A little something for those that believe the GTO is a replacement for the Firebird
This is especially for you hardheads who have a problem comprehending that GTO is NOT a replacement for the Firebird from Bob Kraut, Marketing Director for the Pontiac Motor Division (that's the guy who ACTUALLY PLANS OUT Pontiac's lineup and model positioning to those of you who don't know):
(Regarding Pontiac's GTO: )"We felt it would fulfill our customers’ expectations of what a GTO should be,” said Pontiac GTO marketing head Bob Kraut. “It’s an icon, a halo vehicle for us.”
Does that mean we can look at it as a Firebird/Camaro replacement?
“No, that was never a consideration,” said Kraut. “GTO represents a broader bandwidth than a Firebird. What’s in it for us is being able to conquest people who would not in the past consider a Pontiac.”
I will now consider anyone who says otherwise in the same mentally quick league as Homer Simpson, Kelley Bundy, and those 2 guys in the movie: "Night at the Roxbury".
http://www.autoweek.com/cat_content...._code=05402122
More:
"Kraut lists the Mustang Cobra SVT as one competitor, but then goes on to include “high-performance luxury coupes and high-sport two-seaters.” He said the price for the GTO will be between $30,000 and $35,000...."
"...At the GTO’s unveiling in Los Angeles, Bob Lutz said that virtually everything HSV makes for the Monaro would be available to American GTO buyers as soon as the
car arrives on our shores."
(Regarding Pontiac's GTO: )"We felt it would fulfill our customers’ expectations of what a GTO should be,” said Pontiac GTO marketing head Bob Kraut. “It’s an icon, a halo vehicle for us.”
Does that mean we can look at it as a Firebird/Camaro replacement?
“No, that was never a consideration,” said Kraut. “GTO represents a broader bandwidth than a Firebird. What’s in it for us is being able to conquest people who would not in the past consider a Pontiac.”
I will now consider anyone who says otherwise in the same mentally quick league as Homer Simpson, Kelley Bundy, and those 2 guys in the movie: "Night at the Roxbury".

http://www.autoweek.com/cat_content...._code=05402122
More:
"Kraut lists the Mustang Cobra SVT as one competitor, but then goes on to include “high-performance luxury coupes and high-sport two-seaters.” He said the price for the GTO will be between $30,000 and $35,000...."
"...At the GTO’s unveiling in Los Angeles, Bob Lutz said that virtually everything HSV makes for the Monaro would be available to American GTO buyers as soon as the
car arrives on our shores."
Last edited by guionM; Feb 25, 2003 at 09:17 AM.
I don't think it is a replacement for the entire Firebird line, but it is an indirect replacement on the high end. Lets see, one RWD, LS1, $32K+, 2+2 coupe goes out, and another, RWD, LS1, $32K+, 2+2 coupe comes in.
i now thing that the gto is just a family car that gos a bit faster, i figure gm was smart by putting out this car, if you were a father or soon to be father, you most likley would need a four door car, this allows the wife to be happy with room for the family and dad to be happy with getting to have sunday joy rides
Re: A little something for those that believe the GTO is a replacement for the Firebird
Originally posted by guionM
I will now consider anyone who says otherwise in the same mentally quick league as Homer Simpson, Kelley Bundy, and those 2 guys in the movie: "Night at the Roxbury".
[/B]
I will now consider anyone who says otherwise in the same mentally quick league as Homer Simpson, Kelley Bundy, and those 2 guys in the movie: "Night at the Roxbury".

