Farwell to the Firebird, Long live the Pontiac GTO

[Frosty]

See http://www.canadiandriver.com/news/030103-11.htm For all the good news!

[rasermon]

Quote from USAtoday:The GTO, which Pontiac hasn't marketed since 1974, is a repackaged Holden Monaro, a car GM sells in Australia. Going on sale in late 2003, it packs a 5.7-liter, V-8 engine and 340 horsepower. The rear-drive, two-door GTO is expected to be priced between $35,000 and $40,000."Pontiac has to be about performance, and the GTO will attract serious performance buyers. And it will be a big hit with younger buyers whether they can afford it or not," says GM product boss Bob Lutz, who became a fan of the Monaro after driving it last year.This year, Pontiac is also launching an all-new Grand Prix sedan, and GM is hoping that the halo of the GTO, which will be limited to 20,000 units, will shine on the bigger front-wheel-drive sedan.Sales of all of Pontiac's established nameplates are down this year. Overall, the brand's sales were up 6.1% through November — driven by popularity of the all-new Vibe, a sport wagon.

[Vibe]

Exterior styling in my opinion looks to plain Jane---but I would'nt mind giving that engine a test run.

[VibeSalsa]

It seems not so bad but I agree with you James. This new GTO seems to be plain... a little bit...quote:Overall, the brand's sales were up 6.1% through November — driven by popularity of the all-new Vibe, a sport wagon.The only other thing I want to comment... We have something to do with that. I think everybody here can be proud of this popularity of the VIBE !

[cohocarl]

I've been drooling over the Holdens for a couple years now. It's about time G.M. brought them over here. The new CTS Caddy is supposed to get the LS1 motor also from what I've read. Now if I could just afford either one of these.....

[Flip-Side]

quote:Exterior styling in my opinion looks to plain Jane---but I would'nt mind giving that engine a test run. Too true. I hate the fact that a $20,000 line (Camero/Firebird) is being replaced with something so expensive. It seams like a nice car, but it is not, and will not ever be a GTO in my mind. You can't drop a v8 in an ordinary car (that does NOT resemble a GTO!) and stay true to the namesake.

[d_m_kolb]

The so called GTO looks nothing like the muscle I remember. GM needs a sports car like the TA and Camaro that will duel with the 390 HP Mustang Cobra. The Corvette is to damn expensive for most to afford around $50,000 and a Cobra goes for $31,000. The GTO looks like a family car and is heavy and will never be able to compete with a Cobra.Bring the TA and Camaro back and bump the HP up to around the same area as the Cobra is at and I'd bet people will buy these like crazy.

[Sputnik]

A bit off topic, but my friend just bought a Mustang Cobra.I do agree GM needs some new, sportier stuff whether its bringing back older cars, or fresh new ones. GM just seems kinda... boring lately (aside from the Vibe, of course. )

[rubberman]

The CTS is going to get the Z06 version of the LS1 motor. it will haul ***!!!!.It will be Cadilacs answer to the M5 BMW. Holden makes some great cars just check them out on the web.