Pics and Video of the GTO from Bowling Green..plus an SSR oddity..
09-24-2003, 09:21 AM
#17
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Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Ohio
Posts: 8,504
Originally posted by formula79
It was actually a power seat motor...
It was actually a power seat motor...
09-24-2003, 09:36 AM
#18
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Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: The Golden State
Posts: 13,711
Nice to see more people joining my initial and early opinion on the verdict on the new GTO! 
It's great to hear pretty much all the points I made (especially the nice interior, that large back seat, and the fact it's NOT the size of a Monte Carlo but is roughly Mustang sized) restated by others as they see the car 1st hand.
In a year, I expect all those naysayers over at the other so-called GTO website (the one that posted a Mustang as car of the month) to look like complete and total a**clowns for the way they've been acting regarding this car.
It's great to hear pretty much all the points I made (especially the nice interior, that large back seat, and the fact it's NOT the size of a Monte Carlo but is roughly Mustang sized) restated by others as they see the car 1st hand.
In a year, I expect all those naysayers over at the other so-called GTO website (the one that posted a Mustang as car of the month) to look like complete and total a**clowns for the way they've been acting regarding this car.
09-24-2003, 09:58 AM
#19
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Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: USA
Posts: 3,698
Originally posted by guionM
Nice to see more people joining my initial and early opinion on the verdict on the new GTO!
It's great to hear pretty much all the points I made (especially the nice interior, that large back seat, and the fact it's NOT the size of a Monte Carlo but is roughly Mustang sized) restated by others as they see the car 1st hand.
In a year, I expect all those naysayers over at the other so-called GTO website (the one that posted a Mustang as car of the month) to look like complete and total a**clowns for the way they've been acting regarding this car.
Nice to see more people joining my initial and early opinion on the verdict on the new GTO!
It's great to hear pretty much all the points I made (especially the nice interior, that large back seat, and the fact it's NOT the size of a Monte Carlo but is roughly Mustang sized) restated by others as they see the car 1st hand.
In a year, I expect all those naysayers over at the other so-called GTO website (the one that posted a Mustang as car of the month) to look like complete and total a**clowns for the way they've been acting regarding this car.
09-24-2003, 10:50 AM
#22
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Join Date: Dec 1999
Posts: 2,282
I told Scott about this too...
Originally posted by formula79
One other thing I didn't mention is the back seat is HUGE, but hard to get into. The guy who shot the videos was 6'2" and very comfortable. The problem with getting in the back seat is that even though the backrest of the front seats fold forward like most cars..there is still not enough room to squeeze into the back seat. We had to move the seat almost up on the dash to get enough room to fit an average person in. The power motors were really slow and took like a minute+ to move in each direction.
The cars is very much the size one a Monte Carlo in real life.
One other thing I didn't mention is the back seat is HUGE, but hard to get into. The guy who shot the videos was 6'2" and very comfortable. The problem with getting in the back seat is that even though the backrest of the front seats fold forward like most cars..there is still not enough room to squeeze into the back seat. We had to move the seat almost up on the dash to get enough room to fit an average person in. The power motors were really slow and took like a minute+ to move in each direction.
The cars is very much the size one a Monte Carlo in real life.
Also, the suede insert seems out of place and could be a maintenance problem a few years in the future..keeping it clean. The weatherstripping along the top edge of the doors was felt looking and I'd imagine this would be a small PITA to keep the lint and dust off of....
That being said...I must say I was damned impressed with the over all touch and feel of this car!
Switch gear and other surfaces were top notch.
Once I finally got into the back seat
it was very comfortable and supportive.This is a smaller car than I imagined...I'd also say it's MC sized. Still too tall for my tastes...but my car only has <3" of ground clearance so.... I am afraid that the 5th gen, built on the VE will be near this height...
The front seat side bolsters are a touch far apart to give a good sense of lateral support for the average guy....a couple of us felt like we would slide around a little during aggresive driving...and I ain't no petite dude either....not too bad though.
Spark plug access is much better than an f-body...
Exhaust manifolds look more Z06/C5 like and almost header like...hopefully an aftermarket y-pipe won't be a floor banger like it is in the LS1 f-bodies....
One last possible problem...the fuel door is on the top side..well about half way over the 1/4 edge and fill-ups will require a Corvette like approach to drips and spills...and possible scratches from hoses...
Over-all, this car is an inside the park home run.....and when we get a few more "Heritage styling ques" it'll be out of the park!
BTW...One of the magazines recentry showed a rendering that simply outlined the grille inserts and bisected them horizontally with small chrome accent lines and had hood scoops...seems this is what a smart aftermarket company should do! Really pulled the GTO theme off with a minor investment.
