Mustang vs. GTO

[850CSi]

Okay, spawned by the other thread since the 'Stang defeated the 350Z... I was thinking about this and I honestly can't decide...

(Ignore the fact that the GTO is dead.)

They say the GTO handles a bit better and I'd rather have an LS2 over just about anything, but the 'Stang is (IMO) better looking inside and out. Not that the GTO's a bad-looking car, it's just a little bland (again IMO). GTO's definitely a better sleeper.





I still can't decide what to vote.

[the Teuton]

You can now get the GTO for almost $10k less.  Plus, the interior looks better, and that's where I want to be.

[GoCougs]

I went with the GTO.

The Mustang GT really only has legacy and more popular styling on its side. Oh, perhaps add in a bit for the aftermarket crowd, but the GTO (LSx really) has a ton as well.

For me, it's 400hp, 6sp MT, IRS, and more upscale interior that seals the deal.

[565]

GTO, kinda like my car but with back seats and a good interior.

[Onslaught]

GTO for me. I like the looks of the interior and exterior more and I'm more a fan of GM than I am of Ford.
The only reason I would probably get a Mustang over it would be the fact that I work for a Ford dealership and could get one at cost.

[Ron From Regina]

I chose mustang for 2 reasons.

1. GTO isn't sold in Canada because it won't pass crash tests here.

2. I already own a J-body. I don't need another car in my garage that looks just like it.

[The Pirate]

Man, I need to think about this one.

[SJ_GTI]

400 HP FTW!

[Minpin]

GTO, very easy choice.

[SVT666]

Mustang.

Besides the GTO was never sold in Canada, so even if I wanted it I couldn't get it.  Besides , the GTO looks like a Cavalier. YUCK!

[SVT666]

Okay, spawned by the other thread since the 'Stang defeated the 350Z... I was thinking about this and I honestly can't decide...

You beat me to it.  I had started the same poll but I got a phone call and it timed out on me.

[LonghornTX]

Mustang for me.  The GTO is boring looking and heavy compared to the Mustang.  Plus the Mustang has a much better aftermarket, and that means a lot to someone like me (though I admit, this probably does not apply to most people).

[Onslaught]

I think the GTO (this one not the old ones) looks good. But then again I think most domestic sport/muscle cars are over styled and not to my taste. I must like dull looking cars.

[280Z Turbo]

Mustang.

Besides the GTO was never sold in Canada, so even if I wanted it I couldn't get it. Besides , the GTO looks like a Cavalier. YUCK!

Better to look like a Cavalier than a brick.

I believe that if Pontiac would have called it a G8 coupe, 90% of the bitching about the styling would go away. People had this idea in their heads that a GTO was supposed to be a big loud flourescent orange thing from 1969 with 16 racing stripes, side exhaust, big scoops and frickin' laser beams attached to the roof.

The GTO is supposed to be an understated European style GT, not a midlife crisismobile.

I mean look at the '64 GTO. You can barely tell it's not just a regular old Tempest:


Honestly, after looking at both, there is not a single practical thing better about the Mustang. The GTO has better suspension, seats, instrumentation, interior, engine...you name it.

[SVT666]

Yu can use the '64 GTO all you want, but the GTO wasn't just a '64 just like the Mustang wasnt just a '64 1/2.  How about these ones?  There's nothing subdued about them:


1969 Pontiac GTO


1970 Pontiac GTO


1971 Pontiac GTO


1972 Pontiac GTO

[280Z Turbo]

And the '64 looks the best, if you ask me. I don't care for the body color nose of the '68+.

[Eye of the Tiger]

You can now get the GTO for almost $10k less.? Plus, the interior looks better, and that's where I want to be.

In that case, GTO. But if it came down to price, I'd have to go with the 'stang, because I'm just cheap like that.

[mazda6er]

http://www.carspin.net/forums/index.php?topic=2529.0

Blast from the past, just for kicks and comparison.

