Well after sitting in the new GTO at the national f-body meet and reading about it in several articles i'm just not so sure what to think. I like the fact that GM stepped up to the plate and produced another car that can slap down some numbers at the track is awesome. However the styling just throws me a little bit. it looks to me like a grand prix from the front, sort of a monte carlo from the side, and a saturn or something from the rear. Its just another car that is going to blend in on the road styling wise. But i guess if you want to stick out a little bit more just wait till 2005. Has anyone seen the pics of the 2005 "The Judge" version of the GTO? Yes the one with the double decker ricer wing...whats that all about? All that makes me think is civic ricer a$$clown.

I just wish GM would have named it something else instead of trying to dig up the remains of a great piece of american muscle car history. The only thing this car has in common with the classic GTO is a v8, rwd, the name, and 4 wheels. The GTO did not have the evolution of the corvette or the camaro or even the trans am so it seems kind of stupid to try and recreate a piece of history when it hardly resembles it.

But again, congratulations to GM for producing a performance automible. At least it gives us one more alternative to a ford rustang.

 

Thanks for your viewpoint stating the same arguments that have been bantered forth for the last year.

If you don't like it, don't buy it! I like it, I ordered one.

Not everyone likes F-Body's either!

 

Where are pics of the 2005?

 

motor trends new issue. the feature is the rock solid numbers for the production 2004 GTO and it also has a clip article at the end of the feature about the 2005 GTO "The Judge" model.

Congratulations on the new buy CMNTMXR57. No harm was meant by my comments so don't get upset.

 

I love everything about the new GTO except one thing- the rims. :p I like the fact that it blends in with every other car. That should have been the goal of GM, just like the original Lemans GTO.

 

I read an article where they were reveiwing the 64 GTO. They loved the performance but thought the looks were bland. Funny, the more things change.

 

I just got my MT, they did a nice write up on it, seemed like they liked it....the Judge should be interesting, I just hope it doesn't have that ugly wing..

 

The judge was just a photoshop

 

You won't be disappointed. I had a chance to drive a right-hand drive six-speed Monaro at work and it's a sweet car. It feels a lot heavier in the rear end than an f-body or Corvette, but I think it's because of the seating position relative to the car's center of mass. Acceleration was good even with my crummy left hand shifting, and the interior was nice (real back seats!). The suspension did seem a bit clunkier than I expected, but it was a development car that had been put through the ringer.

 

I thik they should have left the ls1 off it, and put a northstar v8 or whatever..

 

Left the LS1 out of the car? Are you nuts? We already know the LS1 inside and out, and there is an aftermarket for it. That Northstar can go collect dust like usual.

Tony

 

If you dont like the car then dont buy it, I dont get the point of these "hater" threads.. the GTO is a VERY nice platform to start with and will lend itself well to aftermarket appearance upgrades (ram air hood??)

the quality of the car is lightyears ahead of our fbodies and i would love to have one for my daily

 

I agree about the hater threads. I myself am not totally head over heels regarding the styling, but nonetheless I believe the GTO to be a HUGE step in the right direction for Pontiac/GM. Take for instance the interior...it has nice leather (instead of the thick plasticky leather like in our cars), nice current styling, plenty of room, and it's easy to get in and out of (which is one reason I think the Mustang sells so much better than the F-body cars did). Consider the handling also...IRS (which may not be the best thing for a drag setup but it makes for a nice ride), and an overall nicer ride and more crisp handling than the F-body. And while the looks may not be what everyone wants, it is at least a clean, sleek-looking car. At least Pontiac has a pony car again. From what I've heard, in a couple years, when/if the Camaro is back it will share the same platform as the GTO, and the GTO will undergo big styling changes that year ('07). Just give it a few years and I bet the GTO will have the LS2 and an all-American design to go with it.

 

Just as I said in the pics thread, why is it such a problem that they throw a GTO nameplate on this car? The 4th gen Camaro's had no more in common with the first gens than this GTO does. Then in the same breath ditching the GTO nameplate on this car, everyone says they can't wait for the Camaro to come back. Whats with the double standard? If/when they make a new 'Camaro' it's going to have nothing in common with a 69, so maybe they should call it something else.

 

Road & Track has a concept pic of a 2005 that looks like a 65-67 GTO inspired Holden, probably closer to what GTO purists would want to see. I for one thought the 05 concept pic looks pretty darn cool.

I'm indifferent on the 04 GTO, I still have not seen one and while the styling might be bland the overall package is appealing. I know someone who drove a GM mule and he said it felt like high 13's but it's a nice car and he would be into the idea of getting one and slapping heads and cam onto it and having a fun daily driver.

 

I have been reading a lot of the threads regarding the GTO, and I don't understand everyone being upset that the car is not setup to take to the dragstrip. From what I understand the car is a euro inspired touring car. It is meant to be a fun daily driver that will handle well through city streets. Not everyone that will buy this car wants to take it to a drag strip. I personaly like this car. I like the way it looks, the way the interior is set up, and also the power plant they chose. I just wish I could convice my wife to trade in her car for one.

 

I agree with you totally about the LS1, however, I think we will all be suprised on aftermarket N.Star stuff when the Boneville GXP rears its face in a month or so.

 

BlackFormula01,

I think you'll be surprised at the lack of performance upgrades available for the Bonnie's. Unless GM comes out with factory sponsored pieces there will be little or none. Remember the Chrysler 300M with it's paultry 255 hp? Everyone who owned one kept asking for upgrades. Couldn't even get a CAI. Yes I know it's fwd (300M), but the problem is the same. Who's going to shell out $40K on a sedan and then "soup" it up, void the warranty, etc. The performance companies will continue to go after their bread and butter. Ford's 4.6, Chevy's LS1 and all the rice you can eat. Those rice boys just love spending $500 to eek out another 15 horses.

 

I think the car is ****** bitchin'. nice interior, clean lines, who gives a **** about three letters on the back?..


Jeremy

 

I love the way the new GTO looks!!!! I have owned 2 F-Bodys and I would like to have a ride that packs and LS1 punch and upscale quality in it, It has IRS which will be great for autoX, and road coruse work, I am happy with what GM has done. This is a step in the right path for GM