I couldn't stand it... I did it... I leased an 04 GTO. Here are my thoughts for anyone who might be considering the same.

The hiney end of the GTO is pretty heavy (well the entire car is heavy) and breaks loose really easy, but is fairly well balanced and easy to control. I haven't driven a new stang, but after reading the review in MotorTrend I can't imagine the GTO handles nearly as well.

The 04 GTO isn't as fast. It will keep up, but the stang is just faster. I got a sub 5.28 0-60 in the automatic with only a computer remap, but the stang will be a 5 second driver. Watch for the 05 which will have the powerful LS2 engine before you jump on a GTO.

The stang styling is more unique, but in truth I haven't seen another GTO (about 6000 sold in the states so far) and I get A LOT of thumbs up. The car is bland in the pictures, but is actually pretty sharp in person. Personally, I believe the stang will set new records for sales at Ford and there will likely be one on every corner very quickly which for me is a negative since I like being somewhat unique. On the other hand, most stang drivers probably don't care.

The trunk on the GTO is the smallest trunk on any car I think I have ever seen. The vette has a bigger trunk.

The car is HUGE. It is wider and longer than my previous Blazer.

The stereo is horrible. The previous stangs system is a pretty big upgrade to this one and the new stang system is even better.

Getting into the rear seat is a pain, but once you are there it is very comfortable even for me.

There is no dead pedal. I have gotten used to it now, but what were they thinking?

Drinks the gas. I do all city driving and have a heavy foot... getting around 15.9 MPG.

I have sat in an 05 mustang and while the interior is nice, the GTO wins this hands down. I believe this may be the best interior of any GM car out there including cadillac. Huge props for GM which isn't known for building quality in this area. This is without a doubt the most comfortable car I have ever been in and I am 6'2" and 290lbs. The seats are PERFECT and everyone who has sat in the so far has agreed (this coming from Accura TL, Cadi CTS, Infiniti Q45, and several others). Everything from the high quality perf leather to the REALLY nice floot mats is top notch. Even the roof liner uses some sort of knit material that is just beautiful.

It has the excellent LS1 engine which has mods coming out the wazoo for it. Mustang won't be far behind, but there is something to be said for owning a well proven engine.

Recommends premium gas, but takes 87 octane. I have not noticed any problems running 87 so far either.

The GTO has actually been in production for a few years as the Monaro in Australia. This was important for me since I fear new models from all car manufactorers especially american.

I don't car about this one, but many do. The engine is gorgeous. No skimping was done under the hood and no dressing up IMO is needed.

A few minor nicities... built in stop watch (SWEET), two trip computers (stang may have this... unsure), extremely well mannered in normal driving situations, steering wheel controls nice, stock locations of the crappy speakers actually well done (tweeters point right at your ears), analog and digital displays very well done, doors close with that european fullness, tons of options in the electrical setup such as the alarm horn arming can be turned off and you can set speed bells that ring when you exceed a certain speed, rocker switches for the windows in the center console (this is a better place for them IMO), everything reachable and easy to use, pretty good cupholders that are out of the way yet still accessible.

Price... I leased my GTO (the reason I got it) for 26500 and a 18600 residual on three years. I also got a good deal on the financing. You can do the math... it is a really cheap lease. GM is offering 3500 dollars cash back and dealers will sell you this car at or below invoice which is about 31300 including destination charges. Once the Mustang hits lots and the 05 is nearing release (Dec 04), you may find even better deals out there.

I was waiting for the stang and could even get one near A-Plan pricing, but I just couldn't pass up the chance to own this car at an extremely reasonable deal. It won't suprise me that once this lease is up a new stang will be sitting in my driveway, but for now I couldn't be happier.

Hopefully this was fairly objective and might help someone who is looking at both cars. The GTO isn't as much pony, but is a VERY refined ride. They should have badged this puppy as a Cadi and I believe it would have sold well.

Flame away!

 

No reason to flame, the GTO is a nice car, I am glad you were happy with it.

this topic does have to be moved so, will put it in the car vs. car forum

 

Does the GTO have the same weak rear-end as the F-bods?

 

Oops... sorry about that.

 

I was pretty dissapointed with the GTO myself. Test drove one last weekend, not as much fun as I would hope it would be. Doesn't feel anywhere as exciting to drive as my trans am. Tested a new C6 too, that didn't even feel as quick as my f-body. Better than the goat. But my car has been getting mods all summer so it's a beast.

 

One of the nice parts about the car is the fully independent rear suspension. While the car is a monster in size, it is VERY controllable thanks to this.

 

This is the only thing I have to disagree with you on. Someone has one at my office and it doesn't look any better. Definitely not a head turner. Otherwise I like the car, also.

 

I drove a bird and vette for a while and I can tell you that an unmodified bird is a handful in the corners. The steering and drift on the GTO is very well done. Turn off T/C and even a novice can drift the rear end with control. I found the Vette "twitchy" for everyday driving, but the GTO to me is a daily driver with a dark side. The birds feel muscular and the vette feels precise to me. My take is the GTO feels refined falling somewhere between the two. Some might call it a compromise, but personally I feel it is the best of both worlds. Rockets off the line, handles well in corners (which IMO unmodified birds do very poorly), and drives with confidence.

