2005 Mustang GT VS 2004 GTO
#1
2005 Mustang GT VS 2004 GTO
I drove both prior to getting my GTO last weak. I was thrilled that the dealers finally started getting in the Mustang GTs. I was 99.5% sure it was my next car, Until i experienced it first hand.
First, the 2005 Mustang is so far superior to any previous Mustang it is scary. Fit, finish, materials and the new platofrm are very impresssive. Performance wise, it is a dead tie with the GTO. The 5 speed manual GT against the M6 GTO would have to be too close to call. The mustang islighter but has less power so it was a drw. The exhaust sound from the GT was intoxicationg. Right out of the wrapper I would not change a thing about the way it sounds. Truly Awesome!!! I was also really taken with the new front end. Just beautiful too.
What won me over on the GTO was an accumulation of little things and one big thing AGAINST the Mustang GT. 1) The mustang is truly a MUCH smaller car. It is considerably narrower inside. It also has considerably smaller seats and the back seat is still just for kids at best. The seats look nice, but there is no comparison to the GTO, definately a GTO high point!!! 2) The new 3-Valve heads on the new 4.6 V-8 is not yet as customisable as the old 4.6/5.0 motors. 3) The transmission was a little notchy compared to the GTO and was definately pulling more RPMs on the interstate. 4) Besides the exhaust sound, I found the GT to be a little more crude and a bit noisier on the roadwit a rougher ride. 5) The one thing that really swayed me the most though was the simple fact that the GTOs are so much more rare. Personally, I have only seen one on the road not on a dealer lot. When we returned from the test drive in the Mustang we passed over thirty 2000-2004's , used , just sitting there not to mention probably seeing a dozen or so on the road of the old mustang. Give it a year and mustangs will be everywhere.
In short the GTO was a bigger, more comfortable, better riding car to me, quieter, more customisable and as bulletproof as they come from a drivetrain standpoint, with equal perfoamnce and more class and exclusivity than the Mustang will ever have. I just want the exhaust note of the GT in my GTO and it would be pure bliss!!!
First, the 2005 Mustang is so far superior to any previous Mustang it is scary. Fit, finish, materials and the new platofrm are very impresssive. Performance wise, it is a dead tie with the GTO. The 5 speed manual GT against the M6 GTO would have to be too close to call. The mustang islighter but has less power so it was a drw. The exhaust sound from the GT was intoxicationg. Right out of the wrapper I would not change a thing about the way it sounds. Truly Awesome!!! I was also really taken with the new front end. Just beautiful too.
What won me over on the GTO was an accumulation of little things and one big thing AGAINST the Mustang GT. 1) The mustang is truly a MUCH smaller car. It is considerably narrower inside. It also has considerably smaller seats and the back seat is still just for kids at best. The seats look nice, but there is no comparison to the GTO, definately a GTO high point!!! 2) The new 3-Valve heads on the new 4.6 V-8 is not yet as customisable as the old 4.6/5.0 motors. 3) The transmission was a little notchy compared to the GTO and was definately pulling more RPMs on the interstate. 4) Besides the exhaust sound, I found the GT to be a little more crude and a bit noisier on the roadwit a rougher ride. 5) The one thing that really swayed me the most though was the simple fact that the GTOs are so much more rare. Personally, I have only seen one on the road not on a dealer lot. When we returned from the test drive in the Mustang we passed over thirty 2000-2004's , used , just sitting there not to mention probably seeing a dozen or so on the road of the old mustang. Give it a year and mustangs will be everywhere.
In short the GTO was a bigger, more comfortable, better riding car to me, quieter, more customisable and as bulletproof as they come from a drivetrain standpoint, with equal perfoamnce and more class and exclusivity than the Mustang will ever have. I just want the exhaust note of the GT in my GTO and it would be pure bliss!!!
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Good comparo. I also think one thing the GTO has in its corner is more versatility power wise. I'll bet you one thing, the Mustang will not have the room to grow power wise, like the GTO does. We all know what happens with a cam, headers, exhaust and a good tune. I doubt very seriously the new 4.6 will get close to GTO in ultimate performance. And it will probably cost alot more in the process. Theres always a superchager, but you can put that on GTO's too
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Originally Posted by rayce08
most mustangs are 6 bangers and are cheap to get . every gto has the same engine , there are no cheap versions to devalue the car , thats what i like .
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#9
Originally Posted by rayce08
i want a new gto so bad i find myself stalking the local pontiac dealership! i would trade my 25 yo wife in if they would give me money for her .
#10
Originally Posted by BigGoat
I take it that she can't read or else you'd be in a lot of trouble right now. How much money? Need picture first.
#11
Launching!
Originally Posted by jlh1967GTO
with equal perfoamnce and more class and exclusivity than the Mustang will ever have.
#12
I am a Mustang guy but after looking at both the GTO does have a nicer interior and more space, the exterior on both can either be admired or hated, depending on the person. Performance-wise, either one can be made to outrun the other modded and stock it depends on the drivers. That being said, comparing MSRP to MSRP a Mustang can be had for 5k or so cheaper, so I'd like to wait for another special edition Mach 1 or something along those lines to come along with the same MSRPs and then I think the comparison between performance will be a lot more interesting with the LS2 coming out and whatever Ford has in the works.
#13
Originally Posted by Pontiac GTO
Good review!
The onlt thing I dont like about the Mustang is in 6 months everone will have one.
The onlt thing I dont like about the Mustang is in 6 months everone will have one.
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Originally Posted by MSI
That being said, comparing MSRP to MSRP a Mustang can be had for 5k or so cheaper, so I'd like to wait for another special edition Mach 1 or something along those lines to come along with the same MSRPs and then I think the comparison between performance will be a lot more interesting with the LS2 coming out and whatever Ford has in the works.
#15
i want a new gto so bad i find myself stalking the local pontiac dealership! i would trade my 25 yo wife in if they would give me money for her .
#16
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Giving the HP to HP exercise and all that. My problem with the Mustang is quite simple.
THEY ARE EVERYWHERE AND EVERYBODY HAS ONE.
I am the only GTO around......
THEY ARE EVERYWHERE AND EVERYBODY HAS ONE.
I am the only GTO around......
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The 2005 Mustang interior is pretty cool if it has the aluminum trim, but otherwise it is way to much hard black plastic. Almost every surface is hard to the touch. Also, the el cheapo Ford parts bin switches and radio doesn't help.
The Mustang sits very high (like they always have) but the biggest advantage over the GTO? It has a decent trunk and the rear seat folds down.
Just curious, but what can Ford do next? A retro '74 Mustang II?
The Mustang sits very high (like they always have) but the biggest advantage over the GTO? It has a decent trunk and the rear seat folds down.
Just curious, but what can Ford do next? A retro '74 Mustang II?
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Originally Posted by MSI
I am a Mustang guy but after looking at both the GTO does have a nicer interior and more space, the exterior on both can either be admired or hated, depending on the person. Performance-wise, either one can be made to outrun the other modded and stock it depends on the drivers. That being said, comparing MSRP to MSRP a Mustang can be had for 5k or so cheaper, so I'd like to wait for another special edition Mach 1 or something along those lines to come along with the same MSRPs and then I think the comparison between performance will be a lot more interesting with the LS2 coming out and whatever Ford has in the works.