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

[Siddhartha]

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. This thing will hit the streets in the US and be as admired as the Holden Manaro is in Australia. The fit and finish on this car is suppose to be outstanding, not to mention 350 bhp, 365 ft-lb and a Z06 6 spd!! Watch for the first televisions to air tonight during Monday Night Football.

The first GTO was nothing flashy, so how is this a sad tribute, it beets the original in every category, speed, power, cornering (IRS), fit and finish, luxury....

The original GTO was a Tempest with a large engine, bucket seats, gauges, sporty wheels and tires, and a scoop.

 

[PricklyPete]

I have to say that while the car does look somewhat bland, I think it is in the right direction for Pontiac. IMHO, pontiacs have always looked extremely tacky...like they were trying to say something that they were not.

I do think there could be a possible interest in the car from people who are into highly modifying their cars after purchase. You are starting off with a really sweet engine and transmission...you can do your own body work and other performance enhancements.

I doubt I would ever buy one of these things, but it is the first pontiac in years that I wouldn't feel embarrased if it was sitting in my drive way.

 

[NFS4]

**Updated 11/12**
Reborn GTO performs like a true sports car

 

[mAdD INDIAN]

i love this car.

I expect all owners of this car too keep it in good condition for the next 6 years. that way I can buy it used (if i should happen to come to the US).

 

[vi edit]

Man it's soooooo much better looking in that blue than the silver many of the early road tests show.

 

[NFS4]

**Updated 11/13**
Pontiac GTO: Lusty performance disguised in a phone-company fleet car.

Highs: Corvette sound and power, Euro ride and handling, acceptable price.

Lows: Iffy build quality, tiny trunk, styling that makes you say, "So what?"

 

[Cfour]

Originally posted by: NFS4
**Updated 11/13**
Pontiac GTO: Lusty performance disguised in a phone-company fleet car.

Highs: Corvette sound and power, Euro ride and handling, acceptable price.

Lows: Iffy build quality, tiny trunk, styling that makes you say, "So what?"

That's the first reveiw I've seen thats questioned teh build quality... but this is obviously a pre-production version, right?

 

[KokomoGST]

Originally posted by: Cfour

Originally posted by: NFS4
**Updated 11/13**
Pontiac GTO: Lusty performance disguised in a phone-company fleet car.

Highs: Corvette sound and power, Euro ride and handling, acceptable price.

Lows: Iffy build quality, tiny trunk, styling that makes you say, "So what?"

That's the first reveiw I've seen thats questioned teh build quality... but this is obviously a pre-production version, right?

I recall that Autospeed.com also did a review on the version of the GTO that's hitting AU. They said they really liked it in comparison to their HSV Monaros in the build quality dept. Mebbe it is the preproduction quality or mebbe it's just C/D being anal and expecting a BMW interior. I know they're a tad BMW biased.

 

[KokomoGST]

Originally posted by: Corn

wow!!! the evo will smoke it!!

Probably the one thing I'm really gonna miss about the Audi: Easy and plentiful mods (only the stealthy kind though--wings and cladding? Bleh!!). The APR chip was the most impressive price/performance ratio goodie ever crafted for probably any car ever made.

LOL, easy and plentiful mods on the 4G63T??? I guess you haven't met any DSM owners before. We're a community of cheap bastards... it's one of the strongest engines EVAR and so what if the US spec Evo is new here... we know most of the tricks in tuning 4G63Ts already and there's a GIANT Japanese aftermarket for it as well. It's arguably the stoutest 4 cylinder engine ever... it currently owns the 4WD 4cylinder World Record for the 1/4 mile, on friggin DOT tires. http://www.shepracing.com/

 

[TuffGuy]

testing new sig.

a tribute the the old, "fast" muscle cars old that are legendary for burning up the strip.

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: TuffGuy
testing new sig.

a tribute the the old, "fast" muscle cars old that are legendary for burning up the strip.

