2005 GTO or C4 Corvette?

[Edmond]

I can understand the need for a "grocery-getter" but the GtO isn't very attractive to me, (jes MHO), it'll drop 10K in value soon as it leaves the dealership, will NEVER handle like a sports car, and is an Aussie sedan to boot.

The severe drop is why I'm going to consider a used GTO next year. My Toyota Camry V6 just isn't powerful enough for my line of work. It was extremely difficult keeping up with a V8 on the expressway the other night. I figure that a 400hp LS2 won't have a problem at all.

I saw one that dropped by $6K and the car only had 3,000 miles on it!

I feel especially bad for the LS1 GTO owners because they could've gotten so much more if they waited a few months. Typical GM to rush a product out knowing all along that the next model year would be improved, aka '01 Z06 to '02-'04 Z06.

 

[G Winter]

What's all this talk about a daily driver ? If you need a daily driver....... get another vette! Now if your talking winter driver.. that's a diff story. I guess I just wouldn't bother with a GTO when I could be driveing a Vette. :cool

 

[B17Crew]

I’ve been wondering how long the GTO will survive. With so few units selling, it can’t be earning back the investment dollars that have been put into it.

I wonder if more Azteks (thank God it’s dead) have been sold than GTOs.

B17Crew

 

[Achilles]

I'll take my daily drivin' LT4 over that GTO any day of the week and if one ever pulls up beside me and wants some, well....he's toast! End of story!

 

[Tom Bryant]

For those of us that live in the half of this country where it is necessary to put the Corvette away for the winter or watch the frame rust the GTO would be a great daily driver. Get it on a 2 or 3 year lease, drive it through the winter salt and turn it back in for something else when you're done. You also wouldn't feel bad about leaving it in the parking lot at work or the mall.

Tom

 

[caddy]

It's real simple..............THE Corvette is "Americas" Car..........there is only one...and it ain't no GTO!!!

 

[ZumZum]

Whether a vette's 2 years old, 25 years old or 50 years old, people are still going to ooh and aah over it and want to look at it up close.

When the GTO is 25 years old or whatever age, who's going to ooh and aah over it?

Not me!

There's nothing about the GTO that says "classic".

 

[Aurora40]

Hmm, this is interesting as I've thought the same thing a few times. I'm mostly interested in a 1990 ZR-1 or B2K, though the LT4 has an appeal (but I like the older bodystyle better). A GTO would not be incomparable in price, all around $25kish. The GTO maybe a little more, but a ZR-1 might be a little more too depending on the miles/condition/etc.

So the GTO has roughly the same features as a Corvette did in the early 90's (which is sad). Traction control, no auto-dimming mirror or anything, and a basic trip computer. But it's a new car, has a warranty, and will be in pretty much mint shape at least at first (I keep cars pretty mint). There is less risk about previous ownership since there is none.

And the acceleration is about the same (ok, not if you count a B2K). The GTO is heavier, but has 400hp. There are folks out there that have run very high 12's with just the addition of slicks to their goat. And it has a back seat which is actually ok for normal adults. And the interior styling is really nice.

But, the exterior is fairly bland. It's ok, not bad or anything. But it doesn't do much for me. And the resale will be very poor. A ZR-1 or B2K will possibly be worth as much as I pay for it if I were to sell it (not that I'd have any intention of that).

The big thing, though, is that I think a GTO would be fun, but I think in a year or two years or three years, I'll wish I had a Corvette. If I buy the Corvette, I don't think I'd ever wish I'd gotten a GTO.

I would like to go test drive one, though, just to see what they are all about. Apparently they have some pretty bad wheelhop... The interior is really great, though.

 

[Achilles]

Remember the V-8 Vega? All go & no show.

 

[motorman_mp3]

It was just a brain fart on your part, Just give the vette some gas and forget it ever happened.

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

 

[Ripp 73]

Remember the V-8 Vega? All go & no show.

I remember the Vega everytime I get in my Corvette... darn that steering wheel. Thought about changing it, but it is one item that only the 1976 Corvette has.

However, her is a GTO worth taking a glance at. Here is to all you convertible guys.

 

[E.O.D.]

I'm going to p1ss a lot of folks off with my following posts, but I see alot of assumptions being made. Some bad, some accurate, some misinformed.

Before I press on with posts about the GTO, keep in mind that I have an 02 Z06, and love it dearly.

I'm posting from work so it might take a bit to address all that I want to.

I'll ask this question here...and in my last post on this.

How many of you that made comments in this thread actually drove one of the LS2 GTO's before doing so?

 

[E.O.D.]

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

I'm 6' and sat in the back seat comfortably. Head room was close, but still very doabl and comfortable at 6'.

I've been to LS1GTO.com, and the aussie forums. Very nice people. Your assumption is not accurate.

 

[E.O.D.]

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.

The back seat isn't as small as one would think. Its very comfortable once in. Its no harder to get into than any other 2 door sedan with 4 seats.

 

[E.O.D.]

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?

The Mustang GT Premiums and the GTO's are comparatively priced.

 

[E.O.D.]

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. Wrong
2. No Ooooooooos and/or Ahhhhhhhhs, no pointing you out in traffic, no outright or sly glances when they pull up next to you. Wrong again.
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." True
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. True
5. Ain't no museum dedicated to a GTO.
6. GTO memorabilia, poker runs, gatherings, show-n-goes, jewelry, fun wear, Funfests---not happening. Wrong
7. No GTO has the legendary history of the Corvette.
8. GTOs are not America's sports car. Correct, they are a MUSCLE car.
9. For crying out loud--it's a Pontiac--makers of the AZTEC!!! :nono Chevy...the makers of the Aveo
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.

The GTO has two doors.

 

[CAJUN C4]

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

I just beat one last week with my Stock LT4.

 

[E.O.D.]

Thats all I have time to post for now since I'm at work. But again, I'll ask the question:

How many of you that made comments in this thread actually drove one of the LS2 GTO's before doing so?

 

[BLACKTALON]

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.

WINNER!!!!!:gap

 

[jhecox]

I had about 5-6 GTO's. They were from 65 to 69 models (love to have any one of them now, :cool .

The "new" GTO is a Holden. It is not a Pontiac GTO. The only thing it has going for it is the LS2 engine.

If GM had spent some time designing it to look like a GTO (like the Camaro), then it would have been a 'en car.

Hecox