Fast, perhaps. But let me tell you, I’ve always felt that the resurrected GTO was seriously lacking in design aesthetics. Frankly, the car always reminded me of a Sunfire.
Or could meet them, but the maker hasn’t considered it worth it to file for it. If the US market would be tiny compared with the market for which the car is targetted, there is simply no point in passing all US paperwork.
True, it’s at or over 400hp stock, but those cars are eminently upgradeable performance-wise. Here’s a brief video of a startup of a GTO that a former employee of mine bought from the widow of a deceased friend (these guys were all like 21 at the time). It was in pretty sad shape. He put a crate motor in it with forged internals, a cam and who knows what else. After months of work, which they did themselves, here’s the rise of Frankenstein, also known as “Black List”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WrSFkMBO8k8
How did it kill Pontiac? It was never meant to be high production, I think they sold all that they built/imported, and the G8, another Holden car, was one of the best if not the best car to wear a Pontiac badge in awhile (since the demise of the T/A, IMO). Pontiac was always the performance arm of GM, especially in the 1960’s.
I never thought of it’s looks as girly at all, but I agree it was pretty bland. But again, if you do the right things to it…good things! Check this one out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4FJHBc8uEg&t=616s
Some people try to impress others by rebadging their cars. Others do it by talking about their personal dealings with obscure business executives. Everyone has their own thing, i guess.
In 2004, there was NO other rear wheel drive GM cars except for the Corvette, No Camaro/Firebird and the Impala was now front wheel drive
Yes, it is not overly styled but that I considered an advantage as being only noticeable by the people who recognize GTO’s gives it some stealth.
It essentially has the corvette engine and you could get it with the 6 speed Tremac. manual
Unlike a lot of other cars, it was actually feasible to pull the motor out (although not as easy as the 60s GTO)
Nice comfortable leather seats and there is actually a useable back seat.
The trunk was a joke (Fuel tank had to be relocated which cut its size in half)
In terms of power, the Ls1 in 2004 or the Ls2 in the 2005/2006 didn’t feel that fast right off the line. However they kept their power constant until 6000 rpm which gave them a deceivingly fast top end.
What you had was very close to a slightly worse handling corvette with a back seat.
Yes, there was a lot of aftermarket parts so a 600 - 700 hp monster was possible and it would not need much in the way of chassis modifications either
The G8 didn’t appear until 2008. But you’re right about the CTS-V, the introductory year was in fact 2004 for the first gen version of that car. But it was far, FAR more expensive than the GTO in that year.
Plus the first-gen CTS-V made the same power as the GTO and I’m pretty sure both had the LS1 motors in that year, so the GTO was the better performance option for the money.
My guess is that “parking lot assbeating” > “enjoyment of exposing a trivial lie while simultaneously appearing weird and stalkery.” Czarcasm either made the sensible choice and let it go, or, he isn’t able to post from the hospital.