Driven

[Raza]

The GTO is it.

The one I drove today was some weirder color, similar to the Barbados blue, but I don't think that's what he called it.  I can't find it on the website, but I think it might be Cyclone Gray, though it doesn't really look that gray.  In that color, the new tail lights don't stand out as much, and the hood scoops look less ostentatious.

He did tell me that he could get me a Phantom Black one though, no problem.  They sold the one they had last night after I left.

So you are getting a GTO then?

Lucky bastard.  :P

Actually...are your parents okay with you getting a GTO? The 400 HP might scare some parents away.

I just have to do some research on reliability history of the GTO and Monaro, and I should be okay.  

They'd be okay with a Corvette, I don't know why they wouldn't be okay with a 4 seater Vette that costs 15 grand less.

[Raza]

Do LS1 forums and stuff still discuss these cars, even though they're LS2s now?  Are there GTO specific forums?

[SJ_GTI]

The GTO is it.

The one I drove today was some weirder color, similar to the Barbados blue, but I don't think that's what he called it.? I can't find it on the website, but I think it might be Cyclone Gray, though it doesn't really look that gray.? In that color, the new tail lights don't stand out as much, and the hood scoops look less ostentatious.

He did tell me that he could get me a Phantom Black one though, no problem.? They sold the one they had last night after I left.

So you are getting a GTO then?

Lucky bastard.  :P

Actually...are your parents okay with you getting a GTO? The 400 HP might scare some parents away.

I just have to do some research on reliability history of the GTO and Monaro, and I should be okay.  

They'd be okay with a Corvette, I don't know why they wouldn't be okay with a 4 seater Vette that costs 15 grand less.

It might be a good idea to check out www.newageGTO.com. They have a decent sized community. I have never heard of any major issues but any car can get typical rattles/squeaks/gremlins though.

[SJ_GTI]

And PM "The Phantom" over at C&D. He and a friend both bought one around the same time.

[Secret Chimp]

A 1.8 Toyota is no longer your wet-dream engine now, I'm guessing ;P

[Raza]

A 1.8 Toyota is no longer your wet-dream engine now, I'm guessing ;P

No, it still is.  But this is more feasible.  Pricewise, the Elise is over 10K more, and honestly, I don't feel right asking my parents to spend that much.  I would be taking over the payments on this car in two years or so.

[mazda6er]

I will definitely have to test drive a GTO before I buy my next car. Its sounds like an amazing car. Everyone that drives it seems to love it (except american car magazine journalists).

I don't think that is true, most of the reviews I have read have been very positive, the only complaints I have seen are about the lack of options and the shifter.

Yeah, the lack of options contributes to the "Is this a Mustang fighter or a 3 series fighter?" confusion.  If they add options like satnav, satellite radio, and heated seats (sunroof would be nice) it would easily defined as the most powerful and fastest entry luxury car you could buy.  

The shifter isn't bad at all.  Throws felt a little longer than the MX-5's but it's not notchy, it's not too heavy, and it's not vague one bit.  The clutch is a bit on the heavy side, though.  But, even in rush hour traffic, I never felt like "man, this clutch is heavy".

I hear that. If the GTO had those options, I'd want one, no doubt. Congrats Raza, as always, keep us up to date.  And btw, did YOU know what GTO meant in English?    

[Colonel Cadillac]

I can't imaging how it could be all that unreliable. It is a relatively simple car that has not been electronically overdone.  

[Raza]

I will definitely have to test drive a GTO before I buy my next car. Its sounds like an amazing car. Everyone that drives it seems to love it (except american car magazine journalists).

I don't think that is true, most of the reviews I have read have been very positive, the only complaints I have seen are about the lack of options and the shifter.

Yeah, the lack of options contributes to the "Is this a Mustang fighter or a 3 series fighter?" confusion.  If they add options like satnav, satellite radio, and heated seats (sunroof would be nice) it would easily defined as the most powerful and fastest entry luxury car you could buy.  

The shifter isn't bad at all.  Throws felt a little longer than the MX-5's but it's not notchy, it's not too heavy, and it's not vague one bit.  The clutch is a bit on the heavy side, though.  But, even in rush hour traffic, I never felt like "man, this clutch is heavy".

I hear that. If the GTO had those options, I'd want one, no doubt. Congrats Raza, as always, keep us up to date.  And btw, did YOU know what GTO meant in English?  

Yes, I did.  :D

But Grand Touring Homo-cat was close.

[Raza]

I can't imaging how it could be all that unreliable. It is a relatively simple car that has not been electronically overdone.

That's my logic too.  The Monaro has been around for years, the LS2 is deeply rooted in the LS1 (right?) and that's been very good as an engine.

[Raza]

Yeah, and while driving it today, I didn't really miss the sunroof that much.  But when I got back into the Passat, I did miss the 400bhp, RWD, and 6 speed manual.  

[Raza]

I'm loading my camera phone pictures now.

[Raza]

[Raza]

This is the background on my phone right now.  Yes, the GTO is sexy enough to unseat Nicole Kidman, for the time being, at least.



That color is called Cyclone Gray, but it doesn't look gray at all.  That Impulse Blue one on the far end is the one I drove last night (I know because I parked it there).

I parked that GTO there too.  Reverse parking in a stickshift isn't as hard as I thought it would be.  

[Raza]

This is my background image.  Let's see if it works now.

[Raza]

I think it's pretty funny that I decided on a car that wasn't in my top 5.  

Hmm..so much for quantification.

[SJ_GTI]

I don't get why people call that car boring looking. Sure its not the most agressive car on the market, but it reminds me of the E46 3er coupe. Subtle, sophisticated, but a hint of aggression.

I'd prefer it without the scoops, but if you get Black they won't be noticable anyway.

[TBR]

I don't really think it is boring, just bloated. Not my style.  

[Raza]

Hehe...

[Raza]

[Rupert]

State

[Raza]

State

That just means I need a 4 day weekend.

[Raza]

Uh-oh.  My dad was just talking about his Cadillac.  

[TBR]

????????????

[SJ_GTI]

I assumes that means raza's father doesn't want to buy an American car.

[Raza]

I assumes that means raza's father doesn't want to buy an American car.

Yeah--my dad had a very bad experience with Cadillac.  But we've been talking, but he seems open to it again.  Just a memory flash of a time when GM was an asshole.

[MX793]

I assumes that means raza's father doesn't want to buy an American car.

Yeah--my dad had a very bad experience with Cadillac.  But we've been talking, but he seems open to it again.  Just a memory flash of a time when GM was an asshole.

Just inform him that the GTO isn't American.  It's built and engineered in Australia by Holden (which operates pretty independantly of GMNA) and rebadged as a Pontiac.

[Raza]

I assumes that means raza's father doesn't want to buy an American car.

Yeah--my dad had a very bad experience with Cadillac.  But we've been talking, but he seems open to it again.  Just a memory flash of a time when GM was an asshole.

Just inform him that the GTO isn't American.  It's built and engineered in Australia by Holden (which operates pretty independantly of GMNA) and rebadged as a Pontiac.

I've said that like 6 times.  I think he's okay with it, honestly.  Though I still can't get him to try the Jaguar XJ.

[Raza]

On Edmunds.com there is a "Hood Scoop Delete" option...do you think I could get the dealer to perform the switch for me?

[MX793]

Pontiac's website doesn't list a hood scoop delete option.  Wouldn't hurt to ask about it at the dealer, though.