Why does everyone hate the new GTO?

[I eat Z06]

Or keep upgrading the performance vette (Z06) to stay ahead of whatever else they make. The next gen Z is supposed to have close to 500 hp.

Nick

 

[Turbonics]

Originally posted by I eat Z06


So that guy in the WRX was proably a new driver and/or didnt know how to launch. Are you sure it was an STi, there aren't many around. If the guy knew how to drive the car it proably would have won/ put up a good fight (depending on what you were in).

VERY true! 300 factory horsepower & AWD in a 3100# car is a SERIOUSLY sweet car!

 

[olds443]

Does anyone else notice the irony of the bickering about the Chevy motor in a Pontiac (when Pontiac hasn't even produced a V8 in many years) when some of the same board members own or embrace the TTA? Don't get me wrong, I like the TTA, but just for comparison sake, it was a Pontiac with a Buick engine. The body style was 8 model years old by then also. Oh and a GN or Turbo Regal is still a what.... a Regal, millions were made and the special ones had turbo engines which is the only thing that really made them stand out.
Not trying to offend anyone just thoughts that popped to mind as I read some of the rants.

I myself wish that GM had different engines for each division as in the old days. It made for some nice inter-company competition and some really nice motors came out of it as well as different. Now it seems that some of that engineering has been somewhat stifled. Nice to see Northstar motors as well as the newest 5.7 Chevy's though. Just wish they weren't all Chevy's, How Boring.

 

[Captain Mark]

Originally posted by olds443
Does anyone else notice the irony of the bickering about the Chevy motor in a Pontiac (when Pontiac hasn't even produced a V8 in many years) when some of the same board members own or embrace the TTA? Don't get me wrong, I like the TTA, but just for comparison sake, it was a Pontiac with a Buick engine. The body style was 8 model years old by then also. Oh and a GN or Turbo Regal is still a what.... a Regal, millions were made and the special ones had turbo engines which is the only thing that really made them stand out.
Not trying to offend anyone just thoughts that popped to mind as I read some of the rants.

I myself wish that GM had different engines for each division as in the old days. It made for some nice inter-company competition and some really nice motors came out of it as well as different. Now it seems that some of that engineering has been somewhat stifled. Nice to see Northstar motors as well as the newest 5.7 Chevy's though. Just wish they weren't all Chevy's, How Boring.

Pontiac has been using Buick motors for years now. The 3800 that they put in almost every new car is a Buick motor. I don't think Pontiac even makes motors anymore.

So, they are now gonna put a Chevy motor in one of their cars. So waht's new. I've just about written off GM altogether. At least new ones. Ford, and Mopar are WAY ahead of GM in styling and performance. GM is playing catch up, like they always do. Us old GM guys are just beaten down.



If you can't buy a 'vette, your just outta luck, I guess.

 

[buickman69]

Originally posted by olds443
Does anyone else notice the irony of the bickering about the Chevy motor in a Pontiac (when Pontiac hasn't even produced a V8 in many years) when some of the same board members own or embrace the TTA? Don't get me wrong, I like the TTA, but just for comparison sake, it was a Pontiac with a Buick engine. The body style was 8 model years old by then also. Oh and a GN or Turbo Regal is still a what.... a Regal, millions were made and the special ones had turbo engines which is the only thing that really made them stand out.
Not trying to offend anyone just thoughts that popped to mind as I read some of the rants.

I myself wish that GM had different engines for each division as in the old days. It made for some nice inter-company competition and some really nice motors came out of it as well as different. Now it seems that some of that engineering has been somewhat stifled. Nice to see Northstar motors as well as the newest 5.7 Chevy's though. Just wish they weren't all Chevy's, How Boring.

An obvious fact as stated by a mag (can't remember which one) the TTA is the fastest Pontiac TA Buick ever built. (and still is today)


I work with another Realtor in my company that is retired from Pontiac CORP (was a regional manager) and he is always talking about the good 'ol days and how GM F'D them and Buick and all the other divisions and started controling them, took their engines away,etc, etc.
It really is a SHAME. Even the Buick Corp reps i've talked to in the past have said the same thing.

The 3800 is a TRUE Buick engine and all Buick. I'm glad to see it in other brands and I love reminding people that it's a Buick motor but all we have left.

I hate chevy that's why I wouldn't buy a 1/2 breed with chevy motor but my dream car is a 1/2 breed with Buick 350 V8

 

[88 CuttyClassic]

Originally posted by I eat Z06
88 Cutty: I agree with you about how to drive a car. An AWD stick is hard to learn. So that guy in the WRX was proably a new driver and/or didnt know how to launch. Are you shure it was an STi, there arnt many around. If the guy knew how to drive the car it proably would have won/ put up a good fight (depending on what you were in). Plenty of places to haul ass, they are called race tracks. They are all over the place, unless it is the off season. And Cadillac is getting it right. The STS, Escalades, XLR, and CTS look sweet. 400 hp in a midsize sedan from the factory with a 6 speed manual and a reputable emblem on the front. I dont see anything wrong with that.

yes it is an brand spanking new 4 week old STi, black with gold flake. Actually the owner is a TR owner as well, owns a 87 rosewood T that he bought off Bernie (for those who know of bernie)

