Test drove a GTO, my opinion inside...

[2TurboImports]

well...i decided to see what's hot about the new GTO. I hopped on over to Autoway Pontiac on US19 in clearwater to test one out. It was a beautiful red one with 6 spd, and black leather seats. Now, personally, I looove the way the car looks in person. No magazine picture i have ever seen will ever compare to the car in real life. It's simply hot. Maybe it was just the car i got, maybe it's defective, i don't know, but that car was the biggest piece once you got behind the wheel.

Basic specs....

1100 miles on the odo (so yes, this car was supposedly broken in, or at least beyond the point of too fucked to care anymore)
The $7900 19 inch rim package...Yes that's right, $8k for some 2 piece chrome rims that look like SHIT IMO.
All other standard options
6 spd
vette engine, blah blah

Cons:
Sales guy drove it off the lot. Goes through 1st, doesn't even slam into 2nd and i hear BAM from the back of the car, and get a nice jolt through the seat. The guy turns and says, yah, that was a backfire, happens occasionally.

Salesman floors it through second, all of the sudden the A/C gets hot as hell and doesn't come back on till we stop the car at a light. He turns to me and says, 'i guess that's just an added plus, you don't want the a/c on when youre flooring it, so it automatically turns it off'.

I get in the car and drive it....i push the storage panel under the radio to open it up. Motherfucking clip breaks off and the storage door wont close.

$40,000 with no options other than gaudy looking rims

Pros:

it's quick, and it sounds mean.
Cool body style

Other than that, in my opinion this car is a $40,000 piece of trash.

In a 20 mile test drive i managed to break the door to the stoarge thing under the radio, get 110 degree air blown in my face, and get to hear possibly the worst drivetrain noise a new car could make.

[Country Boy]

Other than that, in my opinion this car is a $40,000 piece of trash.

You just summed it up right there. There is only 2 things I like about the GTO.... the seats and true dual exhaust. Other than that you summed it up with that statement!

And to think..... it replaced the T/A that was 1/2 the price, looked better (the WS6 version) and was faster....

[Bald Guy]

Pretty much the same opinion I have about the car...........

[Scott]

Originally posted by 2TurboImports


Pros:

it's quick, and it sounds mean.
Cool body style

Other than that, in my opinion this car is a $40,000 piece of trash.




Sounds like the entire GM line-up from the last 20 years. :lol: :razz:

You guys didn't think I would let that one slide did you ? :lol:

[corey r.]

Originally posted by 2TurboImports
Cons:

Salesman floors it through second, all of the sudden the A/C gets hot as hell and doesn't come back on till we stop the car at a light. He turns to me and says, 'i guess that's just an added plus, you don't want the a/c on when youre flooring it, so it automatically turns it off'.


Most new cars do this, no?

[2TurboImports]

oh, i didn't realize...maybe that's why most 4 cylinders are so slow. It's the a/c robbing power! GM engineers...Genius!! lol

[Mars_302]

Yea pretty much everyone car does that with the a/c

[ponchoV8]

If they would sell it for the price of a new Mustang Mach 1 instead of the typical $4K mark-up on top of the $33K MSRP, then it would be worth the dough, otherwise I'd rather get a new Cobra. The new GTO is better than the 4th gen F-body in every way but price.

[Country Boy]

Originally posted by ponchoV8
The new GTO is better than the 4th gen F-body in every way but price.

How so? The engine puts out less power, its slower, its plain, it has IRS (which has proven to be problems, look at the Stang guys... they swap it out alot.... alos means more $$$$ to beef up parts), looks like the Grand Prix.... :)

[ponchoV8]

Originally posted by Country Boy
How so? The engine puts out less power, its slower, its plain, it has IRS (which has proven to be problems, look at the Stang guys... they swap it out alot.... alos means more $$$$ to beef up parts), looks like the Grand Prix.... :)

Engine may put out a little less power but it's way easier to work on vs. the Fbody engine bay (then again I have an LT1).

I've read they trap 105/106 with good drivers. I say it has high 12's in it like a stock LS1 Fbod.

I like the "plain" looks in person. They say the '05 will answer the critics complaints though. And have you seen the new side exit dual exhaust kits for them? Sweet IMO. Even the stock exhaust sounds nice vs. an Fbod. And the interior is light years ahead of the 4th gen. Was never a fan of all the scoops on the '98-up WS6, it's more tacky than the huge Screaming Chicken of the late '70s; the Firehawk was a little cleaner and the Camaro SS or WS6 Formula were perfect. Now the base Z28, that is plain.

As for the IRS, if the Vette can launch hard with IRS eventually they will sort out the GTO rearend as well, and that'll be cheaper than spending $2K for a 12bolt swap like an Fbod.

It's all a matter of opinion though. If I had a SS as sick as yours CB, a new GTO wouldn't mean shit to me either.:D

[Illswyn]

I read on a Buick board mixed reviews as well. Basically, looks plain, but it's fast. Sorta like the original GTO, except now it has a premium price tag, and a history that demands it back up the GTO name. Basically, it doesn't.

