Slow Goat: Controversial styling, high price hobble inital sales of new GTO

[ElFenix]

controversial styling wtf? i might say boring and somewhat bland but not controversial.

 

[Ornery]

Originally posted by: Don_Vito

IMO they shouldn't have called it a GTO - the name is so iconic that it creates expectations the car can't meet. This is aggravated by the bland styling. I know Bob Lutz is trying to broaden the market appeal of Pontiac by stripping off the boy-racer cladding, but it seems to me this car goes too far in the direction of conservatism, stylistically. I imagine for cost-related reasons they wanted to stay close to the original Monaro design, but the car just seems a little lifeless for a $35K halo car, especially for a performance-oriented marque like Pontiac.

"When you come back with a name like GTO, you need something more..."



Getting GM?s Goat: GTO fans sound off on ?sucked caramel? styling of 2004 Monaro-based model 03/19/2003

Originally posted by: Ornery

No sh|t, that "goat" looks like any other Japanese clone scurrying about our highways. Calling this an Impala and that a GTO is totally disgusting! :roll:

 

[Passions]

$33k for that piece of American junk!!!??? BWAHAHAHAHAH HAHAHAHHAHAHA <Nelson>HA HA!!!</Nelson>

Why on earth would a normal, sane, person buy such trash???? 33k gets you an Acura TL, BMW 3-Series, Lexus IS300, Infiniti G35, Audi A4, etc. BWAHAHAHAHAHAH Detriot execs on crack mannnnnnnnnnn!!!!!! 33k!!!!!!!! LAFF.....Seriously.....they are totally on crack.

 

[StageLeft]

Originally posted by: ElFenix
controversial styling wtf? i might say boring and somewhat bland but not controversial.

It's controversial because "How can they make it that boring?!" What a controversy!

Anyway, I see a new movie is coming out and they advertise the GTO as one of the stars. I'm not kidding. Is it a full length film? It is by the makers of Fast and furiuos or something and I believe it has dennis hopper. It looks almost as bad as soul plane.

 

[Syringer]

Originally posted by: RagingBITCH
Wonder how sales will be when the new Mustang hits Although not entirely direct competitors I bet sales will be even worse

Mustang will DOMINATE in sales.

Mustang >>>>>>>>>> GTO

 

[Stark]

not the right car to debut when gas is $2.50 per gallon

 

[csiro]

I haven't seen one on the road yet, but even if I do, I'd probably mistake it for an Olds Alero.

 

[Apex]

I don't think the styling is that controversial. It's just ugly &amp; plain.

Original GTO > New GTO.

 

[TRDGT]

I still miss my 64 with tri power, hurst 4-speed and posi rear end. Except in the winter.
Snow+GTO= circles

 

[Lounatik]

Want to create a buzz?? Drop he Subie Wrx-Sti engine and drivetrain in a Saturn Red Line or maybe in the new Solstice. Four whel drive and a scootin car at that. Saab just recently got the Wrx wagon added to its lineup, so its not like GM cant do this. Man, they got some nice engines and some crappy looking cars. Imagine basing your future on a four year old car! And you scratch your head and wonder why the hell they did this,when the Kappa platform went from design to reality in about a year , if I'm not mistaken.


Peace


Lounatik

 

[GreenGhost]

But the guys at the Speed channel's Test Drive "loved" it. Those guys just promote stuff, what a waste of TV Speed has become.

Another annoyance is the myth of the muscle car. I think people who have never driven a car from the time have the impression they were truly great. Powerful, yes. Practical and good to drive, No. Talk about an industry that self-promotes to a level of absurdity...

 

[thomsbrain]

Dealers say the GTO - touted as a halo car for Pontiac - suffers from bland styling, a high sticker price and no incentives.

the funny thing is this has never slowed down sales of japanese cars.

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: csiro
I haven't seen one on the road yet, but even if I do, I'd probably mistake it for an Olds Alero.

the way that car doesn't stand out i will never see one on the road, even if i'm right behind it.

