford is doing.

What retro POS would you be talking about?

I am sure he is talking about the Thunderbird. Ugh, what a waste

I like the new GTO. V8, AWD. Those who say it can't handle turns are so lost in the 80s. Things have evolved.

I need to hold an opinion vs fact class again.

It doesn't have AWD

but its coming soooon!!! Next redesign of the Monaro. Holden already demoed it out in the Sydney Auto Show.

Yes, I posted here:

http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.cfm?catid=38&threadid=1171617&FTVAR_MSGDBTABLE=

But I still don't forsee AWD for the GTO. It's already a pig at 3725 lbs. Add AWD and you're looking at a 4,000 lb GT cruiser