I was curious what you all think of the new "GTO" as they say! Anyways I dont think the price is too bad given that it has the LS1 corvette engine. Its around 33 grand. Of course its still a Pontiac though. Let me know what you think.

 

here is a pic

 

k i think im having a conversation with myself but I think it would be alright if it was more distinctive from the rest of the pontiac lineup. The front end is just liek anything else. The interior is great for an american car though! check it out.

 

It's a really nice car as explained by all the magazine editors. Quality and fit and finish is supposed to be real good. The torque curve is also pretty amazing, there's a few dyno posts on LS1GTO.com. And actually it's not really a Pontiac, it was built in Australia by Holden. Now, lets here the bashing from all the ignorant (meaning uneducated) people on this board.

 

well, it's really a holden from australia and the ls1 engine - well, it's just a big pushrod v8, not particularly bristling with new technology. american auto manufacturers really have a hard time wraping their minds around better technology, look how long it took them to embrace disk brakes!

 

Yeah your absolutely right. I'm sorry to say that no American made car looks (interior quality wise) like the GTO(aka Holden Monaro) and it has a nice feel to it. Im actually considering it also bc its plenty quick, just as quick as my EVO and has a better ride. And I dont have to pop the clutch everytime i need good times. Thanks for the input

 

well personally, i think the interior looks good and who doesn't love a beefy v8. but i think that's it's a serious step down from the gto's previousform. it's looks more like a friggin family sedan than american muscle car. if this were the original gto, i'd say it's a great car. but with the heritage and background, i feel this is a sorry replacement. just my .02.

 

I bet it's clutch won't go out after 2000 kms though.....

 

jon e blaze,

I completely agree with you it is a serious step down from the original. Look on the bright side though. It has soo much more pulling power right from the get go and keeps going. Not too mention its only 30 grand with a corvette engine!! While i like the corvette alot this is more suitable for my daily needs also. I do agree though calling it the GTO makes it an unworthy successor.

 

The LS1 is a newer engine than the 4G63 is by many years, so if it uses old, outdated technology I'd hate to think of the ancient design of the poor old 4G63 in the Evo . Any engine that can put out 400hp (LS6, which is a factory modified LS1), be put in a LEV, and still get 28-32mpg on the highway doesn't exactly suffer from an inefficient design.

The LS1 can also make crazy amounts of power on the stock block and it still have a lot of usable torque down low, which is a problem with most high powered 4 and 6 cylinder engines. The most interesting thing about all of this is that it's an aluminum NA engine, which are usually considered to be rather weak when it comes to tuning potential. There are many factory turbocharged engines whose internals and blocks can't withstand 2.6 times the power and torque that their engines put out stock. That, to me, says more about the strength, durability, and engineering skill that was put in to designing that engine than anything else. Don't let your obvious bias toward Japanese engines blind you to the capabilities of other engines, regardless of their origin.

https://www.quartermileperformance.c...ormulation.asp

I think that the GTO will be a great all-around daily driver. Plenty of power, good gas mileage, great low end torque, a decently sized back seat, and a decently sized trunk all make for a good daily car for an enthusiast with a family. I don't like how the front end looks when compared to the Monaro that is it based on, but I still think that it looks better than some newer designs that I've seen coming out from other manufacturers (Scion xA and xB, anyone?). I'm glad that they went conservative rather than implementing a "fresh, new" style like they tried to do with the Aztek. The new GTO looks like a normal, tame family car but has a strong engine under the hood, which is exactly what the old GTO was. If they had only put clean hoodscoops on, it would've been even more recognizable as a GTO just like the GTOs of old. Maybe that's something Pontiac will bring back when they start making GTOs in the US in 2006 (IIRC).

 

Your also right about the clutch also. It will last as proven on many occasions. Everytime i drive the evo im scared to launch it to really get the best times. It sucks bc i paid soo much and mitsu stands by their 0-60 time but refuse to warranty clutches and the only way to achieve that time is to abuse the clutch. Not to mention i dont have the dough to fork over for a new clutch in case that were to happen.

 

It looks better with the red interior.....

 

Yea, the looks is not too great and it doesnt live up to it name. I dont know when those crack head starting making cars that car enthusiasts want. Why not a V6 turbo with a more aggressive look to it. Or keep the v8 LS1 but hell, make it look like a sport car for the love of GOD.

 

Its slower, heavier, and considerably more expensive than the cars it replaces.

 

the evo motor may be a few years older than the ls1 but what i was talking about was mostly the valve train... pushrod motors i would not call new, nor ohcam motors, but ohcam motors are definately a step forward and use a much more efficient method to open and close valves. just my 2c