I think I should buy a GTO

[LordMorpheus]

Originally posted by: Atheus
Clarkson from top gear (you get that in the US right?) has one, he always goes on about it being unreliable, always back at ford for repairs, as well as massively inefficient.

That's his GT, it was an aftermarket alarm problem, he got his money back but wound up changing his mind and the issue has been resolved.

About the GTO and Clarkson, though, the GTO is just a Monaro, which Top Gear has had on before and they loved it for great power, good handling (yes), and above all fantastic value and fun.

 

[Tbirdkid]

I spent monday, and tuesday shopping all day for a car. I drove the gto, the mustang gt, the maxima, the g6 gtp, the hyundai sonata, etc. Alot of cars. I ended up buying a nissan altima 3.5se. That car is really nice. 2k4s werent my favorite, so i bought a brand new 05. Love it.

The goat is a sweet and overly powerful car. Talk about having a e penis? That is like having a C penis!

 

[Kadarin]

Originally posted by: Tbirdkid
The goat is a sweet and overly powerful car. Talk about having a e penis? That is like having a C penis!

Indeed. And, sadly, yours is lacking...

 

[DivideBYZero]

WTF Passat do you have that is as powewrful or as quick as a 330i? The V6-4motion topped out at 200hp, didn't it? Unless you have the ultra rare W8.

 

[Triumph]

Originally posted by: Tommy2000GT
sad thing it the 400hp GTO is just as quick as the 300hp 2005 mustang gt

I thought the GTO ran sub 5 seconds 0-60 and the GT was like mid to high 5's? I don't really care for 0-60, but it's some sort of measuring stick. Besides, sound of small block > sound of 4.6.

Originally posted by: DivideBYZero
WTF Passat do you have that is as powewrful or as quick as a 330i? The V6-4motion topped out at 200hp, didn't it? Unless you have the ultra rare W8.

Haha, my Passat is chipped. ~200 hp and 240 ft-lbs of torque. Actually I should clarify somewhat. I test drove a 325, and my car was definitely much faster in a line. The 328 only has about 10 hp more than the 325, so it's pointless to buy one of those. And the 330 costs too much. So to get a BMW, I'd probably aim for the 325, but I'd be taking a big step back in straight line speed. Although those engines are reeaally smooth. So no, probably not as fast as a 330, but comparable.

 

[Strk]

Originally posted by: Triumph

Originally posted by: Tommy2000GT
sad thing it the 400hp GTO is just as quick as the 300hp 2005 mustang gt

I thought the GTO ran sub 5 seconds 0-60 and the GT was like mid to high 5's? I don't really care for 0-60, but it's some sort of measuring stick. Besides, sound of small block > sound of 4.6.

It's 5.8 for a 0-60. Unfortunately, it's a bit heavy, as someone already stated. Also, if you watch the Top Gear episode where they go to Pendine Sands, you'll see another slight issue the car has, although this one makes for great fun The thing has such a beast of an engine, it can't quite put it all down at a launch or you'll just dig into the ground (Quite literally in the case of Top Gear :laugh: )

Anyways, you get more from the GTO than you get in the Mustang anyways, so eh. It would be cool if you could get a newer one though with the upgraded engine.

 

[PricklyPete]

I would buy it in a second. I say go for it. You really can't get as comfortable everyday car with so much ooomph under the hood. If I didn't need my truck, I'd sell it and get a GTO in a instance. Sometime down the road, I might try to find a used one.

 

[DivideBYZero]

Originally posted by: Triumph

Originally posted by: Tommy2000GT
sad thing it the 400hp GTO is just as quick as the 300hp 2005 mustang gt

I thought the GTO ran sub 5 seconds 0-60 and the GT was like mid to high 5's? I don't really care for 0-60, but it's some sort of measuring stick. Besides, sound of small block > sound of 4.6.

Originally posted by: DivideBYZero
WTF Passat do you have that is as powewrful or as quick as a 330i? The V6-4motion topped out at 200hp, didn't it? Unless you have the ultra rare W8.