[/B]
There again, all of the sophisticates might consult a globe and find out that Australia is alot closer to Korea than Germany. (In more than one way. Hint, hint.
) They might also notice the fine new GTO bears a striking resemblace to a 1997 Grand Prix. Worse yet, the upscale buyer might actually realize they're in a Pontiac dealership.
"So you guys sell Pontiacs? What happened to that car with the chicken decal on the hood?"Let's face it, the GTO will appeal to the same precious few buyers who currently drive GTP coupes and T/As. "Ram Air" enthusiasts will probably steer towards the Mustang Cobra, if only because of the GTO's serious hood scoop deficiency.
just as i was about to reply to this thread, i just saw a new 03 monaro stop in traffic out side my shop, silver with red leather interior....
all i can say is that car looks HOT !!! .
all this talk about who will buy it, I think not one specific group of people will buy, instead a bit of every group will buy it...
does it really have to fall in a specific market ? maybe some euro car drivers, maybe a few f-body people , maybe a few stangers, maybe even a few ricers, maybe some people that need 4 roomy seats and a bit of power in their car.
and as the car gets more and more recognised, a chain reaction will occur, and by then there won't be any more... even if you do want one.
and then there will be a frenzy for the '05 model... you bet !
all i can say is that car looks HOT !!! .
all this talk about who will buy it, I think not one specific group of people will buy, instead a bit of every group will buy it...
does it really have to fall in a specific market ? maybe some euro car drivers, maybe a few f-body people , maybe a few stangers, maybe even a few ricers, maybe some people that need 4 roomy seats and a bit of power in their car.
and as the car gets more and more recognised, a chain reaction will occur, and by then there won't be any more... even if you do want one.
and then there will be a frenzy for the '05 model... you bet !
If the GTO sells well, I see no motivation for GM to bring back the F-bodies.
Kraut says that the GTO isn't a replacement for the Firebird, yet sites the Mustang Cobra as a competitor. Being a Cobra competitor was once the duty of the Camaro and Firebird.
Kraut says that the GTO isn't a replacement for the Firebird, yet sites the Mustang Cobra as a competitor. Being a Cobra competitor was once the duty of the Camaro and Firebird.
Originally posted by Pentatonic
If the GTO sells well, I see no motivation for GM to bring back the F-bodies.
Kraut says that the GTO isn't a replacement for the Firebird, yet sites the Mustang Cobra as a competitor. Being a Cobra competitor was once the duty of the Camaro and Firebird.
If the GTO sells well, I see no motivation for GM to bring back the F-bodies.
Kraut says that the GTO isn't a replacement for the Firebird, yet sites the Mustang Cobra as a competitor. Being a Cobra competitor was once the duty of the Camaro and Firebird.
Originally posted by redzed
If anything, the GTO is far closer in spirit to the Mustang than the F4 ever was. Comparisons are inevitable. That would be just fine, until you consider the Mustang is all new for the 2005 model year. The 2004 GTO might be new to the United States, but its just a facelifted 1997 Commodore beneath the skin.
If anything, the GTO is far closer in spirit to the Mustang than the F4 ever was. Comparisons are inevitable. That would be just fine, until you consider the Mustang is all new for the 2005 model year. The 2004 GTO might be new to the United States, but its just a facelifted 1997 Commodore beneath the skin.
Australia is alot closer to Korea than Germany. (In more than one way. Hint, hint. ) They might also notice the
If the GTO does well it'll be GREAT for our chances of at least a new Camaro. Its going to be a V8, RWD only car and if it moves that'll prove to GM there is a good market for that configuration, as if the current stang sales dont prove enough.
If anyone buys cars solely based on scoops they wouldnt look at a Camaro at all anyways. I'd imagine they'd go straight for the Z06. That might have been the most rediculus thing I've ever read on this board.
If anyone buys cars solely based on scoops they wouldnt look at a Camaro at all anyways. I'd imagine they'd go straight for the Z06. That might have been the most rediculus thing I've ever read on this board.
Originally posted by AnthonyHSV
Its funny you say that when, the biggest problems the Commodore series of cars has is the US sourced, Tranmission and Engines, in particular the build quality of the LS1.
Its funny you say that when, the biggest problems the Commodore series of cars has is the US sourced, Tranmission and Engines, in particular the build quality of the LS1.

It's alot like those sophisticated people in other countries who never have visited here & have no intention to, that get their view of what the United States is from "Dukes of Hazard", "Jerry Springer", and Florida's voting system.
He's like the Terminator...You can't talk to him, you can't reason with him....
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