THOUGHTS

[WideTrac]

Have we lost the "American Dream"? You Decide!! :-/

[Unknown_Authority]

Not Me!! It's in my garage ;D

[theJUDGE]

I dunno.
I just can't get too excited about the new GTO. I mean, sure the idea of resurrecting the name & planting it into a rear wheel drive, V8, 6 speed car is good & all, but it doesn't do it for me. Perhaps it will compete with the Vette & the Cobra, in that arena.
But for me, what does it is OLD MUSCLECARS. Get in that OLD GTO & take a trip down memory lane, leaving all your troubles behind you, no matter what they are. Step into an era gone bye.
I tried the new musclecar thing, bought a new Ram Air, 320hp, Hurst shifted 6 speed, WS6 Trans Am 30th Anniversary. Don't get me wrong, cool car & all, but at the end of the day I discovered that no matter what the deal, when the sun comes out & it's time to cruise, I want to be in a VINTAGE MUSCLECAR.
So the 30th T.A. is gone, I have old GTOs & they are what I want to drive.
I may be wrong but I see the new GTO not as ever being the new American Dream but perhaps an image some 30or40something guy is looking for, he's not quite a Vette guy but he wants a look, & he doesn't work on cars OR get dirty.
Meanwhile, I'll be getting dirty, wrenching on my OLD GTOs & having a ball.
I'll step away from the podium now, so flame away boys. ;)

[LonnieS]

I hear you Mark. I could never get as excited about new modern "muscle cars" as I do about the classics. If money wasn't an issue, I probably wouldn't hesitate to choose the 2004 GTO over other NEW muscle cars. That's of course, after I've satisfied my classic GTO shopping list.

Since money will always be an issue, I'd sell a 2004 and buy two or three good classics.

We haven't lost the American Dream, it's just not in mass production anymore.

[GTO_AL]

The American (Ausie) Dream lives on. They didn't retro this thing at least.... even though it's from out of country, it's still respectable. Most everything now is some percentage of import, even my wife is from England.

I'd buy one, I wouldn't sell ANY of the true old GTOs to help pay for it but I'd buy one. But then I have a factory PINK LeMans at home, I guess I'd buy anything. Perhaps I'll order a 2004 PINK NWL Limited edition GTO and give it to my wife. LOL, I certainly wouldn't be seen driving it. LOL

[MikeS]

Mark, I agree with you too. I am a fan of "Retro" and the more the '04 GTO looks and acts like the GTO's of old, the more it will be accepted. Back in the day, the GTO was a larger, less expensive answer for the guy (or gal) who wanted performance, but didn't want, or couldn't afford a Vette. As long as this new GTO is faster and outperforms anything else on the road America builds, short of a Viper or a Vette, I think it will be a success. Anything short of that will tarnish the GTO name and reputation. Throw a hood scoop, hoodtach, rear wing and some Carosel Red paint on it and you may have a retro rocket people will want! A Northwest Legends adition of this monster with Judge stripes would be welcomed at any show. But no matter how it's built, it will never hold a candle to a Real GTO. Just my 2 cents!

[triple66]

Maybe if the price was right it would make a good daily driver. A/C, cruise control and the modern amenities, but there is no way i'd trade my old stuff for one. I suppose it doesn't matter anyhow: they won't even be available here in Canada from what I hear.

[RoyalBotkin_Racing]

Come on Guys!

We are the lucky ones because we have the real GTO's and have loyalty and passion for a great American car, but there is a whole new generation of Americans and Canadians who have no idea what a domestic muscle car is. They think that the coolest cars on the planet are Rice Rockets or European Imports. They have never had the chance to drive a high performance domestic car.

I say let's give them the chance to see that an awesome high performance American/Australian car can compete with anything rorm Germany or Japan. Even if it is necessary to include a cd changer, cruise control and all the other things that today's new generation wants, we must attract them to our passion. If GM doesn't do this, it is just a matter of time before we all become a bunch of ancient old creakers talking about the good old days and complaining that the kids today just don't have any idea what a real car is.

I am in favor of the new GTO although I wouldn't trade in any of my real ones. There are a lot of people out there who don't have a real GTO because they have never had the opportunity. Once they are attracted to the new version, our GTO's will be as much loved and respected by this new generation as by us old creakers.

Let's include everyone!

I say " God Bless John DeLorean and Bob Lutz!"

[triple66]

Our president is, of course correct. It is a good thing to have some kind of "domestic" muscle car available. There is also something to be said for being the first to have something. Not to mention having the only one around for a while. The guy who brings one to Tiger Run will certainly get a lot of attention.

Maybe if there were one up on the hill Thursday night, we could see if the legend is really alive.

It sure would be a treat to be able to buy parts that the store has in stock. Could you imagine not having to wait for parts orders? Never having to fabricate something that is no longer made?

Does anyone know how fast this thing is supposed to be?

[theJUDGE]

Dan,
I think the thing is projected to run mid 13's box stock.
It had better at least be able to spank a Mustang Cobra.

[pontiacjon]

I was going to buy one but then I found my 70 gto And decided I wanted the real thing not a wanabe .Im not putting it down because I may still buy one but what would you rather drive an old school GTO or a PLASTIC GTO .http://server23.hypermart.net/stenklyft/gto10.JPG

Not Me!! It's in my garage *;D