How much do they have to do with it?

My main concerns center on lessons learned or not learned with the GTO.

I understand that the 5thgen and GTO are two different animals all together (kind of like a Panther and a Goat ) but this topic seems relevant since the RWD Holden engineering team may have learned a thing or two from the Monaro/GTO.

For those not in the GTO know....the 04-06 GTO's were great cars, but are not without their share of problems that should have never been.

The main problems seem to be centered around poorly designed suspension, front and rear. My Fiance's GTO has experienced uneven rear tire wear from day one. All sources point to inadequate shocks and springs which don’t properly plant the rear tires. This has resulted in many GTO owners turning to the aftermarket..... not for performance reasons, but simply because they don't want to buy a new set tires every year.

Front hub bearings that go out in a year and bushings that came off the boat in need of replacement are some other issues.

The major front suspension concern deals with the inside edge of the front tires rubbing on the top of the strut. This has resulted in multiple blowouts and at least one accident...THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE!
There is no recall and GM is royally screwing GTO owners on this problem....but that’s not what this thread is about.

There are numerous other gremlins that GTO's are known for...not limited to:

Wacky/erratic gauge movement and readings (speedo on ours)
Steering wheel radio controls switching functions randomly (volume on on ours)
Dash warning lights illuminating for no reason (anti theft on ours)
Radio interference with defroster on (our very 1st warranty issue)


I'm not even going to get into the poorly stitched interior trim that has busted at the seams

well I guess I just did.

All in all, I hope GM/Holden is aware of these issues on an otherwise great Holden engineered vehicle. Hopefully the Camaro can pick up where the GTO left off (in a good way).

 

Sadly, I think most of us have come to expect similar problems from GM vehicles. My main concern is the interior. Regardless of the overall design, I just hope its not play-skool quality like the 4th gen was.

 

The Monaro was already 7 years old when it was reengineered for US import. If you want to see today's standards, go sit in a Malibu or any of the new trucks.

As far as all the problems you've reported with your GTO. I'm happy to say our's has treated us very well after 45k miles.

I've seen the "crazy gaugues" happen two or three times. I've watched my tires closely. No issues with abnormal wear, nor strut rub. Our interior is in great shape, and thats with our 5 and 6 year old sons climbing all over it.

The things that have gone wrong for us. Gas cap broke. Battery leaked acid. The power door module in the drivers door went a few weeks ago. I'm not complaining.

 

I don't think the GTO problems will roll into the Camaro, or other Zeta platform vehicles. They put a lot of effort of getting this one right. With the G8 48/50 balance let you know how much engineering has went into this project, for as the interior goes that’s a tossup. May appeal to some more than others when they finally decide what direction they want to go with the interior.

 

I regret that this is slightly off topic but do you know what causes this? Our 05 Impala has always done that, otherwise it is a really good car.

 

The GTO was built in Australia by Holden and modified to North American standards to be sold overseas. The Camaro will be built in North America to global standards to be sold globally.

Apples and oranges.