2005 GTO

[GMH454]

The problem with retro styling is it does not sell. The VW bettle the Prowler, the T-Bird and I think the new Chevy Truck (if it ever made production ) they are really interesting to look at, talk about, but they don't sell.
(Mini is the exception ,,but then again its a Bimmer )

Why you guys go on about GTOs I have no idea, they actually never ran too hard you know. Even some our our touring cars could hose them off. (high 13s quarters ... but 160mph top end ) Mopars and Chevs ran hard, Stage 1s and Cobra Jets were also good, but 400 Pontiacs ???

I hate to sound like this, but some of you retro guys should just get over it, or you will lose one hell of a car.

[Belair62]

GMH I have to agree with you....at least on the retro styling part...this GTO doesn't look retro but it goes like hell from what I have read...and getting better next model year...

[JoeG]

I finally heard a GTO ad on the radio the other day---The GTO was going thru the gears---reminded me of the old 60's ads---Nice sound----They gave the 1/4 mile times with the optional 6 speed ,but they slipped my mind-----

[Astock]

I think the new Mustang will do very well.I would like to see the Saleen version.

[GMH454]

Agreed, but then I think the Mustang "Brand " is prety bulletproof. They have often made some very "unexciting "
cars and they still sold. The Corvette is the same.

Its different though in bringing back a name with such an emotive feel as the GTO. Think Lutz crashed and burned only on the name, not the car.

[55chevy]

Having spent several months daily driving and putting over 5000miles on a 2004 GTO I will say it is one great car.. Fun as hell to drive and a pleasure to drive. Takes a beating too.

[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.

[Motion Camaro]

<font color="blue">If people would use their imagination, like in the 60's &amp; 70's, the GTO would be a great car. There are 2 problems:
1) It's overpriced for the 'average' buyer.
2) it needs a 'lot' of customizing to make it cool.
The good thing is you can put a paint scheme on it &amp; an exhaust &amp; it will be yours &amp; fast. </font>

[Steve_Hoog]

400???? Wow guy, you trying to get under a Pontiac guys finger nails?

Because of your post I tried to dig up some sales numbers, but was unsuccessful. So I'll just tell you as my eyes see it on the road.

I have seen maybe 2 total Mini Coopers on the road over the last year, may just be dumb luck but I haven't seen that many.

VW Beatles are EVERYWHERE, as are the Ford Mustangs. Now the Beatles don't sound hot like the Stang, but they do stand out with styling as does the Stang. The Cooper stands out too, and I like em but there sure aren't that many rolling around my neck of the woods.

The 04 GTO is something that could have been great. Runs great, handles well, nice interior, but that's where it stops. When I am on the road I am on the look out for them, I have maybe seen 3 to 4 running around town, and I have to squint my eyes and wait until there real close to make sure it's one. Even as close as a block away I'm still saying to myself, "self, is that one" ... is it? I'm not sure?

They are a dead dog on our lot, first they are hard to get off the transport truck and second they aren't moving very well in sales. Author's note: "our" is in reference to the place I work and take pride in being part of the team that makes the business run, not a reference to ownership.

You know what, screw this trying to make a modern look. When I drive my 1969 GTO I turn more heads in one day than all the 04 GTO's running around my town will do in a year.

I promise you if there had been more of a retro effort, it wouldn't be getting all this flack and our dealership would be flooded with customers. So what if you fall back on an ole design, the old stuff still works today. It's much better than making an over priced Jelly Bean. And I have nothing wrong with a world wide economy, but I want this one made at home.

[Canucklehead]

I for one like the retro cars and for the most part i think they sell well, i see alot of them, but then again i have a Prowler so im a little biased. As far as the Mini is concerned, we don't see much here becouse the closest dealership is in Vancouver. The dealership here is to small to take the line on, they are looking at expanding. Calgary dosent have the line either. I think they're better built then the bug.