I'd wait until the GTO has a rebate, i don't think I'd pay more than $30K

From the drivers seat the GTO is the better car. Better interior, and 400HP under the gas pedal.

Also the avg Mustang GT isn't $25K, Most I've see on dealer lots avg. $27K

Was the '03-'04 Cobra worth $10,000 over a Mustang GT??????

 

I'm just going off what I've read. I haven't driven either car yet. But since I'm starting a new family and all, I'd stick with the Mustang. Significantly cheaper and probably at least 90% of the performance.

There's also option 3 right now...and that's to get a 2004 GTO. That would be a close one for me.

In all reality though, I'd just get a 2002 T/A or Z28.

 

Having driven an 05 GT, they're nice cars. Styling is cool....for now. The performance is somewhat up to date and the motor can easily be modded. The downside is the rear of the car AND interior space. I'm 5'6" and 130 lbs. With the front seat adjusted for my driving I hopped in the backseat. My head was touching the rear glass and my legs were cramped.

Having riden in a few 04 GTOs, the GTO not only is faster it feels faster. And this is just the LS1 version. The interior is roomier than the 05 GT as well. I personally like the styling of the GTO. I'd even choose an 05 without the hood scoops. I also like the only option being manual or automatic. Well they added 18 inch optional wheels, hoodscoop delete, and body kit now. The only downsides to the car are no navigation and dealer farking markups.

$25k of my money for an 05 GT or $32k, Eight thousand dollars more, for the 05 GTO? I'd choose the GTO. Black, hoodscoop delete, no body kit, maybe the 18s under the fenders. The GTO is the better car.

 

Sitting in the '05 Mustang at NAIAS, I really disliked the interior. The GTO I sat in was much more comfortable, and it didn't have the bright disco dash. The Mustang guages in particular seem to surrender easy, accurate reading for retro gimmicks. Sure the GTO's exterior might be less "interesting" to look at, but I'll take the car I could live with driving every day.

GTO.

 

I would go for the GTO for several reasons, but a big part of my reasoning is exclusivity. I will see a GT on every corner in about a year (IMO), whereas the GTO will be more rare. Which is obvious due to production numbers. Were the question, "which would I buy between the GTO and a SE mustang?" I might go with the SE mustang because fewer will have them than a GT.

 

UNFAIR QUESTION!!

The BASE Mustang GT STARTS at $25,500.
The GTO comes FULLY LOADED at $32,995.

Take the base Mustang GT, add the premium package ($26,750) load it up with options such as the "Shaker 1000" stereo, interior upgrade & color accent, and anything else you can get, & you're pushing $29,000. Still a good deal, but a bit higher than the $25K thrown around.

At that point, the GTO is only $3-4K more than a comparable Mustang GT. For that extra 3K you get 100 advertized horsepower, a nicer interior, and a bit of exclusiveness from seeing yourself coming & going.

To top it off, I'm not even including that Mustang GTs (as opposed to V6s) are selling at slightly above sticker, while GTOs have 0% financing.

 

It was to some of us.

 

I voted for the Mustang GT because it actually looks like a new car, not a warmed over '90s has-been. I also believe that a 2005 Mustang is a safer bet in term of initial reliability, build quality and long term maintainability.

 

That's an interesting assessment considering the Mustang's heavily retro-inspired styling.

So, your money for initial reliability is on a brand new car as opposed to a car that has been in production for many years. I'm trying to think of what you're basing any of this on, since there are no reliability numbers on '05 Mustangs yet, and since you freely admit you've never actually driven a Monaro/GTO yet alone discussed the quality of the cars with any of their owners.

 

Thats odd, because it kind of reminds me of a 38 year old design

 

Unless your neighbor has a Grand Prix.

BTW, Pontiac.com has the '05's with 18's and six speed listed for $34,185.

 

The GTO is a bit too conservative for my tastes styling wise. I'd prefer something with a bit more edge in the styling department, and the mustang has plenty of edge. So the GT gets my pick, and when the Cobra comes out next year, it'll get my vote too.

 

The 2005 Mustang is retro not a replica. Beside the '60s are cool. On the other hand, the GTO's mid-90s generic GM look is un-cool.



Actually, the 2004 Mustang was pretty much the top domestic product for initial reliability. The GTO is Australia-built and Aussie cars don't have much of a reputation outside of Australia.

Oh, and Redzed has testdriven a GTO. I thought that the Aussie "Goat" wasn't half as much fun as a LS-1 F-body. Throw in the terrible ergonomics and all of that hard, shiny plastic on the center console, and you have to wonder if they call Australia "Down Under" because of the generally low standards?

Did I forget to mention that the trunk was full of fuel tank?

 

I think I'd get a hemi magnum

In all seriousness, if I had to chose between the two, it'd come down to the test drive. Which one makes me grin more. If I'm going to live with it and the payment, it'd better make me happy!

Having driven neither, I have no recommendation other than the above.

 

Wow. went up in price since I last checked.

They've also went up in price since you last checked as well. It's listing $34,295 now.