In the new Road and Track...
The "new" Pontiac GTO. Actually a Holden Monaro. Now you can own your very own Aussie V8 Supercar!!!

Corvette motor. RWD. 6 Speed. Good brakes. Decent handling. Room for 4 to fit comfy. And none of that Pontiac extra curricular plastic body cladding crap.
Its about damned time.

On another note... Its pretty ironic that the only US auto maker that now sells a V8, RWD, 2 door family couple just pulled out of NASCAR <shrugs>.

Scott, waiting for Toyota to throw a tweaked version of the Tundra/Sequoia powerplant in a 2 door coupe.

 

I saw one at the GM booth at SEMA and it is a pretty good looking car and the magazines all seem to like it although always pointing out that it is not the GTO of old. I made the same "out of NASCAR vs. GTO intro" head scratching as well. My bet is that you will see GTOs (and lookalikes) show up in Trans Am and road racing and likely as NHRA Pro Stock and funny car bodies in the next few years.

Lucky for KONI, we already have adjustable dampers in Oz for the Monaro so we hope to have the application when the car hits the ground here. All signs are that the changes from Monaro to GTO are all cosmetic and not technical.

 

I read the Car and Driver review. Some stuff (third brake light, some other items) actually *fell off their car* during the tests. I guess between 1999 (when GM built my truck) and 2003, they still haven't figured out how to build the things right?

BTW, don't forget that there's an LS-1 powered Caddy CTS with a 6 speed coming soon.

--Karl, who can't afford any of them

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Catch 22 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Scott, waiting for Toyota to throw a tweaked version of the Tundra/Sequoia powerplant in a 2 door coupe.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Perhaps a Supra revival as a V8 monster? I get a warm, tingly feeling just thinking about it...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Catch 22 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Scott, waiting for Toyota to throw a tweaked version of the Tundra/Sequoia powerplant in a 2 door coupe.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Ummm, I think that's what they call a SC430? Only it's expensive and a Lexus. It also makes a fair bit more power than teh Tundra (VVT-i, more revs, more power and more torque).

Scott

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by celica73 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Ummm, I think that's what they call a SC430? </TD></TR></TABLE>

Oh yeah. I forget about that one mostly because its stupid ugly.

 

I'm with Karl. It all looks good on paper, but when a test vehicle in the hands of a major automotive magazine begins shedding parts as if it were molting, that's not a good sign. And don't give me any "pre-production" speech. That car has been in production for years in Australia.

Matt&lt;---wondering why you never hear of Hondas or Nissans or Toyotas or BMWs shedding parts like that...

 

It's still 3800lbs and reminds me of the reincarnation of what the 90s Impala is (only in 2 dr. form). How can you say it has decent handling and braking with that weight? Regardless, I don't know what the Holden interiors look like in Australia, but the new GTO still looks like it was designed by Fisher-Price. No thanks, especially for a $35K car...

 

"Molting." Funny.

For GTO money there's so much to be had...

- STi
- Evo
- S2000
- 350Z / Infiniti G35
- Barely-used C5
- I could go on

I'd spend my money at the Mitsubishi dealer. Just today at the mall (was shopping for Mom's birthday) there was a blue Evo parking near where I was. It had of course already been stickered up with "Xtreme" logos (like you see on S-10 pickups), Brembo logos, ridiculous stripes and the whole deal. Well just when I started rolling my eyes this guy's girlfriend got out of the passenger side and I decided he was actually far, FAR smarter than me.

--Rice, who thinks the bling-bling crowd has figured something out that we racers haven't...

 

Theres just something about a big V8 rumbling brute that tugs at me. Something about the torque and the exhaust note... hmmmmm.

I drove a mildly modified Camaro SS yesterday. Dyno sheet showed 335/360 at the wheels. It was a creaking rattle trap and I couldn't quit smiling. I could feel the torque twisting the car when I got on the gas. I've never owned a car like that, and would like to.

 

[QUOTE=Catch 22]Theres just something about a big V8 rumbling brute that tugs at me. Something about the torque and the exhaust note... hmmmmm.[QUOTE]

Me too, but it's just too damn bad that you can't get that sensation behind the wheel of a "non-clunker." Something about rational reasoning, or something I guess...

 

[QUOTE=Catch 22]
On another note... Its pretty ironic that the only US auto maker that now sells a V8, RWD, 2 door family couple just pulled out of NASCAR &lt;shrugs&gt;.

QUOTE]

I have a friend, he is involved with the Trans-Am series, last time I spoke with him, the GTO, Pontiac, and the TA series were all mentioned in one sentence.

 

well, i suppose it's better than what chevy's done to the malibu.

but yeah like someone said earlier, for 35,000 i'd get me somfin else, like an e36 M3 lightweight and buy lots of fun toys or maybe just save it for a couple of years of maintenance...

charles, who really loves the E36 but realizes that buying one used is tempting fate to leave me stranded on the 14 freeway, 20 mi south of palmdale in the heat of summer.