Last edited by Doug Harden; 09-24-2003 at 11:16 AM.
09-24-2003, 11:09 AM
#23
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Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Raleigh, NC
Posts: 502
Re: I told Scott about this too...
Originally posted by Doug Harden
Exhaust manifolds look more Z06/C5 like and almost header like...hopefully an aftermarket y-pipe won't be a floor banger like it is in the LS1 f-bodies....
Exhaust manifolds look more Z06/C5 like and almost header like...hopefully an aftermarket y-pipe won't be a floor banger like it is in the LS1 f-bodies....
09-24-2003, 11:22 AM
#25
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Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: OR
Posts: 2,368
Re: Pics and Video of the GTO from Bowling Green..plus an SSR oddity..
Originally posted by formula79
As for the SSR, I think I have found the first use of VELCRO wood trim ever in a car...
As for the SSR, I think I have found the first use of VELCRO wood trim ever in a car...
09-24-2003, 11:23 AM
#26
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Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 209
Originally posted by formula79
One other thing I didn't mention is the back seat is HUGE, but hard to get into. The guy who shot the videos was 6'2" and very comfortable. The problem with getting in the back seat is that even though the backrest of the front seats fold forward like most cars..there is still not enough room to squeeze into the back seat. We had to move the seat almost up on the dash to get enough room to fit an average person in. The power motors were really slow and took like a minute+ to move in each direction.
The cars is very much the size one a Monte Carlo in real life.
One other thing I didn't mention is the back seat is HUGE, but hard to get into. The guy who shot the videos was 6'2" and very comfortable. The problem with getting in the back seat is that even though the backrest of the front seats fold forward like most cars..there is still not enough room to squeeze into the back seat. We had to move the seat almost up on the dash to get enough room to fit an average person in. The power motors were really slow and took like a minute+ to move in each direction.
The cars is very much the size one a Monte Carlo in real life.
Try saying that 5 times fast
09-24-2003, 11:26 AM
#27
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Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Raleigh, NC
Posts: 502
Re: Re: Pics and Video of the GTO from Bowling Green..plus an SSR oddity..
Originally posted by Ken S
please tell me thats not how its going to be in production..
please tell me thats not how its going to be in production..
Thats exactly what I thought when I looked at that pic. I can sort of understand GM's logic for doing this... but come on, this isnt a work truck! I think it really cheapens the truck.
09-24-2003, 11:38 AM
#28
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Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 209
Originally posted by guionM
It's great to hear pretty much all the points I made (especially the nice interior, that large back seat, and the fact it's NOT the size of a Monte Carlo but is roughly Mustang sized) restated by others as they see the car 1st hand.
It's great to hear pretty much all the points I made (especially the nice interior, that large back seat, and the fact it's NOT the size of a Monte Carlo but is roughly Mustang sized) restated by others as they see the car 1st hand.
TRACK Front 61.4in
Rear 62.1
WHEELBASE 109.8
EXTERIOR DIMENSIONS Length Width Height
188.7 72.5 55.0
INTERIOR DIMENSIONS Head Hip
Front 37.2 58.0
Rear 33.4 50.2
CARGO (L) 370
Monte Carlo
DIMENSIONS
NOTE: All dimensions shown are inches/millimeters unless otherwise noted.
Exterior
Wheelbase
110.5/2807
Length
197.9/5026
Width
72.7/1846
Height
55.2/1403
Tread width
— front 62.1/1576
— rear 61.2/1554
Interior
Headroom
— front 38.1/967
— rear 36.5/927
Legroom
— front 42.4/1076
— rear 35.8/909
Shoulder room
— front 58.3/1480
— rear 57.8/1468
Hip room
— front 55.2/1402
— rear 55.5/1409
09-24-2003, 12:20 PM
#30
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Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: USA
Posts: 3,698
Originally posted by guionM
Almost a foot shorter than a Monte, right?
Almost a foot shorter than a Monte, right?
A Mustang is about 183" long, so overall lengthwise it is closer than the MC. The reason I think it looks bigger is the Mustang has a 101" wheelbase and the MC and GTO are both at ~110"
And yes the Velcro wood trim is real..this is a production model. Also I have a few issue with the build quality on the SSR there. First off the cover for the slide in cupholder on the dash became MIA at some point in the weekend, secondly, the simulated aluminum HVAC controls felt cheap, like if you didn't pay attention they would easily come off. The aluminum shifter, or whatever it was, got really hot after sitting with the top down in the sun, and the aluminum bar on the steering wheel created wicked reflections in the widshield depending on the angle of the sun.
The question is not if the SSR is cool, but more What price are you willing to pay to be the SSR's brand of cool?