Agghh!!! I am so sick of companies trying to make money off the good 'ole classics.

Chevy Impala
Chevy Monte Carlo
Chevy Malibu
Ford Thunderbird
Pontiac GTO
Etc,, Etc,, Etc.....

Next thing you know they will make a malibu longer and change the front and call it a Nova,,,Geez

Bring on the new cars, but don't try to resurrect the dead with something that doesn't even begin to do a classic justice.

 

The resurrection of the Impala in the mid '90s was well received and the current iteration is generally blasted by critics.

On the other hand, the current version is selling well, while the other one had to be canned for lack of sales. It isn't exciting, but it is much more practical than its much beloved predecessor, and sometimes that's what is important.

 

The worst part was what were they thinking when they relocated the fuel tank to the inside of the trunk! It resides over the rear axle, directly behind the rear seat and takes up all the space under the rear window! WTF.

They claim that they did this to keep the car from turning into a fire ball ala Ford Pinto!

 

The December edition of AutomobileMagazine (automobilemag.com) had a review of the new GTO, and they were very impressed.

They think it's a huge improvement over the Camaro/Firebird (although of course that doesn't take much).

 

We can't get a new-gen impala comment past you, can we? :P

 

Nope :p

I get defensive easily, sorry.

 

Ditto

 

Actually other than the bland exterior, I thought it was rather cool, I thought the interior was well done, especially the two tone interior. I am curious what the options are going to be, there isn't a lot of information out yet in regards to pricing and options.

My first choice is still the 2004 Ford Mustang Mach 1, and the 350z and the GTO as second and third choices.

350 hp, corvette engine, nice ehaust note, 4 seater, cool looking interior and guages - not a bad deal. A little heavy and a bland exterior but see what happens as its release date approaches.

 

From the Motor Trend review it seems more like a Euro 2+2 than an American muscle car. Very fast, but gets you there in comfort. Seems like well executed, although somewhat boring car that is very un-American.

 

Kinda the reason why the Mach 1 is my first choice. It's a modern muscle car. Nothing more, nothing less.

I am happy you noted MT and not C & D. I remember watching C&D TV about the Mach 1 and gape jawed cause of how much of what they said was completely wrong and stupid. "The Mach 1 is the first Mustang, maybe the second, to feature an independant rear suspension." Sorry it has a live axle and nowhere does it have IRS and no it doesn't use the engine from the 1995 Cobra - idiots.

 

Car&Driver test data

___________ 5-60mph __ 0-100mph ____ 0 – ¼ mile ____ EPA hwy

2004
Pontiac GTO __ 5.8 s _____ 13.4 s ____14.0s @ 102mph __ 28 mpg


Report: December issue Car&Driver (p.54)

Tire upgrade is a must for GTO owners.
The GTO is ideal for folks who spend a lot of time on the highway.

 

Road&Track test data

________________ 0-100mph _____ 0- ¼ mile


2004 Pontiac GTO ___ 12.9 s ____ 13.8s @ 103.8mph

 

Still an american car. Still a Pontiac. Still a dog.

 

Try searching for aticles and pictures of the GTO interior, its far from boring. Again this GTO should not be compared with sport cars. Nothing against RX8 (love the car) but ill use it as an example. RX8 is light, smaller engine = fast, GTO is heavy, bigger engine = fast. Australians love heavy cars, why, comfortable for long distance driving, tow a caravan or a boat, rough roads, and better stability. The wieght for the monaro therefore serves a purpose with stronger suspension, and stronger body.

For me I've never seen a mustange tow a boat but ive seen plenty of monaros towing them.

 

I am wondering how those gauges will look at night, very few photos out there of the GTO. I am very impressed with what I been reading so far, very positive reviews. So many impressive cars out, so hard to decide.

 

it looks like a neon...

 

Ive seen neons and monaro side by side, nothing like each other, try another comparison mate. If your comparing the interior of the GTO with a neon, again nothing, totally different.

 

I've also read the reviews of the GTO in one of those magazines and they all seem to love the performance and overall feel of the car (much like the 8) I remember they wrote in the WHATS HOT section "just freakin' everything!!" ... I can quote the whole thing for you guys when I get home if you want.

1. I totally agree with all the exterior haters... I think the grill is SICK!! (New version of the old Goat grill) But that's about it. It needs some lines, curves, character, anything!!!

2. K please don't yell at me... but my dad had a '03 GTP (supercharged grand prix) and I really didn't mind the interior at all. So, I'm a real big fan of the GTO interior without the 2 tone. So I like the one in the picture.

3. The engine is sick!! And if you all havent been to the Pontiac site and listen to the GTO exhaust revving up and watch the 0-60 clip shown by a view of the instruments (if that makes sense) then you all should... It's amazing.... I think.

Well, just thought I'd throw that in.

Brit

 

Interesting. They are made in Adelaide, South Australia. They looked a lot nicer in original Monaro form, but butchered it with the GTO. The GTO Engine covers look nicer than the Holden ones. Sort of thought about the Monaro when I got the '8, but I was getting out of the 4 door version of the same thing anyway. Very easy and cheep to get 300+ kW out of them (about 400 HP) at the flywheel.

From experience: The "lesser" powered Monaro will lose out to an RX-8 on the strip in 60' time, and also to about 1/3 - 1/2 track distance - then they just drive straight by ya'. Low 14's dead stock. But they don't handle anywhere near as good as the RX-8, the brakes fade easily on the circuit, and the power-steering boils over with heavy track work, unless a cooler is fitted.

But a nice ballsey car all the same.

Cheers,
Hymee.

 

Hymee-

Were you talking about the GTO or the Manaro that had bad brakes and all of that stuff?

Just wondering... I was a little confused.

But, if you are talking about the Manaro... isn't the GTO a completely different car due to the motor and the performance parts even if it shares the same platform and/or body style?

Thanks,

Brit

 

You know, now that I look at the picture Supercharger posted at the beginning of this thread, the grill on the GTO (which I like) looks a whole lot like the grill on the Evo VII!

Actually, now that I think about it. I think I read something about Mitsubishi doing that on purpose. Or it just happened to look like that.

Just an observation!!

Brit

 

Whats the big deal...the Ram Air T/A looked a LOT better than this New GTO, had the LS1, ran 13.8 sec. 1/4 and 5.5 sec. 0-60.
These are real times from my 2000 T/A completely stock. And it cost LESS than the GTO! Hope they bring the Firebird/Camaro back!

 

Brit,

As far as I know, the GTO and the Monaro are exactly the same except for a few cosmetic things, and the uprated power. (And of course the repositioned fuel tank.) And the Monaro and the Commodore (the 4 door sedan on which the monaro is based) share exactly the same running gear. The Monaro handles a little better as it is a bit stiffer, and you sit slightly lower.

But I must be honest and say I have not looked at the brake specs on the GTO to compare. It is common here for the guys to upgrade their brakes with some slotted rotors, and some EBC Greenstuff pads along with a better brake fluid. That said, there isn't really anything wrong with the brakes for most driving situations, apart from the circuit.

Hope this can clarify the confusion.

Cheers,
Hymee.

 

The GTO is supposed to have more interior space, better visibility, better handling, a nicer interior, and superior reliability. If your 2000 Trans Am ran great, more power to you - but in general the model (and the Camaro) had serious reliability issues.

 

The GTO is a luxury coupe whereas the Transam was an out and out sports car. But performance wise the GTO can hold its own with sports cars; comfort wise it's also comparable to any other coupe in its price range. The Trans am may have performance but it wasn't a luxury car with a 350 HP motor for $30K.