 

I sat in the one they had at SEMA. The pedal placement is terrible, nothing some tweaking couldn't fix, but come on! That's the basics guys.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by celica73 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Ummm, I think that's what they call a SC430? </TD></TR></TABLE>

Apparently Lexus has plans to throw it in the IS too? Or it might be an aftermarket jobbie.

I'll save y'all from embedding the monster pics.
http://www.bilportal.com/pics/183_6.jpg
http://www.bilportal.com/pics/183_3.jpg
http://www.bilportal.com/pics/183_1.jpg

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by stealthx32 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Apparently Lexus has plans to throw it in the IS too? </TD></TR></TABLE>
you beat me to it

I have heard this as well, but that it was a while ago and I would have thought the car would be out already if it was coming out at all.


The holden is a fantastic car but too bad its so damn heavy. Does it really have to be 3600lbs?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by elgorey &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
The holden is a fantastic car but too bad its so damn heavy. Does it really have to be 3600lbs? </TD></TR></TABLE>

that doesn't seem too heavy to me, seeing the niche it fits into; i think the bmw 540i weighs in about the same...

remember, the average joe that is gonna buy the new GTO isn't probably considering taking it to Summit Point Raceway; he is considering driving it to work, being stuck in traffic, cruising to the beach, etc. he wants every creature comfort known to man, A/C, power everything, etc. etc.

i am sure that GM could take out 500 lbs in an eyeblink; just remove power everything; put in thin seats, remove the stereo, A/C, satellite radio, nav system, most of the sound insulation, etc.

then you have a 4 door racecar at 3100 lbs. who is gonna buy it, except for some wackos like us????

GM probably wants to sell at least 20k of them the first year; i doubt you could find 1k folks to buy a totally stripped down version.....

as always, these decisions are driven by dollars and cents....

just look at how many "standard" 996s Porsche sells, compared to how many GT-3s.

or how many Teg Type Rs compared to regular GSRs/LSs.

thats my take on it, anyway....

 

I see more GT3 porsches than standard 911's. On the order of about 2:1. Of course, that is in Atlanta, where no one buys the base *anything*...
Even the stupid Hummers have to go out and get 22" wheels so it won't look stock.

And GM pulling out of NASCAR has been in the works for some time, from what I've read. NASCAR has ceased to be a marketing asset for the manufacturers that have been in it for so long. Win on Sunday, sell on Monday stopped being a saying roughly 20 years ago. Now they have common templates, and it looks like GM figures that NASCAR can start using common money to support and market them.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Catch 22 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">In the new Road and Track...
The "new" Pontiac GTO. Actually a Holden Monaro. Now you can own your very own Aussie V8 Supercar!!!

Corvette motor. RWD. 6 Speed. Good brakes. Decent handling. Room for 4 to fit comfy. And none of that Pontiac extra curricular plastic body cladding crap.
Its about damned time.
</TD></TR></TABLE>

I agree with you, Scott. I would love to own this car... if it sold for 25-26 grand.

The real question is to whether the SEB will allow it to be put in FS... where it belongs. Even at a swelt 3700 lbs, I think it'll give the F-bodies hell.

Andy - who has a secret desire to drive a V8... shhhh!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by krshultz &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">BTW, don't forget that there's an LS-1 powered Caddy CTS with a 6 speed coming soon.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I will have to think long and hard before I pay $90,000 for a Cadillac!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by George Knighton &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

I will have to think long and hard before I pay $90,000 for a Cadillac!</TD></TR></TABLE>
Try low to mid 50's...
CTS-V, not the Cien.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by madhatter &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
Try low to mid 50's...
CTS-V, not the Cien.</TD></TR></TABLE>

for low to mid 50's i'd just get a Z06

why mess with the 4door when you can get the original, and those 400 series tires :0.

i've hated corvettes for a long time but i have to admit that the C5 kicks serious ***. nothing gives me a honda inferiority complex quite like a corvette.

 

Not arguing your point, but sometimes there are folks who want to carry more than just one other person, and can't afford another car. I think it was intended to be a Cadillac version of the BMW M5. Which, on paper, it looks quite capable of being.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by madhatter &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Not arguing your point, but sometimes there are folks who want to carry more than just one other person, and can't afford another car. I think it was intended to be a Cadillac version of the BMW M5. Which, on paper, it looks quite capable of being.</TD></TR></TABLE>

yeah, that makes sense.

my exgf had a CTS. It was neat at times but i couldn't get over the snowplow-esque styling, and the WEIRD font they use for their gauge faces and ergonomics. still, the LS-1 is one hell of an engine--i can dig it.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by madhatter &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
Try low to mid 50's...
CTS-V, not the Cien.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Oh, sorry. I thought it was a higher performance version of the XLR, which is pretty expensive already, for what it is.