Okay, then you ask those that are complaining the exact same question I posed to you. Why is it too expensive, and what would be a fair price considering what cars it goes head to head with.

Look at what GM is offering with the GTO package for that price. Take a look at the 3 series and the G35, and see if the car is a ripoff.

$35,000? Since when? With a mark up?

Then again, I guess I wouldn't have as much of an idea on price as you would. I've never shopped for, and/or bought a new GTO like you have...

So because you're not in the market, and may not be able to afford it, that means the GTO is overpriced and a failure? By that reasoning, Ferrari and Lamborgini better stop making cars. Because their whole lineup is a failure to me because I don't want their products because I don't see a day where I'll be able to afford one. See where I'm going with this?

Yes sales lagged at first, but once dealers stopped playing games with the prices, the cars starting moving. That, once again, doesn't make the car a failure now. Sales are still were GM wants them to be. You can't expect much more than that.

 

Let's not forget the 04s also got off to a bad start because they were barely in dealer's showrooms in JANUARY of 04. Even beyond the mark-ups, pretty hard to sell cars that are coming out 4 months later than every other car of the same model year, especially when half the country doesn't usually buy RWD sports cars for the first few months they were in dealers.

This happened because apparently Oz uses a completely different business calendar that doesn't release the next year models in the middle of the current year

People also miss that detail when thinking / talking about the 05 / 06. GM purposely cut 05 production short to normalize the model years such that 06 GTOs hit the lots about the same time as every other 06 model. There are like 10 06 GTOs on my local dealer lot. Last december, there were ZERO 05s on that lot, i know, i kept checking their inventory to see how long they sat on the other GTO they tried to highball me on in october.

 

I am beginning to see alot more GTO's in my town of around 50k people now... At first only one Yellow one... now there are like 3 reds couple silvers and a black on top of that...

 

I think Pontiac could have both.


Here's how.

New Firebird (2 dr, RWD) that has modern styling, with a V6 engine & an optional V8, would the best option. The Base Price for the V6 model should be in 22-24K range, with the V8(likely 5.3L) model around 25-27K.

New GTO (2 dr, RWD) that is retro styled, with a large V8(6.2L - 425hp), and a base price around 32-35K.

 

Coupe means 2 doors. period!. If you want Pontiac to have a four door performance vehicle, fine, just don't call it GTO.

 

Is the GTO a coupe, or a 2 door sedan?

 

2 dr firebird
quad coupe gto

but we all know the 2 dr firebird isn't going to happen....

 

And Pontiac shouldn't build a GTO as a quad coupe.

If they can't built in the tradition of the classic GTO, then Pontiac should just let it die. The GTO needs to be done in a classic styling.

But the truth is Pontiac needs a good image car. Yes the Solstice, is a really good image for small car performance. Pontiac also needs another bigger performance car.

To that end, the GTO isn't a good seller, and hasn't been since the late '60s models. But Pontiac's best selling hi-performance sport coupe in History is the Pontiac Firebird. A new well styled Firebird, could give Pontiac good sales(at least 30-40,000 models per yr), and be good for it's performance image.

 

So what's the "classic GTO"?

A pricey, limited volume, 2+2 sedan?

Or a more affordable (with full spectrum of available options ), 5 or 6 passenger, midsized, coupe/hardtop/convertible, with a variety of drivetrains?

Or, should it be something different?

 

Before even dreaming of a new GTO or Firebird, I am just hoping for a new Grand Prix. Even that doesn't seem so certain anymore.

 

Pontiac in 36 months...

Count on all the G6 variants and Solstice. Between Vibe and Torrent, maybe one will be around.

 

By "classic" GTO, I mean a hi-powered V8, 2+2, 2 door RWD coupe/convertible.

This is basically what every GTO has been from the original '64 to the present model. True, price and value usually equal amount of sales. And even the '05/'06 GTO is a fairly good performance value for the price.

 

Charlie will be very quick to point out that classic GTO's were not 2+2 coupes and convertibles... they had room for 3 in the back.... and he is right.

While it doesn't matter a whole lot to me, it is really a sticking point with him for his situation.

I am rather indifferent to it myself, but if I had control of the project, I do feel that GTO would be best served with seating for 3 in the back....

 

The majority of Classic GTO's were 2 door coupes. A few were optioned as 2 door Sedans. My 67 GTO is a 2 door Sedan not a coupe. There is a differences. GTO's were also available as convertibles Darth Xed.

2 door GTO sedan.


2 door GTO coupe.


GTO convertible.


And the fact that the new GTO is a 2+2 and the classic GTO's could seat 3 people in the back is just splitting hairs.

 

Yes, I was aware of the different configurations...



I agree...... I do not feel that the GTO being a 2+2 automatically makes it unworthy of the GTO name... far from it. However, I will say that I think 3-place rear seating fits very well into the GTO formula, and I would perfer it, though it is by no means a deal breaker (as evidenced by me having an 04 GTO....)