Re: 'American icon' -- C6 Firebird Forum

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Date Posted: 03:48:03 09/10/02 Tue
Author: Monaro/GTO
Subject: Re: 'American icon'
In reply to: John LeChette 's message, "Re: 2004 GTO" on 12:14:19 09/07/02 Sat

>I am a little dismayed by Pontiac's plan to "import" a
>GTO. What a slap in the face for this division. The
>GTO is the American icon of the muscle car, and to
>pass off this foreign car with a warmed over chevy
>engine is a disgrace.
>I think a company this large could have actually built
>one here in the U.S. and competed quite well with the
>Ford Mustang Cobra in the $35000 range. My .02
>
>John

Disgrace, eh?
I'll tell you what the REAL disgrace is!... It's the so-called 'Excitement Division' of Pontiac currently making/selling nothing better than boring V6 powered Front-drive cars!
NO V8 Pontiacs? ... boring
NO RWD Pontiacs? ... boring
NOT even a V6 stick shift Pontiac available? ... boring boring boring
Tin Indian sales are down fully 20% in 18 months, and Pontiac's in need of rescue - lucky for them at least Holden still makes genuine excitement machines, V8 6speed coupes with RWD

2002 F-Body > imported from Canada
2004 GTO > imported from Australia - no more 'foreign' than the 2002 model, eh John?

Please, try and control this misty-eyed 'American icon' GTO nostalgia crap. When the previous GTO last appeared about a quarter-century ago, it was merely a thinly disguised (and boring) Chevy Nova econo-car clone. Hardly an item of worship

I've read a lot of nauseous posts regarding the new GTO, bitching on about the lack of hood scoops, lack of hood-mounted tach, lack of retro styling, doesn't deserve the GTO badge etc etc. Apart from the much-improved quality of the '04, most of you so-called enthusiasts forget to ask one simple question ...

How good is it to drive & own?

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[> [> [> Re: 'American icon' -- American Muscle, 10:50:49 01/22/03 Wed

Most of you are missing the point. The new GTO styling looks a tad plain for the simple reason that it takes quite a bit of time to certify any changes in styling such as hood scoops, duel exhaust etc... Pontiac wanted to get this car out for the 2004 model year to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the GTO. The 2005 car will include far more of what you all had "hoped" for, mark my words.
As far as excitement? 340hp LS1, T56 6 speed, RWD in a car that is quite a bit lighter than the Corvette and 15 grand cheaper... I�m excited. The only car manufactured today that even comes close at the same price range is the SVT Cobra Mustang. Ford is not stifled by the (�Nothing is allowed to compete with the Corvette�) mindset that GM instituted way back in 1967 when tri- power was no longer allowed on any car other than the Corvette. Believe me, this Holden has a GTX version in AU that is producing over 400hp! When SLP or the like get their hands on it we will see what this GTO�s potential is. Lets not forget, most first generation GTO owners took their new GTO to speed shops like Royal Pontiac and had them tuned up. I see no reason why that will not be the case 40 years later. So slow down with the knee jerk reactions and get ready for the ride of your life.
In a final note calling the GTO an �import� is a tad of a stretch! Sure its made in AU, But Holden is a division of GM and in a sad testament of the truth, they have a far better quality control program that any US auto maker. As a result we may actually see a better manufactured vehicle from this GM division. If this program is a success, the car will eventually be moved over to US plants. Tooling up for a new model takes years. Like I said before, Pontiac wanted to get this car out for the 2004 model year to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the GTO.

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[> [> [> [> Re: 'American icon' -- ThirdPersonPlural, 17:39:26 09/18/03 Thu

How many think that anyone found the 1964 Tempest an exciting body style? Hey, the GTO legacy is a bigger than standard motor dropped into a run of the mill midsized sedan, which is exactly what we are seeing today.

When Can I Get A Convertible?