For one i’m the proud owner of a 1966 Pontiac GTO. The styling from my car compared to the new styling of 2004 GTO, i vote for mine being far better. They tried making the new GTO somewhat like the olders ones, but it just doesn’t compare no way, no how, i don’t care what pontiac says. The one thing i do like about the new 04 GTO is the horse power, man can that car fly. It sounds good with that dual exhaust coming only out of 2 pipes, rather then at least putting the 4 pipes, 2 on each side to resemble a real GTO, that all the real gto fans are disappointed about.
Yes i will admit it, General Motors did it again, yes it is faster then my 1966 gto, yes the car has the same badges on the fenders and the gto logo, they got that right, but have you looked at the car clearly. It sembles a grand am gt or a pontiac grand prix. Pontiac what are you thinking. No scoops what so ever on the car or hood tach, just cheap plastic flared out panels for air, and oh yes the cheap looking rear sunfire gt rear spoiler. Guys where’s the whail tail at least. Other then that ,the interior is comfortable and nice looking with all the chrome, instead of the usually cheap wood grain panels.
But for 36 k is this car really worth it. Yes it is the fasted GM manufactured automobile out there now. Can’t say that for dodge and ford , when the viper r/t and the new ford gt are still kings of speed in the United States big 3. But are you going to pay 90k for the viper or 150k for the ford gt. hmmm! My biggest gribe about the new 04 GTO is that it doesn’t have even a navagation system. I mean come on you guys built this car to out sell the imports like, accura, lexus, mercedes, bmw, audi, porsche, and even jaguar. Your paying all this money and you don’t get that, come on people, where are your heads. Well at least they did do a rear wheel drive sports car/muscle car. I don’t care i like my 66 GTO valued at 22k right now. I think i will settle for her right now.
What GTO ever came with 2 pipes on each side? I too own a 1966 GTO and the car still has the factory dual exhaust which consists of only one 2½ exhaust pipe on each side. My car was sold with the “Go Pack” which consisted of tri power carbs and the premium dual exhaust. The Pontiac Historical Society guide for the 66 GTO lists only 2 different exhaust systems, a 2 inch dual or a 2½ dual system. I also worked in a muffler shop many moons ago and never installed an exhaust system with 2 pipes on each side. Since 1975 when I bought a 66 LeMans, I have owned a total of 5 1966 model Pontiacs (2 LeMans, 2 Tempests and the GTO). Here is an example of a stock appearing dual exhaust system for a 66 GTO.
As far as the 2004 GTO, I haven’t really looked at it much, it’s not the kind of vehicle I would be looking for if I was in the market for a new car.
Dosen’t it bother you that it looks just like a boring midsize sedan? I mean, I haven’t driven one, but they say it’s a fun driver - so what, if it looks like any other road car? Shouldn’t it look exciting?
No. No they didnt try at all. GM took a Holden Monaro and badged it as a pontiac. I’m sure they made some minor changes (like moving the gas tank to a location less threatening) but basically the 04 GTO is a Holden.
I wonder how you can lament the passing of your '66 GTO, a raw, no-frills muscle car from bygone era of brawn over brains design theory, and at the same time ask that there be included as standard a big ass computer screen and navigation system for the modern reincarnation.
No again. The GTO was born when sneaky designers shoe-horned a monster 389 cubic inch engine into the otherwise tame Pontiac Tempest. The GTO was the original “sleeper” car, though not for long as the GTO’s reputation quickly spread.
Zsofia: it doesn’t. I haven’t seen one yet, but I can tell you the Holden that this car is a rebadged version of screams “Raaaagh!” when you see one in the metal.
Scylla, the last ZR-1 rolled off the line in April 1995. I believe you’re thinking of the Z06.
mistergto, if you want a navigation system, you’re missing the point. In a car like that the idea is “hang on to the wheel while stuff flies by”, not “hey, I’m too lazy to use a map”.
GTOs aren’t meant for scavenger hunts. Put that son of a bitch on an open road and point. That’s your effing navigation system.
Oh yeah… old vs new? It’s not even an issue.
Back around thanksgiving I saw a car and driver mag with the new GTO featured inside. Hell Yes!, says I. I love the look of ‘muscle cars’ and wanted to see the new styling that would make this a must have car, especially with a $36,000 price tag. I figure, Pontiac must be branching out from the grand am and grand am mini (the sunfire). Now at this point I have to say that my love of the look of the original car is permanently fixed to the speed and power that the asthetics represent in my mind. Imagine my surprise when it looks just like a grand am, I mean fast is one thing but when reviving a car known for its speed in conjunction with a particular style should hold elements of both. I am so disappointed.
As a junior in high school, one afternoon found me in this car on a test drive. It was gold, had a 400 with I think a 650 Holley, Edelbrock and a heavy duty Hurst 4. 70s in front and 60s in the rear. I had the money from 2 years of mowing yards but my old man wouldn’t let me buy it because he knew well that I’d likely buy the farm in it. Not getting it is one of the great disappointments in my life. I had more wet dreams about that car than about Mary Ann Michalous.
Now, because retro looks cool and stirs up pangs of nostalgia, the old GTO looks cool, but in it’s day it was just some other car (but it happened to have a huge motor)
Adjusting for time, the new GTO does much of what the old one did: Make you wish it were tougher or sportier, until it was eventually ruined when they slapped “Judge” crap or scoops, stripes and ill-fitting wings.
And the GTO isn’t so much famous for itself as the era it put into high gear.
Pontiac even borrowed a car, much like they did then. Today’s model has no nostalgia to stir up for itself.
In 1970 the gto’s had 4 pipes ,like the 1977 trans am did, double pipes each side coming out of the rear with chrome tips, that’s what i meant the tips. Yes i love my 1966 goat better too, and makes my new girl friend look so hot in it. She loves it. GRRRRRR! that’s a good thing
And finally, in response to the same kind of outcry that this year’s bland GTO stirred up, the Pontiac folks junked up the ol’ GTO until it looked like this piece of junk. An embarassment:
So now you might see how the current GTO is honest and true to it’s roots, and not tied to the weed that spurted by '69 or '70.
Believe me, you don’t want Pontiac playing with plastic do-dads.
I was just kidding about, quote the f’n navigation system. Don’t get your panties rolled up in a ball. I navagate my GOAT myself. Where ever i turn she turns, smoking the rear tires of course and letting the back end come out a bit.
I’ve dreamed of owning a GTO since I was a kid. Only got to drive one once; my buddy had a 1964 that he let me take around the block. Man, the head-snapping acceleration and rubber in three gears was exhilarating.
I almost bought a '66 last year, but it had a 2bbl on it (!), single exhaust, and the interior was in bad shape. The engine was bored out, though, so it had possibilities.
