This past Saturday I had a chance to drive almost every GM and European car coming out this year. GM invited a few people to an "open house" type of deal where they hand you the keys and you race around a SCCA type autocross track. The point was to let you drive all the newest cars they have to offer. The list of cars is huge so I'll let you know what I drove and how it ranked. Take into consideration I pushed every single car/trruck to it's limit and never touched a cone period!!.

1) 03 Monte carlo SS- handling and power were at a loss, but a fun car to "cruise".

2) 04 Chevy SSR- The newest member of the truck line, it was powerful as hell with a 5.3 V8, but had a slight hesitation at launch plus through the curves I could really feel the weight of the truck (which is a bit heavy in the center). Suspension is nice for everyday driving, but for street racers it should be dropped 1 1/2 inches with a stiffer handling

3) 03 Corvette- Yes the vette will always remain king and I was not disapointed with anything about it. I tried my hardest to almost loose control through the curves but the vette would'nt let me lol. Power was to the ground soon as I tapped the pedal and cornering was perfect.

4) 04 Silverado SS- I hate to say it but the SS did'nt live up to it's two S's. Interior was nice and roomy, but I was'nt here for the asthetics anyway. Off the line you feel alot of torque (normal for chevy trucks) and throught the curves it was kinda sloppy, probably due to it's height and not really being a "sport" truck. It's heavy duty but if bought, your really only paying for the SS name. (my buddies 98 burban has more power in the 1/4)

5) 04 Chevy Colorado- It's OK for what it is, dont expect this to be the next thunder. It is more of a replacemet for the S-10 series. Power was decent and handling was normal, though it does come with a nice outside package including rims and low-pro's.

6) 04 Pontiac GTO- This was simply the funest car to drive all day. the LS1 in the light body frame pulled like a champ, and kept me pinned to the seat the whole time. The handling was equally impressive, I tried to do some damege but it kept hanging the corners with no slippage and the diff. was in tune with every move I made on the pedal. From the line it took off almost with the same power as the vette, and 11 sec. 1/4 times are not far off, not bad for factory. The interior was emaculate, the car i drove was black so it had the black and red interior. Black leather dash with red leather seats (GTO embroidered), suede door panels and glove box, aluminum console shifter and e-brake, and RED FACE GUAGES. This car will be the hottest thing out this year (watch what I tell ya).

Bonus- It sounds better than any chevy to come out since the 350 crossfire Iroc, thats including the trucks!!!! Everyone who drove it first hit the gas (and I mean everyone) so that shows you how exhaust plays a large roll. I'm not sure what type it is but it puts you in the mind of a 3 inch LS1 borla, the car sounds truly amazing to have one pipe, yes one pipe!!! The looks of the car were the only drawback, it resembles a Cavaleir but with xenons. But if you drive it you will buy it!!!!

GM did a top notch job of hosting this event at Turner field, it was a family event with free food, no salesmen!!! and over 150 cars and trucks to drive. I wanted to drive the new H2 was the waiting list was 45 minutes long.

 

OH yea BTW the only difference in the Vette and the GTO was handling. The vette handled slightly better, and I stress slightly. But I'll really never know until I take both cars on the highway.

 

Probably belongs to The Lounge...

Yes, Autoshow In Motion. Been there, done that. I wouldn't call the course exactly autocross, though. At least not the ones they had at Texas Motor Speedway.

Nice way to compare lots of cars in the same place, though.

TS

 

oh and by the way, its a true dual exhaust on the GTO, yup true dual, or so Pontiac says, I saw a picture from underneath and as I recall it actually was one.

 

I assume you're talking about the Auto Show in motion...Did it last year, and I'll be doing it again in April when they come to O-town.

 

I saw a Black GTO on my local pontiac dealer lot, they wanted 45k FOR IT!!!! It looked nice, but it still looks like a GP to me. I mean you can tell its not a GP from close up since its bigger, and kinda has a monte SS body to it. Nice car, but not worth that much. I was thinking of tradein in the SS, in a few years before i rack up 100k. i got 68k right now.

 

interesting. to the original poster, is your 2000 camaro white?

 

care to elaborate on this?

 

Thanks , nice write up. I kinda like the GTO too and yes the Vette!

 

I was there at turner field too. if you drove the black GTO then you were driving the automatic...should have gone with the stick...VERY smooth. Yeah it was really fun to drive, but when you took off the line in the Z06, you felt that it was much stronger than the GTO. In the one I was in they taped over the traction control button on the center console, probably hoping you wouldn't see it.
as far as the "SCCA type autocross track" would not say that... took only about 20-30 sec to get through the course. Although it was kinda fun to go up that huge hill in the H2. Still a very fun event, and will go again next time it comes

 

First thing i thought as well.....

 

GTOs have true duals, end of story.

Sounds like a fun day!

Dope

 

So a sedan that weighs 3750lbs was more fun than a sports car with the same engine that weighs 3200lbs?

somehow I don't think there is a chance in hell of this comparison if I were making the test drives, but maybe it is just cause the GTO is newer and suprising for a Grand Pri... i mean GTO.

 

WTF x 2



Mike

 

The GTO weights almost 3800lbs? DAYUM...for some reason I was thinking more like 3600...the crotch fire injected IROC's do sound good when they're running properly which only about the first 10 miles you put on them