Please see the thread: "Next up for auction: 2004 Grand Prix..OOPS I mean GTO" for the basis of this poll!

 

I think the sheetmetal is pretty boring, but the rest of the car seems like a pretty solid piece of work, and something that any American car enthusiast should be drooling over (despite the fact that it's, uh, not really American ).

With regards to exterior design, it's probably not far away from making the same sort of transformation we saw with the Caprice to the Impala SS. Let's start with some much bigger wheels and tires, unless the wheelhouses aren't large enough.

 

OK, I'll admit I was one of the original complainers about the styling...(simple GTO required hood scoops woulda' shut up most of us).....BUT, I am smart enough to understand the situations and conditions that brought this car here and am willing to give GM the benefit of at least doing something to fill the void left by the f-body...caused by you know who....

I also understand that the constant end unrelenting ignorant complaing ultimately chips away at the prospect of a 5th gen Camaro....YES they are connected. If this car fails, all bets are off.....

Sure the styling is uninspiring (but is promised to be better in the near future), but the rest of the car is top notch.

Besides, WTF is complaining going to change? NOTHING that's what........

I let it go long ago.....about damned time the some people get a damned clue and move on......

 

It's definetly both. But definetly not clearly either.

BTW, I think that voicing your opinion does change things. Are we not getting nearly all the improvements asked for in 05 and on? Enough said. There are people listening, now at least.

 

Doug.....you've been very crabby lately.

 

I like it a lot. I dont love it, but its far away from being some sort of terrible car that no one will buy. GM will move all 18k pretty easily. It's the only car I'd buy right now that's under $35k; hopefully there will be more options when I get some money though.

 

I'm somewhere in between "Brilliant marketing success" and "Good car".

I would jump onto "Brilliant" except there are still some areas that need some work. The root of the problem here is EXTERIOR STYLING!! Every single complaint about this car has voiced concern over this in one way or another. This can be fixed and it is being addressed though! Other problems seem to be slight, like the lack of a dead pedal and dual exhaust exiting on one side.
There seem to be quite a few people that can't seem to look beyond these things though.

If you do get past that, the car itself is excelent! The car is brilliant and holds to the tradition of GTO in every way! The platform is superb, the drivetrain is perfect, dual exhaust, IRS, six speed manual, comfortable driving position and a suspension that is awesome yet doesn't beat you up!

Throw in a pretty competitive price and it's darn near perfect! I have high hopes for the 2005 model and the re-engineered platform for 2007MY.

 

An OK looking $34k car will not sell well.

 

I don't believe a vehicle of this caliber could ever be considered a "sham", and there's really only the styling issue keeping it from brilliant.
I for one am glad they rushed it here, not allowing the Mustang free reign. But in order to do so, I know concessions had to be made. Let's give it a year or so and see how it will evolve here in the States.
For once, the BIG 3, and mainly GM are listening to "what the people want", that's gotta make you smile...
We seem to be on the verge(actually already begun) of another "Muscle Car Era". Just getting "our wants" and their "production feasiblility" to meet somewhere in the middle will be an evolving process that may take a couple of years.

As a whole, I can't believe the GTO doesn't bring a smile to the face of every "Gearhead" or "Enthusiest" out there. Sure there's some "nit-picking" over small issues, but most can easily see they've done their homework. Most issues, for now, could be easily handled by the "Aftermarket". Despite the "rushed Timeline" issue, there will always be room for improvements on any car, that's why the aftermarket does so well. I really can't wait to see what they can do with this kinda, "blank slate"..

If I have to vote brilliant or sham, it will have to be brilliant, b/c it's far closer to that than the other...

 

I wouldn't say it's brilliant, but I do like the car alot. What I don't understand is this: For the last few years everyone complained that the Monaro or a similar car wasn't available in the U.S., and now that it is, everyone complains about it.

 

If this car had been given a new name, there would be no complaints....
But it was given a "Nostalgic TITLE" the GTO, as with any "Title" comes a expectation to live up to, however perceptual it may be..
As said:People will expect more to set it apart, inside and out...however the GTO name couldn't hurt..

 

In terms of marketing, I'd say brilliant. Pontiac resurrected a name that hasn't been used in 30 years, but one that still looms large in automotive lore. The good thing is very few people remember what the original Goat was like to live with. 15 mpg, mid-14 ETs, mediocre handling, barely adequate brakes, etc.,...

Those folks who lived through the first musclecar era have only fond rememberances of that time and it's cars. Those who weren't there have only those fond rememberances to go by.

By the same token, the paragraphs above make a good reason not to resurrect the Camaro name anytime soon. NO matter how good a near-term f-body may be, there'll be two very vocal groups of naysayers. Those who own, or have owned, a Camaro will say it's not right because it doesn't have this Camaro characteristic or that Camaro feature. Those who haven't owned a Camaro, will associate the name with a harsh riding, gaz-guzzling, unergonomic redneckmobile. Either way, no matter how good (brilliant?) the car is (will be), it'll be a tough sell.

 

It's good you said "Original" by that, meaning '64-'67. By '68 it was faster, had better brakes and since Drag Racing was ALL the rage, no one really cared if it could'nt pull a .7 on a skid pad. It was comparable to other "cars of the day". And since gas was so cheap, it was easy to live with 15mpg, which wasn't too bad for a big V8 with a carb, compared to the rest of the "cars of the day".

Also, these cars survived long past the '60's giving a LOT of people access to more than just "fond rememberances" to go by. You just had to look for them ; tracks, car shows and Saturday night cruisin, were and are, great places to see them and what they can do, first hand...
When I think of GTO, I think of the '68-'72 cars, the ones that solidified it as a Muscle Car Legend..

 

My post wasn't meant as a trashing of the old Goats, as much as it was to point out that time can play tricks on your memory. The new GTO will never be compared to the old one in any objective measure. But if the Camaro 'comes back' anytime soon, the unflattering comparisons will be all too numerous.

I'm all for GM designing a new breed of affordable, rear-drive, performance coupes and I'm hoping whatever form that takes, that said car will be allowed to stand on it's own merits. Hopefully this new GTO is only the tip of the iceberg.

 

man I just watched the C&D TV episode where they tested the GTO and they basically ripped this car a new A$$hole, nothing good to say at all..basically one point that stuck out in my mind is "why did GM kill the beloved Z28 just to make a new performance car that is slower and much more expensive" You wouldn't catch me dead buying one these, the design is a snooze and ive yet to see any test where these thing actually hit 13's stock....Funny thing is motortrend has ran LT1's stock is the past that pissed on this cars numbers....I believe GM is confused