 

This is the only thing I have to disagree with you on. Someone has one at my office and it doesn't look any better. Definitely not a head turner. Otherwise I like the car, also. [/b][/quote]
Styling is always personal opinion, but before I saw it in person I thought it was very bland. When I went to the dealership for a test drive I was suprised. Maybe because of my low expectations, but there really isn't anything to hate about the exterior (except for those pontiac grill inserts) and it does stand out. I will say there is nothing edgy about the styling. To me it looks like a really nice looking car from 2000 which is really what it is. Park it next to an Infiniti G35 coupe, 350Z, 05 stang and the exterior pales. However in a crowded line of EVO, WRX, four door Altimas, Acuras, Hondas, etc. it looks pretty good.

The new autocross upgrades that you can get for it definately add some "muscle" to the appearance. If it wasn't a lease, I would get the hood with functional scoops ($750). I think it would really help the front of the car.

 

It is still a Crapalier(Cavalier) with a big engine. The Big GTO followers are really disappointed with it. The whole design looks just like every other Pontiac car out there. There is no reference from the 60's era of GTO :notnice: . I hope you like your car with a big engine because you are going to need it to get that big pig going. If I wanted wanted power I would build a rocket car but that has no style like the Mustang. The Mach 1 tested against the GTO and if I was not mistaken it beat it at a price that less then the GTO and the new Mustang is going to be just as fast as the Mach 1 if not a little bit slower.

Good luck and I hope you enjoy your plain looking car. Just ask owners of the GTO's of the 60's how they feel about the new GTO.

The reason you don't see them a lot is that no one wants to buy it. The car is too much money for what you get.

 

The GTO heritage doesn't mean much to me. I still think the 69 Camaro is the prettiest girl in the old GM stable and never really liked the old GTOs... little too red neck for me and I come from a long line of red necks.

It is anything but... Excellent handling, 5 star interior, excellent sounding engine/exhaust, stellar performer (not as good as the new stang, but 05 will fix that). Truth is they got everything right except the trunk and it could have used some upgraded styling, but like I said earlier you won't mistake the car and there won't be a lot of them on the road.

So far I get a lot of looks, thumbs up, people asking me about it when I gas up and I even got a date last night because of it. I even got pulled over by a cop last week driving it home just so he could take a look. Some people must like it besides me.

Nothing personal here, but if you don't think the mustang will be plain in a couple years when there are 100k plus running around you are very much mistaken. The mustang is a great looking car, but commonality detracts from a cars styling. The Mustang won't be talk of the town when park with the other 30 in a walmart parking lot.

 

If I wanted something that is unique I would get a Mach 1 or something that is limited production. Anyway my comment on the cavalier to GTO is based on looks, I know what that car is all about from performance etc.

If you like it that is fine, I have talked to people who have older models and they are disappointed with it as far as looks go. I am a big fan of the GTO but not the latest version.

Have fun with your GTO and that is all that matters

 

I must disagree with the misconception that a high-volume vehicle loses its appeal because you see them every day. I still find the '99-'04 'stangs to be head-turners, and there are well over a half-million of those on the road. Every time I see a clean Mustang GT with nice dark window tint, I drool. I even drive a 2000 Mustang V6 nearly as much as I do my own cars, and I still love to just look at the car nearly every time I go to my girlfriend's apartment. The GTO is a nice looking car. It has a nice interior, great performance, and has a decent price. I feel the '05 Mustang will have it beat, but the GTO is still respectable.

I mean, I drive a Lincoln Mark VIII. Even though it has 300 HP, it weighs nearly 3800 lbs. 0-60 comes in at 6.8 because of the high highway gearing most older folks love. It does the quarter in just under 15 seconds at about 93mph. But, I love the car. The IRS makes the car handle wonderfully (.85g on the skidpad), the detuned Cobra engine pulls extremely well up top (it really shines all the way up to 145), and the gadgets on it can't even be found on today's cars. The interior is flawless, IMO, and being 6'4" and 190 lbs., I'm glad it's a big car. The exterior is something I love, but not everyone does. But, you shouldn't buy a car based on others' opinions. If you like it, it's your prerogative.

I appreciate the fair review of your GTO.

 

 

Oh yeah... well the mustang looks like a really old mustang. yeah thats it... really old mustang. Actually, they hit it out of the park on the new mustang styling. However, I don't think the GTO looks like a cavalier. I think it looks more like an 04 mustang than anything else.

The PT Cruiser was once interesting, but now everyone and his brother has one I just can't appreciate the car for its styling as much. When I see a T-Bird role down the road, my head still snaps around. I can appreciate the new vette, but it looks too much like the same three older vettes on my way to work every morning. I still like the way it looks, but they lose that special wow factor. The current gen stangs don't do a lot for me mainly because I see them everyday however some of the special editions and customs look great, but again I think these look great because they aren't seen everyday.

Sounds a lot like a GTO... don't think I have ever seen one either.

You couldn't be more right.

 

I really am starting to like the GTO a lot, although I still would prefer the stang hands down, no questions asked, over it. I think, although at first, it really seemed bland, it actually looks kinda different and unique. Sure, its not like the 05 stang that is easily distinguishable and just screams "MUSTANG" and the GTO just looks like most Pontiacs, but if you look closely, it's also different from other Ponchos. There is a yellow GTO parked on the grass outside of my local GM lot and eveytime I pass by, it makes me excited.