1968 gto - 400ci, 360hp, 445lb-ft, 3650lbs, 14.8@95mph

ah, the old fake hp numbers from the "good old days"

 

[NFS4]

**Updated 11/19**
First Drive: 2004 Pontiac GTO

 

[BigSmooth]

Edmund's describes it as having "exceptional build quality", which is a good sign... contradicts C&D. It looks pretty good in black. I still think it just doesn't stand out enough from the crowd, though.

 

[Ornery]

Originally posted by: ElFenix

Originally posted by: TuffGuy
testing new sig.

a tribute the the old, "fast" muscle cars old that are legendary for burning up the strip.

1968 gto - 400ci, 360hp, 445lb-ft, 3650lbs, 14.8@95mph

ah, the old fake hp numbers from the "good old days"

Going Fast With Class!

• 0-60 mph: 5.5 sec., Quarter Mile: 13.4 sec @ 105 mph from the factory on bias ply tires and automatic 3 speed. Not to mention a silky smooth ride, elbow room, huge trunk and room to get at the engine!

Could it "handle the twisties"? Who cares!?

 

[CChaos]

I see people saying it's bland, but compared to the guady cladding on recent Pontiacs, I think that's a compliment. I like the looks of the GTO. You can keep the big honking wings and boy racer looks of the STi and Evo. If you want to go fast on the cheap get an SRT-4, but for $30k+ I'd like something handsome and understated like this. It's the antithesis of the cheap moddable 4 banger in my mind.

 

[Corn]

LOL, easy and plentiful mods on the 4G63T??? I guess you haven't met any DSM owners before.

I'm really trying to understand the relevance of your reply, because my Audi does not have the Mitsu 4g63t engine................

60 hp, 110 lb/ft, all for $600? It's going to be hard to find such results so cheaply and easily anywhere.....not saying it's impossible......

 

[XZeroII]

Originally posted by: CChaos
I see people saying it's bland, but compared to the guady cladding on recent Pontiacs, I think that's a compliment. I like the looks of the GTO. You can keep the big honking wings and boy racer looks of the STi and Evo. If you want to go fast on the cheap get an SRT-4, but for $30k+ I'd like something handsome and understated like this. It's the antithesis of the cheap moddable 4 banger in my mind.

I agree. It has the power, but it isn't all hyped up. It's like a Pentium 8 @ 30GHz in a standard case (GTO), rather than a 286 with neon lights and watercooling (Civics)

 

[FrOsTxxbYtE]

its pretty fast atleast

 

[NFS4]

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/coupe/112_0312_gto/index.html

 

[Ornery]

Christ, that mofo looks like sh|t. Baby sh|t in that hideous yellow color. Wish to hell they hadn't besmirched the GTO name with that abortion. If they'd only called it a Grand Am, Sunfire or something more fitting that weenie unibody. Ugh...

 

[NFS4]

Originally posted by: Ornery
Christ, that mofo looks like sh|t. Baby sh|t in that hideous yellow color. Wish to hell they hadn't besmirched the GTO name with that abortion. If they'd only called it a Grand Am, Sunfire or something more fitting that weenie unibody. Ugh...

Ornery, are you off your meds again??

 

[Ornery]

Sorry, it just ain't right...

Reminds me of when they did this. Gawd! :disgust:

 

[NFS4]

Originally posted by: Ornery
Sorry, it just ain't right...

Nah, I was just laughing b/c if a car isn't 4,000+ lbs, you hate it

 

[BadNewsBears]

Read em already. Already looking at hydramatic torque converter upgrades.

NFS4 impress me, the gto will continue in 05, but it will be using a new ls2, im sure you know but...

 

[Ornery]

As well as Bentleys, my absolute favorite is the A/C Cobra, which was pretty damn light. The Corvette adorned the walls of my bedroom growing up. It was, and is fairly heavy, though. I like the idea of a pony car, like the Mustang and Camaro. Cheap and fast! Don't give a flying fart about 'handling', so the weight is not an issue, no.