Test drove a GTO today!
02-23-2004, 08:54 PM
#1
Test drove a GTO today! I had a new GTO all to myself for about 20 minutes today. It was a bright blue (almost electron blue) one with the blue/black leather interior. 6-speed.
The fit/finish of the car is very nice! Much nicer in that aspect compared with an f-body. The interior is flat out the best looking GM sports car interior ever, including the vette's. It really needs a sunroof however, I didn't like having a hardtop on such a nice interior.
Seating position is different. It felt like a Mustang. The seat is rather high, even at its lowest position. The steering wheel needs more adjustment, it felt a little far away. The shifter position was much better than a Mustang however. Seats feel AWESOME.
The car was quicker than I thought it would be. I was impressed with the power, its hard to imagine there is an LS1 under the hood of such a docile looking car. Driving it around, you think you are in a BMW or something, but when you floor it there is NO mistake its a V8 rwd car. Not much road noise, its kind of quiet. The exhaust seems a little quiet also.
Wheelhop powershifting into 2nd gear was terrible. With or without TCS on, it still wheelhops. Hopped a tiny bit going into 3rd at WOT. The factory tach seems very accurate, I was shifting it hard at 6K rpm, and never touched the factory 6250 limiter. On 99+ f-bodies, it would hit the limiter since the tachs drag behind the actual rpm.
rearview mirror has a terrible view. My Formula with a rollcage had a better rear view! The rear trunk spoiler takes up over half of the mirror. No blind spots to be seen however, it was easy to know where the car was.
The car isn't much of a head turner. I looked around each time I came up to a busy stoplight (it was 5pm rush hour) and nobody even glanced over. This car is BRIGHT blue, with new car tags on the windows. Still didn't even attract a curious look from anyone. I was somewhat surprised, but I guess it does look rather generic in traffic. I know my other vehicles (all of them) attract far more attention by comparison.
trunk space sucks. VERY bad. This car has the fuel tank in the trunk, and the rear seats do not fold down. The Corvette has more trunk space than the GTO, kind of a shame.
Overall, I'm impressed with the car. It handles well, it has more than enough power for most of the population, and it seems well-built. With a little personalized modifications (wheels, engine work, etc...) I think this car would be sweet to own. Its a sleeper for sure.
Would I trade my 35th SS Convertible for one? Nope. But, its still a nice ride with the beloved LS6/M6 combo, so its cool with me.
Tony
The fit/finish of the car is very nice! Much nicer in that aspect compared with an f-body. The interior is flat out the best looking GM sports car interior ever, including the vette's. It really needs a sunroof however, I didn't like having a hardtop on such a nice interior.
Seating position is different. It felt like a Mustang. The seat is rather high, even at its lowest position. The steering wheel needs more adjustment, it felt a little far away. The shifter position was much better than a Mustang however. Seats feel AWESOME.
The car was quicker than I thought it would be. I was impressed with the power, its hard to imagine there is an LS1 under the hood of such a docile looking car. Driving it around, you think you are in a BMW or something, but when you floor it there is NO mistake its a V8 rwd car. Not much road noise, its kind of quiet. The exhaust seems a little quiet also.
Wheelhop powershifting into 2nd gear was terrible. With or without TCS on, it still wheelhops. Hopped a tiny bit going into 3rd at WOT. The factory tach seems very accurate, I was shifting it hard at 6K rpm, and never touched the factory 6250 limiter. On 99+ f-bodies, it would hit the limiter since the tachs drag behind the actual rpm.
rearview mirror has a terrible view. My Formula with a rollcage had a better rear view! The rear trunk spoiler takes up over half of the mirror. No blind spots to be seen however, it was easy to know where the car was.
The car isn't much of a head turner. I looked around each time I came up to a busy stoplight (it was 5pm rush hour) and nobody even glanced over. This car is BRIGHT blue, with new car tags on the windows. Still didn't even attract a curious look from anyone. I was somewhat surprised, but I guess it does look rather generic in traffic. I know my other vehicles (all of them) attract far more attention by comparison.
trunk space sucks. VERY bad. This car has the fuel tank in the trunk, and the rear seats do not fold down. The Corvette has more trunk space than the GTO, kind of a shame.
Overall, I'm impressed with the car. It handles well, it has more than enough power for most of the population, and it seems well-built. With a little personalized modifications (wheels, engine work, etc...) I think this car would be sweet to own. Its a sleeper for sure.
Would I trade my 35th SS Convertible for one? Nope. But, its still a nice ride with the beloved LS6/M6 combo, so its cool with me.
Tony
02-23-2004, 09:06 PM
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It's my next car, I plan on getting one in 2005.
And it's the closest thing GM offers to the old Grand Nationals (large, sophisticated, fast, comfortable coupe). My favorite kind of car.
And it's the closest thing GM offers to the old Grand Nationals (large, sophisticated, fast, comfortable coupe). My favorite kind of car.
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02-24-2004, 07:08 PM
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Originally Posted by WECIV
Does the new Slowbra hop from its IRS???
C&D also noted their CTS-V hopped badly during their track testing.
02-27-2004, 12:40 PM
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I am from Australia (living in the US) and the Holden Monaro aka GTO has been around for some time now. I believe Callaway CNC the heads of LS1 engines (and do some other work) before they are sent to Holden for installation. I am pretty sure all GTOs are built in Australia and exported
03-15-2004, 11:28 AM
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Tony, you are completely correct on your test drive. I just got mine same combo Blue/Blue M12 and it does wheel hop on shifts, feels like it needs a stiffer rear spring rate, we also had it up on the lift for the PDI and it looks like it might need more rear sway bar as well. ow well back to the store so I can start Zainoing
Jay
Jay
03-15-2004, 12:21 PM
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Originally Posted by Nine Ball
wheelhop from IRS and narrow tires. Good tires make alot of difference on most vehicles. The GTO has fugly wheels and narrow tires, I'd ditch those the same week if I bought one.
03-15-2004, 01:07 PM
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Originally Posted by Speed Inc Webmaster
9 in wide at 275 fits
Did you mount this on your GTO? How does it look?
03-15-2004, 01:33 PM
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After owning our GTO for a month now, I have noticed a few changes. The exhaust does get louder and it rumbles more. Most people do not notice it is the GTO till they hear it. And their was post on ls1gto as to how to stop the wheel hop. It is an amazing car. I honestly like it more than the Corvette we had!
03-15-2004, 03:52 PM
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Originally Posted by ActionJack
From what I have read and seen it will rub or the well needs to be brought out. Not that you are wrong.
Did you mount this on your GTO? How does it look?
Did you mount this on your GTO? How does it look?
Wheels are on their way, going off of test results
