GM killed the F-body so they could bring us this??? Not to bash anyone who has one - the LS1 is a great engine, but given the choice, would anyone pick a GTO over a WS6 or SS???

Unfortunately this is no longer a choice... GM makes some of the crappiest styled designs for cars... Their trucks and SUV look good. Minivans - I guess OK. Corvette - Rocks. Cadilacs - nice cars. Everything else - just regular cars plain SUCK! Grand am, GTO maybe being the lesser of many evils. Impala - what the hell is this - used to be a cool car back in the 60's.
Oldsmobile is dead, wonder why - Buick can't be far behind.

The GTO is not awful, but it's not great either styling-wise. GM is not the absolute worst company with regard to style on their cars. This special honor would have to go to AMC. Anyone remember the AMC Pacer, Gremlin or my personal favorite all time dorkiest car ever... The AMC Matador! I knew a guy in high school that had a sort of puke green Matador - lovely!

Unfortunately, I think all the out of work AMC car designers went to work for GM. "Why yes I think that Pontiac Aztec is the best looking vehicle on the planet - we should probably stop making the Corvette since this vehicle looks so much better!"

Sorry for the rant - just some observations...

 

SUVs and the Ford Mustang killed the F-body. RIP.

Bring on the better all around and much higher quality performance machines, the new GTO is just the beginning.

 

You're not bashing. I love my GTO, but I have to agree with you on GM's style bankruptcy. However, I do see a great opportunity for the aftermarket to make body kits. Unfortunately, it seems that the aftermarket companies are not jumping into the deep end until the production of the car moves to North America, and they have a longer term commitment from GM on design. (Who wants to invest in tooling for a car model that may only be 36,000 strong.)

AMC... now, that is funny.

I just loaned my GTO to a local company to use for R&D in exchange for free parts. So far, I have an Air Intake System and Strut Bar out of the deal, with exhaust coming in a few weeks. I am pushing the owner to build a body kit and hood, but he wants to wait and see what GM does on production changes, as well as seeing who builds what over the next few years.

My 2-cents...

 

Sorry your blessed with ignorance red2000SS, I like my GTO and purchased it over a 35th anniversery TA they had on the used lot. And its not like the Fbodys styling is anything to write home about either.

I've taken redneck friends of mine total 04 GTO haters who thought it was another GM slop bucket and had em pale faced by the end of the ride after taking a couple corners at 80mph slamming it back in 3rd. They now prise the car and say the styling is "growing on them." They once spoke like you red2000SS.

 

I'm going to make my answer to this short and sweet as to not offend Actionjack (or anybody else) hopefully:
The GTO is NOT a replacement for the f-body in any way shape or form. The only similarity is they share the same engine - but so do suburbans and they are just as much a replacement for an f-body as the GTO is.
Dan

 

Why do people think the GTO is a replacement for the Fbody? if not for bob lutz we wouldnt' have the GTO and would be camaro less forever for sure. Why can't we just enjoy the fact their is another car with a LS1 or GENIII engine? This only strengthens aftermarket and gives some variety.

 

AGREE! The camaro will return. Its the best thing next to the vette!

 

LMAO.


Thanks Dan....

First I am not sure why this was posted here instead of the 'new enthisiasts'?

Second, I do not blame Ford or SUV's or any of those for the demise of the beloved F-Body. Only GM is responsible for whatever reason. GM had no real advertising for years and the sales compared to the Mustang were low but by no means bad.


As to the mods for the GTO. I have been seeing some here. If there are not allot it may have to do with the sales so far. But, even that does not hold water. For mods we should look at the Austalians and where they get their mods for thier Monaro, IMO.



Also, I hope to hear bobby7777 or whatever the name is he is hilarious.
[edit] there he is ^

Thanks Bobby7777

 

These forums are to be informative with some humor! As far as the meaning to the word fullfloating,the first thing I think of are floating turds,full meaning log jam!

 

i actually like the GTO.nice car that shouldnt be compared as a replacement.

look in the musclecar days the GTO was a bigger car at a diffrent level than the camaros and mustangs.

build quality seems to be much better also and its only a little bit slower for a car that is much nicer to drive than the camaro.

 

Think of it as what the Infiniti G35 coupe is to the Nissan 350Z.

 

OK it's not THE replacement, but the F-body was discontinued, then the GTO appears, to most people that IS a replacement. I've had numerous people tell me they can't believe Pontiac stopped making the T/A, and came out with the GTO, what were they thinking? So most people see the GTO as a replacment.

 

we would and did pick a GTO over a SS and even a corvette.we have a 5 year old child and wife wanted something else sporty to drive.she traded in a 40th anniversary GRAND PRIX on her GTO.

 

I'd say people in general are just ignorant, when they think GTO they expected some batmobile body kit and viper like performance that nobody could afford, instead they got what the GTO really is affordable practicle performance coupe.

Anyone who doubts the GTO probley hasn't even seen it or the spec sheet, some people still think this car is FWD?????

 

This is the car the GTO haters wanted.

 

^ That thing is uglier then ****. Me...I don't mind the GTO at all. I'd rate the styling an 8 in my book. If I was older I would probably like it more.

It's all about taste. The GTO was the mature man's muscle car. The Firebird was the car all the kids in highschool wanted. Personally, I think it would have been cool if Pontiac sold both the GTO and Trans Am, but maybe they would compete against eachother and kill sales? I dunno, I think there could have been an ability to market and sell both. Unfairly, the GTO is seen as the Trans Am replacement because the TA is dead right now. If they were produced at the same time, the Firebird/Trans Am would be seen as the no-nonsense, bare necessity muscle car, and the GTO would be seen as the comfortable, refined, powerful, luxurious (for it's class) bigger cruiser car that could still hang with the other cars. It's extra offerings came at a higher price.

The sister of the GTO, the Oldsmobile 442, was called the "Gentleman's Musclecar".

I feel the same about this incarnation. Two completely different genre's and fan base. The only thing that's the same is what gets the two wheels in the back moving.

 

I crack up everytime I see someone say that the GTO was intended as a replacement to the Firebird. I'll bet nobody would be bitching about the GTO if the Firebird was still around. Boo hoo.

The GTO is what it is, and its a great all-around LS1/RWD package. Go drive one if you have the chance, you will still feel right at home behind that LS1.

 

there was a time when i was a kid that i would have picked that "racer styling cues" fBod (and i had a couple) over the GTO. today i love the GTO with it's performance and styling that makes me comfortable jumping from stop light to stop light or parking next to the boss' BMW. take a drive in one and you'll be impressed too and seeing as i don't know of anyone growing younger i'll bet it's at least something you'll grow into.

 

LS1TECH > VEHICLE SPECIFIC FORUMS > 2004 Pontiac GTO > What the hell was GM thinking...

Look at what form you're posting. Obviously quite a few did.

 

I Traded in my 01 Z28 for the GTO I have no regerts at all, but that could not have had this car in 01!!!!!!!