2005 GTO or C4 Corvette?

[Nick S]

I was driving to work this morning and was passed by a brand new Black GTO. The guy was zipping in and out of traffic, and I got to thinking. 400 hp, a 6 speed transmission, and a back seat all of the sudden seemed real appealing. Was I having a momentary loss of my senses? Would a 2005 GTO be considered an upgrade over a C4 Corvette (regardless of model year)? Just wondering what everybody else thought.

Nick

 

[Chrisr]

GTO's are nice, but they're not a Corvette. They probably don't handle as well for one thing. And I'll bet anything, they don't have the "giddy-up-and-go" like a vette.

I'd stick with the vette. Just my 2 cents.

Chris

PS. You probably zoned out for a second!! :L

 

[6 Shooter]

You have an LT4 . . .

For you it may be a lateral move. Personally I think the LT4 will hold it's price better.

The new GTO's are nice . . . but not a Corvette!

Later . . . . . .
6 Shooter

 

[Nick S]

Yeah, I don't think that I'll be trading in the Vette on one any time soon. I just kind of zoned and started thinking about that 6.0 liter engine. Of course, the 2005 Corvette has one of those too, but it costs a lot more. Just looking for what people thought about the GTO versus a Corvette.

 

[Tom Bryant]

I stopped to look at a yellow one on the lot last Sunday. The hood scoops and big dual exhaust outlets are a big improvement over last years look. The 400 hp is the biggest attraction though.

If you need the utility of the back seat and a regular trunk it makes perfect sense. I'd like to have one and I think a lot of people are missing the boat by not paying more attention to the GTO. It isn't that expensive if you figure what you have to spend to buy something that will run with it. It's about the same concept as the Corvette. It seems expensive until you look at the cost of anything esle in the world that will run with it. Car and Driver's editors picked the new Mustang over the GTO in their comparison as the car they just had to own. However the GTO blew the Mustang away by more than just a little in all catagories except "Have to own factor" which accounted for around 46% or so of the score. Idiots.

I don't know if I would call the GTO an upgrade over the C4. They are 2 different animals. If you need a new car and can't find your way clear to spend C6 bucks then the GTO is a viable option. If you are just replacing your fun car then the GTO won't get you the recognition that any Corvette will. It would be a fun car to drive though.

Tom

 

[Ripp 73]

No go GTO

I could see where one might think that a GTO would be a good move. It does have a back seat, but only for those with short to no legs :ugh. If you are taller then 4'6", forgidaboudit. The GTO's do get up and go, but they do not have the Corvette feel. They also don't have the look :cool. It looks like a Sunfire that they fed some beef too. Does not apeal to me at all and I was never even around when the origianl GTO's were out.

If you are serious about the new GTO, check out a GTO forum (don't know any off hand but I'm sure they are out there) and see how friendly those guys are. I really doubt they would be as friendly as this coomunity.

~Ripp

 

[Nick S]

So, I guess what we are getting at here is this. If you don't own a Corvette and are looking at new sporty cars, a new GTO would be a good somewhat cost effective option. I guess it is kind of filling the void left by the departure of the Camaro and Firebird. Except, a GTO only comes with a V8.

 

[Vettelt193]

GTO sounds like a good car for the wife... I wouldnt mind driving one, but if I'm not in the 'vette, I better be riding my Harley or in a utility vehicle (my truck). If it were bigger (like the 90's Impala SS) I could see it as a good car to really drive, but with 2 doors and a pretty small back seat, it is about as utilitarian as a 'vette.

 

[WhalePirot]

Would a 2005 GTO be considered an upgrade over a C4?

Not in my book, but the cars serve differing purposes.

For our 5-seater sports car "Ya-Yas", we prefer BMWs. Sorry, I like Ponchos; always have; but I don't feel the division knows what it is, hence their models have little identity and no resale value. Oops, the Aztec has plenty of something!

 

[JJS]

I saw my first (I think it was my first) last week, and I wasn't sure if it was some kind of Mitsubishi or something like that, until the Mustang GT in front of me (with a kid behind the wheel) went after it.

The GTO pulled into a parking lot just ahead, and I got to see the badge. I thought it was ugly, like a Mitsubishi, which is why I'm not sure if it's the first one I've ever seen or not. I wouldn't give one a second glance ordinarily.

I hope you Mitsubishi owners out there can understand, and won't take offense!

 

[Nick S]

The only reason that I knew that it was a "new" GTO when I saw it was because of the "6.0" symbol on the trunk. Someone at work has a 2004 that I have seen up close. Minus the engine, the GTO reminds me of an Accord on steroids. Not a bad car, just not a Corvette.

 

[Tuna]

The GTO ain't no Vette.

I like a go fast grocery getter but I'm not replacing my Vette with one. Therefore, there are 2 Vettes in my garage and one CTS-V (400hp, 6-sp, etc.).

Now if I could only afford one car and I had to have some more utilitarian, then the GTO would be one to consider.