Of course there was one guy that had bought one, and praised its every virtue. But I have a feeling the "ooh ahh" appeal will wear off, people won't crowd around his car anymore, and he'll wonder why he spent so much on so little.

I hear sales are far below projections, so if you're wanting one, wait until they're bringing in the new year models and get it cheaper.

[TheShow50h]

Why do the automatics only get like 16 city 21 highway? That's really sad.

[Country Boy]

This is new ifo about the 05 GTO from a reputable dealer:

2005 GTO
LS2 400HP/395TQ
Duel snorkel hood for increased engine cooling
Bigger brakes w/RED GTO engraved calipers
18in Wheel option
Split rear exhaust
Revised gauges with higher redline tach
Dead pedal

2 new colors Midnight Blue and Cyclone grey

Still not worth the money. Im sure with the new options and upgrades, comes a bigger price tag.

[Scott]

Sounds like others at GM think it is a turd too:

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


If you guys are lucky they will not make the same screw ups with the next gen Camaro. :D

[MustangMosachi]

Originally posted by Scott
Sounds like the entire GM line-up from the last 20 years. :lol: :razz:

+ 1123894512547812478215412785.... :lol:

[Mars_302]

Its also a demo car too. IM sure all the salesman beat the piss outta the car when they go out to lunch

[2TurboImports]

yah, but demo car or not, the freaking change holder door broke. lol. Also, i totally forgot to mention, and this really was stupid on GM's part....THERE'S NO FREAKING DEAD PEDAL. wtf were they thinking.

[dave b]

My dad works for a GM dealership, and he brought home a GTO, well the night he brought it home..we decided to see what it was about. it was an auto. because it's all they had, but it still got on it! it was quick, accelerated really nice, but just wasn't enough. im not sure if it was because it was a auto or not...but i was not impressed at all..for having 350 horsies, IMO the money would be better spent on a vette.

[Country Boy]

Originally posted by dave b
My dad works for a GM dealership, and he brought home a GTO, well the night he brought it home..we decided to see what it was about. it was an auto. because it's all they had, but it still got on it! it was quick, accelerated really nice, but just wasn't enough. im not sure if it was because it was a auto or not...but i was not impressed at all..for having 350 horsies, IMO the money would be better spent on a vette.

Actually, I believe the autos dyno ~270 RWHP stock...

[2TurboImports]

sounds about right assuming ~25% loss for an auto tranny.

[Gunslinger09]

The one I saw\sat in seemed nice. Maybe you just test drove one that was built on a Monday. :dunno:

[2TurboImports]

BAH, a monday car!!!! possible, but still defects aside....no dead pedal and $8k rim upgrade???

[Joe99SS]

The 8K rim "upgrade" is not a real option, it is a local dealer thing so that shouldn't be taken into any thought what-so-ever about the car. I agree it isn't what the hype might have made it to be, but I do believe there is a good starting point for a nice GM daily driver.

[2TurboImports]

regardless 33 grabd can be much better spent. If what you are calling a nice GM daily driver is actually an overpriced piece that lacks many common ammenities found in most newer cars, then that's just pathetic on GM's part. 33 grand can get you alot as far as luxury, or sports cars go. You just have to know where to go.

[Country Boy]

Originally posted by 2TurboImports
regardless 33 grabd can be much better spent. If what you are calling a nice GM daily driver is actually an overpriced piece that lacks many common ammenities found in most newer cars, then that's just pathetic on GM's part. 33 grand can get you alot as far as luxury, or sports cars go. You just have to know where to go.

It sounds like your mind and opinion was already made up going into it. You were just looking for the "defects" and other little things.

[Joe99SS]

What's a nice solid rear wheel drive daily driver with an 8 cyl that's not a GM product for the same price?

[2TurboImports]

Originally posted by Country Boy
It sounds like your mind and opinion was already made up going into it. You were just looking for the "defects" and other little things.
nononoono....i went with my friend , my mind was totally pro GTO. I had seen one earlier that day on 19 and was totally in love. There's no disputing that, i thought it was the next hottest thing to sliced ass bread. my opinion changed when i hit the dealership and actually drove one.

[perdition79]

Originally posted by Joe99SS
What's a nice solid rear wheel drive daily driver with an 8 cyl that's not a GM product for the same price?

two crown vics. :lol:

[ponchoV8]

Originally posted by 2TurboImports
regardless 33 grabd can be much better spent. If what you are calling a nice GM daily driver is actually an overpriced piece that lacks many common ammenities found in most newer cars, then that's just pathetic on GM's part. 33 grand can get you alot as far as luxury, or sports cars go. You just have to know where to go.

I bet you'd be the first to spend $33K on a used, 100K mile Supra turbo and that thing doesn't even have cup holders or a full set of gauges! :roll: ;)

[2TurboImports]

sports cars shouldn't come with cup holders. lol