dmorales

WoW! That's alot of HP and TQ!

However, i wouldn't trade my 8 for it.

1. Steering felt loose. Felt like I was driving a John boat with 400hp.

2. Interior finish seemed to typical 'american car'.

3. Looks like a sunfire.

But boy was it fast! I know a lot have driven them and posted, and maybe have had a better impression but from what I felt I don't think it was that great.

btw it was a new 2006 with the ls2...and it was yellow...if that matters.
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Bad_Karma_RX8

At least they wised up at separated the exhaust tips. I drove an 05. Same as above, lot's of power not a lot of class. Too much $$$.

astro

The Pontiac GTO also known as the Holden Monaro down here is no longer in production due to lack of demand locally. The chassis is based on an economy family car - Holden Commodore. I agree, I have a Commodore for a company car and it is very floaty in steering and ride. It is a muscle car as all V8s down here are portrayed. Even in other magazine comparison with a V8 Monaro, the RX8 came up trumps for sheer handling and pleasure. My Commodore also flexes alot... lots of creaks and when a semi-trailer on the opposite side of the road passes, the door feels like it is getting sucked out. However, I can't complain about the low end grunt. Mine is a V6 Ecotech and I do try to blow it up with high revs. Ssshhhh... I'm just having fun with it.

Dogpound48

I test drove the 04 GTO and 05 Mustang before chooing the 8. I liked the inside of the GTO. I agree hat it feels very loose compared to the 8 as far as driving goes. It was a chore finding the gears. It was a nice car though. Sometimes I crave the power. The back seat was very usable if you could flex yourself to get back. The Mustang was nice but I knew that in a year it would be everywhere.

adrian-1

I think it looks more like the cavalier.

VikingDJ

My co-worker has an 05. I did get a ride in that thing. No doubt from a roll he'll take out my STI without much trouble, and without a near perfect hard launch, he'll probably take me out off the line too. I feel the 100 more hp his car has that's for sure. For pure straight line power, it's easily the best bang for the buck IMO. I don't think you can find a better deal, if pure muscle is what you want, and don't mind the design. I thought about one, but then realized I'm not into cars like this to own, and the brute power will get old for me. I'll never be a muscle car guy, but I do respect them.

dmorales

I thought that too. It's a very long throw, and not too defined either.

Oh I also thought the car sounded nice! The sweet sound of Displacement!
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Red Devil

Driven my friend's GTO a few times. Great engine, horrible brakes.

rx8wannahave

Well I've driven a GTO and I must say that I think it's a pretty good car. It's quality is much better then the "norm" and the interior look is pretty nice. Of course it's fast but the looks are just OK and it's handling is more sporty sadan than sports car like. Also...it's a fat hog which hurts it's speed, breaking, and handling the most.

Two things about the GTO that is very impressive:

Seat comfort....oh my GOD, those seats are comfy as heck!!! Pretty heavy looking but it's a car you could fall asleep in...in a long trip, EASY.

Also, have any of you sat in the back seats? Sure...it's not as easy to get to like our 8 but it actually has alot of space back there. It's the only 2+2 that I think actually has better room and comfort than our beloved RX8.

If GM can reduce the weight by at least 250 pounds and make it handle better, while reducing the price (a bit)...then the GTO will have alot more sales. I think GM overpriced it for what options you get and frankly did not pay attention to the look of the car as they should have.

It's a pretty good car...just not good enough to make major sales nor handle good enough to compete with other sports cars.

If I was an old guy needing more comfort but still wanting a sports car, the GTO would be for me.

snizzle

I came close to buying one when the 05's came out with the 400HP engine. I was impressed with the interior quality (for GM at least) as it seemed sensibly laid out with decent materials. The gobs of TQ just snap you back in the seat and have you grinning from ear to ear. The car is about as fast as it gets stock from a standstill (at least that's my experience) but I wasn't able to toss it around the corners on the test drive.

I just couldn't get around the exterior. When I buy a muscle car, I want it to look the part. Hood scoops aren't enough.

bascho

My buddy has a red '05. That thing is seriously fast....but I think it's pretty ugly. I thought hard about getting one before getting my 8 (since they were about the same price). He is going to be getting a twin-turbo set-up out of Aussie land in the next few months and then he'll have something like 800 hp at the wheels. The kit is $10K USD.....but 800whp....I think that's worth it Now he's going to have to find away to get that power to the pavement.

Sephiroth

^ yea APS (Air Power Systems) has a TT kit for the vette, just the kit, no exhaust or anything. 700hp 640tq. They also have a kit for the GTO.

bascho

I don't remember who the company is......but the pics show that the turbos mount underneath the car at the end of full length headers. I'll see if I can find some pics....cause the set-up looks sweet from under the car......very stealth. I know a company here in Michigan called Wheel-to-Wheel is working on a TT kit for the GTO as well.

bascho

Hey, I just asked my buddy.....it is APS. Good call Sephiroth

bascho

Here is the link to the pics for the GTO kit.

http://www.airpowersystems.com.au/ls1/us_gto.htm

playdoh43

yep APS makes really good TT systems for the LS engines.