[goatfarmer]

I'm wondering if anyone out there who has ordered an o4 gto has put consideration into waiting for following yrs. I'm very excited about getting my 04 gto but would like the opions of others on if it would be wise to wait. So tell me what you think. pro's con's etc.......thanks guys

 

[nightwave]

I never really want to buy the first off the line, because they're still working the bugs out of it. I would suggest waiting until about '05, when they prob. get around to offering more options and refinements. But, if you buy an '04, you can say that you bought one of the first new ones out. That, to me, carries some weight.

 

[nsap]

Pro's- Might get more power, retro styling, and more options...

Con's- YOU HAVE TO WAIT!~

 

[TAFreak]

I'm gonna wait.

they're still working the bugs out of it

I don't think you're going to find many bugs. The 04 GTO is a new GTO... but not a new car. I'm pretty sure this version of the Commodore has been out since at least 1997.

I'm waiting because I'm still hopefull GM will make the car complete by actually making it look good.

Also, I don't think the Judge option appearance package will be very good at all. I'm come to the conclusion that the new GTO is too tame to make it look exotic. Basically, putting a spoiler and hood scoop on this car is very similar to doing so on a Honda Civic. Sure the GTO is actually pretty fast, but it will still look odd.

 

[sykboy]

Although I like it, I kind of agree with TA Freak. I think that the next one will be THE one to have. But saying I would wait would be a joke, I have no choice. $$$

 

[demonspeed]

Originally posted by nsap@Nov 16 2003, 11:59 AM
Pro's- Might get more power, retro styling, and more options...

Look at the Z06... 01 they came out and everyone thought it was the top of the line...

02 came out and they were trading them in already to get 20 more hp. If I was in the market for a brand new performance car, i'd be waiting for the GTO in a year or two. In the meantime, i'd have my used f-body B)

 

[Josh O]

Wait until MY '07, then it will be American made, in an American factory.

 

[Tails]

Wait for what? Rumors to come true? No way would I wait for a year. If the '05 is that much better then sell the '04 and getta '05. Worst case is you get to drive a GTO for a year longer.

:laughbounce: :laughbounce: :laughbounce: :laughbounce:

 

[TAFreak]

But you're undoubtedly going to lose money...

For me, speed is the biggest factor and my 98 T/A will currently blow the doors of the 04 GTO (no, it's not stock).

From my point of view, selling it and buying a GTO would be a downgrade.

Maybe if the 05 has 405 horsepower, I'll consider it.

Or maybe Pontiac should start using historical numbers, and make it have 421 horsepower. It's not like they haven't played games with numbers before anyway.

 

[mackingu]

sorry if this is a dumb question, or just the wrong place to ask, but what is that "MY" '07 year? is "MY" supposed to stand for may, as in, may 2007?

 

[nightwave]

The reason that I would wait is because though, yes, the Holden has been on sale a while they've changed numerous parts to get it ready for US sale. I'd wait in case they've got problems with the new US Spec. parts. Also, the only current option is the manual tranny. I'd wait 'til '05 to see if they offer any new options. Then that would be the end of my patience...

 

[69nova]

It comes down to 2 subjects- money and performance.
GM is now giving some hefty rebates due to the economy. If the GTO is not on the rebate list and you are in competition with the "must have" crowd, you may not even get a break on the sticker. Remember the PT Cruiser, the first year they were going at what the dealer could get. Being placed on a waiting list and paying at or above sticker is not my cup of tea. The second year out, the car is just as nice but the sales are starting to plummet. Rebates are in force and dealers are happy to bargain. Now, the PT has turbocharging which really helped the performance. If you can wait, you gain control. Unless the economy soars and people start snatching everything up on 4 wheels and come to their senses and buy American. If all these conditions are in place, go buy a lotto ticket.

Performance? The car will be tweaked to correct any minor flaws. Maybe another color, different interior appointments. But I don't think anything big because the management will be studying the returns (sales) throughout the year. Nobody sticks their neck out too far these days nor is their a ton of money for development.

The switch to American manufacturing? I'll let those members who know the business answer this one. I would guess that the plans would already be in the works regarding where and when to build the car. The lead time must be measured in years since it is a big undertaking.

My own feelings. If it isn't manufactured in the US, then the GTO, however good the performance, does not truly represent the car. Might as well make it in korea or Japan.

 

[thehemi]

Wait due to better models coming out?
That would be like holding off on a CPU
upgrade for your PC because you want
to see if anything better will come out.

Wait due to construction quality issues?
Usually a legit reason, but the GTO has a
couple things in the positive. It is not an
entirely "brand new" vehicle and the LS1
is definately not an untested powerplant.

Personally? I always wait for at least the
second model year of a vehicle due to the
bugs getting worked out. Even longer if it
is a vehicle with a newly released engine.
In a pinch, I would get the GTO, no prob.

 

[Ming]

Originally posted by thehemi@Nov 17 2003, 09:35 AM
Personally? I always wait for at least the
second model year of a vehicle due to the
bugs getting worked out. Even longer if it
is a vehicle with a newly released engine.
In a pinch, I would get the GTO, no prob.

Holden is making these in the same factory that has been churning out Monaros for years now.

The only potential bugs are related to the new placement of the fuel tank for US safety regulations, and a few minor tweaks.

There's no reason to wait as if this is a freshly designed, never been mass tested before vehicle.

But you'll need to wait anyway ---- with the number of GTOs coming over, I'd bet the waiting list will be long.

 

[Canuck]

why wait? If you can still get an 04 at sticker price then do it. Holden has been building the car, why worry about new trim? Gas tank? It would be a shock if either change of the Holden resulted in a defect.

If the 04 GTO sells out fast do you really think GM will leave the price alone?

Only 18 000 GTOs incentives would be a big surprise.

 

[demonspeed]

Originally posted by TAFreak@Nov 16 2003, 08:27 PM
For me, speed is the biggest factor and my 98 T/A will currently blow the doors of the 04 GTO (no, it's not stock).

Yup, i'll keep my Z and keep the average GTO owner in my rearview. :beer:

 

[Ming]

Originally posted by demonspeed@Nov 17 2003, 07:54 PM

Yup, i'll keep my Z and keep the average GTO owner in my rearview. :beer:

Just don't race the GTO anywhere with curves in a stock F-Body.

 

[TAFreak]

Oh don't worry, most Fbody owners stay on real roads... where we will own the GTO repeatedly.

None of that driving-glove-wearing, autocrossing junk... and honestly it will still be very close on the track.

 

[sykboy]

TA, you shouldn't think for a minute(well, maybe a few months, I guess) that there won't be some GTO's out there with the same mods you have(eventually) and maybe more. Enjoy it while you can!
Some of your brother F-bod lovers will switch and many will be moddin' the bajeebers out of them.

 

[TAFreak]

Well, the new GTO isn't marketed at the same crowd the Fbodies are.

04 GTO -> Guys going through a mid life crisis, but can't get a vette for some reason (price, practicality, etc)
4th Gen Fbodies -> Performance enthusiasts

Sure, there will be modded GTOs, but odds are you won't run into one as often as you would a modded Fbody. There's going to be way more of the Fbodies around. Also, add in the fact that the GTO's are heavier, lose less horsepower though the drivetrain, etc... your average GTO isn't going to compete with your average fbody on the street.

At least until the 05's come out.