[Eye of the Tiger]

http://www.carspin.net/forums/index.php?topic=2529.0

Blast from the past, just for kicks and comparison.

The GTO won then, and it wins now. It's a winner! 

[Lebowski]

Mustang is better looking (exterior).  The GTO is better in every other way, so I voted GTO.

[Raza]

I went Mustang back then, which was a moment of insanity.  GTO.

[mazda6er]

I went Mustang back then, which was a moment of insanity.  GTO.

If you read the posts, you'll even notice that I wasn't an asshole back then. My how a year changes things.

EDIT: That thread was before I met my ex. Now it all makes sense.

[LonghornTX]

Honestly, after looking at both, there is not a single practical thing better about the Mustang. The GTO has better suspension, seats, instrumentation, interior, engine...you name it.

While the GTO may have an advantage in those categories, it was also a more expensive car (sometimes by a pretty wide margin, before GM started giving them away), which made it less practical in the most important category, price.  It also had a sloppy shifter (at least in the year I drove) and a heavier burden to lug around the track (~275lbs heavier for the LS1 model).  These, in addition to the conservative/boring/dated styling elements that killed the whole idea from the start (IMO) would lead to the extinction of just about any 2-door domestically branded coupe in that price segment me thinks.  I have a sneaking suspicion that most people could not accept this newest interpretation as a true GTO heir, despite its good performance and ergonomics.  Even considering what you mentioned about the older models 280z, I feel people were probably looking for something closer to the 69+ models HEMI posted.

All that being said, I do like the GTO.  I liked how it drove. I liked the idea of it.  I just could not buy a car that I thought looked so anonimous....Heres to GM fixing that the next time around  (if there is a next time).

[JYODER240]

I haven't driven the Shelby but I have driven a GT and a LS2 GTO. The GTO is a better car, has a little better handling although it doesn't feel as nimble, better interior, better engine, and better steering. But it just doesn't do anything for me. I got done driving it and couldn't wait to drive my Z. If I see one driving down the road I notice it but then immediatly forget about it. The Mustang is different, I still like my Z better, but when I drive or see one all I can think of is that it is one cool car. Mustang gets my vote.

[sandertheshark]

The GTO is supposed to be an understated European style GT, not a midlife crisismobile.

I mean look at the '64 GTO. You can barely tell it's not just a regular old Tempest:

Exactly.  It's supposed to be just like another cheap Pontiac.  With ground-shaking V-8 power.

GTO FTW!!

[SVT_Power]

GTO. First i thought it was a no brainer and voted GTO before I saw the shelby part. Still would go for the GTO though

[SVT666]

Exactly.? It's supposed to be just like another cheap Pontiac.? With ground-shaking V-8 power.

GTO FTW!!

Check out the pictures I posted of the so-called "...cheap Pontiac.  With ground-shaking V-8 power".  It didn't exactly look anonymous when it was redesigned to battle Mustang and Friends.  It wouldn't have survived as long as it did without the redesign, because people wanted muscle cars that looked role.

[thewizard16]

GTO. It's a less aggressive looking sports car, but it's classy in it's own sense, and it's a nicer car overall. I like the Mustang quite a bit, but I'd take a GTO first.

[ChrisV]

If it was my wallet voting, it'd be Mustang all the way (GT that is, not Shelby). I'd love a black on black GT mustang, the sound, and the looks. But, I will admit that overall, the GTO is the better car, and yes, that 400 hp LS2 is a serious draw. And I like the looks almost as much as I like the Mustang's. So in this comparison, against the Shelby, the GTO gets the vote from me.

[Cobra93]

Mustang for me, obviously.? I looked at GTO's before I ordered my Mustang, but the price difference wasn't worth the 50 HP and at the time the desperation sales hadn't started on the GTO's. I really like the LS2 ones, but the only thing I'd think of trading for now would be the Bullit Mustang.