 

[Achilles]

I had a 69 GTO back in the day and that car was nasty. Sorry I let it go, but oh well. I think the 05 GTO is a sad example of what the car used to represent - Muscle.

Mustang had the right idea by bringing back some of same lines and characteristics of the mustangs of old. What happened to GTO. It looks like a rice burner with a big engine in it. It doesn't even have a threatening look to it. I guess for someone who's too young to remember the old muscle, it might be a good car and I'm sure it is. I just can't look at it and associate it with a GTO. I know it's my opinion, but sorry, not makin' it.

 

[86pacecar]

I'd love to have GTO, but only for the engine. The styling is very bland and they aren't selling well at all so I assume their resale value will be in the crapper with all the discounts they're putting on the cars just to get them out the door. I would definately buy one for my wife, but she's too attached to her '01 Firebird Formula and thinks the GTO looks like an oversized Cavalier.

 

[Tom Bryant]

I looked at GTOs and everything else that was available but ended up buying a new 1967 442. I went for the Olds because they were not as common as the GTO and SS396 plus my family always had Oldmobiles. I learned to drive in a 1953 88 2 door. That car was unkillable.

If one of these aftermarket companies was paying attention they'd put out a well thought out, nicely integrated styling kit for the new GTO that would bring back the '69-'70 styling ques. I have read where the next incarnation of the GTO, assuming it isn't killed first, will be a US built car. I hope they learned their lesson on this one and bring out a winner. As far as price, back when, the GTO, 442 and Buick GS were priced higher than the SS396 and Mustangs ext. They were GM's mid scale lines so they cost more. I don't think that will fly today with all of the competition from abroad and the new Mustang.

Tom

 

[WhalePirot]

Great ideas, Tom (others, too). I cannot tell one Pontiac from another anymore, except the weird ones.

Ford is hitting a homer with the new Mustang. I was even considering one.

SPAM shields---UP. I only internet priced them, guys.

 

[Edmond]

Great ideas, Tom (others, too). I cannot tell one Pontiac from another anymore, except the weird ones.

Ford is hitting a homer with the new Mustang. I was even considering one.

SPAM shields---UP. I only internet priced them, guys.

You're not the only one. The GTO is only marginally faster/quicker than the Mustang GT. The other things in the car are similar.

But the big GTO killer is the it's own price tag. Aren't the Mustang GT's about $4,000 less than the GTO's?

 

[WhalePirot]

Aren't the Mustang GT's about $4,000 less than the GTO's?

Dunno. I must have the V-8; gotta be fast, if ovals can be. I stopped looking at $26k.

 

[vee93]

I was driving to work this morning and was passed by a brand new Black GTO. The guy was zipping in and out of traffic, and I got to thinking. 400 hp, a 6 speed transmission, and a back seat all of the sudden seemed real appealing. Was I having a momentary loss of my senses? Would a 2005 GTO be considered an upgrade over a C4 Corvette (regardless of model year)? Just wondering what everybody else thought.

Nick

I've seen a few of the new GTOs up close. :z
Here are my Top 10 reasons for keeping your Vette!!!!
1. Nobody's gonna wave at you with a big smile on their face.
2. No Ooooooooos and/or Ahhhhhhhhs, no pointing you out in traffic, no outright or sly glances when they pull up next to you.
3. People will not gather around you in parking lots asking if they can sit in it, touch it, take pictures of it, telling you-"I always wanted a GTO."
4. Little kids will not be stopped in their tracks with their mouths hanging open in awe and stars in their eyes with that "one day" dream now set firmly in their minds and hearts.
5. Ain't no museum dedicated to a GTO.
6. GTO memorabilia, poker runs, gatherings, show-n-goes, jewelry, fun wear, Funfests---not happening.
7. No GTO has the legendary history of the Corvette.
8. GTOs are not America's sports car.
9. For crying out loud--it's a Pontiac--makers of the AZTEC!!! :nono
10. You're not gonna walk out and fire up that GTO and get the same smile on your own face as when you fire up that Vette. Period.

If the GTO designers had put some imagination into the look of the car, it might be more impressive--they just made a bigger, faster (and WAY overpriced!)--Neon look-a-like. What is the target market for the car anyway? It's not a Merc, Jag or big ole BMW, so why the 4 doors? Who wants a 4 door sports car? It's a sedan for crying out loud. Teens and early 20-somethings seem to be tuners or have brought back the 60's Impalas, Buick 225s (the old "Duece and a quarter) and Electras. Some are tricking out big SUVs, Buick Roadmasters and Crown Vics with spinners and junk. Who does that leave? The wannabe Vette owners that don't, won't or can't shell out the bucks.

 

[Edmond]

The high cost of the car itself, maintenance and probably insurance will doom the GTO just like the F-body platform.

If I recall correctly, they had the GTO prices in the low $30's, which is around the same area that the F-bodies were in.