Goodbye Bonneville - Hello GTO
10-03-2004, 03:03 AM
#11
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nice Gto but if I could afford a new gto I would w8t till next year I hear next years will offer a ls2 with 400 hp plus I dont like to buy cars when they 1st come out or 1st start up again after many years. I would wana w8t till they get the bugs out of em just my opinion but nice gto
10-03-2004, 10:52 AM
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nice Gto but if I could afford a new gto I would w8t till next year I hear next years will offer a ls2 with 400 hp plus I dont like to buy cars when they 1st come out or 1st start up again after many years. I would wana w8t till they get the bugs out of em just my opinion but nice gto
Yea, considered that too, the 2005'* will have the ls2 motor (good for 50 more horse), OBD III, Factory Hood Scoops (Not sure that I care for), and Split Exhaust in the rear. There are of course downfalls when you look at this however.
1) As far as aftermarket and modding the car, its going to take the aftermarket at LEAST a year if not more to develop anything for the LS2, where parts and mods for the LS1 are plentiful.
2) Its going to take the aftermarket even LONGER to tackle OBD III, when OBD II was introduced, it took almost 2 1/2 years before you saw any aftermarket mods computer wise.
3) The OE hood scoops are ok, but there are some NICE aftermarket hoods out there already that I'd like much better, so thats something I'd rather choose myself anyways.
4) The split rear exhaust would be nice, however when upgrading performance wise, who ever keeps the stock exhaust anyways? There are also split kits out on the market already for 2004 models, PFYC.com even sells one from Borla, so if I really want that route, its there...
As far as being a 1st start up again after many years, as I mentioned in a post above, its not. The "GTO" GM is calling it over here, has been in production in Australlia for 2-3 years now, known as the "Holden Monaro" Same engine, chasis, suspension, Diagnostics, same car! Only thing different are some exterrior differences (they look like the '05s will), and they are Right Hand Drive. Othe than that, same platform, so all the bugs have been worked out. Actually, ALL GTO'* are Imported from Australlia, they arent even manufactured over here (which is why all my ford friends say thier so nice)
A clip from an online article here:
http://www.supercars.net/cars/2004@$Pontiac@$GTOx.html
Unlike when the GTO was introduced in 1964, the 2004 GTO is based on a car that has been a long running model in Australia. This Australian GTO, being built at Holden'* Elizabeth Plant, is a familar car if you live down under. America'* GTO is a re-badged and subtly restyled Holden Monaro CV8. That said, the GTO is the only way to acquire the well-developed and well-raced Holden Monaro in the USA.
For those unfamiliar with the Holden brand, they are one of Australia'* leading car manufacturers. As early as the 1920'*, Holden bodies were being build for GM chassis and engines.
To this day, Holden are still manufacturing GM-based cars, most of which could be can be upgraded by a smaller company called Holden Special Vehicles (HSV). For the last 15 years, HSV have been successfully tuning and racing Holden'* line of cars.
For those unfamiliar with the Holden brand, they are one of Australia'* leading car manufacturers. As early as the 1920'*, Holden bodies were being build for GM chassis and engines.
To this day, Holden are still manufacturing GM-based cars, most of which could be can be upgraded by a smaller company called Holden Special Vehicles (HSV). For the last 15 years, HSV have been successfully tuning and racing Holden'* line of cars.
2002 Holden Monaro CV8: Look Farmilliar??
Anyways...
Lastly, PRICE! The 2004 GTO has not exactly been a best seller for GM this year. In fact, sales have been HORRIBLE. They cant GIVE these cars away. Sticker on mine was $33,190.00 Which is what they have been asking without budging until September of this year, then GM realized they are going to have a TON (15,000) of 2004 GTO'* sitting on lots all over the place, and everyone (who doesnt plan on modding them) is going to want the new '05s rather than a '04, so they starting doing some CRAZY rebates and discounts....
I walked away with my GTO for $24,800, AND made them throw in the GM extended warranty to cover the car to 4 years / 60,000 miles for FREE! THATS how much they want to move these things. Some people on the boards who have just bought theres within the past couple of days have paid even less, in the $23,XXX'* now !
Wait for '05, Pay full sticker price (I guarantee they wont budge on the '05'*), and get the same car with hood scoops, split exhaust and 50 more horse.... Or pay $10,000 less for the car, get a '04 where mods are plentiful, and get everything the '05 has and MORE with the $10k saved, etc... ummm, yea.....
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