http://www.autoblog.com/2006/02/21/g...e-pontiac-gto/

oh well. wasn't too fond of that car anyway.

 

The Holden Monaro (GTO) only had a 4 year build, The GTO was only going to be a 3 year(04/06) run for Pontiac. As the RWD architecture (Zeta) was put on hold here in the US (but not in AUS) Holden has continuied to develop the "Zeta" platform. Now that GMNA has developing a new platform to replace the older "sigma" one. They(GM) want to build a bunch of new RWD products in the USA ie: Pontiac, Chevy, Buick

 

the folks on AutoBlog hit many nails on the head....

1) Too expensive vs the competition.
2) While it's a nice car, it's not a GTO.
3) Took to long to bring to market.
4) Styling like melted plastic.

All of these items made it a square peg not fitting into any of the round holes.

Think how little they'll cost in a couple of years! 400 hp for what, $15k?

Then who cares what they'll look like. That will be a deal....

Matt

 

LOL - that's what most people said about the MINI:

1) Too expensive vs the competition.
2) While it's a nice car, it's not a Mini.
3) Took too long to bring to market.
4) Styling like melted plastic.

 

In hindsight, the comments were proved true with the GTO, but not the Mini! Did you see that they sell less than 15,000 units of the GTO each year? I think the Mini flirts with being wayyy to expensive (go to the web site, and click on all the options, and you can get pretty close to, or even over, $40k!). But you can still buy a stripped S for just over $20k. But the sales numbers don't lie. GTO=boring melted plastic. Mini= attractive melted plastic!


Matt

 

I personally like the GTO - while it is kind of a fat pig.. it is still a very noteworthy auto and evidence that GM can do good things. I've made many a trip downunder and I'm just astounded by the quality of both Holden and Ford down there. I'm going to be the first in line when GM finally realizes that we REALLY want a Holden SS UTE here - basically a Holden Monaro El Camino with a Gen3 motor and a six-speed transmission.

 

It's kind of sad, GM enthusiasts and many Hot Rod type magazines chided GM to bring the Holden to the states...and when GM finally listens, no one buys. My bud has an 04 automatic with the 350 hp LS1 and I love to drive that car. Even with "only" 350 hp, it's a rocket. I personally like the styling (I like the 04 better w/o the scoops), and the interior is great. I would have bought one had it not been out of my $ range.

 

It sure doesn't look like a GTO looked. That was their first mistake.

They should have had a real stripped one, after all, nobody can do crappy interiors like the big three can!

If they'd had a stripped one that was less expensive, that would have gotten the total unit numbers up. Then they could have had the nice one at a premium price as well, and the whole line would have done better.

I bet Ford will sell a ton of V6 mustangs. Those go through fleet to the rental fleets, and those that like the style but don't want the power can get the "package" and the image without the weight or power (and it's thirst).

Matt

 

There was a show on speed channel showing the introduction of the car and how disappointed all the old goat owners were ...
Never had a chance.

 

Actually pricewise they were practically giving them away. During the height of the "employee pricing" days, I think you could have got one for around $30K, down 6-8K from MSRP.

 

instead of GTO, it would have done better.... Then it wouldn't have pissed off all the old goat owners, and would have been able to leverage the Aussie heratige it could have been proud of, instead of hiding from it.

Matt

 

Not unexpected, as the GTO crowd is essentially the same as the F-body (Camaro and Firebird) demographic. GM's big problem is that the people who want their performance vehicles are all over 45 years of age. Those of us who are younger remember only the really, really bad years and vehicles - 1975 to 1984 Vega, Citation, Sunbird, down-sized V8-6-4 Cadillacs, diesel Oldsmobiles- (I could go on but I think it would make me sick to spend any more time reviewing those years and models). GM turned us into anti-GMers for life. Our kids have grown up in other brands and have no affinity for GM products (but at least they don't have the bile inducing loathing that I still have).

I commend the very few signs of life I see at GM: Cadillac V series, Z06 Vette, but a couple of real enthusiast's cars aren't gonna save the company from it's inevitable decline.