Finally got to sit in a GTO. It was Phantom Black. I noticed a little bit of metallic in the paint. Very cool. You don't see black cars with metallic in them.

The trunk was small. It's too bad they had to use the area under the package tray for the tank. Not going to get too much in there.

Under the hood looked great. It was so weird to see an LS1 NOT crammed under the winshield. As a matter of fact, I was taken on how open and uncluttered the engine compartment was. It kinda reminded me of an older car where you could see the fender wells and firewall.

The interior was flat out AWESOME. Simply stunning. I loved the materials used on the door panels and dash pad. It was a soft, cushioned material. Why can't these materials be used in all GM vehicles? I don't remember any parting lines or mismatched seams. This car had the regular black interior. The suade insert on the door panels was a nice touch to break up the texture and look of the door panels. I liked the fact that the map pocket on the door panels had a nice finished bullnosed edge. Unlike other GM products that have just a sharp knife edge.
The seats were probably some of the best buckets I've ever sat in. Well bolstered but very comfortable. The leather felt real nice, too.
The feel sitting behind the wheel was great. It felt very cozy and intimate without feeling cramped. The wheel has a nice feel. It felt like the car wanted to be driven fast but yet promised it wouldn't beat you up.

I still like the looks of the GTO very much. Very nice size. Very nice proportions. Car sits just right. Wheels are super nice looking.


However, a few things bothered me.
I did not like the feel of the HVAC controls. Looked and felt like a cheap toy.
I did not like the headliner. While it looked OK, it didn't feel nice. It wasn't the fuzzy stuff like in our F-bodies. It was like a woven plastic or something.
And I didn't like the way the doors sounded when closing them. Sounded light and tinny. Like they forgot to install the weatherstripping.
But those are my only gripes.

Would I buy one. HELL YEAH. If my C/E was paid off, I would have a GTO on order.

I asked one of the dealership owners (we talk occasionally as he is a Pontiac fan, too) when I get my test drive. He said come back in the spring and we'll rip around in one.
SWEET.

 

I got to set in one Thursday, it was "Phamtom Black Metallic" too, with red interior and red gages. The 5 spoke wheels kinda look the same as new GM truck wheels, except for the Pontiac symbol in the center, still looked decent tho. The trunk was a little small, but hey, it's a Sports Car...
I liked the color sceme inside, kinda "billet" feel, like it was built for a "purpose". I liked the "satin look" it wasn't too shiney but definitely not cheap looking.
It actually was much bigger inside than it looked, and more comfortable than 4th Gen Z's I've been in, or Mustangs for that matter..
I liked little touches like the "red stitching" on the leather shifter ****/boot, hand brake and steering wheel. And the "GTO" name stitched into the seat backs. And the BIG "GTO" valve cover-covers, I have mixed emotions about..
It had that old sound, like older muscle cars; I think by going "true dual" and locating mufflers ahead of the axle improved the sound, at least for me..
I'd still want my exhaust pipes seperated to behind each wheel, but it did'nt look bad as is.
My only gripe is it's too smooth and clean and if you back up from it, it looks a lot like a Cavalier with a Gran Prix front. As said before, as a lot of people, I was expecting a more "evolved" '68-'72 GTO look..