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What was Pontiac thinking?

Old Jul 23, 2004 | 06:26 AM
  #16  
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Re: What was Pontiac thinking?

Originally Posted by GirlsRidePonies
The Firebird let people with little funds (ME) have a neat car to show off. When I can actually afford a new car (SEE: After college), I'll check out an 02' WS6.
Sounds to me like another adolescent disappointed with the GTO styling while worshipping the WS6. I guess I'm not as impressed as I used to be; your tastes tend to change as you get older. Not coincidentally, the GTO is not aimed at kids getting out of college.

Anyways, after all the pounding Pontiac was taking in mags, etc for their body cladding, is it any surprise they've become more conservative?
Old Jul 23, 2004 | 07:43 AM
  #17  
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Re: What was Pontiac thinking?

Originally Posted by GirlsRidePonies
What were they thinking...?

GTO- $32,495
.
.
.
*All of the above are base model prices.

To put things in perspective, a base model Mustang costs only 18,775

Base Mach1 = $29,875
loaded Mach 1 = $31,035

Base Cobra = $36,485
Loaded Cobra = $37,180

Mystichrome Cobra vert = $45,210

GTO looks like a pretty good value. I don't think GM should make a $20K V6 GTO, that is what the Solstice and G6 coupe are for. GTO will be even better of a value next year when it gets the 400HP LS2, Ram Air, and Quad exhust.
Old Jul 23, 2004 | 09:02 AM
  #18  
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Re: What was Pontiac thinking?

Originally Posted by Z28x
GTO will be even better of a value next year when it gets the 400HP LS2, Ram Air, and Quad exhust.
Most definetly. (and with anything else it's getting) It needs to be.

Wow, cars are expensive these days!

Last edited by IZ28; Jul 23, 2004 at 09:20 AM.
Old Jul 23, 2004 | 09:04 AM
  #19  
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Re: What was Pontiac thinking?

Originally Posted by Z28x
Base Mach1 = $29,875
loaded Mach 1 = $31,035

Base Cobra = $36,485
Loaded Cobra = $37,180

Mystichrome Cobra vert = $45,210

GTO looks like a pretty good value. I don't think GM should make a $20K V6 GTO, that is what the Solstice and G6 coupe are for. GTO will be even better of a value next year when it gets the 400HP LS2, Ram Air, and Quad exhust.
Excellent post.
Old Jul 23, 2004 | 10:48 AM
  #20  
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Re: What was Pontiac thinking?

Just so you know...after I played the rebate game, and talked the dealer down, my MSRP $32K Grand Prix GTP Comp G cost $25K. If you say for that price it is not a decent performance value, you don't know what one is. Also I have owned several F-bodies, and the GP is the first car I have ever had where people regularly stop me and ask what it is...and tell me how nice it looks.
Old Jul 23, 2004 | 11:25 AM
  #21  
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Re: What was Pontiac thinking?

Surely someone can understand what some Firebird fans feel. Imagine if the fabled Chevy coupe of '07 turned out to be the Chevelle instead of the Camaro. Maybe not all, but I know a few Camaro fans would be very upset and not buy the Chevelle.

I also think that the topic creator was talking about the Formula more than anything. That car had the performance and looks for what, 25k? What happened to the cars like that?
Old Jul 23, 2004 | 01:15 PM
  #22  
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Re: What was Pontiac thinking?

Originally Posted by Ramune
I also think that the topic creator was talking about the Formula more than anything. That car had the performance and looks for what, 25k? What happened to the cars like that?
The sub-$20K Solstice and G6 coupe will be out by next summer
Old Jul 23, 2004 | 01:41 PM
  #23  
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Re: What was Pontiac thinking?

took the words right out of my mouth..

If the do make the GTO more agressive looking, like along the lines of a WS6, I hope they keep it as a factory package.

I think if they made the next GTO perhaps a little "sharper" and/or with some more subtle body lines/curves, it'll look even better... without looking like its "trying too hard"

If they can do that, put in a 400 hp LS2 with dual exhaust on both sides, and perhaps have a resonably priced good nav system(i can overlook that though).. I may be tempted to get rid of both my Z28 and Av (after I get my yardwork done first though hehe) to get one.. if its still around $32k.