Haha, my Passat is chipped. ~200 hp and 240 ft-lbs of torque. Actually I should clarify somewhat. I test drove a 325, and my car was definitely much faster in a line. The 328 only has about 10 hp more than the 325, so it's pointless to buy one of those. And the 330 costs too much. So to get a BMW, I'd probably aim for the 325, but I'd be taking a big step back in straight line speed. Although those engines are reeaally smooth. So no, probably not as fast as a 330, but comparable.

Nah. Yours is still FWD. I'd rather have a 328 RWD than a chipped 1.8T FWD, but that's just me!

 

[Triumph]

I won't argue the merits of FWD versus RWD, that's one of my biggest complaints about my car. But my vehicle is definitely no slouch. I have lots of seat time in my roommates E36 M3, and I can tell you that in the low revs, my car pulls just as hard as the M. Now when the revs get up there above 4500 or so, obviously the M just keeps pulling hard and smooth. But around town and in traffic, they feel very similar.

That's the other thing. Why buy a $24k 330i when I could get an E36 M3 that is faster, better handling, and cheaper? You give up the styling, that's it. Another knock against the BMW's.

 

[DuBobD]

The biggest drawback for a GTO as a daily driver is the smaller trunk. I have driven a GTO numerous times (both A4 and 6-speed) and that little drawback will not keep me from owning one. Unfortunately, it's gonna be a few years and who knows what will be out by then, but if I had to buy something now.....without a doubt, I'd get the GTO.

A lot of GM cars will be going back to RWD in 2008 or 2009. The "G8" is supposed to be RWD with the LS4 (303hp V8) and share the same platform for the next GTO. The GTO building is supposed to be moved to the US, and I'm hoping that it doesn't get messed up. GM US needs to take some lessons from GM Austrailia (Holden).

 

[vi edit]

I think my problems would be the two doors, small trunk, and a hungry appetite for gas (and premium at that).

That and it will be a bitch to drive in sloppy conditions.

These types of cars seem like a great idea during the test drive, but their shortcomings come blaringly apparent a few months into ownership.

Just keep in mind the compromises you'd be giving up having owned a fairly functional and economical sedan (your passat) for so long.

 

[Triumph]

I don't care about the two doors, but the trunk and fuel economy do worry me. It has the Corvette drivetrain but doesn't get the Corvette fuel economy, I guess due to the weight. This is why I need a test drive. I know it is comfortable and has lots of power; if the handling is there then that might be the kicker.

 

[Theguynextdoor]

Originally posted by: SampSon
No way in hell a BMW like that is worth 22K.

You obviously don't know your BMW's then. Although it isn't for everyone so that's understandable.

 

[Theguynextdoor]

Originally posted by: Triumph
I don't care about the two doors, but the trunk and fuel economy do worry me. It has the Corvette drivetrain but doesn't get the Corvette fuel economy, I guess due to the weight. This is why I need a test drive. I know it is comfortable and has lots of power; if the handling is there then that might be the kicker.

A used C5 COUPE has PLENTY of trunk room. (I can fit half of the stuff in my drom into it and the passenger seat)

Gas mileage because of our taller gears, lighter weight, lower height, and aerodynamics.

However if you can get over the uglier interior, a used low-mileage C5 will offer all these for the same price.

And to be honest I like the "sporty" feel of my C5 better then Goat. Even though the goat has 50 more HP then mine, it accelerates just the same.

 

[Theguynextdoor]

Originally posted by: vi_edit
I think my problems would be the two doors, small trunk, and a hungry appetite for gas (and premium at that).

That and it will be a bitch to drive in sloppy conditions.

These types of cars seem like a great idea during the test drive, but their shortcomings come blaringly apparent a few months into ownership.

Just keep in mind the compromises you'd be giving up having owned a fairly functional and economical sedan (your passat) for so long.

If you read the manual of the vette and the goat, it says you can run regular from time to time. Although prolonged use is not recommended if used for sprinted driving. If you want to be safe pump Medium. Which is what a few owners do.