I would guess that most people buying the new GTO don't actually have the cash in hand. But, they can get decent financing that you seldom will be able to find for anything old enough to wear a Collector Plate.
Yeah Frank you're right about the f-bodies. I remember seeing a preview in Hot Rod mag before they came out and I was interested. They are neat cars. I'm not the average car buyer. In fact, car companies hate me. I've never bought a new car for myself. I doubt I ever will? Right now my extra cash is going toward my Buick. In my earlier post I was talking to people that have the kind of disposable income I dream of. In my dream world I'd have 100 cars and trucks from past to present and from all kinds of makes and I'd drive em all. ... and yeah in that dream I'd buy a new GTO.
The reason why Mustangs will out sell, is because they are fancy but cheap and available as V6's. Most are purchased and driven by girls. i.e. I can get a fancy looking real wheel drive "muscle" car (V6) for $18k that looks almost like the GT. The only way to get the GTO is with all the bells and whistles (that are offered on the car) and top of the line power plant. Styling is all perspective. I love the `69 Riviera, I love the `64-`69 SKylark/GS's. I like the `70-`72 GS. But the Tempest of those generations were ugly. The GTO of those generations were ugly compared to the sophistication of the Buicks. The `69 Riv other than the headlights is as plain of a car as you can get, smooth and sleek, no bumps or bulges. But it is beautiful. The GTO does stand out. Like many owners I have gotten all kinds of attention. Back to the Grand AM/Grand Prix thing, Pontiac has always worked on that concept at first glance a 65 GP looks like a `65 Tempest/GTO just bigger. I personally think that Pontiac goofed around too much on the 04 GTO. They spent 18 months getting the exhaust to sound just right, and to put the gas tank in the trunk. Their first priority should have been a hood, even for just looks. The exhaust I can live with on one side. I haven't seen an 05 yet, but I hope the dual (L&R) exhaust isn't as hokey as the 04's single side. I did muscle car blasphemy and got rid of the hokey 2" duals and run a single 3". The LS1 engine family is one of the best engines ever developed. Putting a Buick V6 in one of these would be a huge mistake. Just not the right type of power. The GTO weighs 4000 lbs! The 05's aren't out yet, so if you saw a GTO it is an 04. As far as track times, their all accross the board. There is a whole new learning curve for them, because of the weight and the IRS. I have seen as low as 13.1. Many 13.3-13.6. (stock) I have done a best of 13.65 @ 103.5 mph with 2.2 60'. So with traction that car will do very low 13's. One thing that I realized is that these cars prefer 93-94 octane. My 2000 Z-28 was happy with 91. All we have here in PHX is 91. Several weekends ago I ran 4 passes in a row 14.1-14.25 at 100 mph. Added a few gallons of 103 unlead to bring my octane to 94 and instantly ran the next 4 passes from 13.65 - 13.8 at 103+ mph, with the same range of 60 ft's. If the dealers don't get greedy like they did when the 04's first came out, I think they will do OK. Dave
I usually stay out of these kinds of discussions, as a matter of fact I generally lurk on here, but I'll take a stab at this one being a satisfied owner of an '04 GTO M6. I bought this car for the exact same reasons I love my Buicks. I wanted something well constructed, comfortable, powerful and understated. What hooked me on Buicks was my first ride in a '71 GS Stage 1. The power and torque got to me right away, the appreciation of the styling came later. After wiping the grin off my face, I realized the cars were not garish, well appointed and really snuck up on people. I see the GTO in the same light. A refined, powerful understated car. And after owning the car for 3 months, I'm able to appreciate the aerodynamic styling more and more. Whether you love it or hate it, there is no denying its basic simple premise, a growling front engined v8, 2 doors, full dual exhaust, and rear wheel drive at a price much more affordable than the Corvette, SSR, etc with better fit and finish than any Mustang or Chrysler I've ever driven. And now every day I row gears, chirp tires, pass people with impunity and smile my way all the way to work and home again getting 20+ MPG. Then the weekend arrives, and the Buick comes out of its hiding place, and I start smiling all over agian. :laugh: :3gears:
Well stated, William. As for the scoops....if they aren't truely functional they just say: "look at me". Never gonna please everyone. It's like boats......no one boat is right for everything and everyone. Bruce
With all due respect to the guys that bought the '04 GTO - Personally, Id be MAJOR-LEAGUE PISSED OFF knowing now that the LS2 is going into the 05's I think thats a BIG Mistake made by GM and Pontiac ....and for those waiting for BUICK to come out with something Sweet.....The Velite is only about a year away, but if the 30K GTO puts you off then dont even bother looking at the Buick - prolly in the 40-45K range :eek2: uzzled: :spank:
I think GM would have had more success if they called it a Chebelle SS. At least it would be closer to what it really is. I feel the name was laid to rest 30 years back leave it be. This car should have taken over the Camaro/Firebird market, but it seems that it missed. Not one magazine has much good to say about the styling and handling. TV shows aint that impressed either. Nor the public (sales show that) You think the #1 auto maker could do better. Trying is not an option. :sleep: I think the car looks like a redesigned Grand Am. I hope the 05 looks like its own model. Ive seen one at a local strip and it did 15 flat and 14.67 its second pass. I was not that impressed. Is there any hop ups for this thing?
Looks like a cross between a BMW and a Chevy Cavalier to me. GM should take some design cues from Chrysler, IMO.
MotorTrend says 2004 GTO 13.62 @104 the 2005 has 50 more horses I want my Buick to go that fast! Well actually I want my Buick to be able to smoke a stock GTO or Vette for that matter...
My 68 El Camino rides on the complete chassis/suspension from my beloved, triple black 68 GTO. some things never change. :beer
13s are respectable. But if I just paid 33K and ran high 14s I would be pissed. The orange one RACEBUICK posted looks better.
I just clicked off a 13.35 @ 105 mph w/ 2.05 60' time. Still stock except the tailpipe and trying out nitto drag radials. All that and 27 mpg to and from the track. Dave
