[mmcporter]

I love the "idea" of the new GTO, but I think it's fighting several problems which prevent its ultimate success:

1. Marketing--I haven't seen/heard much media play for the GTO...not much TV or Radio. Also, since its a halo car, Pontiac should be building their performance initiatives around this car and they aren't.

2. Looks like a Grand AM. Similar in size and appearance to the Grand Am is not a good thing. The generic rear wing only makes it worse. The interior is excellent, but nobody at Pontiac is talking about it.

3. Typical new-age GM indifferent approach to build quality. I went thru this with my '96 Impala SS before I sold it. Suspension groans and creaks, interior squeaks and rattles and other issues. Just look at any of the US and Australian forums dedicated to the GTO/Monaro. Diagnosing and correcting all of the little problems has become a cottage industry among the new GTO faithful.

I hope the GTO is successful and spawns other powerful and imaginative GM siblings. However, it seems like an uphill battle right now. GM has an extremely poor record of sticking with these projects and seeing them through. Witness the Buick Grand National/GNX, the Pontiac Fiero, the F body cars, the Cadillac Allante, the Buick Reatta, the Caprice/Impala SS, and others I am not thinking of right now.

I REALLY WANT to like this car, I want to want to buy it. But for now I too am holding off.