New GTO

[Frank S]

Pontiac has put up the numbers and several other details about the new GTO here.Highlights do include a 350 HP claim and a true dual exhaust.

 

The styling still leaves a little to be desired IMO but I could definitely drive one.

[CMNTMXR81]

Check my signature ~

 

www.LS1GTO.com

 

or

 

www.newagegto.com

 

That's been up on Pontiac.com for a month or two now. Matter of fact within the last day or two they took the GTO off the main page.

 

As to rating it at a true 350hp, we already knew the LS1 was putting out about that much anyway, so it's not a big secret. Also, despite Pontiac's extensive amount of work getting it to sound "just right", we are a little upset that both duals come out the driver's side instead of split.

 

About the only number Pontiac hasn't put up is the firggin MSRP.

[CMNTMXR81]

Oh yea, and newagegto.com is a sister site to this one I believe.

[Greg]

I'm looking for a new rwd daily driver and I stopped by my Pontiac dealer to talk about the GTO. I'm not a fan of it's bland Pontiac looks, but having another LS1 engine in the family would not be a bad thing. If you want one, check multiple dealers for pricing. Some are planning to sell it above MSRP. I doubt many will offer GMS pricing on it. Anyway, I couldn't overcome my dislike for the looks and will be getting a CTS instead.

[The SPEEDY]

d**n they look sweet.

 

I'm glad GM is doing something along these lines.

[k1500chevy97]

WOW

 

Looks like a great site

[mjsmith1223]

Styling: Looks like a bigger Grand Am.

 

Sound:

 

Overall impression: I'd drive one. I just wouldn't look at it. Seems like it would defintely steam some rice though.

 

Mike

Grand Haven, MI

[CMNTMXR81]

A) for those complaining about the styling. Unless you're in another LS1 powered vehicle, all you're gonna see is the taillights anyway.

 

B) The compu-link timing system (or other timing system) at your favorite track doesn't determine winner based on it's "Styling" or "Interior appointments". Just who gets there first.

 

C) Sometimes pictures don't do the car justice. Now that a few have come stateside and have been at shows and a few roaming around Detroit, people are going "WHOLLY SH*T...that's a good looking car!" As "bland" as it may be, it still is a handsome design. But I too kinda like a more "Subtle" design. This is the exact same reason I chose a Z28 over a flaring nostriled, batman winged WS6 Trans Am. Sometimes I like to avoid "unneccesary attention" if you follow my drift. Once some of you start seeing some on the road, I have a feeling many of you may do a second take and say whay I said above. But by then it'll be too late to get one, at least not until next year anyway.

 

As to pricing, Pontiac has only estimated it's MSRP at $33,000. Disregard what is in the auto rags at $34.5k. I went to about 15 Pontiac dealers here in Chicago. Not 100 something of them, but enough to get a common consensus, they all wanted $2k, 3K or even more down and then all made the same comment "We'll then of course have to mark it up to fair market value" I.E. jack the price due to it's exclusivity.

 

After going to newagegto.com and then also talking to another local Chicago GTO "soon to be" owner (whom also works at a local Hi-po shop that is VERY popular nationwide amongst the F-Body community), he pointed me to Sewell Pontiac in Dallas, TX. Jason there solely asked for $500 down and they wouldn't charge any more than MSRP. For those who claim "you're stupid for paying MSRP" I can explain later why you don't have much of a choice with this car. It's not an Accord that the dealer has 500 of them on the lot to choose from!

 

That's my take on it. I wanted the car. GM is putting an LS1 spinning through a choice of 6 speed manual or 4 spd auto, then turning the rear tires, but yet you people still complain. There is no making some happy.

 

All I know, is mine is going in for a little engine work soon after I get it to make it even better.

[Zane]

Oh yea, and newagegto.com is a sister site to this one I believe.

partner site....

 

Not owned by me.

[Frank S]

Well,I posted this because not everyone visits a website where the info is right there in B&W so I thought some may find it interesting.

 

Style vs 350 HP:If you have a V8 that you can't work on and get at least that much out of,take it to the junkyard or drive it for what it really is.You have a car that wasn't meant for performance or don't have any interest in making it perform or,the third possibility is you have a POS.You decide.Style,I'm sorry but it looks like a freaking Grand Am.They could definitely have done something a little different with the car to set it totally apart from other platforms other than being RWD with a V8,especially if they are going to invoke a name such as "GTO" for their performance model.

 

That being said,I like the GTO overall.It definitely is not what I would have made it but it seems to be a nice car top to bottom.I believe it is somewhat overpriced at 30k+ and it desperately needs a ram air hood but maybe they are saving it for a "Judge" model and then that had better be something really special.

[FEAC]

Oh yea, and newagegto.com is a sister site to this one I believe. 

partner site....

 

Not owned by me.

newagegto.com is owned by Gminsidenews.com

[RyanbabZ71]

CMNT when you get yours can i take it for a spin? I probably know the answer

[LarryE]

the WS6 was the best looking car to ever come from GM, it takes real brains to get rid of something like that

[CMNTMXR81]

So, flaring nostrils, overdone body cladding and batmobile wing on a car that has an enormous windshield (with an enormous dash inside), long sloping hood with lots of front overhang, a relatively long wheelbase (longer than the GTO's BTW), a lot of rear overhang make a car the "best" GM has styled. I like the WS6's, but I wouldn't say they're the "Best" GM has styled as of recent.

 

Frank, working on the GTO will be no more difficult than working on a current LS1 powered F-Body which is a slight bit easier than LT1 powered versions, which either are much easier to work on than many standard and common place GM front wheel drivers. So many people complain about working on these things, but they really aren't that bad compared to some of the other wonderful designs I've had to work on. The car being pricey? You do realize that typically a fully loaded WS6 or SS, especially convertibles were in the low $30,000 range too, but few seemed to complain then!

 

You're getting a car that is infinitely more comfortable, inifinitely higher quality materials, a much more usuable and comfortable rear seat, better build quality, doesn't suffer from nagging problems like the F-Body did (slow power windows, window motors dieing, brake rotors warping, heavy doors, poor popping hatches, catalytic converter hump in passenger footwell and in general lack luster GM interior quality) but yet gives you the best from the F-Body, that being the engine and drivetrain and all you people bitch about is styling and price. Be thankful you're getting what you're getting. If we waited for GM to style a body tha way you like it, get it to pass Federal requirements for safety not only would the cost be much higher than $33 - $35k, but chances are, you'd never see it come to fruition because it'd die in GM buracracy and red tape. Until GM can do such, this is what GM is putting out as the affordable performance choice. The ZO6 Vette isn't anywhere near $35k, the upcoming CTS-V sure won't be either.

 

As I've repeatedly stated time and time again, the Compulink timing system at your local dragstrip doesn't determine the winner on "Style", just who gets there first!!

 

Don't get me wrong, I love my Z, look at the money I've spent on it to achieve what it achieves. But if this were an everyday driver, I'd have sold it years ago. Sorry, the F-Body's weren't God's gift to autodome.

 

Ryan, you'll have to stand in line for a test drive.

[CMNTMXR81]

Oh, and I forgot to add, that the only styling most people will see of the new GTO is the rear end anyway!