Originally Posted by Big Als Z
Well, I dont think the GTO is ugly, just not very exciting to look at, and I will agree with that. But what most people get caught up in, and what usualy happens in GTO bashing threads, is that people have this mythological idea of what the GTO was, when it really just was another Pontiac with a hood scoop. All of the Pontiacs had pretty much the same look, i.e. vertical head lights, dual port grill, "coke bottle" lines and I yes all the older Pontiacs look very good over all, and a hell of a lot better then they do today. I am in that middle group that does like the GTO's design, and would buy a GTO based on the fact that it is a VERY nice car, much better then anything else out there in its range, but I also dont want this design to carry over to teh next generation of Zeta-GTO's. I do hope that Pontiac does redo it for at least a more agressive deisgin, which doesnt have to mean retro or adding plastic body cladding.

As for the Solstice, this car is gunna be a hit for GM. Id be surprised if it wasnt. The G6 is actualy a very attractive car, and steps up the entry level sedan and coupe market for Pontiac to the likes of the sportier cars such as the Accord V6, Altima, and Mazda 6 and if you ask me, looks worls better then the 3 imports.
Old Jul 23, 2004 | 04:20 PM
  #24  
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Re: What was Pontiac thinking?

Not coincidentally, the GTO is not aimed at kids getting out of college.
Mmhmm.

Originally Posted by jrp4uc
Sounds to me like another adolescent disappointed with the GTO styling while worshipping the WS6. I guess I'm not as impressed as I used to be; your tastes tend to change as you get older.
Man. You really missed the point.

I really really like Corvettes, and other high performance cars (and I think the GTO is... adequate, sure as hell better than a rice burner), but at my age, they're very much out of my price range.

The reason I worshipped the WS6 is simply because it was a little performance at a with much less green. I respect (I didn't say like, mind you) the Mustang for the same reason. I believe my father got his 97 WS6 for around 27k (when it was brand new, off the lot). Not as powerful as a GTO, for sure, but it sure felt nice.

I just want something priced that someone in my bracket can afford.
Old Jul 23, 2004 | 04:24 PM
  #25  
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Re: What was Pontiac thinking?

Originally Posted by Z28x
The sub-$20K Solstice and G6 coupe will be out by next summer
They don't have quite the power or look of the Firebird Formula. At least, not in my book.
Old Jul 23, 2004 | 04:34 PM
  #26  
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Re: What was Pontiac thinking?

Originally Posted by Ramune
They don't have quite the power or look of the Firebird Formula. At least, not in my book.
I agree, but I'm not gonna slam it til' I try it.
Old Jul 23, 2004 | 04:37 PM
  #27  
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Re: What was Pontiac thinking?

I'm not slaming either car. They're nice cars, for what they are. Neither one is a 25,000 dollar car with a 350hp engine, that's for sure.
Old Jul 23, 2004 | 04:40 PM
  #28  
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Re: What was Pontiac thinking?

Ah, my mistake. I see what you meant now... and I agree.

But I think if they're cheap (like the Firebird) and moderately powered, I'd like one. They're more aggresively styled, and I like that.
Old Jul 23, 2004 | 05:12 PM
  #29  
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Re: What was Pontiac thinking?

Originally Posted by Z28x
Base Mach1 = $29,875
loaded Mach 1 = $31,035

Base Cobra = $36,485
Loaded Cobra = $37,180

Mystichrome Cobra vert = $45,210

GTO looks like a pretty good value. I don't think GM should make a $20K V6 GTO, that is what the Solstice and G6 coupe are for. GTO will be even better of a value next year when it gets the 400HP LS2, Ram Air, and Quad exhust.
Just keep in mind that the base GTO is NINE THOUSAND DOLLARS more than the faster base Z/28 was. Also keep in mind that sporty Ford RWD cars start at ~$18,000 and V8 RWD cars start at ~$24,000. So while the Mach1 and Cobra are closer in performance to the GTO, FORD IS STILL GIVING THE ENTHUSIAST ON A SUB $30,000 BUDGET A REAL RWD PERORMANCE CAR.
Old Jul 23, 2004 | 05:43 PM
  #30  
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Re: What was Pontiac thinking?

This is a problem with GM has a whole. Everything that is RWD and performance is way to $$.

GTO = $35K
CTS-V = $50K+
Silverado SS = $45K+ (actually AWD)
SSR = $45 - 50K

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