I say go to an autocross before dumping the 8. I used to think the drag strip was fun until I got into autocrossing, now I think drag racing is mostly a big waste of time. I'm almost 100% sure you'd enjoy keeping your 8 and getting into autocross than buying a GTO and blasting down the drag strip.

This is coming from a guy who was cross-shopping the GTO, Z and 8. I decided on the 8 based on insurance and that I could have more fun chasing cones in it. I actually almost got the GTO, the power is intoxicating, but really how often are you going to use that legitimately on the streets?

 

hahaha you wish the rx8 is only a hair slower than the Z

 

That is, and always has been, the worst argument against a car (or any product), EVER. Maybe there is a reason it's popular.

 

Gee
Tee
OOOOOO

Once I'm outta college, it shall be mine! 350z's are just way too common, and the GTO with the sport appearance package make it look a million times better. Just can't beat that V8.






SAP contains the spoiler, front grille, quad exhaust, and some gille like inserts above the exhaust. All installed at the dealer. Red Tag Event is going on now and you can get one for about 30k.

See more here:
http://www.pontiac.com/gto/index.jsp

Get the GTO and don't look back.

 

Damn it, you made me look at the GTO and now I want it really badly...

 

I actually drove a GTO just for the hell of it. I must say, I was suprisingly impressed. Still love my 8 though.

 

i keep hearing all sorts of different statistics. What are the real numbers a 2004 5.6l GTO can reach. 0-60 and 1/4 mile?

 

Go get yourself a Godzilla kid! ~flame on!~ Hahahahaha! Seriously, read up on it. The RB26DETT powerplant is mighty powerful (almost indestructible if you believe the Japanese!), it's got the straight line power you crave, 4WD for the track AND a back seat for fooling around Plus there's lots of aftermarket goodies if you plan on souping it up for more power (big potential for that too!).

Sorry for sidetracking dude, but whatever you get, just make sure you love it!

 

get the gto. stock in the mid to low 13's. ls1 or ls2 depending on the year. both have terrific aftermarket support, moreso in the case of the ls1 since it has been around awhile and has been in alot of cars. you'd be amazed at the responsivness of htose engines to just simple mods like exhausts. they can make alot of power with simple bolt ons if that's what you're looking for

 

good thing about me is that i have a high ohm for all american cars. lol.
well. my recommandation will be the 06STI or the EVO 8 to 9.
if you want to drag them, with just some modification like exhaust and air intake, they will kill the stock GTO which is very hard and expensive to modify. STIs and evos are very easy and cheap to modify. but, i was totally disgusted by the STI's and evo's interior. wtf?? those two companies are dumb. if they can have a leather option, their cars will be one of the best super cars. moreover, STIs and evos out handles 350z and GTO. also, they are "sedans". they have relatively huge trunk space and leg rooms. very impressive.
a second hand one will probably be close to the new 350z's price. so yeah.
mine idea= STI or EVO

 

That Goat is hot!

BTW, have you included insurance costs in your choices? RX8 will likely be cheapest.

 

get a GTO and get outta here

 

You can get the 04 GTO's for rediculously low prices. (If you can find one). Your talking 20-22k for an LS1 super sleeper that can become a 12 second car with very little modding investment. (Aftermarket is measured in books, not in links).

The GTO's only real disadvantage is its heft. You can drop a good deal of weight off the car without stripping it though, it just won't ever be anywhere near as nimble or balanced as an rx8.

 

I am leanin more and more towards the goeat. I woke up this morning, looked at my 8 and :sigh:, what a beauty. I got inside, started driving, only to find out my clutch is squeaking, hahaha, im not even kidding. I just don't have the money to be fixing this car up once warranty is over. But anywyas, no Sti's or evo's i think they are ugly. What mods are whe lookin at for the goat, and how much??. Would it be less expensive to mod than an 8. Anyone know any websites?

oh, and btw, 12 seconds, dam!. What mods are whe looking at for that?

 

true, but that doesn't mean that it's not a factor when purchasing a car. i bought my 8 over beemers and audi's partly due to the fact that they are as common here as civics, i wanted a car that is unique in addition to it's driving capabilities.

based on the cars that he listed, the gto seems more geared towards what he wants in an auto, just my .02

 

If you go with anything like that, go with the Turbo Supra. The 2JZ is arguably a better engine then the RB26. The 2JZ can put out some serious power and is also labled as bulletproof. In terms of the original 3, Its 350z all the way. Nissan just added power and improved the interior.

 

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/587801

http://www.rpmoutlet.com/gto.htm

http://www.jbaheaders.com/04GTOnew.asp

I wouldn't blindly assume that the GTO will be cheaper to maintain over its life than the RX8 or the Z. GM is not known for its reliability ratings.

 

Oh, and I found some Kills threads on Ferrari's, C6 Vettes, Rousch Mustangs, you name it. LMAO.

 

but if something goes wrong with that engine and tranny (gto's ls1/ls2 with a t-56 or the 4 speed auto), there are so many copies of them out there that it wouldnt probably be very expensive to fix

 

If this is going to be your daily driver, you definitely need to drive the Z and the GTO a few times before you buy. The no luggage space, visability issues and a very stiff clutch make the Z a better track car than one you want to live with on a daily basis .Insurance on a Z is sky high compared to the RX8 or the GTO. The GTO has a strange petal placement and a motorized back seat that takes forever to go back and forth. Lurk over at Z forums and the GTO forums and listen to their owners woes. If you want to save money on gas, I would not own any of these cars. You need a civic.

If you want to save money, you are better off keeping your RX8 until the warranty runs out before you trade or sell it. Save your money and pay cash for your next car.

 

I'm not so sure that the Rx8 problem you're having is really the, it seems to be more a problem of driver abuse than the car. I've never had any problem with the car, except minor rattles. Plus if you take your car to the drag strip, you're going to beat up the tranny and the clutch for sure. Rotary engines and Rx8s are as reliable as any of the other cars providing that you keep the oil topped off. Plus you'll probably run into the same problem with the other cars anyways. Additionally, with the hit you're going to take from trading in the car, even with the current gas prices, you'll still be able to buy plenty of gas, a lot more than you'll save from trading in the car and driving it for 5 yrs.

Keep the 8 and drive properly and your car will be fine..

 

I dnt mean to be disrespectfull, but you cannot tell me the 8 is just as realiable as any other car. Many many people, have had many many problems with this car. I take very good care of my car, and have only dragged it 3 times, never pushin the clutch.

 

As an Evo owner I'm flattered by your advice. Unfortunately the small block in the GTO is cheaper to modify than the STi's EJ25 and about the same as the 4G63 in the Evo. The upside of having 5.7 liters of displacement versus 2.0 liters is also huge. With just exhaust and software that GTO can be a monster. It's really tough to do more than 400whp on the Evo's factory turbo. With the GTO 400whp is far from the potential of that setup...and that's not even taking into consideration some sort of FI.

 

if i would get a GTO. I would definately be gettin FI. Does anyone know any forums, I would like to start looking into what combination of mods, can get you the most hp. Thanks alot for all your helo guys

 

http://ls1.com/forums/