The caddys looking too modern is one thing, you have to change with the times but cadillac suv's?? sorry if i don't fall for a glorified danalli. The EXT is just horrendous. Come on now, lets be realistic, who hauls stuff in their EXT? lol

about race tracks, the closest one is like 45 minutes away from the city, its hard to drive out there, beat the snot out of it and drive it home, not practical and its not in most people's budget to trailer it. Its hard to explain to triple A you broke down right next to a raceway, lol

 

[I eat Z06]

88 cutty: LOL for the AAA thing, I had to say that the Hummer broke down in a mud pit, after the stock winch gave out. I dont see the point of the EXT except to make $. But I do like the look of the futuristic Caddy's. They are goin their own way, and I like it. Caddy does generally set standards for the american lux crowd. The next gen Devilles will proably still be conservative for the older crowd. I think the reason that they put the LS1 in everything is because it is a good motor with alot of potential. Personally I dont look at new cars to be a buick with a chevy motor. I look at it as GM with a GM motor. To the track is about 45 min for me in two directions, its not that far of a drive. Actually get to talk to the people your goin against vs. a thumbs up. I would rather spend a day at the track then lookin to attack on the streets. But everyone generally street races. That has been goin on since the start of cars time (model T vs. model T) and will go on forever.

Nick

 

[I eat Z06]

88 cutty: LOL for the AAA thing, I had to say that the Hummer broke down in a mud pit, after the stock winch gave out. I dont see the point of the EXT except to make $. But I do like the look of the futuristic Caddy's. They are goin their own way, and I like it. Caddy does generally set standards for the american lux crowd. The next gen Devilles will proably still be conservative for the older crowd. I think the reason that they put the LS1 in everything is because it is a good motor with alot of potential. Personally I dont look at new cars to be a buick with a chevy motor. I look at it as GM with a GM motor. To the track is about 45 min for me in two directions, its not that far of a drive. Actually get to talk to the people your goin against vs. a thumbs up. I would rather spend a day at the track then lookin to attack on the streets. But everyone generally street races. That has been goin on since the start of cars time (model T vs. model T) and will go on forever.

Nick

 

[TRiv]

Originally posted by 88 CuttyClassic


about race tracks, the closest one is like 45 minutes away from the city, its hard to drive out there, beat the snot out of it and drive it home, not practical and its not in most people's budget to trailer it. Its hard to explain to triple A you broke down right next to a raceway, lol

Even harder to the dealer service dept. (if under warranty), then the wife/girlfriend/etc.

 

[GNSCOTT]

Can't fault GM for using a 350hp LS1 that gets close to 30mpg with a 6 spd. Sure it will be a little worse in the Caddy that weighs 400#'s + more than the Vette.

 

[88 CuttyClassic]

my dad just mentioned to me last night, that my car isn't covered on isurance at the track, if i total my car or someone hits me while @ the track, i'm SOL.

 

[TurboTer]

Originally posted by GNSCOTT
When comparing the new GTO and the Cobra, GTO owners always say the ride is better than the Cobra. They both have IRS, the Cobra will at least be as good in the slalom and braking, so where is the better ride?? Take away the Cobra and you can still buy a loaded GT for $5 or $6k cheaper. I like the car at $30k, not at $34k.

You don't buy a car like that for the ride. The new GTO is ugly. Why they didn't go retro boggles my mind. It's borderline insanity.

 

[87GN_ponykillr]

I was not big on the 04' for the looks & motor for what it cost. Yes the 05 is more $$$ but I think it looks better and plus you get the LS2 If I had a extra $30K laying around I would buy one in a second. Instead I will just hold my breath for a 07' Camaro or GN

 

[BlownZ]

Originally posted by FlyinGN
Im 42 and lived thru the 60 musclecar era. Had a 69 Judge too

In 1969 you were what,,,,6 years old?

How is that living through the 60s muscle car era?

 

[Data]

An oldie but a goodie resurrected?

I like how everyone assumed you would have to pay 34k for the car. Well, now that it isn't so popular you can probably get one for 30k easy. There are probably 04 models still on the lot that you can have for less.

 

[crownvic96]

I like the cars bland styling. its makes an awesome sleeper. looks just like a grand am or grand prix. very unassumning going down the road until you notice the badges if you even know what they mean.

and with the '05 and 400hp/400tq sign me up please.

i drove the chevy caprices in kuwait(they are just rebadged holdens) back in november/december 2003. they are just the 4 door version of the GTO and they are great cars. nice chassis, low NVH, excellent high speed stability and gobs of torqe all over the place.

 

[BIG HEAD CHRIS]

I think the GTO is a cool ride.The fact the General actualy reacted to a public demand with a real performance car that was substantially more than a badge engineered caviler was suprising.The biggest problem with the styling(IMO) is the massive side profile,namely the 12 square acres that make up the rear quarters.No matter what wheel/tire combo applied, the wheels are dwarfed by the enormous amount of space between the wheel well and the decklid/sail pannel area.Refer to a slideways shot of the Ryes Millen drift car to see what I mean. A 20" wheel with appropreate sized wheel well opening would help-a lot.The whole car needs to be sectioned about 4inches.A side profile mimmicking a current grand prix would be a step in the right direction.Even better ,a sillouette styled after a new monte carlo would be even better.That car ,I think retains a classic muscle car layout with its 4 place,long hood short deck layout,even though it's wrong wheel drive.

 

[Data]

I went down to the local Pontiac dealer, they have two new (ie never sold) 2004 GTOs on the lot. They are stickered at $24,999. Looks like they are priced to go. Too bad they are that damned yellow.