 

[AvesPKS]

Originally posted by: Skoorb
Gimme the 300C and call it a day. 300C >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Pontiac GTO.

I've seen so many of these around Chicago it's not funny. I can't go anywhere without seeing one.

 

[NFS4]

http://www.thecarconnection.com/index.asp?article=7355&amp;sid=250&amp;n=156

The Pontiac GTO hasn't exactly been burning rubber, at least not when it comes to sales. The reborn muscle car has gotten off to an unexpectedly slow start, and critics put the blame on the "Goat's" bland styling. But don't call the car a flop, insists General Motors' "car czar," Bob Lutz. He admits the GTO probably should have been a bit more retro looking, but he insists he's encouraged by growing demand out in California. Dealers in import-oriented Los Angeles account for barely one percent of Pontiac's total U.S. sales. But LA is snapping up nearly five percent of all GTOs. Still, there's no question the company is disappointed that the new GTO isn't off to a better start. And insiders hint that a big redesign is already underway. Don't be surprised to see an all-new version of the Goat hit the streets by 2007, looking a lot more like the GTO muscle car aficionados used to know and love.

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: Passions
$33k for that piece of American junk!!!??? BWAHAHAHAHAH HAHAHAHHAHAHA <Nelson>HA HA!!!</Nelson>

Why on earth would a normal, sane, person buy such trash???? 33k gets you an Acura TL, BMW 3-Series, Lexus IS300, Infiniti G35, Audi A4, etc. BWAHAHAHAHAHAH Detriot execs on crack mannnnnnnnnnn!!!!!! 33k!!!!!!!! LAFF.....Seriously.....they are totally on crack.

You really don't know what you are talking about, so you should probably not speak.

 

[adlep]

On the other hand, the future Pontiac G6 looks like a smaller Accord...
Link
GM 2006 == Honda 2003
Sad...

 

[PricklyPete]

Originally posted by: Marlin1975
Good, maybe the price will come down and I will get one

Glass = Half-Full

 

[NFS4]

Originally posted by: adlep
On the other hand, the future Pontiac G6 looks like a smaller Accord...
Link
GM 2006 == Honda 2003
Sad...

Interior = typical GM crappiness

 

[jagec]

Originally posted by: thomsbrain

Dealers say the GTO - touted as a halo car for Pontiac - suffers from bland styling, a high sticker price and no incentives.

the funny thing is this has never slowed down sales of japanese cars.

yeah, but those cars are SOLD as bland econoboxes. They are expected to be practical, reliable, and get good mileage, and they do.

 

[adlep]

Originally posted by: NFS4

Originally posted by: adlep
On the other hand, the future Pontiac G6 looks like a smaller Accord...
Link
GM 2006 == Honda 2003
Sad...

Interior = typical GM crappiness

I swear, every new GM car has this crappy looking steering wheel...
What is up with that?

 

[UNCjigga]

Seriously, its a $34,000 car that looks like an older Cavalier or Sunfire. I'll pass. I'm sure an older Vette with an LS1 can be had for about the same cost.

 

[nan0bug]

Originally posted by: Mwilding
Gorgeous 2005 Mustang GT @ $25,000 vs. Bland Pontiac GT @ $33,000 = goat owned by few

fixed

Its a nice car, but they shouldn't have called it a GTO, and they shouldn't be charging 33k for it.

 

[Tremulant]

I saw one on the road the other day, from behind it looked like a riced sunfire. And that's what I thought it was, until I got infront of it and then I began laughing 'cause I realized it was a GTO. It's so bland and boring looking, definitely not worth $33k, hell... *maybe* worth $25k... maybe.

 

[RGN]

Originally posted by: AvesPKS

Originally posted by: Skoorb
Gimme the 300C and call it a day. 300C >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Pontiac GTO.

I've seen so many of these around Chicago it's not funny. I can't go anywhere without seeing one.

Here in the far north burbs, I've seen one....