General Comments:
This is a very classy and comfortable car -- the interior rivals european luxury and performance leaves the competition standing still.
It is exceedingly powerful in the straight line, and can hang in turns quite well.
The exterior is much more commanding in person than in photos. I know a lot of people reduce it to a Grand-Prix or some other typical pontiac car, but I've owned the car 3 days now and it does turn heads. I frequently get honked at in traffic in recognition, and folks in parking lots point and whisper.
I actually like the car for it's subtle exterior, so I was hoping NOT to be recognized (I'm into the sleeper thing) and this car gets way more attention than I thought it would.
For whatever reason, the car's reputation is not that great. The GTO name has so much to live up to, it'll always be under the most scrutiny. In my honest belief of what American muscle originally meant, I think GM hit the nail on the head with the GTO, and even raised the bar by making the car fairly practical for everyday use with such a high quality interior and overall build quality.
The original GTO was mom's car with an over-sized engine and some visual enhancements. The GTO lives up to that quite well.
As far as practicality, the trunk won't win any awards. It will, however, hold enough cargo for the 2 passengers (it has 4 seats, but it's still a coupe).
The back seats are difficult to get in and out of if you're older, wider, or taller than most, but once you're inside, wow... you'd honestly think you were in the back of a 4 door. I've sat in 4 door cars with smaller back seats than the GTO. Not quite as comfortable as the front seats, but that's hardly noticeable.
But... a car like this wasn't built around the trunk or back seats, it was built around the engine and the performance, and that is where it truly shines. These features, though lacking, just add to the real world practicality of the GTO.
You get a corvette engine in a 2 + 2 coupe. The GTO won't out perform a Lotus Elise in turns, nor most of Japan's or Germany's higher end sports coupes, but with the exception of a very few, it will absolutely destroy them in a straight sprint.
For what you pay and what you get, this car is a bargain.
Fuel economy is a concern, but the car CAN do well. My daily commute is very mixed with a lot of hills and I'm getting just a bit under the suggested fuel economy for city driving. But take it on a road trip over long stretches of freeway, and you'll begin to see fuel economy similar to 4 cylinder cars (30 mpg is very possible in the 6 speed).
Run the car hard, and you'll think it was dad's old big block chevy with how much gas it eats.
Simply put, this is my first new vehicle, and I believe it was a good choice. It's a bit more expensive to buy and maintain, but in the end it's about what I want out of a car. It is the best car I've ever owned, quality wise and fun wise.
Give it a shot, and try not to be too hard on her. She has a lot to live up to, and if you have an open mind about it, you might just find she'll surprise you. :)
23rd Dec 2006, 22:24
Quote "In my honest belief of what American muscle originally meant, I think GM hit the nail on the head with the GTO, and even raised the bar by making the car fairly practical for everyday use with such a high quality interior and overall build quality."
Yes this GTO came from Australia. Yes sir, built down under! Back in Australia we call it the Monaro. The Aussie public brought back this model after nearly 30 years discontinued. The American GM was so impressed with the Monaro, they bought and are still buying from Australia and rebadging it to GTO.
Go Aussie!