So after much internal debate I desided to sell my Mini, to my brother.

I bought a 2005 silver Pontiac GTO. The car has 25,000 miles and a LS2 V8 motor rated at 400hp and 400tq. The car is a blast to drive and I'm in love with it. The thing that I like the most about it is that it isn't even made in America, but it's got all the makings of a American muscle car and that rumble of the V8 makes me smile everytime, even though I do miss the whine of the charger

 

my stepdad has one of those! bad ***.. but thats sad to see the mini go !!

 

Your car is an Aussie made Holden and it is the late Monaro CV8 coupe rebadged as the Pontiac GTO. It has a detuned Corvette V8 engine that ironically was imported into Australia from the US to make your car.

The GTO was a sales flop, but nevertheless, a very good car

I like the new Pontiac G8 GT (361HP V8) sedan much better. A Co-worker bought one last month and that car kicks ***

Fuel consumption is a huge deterrent for me. Right now gas is "cheap" and it is bearable.... But if prices skyrocket north of $4 or $5 per gallon again, I am not sure if I would like to spend $100 a week to keep the beast fed

Enjoy the car. The GTO is no longer made/imported so you already have a fairly rare vehicle.

 

Well thanks for the information Mr. Car & Driver. The Pontiac GTO's downfall was in its styling. I have to admit, when I saw it for the first time, I was like "Is that the new Grand Prix?" Never the less, it's a perfect sleeper. My friend slapped a cam on his. You want to talk about a rumble !!! Have fun, and congrats !!

 

Hopefully the MINI has a good home. Right?

 

I do like those cars. You should have lots of fun with it.

Now remember it doesn't corner like a MINI. Be careful in the twisties.

 

Interesting swap. Going from one extreme to another in style and size. The GTO's are very nice cars and congrats on the purchase.

 

Thanks guys. The car is a lot of fun to drive.

You're right crashton it doesn't handle like a Mini...but I love coming fast into a corner and giving it enough gas to break the rearend loose and drifting though the corner.

 

Gotta love a rwd car with loads of power & torque.

 

Since it is a detuned corvette engine, maybe a simple reflash could bring up the power, or a s/c meant for corvettes.

 

The motor in the GTO is not a detuned vette motor. The LS2 in the vette and the GTO make the same power, also most companies that work on vettes do things for the GTO so there's a lot of things I can do to the car.

I could put a charger on it and that'll bring another 120hp...to the wheels!!

 

the engine is the same it has a different computer and injectors in it if I remember right

 

It's not the style that killed it, it was the style with the GTO name.... Those that know what the first GTO was were pissssed! But whatever, it's really the lowest cost/hp out on the used car market, and a much better car than many give it credit for.

Have fun!

Matt

 

It may have a different computer but the power output is the same as a vette, the thing that hurts it when compared to a vette is the weight difference.

 

Ya it is deff a sleeper. I had some kid pull up next to me in a accord with a exhaust and start reving his engine, and he wanted to go...needless to say that when the light turned green he couldnt hang anywhere even close to me.

 

Had a friend with a Aussie GTO in college. They're cool, I liked watching the thing drift around corners behind me on runs. And yes, complete sleeper. Looks like a Pontiac, yuck! :-)

 

Nice car...

Woulda' been better to have both a GTO and a MINI...


If you like to mod, be prepared to open that wallet wide. Not the cheapest car to play with.

 

That's true...but then again neither is the Mini.

 

How do you love a car? Something to do with the Gas Hole I bet.

 

Bolt one up and go to 500+ hp!

Matt

 

I've been thinking of trading/selling my cooper, but every time I look at my car I get second thoughts and fall in love with it again. I don't want to trade it in, but the cost of repairs in the future are going to kill me ( almost out of warranty and I'm a Pvt. in the USMC). I have a lot of brainstorming and soul searching to do.

I've been looking at a 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer GTS. I can just about break even on the new lancer. Plus it has a killer warranty in case something does happen.

The dealer did insult me by offering $12,000 for my 2005 JCW MCS with 46k though.

 

Jurrell, don't I know you from RoN? I post as 454nova there.

 

Jurrell, make rank and keep it.

 

Drifting is not hard to do in ANY car now considering most roads around here are covered with either ice or snow.......

Good luck with the GOAT, but my money is that by early June you will be beggin your bro for the MINI back.

 

Small world! I'm the same Jurrell. When did you get a MINI?

I'm going to keep her as long as possible.