2004 GTO

[2k2TahoeSS]

I am pretty excited to see this 2004 GTO.  it has some pretty big shoes to fill though.  What you all think?

 

Ben

[sduquette]

probably be my next car when the lexus is paid off, hopefully next year

[General Lee 01]

Any pics? ???

 

 

Nevermind, I remember the pics from the last time we talked GTOs

[RyanbabZ71]

depending on how the job search goes and what happens after school ill have one in my driveway next spring (they come out dec 04 and dont want it during salt season haha)

[pacodiablo]

I am glad to see the 350 back in a somewhat affordable vehicle.  It's also nice to see some real competition for the Mustang from GM, though I would still like to see the Camaro and Firebird to make a comeback.

[General Lee 01]

On the one  hand, it is a Muscle car, but on the other hand, it doesn't have that  Muscle look that the F-bodys or the Muscle of the '70s had.

 

So I have mixed fellings about it.

[CMNTMXR81]

Well, I'll save with the unpleasantries of asking what rock you've been living under for the past year or two, cause the GTO is not new news.

 

I've gotten into many an argument on many of our F-body sites over it because many do not like it and feel that because of it, it helped seal the F-body's demise and others feel that it is not worthy of the "G-T-O" nameplate.

 

First things first.  Roughly only 18,000 are gonna be made/sold here.  Which means that if you're lucky enough to get your hands on one, you're gonna pay a premium for it.  Far more than one would if they strolled into a Pontiac dealership now and snatched up one of the few remaining F-Body's.  Expect it to fall somewhere in the $30 - 35k price range and add any markup to it that will become common place once a few dealers that are lucky enough to get their hands on one actually get one (or more).  Think PT Cruiser.

 

Secondly, those who I've argued with about it not being worthy of wearing the "G-T-O" nameplate are the ones that base their decision simply on the style of the car.  Fine, styling is to each his own.  I personally like the car.  I like that it is a little more subtley design, much the same as I like the Camaro's much more subtle design over the "Look at me!  Look at me!" flared nostril and screaming red WS6 Trans Am's.  At the end of the day, they run similar times in the 1/4.  What matters to me, is that I don't draw "unwanted" attention from the local mobil revenue collection agency.  What these guys fail to understand, is that the original GTO that John DeLorean and his "skunkworks" team (that GM didn't know about) took a readily affordable, basic Pontiac Tempest 2+2, dropped in the biggest, hottest V8 in Pontiac's lineup spinning through it's rear wheels and it became a hit.  A pretty basic formula, right?  Fast forward to 2004, Pontiac is borrowing from their Holden division a basic coupe (2+2), somewhat affordable (this depends on what you term affordable), and stuffs the hottest V8 in GM's parts bin between the fenders and backs it with either your choice of a 4speed auto or 6 speed manual also spinning through it's rear wheels.  Same f*cking formula!  But yet people are upset!    ???

 

At the end of the day, all this means is I have a surmountably more comfortable coupe for not only myself but passengers, a ton more practical and usable and still has the heart of my Camaro.  At the end of the day, the Compu-Link timing system at your local drag strip DOESN'T determine the winner on "style"!  It determines the winner by who crosses it's beams first!  If my new GTO crosses the line before some guy's/girl's beloved F-Body, he can piss, moan, b*tch and complain all he wants about style!  I still got the win light!  And as an added bonus, he/she can continue to stare at my blandly styled taillights on the return lane as we go pick up our time slips and think about how he looks much better in his car.  Seems an aweful lot like the typical ricer excuse "well, I'll still beat you in the twisties!"  Ummm, right!!!

 

But then I remember, these are people happy with cars that have an antiquated chassis, are a ##### to get in and out of, weak rear ended, are pretty much useless if you want to carry more than themselves and a front passenger, enjoy the squeaking/creaking body, the rattling windows, the infamous passenger side catalytic converter hump, the heavy opening rear hatch, and cheap interiored F-body and just say...See me at the track, I'll be the one with the bright red GTO with a 6 speed waiting to show you my blandly styled taillights!

 

However if the dealers start gouging because of the rarity, I may find myself in an LS6 powered, 6 speed manual CTS instead.

[RyanbabZ71]

cmnt are you going to purchase one?  I also am worried about the dealer markup.  Just have to wait til 05 then when more come out.  

 

The styling doesnt really jump out at me but the RWD and engine make me excited.  

 

What colors are going to be available?

[Firetiger(MN)]

Its a nice looking car, but it has the same lines as a Dodge Stratus.  Too similar in my opinion.  I think they could have been a little more creative.  

 

I'd rather see the Firebird and Camaro back personally.

[sduquette]

I'm glad to see pontiac is getting away from their gaudy, cheap looking plastic parts and moving towards a smooth clean style, God forbid it were to look like a grand am or grand prix

 

I know thise isn't the official GTO, but what it's coming from is a sweet looking car, if you are ever bored, watch the v8 supercars from austrailia on the speed channel, the holden always does awesome

http://www.newagegto.com/PV.jpg

http://www.newagegto.com/PV.jpg

http://www.newagegto.com/PV.jpg

 

 

 

http://www.hsv.com.au/vy/1024/coupe.html

[2k2TahoeSS]

Well guys, i've actually heard about a camero/trans-am comback before 2003 discontinued.  Apparently GM wants to take them out of the linup for a while like they did the GOOD impalas, and then bring them back as a completely different animal.  sounds dumb to me, that is if they are going to #### the f-bodys up like they ruined the impalas.  Oh well...i like the new GTO.  Only problem i have with it is ithe front end reminds me alot of the grandprix.

 

Ben

[BlueRado]

I like it a lot - that was my gut reaction when I first saw it.  I was hoping for a little more distinctive styling, but it's subtle, understated, and I like that.

 

I'm w/ Ryan, the goodies excite me the most.  :thumb:  

[MiSdIrEcTeD_1]

Im happy about the idea, but I highly doubt Ill be in the market for one...

[Tucson_02Silverado]

I think style is very tight if not tied for first feature of wanting to drive a particular car.  Sure you look at the mechanicals and then go from there if it's worthy.

 

If you go on side, which is completely valid that the origin of the GTO was a bland 2 door Tempest sedan and that the first year didn't even have an GTO emblem on the fenders, and say that the origin should be honored.  So you have a Holden with a GrandPrix front end and SAAB fastback rear end.

 

On the other side, honor the passion.  It should either be an evolved (IMO it should be) 1968 to 2003 design (after all the current side profile does look like a second gen GTO) or the show car of a couple years past.

 

And I guess you can count those like CMNT that do not mind what it looks like as long as you are smeared on the track and it is functional for four.  Cross your fingers, the AZTEK needs a sales boost, put an LS6 in it and I think SOMEONE just ordered a dozen.

[The SPEEDY]

GM has really dissapointed me over the last few years and I hope this car will give me something to be happy about.  I'm tired of GM not giving us what we want.