GTO is going bye bye...

I'm not really a fan of the GTO, my friend has one and aside from the monstrous engine I find the car wholly unimpressive. Anyway, I thought I would pass along this news for those of you that are lovers of the GTO.



GTO not dead!!
 
I, for one, am glad that GM didn't jump on that tired old retro bandwagon for the GTO.

I am SO over the whole retro thang. It plays well for a few years, but tends to get old quickly. The PT cruiser, the thunderbird, the HHR, yada yada yada.



As a mustang GT owner, I LIKE the styling of the current GTO. Actually, in its current incarnation, it's still a little overdone for my tastes. It looks SO much better without the boy-racer wing on the back. ... and the interior is to die for! I keep talking myself out of picking up a new '06 pretty regularly.



I originally liked the mustang concept when it debuted, but the production version lost a little in the translation. Wish they would've remained truer to the concept on the front bumper. I like the interior, but the exterior proportions of the car look too big & bloated... like the early 70s 'stangs after they transitioned from a performance car into a bloated pseudo-luxo-boat.



I wouldn't be willing to fork out the bucks for a new GT vert, so will stick with my '01 GT 'vert... though I think it's WAY too overdone with the scoops & wings & all... and the interior's kinda cheap & plasticky. Would consider an '03/'04 Cobra... maybe, but for the same money, could get a new GTO. Just a little less wind in the hair.



But whatEVER... to each his own!
 
Hi All. Gotta stick up for the Aussie here. Over here there are plenty of Monaro's, HSV (Holden Special Vehicles) Coupe / GTO or GTS's. They have been very popular and tested alongside the latest Mustang have come up trumps, according to our Journo's at least. And also Top Gear in the UK share a similar opinion about the Monaro / GTO. In fact it is one of there all time favourites. Big, a little bit dumb but a lot of fun sort of sums it up.



The big criticism of US made cars (over here) is generally that they are poorly made and don't handle terribly well, although it has to be said that the 300C is making an impact, although to me it is just a fashion phenomenon, will last a season or to and then date rather rapidly. It's too cartoon character IMO.



The Monaro is a 9 year old chassis that they have rated above the latest Mustang for handling, ride and build quality. In fact it has just been superseded by the VE range which is an all new clean sheet design and its looking very tasty. The VE chassis was designed in Australia and is the rear wheel drive platform being used by GM for a number of future models.



The HSV range uses the LS2 (we cant build engines like you guys can...) and the official line is that this 1.8 tonne car does 0-60 mph in 4.97 seconds...and goes around corners.

Top Gears review of the Monaro which is a Vauxhall in the UK can be found at the following link;



http://www.metacafe.com/watch/202363/topgear_vauxhall_vxr/



So, if you drive a GTO, enjoy it as it is well regarded in other countries.
 
G'day malooLS2, welcome aboard from a fellow Aussie.



Good to see your defense of the Monaro, but I have moved on to the Chrysler myself. We will see what the future holds for a V8 powered two door Holden eh?
 
Hey Hemi57. I'm a Melburnian as well. Whats the 300C like? I have trouble with the styling but thats just a personal thing as plenty of people think its sensational. The Hemi V8 is something I'd like to experience. From what I've read its a bit of a beast!

I noticed what appeared to be a 300C drivers club get together on the weekend just gone down near the Eastern Freeway and Doncaster Rd junction. Were you involved? I gave the Maloo a bit of squirt down the on ramp just so they realised there is other heavy metal out there... :chuckle:

Don't know if there will be another 2 door coupe from Holden. Lately there have been a few rumours suggesting that there will be but we will see.

Personally, I'm into the other type of two door...the ute, although its a bit of a garage queen.
 
malooLS2, guilty as charged :D. Yes I was in there on the Cruise on Sunday. I upgraded HEMI 57 to the SRT8 in April and I just love it. I do recall seeing your Maloo (if I really stretch my memory). Black?



We had 17 300Cs & SRT8s along on Sunday which was a good turn-out. That was our 3rd Meet & Greet and the numbers keep growing.



I live in the Chadstone area and I could give you the Hemi experience if you really want (& ask nicely :D)



My other ride is a Ute too, however it nothing like yours (feral WB).
 
Almost Hemi57, it's impulse blue so would have looked black as you reluctantly lifted your eyes from the 300C's to see what was making the noise.



I'm in Balwyn North so we should hook up at some stage and compare notes. I would certainly be interested in the Hemi experience particularly given that it is the SRT8. I think that means your packing more cubes than I am...and there I was thinking I had an advantage :o



I'm off to learn about trading CFD's this weekend but if you have an hour or two free over the next month on a weekend let me know, I'd be happy to drop in.
 
malooLS2 said:
Almost Hemi57, it's impulse blue so would have looked black as you reluctantly lifted your eyes from the 300C's to see what was making the noise.



I'm in Balwyn North so we should hook up at some stage and compare notes. I would certainly be interested in the Hemi experience particularly given that it is the SRT8. I think that means your packing more cubes than I am...and there I was thinking I had an advantage :o



I'm off to learn about trading CFD's this weekend but if you have an hour or two free over the next month on a weekend let me know, I'd be happy to drop in.
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malooLS2, you wouldn't believe it. I travel a lot for work and got home last night, mentioned your comments about last Sunday's 300C cruise and my wife says, "yeah, the Blue Maloo" :doh and I swear that was before I said I thought it was black.



I will PM you so you can contact me.
 
It's a small world when you can jump on a US forum and bump into someone you where a hundred yards away from a few days ago in Australia! Spooky...

I look forward to catching up in the near future and will be in contact.

Take it easy Hemi57.
 
osc4m said:
bring back the el camino's and ranchero's! :think2
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Ahhh, El Camino. I am seriously thinking I have to get one of those classics. Well that is what I wife is telling me to do :chuckle:
 
I wanted some modern muscle as I longed for my 69 428 Mach 1 I bought shortly after high scool graduation in 71.



I decided to check out the new mustang but it was not the old Mach. It was nice but did not impress me.



I then tried the Charger R/T and liked it but it didn't bring back memories like the Mach 1.



I had not considered the GTO because I thought it had ho hum styling but decided to try it any way.



The Charger would be my best choice as it had a huge trunk and I have to haul plans on a daily basis.



I drove and bought the Goat. It seems more like my Mach than the others, only more predictable, better power and handling.



I now love this car and its looks (can not see much exterior while driving any way). Best seat I ever set my butt in and ride is firm but comfortable. Build quality, responsive performance and value for the buck make it the best car for me!



By the way, I drove 5 different cars to decide between stick or auto. I bought the auto and with 2500 mies running in Vegas traffic with the AC on, I average 13.5 mpg and that impresses me too!
 
first off all its not gone, the true goat was lost years ago....



This newer "gto" is a rebadged aussie car. To bring the goat back, it needs its own retro styling. It has to be embarassing to GM to bring back this car with just a name. You would think they would get a hint with what ford did with the mustang, and what dodge is doing with the challenger....
 
martinager said:
first off all its not gone, the true goat was lost years ago....



This newer "gto" is a rebadged aussie car. To bring the goat back, it needs its own retro styling. It has to be embarassing to GM to bring back this car with just a name. You would think they would get a hint with what ford did with the mustang, and what dodge is doing with the challenger....
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I think they got the hint.



post_photo_211974573_o.jpg
 
I thought the new trucks were terrible at first, but they're growing on me.



The GTO is a nice car IMO. It's a shame it got killed!!
 
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